Every Tear I've Cried, You Hold In Your Hand

I feel much differently tonite than I did last nite. A lot of information has been obtained today.

Mom's doctor feels confident that her mental status is not due to the surgery but due to the issues of being in the ICU (noises, sleep deprivation, strange surroundings, strangers, staring at the 4 walls, nothing meaningful to do).

Still weaning her off the IV blood pressure meds and as soon as that happens, she will be moved to the regular med/surg/neuro floor of the hospital. She will get more therapy there than in the ICU. This will prepare her for her evaluation by the rehab center. She has to be able to do 3 hours of therapy a day to qualify to go to the rehab center. Average neuro stay at the rehab center is 2-3 weeks. If she doesn't qualify to go there, she'll need to go to a skilled nursing facility. Ryan already has researched and found the best one, which is close by. The therapy there would be less than 3 hours a day, so consequently the stay would probably be longer.

Mom did get IVC filter put in today. She did fine. Rex spent most of the day at the hospital. He had a final check up with his surgeon and has been released by him.

Aunt Dorothy (97 years old) surprised us around noon with a visit!!!!!! Unfortunately, mom was taken for her procedure about 15 minutes after she got there so it was a short visit.

Ryan is coming down tomorrow evening, so I'm taking the nite off and going over to Tandy's to spend some much needed down time with her & Parker. And he & the fam are coming back for the weekend, camping at my house. Another break for me!

I did cancel my Thanksgiving trip to Tisha's today. That was hard to do, but necessary. I was taking Jeff with me, so it was very hard to tell him, but he took it very well. Thank you, Jeff, for understanding. Tisha, I miss you & the boys SO much and know you need to see your dad, and we had such plans for him to reconnect with the boys and Chris and to see where you live. Thank you for your understanding, and dad & I hope to come maybe in the spring. Thank you both for knowing that my responsibility right now lies with my mom.

Finally, God knows the need in Randy/Anita's family. I do not need to define it for you all to pray about it. I plead for you to do so. Thank you.

I've been crying for 2 days. Tears, tears, tears. Driving back to work around 2:30, I heard a very familiar song on the radio that suddenly took on new meaning.

Praise You in This Storm:
I was sure by now, God, that You would have reached down and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain, "I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away.

And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands for You are who You are
no matter where I am and every tear I've cried You hold in your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain "I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away

I lift my eyes onto the hills where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

VISITORS WANTED!

If you want to fill a "help wanted" ad, you can fill ours. Mom is in need of seeing familiar things. Visitations would be extremely beneficial if anyone can get to her. Her confusion is likely because of the unfamiliarity of the ICU.

God's work

After dad died, I seen great things that came from his/our suffering. BUT, some took a year before anyone could look backwards and say "AHH, now I understand".
A great example of God working behind the scene is: compelling mom and Rex moving to Ft Wayne across from the hospital. We all knew it was a good idea to be closer, but who could comprehend the true reason. A year later now and we all say "AH-HA!".
I try to contemplate what can come from this and can imagine, but we must be patient. I think God will reveal and a year from now (or more, or less)I'll again say AH-HA!

Randy Ritenour

really short update

Ronna said mom was sleeping well this night.