March 30
Jeff continues to heal well. He has developed some lower back pain which we think may be associated with the broken vertebrae he sustained in the accident. His hip is also giving him some problems. He will see the dr for both of these soon. Meanwhile, he is driving himself around some. He’s going into the office several days a week for several hours. He also preached this past Sunday and did a great job. He “crutched” it up onto the platform and then sat/leaned on a swiveling chair/bar stool. It’s been 3 weeks since the surgery. 5 more weeks to go before he can “bear weight” on that leg (May4). He played some ping pong with one of the teens last Wednesday night from the wheelchair. It’s been nearly 5 weeks since the accident. Hard to believe, but God has been faithful (as always) and His blessings are constant. One new development is the charges we are beginning to receive. We are looking to the Lord.Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tuesday, March 17
Tuesday, March 17 Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Every day is better. One of the biggest problems right now is holding Jeff back from doing too much. He feels better each day and it’s a temptation not to forge ahead of his recuperating body. One day he will use the walker too much and then he can’t sleep well because his ribs and sternum are hurting. Or he will be too active in the wheelchair (out and about) keeping his leg down too much and it begins to throb. He’s only using his pain meds at night if he needs them. He can get into the shower and get clean all over. We BOTH appreciate that! He’s getting a little “stir crazy” which is a good thing. I’m glad he feels good enough to be restless.
Thoughts from me!
As I begin to crawl out of my cave…..well that’s how it felt to me. Not a tunnel, because there didn’t seem to be a light at the end. Definitely a cave, facing the back wall, on my knees (they are bleeding and raw), grimy and dirty, tired and half-sane. Not a pretty picture, but a perfect place to focus on myself and all my trials. Anyway---as I begin to crawl out of my cave, I begin to see things so much more clearly. Sure the burden was heavy for me, lots of responsibility, little rest. BUT he could have had an amputation. He could have brain damage, so that he would never be the same. He could have died………I’m such a weenie. God has spared me so much! Perhaps some of that is to come later and He knew I was not ready yet. I don’t profess to begin to know the mind of God and I hesitate to say “God was good to me.” by not allowing more injury and issues. No. God was/is good to me no matter what happens. Hard times are not an absence of God’s goodness. That’s when He demonstrates His goodness to us! I would never choose for myself to have difficult situations. It’s normal human behavior to avoid those things which cause us pain. But as we walk through those times with our Savior, they become GOOD times. He is a good and loving God and He displays that love to me when I need it most.
Every day is better. One of the biggest problems right now is holding Jeff back from doing too much. He feels better each day and it’s a temptation not to forge ahead of his recuperating body. One day he will use the walker too much and then he can’t sleep well because his ribs and sternum are hurting. Or he will be too active in the wheelchair (out and about) keeping his leg down too much and it begins to throb. He’s only using his pain meds at night if he needs them. He can get into the shower and get clean all over. We BOTH appreciate that! He’s getting a little “stir crazy” which is a good thing. I’m glad he feels good enough to be restless.
Thoughts from me!
As I begin to crawl out of my cave…..well that’s how it felt to me. Not a tunnel, because there didn’t seem to be a light at the end. Definitely a cave, facing the back wall, on my knees (they are bleeding and raw), grimy and dirty, tired and half-sane. Not a pretty picture, but a perfect place to focus on myself and all my trials. Anyway---as I begin to crawl out of my cave, I begin to see things so much more clearly. Sure the burden was heavy for me, lots of responsibility, little rest. BUT he could have had an amputation. He could have brain damage, so that he would never be the same. He could have died………I’m such a weenie. God has spared me so much! Perhaps some of that is to come later and He knew I was not ready yet. I don’t profess to begin to know the mind of God and I hesitate to say “God was good to me.” by not allowing more injury and issues. No. God was/is good to me no matter what happens. Hard times are not an absence of God’s goodness. That’s when He demonstrates His goodness to us! I would never choose for myself to have difficult situations. It’s normal human behavior to avoid those things which cause us pain. But as we walk through those times with our Savior, they become GOOD times. He is a good and loving God and He displays that love to me when I need it most.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Thursday, March 11
Thursday, March 11
Finally home today. Good day. Jeff is as comfortable as possible. Physical therapy will be no picnic, but necessary. Besides a focus on healing, our new focus will now be controlling his diabetes. We know little of the details of how to go about this. Guess we will have to learn as we go. His blood will have to be tested twice a day and medications are prescribed. Food is another issue. It’s far more complicated than just avoiding sugar. It’s been two weeks today. Phew. Can’t believe it. It’s both scary and exciting how much a life can change in a just a second or two. Good news is that it only changes as our Heavenly Father allows it. Good enough for me!
Discombobulated musings:
I have been fighting a head cold for three days now. Now that we’re home…..physically, it feels like everything that has been held back is crashing in. If you’ve ever been surprised by something, like a surprise party, and you stand there sputtering, with your hands outstretched, looking around for an explanation for what’s going on, then you know how I feel today. Augh…there are so many details, medications, questions, tasks to perform, responsibilities demanding attention. Where to start? OR, where to hide? Just seems overwhelming and unavoidable. I’m already so tired. How in the world will I find the“umph” to be what I need to be? To do what I need to do? Well, I know the Lord is my answer. How will HE do it? How will HE supply what I need? Ball’s in His court, but I don’t want to play…..OK I really do want to play. More than anything I want to serve and be used. If this is how I can best be used, then let me stay in the game. I want to be there, I want to see Him victorious even if it’s just in my own heart and in my relationship with Him. To be used in the lives of others is just icing on the cake (sugar-free icing, please)!
Finally home today. Good day. Jeff is as comfortable as possible. Physical therapy will be no picnic, but necessary. Besides a focus on healing, our new focus will now be controlling his diabetes. We know little of the details of how to go about this. Guess we will have to learn as we go. His blood will have to be tested twice a day and medications are prescribed. Food is another issue. It’s far more complicated than just avoiding sugar. It’s been two weeks today. Phew. Can’t believe it. It’s both scary and exciting how much a life can change in a just a second or two. Good news is that it only changes as our Heavenly Father allows it. Good enough for me!
Discombobulated musings:
I have been fighting a head cold for three days now. Now that we’re home…..physically, it feels like everything that has been held back is crashing in. If you’ve ever been surprised by something, like a surprise party, and you stand there sputtering, with your hands outstretched, looking around for an explanation for what’s going on, then you know how I feel today. Augh…there are so many details, medications, questions, tasks to perform, responsibilities demanding attention. Where to start? OR, where to hide? Just seems overwhelming and unavoidable. I’m already so tired. How in the world will I find the“umph” to be what I need to be? To do what I need to do? Well, I know the Lord is my answer. How will HE do it? How will HE supply what I need? Ball’s in His court, but I don’t want to play…..OK I really do want to play. More than anything I want to serve and be used. If this is how I can best be used, then let me stay in the game. I want to be there, I want to see Him victorious even if it’s just in my own heart and in my relationship with Him. To be used in the lives of others is just icing on the cake (sugar-free icing, please)!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Wednesday, March 10
Wednesday, March 10
Surgery went well yesterday. We had every hope that we’d be going home sometime this morning and everything was falling into place to do so. However, after physical therapy things changed a bit. Jeff began to experience unmanageable pain. He had to go back on morphine. Not going home today. Hopefully sometime tomorrow. One other little revelation today. Jeff has diabetes. His blood sugar was up at Grady in Atlanta, but that’s normal for an accident victim. We have wondered about this possibility previously and so were not completely surprised. Now we look at a significant permanent life change even when recovery has been accomplished.
