This post is in direct response to the many who have asked for an update...
Friday, November 12th:
Mom came home from the hospital; she needed a few days to get comfortable but seems to be getting stronger with each passing day.
Last Friday also meant a dental appointment for me... I had been suffering from some semi-intense pain over the last few months. The x-rays showed that I needed two root canals... the two teeth were back to back.
One of the teeth bothered me significantly more than the other so that was the tooth that was pulled. Why did I have it pulled instead of having the root canal done? Hmm... I don't have dental insurance... Root Canal $790 vs Tooth Extraction $250... the decision wasn't difficult.
The dentist gave me seven stitches in an attempt at avoiding a dry socket. I've had many pulled teeth and with nearly each one came a dry socket; so I was really hoping this was going to work.
Going back on the 22nd to have the stitches removed.
I was started on a round of antibiotics to fight off any infection... I was personally hoping it would aid in my breathing.
Saturday, November 13th:
Saturday was a good day for the most part... Saturday evening the area of the extraction began to hurt.
Sunday, November 14th:
The pain was increasing and nothing seemed to bring relief.
Monday, November 15th:
Went to the dentist... an infection had set in (it appears that my body has built up a resistance to Zithromax aka Z Pack). I was started on Clindamycin and began to feel a bit better.
Tuesday, November 16th:
The new antibiotic continued to bring relief for me.
Mom is continuing to improve... but it appears that she tore her rotator cuff when she fell. She cannot lift her arm and it is causing her a significant amount of pain. She will most certainly need surgery to repair her shoulder; it's not a matter of if it's a matter of when.
She's been through this once before and if you've ever had it done you know it can be a very painful recovery. Regardless, it's something that will need to be done eventually.
Wednesday, November 17th:
Tuesday night was the first night that I slept through without cough syrup... these new antibiotics have started working on my breathing!
My oral pain continued to decrease in the area of the extracted tooth but began to increase in the tooth next to it that is in need of a root canal.
Mom has continued to improve and dad went to his daily compression therapy.
While at compression therapy dad began to experience chest pains and was sent to the hospital. Many tests were run and it was determined that he did NOT experience a heart attack. Instead, it was a reminder that he is not a healthy man; that he has congestive heart failure, and that there are many more times like this ahead of him. He was released and sent home Wednesday night.
Thursday, November 18th:
I was up most of last night (Wednesday night) in pain from my tooth... I called the dentist this morning and it's been decided that I will have my 2nd tooth pulled tomorrow.
By the way... the stitches seem to have done the trick... no dry socket! Let's see if the same holds true after this next tooth is pulled.
Friday, November 19th:
I think that I'm looking forward to getting this 2nd tooth pulled... I'll let you know later in the week.
Mom will be going to get her hair done tomorrow (this is the first time since the fall - 6 1/2 weeks ago). After that she is hoping to be attend the funeral for the very young daughter of a co-worker who passed away unexpectedly.
*****
I received some new lab results and even a new diagnosis... but those details will wait for later as I need to get some ice on my face in hopes of eliminating some of this pain.
But before I close, thank you to a wonderful friend who sent me a gift card a couple weeks ago. And more thanks for all the food that has come my way this week; another incredible delivery from Children's Hunger Fund, individuals who have dropped off bags of groceries, and then some amazing cooks who have made some wonderful meals...
*****
O, How I Love Jesus
That is a name I love to hear, I love to sing its worth!
It sounds like music in my ear, the sweetest name on earth.
O, How I Love Jesus; O, How I Love Jesus!
O, How I Love Jesus, because He first loved me.
*****
I John 4:19
19 We love Him because He first loved us.
With love,
Diana
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
November 11, 2010
It has been almost two weeks since mom has experienced the worst day since her fall. Ever since that day she began to slowly improve.
Aunt Shirley arrived one week ago; she has been a huge help to my father and a blessing to my mother. Although, as you will read on, the necessity of her being with them has only just begun... her assistance is needed now more then ever.
This next bit of news came as expectantly to us as I'm sure it will to you...
God has certainly heard and answered our prayers... in fact, I will tell you that He has allowed for a miracle. To the many of you who have prayed, thank you... God is good and His timing is perfect.
Mom is going home tomorrow (Friday, November 12th)... yes, you read correctly. She is being released from the hospital tomorrow and will be heading home.
