Miracle

Wednesday morning an aid entered Dwight's room to waken him for breakfast. What she saw shocked her and she ran--literally--to get a nurse--who also was very concerned. Dwight's catheter tubes for his dialysis had removed themselves overnight and were laying beside him on his bed.

Unfortunately, someone at the Nursing Home did not keep their concern to them self and Dwight became quite anxious, as I am sure any of us would. He called me, not sure what was going on, but very nervous. I called with a nurse friend, who explained the possible fatal result of the self removal. But, she asked, "Is he breathing? Then he is fine." (Possible results--as the tubes exited the body, air could have entered the void and then travel to the heart and causing death. Or at the exit of tubes, if it didn't close, he could have bleed to death.) But neither happened because God is in control and still has things for Dwight to do.

I called Dwight back, talked with him, prayed with him. God is faithful and Dwight felt His peace. I did not share what my friend had told me. Figured he had enough anxious thoughts for one day. He had an appointment in the afternoon, and new, longer tubes put in.(They had had trouble with those two week old tubes.)

BUT, Thursday, when Dwight went to dialysis all the workers there seemed to know about it and proceeded to tell Dwight how 'lucky' he was and what could have happened. Of course Dwight used it as an opportunity to share God with everyone in return.

Romans 8:28 And we know that causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.

Dwight may be in a nursing room, unable to get into his wheelchair, needing nurses and aids to help him with almost everything. His kidneys may not be working and he needs to rely on machines to clean his blood. But he is still loving God and serving Him, anywhere and everywhere He can. I thank God for my husband and his willingness to be God's man every chance he gets.

Another Fun Day

Wednesday morning, when the aid entered Dwight's room to wake him for his morning pain pills she found something she had never seen before. The catheter tubes for his dialysis were laying on the bed beside him. They had removed themselves in the night. Not sure how, or why. Guess they just didn't like Dwight.

She went flying out of the room to find a nurse, who was extremely concerned. In fact it caused such a stir that the night nurse talked to me quite awhile as I was leaving tonight.
Although, they didn't tell Dwight, this could have been a very serious situation. But God had other plans.

All this caused great anxiety in Dwight, who called me to help him calm down, altho' he was quite calm when he told me. We talked awhile, and prayed together. I called my nurse friend who reassured me that since they were out with no bleeding, etc, we should be thankful.

Dwight went and had new tubes inserted, he is alot of extra pain, and still slightly shaken, but ready to go off to dialysis tomorrow. Hopefully, with new tubes dialysis will be uneventful. Tuesday the tubes were partially blocked and needed opened and the machine kept setting off the alarms, resulting in a shortened dialysis. We like it best when things run smoothly.

Holding Pattern

Things seem to be pretty much in a routine now. There are some little ups and downs, but nothing big right now. Dialysis is on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, with adjustments made for holiday weeks. The bedsore is slowly healing with the aid of a wound vac and a couple of nurses who really care and know how to change it.

Unfortunately, yesterday, (Tuesday) Dwight was unable to have dialysis because the ports where plugged, again, it has only been two weeks since they were replaced. He goes this afternoon to have them replaced and then, time permitting, he will have dialysis.

Last week they did minor surgery on his left arm, again. The surgery in the wrist didn't grow large enough to use so now they are trying to create one near the elbow. They had to cut quite deep into his bicep to find a usable artery. He was told they have never dug that deep before. He did have huge muscles from working so hard. Of course, this continues to keep him from physcial therapy.

Dwight is handling most of this very well, altho' there are times he is very down, especially when the pain and loneliness get overwhelming. The cards and phone calls he receives are a great encouragement.

My granddaughter Aurora and I are quite excited to see the snow, but I can guarantee that my husband will have a very strong opposite reaction. Don't you love how different spouses are????

Again, thank you to all of you who are so caring and praying. Your prayers give us the added strength we need.

Play Date Cancelled

I have put off all summer and fall scheduling a date for family and friends to come and help me remove and replace parts of the ramp that have gotten bad. Partly I forgot because of the lack of rain we have had. Whenever it rains the wood swells and the de-lamination is more obvious.