Expanded thoughts:
OK. Time to take a breath and focus. This is not going to be fun. Well, I knew that. But I’m wondering at this point if I have any idea of what lies ahead of me/us? It’s a relatively easy step to look to the Lord immediately and have faith and the right focus. The Lord has so blessed me thus far to enable me to look to Him and rest. But let’s be honest here. I’m no angel. Will I be able to continue to allow the Lord to sustain me or will I go off “half-cocked” fretting and worrying, doubting and whining? It would seem that Jeff and I are in similar places. He’s right on the edge of successfully handling the pain, but he is questioning his ability to do so. OK for now, but how long can he continue to “take” the discomfort with which he’s dealing? Me? I’m weary, I’m sick and I don’t want to do this anymore. I was desperate when I had no answers, didn’t know what was going on. I feel I am approaching that spot again now WITH the answers and KNOWING what’s going on. Also, a little cherry on top of this whole experience. Jeff has been diagnosed with diabetes. ARE YOU KIDDING ME`? Ok. Wait. Really ? (slight smile…) Well, isn’t that interesting…..NOT! Fine. Why don’t we just go ahead and talk with the financial offices for both hospitals while we are at it! Bring it on! But good luck finding me, ‘cause I’m outta here!
OK. Seriously. A little glimpse of where I am, but not of where I will end up. The Lord loves me. AND He is patient. He will wait for me so we can walk through this together. I love Him.
Surgery went well yesterday. We had every hope that we’d be going home sometime this morning and everything was falling into place to do so. However, after physical therapy things changed a bit. Jeff began to experience unmanageable pain. He had to go back on morphine. Not going home today. Hopefully sometime tomorrow. One other little revelation today. Jeff has diabetes. His blood sugar was up at Grady in Atlanta, but that’s normal for an accident victim. We have wondered about this possibility previously and so were not completely surprised. Now we look at a significant permanent life change even when recovery has been accomplished.
Expanded thoughts:
OK. Time to take a breath and focus. This is not going to be fun. Well, I knew that. But I’m wondering at this point if I have any idea of what lies ahead of me/us? It’s a relatively easy step to look to the Lord immediately and have faith and the right focus. The Lord has so blessed me thus far to enable me to look to Him and rest. But let’s be honest here. I’m no angel. Will I be able to continue to allow the Lord to sustain me or will I go off “half-cocked” fretting and worrying, doubting and whining? It would seem that Jeff and I are in similar places. He’s right on the edge of successfully handling the pain, but he is questioning his ability to do so. OK for now, but how long can he continue to “take” the discomfort with which he’s dealing? Me? I’m weary, I’m sick and I don’t want to do this anymore. I was desperate when I had no answers, didn’t know what was going on. I feel I am approaching that spot again now WITH the answers and KNOWING what’s going on. Also, a little cherry on top of this whole experience. Jeff has been diagnosed with diabetes. ARE YOU KIDDING ME`? Ok. Wait. Really ? (slight smile…) Well, isn’t that interesting…..NOT! Fine. Why don’t we just go ahead and talk with the financial offices for both hospitals while we are at it! Bring it on! But good luck finding me, ‘cause I’m outta here!
OK. Seriously. A little glimpse of where I am, but not of where I will end up. The Lord loves me. AND He is patient. He will wait for me so we can walk through this together. I love Him.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Monday, March 8
Jeff shares some thoughts and pics -
It’s almost too cliché, the idea that life can change in the blink of an eye. But that is exactly what happened to me last Thursday morning. Life moving on my schedule - then bang - my life was sucked into a vortex where it seemed to be spinning out of control. One second, I’m driving the streets of
“Are you OK?”, someone screams through the window as I fade back to nothingness. “Can you hear me?” pries its way through the haze to my consciousness as someone looms at what was once my van window. I capture a thought in the midst of this chaos “Wow God, I didn’t see this coming, but if this is a detour in my ministry and mission, I accept it. I’m ready and willing!”
To some this may sound fake and pious – but this is really me. I love God. I clearly understand that my existence is about reflecting his glory to the world and inviting others into a relationship with him. I have chosen to spend most of my adult life in positions that enable me to help encourage others down this same path.
As I drift back in, “Sir, what’s your name? Stay with us!” Over the next twenty-five minutes some of
“This is what my loving Father knew was best for me?” The inability to do the ministry I had just begun with people I am falling in love with and love ministering to - weeks of pain and rehabilitation. How does a loving father do such a thing? One of the interesting things about being a proclaimer and preacher of God’s word is what I call – “God coming for our words”. It’s like a - “You said it, Now live it” - kind of thing. Was it an accident that just a few weeks prior I had spoken on Isaiah 42:16? Out of my own lips I had proclaimed the truth that the real adventu
re in the life of a true Christ follower is that we are not in charge. We do not take the lead –that’s why we are Christ-followers. “He will lead us”, Isaiah says, we -the blind, down unfamiliar paths. This path was definitely unfamiliar. In order for Him to turn darkness into light and make rough places smooth, the darkness and the rough must first come. But the promise is the kicker “I will not forsake them”.
As the metal and plastic of the dash hydraulically creaks away from my legs and I am moved from the remains of my van to the waiting ambulance my numb legs aren’t really even a thought. Air. Breath. Pain. I was just starting to understand some of my new challenges. Living! On impact my sternum and 9 ribs were broken. At the same time my heart was bruised and traumatized causing some erratic and troubling problems. The professionalism of 
the Atlanta EMT’s and the trauma group at Grady Memorial cannot be over stated. Thank you for your training, hard work, and continuing desire to learn new and better ways to mend these earthly bodies God has given us. But broken I was.
I thought the real issues were the bruised heart, broken sternum, 9 broken ribs, 2 broken vertebrae in my back, broken tibia and fibula in my leg – but I was about to learn I had even bigger problems. Remember how quick I was to embrace this new detour in my life? I started immediately to plan how to let my light shine in this new ministry of the hurt and healing. Smile. Say ”Thank you”. Be grateful. Talk about God with others. Sounds good right?
Maybe I hit my head harder than I remember, or maybe the bruised heart was more than just physical. It’s true that my mission is to shine the light of my Savior to the world around me. That means any world that my loving father chooses to place me into, but how quickly I forgot that the light that will change others cannot be manufactured or contrived from a list. Whether I am working in a factory, pastoring a church, teaching school, or retired and spending my days in leisure, my light source doesn’t come from a plan but a person. I must be in the presence of Christ daily. He fills me to overflowing as I reflect on all he has done for me, that puts me in the place I need to be. The funny thing is, when I am there, nothing else really matters that much and everything else seems to make a little more sense. Compared to all that he has done for me – well, there is no comparison. Hey, it’s not about me and it’s not about you. Let’s all find his presence daily and shine!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Sunday, March 7
Sunday, March 7
Facts:
We’ve had a couple of good days. Each day Jeff’s ribs and sternum seem to be healing just a little more. It all depends on how much he uses them. We’ve developed a routine of sorts which is good for now, but will be abandoned Tuesday when we head for surgery some time in the afternoon. Then we’ll start all over. We plan to go to church this morning. Jeff wants to teach his class and we figure he can handle an hour or so. It’s good for him to be up and around, but wears him out pretty quickly. So we’ll teach and come home. Our goal for now is to accomplish as much healing as we can before Tuesday afternoon.
Thoughts:
When you get married, “joined together” your experiences are interwoven with your spouse. What you go through he/she goes through. Jeff was constantly apologizing for the tasks necessary to support him and meet his needs since the accident. I’m not sure who has the most difficult role right now. Given the choice, either one of us would have chosen to be the injured one. Not because that is the easiest role, but because it is so difficult watching someone you love suffer. It requires a combined effort to go through an experience such as this one in which we find ourselves. I shared with Jeff this didn’t happen to you. It happened to us. You do your part, I’ll do my part and we’ll get through this together. And so we will……
Facts:
We’ve had a couple of good days. Each day Jeff’s ribs and sternum seem to be healing just a little more. It all depends on how much he uses them. We’ve developed a routine of sorts which is good for now, but will be abandoned Tuesday when we head for surgery some time in the afternoon. Then we’ll start all over. We plan to go to church this morning. Jeff wants to teach his class and we figure he can handle an hour or so. It’s good for him to be up and around, but wears him out pretty quickly. So we’ll teach and come home. Our goal for now is to accomplish as much healing as we can before Tuesday afternoon.
