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"