WEEK THREE IN NASHVILLE

It doesn't get any better than having the grandson (and his mommy and daddy) spend a long weekend with you. Josh, Melanie, Jack and Maggie (their dog) came in Thursday night. Josh spent quite a bit of time at the hospital with his dad so I could have a break. Ken enjoyed having him there and I greatly enjoyed my time with Jack and Melanie. Ken told me yesterday that it wasn't fair I got to see Jack and he didn't. I know it is hard for him to feel so cut off. Between Melanie and myself we had a camera flashing all weekend so Ken would at least have lots of pictures and videos to look at. The digital camera and computer have been a real blessing during this journey. I am hoping to have the "Tin Man's Journey" slide show available for you soon.

These past two weeks have been a little discouraging at times. It is unbelievable how much the trip home set Ken back. Yesterday was the first time he has been out of the bed since we got back. Physical therapy has not wanted to do very much with him because they say he is too sick. It seems to be a vicious circle. His bed is one that you can push a button and it turns into a chair, so at least he has been able to set up some. Ken and I continue to work on what we can. We have been playing Yahtzee and even some dominoes. I found it is a much easier way to get him to stretch and work on fine motor skills. It is still very hard for him to do yet we just keep going with the thought, "slow and steady wins the race".

Ken is still receiving dialysis three days a week. He tried to talk the doctor into just two times a week but she just laughed and said, NOT NOW! He thought it was worth a try. His appetite is starting to come back but it is still a struggle to get him to eat enough; however, he is trying. The doctors ran a culture on his sputum the other day and found an element that can cause bronchitis or pneumonia. His left lung was a little concerning to the infectious disease doctor and so they have put him on an antibiotic for the next seven days. We pray that will take care of it. In order to start the antibiotic they had to put in an IV. That is always such an unnerving process for Ken because they have such a difficult time finding a place. We make it a point to ask them to send the very best they have. The lady that came up yesterday was a delight. It is always nice when they are great at what they do as well as have a sense of humor. She helped Ken relax as she cut up with him and when she had successfully put in the needle she said "God is good" and Ken replied "All the Time". We had all been praying!!

This journey continues to be a day by day adventure with not knowing what the next day holds. I know that each of our life's is like that and we never know what the next moment holds. Sometimes it would just be nice to have a small glimpse of what tomorrow might hold. My time is running out on my leave of absence and I know it will be a big adjustment for both Ken and I when I am not able to be at the hospital all the time. In some ways I am looking forward to what was a normal routine before January 2nd. I know it will be far from normal but God has seen us through thus far and I am positive He will continue to be FAITHFUL!!