Troy was awake tonight! He has been so sleepy the last few days when I have gone in the afternoon; I went tonight with Byron hoping to see him awake. We was very restless. It seemed he couldn't get comfortable. He wanted to sit up, then lay back, he wanted a pillow, then 2, then 3, then none. He wanted to go for a walk in the wheelchair. He got up, got in the chair, had Byron put his shoes on, but then they couldn't find a portable oxygen tank for him, so we didn't get to go. He was listening to some old sermon cassettes from the 80's that Byron gave him. He seemed to like that. He has an infection and they are giving him antibiotics. He is still on 2 anxiety medications that are contributing to the sedation. The doctor says they must wean him off slowly because abruptly stopping them could cause convulsions. They nurses say he is doing really well. Pray for his continued healing. "Our God is an Awesome God"

Troy was asleep almost the entire time I was with him today. I tried to wake him a few times, but he was so sleepy. He managed to open one eye and look at me, but that was it. He has been asleep a lot lately. They are still giving medicine that makes him tired. They say they are cutting back on it, but it seems to be going slow. Pray for a speedy recovery. "Our God is an Awesome God"

Troy was very tired today. He said he didn't sleep good last night. He was awake some of the time, but slept part of the time I was there. He had been to therapy and that had made him tired also. Before I left he asked me to tell the nurse he needed something for a headache. Byron went to see him tonight and he remembered me being there today, which is another affirmation that he is getting better and better. He remembers things that have happened earlier. His room was very cold today, but the nurse said that was the way he wanted it; even though he asked me for another blanket! They are going to do a chest x-ray in the morning just to make sure that there is nothing in his lungs. He has a bit of a fever today. Please pray that everything is ok and we can continue to improve. "Our God is an Awesome God"

Leap Forward cont.

Robin just called me after her visit tonight and she got to take Troy for a walk around the hospital tonight. He rode in a wheelchair and they went all around the hospital and he got to look outside. She was excited to tell him that the doctors are talking about him going home in terms of weeks now and not months; but he seemed a little discouraged. To him weeks sounds really long. She said he was not quite as perky tonight, but the doctors have removed more of the sedation drugs and his moods are a bit down sometime. Even so, our spirits are not quenched. We are encouraged at his progress and hopeful for the days ahead. "Our God is an Awesome God"

Leap Forward

Wow! I had a great visit with Troy today and I have good news to share. He is so much stronger with each visit. It's amazing. You can see a difference in him each day. We had an actual conversation today...not just me talking and asking him questions, but with him initiating the conversation and asking me things. And his voice...he had such strength in it today. I could hear him plainly from my seat by the bed without leaning in to his mouth. He had been to physical therapy twice today, and he was tired. He said it was hard, but he walked 100 feet on his own! The doctors are saying at the pace he is going he should be off the trach in a week. All the blood tests are looking good for the pancreas, but we won't know the exact condition until another cat scan is done. We have no scheduled time for that yet. I feel a sigh of relief today; like we see light at the end of a long dark tunnel. We are going to make there. God has lead us, guided us, pushed us, carried us, and maybe kicked some of us. We have learned lessons of humility, priority, patience, mercy and grace. Thank you so much for your continued prayers. "Our God is an Awesome God"

Ventilator Gone

The ventilator is gone from the room!! Troy was awake the whole time Byron and I were there today. Respiratory therapy came for a treatment and he sat up on the side on the bed for that. Then, he wanted to get in a chair for a while. The therapist said now that the ventilator is gone they will go through a time of weaning him from the trachea tube. He is still getting some oxygen through there. He told me about Whitney getting a job at Chuckie Cheese. He wasn't talking much, but he was alert and aware of any conversation going on in the room and if you asked him a question he would answer. Please pray for Robin still, who is under an extreme amount of pressure. And I would like to ask for extra prayer for healing of Troy's pancreas. All the other organs seem to have been repaired, but there are still some issues with the pancreas. Our prayer if for healing without any surgery required. We have come so far. I told him that today. He only has a few tubes now, when there were many at one time. It was good to see that vent. machine out of the room. Truly, "Our God is an Awesome God"

