Falling Backwards in Recovery {One Thing Our Marriages Desperately Need Today ~~ A Husband's Heartfelt Words as His Wife's Heart was Weak for #HeartMonth}

{To read Part 1, the beginning of the series:

"A Husband's Heartfelt Words as His Wife's Heart Was Weak"

click here first.}

The hours after being transferred to general recovery were terrifying. We were hopeful in the small step forward, but found ourselves falling and flailing in declining health and navigating this valley along with a medical team that held opposing views.

I pressed the call button repeatedly throughout the night, but the nursing staff figured I was a patient that needed to sleep as well as learn how to move forward more independently. However, I ultimately declined to a point where I could no longer call for help and my family stepped in and sought the medical attention I required. Doctors were called from the ICU and ordered that I be returned to CVICU as I was gradually slipping away in a silent death.

Late September 9th, Jon wearily tapped these words:

I apologize for chirping all your mobile devices this late at night but I want to get this out to you.

I have now retreated from a very long 33 hour day at the hospital. I have to sleep.

I have to keep reminding myself that the road to recovery is not always a fast straight trajectory upward but a slow journey with its own hills and valleys, good days and rougher days.

We were moved out of the ICU yesterday around 3:00pm and brought up to general recovery. As of 9:00pm this Tuesday evening we have moved back to the CVICU. I'm finding this a hard transition as it feels we are going backwards right now, but for Rebekah's good care and nursing attention and needs this is the best move. 

Don't panic—just pray! 

With little movement today and not much food, her blood gasses have increased somewhat and they are watching her blood counts for possible infections. Her lung is clear they say and they will compare the x-rays from today as well. 

Our prayers have not failed—nor have they fallen on deaf ears—we will get through this. God is pleased with prayerful persistence from His warriors.

Rebekah is exhausted. Sleeping in the hospital at the best of times is tough but she has not had a natural full night's sleep yet here in a week and a half. This is affecting her appetite and they are trying to get her fully working on a solid food diet again. This affects energy level so she barely had her eyes open today and had no strength to begin serious physio program or attend any home care classes here yet. By the end of the day she could not even lift a spoon or suck water through a straw.

This part is somewhat of a vicious cycle we're in right now. We're told it will get better in time here. She is much better monitored in the ICU. 

Patience is the word for today. 

I'm learning to celebrate baby steps in this process and give it time. It's hard to watch what some days seems more like regression than progression. With more confusion and delirium this morning Rebekah needs prayer for physical strength, solid sleep and to gain her appetite back to nourish her body, that her blood counts are good and system gasses reduce.

Thanks for your support and prayer and all that everyone is doing that gives us full confidence that God is in control and is still at work, even when we get discouraged and temporarily beaten down. 

"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; 

perplexed, but not driven to despair; 

persecuted, but not forsaken; 

struck down, but not destroyed." 

{2 Corinthians 4:8-9}

" . . . But joy comes in the morning!" 

{Psalm 30:5b}

—love that promise 

Jon

~.~.~.~.~.

This is part 7 of the series:

One Thing Our Marriages Desperately Need Today ~~ A Husband's Heartfelt Words as His Wife's Heart was Weak

{for #HeartMonth.}

You can read Part 1, the beginning of the series here.

Read Part 8 here.

To receive these updates in an email subscribe to A Soft Gentle Voice.