My view of the world is going to change today!!! The doctors have given the orders that they are going to send me home today!!!!
After 11 days in the hospital of waiting for my body to get back in line, things are finally closer to where they want them to be. I still have a battle ahead of me and have to avoid sick people like the plague. But it is another step closer on the road to recovery!
I can't say that staying here has been that bad at all. When I was at home for the 5 days I wanted to do everything, not really giving myself a lot of time to just rest. I was even thinking about going back to work for a few hours tuesday night, the day I was readmitted. Being here at the hospital has given my body more down time and more of a chance to heal. At the rate I was going I probably could have caused a lot more injury if God didn't shut me down. So who is to say what is good or bad. :-)
Good-bye room W639 you have been a good companion with a very nice bed but my body only likes staying in the same position only so long. Hello apartment comfy Chair, Hammock, my bed here we come!!!
Friday, March 31, 2006
I found something new to do with my time
Take a stack of medicine cups...
And build a 8x8 pyramid with them.
36 cups - everytime they bring me more pills along comes another cup.
Ah, they make such a great work of art don't they.
I found this new pass time at 5:30AM when I couldn't sleep and didn't want to get out of bed yet. But I wasn't able to get a picture, my mom was still sleeping. So I had to recreate it again just for the picture.
I have such a hard life don't I? :-) I am definately not bored, simple things entertain simple minds.
Rejoice with me :-)
Today is day 10 of the Thymoglobulin IV treatment, and they are planning on stopping it after today's treatment. They also have stopped my IV antibiotics so last night I didn't get woken up to the IV pumping machine going off saying that it was done or needed a nurses attention. Again like the last several morning labs my liver levels continue to come down. So as long as I continue this trend and I don't get sick again, my new liver should be on the road to recovery and they won't have to re-list me for another liver transplant, I will get to keep the one I have and somebody else will be able to make use of the new organ.
THANK YOU LORD!!!
THANK YOU LORD!!!
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Cool verses I re-read today
Several people have made comments about how strong I have been going through this treatment. Looking back I really have been through quite a bit but the amazing thing is that it really doesn't feel like it is as big a deal as it truly is. I think a lot of that has been God's strength and promises pulling me through. I really can't take credit for any of the progress I have made, other then to say that I am walking by faith one day at a time and trusting that God's plan for my life is far better then anything I can come up with on my own. Hold on tight and enjoy the ride, and watch the power of prayer work and the body of Christ move.
(James 1:2-5)
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
(Romans 5:3, 4)
3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
That is what I see this extended hospital stay is a test of patience and that if I give up now, I am missing out on the full miracle. Also the end of this desert is coming onto the horizon and if I stop now I will still be in the desert and I am going to have to finish crossing it at some point.
(James 1:17-22)
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
I can't help but think that in the hospital with me are so many needy people and the nurses are always running from one room to the next. So I wonder what witnessing effect that I am having on them, a lot of them know now that I am a Christian and that I have been in here for 10 days. I hope and pray that they are seeing God in me, and that by not getting angry or grouchy or rude but very easy going if they are seeing anything unique in me. "Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary use words"
(James 5:7-11)
7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.
8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
9 Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
This entire process leading up to transplant going through the transplant battling rejection, waiting for my body to get back in line, has been quite a year. But just like I couldn't predict when things were actually going to move, I did know that things were moving and that the ball would finally hit the fan. In the same way we don't know exactly when Christ is coming back but we have the promise that he is, and at just the right time! Yeah God!!!!
(Romans 8:24-28)
24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?
25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Trying to be patient is probably one of the hardest things we have to learn. This verse brings me comfort that even when I don't know what I am doing or what to pray for the Spirit is working on our behave, and that in ALL things God works! Not just when you think it is the good things but he uses our weakness to bring Glory to HIMSELF!!! "It is not about you!" -Purpose Driven Life It is all about God for His pleasure.
(Hebrews 12:1)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Satan is a PUNK! Yeah GOD has the victory!!!
(James 1:2-5)
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
(Romans 5:3, 4)
3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
That is what I see this extended hospital stay is a test of patience and that if I give up now, I am missing out on the full miracle. Also the end of this desert is coming onto the horizon and if I stop now I will still be in the desert and I am going to have to finish crossing it at some point.