Good Day

Troy looked great today. His eyes were brighter. I was there during therapy; so they have him up doing exercises and he is very alert. His personality was really showing through today. They had him lifting some hand weights and he started moving his hips, like he was dancing. It was so good to see him be playful. He is getting up and down out of the bed well and they said he should be going downstairs to therapy next week. They have more activities for them down there and he will be able to get stronger. He was feeling the tube in his throat, and asked to see a mirror. Kim was there with me and she explained that it was going to come out soon and he would only have a small scar. I stayed for a while and was standing by his bed, when he suddenly waved bye to me and then Kim. I asked if he wanted us to leave. Then Kim asked if he didn't want us there because he was tired or if he wanted us to go because he thought we had stuff to do and we didn't need to stay with him - like it was an inconvenience to us to be there visiting him. He raised his finger in a number 2, to say the 2nd reason. Then he put his hands together to say pray. Then he did the finger motion to make a church, and open the door, and see all the people; and he pointed at me. I said, "Are you asking me if I went to church this week?" He nodded. I told him we had been out of town, but I would go this week for sure. Troy has really been onto me about church attendance in the past months. He knows we are not as active as we used to be or should be and always asks if we are going. He amazes me, laying there with tubes going in and out, and trying to make sure that I am where I need to be spiritually! Thanks to everyone for your prayers. "Our God is an Awesome God"

I was with Troy today for a while after work. He was sitting on the side of the bed when I arrived. He raised his hand to me when he saw me. He was moving around quite a bit and using a lot of hand motions. The ventilator was turned off; there was only oxygen going in the tube. He was doing all of the breathing on his own. A nurse told me that typically when the machine is left off for 3 days, they remove it from the room. He continues to make progress. He is still coming out the fog of sedation. They are reducing the medicine amounts, but he is still on some of it. He was using hand motions to tell me he wanted the bed up, then down, then another pillow, then only one...at one point I didn't understand so I gave him paper. He wrote "Hi". I laughed and said hi back and he just shrugged his shoulders. He seemed like he was struggling to keep his eyes open, so I told him he didn't have to try to stay awake because I was there. I told him if he wanted to rest he could. He immediately laid his head back on the pillow. A nurse came in and gave him some shots of insulin and he never woke up. I told him several times how good he was doing and that he is getting stronger every day. The nurse said that therapy had been in that morning and exercised with him, and she gave him an alphabet chart and asked him to spell his name. He did it fine. Continue to pray for a speedy recovery. You don't know how much it means to us to have your support through prayer. "Our God is an Awesome God"

Update

I want to apologize once again for the delay in posts; Disney World did not have free Wi-Fi!! I need a blackberry! I have been getting some encouraging news from Robin and Kim and am excited to share with you. Saturday Robin said they were going to leave Troy off the ventilator for 2 hours, but he stayed off for 5 hours! The therapist said they were going to discuss with the doctors leaving him off for longer periods. On Sunday, he was off twice for a 4 hour period each. He was wanting to call Byron. Robin said he wanted Byron to pick up his car and drive it home. She told him that Byron already took care of that, and then he rested and went back to sleep. I don't think he realizes the amount of time he has been gone. Although, one day when he was off the ventilator he asked Robin why he was in there and how long it had been, but I don't know how much of that he remembers. Monday he was off the ventilator for 12 hours and Tuesday for 16 hours! He was moved to a different floor of the hospital because he is now off the heart monitor. And, he is allowed to have ice chips. We think he may be going to the gym today for exercise. He has asked about a walker. He is walking a few steps to get to the restroom. He is having some type of allergic reaction and his hand is swollen, not sure what is causing that yet. And his lip is looking better from the stitches. He is following commands, but Kim is concerned about him being discouraged. Continue to pray for encouragement and speedy healing. Depression can be a concern for patients who have extended stays in the hospital. I want to ask for extra prayer for Robin. It seems when so much energy and prayer is focused in one area of our life, Satan will attack another area. Running the household single handed is enough pressure and when Satan throws other obstacles at us it can be overwhelming. Pray for strength for her and for a protection of angels to watch over them while Troy is recovering. "Our God is an Awesome God"

Yesterday Troy seemed discouraged. Now that he is awake, a new battle has begun. His body was fighting before he was conscience, but now that he is aware, he begins a battle of the mind and will. We need to pray for the Holy Spirit to comfort and support him. He did well off the ventilator that first day, but on other occasions his stats have not remained at the levels they need to be and he has had to go back on it. Pray that his lungs gain strength and his stats remain at the appropriate levels. Pray for him to have the breath he needs when he tries to speak. He is fighting the battle; God is with us; we will remain faithful when weary. "Our God is an Awesome God."

