The theme for today is acceptance.
We met with the doctor today about long term care and there was a lot to digest in the ole noggins. So much uncertainty. Such a long haul. So many ifs. Not enough whens. Not sure what to expect. But remarkably, we accept. We accept what’s happened. We accept what continues to happen.
Acceptance is hard. But we sense God’s nearness and can only give Him praise that we accept this all and commend Zach to His providential care.
By God’s grace and in His strength, we’ve learned to accept:
This trial. It’s a work in progress. But with each day we accept this as our new reality, our new priority, and our new calling.
Spiritual Support. We’ve lost count as to the number of people praying and prayers prayed. Please keep praying. Long prayers. Short prayers. Prayers from all ages. We’ll accept all prayers. More importantly, so will God. We appreciate the pastoral support from Manitoba pastors and elders and our pastor and elder from afar in Calgary.
Help. It’s better to give than receive. It’s easier to give than receive. We are happy to receive. We’ve learned to say ‘yes’ to help. Praise God.
Physical Support. We have found even in two weeks you can let yourself go and forget to take care of yourself. We appreciate the healthy food, advice on good supplements to take, and the reminder to sleep!
Supplies. Our hotel room is loaded with supplies provided by so many – toaster, toaster oven, hot plate, kettle, dishes, cutlery, mugs, glasses, tea, coffee, beverages and scrumptious meals.
Visits. People. We love people. We need people. Praise God for loving people popping in to hug, cry, laugh, pray, and share messages of encouragement.
Messages. We’re receiving around the clock texts, messages, and calls. Keep them coming. They’re so encouraging and uplifting.
Laundry services. My mother-in-law is washing my underwear. She deserves a medal.
Respite. We are gladly accepting offers from family and friends to sit with us as we encourage Zach. As this progresses, all we ask is that you reach out before coming. We’ll make it work!
Transportation. We’re thankful to family for lending us a vehicle. Hopefully the Winnipeg potholes won’t do too much damage.
Months. Not days. Not weeks. But months. It looks like we’ll be here for months. Months filled with uncertainty from a human perspective. Months filled with certainty from God’s perspective.
Appreciation. We’re humbled by how the blog has been received all across the country including a number of the staff working in the MICU! What a powerful witness! So, I guess we’ll keep writing it.
Finally. We accept God’s work, God’s Word, and God’s will. Soli Deo Gloria!
Today’s Update:
Monday means we get a new team of doctors in the MICU. The new head doctor sat down with us and gave us a summary of everything that’s happened with Zach so far, some treatments he’s going to try, and expectations for Zach’s recovery in the long term. The doctor said they expect this will be a months-long course even if everything goes well.
The doctor talked us through some of Zach’s chest X-Rays and we got to see how his lungs have improved with treatment. He also showed us the dead space (necrotizing pneumonia) in Zach’s right lung. As mentioned yesterday, they are hoping to insert a tracheostomy this week. One advantage of this breathing tube is that Zach can be taken off the ventilator even if he is still unconscious. This is a promising prospect because Zach is already receiving minimal support from the ventilator.
The doctor also changed some of Zach’s medications. They gave him some meds to lower his heart rate. They also gave him non-opioid pain medications to reduce the amount of meds causing him to sleep. Even with these medication changes, the doctor wants us to manage our expectations as Zach may still not wake up or may take more time to wake up due to the brain hypoxia. Let us continue to pray to our God, the Great Physician, that Zach will recover and wake up someday soon.
Overall, today was a busy day with lots of diagnostics and treatments for Zach as the new doctor starts his care plan. Thank you all for your continued support as we walk this long journey in faith.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