Thoughts:
When you get married, “joined together” your experiences are interwoven with your spouse. What you go through he/she goes through. Jeff was constantly apologizing for the tasks necessary to support him and meet his needs since the accident. I’m not sure who has the most difficult role right now. Given the choice, either one of us would have chosen to be the injured one. Not because that is the easiest role, but because it is so difficult watching someone you love suffer. It requires a combined effort to go through an experience such as this one in which we find ourselves. I shared with Jeff this didn’t happen to you. It happened to us. You do your part, I’ll do my part and we’ll get through this together. And so we will……
Friday, March 5, 2010
Thursday, March 4
Thursday, March 4
Quick View
We saw the ortho doctor today in preparation for knee surgery. It went fine, but took a lot out of Jeff. It’s just so draining and painful to move around so much. Right now he’s dealing mostly with pain in his ribs and sternum and not so much in his knee/leg. I’m sure that will come. Surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday (3/9) in the afternoon. He will not be able to put and weight on that leg for six weeks. One day at a time…..
Timing is everything.
An interesting realization came to me today. So I checked it out. I was on Facebook when Jeff called me last Thursday morning just before his accident. Just after that, I posted a status and closed it out. Want to know what my status was that day? “The transformation of our character…is forged from battles fought far more than by beliefs held.” E.R. McManus. That was at 8:30. As I posted, according to police records Jeff was being cut out of the van. wow. wow. That post was (is) truth. Our character IS formed through the battles we fight because of what we believe. I believe my God is trustworthy. So……He says to me, here’s a chance to exercise that trust. Fifteen hours later, I was posting again, this time asking for prayer. Amazing. It is amazing how sometimes in our lives, the Lord places an exclamation point at the end of our day. He asked of me to trust Him and then says, to me okay! Let’s do this thing! And so we do. One day at a time. One trial, then another. Always, He is by my side, at my elbow, looking over my shoulder, patting me on the back and lifting up my chin. He does this for me unless I am on the floor, flailing my arms about, kicking and screaming about my “problems.” At that point, He waits……still trustworthy, but patient until I turn to Him again. At that point, we can move on, forward, accomplishing His purposes and blessings in my life.
Quick View
We saw the ortho doctor today in preparation for knee surgery. It went fine, but took a lot out of Jeff. It’s just so draining and painful to move around so much. Right now he’s dealing mostly with pain in his ribs and sternum and not so much in his knee/leg. I’m sure that will come. Surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday (3/9) in the afternoon. He will not be able to put and weight on that leg for six weeks. One day at a time…..
Timing is everything.
An interesting realization came to me today. So I checked it out. I was on Facebook when Jeff called me last Thursday morning just before his accident. Just after that, I posted a status and closed it out. Want to know what my status was that day? “The transformation of our character…is forged from battles fought far more than by beliefs held.” E.R. McManus. That was at 8:30. As I posted, according to police records Jeff was being cut out of the van. wow. wow. That post was (is) truth. Our character IS formed through the battles we fight because of what we believe. I believe my God is trustworthy. So……He says to me, here’s a chance to exercise that trust. Fifteen hours later, I was posting again, this time asking for prayer. Amazing. It is amazing how sometimes in our lives, the Lord places an exclamation point at the end of our day. He asked of me to trust Him and then says, to me okay! Let’s do this thing! And so we do. One day at a time. One trial, then another. Always, He is by my side, at my elbow, looking over my shoulder, patting me on the back and lifting up my chin. He does this for me unless I am on the floor, flailing my arms about, kicking and screaming about my “problems.” At that point, He waits……still trustworthy, but patient until I turn to Him again. At that point, we can move on, forward, accomplishing His purposes and blessings in my life.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Wednesday, March 3
Wednesday, March 3
Short version:
Good day. Ate well, slept well, got clean, changed clothes. Doctor’s appointment tomorrow (Thursday) and surgery scheduled for next Tuesday here in Anderson. Still very painful with each movement, but improving each day.
Interesting Insights
It was so wonderful to be home again. It had been over a week since I‘d been home (except for 9 hours Thursday night as I made my trip form the Outerbanks to Anderson before I headed to Atlanta). It was interesting because as I worked at home today, it was obvious that my husband had intended to be back home that night, several days before I was scheduled to come home. When I’m gone, he doesn’t keep the house like I do. No matter. It’s always back to normal (well, close enough) when I get back. This time, however, his schedule changed a bit.
He was obviously in a hurry, focused on his plans for that day. He’d made coffee and dressed and rushed out the door. When I got home Thursday night, our bedroom looked like someone had set off a bomb in his closet. He had certainly been looking for some piece of clothing that must have alluded him for quite some time. There were clothes everywhere. I’m not sure how much time he’d spent on his quest for just the right outfit, but had he known that in less than two hours, the EMT would be cutting it off his body, I’m sure it wouldn’t have held quite the same priority. The mess he left behind, he’d deal with later, he thought. It was a bit eerie finding things he surely would have taken care of had he known he wouldn’t be coming back home for nearly a week…. Ouch…. Too many applications on this one. What do I need to take care of NOW? What am I throwing to the top of my priority list that maybe shouldn’t even be on the list. What assumptions am I making about life that are just not wise to make? Planning for the future, setting goals and working hard toward improving life in all areas are definitely good things. But I cannot miss the present. As I arrive in the future, alive or dead, and look back over my shoulder, will I be satisfied with what I see?
Short version:
Good day. Ate well, slept well, got clean, changed clothes. Doctor’s appointment tomorrow (Thursday) and surgery scheduled for next Tuesday here in Anderson. Still very painful with each movement, but improving each day.
Interesting Insights
It was so wonderful to be home again. It had been over a week since I‘d been home (except for 9 hours Thursday night as I made my trip form the Outerbanks to Anderson before I headed to Atlanta). It was interesting because as I worked at home today, it was obvious that my husband had intended to be back home that night, several days before I was scheduled to come home. When I’m gone, he doesn’t keep the house like I do. No matter. It’s always back to normal (well, close enough) when I get back. This time, however, his schedule changed a bit.
He was obviously in a hurry, focused on his plans for that day. He’d made coffee and dressed and rushed out the door. When I got home Thursday night, our bedroom looked like someone had set off a bomb in his closet. He had certainly been looking for some piece of clothing that must have alluded him for quite some time. There were clothes everywhere. I’m not sure how much time he’d spent on his quest for just the right outfit, but had he known that in less than two hours, the EMT would be cutting it off his body, I’m sure it wouldn’t have held quite the same priority. The mess he left behind, he’d deal with later, he thought. It was a bit eerie finding things he surely would have taken care of had he known he wouldn’t be coming back home for nearly a week…. Ouch…. Too many applications on this one. What do I need to take care of NOW? What am I throwing to the top of my priority list that maybe shouldn’t even be on the list. What assumptions am I making about life that are just not wise to make? Planning for the future, setting goals and working hard toward improving life in all areas are definitely good things. But I cannot miss the present. As I arrive in the future, alive or dead, and look back over my shoulder, will I be satisfied with what I see?