(James 1:17-22)
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
I can't help but think that in the hospital with me are so many needy people and the nurses are always running from one room to the next. So I wonder what witnessing effect that I am having on them, a lot of them know now that I am a Christian and that I have been in here for 10 days. I hope and pray that they are seeing God in me, and that by not getting angry or grouchy or rude but very easy going if they are seeing anything unique in me. "Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary use words"
(James 5:7-11)
7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.
8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
9 Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
This entire process leading up to transplant going through the transplant battling rejection, waiting for my body to get back in line, has been quite a year. But just like I couldn't predict when things were actually going to move, I did know that things were moving and that the ball would finally hit the fan. In the same way we don't know exactly when Christ is coming back but we have the promise that he is, and at just the right time! Yeah God!!!!
(Romans 8:24-28)
24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?
25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Trying to be patient is probably one of the hardest things we have to learn. This verse brings me comfort that even when I don't know what I am doing or what to pray for the Spirit is working on our behave, and that in ALL things God works! Not just when you think it is the good things but he uses our weakness to bring Glory to HIMSELF!!! "It is not about you!" -Purpose Driven Life It is all about God for His pleasure.
(Hebrews 12:1)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Satan is a PUNK! Yeah GOD has the victory!!!
Yeah something is working :-)
Just met with one of the doctors again, they are impressed with the progress we have made in the last 4 days. My liver levels are still coming down. They said 4 days ago one of my values was well over 1000 and now it is down to 70, which is still high but that is the direction that they are wanting to see my levels go, and all of the ones they are following closely are doing the same thing. I am not out of the red zone yet but I am out of the inferred red zone. And my temperature hasn't gone back through the roof. The doctors can't exactly say why it is turning, but I can say prayer works, and I am part of a miracle far bigger then me. :-)
So that is what sleep is
I actually last night got 4 hours of sleep between getting up. That is a record for me, normally it has been ever 2 hours or so something wakes me up. But last night I got a lot more. I guess that is a really good thing that my body is needing. So far this morning is doing good. It is nice to not have the staples in my belly anymore I feel like I have a little more freedom not much but a little. Last night when I went for my walk, I was ready to blow this joint so for the first time in 9 days I actually walked off the 6 floor and road the elevator to the lobby. What a new view of the world :-) I also earlier in the day walked to the central elevators, something I have only done one other time since I have been staying in the hospital after transplant. I am finally starting to have a little more energy since I have come back. Oh what a wonderful day it will be when I am back to normal, not that I can really remember what normal is...
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Something new...
I got a slightly new adventure today. They pulled my staples out about 45 of them, and have now taped me back together. They say that the wound is healing really really well so they were able to pull them out. Oh it feels good not to have a bunch of pin pricks in my gut :-) But it is another small step forward that I can rejoice in something that breaks up my day of sleeping and waiting for my body to work.
I have so much to be thankful for...
This morning I woke up early trying to sleep but just can't, and today it isn't even because of nurses coming in to check on me. I think I slept to much earlier. I am just having a hard time getting comfortable tonight. But being awake I start praying, and that led to me to think of all the things I have to be thankful for, far far to many to list here. But some of the big ones that have come to mind is everybody who is praying for me. Prayer is a powerful thing and I am confident that God is answering every one of your prayers, maybe not in the time frame we want, but part of the Miracle to me is seeing how many people are praying from all over the country/world and I don't even know all of them. I really appreciate that.
(Philippians 4:4-8)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
Another pretty cool thing is wireless internet so I can keep people updated on how I am doing :-)
(Philippians 4:4-8)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
Another pretty cool thing is wireless internet so I can keep people updated on how I am doing :-)
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
The doctors said...
today we saw improvements in my liver levels. All of my levels have dropped, which is a good thing since the last few tests my levels where going up, but they said this was a good drop. :-)
Survived another night
I was up a few more times and couldn't get back to sleep right away so I listened to some music for a while. I feel like I have just a little more energy this morning, not much and I have no idea how long it will last. One day at a time this to will soon pass.
Well I was able to eat a little more then I have the last couple but my appitite is still not back up to what it has been or should be. The nurse said a few of my liver levels have dropped this morning so that could be a good thing! :-) Please Lord!
Well I was able to eat a little more then I have the last couple but my appitite is still not back up to what it has been or should be. The nurse said a few of my liver levels have dropped this morning so that could be a good thing! :-) Please Lord!
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