Monday morning

Dear Friends,

Nan is more awake this morning at least at times. Last night at about midnight she was really awake and we tried very hard to figure out what she wanted us to know. We never got it figured out and she was frustrated. Finally at 1:30 or 1.40 this morning she said I could go to the room so I slept for awhile. Our good friend from Rhode Island has driven up today to be with us, it is so wonderful to have her here.

Nan tried to use a page with the alphabet on it but could not lift her hand or finger long enough to select the next letter. There is a lot of discussion now about putting in a trachea. We are told it will help her be able to talk and yet they can manage her breathing so it sounds all good, minor procedure and some benefit. At this point a decision has not been made whether to take her to OR to do it or do it up here. I'm thinking it will probably be in OR where they can manage everything better.

I know it sounds like a broken record but we still need lower creatins, smarter kidneys doing a better job of pulling out toxins. We also need the liver to keep working better as it has been for the last couple days.

I got a nice email message this morning which I would like to share.
Hello Tim,
I heard a song this morning at church that was new to me. It's called "Your Grace Still Amazes Me." As I listened and saw the words on the screen, I couldn't help but think of Nan and all that God has done these past two weeks. The song really moved me to tears. I asked my pastor if I could borrow the CD. If you haven't heard the song, here are the lyrics that I found on a website http://www.lyricsdownload.com/phillips-craig-and-dean-your-grace-still-amazes-me-lyrics.html
However, I have copied and printed the lyrics here for your convenience
P TOP - PFR... - Phillips Craig And Dean Lyrics - Your Grace Still Amazes Me Lyrics
-My faithfull Father, enduring friend
your tender mercy is like a river with no wind
it overwhelms me covers my sin
each time i come into your presence I stand in wonder once again
(chorus)
your grace still amazes me
your love is still a mystery
each day i fall on my knees
'cause your grace still amazes me
your grace still amazes me
Oh patient savior, you make me whole
you are the author and the healer of my soul
what can i give you lord what can i say
i know there's no way to repay you only to offer you my praise
(chorus)
your grace still amazes me
your love is still a mystery
each day i fall on my knees
cause your grace still amazes me
your grace still amazes me
its deeper, its wider, its stronger, its higher
its deeper, its wider, its stronger, its higher
than anything my eyes can see
your grace still amazes me
your love is still a mystery
each day i fall on my kness
cause your grace still amazes me
your grace still amazes me
After all that happened with Nan this afternoon, I am even more deeply amazed at God's loving care. I certainly agree with you that God has a future purpose for Nan. How blessed we are because of His infinite love for all of us. Yes, we will continue to praise Him and acknowledge that all these developments are for His glory.
Please give Nan a gentle hand squeeze. We look forward to more improvements each day.
Love,
Irene Wing

How it touches our hearts to have such warm greetings and prayer reports from our friends, fellow GISTers and family. As I watch Nan just now and see her struggle to communicate my heart just goes out to her. This brave lady has endured just about everything and come through and I am soooooo proud of her in every way.

We will continue here to watch over her as much as humanly possible. She is moving her feet almost all the time, she has learned that moving the legs help prevent blood clots from forming and so she does it in her sleep and she is doing it now. She has a few minutes of awake time and then a few minutes of sleep. They took out the j line which allows dialysis this morning so if a decision is made to use the dialysis they will have to put it back in, they don't like to keep lines in that are not being used since they become a source of infection. She now has very few lines at this point. AT this moment she has a rest heart rate of 111, good blood pressure, lowering white count, excellent platlettes. She has been communicating with us all morning in and out. She moves her legs a lot and is very ready to get out of this bed. But not quite yet is our mantra to her.

Well I am going to send this out. We have weathered another crisis event and are back on track. Please keep the prayers going for her kidneys especially right now. Our hearts go out to you in appreciation.

with gratitude,

tim