New Year, New life....

Happy 2009 everyone! May this be a wonderful new year, full of health and harmony! How are the resolutions holding up? Haven't had much time for resolutions here in Edmonton. After much prayer and waffling on our part, Laurier and I have come to the decision that he will go home, and I will stay for now with Donovan.

We are all adjusting to the reality of this setback, and gradually accepting that hospital and treatment in the reality for now, but all for a great cause...Donovan's eventual freedom from all things medical, and the start of his new life. The discouragement of not going home is gradually abating, and we are filling time with as many fun things as possible, afternoon passes from hospital, learning to play Canasta (card game) and finishing off the Christmas goodies, hanging out with Stephen who is with us until he goes home with Laurier tomorrow. Also had a great visit from Laurier's cousin Dave, who bought his Golden Doodle (half standard poodle, half golden retriever) "Dutch" to visit with us at hospital today. What a great puppy, so friendly and a real head-turner. Hopefully that helped with Donovan with his loneliness for Scout back home.

A little better news from the docs today. They are thinking seriously about dropping one of the IV drugs and moving Donovan to outaptient IV. Finally!!! But we have learned not to hold our breath with these proposed changes, so we'll be Doubting Thomases till we see it happen. I had to push today to and put the words in the doc's mouth that we are indeed winning this battle. I find these medical types to be very guarded with any type of encouragement, and all to willing to say how worried they are, and how serious everything is. So scary, and not good for my anxiety!! They've also mentioned "three more months" several times, and jokingly the other day "we'll have you out of here before xmas!" ha ha ha....not so funny.

So friends & family....c'mon down and visit us....Edmonton, the land of cheap gas and sub-arctic temperatures. I'm going to need lots of distractions and visitors, hanging out here, far, far away from my hubby, family, friends & darling little preschoolers....I miss you all already!

We have depended on God thus far, and he has not let us down. I still stand back and marvel at Donovan walking the stairs sitting and sharing a meal with us, laughing as he plays video games with his brother. We are so, so blessed to have him with us at all, and we will surely get through whatever is ahead this year.

Thank God there is no limit to what we can ask for....and tonite I need prayer for the adjustment to living here, away from my usual routine, to be able to encourage Donovan as he goes through all of this (he hates to see any form of worry), as he and Laurier had a very workable guy's thing going here....for the adjustment for him as well....for laurier & stephen as they head back to school and work, for safe travel....and of course, for outpatient status for Donovan early next week, and for complete healing for his lungs.

On another note...Katie's due date (Feb. 14) is just around the corner. One bonus of being here instead of Sask. is that I get to see her about once a week. Could we all pray for health & strength for her and for my precious grandbaby? Not sure if I mentioned that we're waiting for the little one to be in the appropriate position for birth. S/he is currently head-up....as well, Katie is on her feet much of the day with her two jobs, and we all remember the discomforts of the last weeks of pregnancy....

Blessings to all this cold, cold Edmonton evening,

Beth