THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Here it is November first and we have not written for a while. Bob continues to make improvement in his vision, although slight double vision remains out of the far corner of his left eye. Dr. Whitaker, whom we saw last week, still expects a full recovery of Bob’s vision. Dr. Arkin, the neurologist who treated Bob upon arrival at St. Lukes, June 1, expects healing to occur for up to one year. The stem of the brain stroke affects the eyesight and the left side of the brain affects Bob’s memory. Dr. Arkin will see Bob again in December and Dr. Whitaker in six months.
The fatigue factor is that which most frustrates Bob. He really just began to understand what happened to him when we saw Dr. Arkin last month and he asked questions about himself. He can work long days in the yard and not tire as he does after 8 hours in class each Monday during his training for the chaplaincy at St. Joseph Hospital, Carondelet. Brain stem strokes cause fatigue.
Bob has attended 4 days of classes, written pages of verbatims and sermons. Today he actually went to work at the hospital ministering to two stroke victims and their families. This was a sobering and humbling experience! Was it a coincidence that his first patients were stroke victims? This Saturday he will spend his first night “on call” in the hospital and later this month deliver his first sermon in the hospital chapel which is televised to the patients.
We recently spent a fun couple of days in Boonville, Arrow Rock, Rocheport and Blackwater, MO. We walked on the Katy Trail and took the above symbolic picture. I believe that we are truly seeing the light at the end of the tunnel of our stroke journey. Our lives are forever changed, albeit enriched with your continuous love and support (a reminder of how important friendships are) Bob’s evolving career influenced by the strokes, and our love for each other forever cherished now moment by moment.
We don’t know what lies ahead, but we do know that our Lord and God is in charge of everything and that we can trust Him in that. We thank you for sharing our journey and loving us.
For by him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether they are kings, lords, rulers, or powers. All things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Cor. 12:9

--
Cammie

Update on Bob

Several of you have asked about Bob and his progress. Thank you!!!
His vision has improved greatly; he has not worn the prism lens for several days and is seeing monocular now!!!! Hasn't our God created an amazing human body that heals in its own time with the touch of His hand? He will see the neuro-opthamologist late Oct.
Bob has been able to do lots of things around the house and in the yard. His tasks are still limited until he sees the cardiologist, early next month. They will run tests that day, a bubble test and echocardiogram to check the seal on the previous PFO. We are excited to learn more about those results, although we have no reason for concern.
Bob applied and was accepted into the Carondelet St. Joesph Hospital Chaplain Program. He begins his classes in October-May and then will have his residency hours before he becomes certificated. Bob has always been excited to learn new things and take upon himself new challenges. It is a goose bump feeling for me to know how his strokes and the PFO procedure, brought him at retirement time to this new place in his life. It is obviously another witness to how God is moving in Bob's life. We are both very eager for him to begin this new chapter in his life.
We attended a wedding this past Saturday, the first wedding we have witnessed together since Bob's strokes. I struggled with emotion throughout the ceremony as I once again realized what a miracle it is to have Bob in our lives, and to have him whole once again. Remembering our vows from almost 32 years ago,.... "for better or for worse, in sickness and in health," rang throughout my soul. Thank you, God, oh, thank you, God.
We continue to cherish your cards, prayers and emails and remembering us the past four months. Thank you, oh, thank you!!!!

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning; great is they faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

Bob fishing and driving

Bob and I made a last minute decision, with the cardiologist's permission, to travel to Colorado for 5 days of vacation by plane. We were to spend a night in Denver for Bob's heart to acclimate before driving into the mountains, (that would be me driving, and that is very scary, like the blind leading the blind as I have never driven in the mountains before) so much of our trip was a true leap of faith. But what was new about that for us? Leaps of faith are so easy now. And the mountains, with their beautiful placid peacefulness,the smells of pine,the sounds of rushing mountain rivers, and quite honestly, their cool breezes, beckoned us.
I promise to defer from turning this blog about Bob and his progress into a travelogue. However, each day included what we find now to be an essential part of our day, our walks together. We were challenged by the elevation, however the gorgeous surroundings took our minds off that. Bob fished in the rain with a guide and caught several trout about 16 inches each; he was elated!!!!
We enjoyed the warmth, reflection and support of high school and college friends we visited while there. Was it Longfellow who mentioned how wonderful is the warmth of a friend's hand? And Roxie is quoted as how wonderful the warmth of hugs!!!!! Friends, now, too, are more special than ever before. What a divine blessing we have in friends. Thank you, all of you friends, for the ways you continue to show us your love and care. Bob plans to read his cards and notes again and again. And, Mystery Person, you are still very mysterious!!!!! We daily feel the strength of your prayers. For those of you in our VHHS family with whom we had lunch yesterday,that was truly like coming back home to our own family after what felt like being gone a very long time. Thank you so much for including and welcoming us.
As for Bob, he is now DRIVING. He is free of his chauffeur and her imposed classical music for healing. He does still find the need to wear his prismatic lens over his right eye and will continue to do so as long as needed. He has lost over 30 pounds and continues with his weight loss program.
Bob has restrictions on lifting heavy weights and strenuous activities for a few more months.
As for the next few months, Bob will be following up with several doctors on a continuing basis and he will have heart tests in October, an echocardiogram and bubble test to check on the Amplatazer. His eyes will still be carefully followed. He tells people that so far he has no regrets about retirement. He will be helping out at the VHHS gates at the games. Bob is looking into the Chaplaincy Program at St. Luke's Hospital so he can give back to the place that helped saved his life with God's healing love and through the skilled doctors' and nurses' hands and so many there who blessed our lives forever.

