Hi, all,
Another difficult day for Lea, as her body had a difficult time maintaining normal blood sugar levels today. This morning the nurses had to give her lots of insulin to keep somewhere near normal, and this afternoon and evening they had to keep giving her sugar (Dextrose) to get her levels high enough to sustain minimal blood pressure.If you were one of those who noticed that the evening status recording wasn’t done on time, it was because, Laura, bless her heart, was kept so busy trying to get Lea back into bounds. When I left after 11:00 p.m ., Laura was still bedside, watching the monitors and doing practically constant blood testing for sugar levels. Laura will work through the night trying to get Lea stable, so that she can get her needed surgery at 1:15 p.m . Wednesday. These surgeries are needed to make sure she isn’t developing any infections, and delaying a single day due to a complication like this can be serious. You should be able to hear a status report by 8:00 a.m . If you do not, call to inquire about Lea’s condition at the nurses’ desk just outside her room .
Generally speaking, Lea is still in pretty much the same situation . . . . critical but stable . . . . although she wasn’t as stable as we would like yesterday or today. She developed a runny nose today as well, so Laura added a Sudafed drip to the smorgasbord Lea is getting, and by afternoon her runny nose had subsided. So, if you’re keeping count, she was getting 18 drips . . . they added steroids yesterday to stabilize her, and Sudafed today to stop her runny nose . . . 20 medications! It is just amazing what the medical field can provide in the way of healing assistance.
I am spending most of the day with Lea, reading emails and greeting cards to her, playing music on the DVD player, brushing her hair, holding her hand, and looking for any signs of response. I know she can’t respond, but I can’t help hoping that she’ll acknowledge me. I have arranged to take a treadmill stress test this Friday, to see how my heart is holding up, and to hopefully be able to get into the cardiac rehabilitation program here during my stay. I had been going to the cardiac workout center three times a week back home, and don’t want to lose the progress I have made.
I’m afraid the prayer page has not been updated recently, since Link and Lance have both been on the road . . . Link had a planned minor surgery today in Hawaii, and Lance is in Atlanta IN trying to help us get the house ready to sell. I had told them that I would update it, but haven’t wanted to do much other than be with Lea and try to comfort her as much as possible. I’ll keep you informed on progress to that page as we can get it updated.
I am attaching yesterday’s message below, since I had requests from several folks to be added to the distribution list, and I want to be sure they have a little backgrounding in the situation at hand. As always, we are very grateful for all expressions of affection and good wishes. We received a couple more greeting cards today, and several eGreetings sent from the Hartford Hospital website. I am posting those in Lea’s room, more for the nurses’ benefit, since they are all becoming so attached to Lea. I am also making a copy of each message and putting it in a three ring notebook for her, so when she wakes up she can read them at her leisure.
We have received several notes stating that Lea’s ordeal has caused many of our friends and family members to pause to tell their loved ones that they are loved . . . something we all too often neglect to do. The Lord is at work in this illness, and Lea would be happy to know that you have come closer to God and your loved ones because of her suffering. Can’t you just SEE that beautiful smile of hers?
God bless each of you with compassion for others in your lives, and appreciation for the gift of time to spend with those you love,
Larry
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March 15, 2007 at 9:21 am
Prayers
DAY ELEVEN RESPONSES
FROM: David
July 26 @ 2:01 AM
Another update from my brother. I can’t improve on his note, so I’ll just add another thank you for your prayers as I forward this to you.
FROM: Marjorie
July 26 @ 4:26 AM
My son, I want to thank you for the updates of your loving wife Lea. We are so happy to hear of her progress. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and Lea. Prince and Sparky continue to meet me at the gate waiting to be fed and pampered. It was so hot yesterday I put Ice Cubes in the water hoping to keep it cool a little longer. I have sent the black band and watch and it should arrive by Wednesday of this week. This big house seems rather lonely without you and Lea. Lance will arrive later this morning and it will be good to visit with him. I love you and am sending you my Love and prayers to you and Lea. More later Your Mother.
FROM: Sherri
July 26 @ 8:00 am
Lea, This is Sherri… How are you feeling today, darlin’? I have been praying for you, and asking others to pray for you as well. I put you on the prayer chain at our church. Believe me, there is power in prayer – and you are living proof of it!
There have been so many people worried about you – asking about you – and Larry has written the sweetest emails about what a wonderful person you are and how blessed your family is because you are part of their lives. I teased Jim the other day – I asked him if he could come up with similar ‘poetry’ about me if he had to. He agreed – Larry has a way with words, for sure. How wonderful that you are the recipient of such sweet sentiments.
I got a really awful, short haircut the other day – (made the mistake of telling the stylist to do something different and sassy) – and everytime I look in the mirror, I am reminded of the story you told when you were a young mother/wife – and got your hair cut really short. Larry sat on the porch when you drove up and was not at all complimentary about it. My kids keep asking if I am going to go back to the same salon anymore – That is their way of telling me I look hideous and don’t ever want a repeat of this episode.
Tyler and Alex are remembering you in their prayers as well. Jim, too – Lea, I will write again soon – We love you – and are thinking of you constantly. We all send our very best – Larry, you take care of yourself as well – being a caregiver is hard – and you need to keep up your strength as well.
FROM: Gayle
July 26 @ 8:02 AM
Thank you for adding me to your email. I know you are extremely stressed yourself with all that you must handle, and I keep you in my prayers, too. You and Lea have a multitude of friends, family, acquaintances that you have touched, and I know that is a great comfort to you both. I do not expect you to respond to my emails because I know you have too many, but I do want you to know that I care about you and that your updates mean so much.
