To be or not to be....

That is the question my dear mother seemed to be debating the last couple of weeks. As mentioned in previous blog entries, mom is in hospital in Prince Albert following surgery to repair her broken hip, and struggling with heart complications. She was doing so poorly that the entire family was called in as we expected her to not recover. The last couple of weeks have been a roller-coaster and as you all know, I'm not a fan!!! Last week it was decided to institute palliative measures only, but within days of this decision, mom seemed to rally. Then, not so much, then the rally is on again, then off, and .... wait for it, on again. And so it goes....I was on and off again during all of this with my plan to come to Edmonton. I didn't feel I could leave with mom so sick, but desperately missed seeing Donovan, and being with Laurier as well.

So, Monday (Nov. 10) after mom was actually able to get up and walk with assistance of two physio people, I packed up and headed to Edmonton with Laurier, who had been home with me for the last 10 days while his sister came to stay with Donovan. I'm keeping in touch with home and my two sisters who are with mom. She continues to struggle, but I think some progress is being made. They were able to decrease the amount of oxygen she was requiring, and she's still at least talking about recovering, if not making steps in that direction. Yesterday she had a lot of nausea, so that was a setback.

So, here I am back with "my boys"! I hadn't seen Donovan in the flesh since the week of his hospital discharge, a whole month almost! And I have to say, he really looks taller, and his shoulders are wider! I'm not kidding! Whatever he's doing is sure working! He looks great, and is working so hard to stay in top condition and make those new lungs feel right at home. Yesterday was a rare day off from all things medical, but today we attended clinic and then hit the gym and occupational therapy.

There is a small concern with a tiny decrease in Donovan's "flows" so this will be looked into on Friday. We're also experiencing trouble with the home lung function test....that little gizmo that is very expensive and must be relied on to tell us where things are at with the new lungs. We'll take that in for a tune-up tomorrow! The good news is that we're starting to talk about getting out of here...not that Edmonton hasn't been great, but home would be even better! Donovan is scheduled for a CT scan & bronchoscopy on Dec 4, and may be able to go home the week following....how awesome would that be???

We saw our friend Lauren and her new lungs hard at work in the gym today...thanks so much for prayers on her behalf! Her cheeks were rosy and she was looking strong. I could so relate to her ecstatic mom! Don't you just love miracles! Thank-you God and all who prayed for this young lady!

So, a few prayer items....we need to figure out the mysteries of that home PFT device, and getting working reliably every time. We need to ask God to continue to breathe the breath of life into Donny's new lungs. No decreases on any tests...which could hail rejection....the dreaded "R" word.

Also, our friend Kristen...in desperate need of some slightly used "breathers".... we caught up to her as well today, and all I want for Christmas is new lungs for Kristen, please and thank-you!!!

Please continue to remember my mom in your prayers, that she would grow stronger with each day. She's really tiring of being so limited in her mobility, and it would be great to see her up and around again. Please pray she has no more episodes with fluid build up around her lungs.

One more item....we have a friend from Prince Albert with a rare but serious heart defect about to be repaired tomorrow, Thursday, Nov 13, right here at the good old U of A hospital. Please pray for Candace and her parents. She's a young woman in her teens....a very courageous girl! Thank you....

So good to know we are in the hands of Him, who is able to do more than we could ever ask or imagine....so good to know you are right here with us...praying you will experience HIs peace in your life!

love,

Beth, back in Edmonton