If you remember reading a couple weeks ago she wasn't going to be released until the end of this month at the earliest and quite possibly the end of the year.
She still has a long road of recovery ahead of her; but we are rejoicing in the fact that a new chapter in her life is beginning tomorrow as she is released from the hospital.
Please join us in giving all the praise and glory to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for this miraculous healing in mom's body.
*****
As for me, I went to the doctor yesterday... chest x-rays were taken and the good news is that I don't have pneumonia.
More good news for my family and Jeralynn; the doctor won't allow me to start on the 'heavy' dose of steroids (100mg prednisone). I say good news for them because I have not been the most pleasant person to be around lately; my attitude problem is a result of the most recent doses of steroids that I have been on.
That isn't good news for me... that means I continue to live with this COPD flare-up (exacerbation). The type of COPD that I have is chronic obstructive bronchitis... meaning constant bronchitis and the cough that goes along with it. This is the same cough that caused the cervical spinal injuries and required the many surgeries that have gone along with it.
I'm sure you have heard that too many antibiotics aren't good for a person... eventually they won't work. That is the case for this bout of bronchitis... they want to hold off any giving me additional antibiotics in case this turns into pneumonia and antibiotics become necessary.
My doctor is holding off on the 'heavy' steroids until she gets my blood work back... steroids play havoc on diabetics and do a number on one's bone density. She feels that right now the risk of going on prednisone is greater then the possible benefits.
So now I will wait... wait until the blood results come back and will continue to rest, sleep, and rest some more until this exacerbation slowly works it's way out of my body.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
With love,
Diana
Aunt Shirley arrived one week ago; she has been a huge help to my father and a blessing to my mother. Although, as you will read on, the necessity of her being with them has only just begun... her assistance is needed now more then ever.
This next bit of news came as expectantly to us as I'm sure it will to you...
God has certainly heard and answered our prayers... in fact, I will tell you that He has allowed for a miracle. To the many of you who have prayed, thank you... God is good and His timing is perfect.
Mom is going home tomorrow (Friday, November 12th)... yes, you read correctly. She is being released from the hospital tomorrow and will be heading home.
If you remember reading a couple weeks ago she wasn't going to be released until the end of this month at the earliest and quite possibly the end of the year.
She still has a long road of recovery ahead of her; but we are rejoicing in the fact that a new chapter in her life is beginning tomorrow as she is released from the hospital.
Please join us in giving all the praise and glory to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for this miraculous healing in mom's body.
*****
As for me, I went to the doctor yesterday... chest x-rays were taken and the good news is that I don't have pneumonia.
More good news for my family and Jeralynn; the doctor won't allow me to start on the 'heavy' dose of steroids (100mg prednisone). I say good news for them because I have not been the most pleasant person to be around lately; my attitude problem is a result of the most recent doses of steroids that I have been on.
That isn't good news for me... that means I continue to live with this COPD flare-up (exacerbation). The type of COPD that I have is chronic obstructive bronchitis... meaning constant bronchitis and the cough that goes along with it. This is the same cough that caused the cervical spinal injuries and required the many surgeries that have gone along with it.
I'm sure you have heard that too many antibiotics aren't good for a person... eventually they won't work. That is the case for this bout of bronchitis... they want to hold off any giving me additional antibiotics in case this turns into pneumonia and antibiotics become necessary.
My doctor is holding off on the 'heavy' steroids until she gets my blood work back... steroids play havoc on diabetics and do a number on one's bone density. She feels that right now the risk of going on prednisone is greater then the possible benefits.
So now I will wait... wait until the blood results come back and will continue to rest, sleep, and rest some more until this exacerbation slowly works it's way out of my body.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
With love,
Diana
Thursday, November 4, 2010
November 4, 2010
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
At this time in my life it is only because He lives that I can face tomorrow. For me it's one minute at a time... sometimes it's making it through one second at a time.
If you have a family member in a rehabilitation hospital or convalescent home please, please make your presence known to the hospital staff. Stand in defense of your loved one, make surprise visits two - three times a day; if you suspect anything, investigate it... don't let anything go unnoticed.
I don't have the emotional energy to go into details; but just know, even the finest of establishments can reach their limits. Frustrations are then taken out on the most frail, the weakest patients. Patients who either don't have a voice or who can't properly communicate are the most vulnerable.