March 2, Tuesday, part deux
Tuesday, March 2, part deux
I began my day knowing our main mission was to get home. As soon as I got to the hospital, I realized that if that was to be accomplished, we’d need to be pushing people forward all day. Push to see the doctors. Push for the prescriptions we’d need. Find out details about discharge. Obtain Jeff’s x rays to take to the surgeon in Anderson. Get Jeff “unplugged” from everything. Step by step everything was falling into place. Then the ortho dr suggested that we might want to just stay because they may be able to do the surgery the next day. We threw this back and forth for a while and decided to continue toward getting back home. Yay! Everything was working out perfectly. My sister, Sherri and her husband, Tim were on their way. They had folded down the seats in their van and had a mattress in the back with pillows and blankets for Jeff to lay on as we drove home. They were almost there. Jeff was dressed and waiting for the wheelchair which they’d called for some time ago. I couldn’t sit still. Pacing back and forth, I saw the wheelchair round the corner at the nurses station. Yippee! It paused there. Stopped. Then turned around and left! Wait! What? I hurried over to the nurse and inquired. They had brought the wrong one. Well, of course they did! Par for the course. Thirty minutes later, they were back. We loaded up and were off! We slid Jeff into the back of the van and up onto the mattress. What a trouper! He did most of the work. He was ready to be home.
We got home around 4:00. Daddy met us as we got there with kindling and newspapers under his arm. He knew his little girl loved a good fire and he was offering a most unique and effective form of comfort for me. I love him. We got Jeff into the recliner, a pillow under his leg. My sister Gina and her husband, Chuck brought over lasagna and garlic toast, Mom brought a salad and I was most grateful. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a real meal. Over a week, at least. It was wonderful. Home. Family. Food. Basic needs.
Later that night Gwen and Schuyler brought home care “stuff” and we got to visit with them some. Special friends. We had much to be thankful for last night, things we don’t usually recognize as blessings. I imagined how different it would have been if I had just finished a funeral instead of a five-day stay in the hospital. How did God decide to spare me that grief? Why? Even as I pause here to consider and shake my head as I come up with no answers, I can rest. I am the child of the ultimate protector. And yet He allowed Jeff to be severely traumatized. Here’s the great part about trusting the Lord. I don’t have to understand. It doesn’t have to make sense. I don’t have to prepare for the future. All I have to do is rest. It is a choice, really. I will trust Him or I will fret. For now, I choose to trust.
I began my day knowing our main mission was to get home. As soon as I got to the hospital, I realized that if that was to be accomplished, we’d need to be pushing people forward all day. Push to see the doctors. Push for the prescriptions we’d need. Find out details about discharge. Obtain Jeff’s x rays to take to the surgeon in Anderson. Get Jeff “unplugged” from everything. Step by step everything was falling into place. Then the ortho dr suggested that we might want to just stay because they may be able to do the surgery the next day. We threw this back and forth for a while and decided to continue toward getting back home. Yay! Everything was working out perfectly. My sister, Sherri and her husband, Tim were on their way. They had folded down the seats in their van and had a mattress in the back with pillows and blankets for Jeff to lay on as we drove home. They were almost there. Jeff was dressed and waiting for the wheelchair which they’d called for some time ago. I couldn’t sit still. Pacing back and forth, I saw the wheelchair round the corner at the nurses station. Yippee! It paused there. Stopped. Then turned around and left! Wait! What? I hurried over to the nurse and inquired. They had brought the wrong one. Well, of course they did! Par for the course. Thirty minutes later, they were back. We loaded up and were off! We slid Jeff into the back of the van and up onto the mattress. What a trouper! He did most of the work. He was ready to be home.
We got home around 4:00. Daddy met us as we got there with kindling and newspapers under his arm. He knew his little girl loved a good fire and he was offering a most unique and effective form of comfort for me. I love him. We got Jeff into the recliner, a pillow under his leg. My sister Gina and her husband, Chuck brought over lasagna and garlic toast, Mom brought a salad and I was most grateful. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a real meal. Over a week, at least. It was wonderful. Home. Family. Food. Basic needs.
Later that night Gwen and Schuyler brought home care “stuff” and we got to visit with them some. Special friends. We had much to be thankful for last night, things we don’t usually recognize as blessings. I imagined how different it would have been if I had just finished a funeral instead of a five-day stay in the hospital. How did God decide to spare me that grief? Why? Even as I pause here to consider and shake my head as I come up with no answers, I can rest. I am the child of the ultimate protector. And yet He allowed Jeff to be severely traumatized. Here’s the great part about trusting the Lord. I don’t have to understand. It doesn’t have to make sense. I don’t have to prepare for the future. All I have to do is rest. It is a choice, really. I will trust Him or I will fret. For now, I choose to trust.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Tuesday March 2
Tuesday March 2 (Sixth day since the accident)
Details:
Good Day! We are home! Once we decided to come back to Anderson for Leg surgery, things happened quickly. Saw all the doctors, finished all paperwork, arranged transport and were out of there! Jeff did well on the trip and is now sleeping in the recliner in front of the fire. So good to be home.
Meanderings:
4:30. I look over four feet away at the bed in which I wish to be sleeping. Bleh. This brain of mine. I have trouble remembering names, am fairly befuddled with technology and can’t get from point A to point B without getting lost (at least once). BUT! Let me crack open one eye to check the time and let the light in just a little and my brain says What? Huh? Oh! Let’s Go! And there’s no talking it back into La-La land. After trying to go back to sleep for at least 30 minutes, once again, it’s no use, we’re up for the day. I am hopeful and fearful that today we get to go home. What lies before us? Hey, friends in Malaysia! You guys are twelve hours ahead of us? What’s comin’ our way? Have you ever played “Ain;t no boogers out tonight?” It’s a tantalizingly wonderful game of excitement and fear all rolled together. Here’s how it goes. You wait until dark and then go outside. Then one person of the group goes somewhere around the house and hides. Then the rest of the group (as a group) skips, runs, walks or gets dragged around the house singing, “Ain’t no boogers out tonight. Granddaddy killed them all last night.” knowing full well there was at least one booger lying in wait. But where?!? At any moment, he could jump out and grab one of you! (Then that person has to be the booger. No big deal, really. No one gets eaten. What is a booger diet, anyway?) I digress. Right now I have a team of nurses and doctors knowing what to do and how to do it. They can tell what to be concerned about and what is insignificant. If I pass out in the floor, Jeff’s care go on. Maybe I could just sleep down in the cafeteria for a couple of weeks and we’ll just stay put. Maybe I’ll just sleep in the cafeteria and send Jeff home…..nope, not gonna work. Trust. Bottom line, can I trust the Lord or will I worry? Is He sufficient or will my fear overtake me? When I falter, do I acknowledge that He is there to sustain me? Once again, He reminds me, “Fear thou not, for I am with thee. Be not dismayed for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee, I will help thee I will uphold thee with my right hand of righteousness.” (Is. 41:10) Ball’s in my court.
Finally got home and so glad to be here! But no energy left to share. We’ll have to do that tomorrow
Details:
Good Day! We are home! Once we decided to come back to Anderson for Leg surgery, things happened quickly. Saw all the doctors, finished all paperwork, arranged transport and were out of there! Jeff did well on the trip and is now sleeping in the recliner in front of the fire. So good to be home.
Meanderings:
4:30. I look over four feet away at the bed in which I wish to be sleeping. Bleh. This brain of mine. I have trouble remembering names, am fairly befuddled with technology and can’t get from point A to point B without getting lost (at least once). BUT! Let me crack open one eye to check the time and let the light in just a little and my brain says What? Huh? Oh! Let’s Go! And there’s no talking it back into La-La land. After trying to go back to sleep for at least 30 minutes, once again, it’s no use, we’re up for the day. I am hopeful and fearful that today we get to go home. What lies before us? Hey, friends in Malaysia! You guys are twelve hours ahead of us? What’s comin’ our way? Have you ever played “Ain;t no boogers out tonight?” It’s a tantalizingly wonderful game of excitement and fear all rolled together. Here’s how it goes. You wait until dark and then go outside. Then one person of the group goes somewhere around the house and hides. Then the rest of the group (as a group) skips, runs, walks or gets dragged around the house singing, “Ain’t no boogers out tonight. Granddaddy killed them all last night.” knowing full well there was at least one booger lying in wait. But where?!? At any moment, he could jump out and grab one of you! (Then that person has to be the booger. No big deal, really. No one gets eaten. What is a booger diet, anyway?) I digress. Right now I have a team of nurses and doctors knowing what to do and how to do it. They can tell what to be concerned about and what is insignificant. If I pass out in the floor, Jeff’s care go on. Maybe I could just sleep down in the cafeteria for a couple of weeks and we’ll just stay put. Maybe I’ll just sleep in the cafeteria and send Jeff home…..nope, not gonna work. Trust. Bottom line, can I trust the Lord or will I worry? Is He sufficient or will my fear overtake me? When I falter, do I acknowledge that He is there to sustain me? Once again, He reminds me, “Fear thou not, for I am with thee. Be not dismayed for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee, I will help thee I will uphold thee with my right hand of righteousness.” (Is. 41:10) Ball’s in my court.
