HI to all- I am so blessed to be able to tell you that Dustin breathed on his own for the most part (vent breathed 2 times per minute) with a red cap on his trach for 2 hours!!! The red cap is significant as they have been deflating his cuff and we can talk to him by phone. The red cap thing is more like the real thing and the combination of breathing and talking is for most of us like drinking coffee on a high wire since he has not breathed on his own for almost 5 months.
He is also eating vanilla pudding and tomorrow is strawberry yogurt. That is a big step also as after he failed his swallowing test after getting to Tampa, they said he would not eat for about a month. Dustin has however, been diligently doing his swallowing exercises and I have to believe that all the talking on the phone he has been doing to Nerina and myself has strengthened his vocal cords and swallowing!!
His bone scan came back positive with it showing (I think) a type of bone breakdown in his bones and a build-up in wrong places causing a lot of pain. However they found it in his hips and knee versus the neck and shoulders were his big pain is. They will be treating him with IV Fosamax to keep his body from contracting and stiffening up. His doctor feels that once he is up and moving , his shoulder/neck pain will begin to diminish and they can begin to wean him off the excess pain medication. The fungus seems to be clear form his body and the bacteria from his lungs and wound also seem to be clearing up. Apparently when he was placed on the critical list in Augusta it was because of the fungus in the blood. His doctor in Tampa says that when you have fungus in your blood, you are one sick puppy. Thank you Lord for preserving Dustin throughout all of this.
There apparently has been a battle for his life. I am grateful that I know the One that fights our battles for us... and always wins!! His bedsore is also healing up and as soon as it gets a little more healed, he will be able to get up in his wheelchair. They have amazing equipment and diagnostics as they can let Dustin sit in a wheelchair and see his pressure points and make a wheelchair that is suitable.
His arms are getting more straight and flexible after being somewhat contracted and stiff. Tampa gets all of my praise reports after God!!
Another really cool thing is that Dustin's doctor from Augusta called to see how he was doing. He told me that he had tried to pull up the Tampa VA progress notes (s0mething they can normally do) but had been unable to get into Tampa VA. He told me that Dustin was still on his church's prayer list and everyone in the spinal cord unit was asking about him!! It was a great opportunity for me to share the progress of Dustin without bashing their care. However I did encourage him to send a respiratory person there for an internship as they definitely had the vent weaning thing down pat. He was very happy to hear of his progress and asked me to keep in touch. They truly did care at the Augusta VA , but I think they just lack knowledge. To me it was a humble thing for him to call and the Bible says humility comes before honour (Proverbs). I pray that the staff at Augusta can rise up in Him to be a staff that has knowledge and wisdom for the best care fot these Vets.
Rick and I have had some great rest and yesterday it snowed in Thomaston all day!! That is very rare and it was wonderful. My chicks are growing really big and they are wonderful little creatures. Rick saved the day however when he saw smoke coming from their house and found that the pen shavings had gotten into the lighting and was smoking away. The chicks were trooopers and braved the cold until Rick rescued them. Rick is really softening towards these chicks and has given me permission to order 12 more specifically for brown egg laying. The ones we have now lay eggs but are a rare breed mixture. They are fun to look at but I need some serious breakfast chickens.
We are grateful for God's peace and even a returning of His joy. Our hope is in the Lord and when this is your focus, nothing else has a chance to destroy you.
Blessings to all
mary pat
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4 comments:
Hi guys - what a wonderful testimony! Your thankfulness exuded on each line. We are so happy for the turn in progress, and God's faithfulness to you and yours in this time.
We are working on another update - will keep you posted.
Much love,
The Hoisches (that's how you say Hersches in Brooklyn)
Dear Rick & Mary Pat:
My heart was so broken at the trauma you have been enduring, sweet friends. I truly regret that I am just now connecting with you, but I want you to know that I have been praying for all of you, ever since I heard the news.
From reading some of your blogs, it inspires me at the strength the Lord has given you throughout this part of your journey. You truly are incredible!
Cami and I are enjoying our new ministry, and have been doing quite a bit of traveling. We've led conferences in San Francisco, San Diego, Atlanta, Lake Arrowhead (CA), Bend (Oregon), San Juan Capistrano (CA), and will be doing another conference in Bend, Oregon in a few weeks. We are planning to go to Australia some time in the summer, and only God knows where else!
We love to teach and minister, and we have had great joy in doing that. When we're not teaching, we're trying to develop more teachings and refine the one's we have.
People have responded incredibly, and the Lord has blessed us with many changed lives and miraculous healings.
Most of our teachings are similar to BIH, but with a heavy dose of restoring the relationship with Father God mixed in, and other things as the Lord leads.
I bought a wonderful house in Suwanee, GA, just north of Atlanta and east of Alpharetta. It has 3 bed-2 bath, and I have a stocked lake just off the back yard...with geese and a huge fountain about 30 feet out from my dock! I love it!
It's very peaceful, and I changed one of my bedrooms into an office, so I work out of my home.
Cami lives about 10 minutes away in a 1500 square foot apartment that is very nice. It has 3 beds-2 bath, too, so she also works out of her home.
Jim and Audra have been by a couple of times to visit, and that was great!
I can't even imagine the adjustment you have had to make these past few months, sweet friends. My heart aches for you and the pain you have undergone. Please know that I will continue to pray for you, and if there is anything I can do to help, just let me know.
I love you both very much, and consider you as more than my friends...you're family.
Cami sends her love as well, as she has also been deeply moved by the death of your son and Dustin's traumatic experiences.
There are really no words to say that can even touch how we feel in our hearts toward the two of you...but I hope you can read between the lines and sense the depth of our love and compassion for you all.
I pray God's richest blessings on you all, and his comfort as you travel through this journey in the wilderness. My heart will always be with you...
Love,
Diane O'Connell
422 Antler Lane
Suwanee, GA 30024
dianelovesyou@gmail.com
770-617-7875
Wahoo! Thank you, Lord!
I know how hard it was to let him go to Tampa not knowing for sure if it truly would be better.
However, you trust God and WOW! Your report is absolutely amazing!
How like you to have such a tender heart for Augusta! I believe you have sown rich seeds even at the Soup Cafe.
Truly it is as God says, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
Jer. 29:11
Love you dearly,
Diane
Wow! Wow! Wow! God is so awesome! Thank you for keeping us updated. God is doing some awesome things, and this is an exciting time to be alive and involved in His ministries! You two are an awesome example of 'faith'! Thank you for being that example! We love you much! Consider yourselves hugged, loved, appreciated and prayed for! Love, Rena of Naples
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