Oh, Monday, Monday....

The first day of fall...who would have ever thought we'd be spending the start of this season in Edmonton...but here we are. I think I will ask God if we could start the next season happily at home in P.A.

We had a wonderful nurse today, "Gitelle" so extremely efficient. And physio did show up as promised, so it was out of bed a few times for Donovan. Those legs and feet really need strengthening, but we have noticed small improvements in balance already. Soon he'll really be assisting with transfers to the chair. And we hope to get those wheelchair rides in, just for fun, soon, instead of a means of transport to x-ray etc.

We do have a few prayer needs tonite....The chest tube removal is still giving us troubles...it was suggested tonite that Donovan go on a large amount of oxygen (15 litres) by mask and rebreather bag to help deal with the re-absorbtion of air/fluid as we understand it. Laurier and I had stepped out of the hospital when this suggestion was made, so we didn't get our questions answered, and this bugs us both. Plus I just hate the sight of oxygen masks. I know, it's not a respirator tube, so I should just "suck it up", but somehow it seems like a step backwards. His oxygen sats (level of oxygen in the blood) are fine on room air, so the new lungs continue to thrive, but this is just a precaution, or to help, or something....

Also, Donovan's white blood count is way up, which suggests infection, although there is no obvious infection. No fever. Lungs are clear! They are checking his urine, as he was catheterized for an extended period...but no signs of infections there either. Another blip on the radar screen, I guess! He is getting a veritable truckload of antibiotics, so it should cover any bug. But please ask God to continue his wonderful healing work tonite, and to wipe out any infection....thanks guys!

We checked out a suite closer to the hospital today, new and furnished, though very expensive. ($1500-2000/mo.) We are thinking about what would be best for Donny when he comes out of hospital. He will have to continue to go in for daily checks, clinics and physio, for a couple of months, so close would be good! It would be great to not have to deal with the very crowded and at times slow parkade.

A few more good signs today...Donovan checking out TV listings, instead of vacantly watching the screen, and talk of being bored! Time to start puzzles, board games, etc. But I know how he feels, I'm getting a little restless myself! Saw a yoga class today in the activity room of the apartment we looked at and just about crashed it! Will have to check in to an exercise class here. Elizabeth, how's things at Bravo??? I miss you and the gym so much!!!

And as for my "wedding crasher" family, I can't wait to get the video and see who truly made fools of themselves...cough, Gregor, cough....saw the preliminary pics of people getting "corsaged"...but where's the good stuff, Lennie??? The spun gold dress? How we would have liked to have been there, next time Jason??? oh, get a grip, just kidding!!!

Well, off to bed. And hopefully on to another day of healing and better news tomorrow....

love & prayers,

Beth

ps. Dennis & Paulette, thank you for the wonderful card & gift. How nice to meet Nicole, and so sweet of her to deliver it to us. She's wonderful! Hope you are both well, and maybe we'll get to see you here as well!