Tuesday ~ Again Written Jul 26, 2011 7:35pm

It's been a long day.  Max did good today.  They had to clean out his lung and then he was doing good all day.  Just an hour ago, they changed the dressing on his arm (he is going to have a heck of a scar) and his blood oxygen started dropping.  Please be in prayer that his lungs stay good, no stuff in them and he can make it to surgery.

Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow at 8:30 am.  I'm going to try and get to sleep early this evening.  I'm not sure how it will work, always something going on.  I'm so tired, I'm just staring at the screen ~ Oh, well, shift change will be over soon, I can talk to Max and then prayerfully I can get some sleep.

Tomorrow will be a great day!

Tuesday Written Jul 26, 2011 6:56am

The nurse came out and told me that Max had a good night.  His lungs did well and everything looks good.  He is scheduled for surgery tomorrow.  They have taken his arm out of the sling, he has freedom with his other arm.  They had to restrain him and I know he's glad he can move it.

I forgot to mention yesterday they gave Max the suction tube to clear out his mouth.  The respitorary therapist told him that he would have to build up his muscles and his lungs would clear better as he got stronger.  He sits there and coughs and clears his throat.  For someone who had a bad gag reflex he is doing amazing.  He's already working hard to get out of that bed!

I will let you know as I know through the day.  We are just waiting to get in and see how well he's doing!

Early Tuesday Morning Written Jul 26, 2011 6:11am

I really don't know what today is going to bring.  I can't get in this morning but that's okay.  I know he's doing well.  We are standing on the lungs functioning properly, a slot for surgery and continued healing.  I will let you know as we know.

Monday Night Written Jul 25, 2011 9:37pm

Max had such a up and down day.  They had to bronch? his lung because the left one is filling up..They want to do surgery as soon as possible but because of his lungs they cant.  We went up and down today....yes,no, yes, no.  They ended up not doing surgery because they didn't want to have his lungs fill up and they not be able to fix them.

It was another day that we went forward, no, not the surgery but in what Max is doing.  He gets frustrated because he can't talk.  He tried to trace letter in the air but I'm not good at charades.  He finally traced letters on my check until I could figure out what he was saying.  Instead of some grand sweet thing he wanted to have his mouth suctioned.  Oh well, good thing I know I'm well loved.

I figured that if he could trace words he could write. Jay & Katie brought us markers and I had to admit I wondered why markers, but now I know why.  Max can write with the markers when someone holds the paper up for him.....oh, did I mention that Jay & Katie also brought notebooks?  So many blessings.  So Max is communicating the best he can.  I had to smile, Ray went in and his dad wanted to write something to him.  He made this little drawing and  underneath it he wrote something like  ~ Here's you a mustache.  It was so great to see him smile.  Our Pastor said he loved to see the little crinkles  by his eyes when he smiled.

Even though it was a good day I  was boo hooing because I just want to be home, with Max & our family.  Just because we will have a new normal doesn't mean I don't miss and cry for the old normal.  I try to not get overwhelmed but it's harder when I'm tired. 

So I pray we will have sweet dreams and be ready for what may come tomorrow.  I sure do hope it's surgery

Monday Morning Written Jul 25, 2011 7:30am

Another day, who knows what this day will bring.  I was told he would not have surgerry, then this morning they said he may have surgery.  The trauma team came in and said the he did well off the ventilator yesterday but chest xrays show some spots where the capillaries aren't' working correctly.   He said sometimes when the patient is on their stomach so long for surgery they have lung problems, sometimes it actually makes the lungs better.

Thank you Lord you give the Doctors wisdom so they know when to operate for total healing in Max's family.  Max was moving his arm and he already is moving and stretching his arms every chance he gets.  It look like he was deliberately giving a thumbs up.  I ask him if that was a thumbs up for doing the surgery today and he shook his head yes.  He's ready to get up and move forward

So today may be surgery, today may not be surgery.  Please keep believing with us that his doctors, nurses, attendants are listening for thatt voice of God that tells them what they need to do.  That the right people, the right team of people will operate on him.

He still looks at me and says "Help Me" but I can't move his head or his neck.  I'm so excited to see his eyes and his spirit shining through but it's horrid when I can't do anything to help him.

God's peace will reign today, even if I have to keep reminding myself of that over and over!

Monday Morning Written Jul 25, 2011 7:30am

Another day, who knows what this day will bring.  I was told he would not have surgerry, then this morning they said he may have surgery.  The trauma team came in and said the he did well off the ventilator yesterday but chest xrays show some spots where the capillaries aren't' working correctly.   He said sometimes when the patient is on their stomach so long for surgery they have lung problems, sometimes it actually makes the lungs better.

Thank you Lord you give the Doctors wisdom so they know when to operate for total healing in Max's family.  Max was moving his arm and he already is moving and stretching his arms every chance he gets.  It look like he was deliberately giving a thumbs up.  I ask him if that was a thumbs up for doing the surgery today and he shook his head yes.  He's ready to get up and move forward

So today may be surgery, today may not be surgery.  Please keep believing with us that his doctors, nurses, attendants are listening for thatt voice of God that tells them what they need to do.  That the right people, the right team of people will operate on him.

