My dad is now just on oxygen through his nose. I think we all knew that he would wake up in time for April Fool's Day.
When a doctor came in to give my dad an idea of his treatment plan (to go down to a regular room tomorrow then to a rehab facility and then home for OT/PT) . . . my dad suggested he just go straight to rehab and jokingly asked for a second opinion.
After finding out that his wedding ring was cut off due to swelling he asked to borrow my brother-in-law Mark's. After trying it on but it being too small he turns to Mark and says "if it doesn't fit we must acquit".
When his good friend Hal walked into the room my dad smiles at him and says "do I look handsome?!"
I now feel like I can take a deep breath. Thank you, Jesus.
-Barbara
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Thank you God
I was in the room when they were talking about possibly taking out his vent. My dad's eyes got really big. I did not know if it would happen. It did. No more breathing tube. WHAT A MIRACLE!!!!!! He is talking, laughing, and giving the doctors and nurses a hard time. Thank you for your support and prayers. Don't stop praying not only for my dad as he recovers, but for others and yourself. christine
Deep breath
They took my dad's tube out!! He's breathing on his own but has an oxygen mask right now that they'll slowly ween off.
Praise God!
-Barbara
Praise God!
-Barbara
Housekeeping
I've added more photos to the slide show and you can enlarge the photos by clicking on the slide show. If you have any photos you'd like to add of yourself and my dad feel free to email them to me and I'll post them as well: barbaranordlund@gmail.com
I'm at work this morning but from what I've heard, it sounds like my dad has had a good morning. He is breathing on his own right now for a few hours to determine if he's ready to have the breathing tube taken out. Will keep you posted.
-Barbara
I'm at work this morning but from what I've heard, it sounds like my dad has had a good morning. He is breathing on his own right now for a few hours to determine if he's ready to have the breathing tube taken out. Will keep you posted.
-Barbara
Monday, March 30, 2009
Be Patient
Hi everyone. Thank you for your prayers right now. We are still waiting for his vent. to come out. We so badly want it to be out so he can relax and talk. I know that God wants him to rest and heal. We all know that my dad is restless and can't sit still. This is the only way God can have is body relax by him still being on sedation and his vent. God also wants us to be patient. He wants us to still think of him and pray. Yes, God can do miracles. MY DAD IS THE A GOOD EXAMPLE. HE DID PERFORM A MIRACLE. GOD IS TEACHING US ALL A LESSON. Each lesson is different for all of us. I know I was taught a lot of lessons through this. Listen to God as HE is speaking to you. I have no idea what he is saying to you. But if you listen you will really learn something from this. HE used my dad to either help you be closer to God, pray more, lean on him because he does listen and perform miracles. No he will not give you the winning lottery ticket number. You are on you own for that one. God is also teaching you to be patient and understand that if you keep praying and believing in Him he will listen and guide you. Just be patient and He is listening. You might not get it right away but keep praying he will answer your prayers when he knows that you are ready. Just like we are praying for my dad's vent. to come off. God knows that his body is not ready and my dad is not ready. So, be patient, keep praying, and just trust in God. Also, keep praying for my dad to heal and come off the vent. and to talk to us. Also keep praying for his ulcer that it does not grow and cause problems for him. Keep praying that his tests come back with good results and the doctors and nurses that are watching him. I know, be patient. Pray for yourself and others. Christine
Monday
We've had a good day here at Northwestern. My dad continues to improve each day. Right now as I sit in his hospital room, he is smiling and his eyes are bright as Pastor Nelson talks with him. We are truly in the midst of a miracle.
Prayer Requests:
Please continue to pray for healing.
For fluid to leave his lungs.
For his ability to breathe on his own so that he can get off the ventilator.
For the continued wisdom and patience of the doctors and nurses.
For my mom tonight, as she goes home for the first time.
-Barbara
Prayer Requests:
Please continue to pray for healing.
For fluid to leave his lungs.
For his ability to breathe on his own so that he can get off the ventilator.
For the continued wisdom and patience of the doctors and nurses.
For my mom tonight, as she goes home for the first time.
-Barbara
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Dinner n' Drive with Sue: Sold Out
Thank you everyone, Dinner n' Drive with Sue is officially sold out!
Your willingness to help out in this way is much appreciated and we know Sue is looking forward to your company.
- Nathan
Your willingness to help out in this way is much appreciated and we know Sue is looking forward to your company.
- Nathan
Sam.
