If God is sovereign and His word is true, every good gift comes from God. Today we can give thanks and credit to Him as He is beginning to answer prayer. Yesterday and today, Mom has been completely off the ventilator 12 hrs each day and was put back on to rest in the evening. Before, it has only been 3-6 hrs. Her endurance is building. She was more alert with her eyes in following people around. Most important, today is the first day that Mom has responded upon command regularly when ...

After 12 days, I finally was able to visit Mom. The one thing obvious to me was that she was more alert with her eyes and able to focus when being spoken to. She's doesn't focus like you or I can when being spoken to but alot better than 12 days ago. She did not respond to commands like wriggle your toes or fingers. She may have understood the command and thought she was moving them but her brain may not be able to effectively tell the toes or fingers to move. We just don't know right now. ...

Saturday, 12/13/03, Mom ended up going back on the respirator. Vital signs were acting up again and indications of pain and discomfort were evident. The fluid in the right lung continues to cause problems with the breathing. Sunday, a cat scan was done. A tube will have to be put in the right lung for draining. Also, a restricting blood clot of the pulmonary artery was detected. This is a profound concern. A "filter" will be placed in a vein in the hip that will filter the blood coming ...

Merry CHRISTmas everyone! None of our circumstances changes any of history and God's continual love for us that is demonstrated everyday. The weaning process from the respirator continues. Everyday that goes by without a surprise or set back is a good day for Mom. It is one more day of her bones healing. It is one more day of hope in that she can be rehibilitated. (..to what degree, no one knows right now) It's been a good day, because it was another day I spent conversing with God than ...

Nothing earth shattering today. Things are about the same really. Everyone went to see Mom today except my family due to our recent illnesses. That must have lifted Mom's spirit some. It must be even more frustrating to Mom with the slow and even stagnant process of healing. Tonight, we can reflect upon another seemingly hopeless and frustrating event; pregnant before marriage, broke, homeless, 70 miles away from family and friends, no room to stay in, tired, hungry, about to have your ...

Medically, there has been no change. The process of trying to wean Mom from the respirator continues. The meds are the same and her vital signs continue to be stable with the blood pressure being higher than what it should be at times. After 10 days, Dad felt comfortable enough to go and see Mom. His illness has finally passed. I hope I will again will be able to visit early next week. Dad said there were no responses to commands today. I was not able to get any summary of the doctors m...

Medically, the day for Mom wasn't much different. They are continuing to try to wean her from the respirator. Continue to make that the focus of your prayers please. The meds are the same and there hasn't been much response other than the opening of the eyes. From an emotional and relational standpoint, it must have been a great day for Mom. Her brother,Dan, from California came to see her with his fiancee. Congrats to you both! Sorry I couldn't meet you both today, but giving you the r...

Good news...I'm able to sit up straight in my chair to type without passing out. The flu has ran it's course through my entire household with Aubrey and I still having some after affects. I haven't heard from other family members the past few days. They may fear getting sick just being on the phone with me. I can't blame them. I've heard nothing new really. They continue to try weaning her from the machine without making her work too hard. The tube in the right lung was taken out ...

The blood clot filter and tube to the right lung were successfully done today. The sedation Mom is under doesn't allow for much response. She's resting quietly. Pray that the blood clot in the pulmonary artery dissolves, the fluid and pnuemonia leaves and the she's able to get off the respirator later this week. Dad and Scott's health continue to progress as well as mine. I took the day off to rest so I might be able to see Mom in a couple of days. Thank you to all committing to ...

They are again trying to wean Mom from dependency on the respirator and then put her back on so as to not over exhaust her. Medications have again be cut back except the heparin(blood thinner). There has been not word on the blood clot and if it is dissolving or not. There is a possibility of Mom staying in the Syracuse area if she is completely free of the respirator after ICU at University Hospital. If not, are options being presented currently are Buffalo, Rochester, Albany and Boston. ...

Don't look too hard for a 12/16 update because there is none. The flu has infected everyone in my own family with high temperatures. Dad may have it also and seeing a doctor tomorrow morning. Scott's back continues to improve but still a factor. I wish I had some encouraging news about Mom, but I don't. The reality of Mom's condition is that she is still in critical condition with unstable vital signs without heavy meds and even with them, has fluid building up in the right lung with the ...

Fathering attributes are mainly protection, provision and love. God continues to demonstrate them with Mom today. As of 3 pm, Mom was no longer being given any morphine. As of midnight, this was still true. She has been determining the number of breathes per minute, not the respirator which is down to 15 (was 20) that aides in pressure for the lungs. When that number gets down to around 7, she will be doing everything on her own and will not need the respirator shortly there after. The vit...

Mom had the tracheotomy at 10:45 am along with the feeding tube going directly to her stomach. All went well. Once the drugs wore off around 3pm, they started weaning Mom back off the respirator to the point of where she was at before surgery. All the tubes are now out of her mouth and nose! Hopefully the throat and vocal chords were not damaged beyond the body's ability to repair itself. The prayer log is under the article heading of "prayer log", where you will be able to see what tim...

We are going to try to get a picture of Mom on the website so people will be able to see a visual. One of the siblings possibly too. This will be later in the week. Mike got Mom a little Christmas tree today for her room. Lord willing, she will be able to see and enjoy it by Christmas Day. For those that have sent cards, thank you for your kind and thoughtful words. Were placing them in the tree and tacking them all the wall for the family and medical staff to enjoy. All cards shou...

It was another restful day with her music. Vital signs were good and stable all day. The medication and repirator support remained unchanged. Tonight, Mom not only open her eyes 3/4 upon being talked to but also blinked yes when asked if she could see me clearly. Though her morphine level is 2, she seemed more focused on what she is looking upward at. The skin and eyes look better everyday. Her family needs rest. Scott is down with muscle spasms, Dad with a cold, my wife is fighting som...