Finally got home and so glad to be here! But no energy left to share. We’ll have to do that tomorrow
Monday, March 1, 2010
Monday, March 1
Monday March 1 (Happy Birthday Andy!)
Basics:
Today was a productive day. The man is ready to go home. He used a walker to travel to the door and back and to the bathroom and back twice! No pain meds today. Physical therapist and Occupational therapist both released him to go home. Two more “hoops” down. We are hoping to be able to go home tomorrow. Of course we have been hoping that pretty much since I got here since I came thinking his main injury was his broken leg and we’d be going home the next day. But the longer we stay, the longer the Lord can use us. This might be a good time to thank Paul for his help during this time. He has been taking the “night” shift so I can go get some real sleep. And apparently, Jeff keeps him pretty busy during the “wee hours.” Thanks, Paul. Don’t think I could have done this without you.
Embellished Basics:
So preparing to leave this morning was uneventful. No lady bugs, no power outages. Who knows? I may even get bored…..nah. So I walk out to meet the shuttle this morning wondering where all these people came from and what they are doing standing around the lobby. Could it be that they are taking “my” shuttle? For my trips thus far going and coming, it was just me and the driver. But that was the weekend. This was Monday morning, Atlanta, GA. So I in my khakis climbed into the van with 8 or 10 business folks with expensive briefcases and designer clothes (like I would know what designer clothes are. They looked expensive, okay?) and fancy jewelry and we were off. Instead of going straight to the hospital (as usual) we toured Atlanta past the CNN building and the Georgia Dome and probably a lot of other places I didn’t recognize. Finally he stopped at the base of about 5 multi-storied buildings and everybody got off. Then he discovered me. OH! I didn’t see you back there! And finally we were off to the hospital. Don and I had a good talk. He’s a family man, working on his education and driving a shuttle bus. Such a nice guy. I don’t know why the Lord put us together today, but I enjoyed visiting with him as I watched the sights out of my window.
I found Jeff feeling much better this morning. He was sitting up having a coke when I got there. It’s fun to hear the boys relate their experiences during the night, relay information and gripe about the nurses. I appreciate Paul watching over my boy so I can sleep. They make a good team.
My husband impressed me today. Moving around with his walker was painful and exhausting and I admired the determination in his face (hidden behind the grimace) as he took each step. He’s a champ and I love him.
We received callers today. We missed one couple (the Allens, I believe). Well I missed them and Jeff was asleep. Also the Hubbards from our church in Anderson came by. It was interesting to me to have them ask “how” they should pray for us. So often we tell people how we will be praying. And shared with them that although a normal request would be for less pain and quick healing, I knew I shouldn’t ask for that. Sometimes we make decisions about what should happen or what should be going on and assume that’s what God wants, too. Certainly I want quick and pain-free healing, perhaps that’s not what the Lord has in mind. God’s ways are not always our ways, but I know He has a plan for every single detail of our lives. Nothing is a surprise. Nothing is unnecessary. Everything has a purpose. I asked for patience and graciousness for me in the days ahead. (I felt certain that the Lord would be in agreement with that.) And I ask them to pray and I ask you, too for Jeff and I to recognize opportunities for ministry during this time. Help us to see opportunities to grow. And that in all things Christ be glorified.
Basics:
Today was a productive day. The man is ready to go home. He used a walker to travel to the door and back and to the bathroom and back twice! No pain meds today. Physical therapist and Occupational therapist both released him to go home. Two more “hoops” down. We are hoping to be able to go home tomorrow. Of course we have been hoping that pretty much since I got here since I came thinking his main injury was his broken leg and we’d be going home the next day. But the longer we stay, the longer the Lord can use us. This might be a good time to thank Paul for his help during this time. He has been taking the “night” shift so I can go get some real sleep. And apparently, Jeff keeps him pretty busy during the “wee hours.” Thanks, Paul. Don’t think I could have done this without you.
Embellished Basics:
So preparing to leave this morning was uneventful. No lady bugs, no power outages. Who knows? I may even get bored…..nah. So I walk out to meet the shuttle this morning wondering where all these people came from and what they are doing standing around the lobby. Could it be that they are taking “my” shuttle? For my trips thus far going and coming, it was just me and the driver. But that was the weekend. This was Monday morning, Atlanta, GA. So I in my khakis climbed into the van with 8 or 10 business folks with expensive briefcases and designer clothes (like I would know what designer clothes are. They looked expensive, okay?) and fancy jewelry and we were off. Instead of going straight to the hospital (as usual) we toured Atlanta past the CNN building and the Georgia Dome and probably a lot of other places I didn’t recognize. Finally he stopped at the base of about 5 multi-storied buildings and everybody got off. Then he discovered me. OH! I didn’t see you back there! And finally we were off to the hospital. Don and I had a good talk. He’s a family man, working on his education and driving a shuttle bus. Such a nice guy. I don’t know why the Lord put us together today, but I enjoyed visiting with him as I watched the sights out of my window.
I found Jeff feeling much better this morning. He was sitting up having a coke when I got there. It’s fun to hear the boys relate their experiences during the night, relay information and gripe about the nurses. I appreciate Paul watching over my boy so I can sleep. They make a good team.
My husband impressed me today. Moving around with his walker was painful and exhausting and I admired the determination in his face (hidden behind the grimace) as he took each step. He’s a champ and I love him.
We received callers today. We missed one couple (the Allens, I believe). Well I missed them and Jeff was asleep. Also the Hubbards from our church in Anderson came by. It was interesting to me to have them ask “how” they should pray for us. So often we tell people how we will be praying. And shared with them that although a normal request would be for less pain and quick healing, I knew I shouldn’t ask for that. Sometimes we make decisions about what should happen or what should be going on and assume that’s what God wants, too. Certainly I want quick and pain-free healing, perhaps that’s not what the Lord has in mind. God’s ways are not always our ways, but I know He has a plan for every single detail of our lives. Nothing is a surprise. Nothing is unnecessary. Everything has a purpose. I asked for patience and graciousness for me in the days ahead. (I felt certain that the Lord would be in agreement with that.) And I ask them to pray and I ask you, too for Jeff and I to recognize opportunities for ministry during this time. Help us to see opportunities to grow. And that in all things Christ be glorified.
Sunday February 28
Sunday February 28
“Just the facts, ma’am.”
Ultra sound of the broken leg was ordered to make sure there were no blood clots. I guess there wasn’t. Dr. came in and explained Jeff needs to be able to move around, off the morphine, taking food, bowel movement. So that’s all Jeff needed to hear. Just tell him what to do and he’ll make it happen. He came off the catheter, ate a banana, came off morphine. All was going well. Then at 2:35 the hiccups began and did not stop for an hour and a half. The dr said he’d just have to let it pass. That was at 30 mins. Problem is it was excruciating with a broken sternum. Finally stopped at 4:00. Then they started again an hour later but continued for only 30 mins. Later that afternoon, he began to suffer pain in his gut. His abdomen was distended. He was taken down for an ultrasound and then made to wait for several more hours before getting relief. They are not sure what the cause was, but he was better by morning. He continued to suffer from marathon hiccups off and on for the rest of the night.