You are so right when you say that many of us will receive lessons from this ordeal with Lea and all will be different.I know with talking with her sister, Kathy, yesterday that lessons are being taught. The two of us talked about God’s beautiful world that surrounds us each day and how much we need to show those we care about that we love them and to take nothing for granted. Life is uncertain, but the power of God and His love is always certain. Each day all of us touch lives at work, at home, at church, all around. We all need to do that with God’s love in our heart.
I know as I begin my school year tomorrow, I will be thinking even more of the lives that I touch each day and consider the children’s situations at home. As the students come to me, Aug. 3, and sit in my class with their eyes staring at me and wondering what type of year they will have, it will be even better than it ever has, and I have always been big about self-esteem and creating a “family” classroom.
I have also learned an extremely important lesson in my personal life that I want to share with Lea. It concerns my dad and doesn’t seem appropriate to delve into right now but one day I will talk with both of you. Just know this–I have learned to better trust God and my soul is more at peace. Thank you again and know that I will be praying continually for both you and Lea and the boys. God’s hand is there–just take it and hold tight!
FROM: Kathy
July 26 @ 9:58 AM
Hi, Larry, Just read your e-mail today and I want you to know that if you need me to come and be with you that I will be there . I love lea so much and you are so right I think this has given everyone a whole different out look of life. Lea has touched so many lifes and everyone loves her so much. She means so much to me. We all knew that it wasn’t going to be a smooth recover for her but I just hope she doesn’t have to have to many down days. I know she is in the best hospital and they are sure great and respectful nurses and doctors and I know she is going to pull through this. I’m so happy that they didn’t have to take anymore of her pancreas so maybe now it will heal and they can get her all better. I know the thought of having to put a tracheotomy in her throat is scarry but it sounds like it would really keep the infections down and we sure don’t need her to get that. All we can do is just be there for her and keep her in all our prayers. She has a lot of love and prayer going out to her because she means so much to everyone, God Bless
FROM: Karen
TO: Lance
July 26 @ 9:53 AM
Hey, I have been doing some work and I think we can make it over to Atlanta on Thursday for the day and help, I am bringing my sister, daughter-in-law and anyone else that will fit in my car, will that work for you. I want to be there when you are there so we know what to do. If that’s o.k. please give me a call, I left a message on your cell phone, but haven’t heard back yet, will try again later.
REPLY FROM: Lance
July 26 @ 3:36 PM
Just woke up from our nap. We’ve safely arrived in Atlanta. I just got your message and email. Thursday would work out wonderfully! You are sooooo very generous. Thank you, thank you!
FROM: Marlowe
TO: Lance
July 26 @ 10:12 AM
Hi Ya’ll, Hope you had a good trip and are safely in Atlanta. You must be exhausted. I know you have a lot of work ahead of you, but it is important to take care of yourselves and not overdo it-take a break now and then.
I was struck by one of the readings in my morning prayer and thought I’d pass it on to you. Maybe it will give you inspiration for the work ahead: Sirach 3:1-6. “Children, pay heed to a fathers’s right; do so that you may live. For the Lord sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons. He who honors his father atones for sins; he stores up riches who reveres his mother. He who honors his father is gladdened by children, and when he prays he is heard. He who reveres his father will live a long life; he obeys the Lord who brings comfort to his mother.”
Have they (airline) found your bags? Hope things go more smoothly for awhile! Hang in there, and God Bless your work!
REPLY FROM: Lance
July 26 @ 3:42 PM
Thank you, Marlowe! We have made it safely to Atlanta and have awoken from our nap. Helpers will be arriving soon. Thank you for sharing that reading. Amazing timing for that, indeed. We are doing our best to heed these wise words…
FROM: Link
July 26 @ 7:34 PM
Dad, A good one for you today…
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and 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, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. — Isaiah 43:2-3
THOUGHT: In the context of this passage, God reminds his people that they are precious to him. He formed them and redeemed them. He is not about to abandon them. No matter what challenges or difficulties they face, he will be with them to deliver them and bring them to safety and victory. We can accept this same promise; we also have the benefit of history to show God’s faithfulness. We can see how God did preserve his people and redeemed them time and time again from their bondage to their enemies. God will not forget his children! We know it by promise. We know it by history. We know it by faith!
FROM: Shana
July 26 @ 7:27 PM
Hi Larry, I just wanted to write you a quick note to let you know I’m thinking of you and Lea. It’s hard to imagine what this past week has been like for you. I appreciate the daily updates you send and can’t tell you how many times I think about you guys throughout the day. Your message yesterday was truly inspirational in how you spoke of your love and faith; and your love for Lea. I truly believe in the power of prayer and Lea certainly has many, many coming her way.
I pray each night that God will wrap His loving arms around Lea and you and He will guide you during this trying time. Please tell Lea how much we love her and miss her at work. It just isn’t the same not having her sit across the wall from me (as we try to keep each other out of trouble)! If there is anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to e-mail me or call.
FROM: Link
July 26 @ 7:51 PM
Dad – Thanks for the e-mail update again today. Even though Mom is having difficulties, your e-mails bring me comfort to know that you are there caring for her. I had a long chat with my doctor and nurses here today before my surgery about Mom. They are the “pancreatitis specialists” on the island and were quite interested in her case. They gave me great comfort in knowing that what she is going through is common for severe cases and that the survival rate is VERY high. So many people are praying for you both, I am sure you can feel the prayers…
Dave leaves tomorrow for Atlanta to join Lance. I hope that they are able to accomplish much for you while they are there. I will be contacting your real estate agent tomorrow (as today I was not too coherent…) Also, my administrative assistant really wants to purchase mom’s Mustang so we will be setting the “wheels in motion” for that transaction here soon. I will likely need you to transfer the title to me somehow… We will figure it out after Dave arrives.