He still looks at me and says "Help Me" but I can't move his head or his neck.  I'm so excited to see his eyes and his spirit shining through but it's horrid when I can't do anything to help him.

God's peace will reign today, even if I have to keep reminding myself of that over and over!

Sundays are always good Written Jul 24, 2011 11:17pm

Well Max is alert, we are trying to figure out the communication thing and its coming along.  I'm not sure if he will have surgery tomorrow or not.  They had ordered blood and then they sent it back.  I'm ready to clear this next hurdle but God is in charge and it will be done his way.

My appetite is coming back a little. I had two clementine oranges and a banana.  Slowly but surely it will come.  I of course wash everything down  with ensure.  While not the tastiest, it's doing what it is supposed to.  Giving me energy!

I can tell you how wonderful it is to hold his hand and watch his face.  I hate when he's in pain but love it when he smiles.  I was holding his hand and he kept trying to raise his arm toward my head.  Then he was trying to bring his other arm in the sling towards me.  Now these hospital beds are way up high ~ well for short people anyway.  I was like baby I can't reach you, it's too high and a lot of tubing. 

When the nurse came in at 11:00 to run me out I asked her if I could please drop the rail for just a minute.  She dropped the rail and on my tippy toes I could just reach Max and give him a kiss.  Not a tap on the forehead but a kiss on the lips......well,, okay there were several.  They were sweeter than all the stolen kisses we had when we were dating. 

We're going to be okay, we're going to be better than okay ~ we have already won.

My Sunday Shout Written Jul 24, 2011 5:20pm

Have you ever had so much joy you could just sing and shout?  That is what my soul is doing today!

This morning they weaned him from his sedated state so he could actually look up and focus on who was talking to him.  They took him off the medication that was helping his blood pressure.  This afternoon they took him off the ventilator that was helping him breathe.  With the trache in his neck it will be easy to hook him back up if need be, but he's been off it and breathing on his own since about 1:30pm.  They weren't even sure if he could go 1 hour.   Thank you Lord!!

He can nod his head to respond to people.  He's learning to mouth words so people understand him.  That one is kinda hard because they gave him some valuim to relax him.  He was mouthing "Help"  "Help Me"  I asked what? help you set up.....a nod yes.  Oh it hurts when you cant communicate.

Tomorrow they will be doing surgerry on his back & leg.  I cant wait for the surgeries to be over and we are on our way to walking!

So Im going to go sing a song of joy over my baby and I'll update you later.

Love,Sherry

My Sunday Shout Written Jul 24, 2011 5:20pm

Have you ever had so much joy you could just sing and shout?  That is what my soul is doing today!

This morning they weaned him from his sedated state so he could actually look up and focus on who was talking to him.  They took him off the medication that was helping his blood pressure.  This afternoon they took him off the ventilator that was helping him breathe.  With the trache in his neck it will be easy to hook him back up if need be, but he's been off it and breathing on his own since about 1:30pm.  They weren't even sure if he could go 1 hour.   Thank you Lord!!

He can nod his head to respond to people.  He's learning to mouth words so people understand him.  That one is kinda hard because they gave him some valuim to relax him.  He was mouthing "Help"  "Help Me"  I asked what? help you set up.....a nod yes.  Oh it hurts when you cant communicate.

Tomorrow they will be doing surgerry on his back & leg.  I cant wait for the surgeries to be over and we are on our way to walking!

So Im going to go sing a song of joy over my baby and I'll update you later.

Love,Sherry

Sunday Morning Written Jul 24, 2011 8:10am

Good Morning everyone.  I'm waiting to get back to see Max.  Some times the nurses let you slide in and see them before shift change, but not the ones we have had the last 2 days.  His nurse did come out and tell me had a good night.  He has no fever, he is still agitated when he comes out of sedation but he will calm down and has been responding some by nodding his head.  I'm so ready to be able to communicate with him.  I miss that so much.  I'm not crying as often, but still crying some.  Its hard and frustrating and tiring waiting, waiting, waiting.  The hardest verse in the bible for me is "Be STILL and know I am God" 

I thtink of all the prayers going up for Max and in my minds eye it is like a dim world and pinpoint beams of light are coming from it.  All around the world, people are praying and lifting him up.

When we were through talking about what needed to be done, who we needed to contact, what we had to accomplish on our way to the hospital, we had no idea of what was going on with Max.  A tree fell on him, he couldn't feel his legs, he was being airlifted and it was bad.  Outside of Columbia I turned on the radio ~ the following song was playing.  I hadn't heard it, and had no idea of who was singing it but he was singing:

will not fear; His promise is true
My God will come through always, always

Trouble surrounds me
Chaos abounding
My soul will rest in You
I will not fear the war
I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way
My help is on the way

I found the song on youtube if you want to hear it.  It is an awesome song.

http://youtu.be/DzJH4YeqfuQ

I am able to sing in the midst of this storm ~ Thank you Lord