Psalm 95:3-5 (New International Version)
"For the LORD is the great God,the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth,and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it,and his hands formed the dry land."

Proverbs 17:17
"A friend loveth at all times."

Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sight

We are once again amazed by God's bountiful grace upon us and the wonderful very exciting news we received yesterday at the KU Eye Center from Dr. Wittaker, Neuro- Opthamologist.
First of all let me tell you that God led us to a very special doctor, once again. He has been trained as an engineer, a lawyer, and now works in this field. Obviously, he is brilliant. Yet, he took all the time in the world with us, patiently answered out questions, and repeatedly asked Bob if he truly realized how blessed by God he was?
In a nutshell, Dr. Whittaker, told us, that Bob eyes will heal on their own within 6 months from the day of the strokes. He said that all the work in the world on "trying" to resolve the problem ourselves with optical exercises and gimmicks was not going to help. Only time to heal will work. He did insist on prismatic lenses to be "stuck" on Bob's left eye glass lense as the structure, for a few weeks to take the stress off Bob's eyes working so hard.
Now, are you ready for even bigger news? In about 2 weeks, after Bob acclimates to the prisms, or rips them off, because he no longer needs them, (whichever comes first) BOB CAN DRIVE.
WATCH OUT FOR A 1995 CHAMPAGNE COLORED HONDA ACCORD driving the streets of Independence, especially in the Van Horn area!!!!!!! There will be no motorcycle riding for at least a year, Dr. Whittaker says, and he rides one himself. Dr. Wittaker told us to cancel the Driving School Lessons for which Bob was enrolled. He said with Bob's excellent field of vision and depth of field, he is "good to go". I can't explain our joy and excitement.
As we awaited our time with Dr. Whittaker in the waiting room my prayer, scribbled on a notepad had been," Lord, give us patience, courage, and joy with whatever we hear in a few minutes from the doctor."
We don't know how to continue to say thank you intensely enough. To think how many of you still remember us almost 8 weeks after the strokes overwhelms and humbles us. Your continued cards, emails, prayers, and jokes mean so much, truly.
To the mystery person out there who has sent scripture, and jokes, thank you. We would love to know who you are some day!!!!!

"I am the Lord, the God of every person on the earth. Nothing is impossible for me."
Jeremiah 32:27
"The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." Deuteronomy 33:27

From Japan to garage sales

Bob's personal physician, Dr VerDught, could not stop beaming last Thursday when he saw Bob in his office. Bob's blood work, BP, and weight loss are terrific. The doctor knew Bob standing in front of him was a miracle. Bob has been walking about 4 miles a day.
Bob received a gorgeous bouquet of flowers from 3 of our 6 Japanese daughters. What a fun surprise and time to reflect on our love for them and desire to visit them and our Japanese grandchildren, too!!!!!
This week was filled with OT appointments,rest,walking,and preparation for a three day neighborhood garage sale in which we had planned to participate for 6 months. Our one and only motive was to de-clutter the house. We had been working toward that goal for weeks before Bob's surgery. It was not the wisest thing we have done, but Kate and Chris helped us, and we said goodbye to "stuff" that was really just clutter in our lives.
This week has more OT, dentist, haircut appointments, and our 4 week awaited appointment with Dr. Whittaker, eye specialist at KU Medical Center. We will definitely have more to tell you after that appointment!
Bob and I have been full of tears this week. It has been as though our robotic moves during the past almost 7 weeks have become humanized. I think God has us shrouded in numbness to get through that with which we had to deal, and we did. Now, we realize all that has really happened and feel even more blessed than before.
Your continued cards and notes of support and prayers mean so very much to us. Thank you, thank you.
"Whoever has the gift of encouraging should encourage." Romans 12:8

