Progress - walking out of a difficult time

I really can't believe that it is the 21st of February.  I have lost most of January and most of February with Ken's health crisis.  But the very good news is that we are walking out of the crisis and back into our more normal routines. 

Ken actually drove over the last few days.  It felt really good to be a passenger once again!  I am not used to being the sole driver of the family.  And it was good for Ken to know that he was okay behind the wheel.  We thought that his IV antibiotics would be continued until at least the end of February.  So it was a (pleasant) surprise when the doctor's office called and summoned Ken back to the treatment center to have his IV removed.

The doctor transitioned Ken to oral antibiotics that are kinder on his system.  He will need to stay on these for a month, but it is progress!  This morning Ken stood in the shower for about half an hour.  That first shower after 6 weeks is pure heaven.  This morning Gwen and Doug both came over and all the grand kids had a a chance to play together.  It was a wonderful time to celebrate how well Ken is doing.  

During this blur of hospitals and doctors and IV's and worry, I have been so blessed by my wonderful friends.  This week a dear friend stopped by with homemade Chicken soup and crackers, which came with this adorable card..

I can't tell you what a  treat it was to have something delicious prepared for dinner, that I know also came with  many prayers.  Both Ken and I feel the power of the prayers of so many that have miraculously advanced his recovery so quickly.  

If there is one thing that I have had the time for in the last 6 weeks, it has been looking at magazines in waiting rooms through out the hospital.  I have scanned through some publications that I would never consider purchasing (or even looking at) if the situation was any different.  However, I picked up this magazine for the first time and was so impressed!

I confess that I am an HGTV fan and over the last weeks, that channel was playing often in Ken's room.  I love Chip and Joanna Gaines.  Of all the home improvement shows on that network, theirs is by far the best.  Their family focus and God focus come through in so many ways.  And this magazine was amazing.  I plan to get a subscription - something I never thought I would do.  There was so much more than decorating tips.  The interviews, the articles and even the ads are things that I want to spent my time thinking about, looking at and remembering.  I took a photo of one page that I just didn't want to lose.  

These are monthly prompts for journaling that will help to keep your focus where it needs to be.  While she doesn't talk about this from a Christian perspective, it is clear from each prompt that all the ideas reflect principles that are Biblical.  I love that through this "secular" publication, Joanna is reaching so many people in ways that will allow the Holy Spirit to touch them.  What an amazing gift.  I loved this family before I read this magazine, and more so now.  Finding this magazine was certainly a "God moment" for me.  Just one of many small things that kept my focus exactly where it needed to be.  

When you are doing the ordinary routines of life, it is easy to miss the ways that Jesus is watching out for you and your family.  But when you are in the midst of a crisis, those touches from the Lord become flashing beacons in the darkness around you.  From that first night and the Bible verse that was so perfect (see my last blog) to finding this magazine on a waiting room table, there have been countless, wonderful glimpses of the protecting, caring hand of God on Ken and our entire family.  I know that it is miraculous that Doug, Gwen and I did NOT get sick ourselves during this time.  We used tons of hand washing and sanitizer but still - the hospital was filled with so much flu and so many nasty viruses.  I know it was supernatural protection.  And none of the grand kids got sick either.  There were so many times I found parking spots right in front of the door to the hospital.  I could go on and on.  I found myself often reciting (silently) Psalm 23 - along with the reminder that we are WALKING THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death.  I am so thankful for all of the scriptures and songs that I have memorized that truly came into my mind (by the power of the Holy Spirit) at just the right moment.  Yes, God is so good.  I am very thankful.

Jesus, thank you for knowing exactly what we need and when we need it.  Holy Spirit, thank you for reminding us even when we don't ask.  Thank you for prompting the prayers of others for us when we can't even pray ourselves.  Jesus, thank you for friends who meet us just where we most need them.  And thank you for Chip and Joanna Gaines and their family.  Bless their business to reach many for your glory.   Amen  

Where have I been for the last month....

Saturday, January 18, 2020 started off not unlike many Saturday mornings around our house.  Ken had not been feeling well for a couple of days, but we attributed this to a new medicine he was taking.  It had been leaving him feeling so drowsy and dizzy that he didn't feel like doing much of anything.  We had attempted to send a message to the doctor who had prescribed the medicine, but found out that he left the practice on January 1st.  We were trying to make a decision about these drugs, when things took an unexpected turn.  I left Ken resting in bed to attend a dance event for Lia.

