Day 85 of GBS
We still have some substantial challenges with caring for Dan, but in so many ways he is ENORMOUSLY better. I’d like to list some of them and give God the praise and honor for His guarding Dan. We do feel that God has guarded him, for, considering all the dire warnings I have been given during the last almost three months, Dan’s health shows the hand of God upon him.
1. Dan is sitting up for two hours twice a day, in a chair. This is improving his lung function.
2. He has been off the respirator for seven days now, breathing oxygen through a tube attached to his tracheostomy. The machine still stands by his bed, and the respiratory therapist suctions him several times a day, but he is coughing stronger and stronger each day.
3. For the first time, Dan is sleeping at night and awake more during the day.
4. He no longer needs a pedicure (did you know that all your callouses fall off your feet after a couple of months of paralysis?)
5. For the first time, he has shown interest in television (good news.) Bad news — he wanted to watch Dancing with the Stars (whose last program aired in November — the last month he watched television.).
6. He can’t use his vocal cords because of the tracheostomy. But his “voice” through the kazoo-like Passy Muir valve sometimes sounds like him. (Other times it sounds like a Dan chimpmunk.)
7. He has shown some interest in church events and job news. (Sorry: that wasn’t a priority before.)
8. We have seen some intermittent movement in his tarsal area of his hands, and even a tiny movement in one thumb. He can move his hips a bit. He’s moving his arms around like a pro. Some day he’s going to heft that right arm up and slap himself in the face. Really.
9. In the next few days Dan will have a swallowing test to see if he can begin ice chips or liquids. Right now he gives those sponge-on-a-stick things a workout.
10. With the return of muscles and feelings is the onslaught of dreadful and unpredictable nerve pain. The cattle-prod sensations, and others that feel like he is sitting on bolts and screws. Please pray for this.
11. His kidneys seem to be doing great!
12. One of the nurses gave him a haircut! He looks like our Dan. No more halo (in more than one sense, I assure you.)
:)
Praise God!! It’s so good to hear he’s improving. You’ve all been in our prayers and will continue to be until he’s back to being the Dan we remember. Love to you all. Patti & Randy
I’m so glad to hear that he has made a turn around and is doing better..yes, Praise the Lord for that. Still praying.
Hello, Latayne –
I am absolutely OVERJOYED to see these MOST encouraging points of progress!!! PRAISE GOD!!!!!
I regret the fact, but (until about two years ago) I would not have been able to really understand — even from your perfectly descriptive words — the nerve pains that Dan is experiencing. Over these two years, however, I have had some VERY similar experiences — although I am thankful (but NOT happy for Dan in even the least) that the intensity of my pain is much less than what Dan is certainly experiencing. In the last few months, I have been experiencing a VERY gradual — but equally real — reduction in the discomfort. It seems to be coming in response to a drug called pregabalin (gabapentin did NOT help!). But, since our specific problems are so radically different, AND because Dan needs much faster progress, I would NOT (!!!) suggest that you “Ask your doctor how (it) can help YOU!”
I will have my second cataract surgery tomorrow (Thu 02-23) morning. I may well lose some sleep tonight due to my excitement over all these many points of progress. I am AMAZED and ASTOUNDED, even though I have some vague idea of the power of our God. After all, Jesus Christ rose from the dead and was walking around the same morning! NONE of us “merits” God’s kindness — God just gives measures of it to us anyway! How VERY happy I am to hear all of this!!!
I really AM completely OVERWHELMED by all the good news that you have just shared out of Specialty. May God continue to show His great love for the entire extended Scott family in stunning continued progress.
Latayne, thanks for the great update! We continue our prayers from Oregon. John
Wow, this is all awesome news!!! Thank you for the update!
Latayne,
Such great, great news. Ron and I will continue to pray for you both. Love Pam and Ron
Praise God!!!!
What a wonderful blessing to hear! What a miracle, what a wonderful testimony of the presence of our God. I am thanking Him and Praising Him with you.
And all praise be to God. I will continue to pray for Dan and your family.
That is such great news!!! God is good.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Ha lle lu jah! (I am singing this!)
So much love coming your way.
Sharon and Dennis
We are so glad to hear of Dan’s progress. We know what a tough time you al have been facing. You have been our prayers daily and will continue to be. We love you all so much.
So thankful there’s been so much progress! Loved all the great news! Not happy with #10 at all, though! Hope that goes away quickly!
Still praying hard in Seattle!
Psalms 34:4, 6-7 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. (6-7) This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
Praise God!! Thanks so much for the update. Please tell Dan we love him and will continue to pray.
Your e-mail brought tears of joy to my eyes. We praise God and continue to pray for all of you. Ted & Flo
We are rejoicing with you. That you have shared this journey with us, has increased our faith. Blessings to you.
This is great news. I have an idea how arduous this recovery is for all of you. I love that he wanted to watch DWTS – there has to be a way to get him up to date!
Oh the sponges on sticks! That really says it all to anyone who has done the long haul in a hospital, as a patient with the sponge in his mouth or the loved one holding the stick. It’s pretty much the perfect metaphor for both sides of the whole experience.
Love, strength, peace, joy, endurance and hope to all of you. Grace to it!
Tears of great joy.
Praise God for Dan’s great improvements! We have been and will continue praying. We love your family. The Paffords
Praise God!
Latayne,
What inspirational news to read at breakfast! We realize more each day just how great our God is. I never would have guessed Dan was a Dancing with the Stars fan! How fun is that! We will continue to lift you up in our prayers, today is a prayer of thanksgiving for all of the great news! Please give him a hug for all of us!
Those are encouraging reports! Praise God for these day to day victories Dan’s body is winning over this disease.
Latayne – I first learned of Dan’s struggles today through an email from Liz. I’m so sorry to hear of it, but I know you are surrounded by God’s love and doting angels to minister to him and you and your family. I hope that you will continue to see healing from the Lord’s hand and strength where there is weakness.
As I continue in the midst of many trials, myself, I know in Whom I believe and am persuaded that He is able to do all that He promises! His blessings are being delivered through various ways to lift, encourage and heal the pain. Praise His faithfulness!
I’m sorry for the length of the trial for your family, and I will be praying as are so many others for complete recovery for Dan, and that all things related to his health will be resolved by our Father who is a great rewarder of all who seek Him.
God’s blessings upon you in Jesus.
Much love,
Karen Berdinner
God is awesome, will continue to pray for his healing and that the pain will be less than before. We love you both.
Prayers of deep gratitude are ascending!
This is wonderful news! Thanks for your faithfulness in keeping us informed.
Still praying, Latayne, and rejoicing. Dancing With the Stars is on YouTube, by the way.