Spirit of Thankfulness

It's been a quiet weekend around here...I'm so thankful! I've been able to devote a lot of time to working since last week was extremely busy for me trying to keep on top of work, helping Ron and much time running back and forth looking at samples of carpet, tile, flooring, countertops, etc. Couldn't have done it without Marcie's help! Thank you, sweet friend! You are such a blessing! And it was so helpful that George, the guy who's doing all the flooring, lives right across the street from Marcie and Don, so samples were sent back and forth through them! Also, my good friend (and Keeno buddie!) Janet, who works for her brother-in-law who does countertops! Once again, God has gone before us...amazing!

Ron did not go down for Interventional Radiology last week. His drainage output had stayed the same so, there was no reason; it didn't slow down any since the last time so they wouldn't take any tubes out and there was no need to look at things otherwise. Dr. Parikh said he will go tomorrow, although the nurse today said he wasn't on the schedule she looked at so, we'll see. The hope is to get another tube (or two?) out.

He's done well since being off all antibiotics, about 10-12 days now! His immune system has to pretty much build itself back up since it's been so suppressed with all these big gun antibiotics for so long!! His white blood count still fluctuates up and down between 12,000-17,500 but they aren't concerned at this point. No fever, or any other signs of infection.

This morning, he was pretty puny feeling; when we started out on our morning walk he started having blurred vision, felt weak and light-headed. We thought it might be his blood sugar but it was good and his blood pressure was normal so we put him back in bed for a couple of hours. By the time PT came this afternoon, he was feeling fine.

Other than being very weak, he feels pretty good most of the time. As good as can be expected with all the tubes, not having eaten anything other than ice chips since October (other than the TPN, IV nutrition)! Of course, he gets wiped out very easily and has lost about 35+ pounds. He doesn't have much pain...except for the tubes (which are attached to his skin with stitches) pulling and when they have to remove dressings.

The main problems remain the tears in the colon and the hole in his belly. We'll have a better idea tomorrow as to how those are progressing.

PT has tried working with him a couple of times with a cane, he does pretty well. He's still so weak it's easier, and he feels more comfortable, having the walker to help bear his weight. At this point the cane is pretty exhausting for him. They are not leaving a cane here in the room; only want him using it when they are here to assist him.

Ryan is in Florida for Stacee's birthday this weekend; Aaron and Kristin went to Abilene to spend time with her Meme, who is in the end stages of Alzheimer's. I think it's good they were all able to get away. I know it's been difficult on them working full time, helping us out so much with the house and getting everything ready for the home renovations and then taking time to spend up here so often.


As I was reading this morning I was reminded how we are to have a spirit of thankfulness; thought I'd share an especially appropriate portion of my reading from Elisabeth Elliot:

Accept, positively and actively, what God has given. Let thanksgiving be the habit of your life.
Such acceptance is not possible without a deep and abiding belief in the sovereign love of God. Either He is in charge, or He is not. Either He loves us, or He does not. If He is in charge and loves us, then whatever is given is subject to His control and is meant ultimately for our joy.
Sometimes He gives us things of beauty, things for which we give thanks at once with all our being. And sometimes they are things which break our hearts--(we know that He allowed it, though we don’t know why), but gifts in that He gives to us Himself--His presence, His never-failing love, in the midst of our pain. We may offer up those very pains, those inexplicable catastrophes that baffle us to silence. We may even give Him our broken hearts, for the sacrifices of God, we are told, are "a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart." If we make thanksgiving the habit of our life, our morning prayer will be, "Lord, what will you give me today to offer back to you?"
Copyright© 1979, by Elisabeth Elliot

Love,
Christie & gang

PS: HAPPY 29TH BIRTHDAY, MARCIE!!!! HOPE YOUR DAY IS AS SPECIAL AS YOU ARE TO US!!!!