UPDATE

First, I want to apologize for the late post; I am in Florida and the condo has no internet!! Troy was moved to his new room on Friday. Marc was there as he got moved in and said things were going ok. The nurses are nice and it seems like he is making progress. He is more awake and alert. We had been concerned about the move, even though it is progress, because the nurses are farther away than in ICU. We were afraid they may not watch him as well, as he is still very groggy. And, on Tues, he fell out of the bed again! This has been the 3rd time. This time he busted his lip and had to get stitches. Kim immediately got things under control and now he has been moved to a new room straight across from the nurses station and has a sitter around the clock! He is still being weaned from the ventilator. He was off about 4 hours at one point. Praise the Lord. Yesterday, he was not able to be off that long, but they say this is normal. When the ventilator came off the first time, Robin was there and got to hear his first words. She said his voice sounded the same. 5 weeks with no talking, I'd like to say he spoke some profound words, but actually he said, "That smells horrible." They give some type of medicine puffs when they take off the ventilator and it smells like rotten eggs! He is writing some messages now. He wrote this to Robin "God is good. God is in this place." What a testimony! He is still being the head of his household, being the strong supporter, being the Christian husband to Robin, even as he lays, unable to speak. He has communicated that he wants food and is ready to go home. These are both positive signs and we are encouraged. Keep praying for him and the family. It's working! "Our God is an Awesome God"

New Room

Troy is going to be moved out of ICU! We thought it was going to be tonight, but it looks like it will be tomorrow. They said when he gets to the other room that they will be cutting back on some of the medications. This is a big step. We are excited to see the progress we know is just around the corner. Thank you for continuing to pray for us. "Our God is an Awesome God"

Troy was awake and tying to communicate last night, but we still have trouble understanding what he is saying. I am sure he thinks he is saying what he wants, but his mouth is not moving clearly enough for us to understand. The hospital gave us some picture charts. Kim tried to hold them up so he could point to what he wanted, but that was not successful either. Bill came in town to see Troy. I know this has been hard for him being in Virginia. Pray for him to have safe travels back and forth. We also need special prayer for Troy's pancreas. The newest CAT scan shows it is still inflamed. Our prayer is that it will heal itself and not require any surgery. They made another adjustment to the ventilator today, so he is breathing more on his own. They will watch the oxygen levels and CO2 levels to make sure he can handle this adjustment. If all is well, they will turn it down some more. He still has a journey...pray for strength and will to keep fighting. "Our God is an Awesome God"

Troy had a restful day. He was sleeping when both Robin and Byron were there. When Byron sat with Troy, he tried to wake him, but got no response. When Robin was there she decided to turn on the TV. She was watching a preacher. She noticed that every time the preacher asked a question ("have you ever felt...") Troy would nod! He didn't open his eyes, but apparently he could hear. "Our God is an Awesome God"

Fourth of July

Troy was quite active today. He is staying awake for longer periods of time. He was trying to say something to Byron, so Byron gave him pen and paper, but he was not able to write anything. Then a little later, after Byron left, he fell out of the bed! He likes to throw one leg off the bed. We had put it back up 3 times last night. He was getting twisted around in the bed and the other leg was very close to being off also. Before we left, Byron pushed a chair over to the side of the bed so he couldn't move his leg off while we were gone, but I guess today he managed to get both legs off. He seemed to be OK, but they were going to do an x-ray to be sure. Keep us in your prayers. "Our God is an Awesome God"

Good Day

Troy was very alert today, and a bit restless. Robin said he was getting agitated this afternoon..wanting to sit up, and getting very frustrated. She could tell he was getting angry; he was even hitting his fists on the bed. She held his hands and said, "Troy, you have got to calm down." Then, very plainly, he mouthed the words, "No, you calm down." It was their first argument in a month! Tonight Byron turned on the TV and he and Troy watched a UFC fight together. Byron would turn and ask him "Are you watching this?" and he would open his eyes and nod. We have had 2 good days in a row. "Our God is an Awesome God".

One step ahead

Troy had a better day today. He was alert this evening and we were able to understand that he wanted to sit up. The nurse adjusted his bed some, but he must stay at a certain elevation because of the ventilator. They said he took his first step today toward getting off the ventilator...they adjusted his setting and did fine. Although they did stress that he would have bad days and good days, it felt good to have a good one today. His feedings are going well and he no longer has an IV drip. He still gets medication when needed through the IV, but nothing continuous. One less tube! Thank you Lord for giving us a good day. "Our God is an Awesome God"

:/

Well...He's all moved in. His new room has a window close to his bed. The view is only a roof top, but at least he can see sun or rain...if he is awake. He had to be sedated again today; he pulled his IV out this morning! They don't like to restrain their patients...the nurse said it took her an hour to get it back in. He really needs to stay calm when he wakes up. We are in an adjustment period. We were used to the way things were done at Baptist East and Kindred has a different approach. We are going to trust the doctors and nurses and pray that God will give them wisdom to take the steps needed to get Troy home as soon as possible. Also pray that infections trying to attack his body will go away. As always..."Our God is an Awesome God"