I have spent the last few days being angry, furious, not understanding and not wanting to understand. I'm not angry because my parents are ill... I'm angry because I am not physically well enough to fly down to Florida and be by my mother's side during the day and sleep by her side at night.
God and I have spent a lot of time talking these last few days... or should I say, I've been doing the talking (the yelling, the screaming) and haven't paused to listen to God's response.
Psalm 55: 1-2
1 Give ear to my prayer, O God, And do not hide Yourself from my supplication.
2 Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily.
Saturday was the single worse day mom has had since first falling three weeks ago. The last few posts have pretty much explained her day to day living so I won't spend time repeating myself.
My father has become extremely tired and is not doing well himself. He wears a Nitroglycerin Patch so that he doesn't feel any pain... however, the chest pains have increased over the last several days to the point of him experiencing significant pain even with the patch. In fact he has had to miss his compression therapy because of lacking the strength he needs to get there.
My parents health has deteriorated to the point that we have asked my aunt to fly out to Florida on Friday. I'm thanking God for my Aunt Shirley, this is my fathers sister... she is an angel sent from heaven. Auntie is in her 70's herself but if she can sit with my mom and constantly remind my mom that she isn't alone this will be a tremendous help.
Hopefully, this will allow dad to take the time he needs to rest and slowly get back up on his feet. He will continue to see mom several times a day but this way he can rest when he needs to. If dad ends up back in the hospital (which won't surprise any of us) my sister will catch the first flight out of Washington so that she can be there with auntie.
*****
As for me, I'm struggling to keep my head above water. I'm still experiencing side effects from the few steroids that I was on... extreme mood swings, swollen face and ankles, and I've almost got a full beard going...lol.
The problem is that I need to go on a much stronger dose of steroids... (Prednisone 100 mg/daily) that's not something that I want to do at this point. Eventually I will need to give in and get on them... it's becoming more and more difficult to breathe, the coughing is causing my neck to swell and well.... the other problems would fall into the 'TMI' category.
Jeralynn came over last night so that we could talk (so that I could talk). After she sat quietly listening to me ramble and ramble (that's all I seem to be able to do) she told me that I needed to stop and take time out for myself.
Listen to christian music she told me, listen to your cd's over and over again. Listen to PR's (Pastor Ron's) sermons over and over again ~ http://granadahillscc.org/category/sermons/. Spend time doing things just for me; things that will calm my spirit, clear my head, and allow my body to start healing from this endless bout of bronchitis.
Okay, I think I can do that... in fact, I've spent the last hour or so listening to the greatest Pastor in the world deliver a wonderful message entitled 'Abba Will Wipe Away All Your Tears'.
And finally, a praise report, yes in the midst of all of this I have something incredible to thank my Lord for. I'm not sure that I am at liberty to give any names so I will hold off on that for now... but please join me in giving thanks to my Lord for an answer to prayer. Tuesday when getting the mail an envelope fell to ground... I opened it to find a check, in fact a check that was written out for a large amount of money. 'Medications for November & December' was written in the memo line... I broke down into tears praising my Lord for His goodness. (This of course caused me to start coughing until I was vomiting and unable to breath... after a nebulizer treatment I was finally able to calm down).
As I fell asleep that night I was able to rest in the arms of God knowing He will continue to provide for my every need.
It's been almost 6 years since I decided to put my trust in God and I don't regret that decision for one second. If you have been reading my blogs you have seen that when God became the Lord of my life He didn't promise an easy road for me. In fact, for me, my life turned upside down the minute I decided to follow Christ. But you know what, I wouldn't have it any other way... the circumstances of my life may be out of my control. But I wouldn't trade the peace and joy that I have within for all the money in the world.
I will praise the name of the Lord and I will not be afraid. He will stop my feet from stumbling and He will allow me to walk in the path of His light.
Psalm 56:8 - 13
8 You number my wanderings; You put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book?
9 When I cry out to You, then my enemies will turn back; this I know, because God is for me.
10 In God (I will praise His word), in the LORD (I will praise His word),
11 In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
12 Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God; I will render praises to You,
13 For You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
With Love,
Diana
I don't have the emotional energy to go into details; but just know, even the finest of establishments can reach their limits. Frustrations are then taken out on the most frail, the weakest patients. Patients who either don't have a voice or who can't properly communicate are the most vulnerable.