Bob is HOME, July 7

I got to bring Bob home about 9:30 this morning. He is doing well and so glad to be home, he says.
We have a long set of instructions of does and don'ts, what and when, etc.
We now concentrate on his healing from the procedure. He must be very careful this first month. However, his days are still filled with doctor appointments, OT, exercises for balance and his eyes, counting points for meals, learning a new way to eat and live, and the much anticipated driving lessons at KC Rehab Institute.
Your cards and words of encouragement, prayers and offers to help continue to be a source of great support. Thank you, thank you, thank you. We have been overwhelmed by your generous and caring response.
I will keep you updated in the weeks to follow, but not everyday. You will know if something very good or bad happens. There will always be a risk of stroke for Bob, the patched hole reduces that risk, but the risk factor remains.

"We trust in the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:7

Bob's broken heart now sealed and healed

This has been a most amazing day. I am afraid my words can't describe it.
Bob took a walk at 5 am while I readied myself for the day. We left at 6, Bob signed in at 7, his INR was terrific and by 8:30 Dr. Huber was ready to go. While waiting for the procedure, two "fellows" shadowing Dr. Huber, attended to Bob and read his files. One young man beaming, asked Bob if he had taught English at THS. Bob said yes, and the "fellow" told him he had been in Bob's class in 1993. Now he is a doctor!!!!!
We (Kate and Chris were with me, Cammie is still working at camp in PA) were ushered into a special waiting room and the nurse came out several times to reassure us all was well with Bob. The main problem was that Bob was so "wired" he could not be sedated to an appropriate level.Bob had said to Dr. Huber, "Am I supposed to be this cognizant?" That was it!!! Dr. Huber had more sedation sent Bob's way. Dr. Huber said after surgery, it would be a great time for me to ask Bob for anything I wanted, like shopping on the Plaza as Bob would be pretty groggy for some time.
The hole in Bob's heart was about 6-7mm. They used a 9mm PFO closure device inserted after the balloon measured the size. Scar tissue will grow over the device to complete the healing process. Bob will be on Plavix for 90 days and aspirin forever.
Our nurses in the cardiovascular unit were extra special. Bob had to lie flat for 6 hours. At 4 o'clock he got up for the first time and began walking.
Bob says he feels like nothing happened to him today. Bob feels wonderful!!!!!!!
He had a quiet afternoon watching the World Cup. We walked several times and went to MICU to check if any of our nurses from the 8 days we lived there were working. It was shift change, and four of our "angels" were there. They were so thrilled to see Bob doing that well, and we all hugged and cried. As Bob told them, they saved his life.
St. Luke's Hospital, is the best gift we had in this journey. The doctors and nurses were all most intelligent, kind, compassionate, and had a sense of humor. They always knew how to encourage and help Bob in every way.
On that happy note, I tucked Bob in and said good night. It was 5 weeks ago tonight we arrived at St. Luke's Hospital. A miracle occurred there. Bob's journey with a hole in his heart began at birth, but though the journey is not yet over, a significant portion of the blessings happened in that hospital. God's hands are certainly upon many special people there.

"Shout for joy, Oh heavens; rejoice, Oh earth!" Isaiah 49:13
I think JOY is the heart's way of applauding. Our hearts are clapping wildly tonight in giving a standing ovation for our God and his provisions and faithfulness in our lives.
Your many good thoughts and prayers have been answered. Thank you for being there for us; we will always remember your encouragement.
Bob will be home tomorrow and I will post again then.

Hole Sealed!

The doctors just finished and came out to see us. All went well! You can see a YouTube animation of what they did by clicking here.

He will be very sleepy this afternoon, stay overnight, and then check out tomorrow. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers!

Bob would rather be fishing and he did!!!!!!

