Our Journey to Healing Day 18
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Isaiah 41:10
10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Our Saturday morning has shaped up to be me wearing a Hazard mask (I'm getting sick), drinking fairly decent cafeteria coffee, watching HGTV, Derek snoozing about 4 ft away, and me praying away an infection that is trying to make its way into Derek's body.
The past 2 days have been a bit more up and down. Nothing as scary as Monday, but still not ideal. Thursday was a great day. He had a great night sleep and was feeling good all day. We had a few family come by and I even got to sneak out to grab pizza with some friends and family. Friday morning was also a good morning but then those therapists just had to stop by around eleven. We have been reeling ever since.
Around noon on Friday, they actually took him off the vent (what is helping him breath) and allowed him to use an oxygen collar. This oxygen collar is blowing air into his trech but he really is just breathing on his own. This concept seemed to make him nervous (how would you feel if they took you off the machine that was keeping your lungs open?!) and his heart rate shot way up. They ended up putting him back on the ventilator and moving him back to bed. This whole process seemed to discourage my man and it has been breaking my heart.According to the nurses, the anxiousness is very common and they say he actually did quite well. He finally was able to calm his breathing down around eight last night.
Last night was more on the rough side. He did not sleep a wink and my amazing mom stayed up with him to keep cold wash clothes on his head. His fever got up to 102 but broke early this morning. They just finished take a lung culture to see if the pneumonia is back. His breathing is more steady and he also got the staples taken out of his arm. I actually think he is a little disappointed. He's been showing off the cut and staples to nurses and visitors all week :) They are also planning on removing the staples in his back this afternoon.
His missing contact fell out of his eye (don't get me started) a few days ago. We are so thankful it did not cause an infection. He also pulled out his own tooth on Thursday night. The tooth fairy will be visiting tonight and will bring adult money since it is an adult tooth. Derek has also lost 20 lbs and my brother-in-law joked that he is on the most expensive diet in the world.
We have started making plans for our new future. I went and saw a house last night (which was hard without him), he is looking at vehicles, and we are so excited to get outta here and head to rehab. Doctors think 1 more week and then we will be on the road!
Have a wonderful 4th of July. With luck, the doctor said we may get to take Derek up on the roof to watch the fireworks! Be still my heart.
With Love,
The Lavenders