But I put it off too long it seems. First we have Kristen spraining her ankle and calf, and now Tim has decided to get a set of crutches with the multiple breaks in his foot. I had hoped they would be my main labor, but.... (I had hoped Karin would be the chief kid entertainer and food preparer.)

If we had done it in warmer weather I would have equipped the grandchidren with paintbrushes and paint, what fun we have missed. And I am sure plenty of photos.

Spring is coming. We will just have to be extra careful shoveling snow this winter on the bad parts.

"Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today...."

Cat Whisperer

Yesterday Dwight had a procedure in the Dr office that was only 50% successful. He now needs to go to the Hospital for the second half. Not happy. He was rather discouraged at this and wanted me to spend extra time with him.

I went home to let the dog out and fix a light supper for myself. Kristen and the kids stopped in for a couple minutes. As I was waving good bye to them I noticed something in the tree across the alley. A cat, a stuck in the tree cat. Being the cat lover I am I couldn't just walk away. I talked to her while I appraised the situation. The solution appeared to be either a get a ladder or leave her there.

I decided to talk her down. The kids watched from the van, Jackson offered the suggestion we call the fire department. He mom explained that only happens in stories and small towns.

It didn't take long to get her with in reach. Showing her to the kids in the van, Aurora announced we should keep her. The thought had already played in my mind. I had never seen her around, and she definitely is a house cat. She is on trial. I have offered the open door a couple times, but she just backed way--as in 'no way.'

She has made three enemies. None of our other 'girls' have shown her any welcome. Quite the opposite. But she does know her way around a house, including the kitchen counter, as we discovered this morning. The cat door to basement is now locked.

We will see....

In the mean time, names are being tried out...

Pictures later, I think I better check out what that noise was in the basement.

Kids say...

A week ago Friday, after Kristen and Aurora took a tumble down the stairs, Aurora had a rough night. Kicking and crying in her sleep. Of course she couldn't get into bed with Mother, so...in she crawled with Mimi.

The next night I worked till nine, then stopped to see Dwight. Aurora had informed her Mother she needed to see me before she went to bed. Kristen assured her I would check in on her before I went to bed myself. Aurora also informed her that if needed, she would get in bed with Mimi and not hurt Mommy's leg.

As promised, I checked on both Jackson and Aurora and went to sleep. I awoke about an hour later from the sensation of someone staring at me. There, just inches from my face was a little, almost five year old face. I took her in. Rubbed her back, asking her several questions as to why she needed to be in bed with me. All were answered, 'no'. Finally, with true teenage tone, she stated, "I just don't want to talk about it." Nuff said, I worked real hard at not laughing.

In the morning, after much giggling, I asked, "Why did you get into bed with Mimi?"

"Because I wanted too."

We did have a discussion on staying in your own bed.

A Note from Dwight

Dear Friends and Family,

Susie's blog has been hijacked. The hijacker is well known to most of you. But to the few who may not know, Susie's current hijacker is little ole me, Susie's husband, Dwight. It has been a long time since I have had a chance to talk to most of you, so I thought I would bring you a personal update just to let you know I am still here.

Life for me has settled into an uneasy routine. My hopes and plans , tho' , are constantly being changed by things beyond my control Dr visits, dialysis, severe pain constantly interrupt my attempts at physical therapy and therefore going home. I am given no idea when I can I do so.

I would like to say “thank you” to all of the good people who have sent cards, written notes of encouragement, called on the phone, and even visited. Especially, those who have taken the time to pray for me and to speak my name before the heavenly Father. I can tell when there are those who are praying especially hard for me during difficult times. I desperately need for you to keep praying for me.
I find myself praying for you as well and seeking God's help for the needs you share with me. Isn't God's family amazing!

Many thanks to Susie her help getting this onto her blog(even typing it up for me on her little purple net book!) Unfortunately I do not have access to either computers or the internet. Just another reason to get well and go home..........

Thanks again for all your concern and care,
signed---the Hijacker