Thursday, August 19, 2010

Just Breathe!!!

It has been over a week since my last entry and boy has it been a crazy 9 days.  First, I would love to show off my very first ATC!  I was so excited when I received my package from Dina.  The kids gathered around me as I gingerly tore it open.  I was so pleased by my unique piece of artwork!

She also included a beautiful beaded bookmark.  I love to read and this darling little girl in orange, along with the bookmark, tap into my love for books!  If you are interested in learning about Artistic Trading Cards or even creating your own, please click here.

Here is the ATC I sent to Dina.  It is my very first one and I enjoyed making it.  Me?  An artist?  Not really, but I do enjoy creating and look forward to sharing in the next swap!




Second, the reason for my lengthy absence:  my dear husband was ill with pneumonia from an unknown source.  He was very, very sick and the last eight days have been full of much worry over him.  It all started with him just not feeling well two weeks ago today.  By the following Wednesday (one week ago) he had seen a doctor, been diagnosed and was in the hospital as an outpatient.  The doctor felt he would be okay after some fluids and IV antibiotics and sent him home.  I had a very sleepless night of worrying about him and waking him to ask him to breath.  His lungs seemed to be swimming in fluids.  I had him go back to the ER and they decided to admit him.  At that point, his blood oxygen level was at 89.  For healthy, folk, it is usually in the mid to high 90's.  They weren't overly concerned but gave him some oxygen, IV antibiotics and fluids, along with breathing treatments throughout the night.  By Friday night, his bloodox had dropped to 78.  At this point, we were talking about transferring him to another hospital where he could be under the care of a specialist.  Hubby asked me to wait until Saturday morning to make any final decisions, so we did.  By the morning, his bloodox was 71!  He was pale and his lips were starting to turn blue when he wasn't on oxygen.  His doctor agreed to set up a transfer to a different hospital with more care opportunities.   Needless to say, I was pretty worried as they put him in an ambulance for the transfer.  They didn't turn on the sirens, since they considered him stable.  I consider that debatable.  I followed behind him and cried the whole way.  I cried out of deep concern over my husbands health and I cried out to Jesus to save him and heal him. 

We have wonderful friends that stepped in to care for our 7 children over the next four days.  The new hospital was 70 miles away from home.  The new doctor probed and prodded him all day Saturday in order to try and figure out what was causing his lungs to be so sick.  Even though they could not identify what had caused him to be so sick, they did find the antibiotics he needed in order to help him get well again.  On Sunday, for the first time in over a week, he didn't get worse.  He stayed the same.  Things were finally looking up.  So many people were praying for my husband and all of our prayers were being answered.  I finally felt like I could take a deep breath and I was so thankful for this change. 

On Monday, his bloodox levels finally began to go up again.  After many breathing treatments and x rays and CT's and...he was released to come home yesterday!!!  The doctor had warned us that his recovery could take awhile and we were preparing for him to be in the hospital for at least the rest of the week.  The rate of his recovery shocked everyone and I give God complete honor and glory for it!  It was so wonderful when I left him Monday night, eating soup and watching football!  Such a change from just two days before when he could barely breathe. 

I am so thankful for his recovered health.  He is still easily winded and has to take it easy, but he is a strong man and I'm believing in a full recovery.  This was a hard week for our family, but my children were troopers and our friends have been amazing!  We are so thankful to have him home!  After driving more than 700 miles in the last 7 days, I am looking forward to not going anywhere for a couple of days.  We have tried to find reasons to laugh during this and I have encouraged him that, in the future, if he is feeling needy or in need of great attention, to not go about getting it in such a dramatic way!  He chuckles and then coughs...a very good thing!

Our garden has finally started producing veggies worthy of eating this last week and the kids are eagerly picking from the small bounty:

The carrots could use a little more time, but I couldn't deny them from harvesting a few of them. 




I am truly thankful to God for hearing our cries this week and answering with a strong "YES!!"  I pray He does the same for you, and if His answer is "no", I pray that His divine comfort and understanding be poured out upon you and that you find comfort in His love.

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the precious time you have with your family. 

Until we meet again,

4 comments:

  1. What a rollercoaster of a week you had. I am pleased that your husband is on the upswing. Give it time. Pneumonia takes a long time to heal. All will be well for sure.

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  2. First of all, yes just breathe, that goes for you too. Take care of yourself so you can care for the others. Glad your husband is on the mend. The ATC's both are beautiful, isn't this fun. I love seeing all of them together.
    Love to you,
    Debbie

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  3. Oh my goodness...those carrots are adorable! And I can smell you slicing the cucumbers...I LOVE that scent...mmmmm. Hooray for Paul being home! You two try to take it easy (as easy as parents of seven can) and recover from all this!

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  4. Three things for ya...I love the card you made and the card you received great job on your first card truely...second I am loven them veggies...mine went caput....third hoping hubby is better real soon....

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