Joye's Update 7/20/08

It was a pretty okay day today with exception to the fact that I had to take Dawn to the airport today to return home; I will really miss her company and help. It was great having her here. We did hear that Andrew's discharge date will most likely be in the first week in September, provided he continues on the same path he's now on. He could have to stay longer if he has something medically come up to set his progress back or, on a more positive scenario . . . if he gets a new muscle group back (feeling and movement) that could benefit from more rehab, he could stay longer for that. At this point, his discharge plan is for him to go home being able to breath and talk and eat during the day, and then he will be placed on the ventilator at night only. The night vent serves more than one purpose; it helps to open up his lungs and to keep them healthy as well as rests his breathing muscles during the night to keep him breathing strong during the day. Although this is not what we hoped for, it's by far better than having no time at all off the vent and we are thankful to God for that. We continue to pray together nightly for Andrew's healing and we feel privileged that Dawn joined in on those prayers with us while she was here. We will never take our eyes off the Lord and we continue to give thanks for all that we do have. Although we now have a "new normal," we are so thankful to have one another and we cherish our time together . . . and I know there are probably a lot of you worried that "Andrew" or "Drew" or "Langley" or "Big Dog" (whatever your favorite name for him is) has changed; I don't want you to be too worried. He's still a "jokester" and he's still full of life. You will get one look into his eyes and you will see your same ol' friend. He amazes me daily at how well he is dealing with all of this. I'm very proud of him and again, although our "new normal" is now quite different . . . I'm looking forward to every moment I have with this great man. Good Night and God Bless you all. Joye

dawn's update

Since this is my last night here, Joye has decided that I was going to do the update again. Andrew had another good day. When we left his room he had been weaning for 12.5 hours. Yesterday he did a total of 12 hours. So today he said he wanted to do at least 13 hours. We will find out in the morning how long he weaned. When we got to his room this morning, he was ready to get into his chair. On the weekends there are fewer staff so Joye and I got him ready to be put in his chair. When the tech came in, she went to unplug his chair, and a short happened. After this, his chair could not do the weight shift that he has to do every 20 minutes, so he was in bed the rest of his day. He did sit up quite a bit and we all had a good visit. Since the wheelchair can't do the weight shifts, he will be in his bed tomorrow as well until his chair can be fixed, hopefully on Monday. Andrew is working on getting his muscles stronger while he weans. Since he was on the vent for about 36 hours from Wednesday to Thursday, he has to work to get the muscles back to where they were. He worked very hard today, and it was another good day. Oh, to explain the weight shift, his chair has to recline to almost a laying position every 20 minutes, for at least 2 minutes. So when the chair could not recline, he could not do the weight shift which is important so he doesn't get bed sores or skin issues. These can be extremely hazzaderous for him.
Andrew was again still joking aroung today even though he was working harder on his weaning. Tomorrow may be another difficult day due to the issues he had on Wednesday and Thursday. Monday should be somewhat easier.
I have learned a lot while I have been here. Joye really made me help out so she would have yet another body to help when they return home. I was more than happy to learn and understand why "things" had to happen a certain way. She has really had to learn basically numerous medical terms and techniques and is so knowledgeable when she was telling me what had to be done. By the end of the day, I felt a lot more comfortable doing the "things" that needed to be done.
While I have been here, Joye and I have had some really good "girl time." We have talked so much and I have really come to understand the power of God. Our talks have gone all the way from just really enjoying catching up, to some really deep conversations. It has really been a great visit!
Please continue to keep both Andrew and Joye in your prayers. My prayer request is for Andrew to continue to improve on his weaning. I pray each night that he will be able to be free from his ventilator. Please pray with me for this. Continue to lift Joye in prayer as she is Andrew's rock. You can see this in his eyes. No words needed. Not only is she the lady he chose to be his life long partner, but she is truely his best friend.
So I will end tonight to get ready for my journey home. It is going to be really hard to say "see ya all when you get home," but there is work to be done there as well. I am going to find it hard not to be able to talk to them both each day. I know that sounds strange, but I have to say it again, it has been a very good visit. A very special time. Those that have been here know what I am feeling tonight.
So to close, once again, as Joye would say, Good Night and God Bless. dawn