Nothing 2 Bring

Sorry for not posting much recently. We have had some very encouraging days. As you saw before... Goodbye chest tube. The two days prior, he hadn't drained anything out of his chest tube.  Then they started his feeds at 1cc (1/30 of an oz) per hour and slowly went up, hoping it still wouldn't drain. It didn't. When we came in this afternoon, he had a new nurse, and we asked her how his morning had been (we slept in and went running together). Her response: a shrug and a non-chalant, "not much... he got his chest tube out." We were like, "are you kidding?!?!?!?!? Not much?!?!??!? That's huge !!!!!!!!!" 

His cultures are still showing no yeast. So for now, it's praying that no fluid builds back up and he can keep his chest tube out. He's up to full feeds (12cc an hour), "full" is a little deceptive. He's having a little trouble where they're putting his Lovanox(blood thinner for his blood clot) in. Both of his little legs have huge knots on them where hematomas have formed (bruises that look like swollen pockets of blood). But he has to have that for at least a couple more weeks, so they're trying to figure out other options for him. 

He is losing extras with each day though. Today, the chest tube and a number of other tubes. One by one, we will hopefully say good-bye.

I changed his trach out today for the first time. Not as intimidating as it seemed. I have learned how to suction his trach to keep his airway clear,too. Over the next few weeks, we'll be learning a lot more of all that. Quite a few nurses who have worked with us are going to sign up to do home care for Shepherd, which is so neat. We couldn't be happier about that. 

They have even started talking about moving us up to the cardiac floor, out of the ICU. We'll see. It' so hard to know how to take good news around here. We take it all with a grain of salt to say the least. It sounds so pessimistic, but we just know how fragile everything is. 

At the same time, Noah had to remind me today that just because I love big hoop earrings and scarves does not mean I am a fortune teller. And just because his recovery has been difficult doesn't mean it will  be difficult. True.

 It's crazy how we try to protect ourselves by not getting our hopes high. Not only does it not work, but it keeps us from expecting great things from God.

Speaking of not expecting great things- we are so grateful for the kindness of God, shown to us in so many ways. For instance-

Last night we attempted a date, and the restaurant we tried to go to was closed (I see God's sovereignty in everything sooooo much more from this whole experience). So, since we stayed too late talking with the nurse and the restaurant was closed, we went to Maggiano's. We had a wonderful dinner and got to have great conversation with out waitress. When we got our bill, it was completely free!!!! We couldn't believe it!! Then the manager came over and we talked with him for a while. He offered to bring us meals up at the hospital anytime and to throw a welcome home party for Shepherd when he gets out of the hospital!!! It was crazy.

We left there just shaking our heads, saying, "God really loves us."

Things I'm happy about: Shepherd's doing well. My favorite preacher is teaching on Sunday;) We are dedicating Shepherd on Mother's day, at church-minus the Shepherd. My daddy is back home from Alaska for a month. My parent's 32nd Anniversary is today - Congratulations on having the most beautiful marriage of anyone I know, mom and Dad! Thank you for spending this very special day having water gun fights with 2 and 4 year old little boys who think you hung the moon, instead of a candle light dinner. You guys are remarkable!