Recovery Day 6

Grateful. Beyond words grateful. Amy Bush Amspoker, you are such a blessing to your brother and I. 

Yesterday Amy was Alan's allowed caregiver. She was incredible in helping him and keeping me informed. Yesterday was hard on Alan and I. Being apart since his first diagnosis has been hard. But leaving him in the hospital while I did Homecoming with the girls was harder. Amy was his cheerleader when I couldn't be. 

Yesterday, Alan had a fabulous day. He walked more times than ever for well over 1/2 a mile total. Impressive! He battled with a low grade fever but that seems to be gone now. He did another NG Tube gravity test and at 10 pm last night they concluded the tube needed to go! So he has 1 less tube, the one he has been so desperate to get rid of!

This morning I got my first text in a week from my husband! I have missed seeing his notifications pop up. We texted briefly and then I hightailed it down here the minute the freshman girls had been picked up from the sleepover! Oh how I have missed this face! We have already walked a couple of times together and he has walked a few times without me. 

Today he gets to start clear liquids VERY slowly. So we ordered some jello and apple juice! We will see how he tolerates little sips/pieces of that. He's hopeful to get the epidural out tomorrow, as they told him it definitely stays for 7 days. So we will see!

The key things between now and release are walking, removal of "tubes" - drains, epidural, etc, and toleration of nutrition by mouth. But this is a SLOW process. You can't rush this. So my focus is on keeping Alan encouraged while the progress will seem slow. And starting to have important discussions we haven't been able to have while he had the NG Tube. 

Prayer Requests:

• Continued strength and protection for his body 
• Continued mental stamina
• Safety for Mel traveling back and forth
• Girls emotional fortitude
• Girls time management with a game coming Friday and competition all day Saturday. 
• Positive discussions and eduction on how we help him heal best
• All of our fears
• Awareness of the gravity of this and of how to handle each other
• Wisdom for Alan with his medical care
• Fatigue
• Alan being cautious with overdoing 
• Pathology results - clear margins and all really gone. 
• Sleep for Alan 

- Mel