Mental wanderings:
What does it mean that as I sit in a hotel room at 4:30 in the morning typing on my computer and slowly a ladybug crawls into my view on the wall? Are lady bugs even supposed to be around this time of year? In a motel room on the eighth floor in downtown Atlanta? God sent me that ladybug. I’m not sure why. Speculation is scary. And I don’t want to “force” a meaning. They are supposed to be lucky, I think. But since I know the Lord is with me, luck’s not even necessary. Must be something else. I’ll wait and see. Meanwhile, I’ve captured it and will release it outside.
In the middle of getting dressed (actually blow drying my hair), the power at the hotel went out. The bathroom was completely dark, but as I walked out into the room, the sun was just breaking the horizon. During times like this I find myself looking for little encouragements, remembrances that God is with me and the day would be good. What I should have taken away was that God is with me. Whatever the day brings, it is a good thing, for God is with me. This would be important to remember as I looked down at my watch (now running behind since the power came back on) and realized I had about two minutes until I needed to be down in the lobby to catch the shuttle to the hospital by 8. It was important to catch the first shuttle (7:30) because it didn’t run again until 8 and by that time the drs were supposed to have already come and gone. I rushed down the hall, flew into the elevator, flew out of the elevator and rushed out into the parking lot only to see the tail lights of the shuttle disappearing down the road. I stood there completely deflated and dejected. NO NO NO NO NO!!! This can’t be happening! I can’t handle it! I’ve GOT to be there! I AM with you, I was again reminded. I walked back into the lobby and up to the desk to find SOME way to get the shuttle to make another (unscheduled) run. The ladies were very nice, but firm. Even after I tried to explain my predicament (and the tide was rising on my lower eyelids,) they explained it was not possible. I slowly nodded my head (I couldn’t talk) and walked over and slumped down in a chair to wait until 8. I must have looked really pitiful, or maybe the Lord was with me as I heard, Ma’am? I looked over to the same ladies and they told me they would pay for a taxi for me. (It was parked, waiting, in the parking lot.) “You just tell him to come in when he gets back and we’ll pay for it.” I mumbled my thanks and rushed out the door. As it turned out, of course, the doctors did not come until much later, but in the meantime, the Lord had specifically, personally met my need. Praise be to our living Lord.
The day started out calmly enough, even great! Jeff came off his catheter, got off the morphine pump and began to eat a little. Then at 2:35 he started the hiccups. Every time he hiccupped, it jarred his broken sternum and caused excruciating pain. What to do? What to do? I tried everything I could think of. Finally I went out to the nurse and she said she’d call the doctor. Thirty minutes later, she came back and said the doc said Jeff would just have to let it pass. Easy enough for him. He wasn’t sitting here watching a loved one suffer with no knowledge of how to ease the pain. It was not a fun time. He hiccupped for an hour and a half. Finally he stopped then an hour later, started again but only for 30 mins this time. Sometime later that afternoon, his stomach looked distended (his gut was swollen) and was painful. The doctor came in and suddenly Jeff was headed down for an x ray. At this time I had to leave the room, since he’s in a semi-private room with another man. Paul and I talked and we decided it was best for me to head back to the hotel for the night. I was torn since I didn’t know what was wrong or if it was serious. Paul promised to call me immediately if I needed to came back for any reason and I left. Paul called later and let me know he was sleeping and doing some better. A couple of bowel movements helped relieve some of the pressure and he continued to improve throughout the night.
My ladybug had escaped. Oh well. And when I got back to the hotel, I was excited to find it again on a lamp. Then I realized it wasn’t the same one. It was definitely different. Then I looked on the wall and saw another one, Then I discovered a dead one on the bedside table. What in the world! Lady bugs around this place was nothing exceptional. Obviously, it happens all the time! And at that point, the Lord reminded me that people are suffering and dealing with difficulties like mine constantly. I remembered mentioning to my brother Tim as we were on our way down to get Jeff’s “personal affects” (I hate the sound of that…) that I will better understand what others are going through in circumstances like this after going through it myself. Certainly, the Lord can use our experiences to enhance our empathy for others, and allow us to be more versatile tools in His hand. Blessed be the name of the Lord!
“Just the facts, ma’am.”
Ultra sound of the broken leg was ordered to make sure there were no blood clots. I guess there wasn’t. Dr. came in and explained Jeff needs to be able to move around, off the morphine, taking food, bowel movement. So that’s all Jeff needed to hear. Just tell him what to do and he’ll make it happen. He came off the catheter, ate a banana, came off morphine. All was going well. Then at 2:35 the hiccups began and did not stop for an hour and a half. The dr said he’d just have to let it pass. That was at 30 mins. Problem is it was excruciating with a broken sternum. Finally stopped at 4:00. Then they started again an hour later but continued for only 30 mins. Later that afternoon, he began to suffer pain in his gut. His abdomen was distended. He was taken down for an ultrasound and then made to wait for several more hours before getting relief. They are not sure what the cause was, but he was better by morning. He continued to suffer from marathon hiccups off and on for the rest of the night.
Mental wanderings:
What does it mean that as I sit in a hotel room at 4:30 in the morning typing on my computer and slowly a ladybug crawls into my view on the wall? Are lady bugs even supposed to be around this time of year? In a motel room on the eighth floor in downtown Atlanta? God sent me that ladybug. I’m not sure why. Speculation is scary. And I don’t want to “force” a meaning. They are supposed to be lucky, I think. But since I know the Lord is with me, luck’s not even necessary. Must be something else. I’ll wait and see. Meanwhile, I’ve captured it and will release it outside.
In the middle of getting dressed (actually blow drying my hair), the power at the hotel went out. The bathroom was completely dark, but as I walked out into the room, the sun was just breaking the horizon. During times like this I find myself looking for little encouragements, remembrances that God is with me and the day would be good. What I should have taken away was that God is with me. Whatever the day brings, it is a good thing, for God is with me. This would be important to remember as I looked down at my watch (now running behind since the power came back on) and realized I had about two minutes until I needed to be down in the lobby to catch the shuttle to the hospital by 8. It was important to catch the first shuttle (7:30) because it didn’t run again until 8 and by that time the drs were supposed to have already come and gone. I rushed down the hall, flew into the elevator, flew out of the elevator and rushed out into the parking lot only to see the tail lights of the shuttle disappearing down the road. I stood there completely deflated and dejected. NO NO NO NO NO!!! This can’t be happening! I can’t handle it! I’ve GOT to be there! I AM with you, I was again reminded. I walked back into the lobby and up to the desk to find SOME way to get the shuttle to make another (unscheduled) run. The ladies were very nice, but firm. Even after I tried to explain my predicament (and the tide was rising on my lower eyelids,) they explained it was not possible. I slowly nodded my head (I couldn’t talk) and walked over and slumped down in a chair to wait until 8. I must have looked really pitiful, or maybe the Lord was with me as I heard, Ma’am? I looked over to the same ladies and they told me they would pay for a taxi for me. (It was parked, waiting, in the parking lot.) “You just tell him to come in when he gets back and we’ll pay for it.” I mumbled my thanks and rushed out the door. As it turned out, of course, the doctors did not come until much later, but in the meantime, the Lord had specifically, personally met my need. Praise be to our living Lord.
The day started out calmly enough, even great! Jeff came off his catheter, got off the morphine pump and began to eat a little. Then at 2:35 he started the hiccups. Every time he hiccupped, it jarred his broken sternum and caused excruciating pain. What to do? What to do? I tried everything I could think of. Finally I went out to the nurse and she said she’d call the doctor. Thirty minutes later, she came back and said the doc said Jeff would just have to let it pass. Easy enough for him. He wasn’t sitting here watching a loved one suffer with no knowledge of how to ease the pain. It was not a fun time. He hiccupped for an hour and a half. Finally he stopped then an hour later, started again but only for 30 mins this time. Sometime later that afternoon, his stomach looked distended (his gut was swollen) and was painful. The doctor came in and suddenly Jeff was headed down for an x ray. At this time I had to leave the room, since he’s in a semi-private room with another man. Paul and I talked and we decided it was best for me to head back to the hotel for the night. I was torn since I didn’t know what was wrong or if it was serious. Paul promised to call me immediately if I needed to came back for any reason and I left. Paul called later and let me know he was sleeping and doing some better. A couple of bowel movements helped relieve some of the pressure and he continued to improve throughout the night.
