Breathing a sigh of relief…. and speech
From Latayne,
This has been a very busy time since Dan’s surgery two days ago. Although I posted that he would be spending the night and the next day at Presbyterian Hospital where his procedure took place, as it turned out, he spent several hours in the post-op area because there was not a bed for him at the hospital. Since he had to be in a room with a ventilator, they made the decision at about ten that night to return him to the Long Term Acute Care facility, Specialty. I spent the night with him here.
His brother Halbert and wife Susan came from Houston to see Dan, arriving the night before his surgery and stayed with me during the surgery. It was a long, long day for everyone but it was so encouraging to have them with me.
As I reported, Dan’s surgery was successful. Though he has a new stent (which must be removed several weeks from now), the challenges are to keep his urinary tract from producing the minerals that will attach to the “grit” left behind after the lipotripsy of the large stone.
Dan spent almost all day yesterday completely wiped out, asleep.
However, during the last four days, Dan has done PHENOMENALLY well off the respirator. Today he has been breathing on his own, with just a collar on his tracheostomy through which oxygen flows, for fifteen straight hours. The respiratory therapists are quite justifiably proud of themselves. One of them, a young man, was in the room when Dan was admitted here a month ago and the pulmonologist who first examined him told me he thought it was unlikely that Dan would ever be off the respirator. (He’s the one I told that I had hope, and responded, “You need to be realistic.”)
With the trach collar and his growing strength, Dan was ready for a new device. He did manage one day last week to kind of moan out, “Water! Ice!” (neither of which I am allowed to give him. Gee thanks.) Whereas Ryan, Celeste, the nursing staff and I have been wracking our brains to try to figure out what words he mouths (to his GREAT frustration), we hit a milestone today. There is a small device that fits on the trach collar (invented by a muscular dystrophy patient) that allows a person to speak. Well, croak, kind of — but communicate!
What were his first words? “Latayne, I love you”?
No. He turned to the nurse and said, almost unintelligibly, that he wanted the respiratory therapist to come in.
Why do you want her? the nurse asked.
“Tell her to tell Latayne to spend the night here,” he said.
Dan’s……. back…….. :)
(And it’s 9:30 pm and I’m making down the bumpy chair bed.)
Hahaha! Tell Lt. Dan wecome back! And tell him how much we have all missed him. It was so great to see all of you. Prayers continue. ummm….I think your bumpy chair turns you every two hours:) Love to all.
Oh Latayne, that is such happy news!!!
This is wonderful news. How thankful you must be to have your terrible little bed beside him.
I knew you must be busy and was praying for good news. Sleep deeply and well.
Regarding the doctor’s admonition: having hope is facing reality.
Dan DID tell you he loved you, Latayne! Just in his own, special way! So very thankful for all the good news today!
Always lifting up prayer!
Psalms 40:5, 11, 13 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. (11) Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me. (13) Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.
Praise dance right here in my kitchen; Yeah Dan, Thank you God!
We serve a Risen Savior! Praising Him for such great news!
As so many times in this long journey through your posts, I again cried this morning when I read this. We areto so thankful Godthat is continuingthe to heal Dan, and we will be waiting to hear his other words. Daniel asking for water reminded me of something funny Olivia asked me the other night. We were reading in the Old Testament about the angels visiting Abraham, to tell him and Sari they would have a child. He told her to prepare the food. At that time Olivia asked, “Mom, did they have this back then?” Me not knowing what she was asking about said,”What honey?” ,She said this as she held up a bottle of water, “Sam’s purified drinking water.” I told her of course no, probably water from a stream or well. I hope it isn’t long before Dan can have some water. Tell hum we continue to pray!
Hello,, Latayne –
Yesterday morning, I had my first (left eye) cataract surgery. I had requested a “total” (or “general”) anesthesia, but I got a “local”. Fortunately, it worked out the same! This morning I went in for the first of two “follow-up” visits. They removed the patch, checked my vision (somewhat!), and gave me three kinds of eye-drops. I have now come home — to find THIS absolutely ASTONISHING good news. I am so thankful to our LORD for all He is doing in Dan — even as I realize that a long road remains to be traveled. THANK YOU for sharing this with us. I am so richly encouraged. May the blessings be multiplied indefinitely– and, perhaps, even SOON! PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!
Latayne,
Very glad to hear that his breathing is so much better. Your comment depicting his first words as a request/order for you to spend the night was funny.’If’ you think he is in a condition to accept humor, you can tell him that Pete said that he was also afraid to spend the night alone in our dormitory room in college. :) Seriously, I am so glad to hear any sign of progress.
Pete
This is wonderful news. You’re going to need a massage therapist.
Latayne, this is such exciting news. Hallelujah!!!
Praise God! As Christians people don’t understand our hope! Maybe the doctor will be curious to know what it is. And of course those are the first words from Dan! I hope you get some kind of rest on that chair. We continue to pray for you both and love you.
This is wonderful news. God is so good. Thank you for keeping those who pray for you without ceasing posted on his recovery. May you rest well tonight.
Not only does my face smile when I read about Dan’s recovery, but also my heart!!!!!! God is amazing in the ways that He works so that our faith grows and our responses to life’s trials bring glory to Him!!!
It’s so cool that he was able to communicate! I bet you’ll have to take that device away soon…haha. Love you guys and have not stopped praying!
Latayne, We are so happy to hear about Dan’s progress. You both are in our prayers daily. I’m greatful that Dan Rowe was able to take my place Thursday. We served over a hundred people this morning at the sweetheart breakfast. Everyone in the room lifted Dan up to God. That was a great thing. Hope to visit soon……Jerry
These words are always so very comforting! Praying!
John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Great news, so glad that he’s able to communicate and that the surgery was a success. I hope that he continues to recover each day.