Lia's Spotlight group tours around to local nursing homes and presents shows for the residents.  Gwen had suggested that I attend this particular day since there was plenty of room to view the performance.  I loved seeing Lia dance and also got to spend some time with Ellie and Anna and Gwen.  The weather was kind of nasty the night before and we had several inches of snow, followed by sleet/rain that hardened into a thick coating.  By the time I got home at 4:00pm, Ken was very sick.  After trying to convince him that it WAS necessary to go to the ER, I managed to get his car cleared off, him into the car and drive to the ER.  It was not a fun time.  Men can be very stubborn and put up quite a fight.  By the time we arrived at the (very crowded - overflowing) ER, Ken was not doing well.  They rushed us back for immediate help.  I am so thankful for the ER doctor who made decisions that I am sure, saved Ken's life.  The prompt response, the correct tests and rapid follow through, certainly made a difference.  The next several hours are somewhat of a blur..  Ken had Septic Shock and by midnight was on multiple antibiotics, had a breathing tube, multiple IV lines and was sedated in ICU.   Every story you have heard or read about the speed that septic shock can take over, is absolutely true.  It was discovered that he had a blood infection, from some unknown source.  His recovery was not without some hiccups, but by day number 13 he was finally released from the hospital to a rehab center.  He was still very weak (hardly walking) and on many new medicines - including an IV antibiotic that he will need to be on till the middle of March. He spent 5 days in rehab, not really getting any rehab, but getting stronger and able to do more walking.  It was a very happy day when I drove into our driveway, with Ken in the passenger seat. 

We are making every other day, trips back to the hospital for IV medication.  It is a simple procedure for the nurses to replace the bag of medicine in the pump case, which takes about 15 minutes. I would like to thank personally the inventor of this cool little pump that Ken carries around with him.  It silently delivers his drugs into his PIC line, every 8 hours.  This allows us to be at home during this long course of antibiotics.  What a blessing.  

I don't know how I would have made it through this event without my kids.  Doug and Gwen were at the hospital as soon as I called.  They left their families and put their jobs on the back burner to sit with me and listen to the many, many doctors and nurses giving us so much information that sometimes my head was spinning.  I couldn't be more grateful for their love and support and their concern for me, as well as Ken.  They made sure that I ate, brought snacks and drinks for me, reminded me when it was time for me to go home and sleep. And they laughed with me.  Something that I so needed during this time. Their presence made me sure - beyond a shadow of a doubt - that I need to stay living close to my kids.  Susie and Tim held down the home fronts with all of the kids.  The hospital had a strict "no one under 18 can visit" policy because of this years flu epidemic. By the time Ken was in rehab everyone could visit.  And it was a wonderful time celebrating Ken's recovery along with Anna's 6th birthday and Grace's 3rd birthday.  

And I am so thankful for all of the family and friends who prayed and stood with us during this time.  I could honestly feel your prayers and love even from distant places.  I tried to keep everyone updated on social media and the comments and texts and calls helped to keep me focused and supported.  My small groups sent messages of encouragement that kept my anxiety to a minimum.   

On that night of Ken's admission to the hospital, I was sitting alone in the ICU waiting room at one in the morning.  I was trying to process everything that had happened in the last 6 or 7 hours while still holding myself together emotionally.  All I could think to do was pick up my phone and open up my Bible app.  I resisted having my Bible on my phone for a long time, but I was so thankful that it was there at the push of a few buttons.  I opened up to the place I had left off reading.... Psalm 121.  

I lift up my eyes to the mountains -  where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber; 

indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber not sleep.

The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm - He will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.  

A sense of peace and calm filled that waiting room (even though the television was blaring some children's show in Spanish and I couldn't find any way to turn it off).   It was one of those times when I had such a strong assurance that Jesus had the entire situation under control.  And it made it possible to just keep on walking through whatever came, day by day. 

 Last night I drove Ken to his monthly photography meeting at the Morton Arboretum.  I marveled at Ken, sitting with his "people" listening to a speaker talk about cell phone photography after all that he has been through in the last three weeks.  Today Ken and I went grocery shopping.  Can I tell you just how wonderful it is to do something so ordinary?   Even with the prospect of further therapy, more doctor visits, more trips to the IV center, ordinary feels so good.  I'm not sure what Jesus has in store for Ken and I in the next weeks/months ahead.  But I am sure that He is watching over us!

Jesus, thank you.  Thank you for who you are.  For your Word that meets us when we most need it.  Thank you Holy Spirit for connecting us to family and friends for support and prayers - even when we can't pray ourselves.  Thank you for medical advancements and doctors, nurses and other hospital workers who dedicate themselves to helping others.  Thank you Jesus, for ordinary moments.  Amen