Joye's Update 7/12/08

It's been another pretty quiet day today. Andrew is breathing better, but is still very tired. They did a chest X-ray and found that a small portion of his left lung has sort of collapsed and does have fluid built up . . . as they suspected was happening due to his shallow breathing yesterday. They have decided that his wean time will have to be decreased to 14 hours until further notice. This will give his lungs a bigger rest and hopefully the bigger breath when he's on the vent will help to make his left lung healthier. So basically, today was just a "rest" day for Andrew and we didn't spend much "together" time today so he could get a lot of rest. We are planning on going to church in the morning, and we're hopeful for a better day. Starting Monday, our schedule will be much fuller with more education classes that will prepare us for home. Speaking of home . . . work began there today. My sister (the woman in charge), brother-in-law (the man who does what the woman in charge tells him to), nephew (demolition man), and good friends Jeff (contractor from Wickenburg), Jay (floor man), Deborah (another woman in charge), and Tammie (interior designer) completed all the demolition work today. They are going to widen the door to the master bedroom and replace that door with one that swings open 90 degrees so that Andrew can push it open with his chair from either direction; they removed the door to the master bath and will replace it with an arch opening; they took out the garden tub in the master bath for a larger shower area; they removed half the linen closet and the full closet from the master bedroom area to provide more room; they removed the carpet in the master bedroom and will from the den, and they will replace it with wood flooring; they will replace the carpet area in the living room with ceramic tile; they will put a ramp on all three exterior doors; they will put a fence around the pool; and they will also put in a back-up generator system for the things that are necessary during a power outage. It's a big job, and I'm so thankful for my family and my friends for helping us out with this huge undertaking. I'm so grateful and we are so blessed to have this done before we return home. We also feel so blessed for all of you that are praying for Andrew. God is seeing us through this and our faith is keeping us going. Not for a moment have we taken our eyes off the Lord. Good Night and God Bless. Joye

Joye's Update 7/11/08

It was kind of a hard day today for Andrew. He started off his wean this morning okay, but by about noon he was beginning to breath too shallow and was not blowing enough C02 out. It was making him very sleepy and we were having trouble keeping him awake during a lot of the day. When I left tonight, he was doing better, but they are going to watch him closely tonight and may decide to take him off his wean and put him back on the vent early. Please pray for Andrew to regain strength again to continue weaning . . . I know God is hearing our prayers and will see Andrew through this. Good Night and God Bless. Joye

Joye's Update 7/10/08

It was a pretty good day today. Andrew woke up this morning kind of tired as he said he didn't sleep well last night. He weaned 18 hours and was up in his chair about 6 hours today. I had to take James to the airport this evening . . . Andrew was sad to see him go, as was I. It was great having him here. Last Sunday at church, I received 3 books from the pastor's ministry and I've finally had a chance to read one. It's the story of Dodie Osteen's cancer healing. It is a wonderful story of how by faith and through prayer she was healed from liver cancer after having been given only weeks to live . . . that was over 20 years ago. In the book, she provided 40 healing Bible passages and an explanation of each and how she prayed with each. I've had a chance to read Andrew some of her story and we've decided that we are going to study each of those passages (one per day) to assist us with our prayers. I will also provide each daily verse here on the blog so you can keep up with what we're studying as well. Our pastor, Barry, told me that it was up to me to keep the Word of God in Andrew and I think this will be a great way to do just that. I will also write out each verse on a card and I'll tape one to Andrew's TV every day to be in his view for him to read throughout his day. I believe that God will heal him . . . we just need to continue to pray with faith that He can and will do this for Andrew. Good Night and God Bless. Joye

Marconato's Update 7/9/08

This is "Marco" (AKA James Marconato), Andrew's friend and co-worker from Yuma. Today we went to the car show that the hospital put on for the patients today. Andrew found a car he wanted to buy . . . a new yellow corvette. We had barbecue for lunch and then we went to occupational therapy where Andrew is trying to get his "driver's license" for his chair. Then I used the rest of the afternoon for some grooming time. I shaved his head with clippers and shaved his face with "Magic Shave." When I was finished I gave him a mirror so he could see how and looked, and then he said, "that's the Big Dog." After that Andrew was in La La land and ready for bed, so we left for the night. It was a good day, his spirits are really up and he's like his normal self. I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Good Night . . . Marco.

Joye's Update 7/8/08

It was another pretty good day today. Andrew's good friend, James arrived today and he really enjoyed having him here. Andrew was practicing his driving in his chair while I was picking James up from the airport today and he had a pretty good wreck into a wall. No broken bones though, so I'm still able to keep my title as "crash." I can't imagine what our walls are going to look like at home once we're there; I pray we both get better at driving before we're sent home. Please continue to pray for Andrew . . . specifically for him to gain enough strength to develop a better cough which will help him to get fully off the ventilator. He's still weaning tonight as I write and the goal is 18 hours if his C02 remains at a decent level (the ideal level is in the 30's or 40's . . . anything higher is not so good). Thank you so much for your prayers. Good Night and God Bless. Joye

Joye's Update 7/7/08

It was another good day today; very similar to the past few days. Andrew weaned for 16 hours, was up for about 7 hours, we had class, and he had his therapies. Andrew is very encouraged that they have decided to up his wean time to 18 hours, starting tomorrow. He can now be up in his chair without his C-collar on, so I'm determined to get Andrew to let me shave his head and his face. Maybe he'll let me do that this week. We pray daily and nightly and are keeping our eyes on God. Our faith is in Him . . . we know He will take care of us . . . it's in God's hands. Good Night and God Bless. Joye

Joye's Update 7/6/08

It was a nice day today. We went to church this morning, Andrew weaned for 16 hours, and he remained up in his chair for about 6 hours today. Church was nice; each week a different pastor from bible based churches in the Denver area conduct the service here at the hospital. Today's pastor actually once was a patient here at Craig as he was hit in his car by a drunk driver about 25 years ago. He was standing tall and able to walk and only had slight signs (physically) of ever having had a spinal cord injury. He preached on the topic of prayer and how by faith and God's grace can a miracle happen . . . he was proof of that. It was an inspiring sermon for sure. God is good and I know that He will heal Andrew. We have to continue to pray in faith that God can and will do this for him and He will show us all His glory. Good Night and God Bless you all. Joye