June 6 Tuesday

Just got off the phone with Timothy this evening.  Today was a long and exhausting day at the hospital.  Both Danielle and Timothy were able to get some sleep last night in between the vitals checks and the noises of a hospital room.  Thankfully they are able to be in a private room and there is a reclining chair in there which allowed Timothy to spend the night in relative comfort.  The morning started off fairly well, but as the day went by, the pain at the incision site and especially referral pain in her shoulder became increasingly intolerable.  There are not a whole lot of options for pain management which is frustrating - the doctors were able to increase the dose of the medication she is taking but there is only so much they are able to give.  She was also running a low grade fever today, which is not unusual post-op with all the healing taking place.

Danielle was able to sit up a bit today for meals - still only fluids like Jello, broth, and tea - and was able to walk a short distance with help from the physiotherapists.  Pain medication is being administered via epidural and as you might imagine, it makes supporting your own weight difficult as your legs are partially frozen.  

The many visits from doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and other specialists are all necessary but also exhausting when already physically strained from pain and healing from surgery, yet even with all this busy-ness, a day in hospital is also long in its monotony.  There is also the fear of the future and the treatments that lay ahead - the challenge perhaps in the next few days especially is to take things day by day, to recognize the lows but especially the highs in each sunrise to sunset, to thank the Lord for His provision in each day, and to come before Him for our every need and request.  Timothy and Danielle read from Psalm 121 today:

I lift up my eyes to the mountains - 

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, 

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip - 

He who watches over you will not slumber;

Indeed, He who watches over Israel 

will neither slumber nor sleep. 

The Lord watches over you - 

the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day, 

nor the moon by night. 

The Lord will keep you from all harm - 

He will watch over your life;

the Lord will watch over your coming and going 

both now and forevermore.

Prayers requests:

For relief from pain, and quick healing from the surgery

For the healing of restful sleep for both Danielle and Timothy

For strength for each day - it will take special grace to take things day by day.