We celebrated the 4th of July on Saturday at Lake Jacomo. We went out on a pontoon boat with Katie and Chris to enjoy the lake and the beauty of nature surrounding us. Bob fished, and boy did he fish!!!!! He was able to tie the lures on his line with no trouble and did such a great job that he caught four fish, one after the other. It was such a moment of celebration and fun.
I forgot to tell you that Bob's eye doctor was overjoyed to inform us that Bob's vision was 40% better than the previous tests two weeks prior. Whoopee!!!!!
He also suggested Bob see a specialist at KU Medical Center,a highly respected physician who might be able to tell about Bob's not text book diplopia.We were overjoyed to get in to see Dr. Whittaker July 23, as it usually takes several weeks to see him. Bob is also applying for driving school at the Rehab Institute of KC.
We are full with the blessing of God. Tomorrow will be our 5 week anniversary of Bob's stroke.

"I can do all things through God who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13

July 5, Bob's broken heart almost whole

We got up at 6 am to be at St. Lukes at 7am for the crucial INR blood test. A lab tech said she could not tell us the exact value, however, it is certainly in range for surgery. We are waiting to hear that officially from Doctor Huber's nurse.
Thank you for your good thoughts and prayers that Bob could have his heart fixed soon.
There will be pictures on the blog about what Bob did over the weekend.
Roxie

Bob STILL has a hole in his heart

Thank you, friends, for checking in with us. We spent about 3 hours in the hospital, Bob was prepped and readied with IV's for surgery, when the INR,(the test that tells us about the viscosity of his blood) appeared too thin. The staff took another draw and rechecked the values to make certain there had not been a mistake. The INR came back thinner than before.
Needless to say, we felt disappointed and frustrated. Dr. Huber met with us twice during that time. Bob is rescheduled for the procedure next Tuesday, with a blood test Monday to ensure Bob's blood is ready for surgery on the following day.
Thank you for remembering us today in your thoughts and prayers on our behalf.
We continue to serve a great God, , King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, who holds us in the palm of His hand, holes in our hearts and all.

Have a great 4th of July weekend and take care of yourselves. We will be in touch next week.
Roxie

June 30, 2010

It is so hard to believe Friday is almost here. We are at the point where we are stopping medications for surgery, starting new ones just for surgery, and adjusting diet for surgery.....no more coumadin!!!!!

Tomorrow will be Bob's last occupational therapy appointment until Dr. Huber, his cardiac doctor, says he is released to return to therapy. Bob has lots on his "to do list"

Thank you to those of you who still pray for us and support us with cards and phone calls and a joke here and there.

Proverbs 3:5

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."

Starstruck

Bob and I had a delightful evening Sunday, at Starlight. We had planned for months to see Little House and were able to attend the last performance.
We were starstruck at Starlight.

A Hole in Bob's HEART, June 26

A hole in Bob’s heart, what does that mean? I have been thinking about it a lot recently. Yes, I understand that a hole in Bob’s heart let the blood clots out to cause a stroke. I understand that they can fix the hole in the heart. But what will happen then?
What happens to what was in the hole in his heart? What was in that hole? Was there something in that hole in his heart? Was it extra love for all his VHHS students, mankind, the down and out, the people in China and everywhere else where humanity is not respected? What if the hole in his heart held malice for all that is unjust and horrific in our world as well, to cause him to extend his generous spirit to make our world a better place? Was it extra love for his beloved daughters and son in law and me housed in the hole in his heart?
I know from experience, after my precious parents’ deaths, how it felt to have a broken heart. I believe it truly can feel like “broken”, so I believe it can feel other ways, what our minds dictate?
Bob has always has this hole in his heart, unlike most people. So, will it feel different? Will he be different? One thing I know for certain, as our Jesus instructed us, “Love the Lord your God with all your HEART and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and, Love your neighbor as yourself. “ Luke 10:27
That, I know, will never change in Bob’s heart.

A hole in Bob's heart, June 24

We have awaited this day for three weeks. Our newest doctor, Dr. Huber, is fantastic. We knew from the minute we met him that Bob would be better than new! He took a great interest in Bob and explained with his artwork on the white board every detail of the PFO, (Patent Foramen Ovale)how the clots moved through the heart, and how the surgery will proceed. Although 25% of us have a PFO, Dr. Huber actually does only about 50 annually. It takes an episode like Bob's to learn one has the PFO. Bob has an abnormally large PFO and a floppy septum. to be patched.
Surgery will take place next Friday, July 2. Bob will have another stay, at our new home, in the Heart Institute, St. Luke's. He will have rigid rules to follow for at least 2 weeks, for example, walking up stairs, how much weight to pick up, etc.
Bob will stop the coumadin Monday; that is exciting and scary for us. Just a couple more INR tests for him with those constant readjustments. We are grateful Bob will not live on coumadin the rest of his life!!!!
Physical Therapy released Bob this week, with instructions to continue the use of the Wii Fitness Program 30 minutes a day for balance. Occupational Therapy for his eyes continues.
We walk to the square and back every morning and Bob has lost a significant amount of weight.
Bob has been very kind to me with my driving, and it seems we drive all day, every day, getting to his appointments. I know how anxious he is to be able to drive again.
We depend on God, the great physician and healer, knowing He will take care of our every need.

