Growing and Growing

Dad,

It’s Saturday afternoon and my body aches … but not as much as yours. You are resting and that’s good. Guess who finally came to visit? U.P. and Ostrich. They said if you were going to pull a stunt like this to get them to the MusicCity, then they would have raced here sooner. BroBill is also here. [Not sure if you remember, but he came last week too.]

Rest up so you can see them tomorrow. Maybe you will open your eyes and finally wake up. [Please?]

Me

As you heard yesterday, CaveBear left to return to Minne-sowta after we prayed with Dad as a family. He said See you, not Goodbye.

We are instructed in the Word to “Love your enemies.” (Luke 6:27). Every now and then, our enemies love us. CaveBear had a soccer game scheduled in the afternoon for his CougarGuys, and the coach of the OtherTeam graciously picked CaveBear up from the airport. OtherTeam, not that you are an enemy, but thanks for the token. Final Score: CougarGuys 2; OtherTeam 0.

Rumor has is that CaptainTwins prayed out loud for the first time in their lives. For this, I humbly offer you a GodThruMan distinction. The other day, when she was unable to “articulate a thought” or “think a word” [I know, I know ... those are backwards ... "articulate a word" and "think a thought"], God spoke through Mom to give Dad a word of comfort and lower his ICPs … thus, GodThruMom. Every now and then, Gods speaks through all of us … to all of us …

CaptainTwins, if you don’t know this Lord that we talk about on a personal basis, please please please ask your coach [ ... he can teach you a lot more than just soccer ... I know ... ]. If you don’t want to ask CaveBear, please email me. I would love to share with you about the power and peace that provides a reason for living for my Dad.

World, if you have been here from Day1 of the ViolentSilence, you know our journey. If you have just joined us, it’ been a … [no adjective can describe my thoughts at this point in time] … journey. World, I hope and pray that you never have to see the inner workings of a TraumaCondo or that you never have to meet the TraumaTeam at their place of work … [Who knows? You may be having dinner with one of them this evening and not know it ... or you may be the person changing the oil in their car ... or you may be one of their grandparents. ]

CaptainTwins and World, please learn from our visit to TraumaCondo (and from Dad’s temporary lease from Unit #9) and find yourself some Light.

you think i have it all together.

i don’t.

i’m just like you.

i’m growing

and

growing

and

my voice works.

yours can too.

Enter stage left … Dr. Trauma3.0 and a team of new main, semi-main, and non-main medical dudes and gals. On weekends, the team is a little lean, but we don’t mind. Dr. Trauma3.0 has an aura of wisdom and confidence about him. His smooth silver hair (parted perfectly), his crisp white coat, and his calm/steady voice all made Mom feel comfortable on this morning that Dr. Trauma2.0 appeared absent. [So that you understand, Mom needs regularity ... a new face disrupts her area of comfort ... however small it may be at this point ... ]. Here’s the update:

• Dad’s ICP levels have been maintained over the last 24 hours and he has not required BrainCalmJuice for some time now. They are recommending to take out the ICP port today.
• Yesterday, it was reported that the All-You-Can-Drink feeding tube had been removed from Dad’s mouth and that they were unable to insert a new tube through his nose. [That's weird ... Eating through your nose... That's as bad as drinking a coke through a wrapping paper tube ....] Dr. Trauma3.0 wanted to make sure that Dad got his time at the buffet line, so he ordered that a new feeding tube be restored through Dad’s mouth. In other words, MedMilkshakes are better than SweetBagWater.
• Another hurdle is the removal of the last chest tube. That’s the end of the TubeGame. In case you have not been watching this game, the final score is: Ray 4, ChestTubes 0. Good win, Dad!
• Final news is that Dad’s breathing continues to grow stronger. Dr. Trauma3.0, who will be staying at the TraumaCondo this entire weekend, would like to see Dad off the LungRobot within the next 24 hours. So would we.

Let us know forget the purpose of our journey … to glorify God through the circumstances in which we walk. Continue to pray for the following:

1. On this 7th day after the ViolentSilence, pray for continued normal responses to neurological exams.
2. Pray for full recovery of Mind, so that Dad can love the Lord as commanded.
3. Pray for maintenance of the baby steps taken so far … more inches forward … no inches back …

Nurse Morpheus watched over Dad last night. Through all the testing and procedures yesterday, Morpheus said that Dad was restless last night. He seemed real agitated, but finally did get some rest. [ ... when I say rest, I mean no stress, visible discomfort, etc. Sometimes when Mom, Chris or I visit Dad, you will see a peaceful calmness over his face. That's resting ... ] Morpheus reported that Dad had a slight temperature over the night, but it was treatable. Mom was able to see Dad for a few minutes at the TraumaCondo this morning before visiting hours were closed.

Nurse TooTall was cleaning Dad’s head, face and mouth this morning … with such care … Hey TooTall, did you know that JesusChrist washed other people’s dirty and hurt feet? Thanks, GodThruMan.

That’s right, GuardianAngel1 (and his lovely wife) found us yesterday afternoon sitting in Our Little Corner. Actually, he called me earlier this week, but he forgot to leave his number. [I forgive you GA1, because you found us.]

Short story is that GA1 was one of the first at the scene. He was gone by the time I got there. As I stood on my tiptoes, calves burning from their desire to lift me up to view my Dad, I was in my own world. The blaring red lights, the humming power generators, and the screaming JawMachine tried to interrupt my violent silence.

———————-

A couple of days ago, we started to convey our thanks for your prayers, support, dinners, babysitting, etc. That list continues to grow, but my mind also continues to overload on compartmentalization. [Is that even a word? If so, I would be kicking your dairy-air on FaceBook Scrabble right now, Courtney.] Like I said, I have that growing list, but if I forget you on these pages, please forgive. Today, I have quick minute to shout out to Bit’o'Honey and SweetStuff for taking care of Mom’s feminine side at the hospital. [That didn't sound right, did it?] See below for what I mean. . . . Thanks ladies!

This was my second day in a row to participate in TraumaRounds, which is an interesting but wonderful process. No time for chit-chat…here’s the morning update:

1. ICP monitoring is no longer a “critical” issue and they may remove the ICP Monitor.
2. Dr. Yuck, a fellow, gave some good reports … Dad is up to his goals on tube feeds … good renal functioning (i.e., strong kidneys)
3. Dr. Trauma2.0 also gave great reviews … chest incision looks “really good and healing well” … this will allow DoctorTeam to proceed with the tracheotomy … which in turn will allow DoctorTeam to clean and clear out mouth, throat, bronchial areas … which in turn will help stave off infection … Dr. Trauma2.0 brought another smile to Mom’s face, saying that “we are real grateful to see him making some progress…” Another little nugget: the bleeding on the brain that was showing in the CT Scans was bleeding from the trauma, as opposed to evidence of a large bruise to the brain (Does that distinction make sense? It does to me, but I may just be delirious.)
4. We saw Nurse Bootcamp again, who reminded Mom that “slow is good … slow is good … fast doesn’t last … fast doesn’t last”
5. Finally, we were introduced to Nurse Ponytail. Soft spoken and compassionate … we have no reason to expect anything less given the excellence of team NurseTeam.