My ladybug had escaped. Oh well. And when I got back to the hotel, I was excited to find it again on a lamp. Then I realized it wasn’t the same one. It was definitely different. Then I looked on the wall and saw another one, Then I discovered a dead one on the bedside table. What in the world! Lady bugs around this place was nothing exceptional. Obviously, it happens all the time! And at that point, the Lord reminded me that people are suffering and dealing with difficulties like mine constantly. I remembered mentioning to my brother Tim as we were on our way down to get Jeff’s “personal affects” (I hate the sound of that…) that I will better understand what others are going through in circumstances like this after going through it myself. Certainly, the Lord can use our experiences to enhance our empathy for others, and allow us to be more versatile tools in His hand. Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Saturday February 27
Saturday, February 28
Details:
.
Moved to semi-private room. Still mostly resting, eating little.
Thoughts and Encouragement:
The next day brought special encouragement when two of my four children were able to come to see us. What an amazing thing in life when after spending so many years doing whatever you can to comfort your children, the tables are turned and they now comfort you. What a blessing to know they all love their Daddy, are concerned for us both and do what they can to help and support. Sweet kids and a blessing to Jeff and I. The Lord knew, however, a special medicine for me that I hadn’t thought about. It came in the form of a cuddly, grinning little four month old grandboy. Such a comfort to this grand mamma’s heart to be able to hold him and smile with him. When so many things in my world are difficult right now having him snuggle into my neck and suck his thumb as he goes to sleep is so right. Thank you, Lord.
Jeff’s condition is still about the same. Lots of pain, lots of pain relief, and a groggy, sleeping husband. That’s fine right now. I don’t want him to hurt. I’m glad he’s resting. It gives his body a chance to recover from the accident and begin the slow process of healing, which, we are finding out, will definitely be “slow” and a “process.” One question that immediately has presented itself concerns movement. With only one good leg, and because of broken ribs a difficulty using his arms, how will he move from one place to another? Crutches are out. Simple solution: wheelchair. How does he get from the chair to the bed, couch or toilet? How does he get from the chair and into the car and back again? Even with help, how do we pick him up without causing pain? Whoa, baby. I see a long and interesting journey ahead. But I don’t see us walking it alone. Already the Lord has sent so many wonderful people and their offers to help have been such a blessing. I rest in the Lord’s care.
What does it mean that as I sit in a hotel room at 4:30 in the morning typing on my computer and slowly a ladybug crawls into my view on the wall? Are lady bugs even supposed to be around this time of year? In a motel room on the eighth floor in downtown Atlanta? God sent me that ladybug. I’m not sure why. Speculation is scary. And I don’t want to “force” a meaning. They are supposed to be lucky, I think. But since I know the Lord is with me, luck’s not even necessary. Must be something else. I’ll wait and see. Meanwhile, I’ve captured it and will release it outside.
Details:
.
Moved to semi-private room. Still mostly resting, eating little.
Thoughts and Encouragement:
The next day brought special encouragement when two of my four children were able to come to see us. What an amazing thing in life when after spending so many years doing whatever you can to comfort your children, the tables are turned and they now comfort you. What a blessing to know they all love their Daddy, are concerned for us both and do what they can to help and support. Sweet kids and a blessing to Jeff and I. The Lord knew, however, a special medicine for me that I hadn’t thought about. It came in the form of a cuddly, grinning little four month old grandboy. Such a comfort to this grand mamma’s heart to be able to hold him and smile with him. When so many things in my world are difficult right now having him snuggle into my neck and suck his thumb as he goes to sleep is so right. Thank you, Lord.
Jeff’s condition is still about the same. Lots of pain, lots of pain relief, and a groggy, sleeping husband. That’s fine right now. I don’t want him to hurt. I’m glad he’s resting. It gives his body a chance to recover from the accident and begin the slow process of healing, which, we are finding out, will definitely be “slow” and a “process.” One question that immediately has presented itself concerns movement. With only one good leg, and because of broken ribs a difficulty using his arms, how will he move from one place to another? Crutches are out. Simple solution: wheelchair. How does he get from the chair to the bed, couch or toilet? How does he get from the chair and into the car and back again? Even with help, how do we pick him up without causing pain? Whoa, baby. I see a long and interesting journey ahead. But I don’t see us walking it alone. Already the Lord has sent so many wonderful people and their offers to help have been such a blessing. I rest in the Lord’s care.
What does it mean that as I sit in a hotel room at 4:30 in the morning typing on my computer and slowly a ladybug crawls into my view on the wall? Are lady bugs even supposed to be around this time of year? In a motel room on the eighth floor in downtown Atlanta? God sent me that ladybug. I’m not sure why. Speculation is scary. And I don’t want to “force” a meaning. They are supposed to be lucky, I think. But since I know the Lord is with me, luck’s not even necessary. Must be something else. I’ll wait and see. Meanwhile, I’ve captured it and will release it outside.
Friday, February 26
Friday, February 26
Details
Jeff continued to stay “morphed” as his body struggled to recover from the trauma. Water and pain meds were his main needs. He mainly slept. Still in ICU.
Few thoughts-mostly on auto-pilot:
So quickly. How had the hours passed? I had only just arrived, but now it was time to leave for the hotel? Nurses, doctors, people, people, people. Some seemed our friends, others the enemy. Poking, prodding, sticking, beepers, loud speakers, tubes and flexi straws. What a cacophony of noises and activity to assault your senses. And there is no let up.
Details
Jeff continued to stay “morphed” as his body struggled to recover from the trauma. Water and pain meds were his main needs. He mainly slept. Still in ICU.
Few thoughts-mostly on auto-pilot:
So quickly. How had the hours passed? I had only just arrived, but now it was time to leave for the hotel? Nurses, doctors, people, people, people. Some seemed our friends, others the enemy. Poking, prodding, sticking, beepers, loud speakers, tubes and flexi straws. What a cacophony of noises and activity to assault your senses. And there is no let up.
There have been so many friends all over the world praying and concerned for Jeff after his accident. I want to be able to keep everyone informed and a blog seemed the most sensible way to do so. I will do my best to try to keep you informed each day of his condition, progress and our plans as we know them. But most of all I want to be able to relate to you the ways in which the Lord steps in and meet our needs as He brings glory to Himself. He loves us beyond our comprehension and knows our needs better than we do. We choose to lean on Him and trust.
I want to share my heart completely with you. I realize, however, that some only want the facts, so with my posts I will be brief and share only the basic details and then “wax eloquent” as I share my heart along with the facts. Thanks again for your love and prayers. Blessings to you!
Thursday, Feb. 25
Short version (for all you guys out there)
On Thursday morning, February 25, Jeff was headed to see his sister, Leslie in downtown Atlanta. All he can remember at this point is moving over into a turn lane as he approached an intersection. Suddenly, it was like an explosion, he said. Glass flying, car spinning and a loud boom. He never saw it come, but come it did in the way of a 20 year old guy (who also says he can’t remember what happened) who hit Jeff in the front corner of our van just in front of the driver’s door. Jeff blacked out, then came to to hear someone shouting, then blacked out again. It took a while to get him out of the car. They had to cut the top off the van to get him free. His leg was pinned under the dash.