I have spent the last few days being angry, furious, not understanding and not wanting to understand. I'm not angry because my parents are ill... I'm angry because I am not physically well enough to fly down to Florida and be by my mother's side during the day and sleep by her side at night.
God and I have spent a lot of time talking these last few days... or should I say, I've been doing the talking (the yelling, the screaming) and haven't paused to listen to God's response.
Psalm 55: 1-2
1 Give ear to my prayer, O God, And do not hide Yourself from my supplication.
2 Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily.
Saturday was the single worse day mom has had since first falling three weeks ago. The last few posts have pretty much explained her day to day living so I won't spend time repeating myself.
My father has become extremely tired and is not doing well himself. He wears a Nitroglycerin Patch so that he doesn't feel any pain... however, the chest pains have increased over the last several days to the point of him experiencing significant pain even with the patch. In fact he has had to miss his compression therapy because of lacking the strength he needs to get there.
My parents health has deteriorated to the point that we have asked my aunt to fly out to Florida on Friday. I'm thanking God for my Aunt Shirley, this is my fathers sister... she is an angel sent from heaven. Auntie is in her 70's herself but if she can sit with my mom and constantly remind my mom that she isn't alone this will be a tremendous help.
Hopefully, this will allow dad to take the time he needs to rest and slowly get back up on his feet. He will continue to see mom several times a day but this way he can rest when he needs to. If dad ends up back in the hospital (which won't surprise any of us) my sister will catch the first flight out of Washington so that she can be there with auntie.
*****
As for me, I'm struggling to keep my head above water. I'm still experiencing side effects from the few steroids that I was on... extreme mood swings, swollen face and ankles, and I've almost got a full beard going...lol.
The problem is that I need to go on a much stronger dose of steroids... (Prednisone 100 mg/daily) that's not something that I want to do at this point. Eventually I will need to give in and get on them... it's becoming more and more difficult to breathe, the coughing is causing my neck to swell and well.... the other problems would fall into the 'TMI' category.
Jeralynn came over last night so that we could talk (so that I could talk). After she sat quietly listening to me ramble and ramble (that's all I seem to be able to do) she told me that I needed to stop and take time out for myself.
Listen to christian music she told me, listen to your cd's over and over again. Listen to PR's (Pastor Ron's) sermons over and over again ~ http://granadahillscc.org/category/sermons/. Spend time doing things just for me; things that will calm my spirit, clear my head, and allow my body to start healing from this endless bout of bronchitis.
Okay, I think I can do that... in fact, I've spent the last hour or so listening to the greatest Pastor in the world deliver a wonderful message entitled 'Abba Will Wipe Away All Your Tears'.
And finally, a praise report, yes in the midst of all of this I have something incredible to thank my Lord for. I'm not sure that I am at liberty to give any names so I will hold off on that for now... but please join me in giving thanks to my Lord for an answer to prayer. Tuesday when getting the mail an envelope fell to ground... I opened it to find a check, in fact a check that was written out for a large amount of money. 'Medications for November & December' was written in the memo line... I broke down into tears praising my Lord for His goodness. (This of course caused me to start coughing until I was vomiting and unable to breath... after a nebulizer treatment I was finally able to calm down).
As I fell asleep that night I was able to rest in the arms of God knowing He will continue to provide for my every need.
It's been almost 6 years since I decided to put my trust in God and I don't regret that decision for one second. If you have been reading my blogs you have seen that when God became the Lord of my life He didn't promise an easy road for me. In fact, for me, my life turned upside down the minute I decided to follow Christ. But you know what, I wouldn't have it any other way... the circumstances of my life may be out of my control. But I wouldn't trade the peace and joy that I have within for all the money in the world.
I will praise the name of the Lord and I will not be afraid. He will stop my feet from stumbling and He will allow me to walk in the path of His light.
Psalm 56:8 - 13
8 You number my wanderings; You put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book?
9 When I cry out to You, then my enemies will turn back; this I know, because God is for me.
10 In God (I will praise His word), in the LORD (I will praise His word),
11 In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
12 Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God; I will render praises to You,
13 For You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
With Love,
Diana
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