Romans 15:13 "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope."

Father's Day

What a celebration today has been for us as a family. Cammie, Katie,Chris and I are so excited to be honoring Bob on this day. We had our usual early morning walk and a special baked french toast for breakfast. We did a little grocery shopping and rested this afternoon. We met Katie and Chris for dinner and and had dessert and presents at home. (Cammie in in PA working at a camp, planning to be home for Bob's heart procedure)
All in all, it was a simple, but fun and emotional day.
Please don't take anything for granted; life is so short. God is so very very good.

I will be posting a picture taken of Bob today in a shirt and hat given to him by Cammie. The shirt, purchased in a Chinese WalMart, in typically sometimes confusing English says this:"HAPPY DADDY'S LIKES FISHING; DELIGHTED MOTION OF DAD".

Friday, June 18 A long week

June 18, 2010
This has been a long week for Bob. He started out Monday with a very stiff neck and headache. The neck and head grew more and more uncomfortable by the hour, until Wed. evening, we were back at St. Luke’s ER, with support from our hospitalist, Dr. Sankpill. Fortunately, Bob did not have a bleed in the head, and they were able to give Bob a shot for pain and the headache subsided. His INR ( blood viscosity) is too thin now, so we adjust and re- adjust.
It is truly comforting to have a hospital with such a professional and caring staff to take care of Bob. The ER doctor called Bob the following night to check in on him. He told Bob obviously he did not have spinal meningitis or he would be dead. That made Bob laugh.
We have been to rehab twice this week for OT and PT. He is flying through PT with no major problems except for the stiff neck. OT has some interesting exercises for his double vision.
Bob finished his work at VHHs this week and packed up his office with Katie and Chris’ help. He is now officially on vacation. Yea!!!!!!!
We walked for 30 minutes the first three days of this week. We stopped walking only because of the stiff neck and headache. Hopefully we can walk to the Farmer’s Market tomorrow.
We visit with the heart doctor Thursday. His office is scheduling surgery about one week out, so we are hoping to have Bob’s heart procedure done the first week in July.
As we go through these days of waiting, resting, and growing in our faith we are reminded of these verses.
Isaiah 43:2-4
When you pass through the waters I will be with you. When you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned-the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God. You are precious and honored in my sight and I love you.
Psalm 66:12
We went through fire and through water, but you brought us out to rich fulfillment!


Again, we have loved the cards and visits and all types of communication of love and support to us this week. We are humbled. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Friday, June 11
Bob’s INR blood work was perfect yesterday. He spent time in his Van Horn office today catching up on work and with Kate’s and Chris’ help boxed up part of his office.
Tomorrow he would like to be at the opening of the LINK 5k Run in its new home.
I will gladly update this blog through surgery in July and after wards, but on a “great news to share” basis versus daily.
Is it said with time people begin to look like their pets, or is it the other way around? However it is, I was observing our cat, Bailey, who is about 15 years old and been through a lot in her life .She has one bad eye, limps with a sprained paw, and has lost half of her fur due to allergies. I thought, you know, Bob has an eye that is not so great right now, he walks with a list, and he had half of his hair “waxed” in the hospital each time the staff pulled off tape, patches, and what evers with adhesive. I truly think that was the most painful part of this ordeal for Bob. And now, he and Bailey have so much in common.

June 10, 2010

Today was like running a marathon for us. Bob went back to work for awhile. He went to the lab in LS to check his blood INR. He went to the opthmologist to see what he could tell us about his eyes and his double vision. The doctor concurs that time is our best friend on that front. There is damage to the nerves in the right eye. Prisms attached to his glasses or ground into his lenses cannot physically fix the problem, but refracting the light would cause him to see monocular. Surgery way down the road could perhaps the real problem as well. We will continue with the translucent tape for now and wait three weeks before seeing him again. Sometimes Bob reminds me of my dear children at school who walk around with broken glasses held together by scotch tape!!!!!

Bob loved the jokes you are leaving on the blog. Thank you, thank you for picking up on that request.

We praise God for and give him the glory for how Bob is today versus one week ago. Thank you for continuing to be part of our miracle.

