Progress

We want to be optimistic and say Margie shows definite signs of progress.  She had a pretty good day.  The representative for Group Health called and suggested she see her family doctor.  She made an appointment and today we go there.  I forgot to tell you that last Saturday we sold our truck and trailer to our friends, the Dekles. Jon was the director for Child Evangelism Fellowship in Hawaii for many years. They are retiring and moving to Tennessee. He and Di will do ministry and the trailer was just what they needed. We are so happy the rig will be used this way after our delightful years with Shepherds.  Jon and I met yesterday to plan the memorial service for another good friend, Al Hickinbotham, who died earlier this month.  I do no leave Margie alone so have stayed with her since her release from the hospital.  Friends will help when needed and we appreciate this very much.  Margie is going to try to make it to the memorial service if possible.  We will see.  Thanks for your prayer ministry for us.

First full day home

Yesterday marked a week since Margie went to ER for help.  We rejoice in what has taken place in those few days.  Yesterday she had a pretty good day.  She complained of being very tired.  I urged her to use the walker chair when needed.  Our friend stayed with Margie while I went for the double scope tests in Bellingham.  I returned from that around 1 PM and was pretty well wiped out.  I enjoyed the Lazy Boy recliner and slept soundly for awhile. It is interesting that the day before Margie was discharged from the hospital and she also slept in her new lift chair for some time.  It is almost 9 AM and Margie is still in bed.  She seemed very tired yesterday and I know she had a few "bumps in the road" as she slept last night and I suspect this is why she is still in bed.  Thanks dear ones, for praying.  We appreciate it so much. I am no comfortable leaving Margie by herself so I will call upon friends to help when I need to go get groceries, mow the lawn, etc.  Many have offered to help and we are humbled by it all and thank God for such dear friends and family.

No rehab

Yesterday morning the doctor told me the paper work was being processed for Margie to go to REHAB at the hospital south campus.  Later he told me that the team had concluded Margie was much better and could go home.  I was (am) in the countdown for a colonoscopy and was unable to go get her.  God's providence is so wonderful. Margie's brother from Canada was visiting her at that moment in the hospital and offered to bring her home. What a blessing that was.  Margie did well, but was very tired.  She slept in her lift chair for quite a while. There was a misunderstanding regarding the important medication Margie is supposed to be taking.  I finally figured out that they had faxed the prescription to the local Walgreen's.  When I called, they said they did not have the medicine and would make a search in the county for it.  I called the hospital, concerned about it and later Walgreen's stated they had consulted with the doctor and an adequate substitute was found.  But I had another problem.  For the same reason I could not go bring Margie home, I also  could not go get the medication.  Our son, who was here working on one of their homes, took the extra time and got it for us before returning to his home in Stanwood.  The Lord is so good in taking care of these things for us.  And the text messages, phone calls and e-mails were abundant with offers for future help, if needed.  We are so grateful for this.  My brother in Anchorage also graciously offered to come down and assist in any way needed.  All of these things are overwhelming.  Thank you all for your care and prayers,

Delightful news

(later: please notice that the material below has changed:  Now she is coming HOME in about an hour to our house.  We will need God's help as we adjust to her care.  But we are so happy for joy of doing it.)
The Lord showers us with blessing sometimes too good to comprehend.  Yesterday Margie was SO MUCH better than previous ones.  The previous medication obviously caused the strange behavior. Now with the newer one the picture is much brighter.  We were still concerned however, with certain behaviors.  Today as I was writing our web page remarks and this blog, the doctor called saying that Margie qualified for REHAB at the South Campus of Peace Health St. Joseph's hospital.  Before this, Margie had called me and her voice was cheery and apparently back to her normal self. She was a little confused on the day of the week, but after a hospital stay this can be normal. So we are thrilled she will be able to fine tune and learn new motor skills at REHAB which will help her live a more normal life here at home.  I am sure we have much ground to cover yet before she is back to the place where we started last Tuesday, but are encouraged with what the Lord has done thus far. He gets all the credit for it all.  We cannot begin to thank you enough for your prayer support for Margie. It means so much to us.  I am unable to be with Margie today and most of tomorrow because I am in the countdown diet for a colonoscopy and endoscopy tomorrow.

Medication change

Poor Margie continued her problem of not being able to articulate her feelings, which resulted in ramblings and repetitive phrases. I printed all our emails for her to read, but she was incapable of processing them. It is unbelievable how she deteriorated in such a short time.  Her doctor and the neurologist saw her and at my suggestion and I am sure their own wise judgement, changed her medication.  We pray this will clear up her mind and she will be able to communicate with us again.  We deeply appreciate your prayers.  They and the Lord are our strength.  We enjoyed several visitors yesterday which was a blessing and Margie seemed to appreciate them as well.  We pray that today is better than the previous one.

Difficult days

My heart goes out to Margie who in her present state is obviously confused or the medication for seizures is causing her to hallucinate. It is not easy to see your loved one in this state. I pray this medication will either help her or the doctors will try another.  Her previous "seizures" which lasted generally a short time, have now changed into a pattern where one cannot know when it begins or ends.  Margie is lucid in many things, but the repetitive phrases over and over are disturbing. Basically one cannot have a two way conversation with her. She will answer questions but is not interactive like one would normally be (and especially her) in a conversation.  The representative for the Rehab Center, a part of the Peace Health - St. Joseph's complex, stated to us yesterday that Margie may qualify for rehab in their unit.  If so, she will be moved there and undergo 3 hours of daily therapy, spaced according to the ability of the patient. They will also continue to monitor her present problem of seizure like symptoms.  She also stated, given Margie's present evaluation, that she will need 24/7 care.  So--I have painted the picture for you.  Please pray with us for God's direction to know how to give her the best care possible.  We are so glad it is all in HIS HANDS.

A change

Margie "seizure" patterns changed and she could not converse or answer much beyond a simple "yes". It was sad indeed and the spells lengthened in time.  She had several visitors throughout the day. Occupation therapy was given her and it was determined that she may qualify for rehab in the south campus wing of the St. Joseph's hospital. Margie's incoherent speaking  concerned us greatly and it was very sad indeed.  Out of a seizure Margie was perfectly normal in speech, memory and all,  I had to leave to go home but called Margie later and Dr. Mackay (neurologist) was there.  I had waited all day for him but he never appeared while I was there.  The Lord helped me so much when Dr. Mackay asked me to describe how I saw Margie's situation.  As I spoke he said I was describing perfectly a person with seizures and he was going to start medication immediately. He thanked me for the apt description given.  At that point my heavy heart was relieved somewhat.  We just pray Margie will get help with the new medication.  Thank you for praying and standing with us during these difficult days.