When he got to the ER, he had 7 broken ribs on one side and 1 on the other, a broken sternum, his lower left leg broken (both bones into the knee joint), a broken back (technically)and a bruised heart. He’s also doing treatments for his lungs. The doctor said his back was “technically” broken, but he just had (as I understand it) chips off several vertebrae caused when his muscle was pulled away. It will heal on it’s own. The ribs will heal on their own and the sternum will heal on its own. He will be released from the hospital to go home and wait for the swelling to go down before surgery can be done. We hope this can be done locally (Anderson, SC). We are looking at months of recovery.
Thought by thought version (for those who want all the details)
Grady Heath System…..I had no clue what that was…until today. Yesterday morning I began a leisurely
morning, checking email, posting on face book, looking forward to an afternoon with my son and daughter and their precious little son. Life took an abrupt turn about 9:00 when a social worker from the emergency room at Grady Health System called me up. Slowly my brain caught up with her words. “Husband, here, x rays, accident…” I had talked with Jeff only an hour previous. All was well. Life was predictable. Everything under control. Then our world exploded as did our van when he was struck by another driver on his driver’s side door. I stumbled around for a while there in the kitchen, insisting that my brain function. Forcing one foot in front of the other, the “what-ifs” began. My creative brain moved into overdrive. All possibilities were considered. No outcome was rejected. I wept, I imagined what might lay ahead. I wept. Not knowing what was going on was excruciating. I wept. I CAN’T DO THIS!! Yes, you can came the gentle answer. I began to make preparations to travel the 600+ miles that separated us.
He remembers little. Images, really. Sensations, voices, noises, a covering to protect him as they cut up the car to get him out. I received the news that he had 6 broken ribs, a broken sternum, his lower leg broken in two places which would require surgery. And I was so far away, visiting with my sister and her kids. Jeff sent word through the social worker for me not to come. He obviously had no clue of the extent of his injuries. I began my trip back some hours later. It would take 9 hours to get home where I would sleep and continue on to Atlanta the next morning. Our dear friend Paul had come to Jeff immediately upon hearing of his accident and spent the night with him. Our pastor, Robbie also came to Atlanta that night to be at the hospital first thing the next morning. The Lord surely has a special reward for such faithful friends.
Meanwhile, I felt I would explode if I couldn’t get to Jeff. QUICKLY!! I packed at warp speed and got on my way. Numerous times safe communication required me to pull over to talk, call or text. Slowly I watched the arrival time on the GPS creep later and later. At one point, I grasped the steering wheel tightly and screamed to no one in particular, I CAN‘T DRIVE ANYMORE! Yes, you can came the soft answer. I drove on.
The two hour drive to Atlanta the next morning was excruciating. It was such a blessing for me that I didn’t have to drive. Sherri and Tim were taking me down there. At least there was the added pressure of having to drive in Atlanta. I felt like a bottled soda bubbling to the point of explosion. Being apart. So many unanswered questions, so much uncertainty. My “imaginings” wanted to push to the forefront. For someone who typically likes having her ducks in a row, it was a torment to not have answers to so many questions. I CAN’T HANDLE THIS! Yes, came the answer compassionately, but firmly. I held it together, until I got to his floor and knew he was only steps away. Breathe. Breathe. This is not the time to lose it. I manhandled three sets of doors (Who knew there were little metal plates to push to make the doors open automatically?) and finally found his hall and his room. Eyes wide, anxious to see and yet fearful, I found his face. He lay still, a neck brace hiding most of his face. I gave Paul a quick thank you hug. Slowly one arm raised toward me and I moved forward. I just stood there holding his hand for a while, and suddenly, the day was done.
I want to share my heart completely with you. I realize, however, that some only want the facts, so with my posts I will be brief and share only the basic details and then “wax eloquent” as I share my heart along with the facts. Thanks again for your love and prayers. Blessings to you!
Thursday, Feb. 25
Short version (for all you guys out there)
On Thursday morning, February 25, Jeff was headed to see his sister, Leslie in downtown Atlanta. All he can remember at this point is moving over into a turn lane as he approached an intersection. Suddenly, it was like an explosion, he said. Glass flying, car spinning and a loud boom. He never saw it come, but come it did in the way of a 20 year old guy (who also says he can’t remember what happened) who hit Jeff in the front corner of our van just in front of the driver’s door. Jeff blacked out, then came to to hear someone shouting, then blacked out again. It took a while to get him out of the car. They had to cut the top off the van to get him free. His leg was pinned under the dash.
When he got to the ER, he had 7 broken ribs on one side and 1 on the other, a broken sternum, his lower left leg broken (both bones into the knee joint), a broken back (technically)and a bruised heart. He’s also doing treatments for his lungs. The doctor said his back was “technically” broken, but he just had (as I understand it) chips off several vertebrae caused when his muscle was pulled away. It will heal on it’s own. The ribs will heal on their own and the sternum will heal on its own. He will be released from the hospital to go home and wait for the swelling to go down before surgery can be done. We hope this can be done locally (Anderson, SC). We are looking at months of recovery.
Thought by thought version (for those who want all the details)
Grady Heath System…..I had no clue what that was…until today. Yesterday morning I began a leisurely
morning, checking email, posting on face book, looking forward to an afternoon with my son and daughter and their precious little son. Life took an abrupt turn about 9:00 when a social worker from the emergency room at Grady Health System called me up. Slowly my brain caught up with her words. “Husband, here, x rays, accident…” I had talked with Jeff only an hour previous. All was well. Life was predictable. Everything under control. Then our world exploded as did our van when he was struck by another driver on his driver’s side door. I stumbled around for a while there in the kitchen, insisting that my brain function. Forcing one foot in front of the other, the “what-ifs” began. My creative brain moved into overdrive. All possibilities were considered. No outcome was rejected. I wept, I imagined what might lay ahead. I wept. Not knowing what was going on was excruciating. I wept. I CAN’T DO THIS!! Yes, you can came the gentle answer. I began to make preparations to travel the 600+ miles that separated us.
He remembers little. Images, really. Sensations, voices, noises, a covering to protect him as they cut up the car to get him out. I received the news that he had 6 broken ribs, a broken sternum, his lower leg broken in two places which would require surgery. And I was so far away, visiting with my sister and her kids. Jeff sent word through the social worker for me not to come. He obviously had no clue of the extent of his injuries. I began my trip back some hours later. It would take 9 hours to get home where I would sleep and continue on to Atlanta the next morning. Our dear friend Paul had come to Jeff immediately upon hearing of his accident and spent the night with him. Our pastor, Robbie also came to Atlanta that night to be at the hospital first thing the next morning. The Lord surely has a special reward for such faithful friends.
Meanwhile, I felt I would explode if I couldn’t get to Jeff. QUICKLY!! I packed at warp speed and got on my way. Numerous times safe communication required me to pull over to talk, call or text. Slowly I watched the arrival time on the GPS creep later and later. At one point, I grasped the steering wheel tightly and screamed to no one in particular, I CAN‘T DRIVE ANYMORE! Yes, you can came the soft answer. I drove on.
The two hour drive to Atlanta the next morning was excruciating. It was such a blessing for me that I didn’t have to drive. Sherri and Tim were taking me down there. At least there was the added pressure of having to drive in Atlanta. I felt like a bottled soda bubbling to the point of explosion. Being apart. So many unanswered questions, so much uncertainty. My “imaginings” wanted to push to the forefront. For someone who typically likes having her ducks in a row, it was a torment to not have answers to so many questions. I CAN’T HANDLE THIS! Yes, came the answer compassionately, but firmly. I held it together, until I got to his floor and knew he was only steps away. Breathe. Breathe. This is not the time to lose it. I manhandled three sets of doors (Who knew there were little metal plates to push to make the doors open automatically?) and finally found his hall and his room. Eyes wide, anxious to see and yet fearful, I found his face. He lay still, a neck brace hiding most of his face. I gave Paul a quick thank you hug. Slowly one arm raised toward me and I moved forward. I just stood there holding his hand for a while, and suddenly, the day was done.
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