Our favorite Bible verse for today:

“. . . I AM THY GOD; I WILL STRENTHEN THEE; YEA, I WILL HELP THEE . . .”

Isaiah 41:10

June 9, 2010

Good evening friends. We have had a fantastic day. Bob went to OT and PT and got to play the WII tennis for balance standing on a cushy mat. The OT made the tape on Bob’s glasses smaller. His INR was finally where it needed to be, and when we saw the doctor about noon, she said, “You can go home today!” We were surprised, excited and scared all at the same time. We were checked out, escorted to the car, and came home. It is good to be home. Bob does tire easily.

Last week a chaplain came to visit Bob and asked him what was a favorite Bible scripture of his.
Bob answered, “Philippians 4:4-9.”

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Tuesday, June 8th

Good morning, all of you caring and special friends.

The verses Bob found comforting and appropriate for our situation today was Isaiah 41: 9-10

“You are my servant , I have chosen you and not cast you off. Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. “

We get to stay in the hospital today. Bob’s INR (thickness of blood) remains a little low. He has been up and walking with his IV pole and me. I am getting jealous of the IV pole! We took a long walk this morning and watched and heard the rainfall from the beautiful skylight in the atrium on our floor. Simple everyday things like the rain now seem extraordinary!

OT is working creatively on new techniques to help Bob’s eyesight. They put translucent tape over the left eye in his glasses. It did the trick for now. It allows light in, vs. the patch, but occludes enough to help the divergent sight. They will remove the tape a little at a time.

Thank you so much for your thoughts, prayers, and cards.

Sunday-Monday

Bob continues to improve – we are finally out of ICU!

Yesterday he walked three laps around the ICU with the nurse pulling his IV pole and Bob pushing a wheelchair with his monitor in it. Quite an adventure. Whoo Hoo! He is now keeping his blood pressure up on his own and has not shown stroke-like symptoms. He played a mean game of checkers with Chris, too.

Today he moved to the Stroke and Brain Unit. His blood still needs monitoring. We can’t go home until it is where it needs to be.

He went to Physical Therapy, and he’s supposed to continue practicing walking up and down the hallway off and on all day. He was exhausted after the short walk and stairs.

He reminded me yesterday that he really would like some good jokes, folks! Youtube videos are fine, too. Just post the link in the comments section, or send me an email.

Thanks again for all the prayers and notes of concern and support. We love you all.

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive God’s mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need.” (Bob found this verse meaningful this week on a card he received) Amen and Amen.

Saturday June 5th

Friends, good afternoon. We are having our first rather quiet day in MICU. He is not ready to go to the Stroke Unit yet. His BP has not stabilized and that must happen before we can move down the hallway. He is getting anxious for the move.
The OT did her evaluation and said we have one exercise to work on vision (as well as wearing the patch) She says time will be our best friend.
Thank you for your support and prayers.

June 4th

It is Friday. It has been both the longest and shortest week of our lives, it seems.
Bob now dons a red pirate kerchief on his head to accentuate the required pirate patch over his eye. He switches the patch from left to right every 30 minutes. No change in vision today.
We than God that Bob now needs less medication to keep his BP up so that he does not slide back into stroke like condition. The extra force of blood caused also trains new capillaries to take over the job of the main vessels that no longer work. God made each of us such a incredible human body!!!!!!!
A third cardiologist saw Bob today to discuss his impending heart surgery in July. It is comforting to know many cardiologists concur on this decision to close the PFO.
Bob passes his speech therapy test with flying colors. And he loved the challenge of taking it.
We are waiting now for physical therapy to come for evaluation. We know there will be work to do in that area.

June 3rd

Bob is sleeping this afternoon as the doctors consult about his PFO, a hole in the heart that allowed the bad guys to get through. We did learn this am that the PFO is larger than that of most people.

He had a great night's sleep. He ate a regular breakfast (without salt and butter) with his own two hands sitting in a chair in his ICU room, getting to the chair with help from the nurse. That was a beautiful sight for me. He sat up all morning and we talked and talked and found out in those conversations he knew nothing about the second stroke and its impact on his body. He is processing all of that .

The cardiologist arrived just now after the consult. The two doctors highly recommend the repair of the hole in his heart. That will be about 8 weeks out from now so that his body can recover. His eyesight is still doubled and we hope with time it will be normal. The blood pressure, too, is our major concern. He slips into a stroke like state when his BP lowers, which it does on a regular basis.

WE know that we are truly witnessing a miracle. Please continue to pray for us as we are praying for you, dear friends. You are a part of this miracle.