The long night

There are some things that are taken for granted in my life. Being able to sleep well is one of them that I am learning more about now. Dan had an anxiety attack yesterday evening, so I stayed in the room with him last night. He ended up not having a roommate as the other guy was transferred. He has been misable with pain and says he didn't know it would be this hard. He's wanting something to drink, but he's belching, so it doesn't seem to be going through quite yet. They are allowing him 1 oz every hour. He's been up walking 2x today, but it hurts. They have increased his pain medicine a bit, so that may help with the pain. He's maxed out on what they were giving him and still having problems, so I hope this helps him sleep some. He doesn't even seem to doze at all. I got some quick naps in the night in my recliner chair between the various pumps and bells going off. Why does the IV always run out just as you drift off? It may be a nice musical tune, but it's still annoying. The night nurse really tried to reassure him that he's doing well. He feels like this is so slow and he's going to be here longer than he planned. I told him this is only day 2 after surgery--I see good things happening even when he doesn't, and try to share them as I see them to encourage him. I do remember, however, how slow the time seemed to go and how much I didn't feel like I could do--just getting up to go to the bathroom was a major project. Handicap rails are the most wonderful things in the world post-op. Such ease in ascending, and such difficulty when they aren't there.

They have podiums here to walk with--I think we need one locally. They are like the podiums for preaching or the kneeling rails Catholics have, but they are on wheels so you have something to lean on. I just had my trusty pole, but he's to graduate to pole walking later today.

Even though he's impatient, he is doing well, just struggling psychologically. Pray that we both have patience with th process. It can seem so long. And for good sleep for Dan--if he sleeps well, I'll sleep well.

It's over!

Ok, finally, we have a successful surgery of a grapefruit sized tumor, no cancer in the borders, no lymph nodes, and no sign that there will be any problems in the future with this. We are SO grateful to our Lord for this outcome. As I've listened to some of the other folks around, they have various cancers that need chemo or aren't treatable except with experimental drugs. We feel very blessed that his life has been preserved and that it looks like his health will return. People are talking about the miracle on the Hudson (which I believe is), but I feel like we have our own little miracle right here in Rochester, MN with no water involved. (I think Dan wants some water right now though, but they are working on that with some extra IV fluids tonight.)

The other thing that we are going to remember is the family that we have all over the place. We met some "new friends" at church who prayed with Dan after the evening service, showed real love and concern about us, and made us feel very at home. We've met another brother who is the Southern Baptist chaplain with the Mayo system today. Dan met someone who married a girl from Glennallen, AK, but I haven't met him yet. I'm dying to see who it was and if I know her, whether they know other people we know, etc. Hopefully he'll find us before we leave.

So, from a blessed couple who believes in miracles, we thank you for your prayers and love!

Drawing closer to THE day

As the day of my hubby's surgery draws near (3 days), I try to relax and remember Who is in control. I have a power that is above all comprehension who is guiding the hands of the doctors in the surgery and the team before and after the procedure. No matter what happens, we can't lose. Knowing that Christ's blood atones for our sin on the cross and that as we have accepted that gift, offered free of charge, we have already obtained the goal of heaven. Death holds no sting as it's the end of this life of suffering, but is the beginning of a new life (and I might add a new body that I look forward to) for eternity with our Lord and Saviour. Wow, the awesomeness of it sometimes overwelms me when I try to comprehend it all. Now, don't get me wrong, I want my hubby to stay around quite a while (or else why do this surgery?), but I also know that he's in good hands all along the path of the next few days. I'll blog as we go between the Christmas cards that are late and the calling of important folks in our lives to let them know how we are. We appreciate them all!

Birthdays

I have now turned 43 as of Sunday, no fanfare, no cake, no party, just quietly at work. Yes, I know it was Sunday, but I had to work anyway. I thought I'd get the next weekend off, but I was incorrect on that as it just occurred to me that I agreed to work some. Oops. Partly that's because someone was to be gone who then changed her mind after we already had the work calandar done, so now I'm stuck. However, I DEFINITELY get the next weekend off since I plan on leaving for the cold north of southern Minnesota and my hubby's surgery. He said he would celebrate later. Since he'll be laid up for a while, I don't know when that will be. So, I'll stay happy with being old (per my 20 year old nephew) in the quiet.

I also have been praying for a friend of mine. She broke her right arm on Dec 20, now she's in the hospital for what we thought was stomach flu, but she seems to have a left-over gallstone stuck in her duct. This is on top of her husband being laid off for 2 months, and her unable to work because of her arm. She wonders how much more they can stand. So, I'm trying to find a way to help her through all of this. She is a believer, seeking a church locally, and feeling overloaded. Of course, worrying does not help anything physical. So, I'm doing daily social calls to the hospital now after or before work. That's actually a fun part of my day in spite of her having an illness I'd rather she not have. Since she's not been a work, I've really missed her and it is fun to visit with her and help her get her mind off of her problems.

I suppose I've run out of news again. I've read all the blogs I follow, and looked at all the wedding pictures on another website, so it's time to clean off the bed from my treasurer job on the side and see what kind of sleep I can get before another day of work. I keep repeating that it's all for my hubby, so it's worth it in the end.