December 11

After a bad day on Saturday, Barbara bounced back to have a great day on Sunday, and things are shaping up well for today.

Since good news has been scarce, we’ve been grabbing hold of every positive thing and putting our attention there. I am happy to report that Barbara is now on a normal breathing pattern on the respirator. She has been getting 70% oxygen, and since her body’s oxygen levels have stayed around 100%(!), they plan on reducing the respirator level further today. She is also being brought out of sedation, which is proving to be a nerve wracking process for me. It will take several days before she really comes out of it due to the long period under the influence. She is starting to track people and respond to people with her eyes. She definitely responds to pain with some pretty horrifying grimaces. I believe she is probably in severe pain due to weeks of immobility. The lung doctor continues to be upbeat about the daily progress she’s making.

There are still some issues that I won’t go into here, but suffice it to say your continued prayers are needed. I’m also coming to the realization that while these days have been emotionally difficult for us, assuming that Barbara continues to make progress, the hardest days are yet ahead. If things continue to go well, and I believe they will, she will have some excruciating days of physical therapy ahead to try to restore joint function. Plus, we have yet to determine just how successful the surgeries on her neck will prove to be. Perhaps God will choose to work miraculously in that area providing for a smooth transition back to normalcy.

Please help us pray that as she comes out of sedation, she will respond well to the tracheotomy, and that her brain functions will be unaffected by all that she’s been through,

That the infections will clear once and for all,

That her body will move quickly to wellness,

That all will be well with her neck and in her joints.

Thanks again for all your prayers and encouraging words. I continue to be overwhelmed by all the prayers and petitions on our behalf. God has provided many people to bless me in unique and special ways along the course of this journey. I wish I could tell you all the stories, but some things are probably better kept sacred and private.

Greg