Hebrews 12:1-2a

"Let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with Endurance
the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus,
the author and finisher of our faith."
Hebrews 12:1-2a

Friday, May 22, 2015

Recovery At Home - Day 10

Jimmy was so glad to get home last night, sitting in his own recliner and being in his own bed. He slept much better and the pain meds given at 10:15 last night lasted until 9 this morning.

The Home Health nurse came at 8:45 a.m. to draw blood and do vitals.

It is a process to crush necessary meds and make sure they are dissolved in water and then adding the correct amount of the liquid meds. I have to make a chart so we'll know when to take what and to have an accurate reading of when he takes pain meds. Every 12 to 14 hours we change out the bags that hold the nutrition he receives via a J-Tube. That too is a process that will only get better as we do it. Between the meds and the nutrition, we do it in tandem - Jim operates the on/off valve and I do the rest.  It works ... most of the time. Sometimes we forget things.

It is now 10:20 a.m. and he is shaving and getting cleaned up for the day. He is looking forward to seeing his grandson, Austin.

We've had visits from Rocky, Christina and Austin and two neighbors, Doran, next door, and Bonnie, across the street.

We drove down to CVS Pharmacy, where Jim got some walking in and bought necessary supplies for changing the dressing on his pigtail drain and for using the catheter.

We attempted a 2-hour nap, probably got almost 1 1/2 hours, in between phone calls from 3 different people, two of which were useful - his sister and the home health nurse, and one not so much. The strain of the past 9 days and little sleep got the best of us.

For the second day in a row, Jim has complained of dizziness after taking his evening meds. We called the on-call thoracic Fellow at UIHC. He thought it could be because Jim hasn't had a bowel movement since the second day he was on the feeding tube and suggested he add Milk of Magnesium to the mix. He also suggested that Jim not get up so fast after taking it. So that's what we'll try on Saturday.

The ultimate challenge is to keep fixing your eyes on the Lord no matter what is going on around you.

Accept what you are faced with
and seek God's way
to guide you
through the dark corridors

Do not withdraw your focus
from the Lord God Almighty
and travel down the back streets
and alleys that bring
despair
discouragement
discontent

He will take you places
beyond your wildest dreams
and imagination
He walks with you
runs beside you
covers you
encircles you
embraces you

Wherever you are
thank Hm
for who He is
what He has done,
what He will do
where He has gone
when and how He shows you

Rejoice in His great love
for you
all because of His precious Son,
Jesus
Expect Him to be your guide
to show you what you are capable of
and what He has enabled you to do
Look to Him in every situation
and wait.

It is in His time we find
what He has for us
and it is in waiting
and being acutely aware
of His Presence
that our fears
diminish
and we are blessed
with His loving Peace.
(c) CMOL