As many of you know, my dad worked at NBC for forty years as a camera man and news editor. My dad retired in the summer of 2007 and six months later was asked to come back as a daily hire. It is an understatement to say that my dad loves NBC.
His dedication and love for his job is such an example. Even last Saturday when my dad felt totally awful and weak, he went to work. And after he fainted and came to, after the ambulance was called, he told is co-worker that he was just going to finish his story.
My dad has met many amazing people and has always been generous by providing studio tours to friends and family and even getting us the occasional autograph.
The NBC family has shown our family so much love and care this past week through visits, prayers, groceries, and offers to stay at their homes. We are so grateful to them and also know that their love for my dad has much to do with my dad's love for them. It is definitely reciprocated. My dad went by "Sam" at work and may of his co-workers don't even know him by his first name. There were many times during my childhood when someone would call for Sam and it took me a few seconds to realize it wasn't the wrong number.
Below is a video of Saturday's morning newscast. This is right after the news spread that my dad woke up.
-Barbara
His dedication and love for his job is such an example. Even last Saturday when my dad felt totally awful and weak, he went to work. And after he fainted and came to, after the ambulance was called, he told is co-worker that he was just going to finish his story.
My dad has met many amazing people and has always been generous by providing studio tours to friends and family and even getting us the occasional autograph.
The NBC family has shown our family so much love and care this past week through visits, prayers, groceries, and offers to stay at their homes. We are so grateful to them and also know that their love for my dad has much to do with my dad's love for them. It is definitely reciprocated. My dad went by "Sam" at work and may of his co-workers don't even know him by his first name. There were many times during my childhood when someone would call for Sam and it took me a few seconds to realize it wasn't the wrong number.
Below is a video of Saturday's morning newscast. This is right after the news spread that my dad woke up.
-Barbara
Dinner n' Drive with Sue
So many have generously asked us how you can help. As we start to think about heading back to work tomorrow we are seeking balance between where our heart wants to be (here at the hospital) and where our lives call us (work and caring for our little girls).
My mom is leaving the hotel tomorrow afternoon and will return home for the first time since leaving for the ER last Saturday, tomorrow night. Mark has kindly offered to drive my mom to the hospital each morning but we are wondering if anyone is willing to come to the hopsital to eat dinner with my mom and drive her home.
We are sharing shifts during the AM and PM with family but it would be a great help if someone would take a "dinner and drive home" shift :) We need a dinner partner for tonight (Sunday) and a "dinner and drive" for Monday through Thursday of this week.
If you're up for it, please leave a comment or give my mom a call for a day that you'd like to come 312/720.0296
My mom is leaving the hotel tomorrow afternoon and will return home for the first time since leaving for the ER last Saturday, tomorrow night. Mark has kindly offered to drive my mom to the hospital each morning but we are wondering if anyone is willing to come to the hopsital to eat dinner with my mom and drive her home.
We are sharing shifts during the AM and PM with family but it would be a great help if someone would take a "dinner and drive home" shift :) We need a dinner partner for tonight (Sunday) and a "dinner and drive" for Monday through Thursday of this week.
If you're up for it, please leave a comment or give my mom a call for a day that you'd like to come 312/720.0296
AM
As we walked in today to my dad's room I was overjoyed with the comfirmation that my dad is here. I could tell by his facial expressions and desire to communicate with us through nods, smiling and hand squeezes that he is lucid and aware of who we are. What a gift . . . to know without a doubt that my dad is healing.
Prayer Requests:
That my dad is able to focus on deep breaths and remain calm.
That they do not find any complications with his lungs and that his lungs heal completely so that they are able to take him off the ventilator.
Wisdom for our family as we discern how to talk with my dad and how to be a calm and a soothing coach for my dad.
For total healing of his ulcer.
** Please know that if you visit today (which we always love), we may ask that the visit is to the family and not to see my dad. We want to make every effort to keep my dad calm and focused on his breathing.
Thanks again for your continued support as you walk beside us on this life changing journey.
-Barbara
Prayer Requests:
That my dad is able to focus on deep breaths and remain calm.
That they do not find any complications with his lungs and that his lungs heal completely so that they are able to take him off the ventilator.
Wisdom for our family as we discern how to talk with my dad and how to be a calm and a soothing coach for my dad.
For total healing of his ulcer.
** Please know that if you visit today (which we always love), we may ask that the visit is to the family and not to see my dad. We want to make every effort to keep my dad calm and focused on his breathing.
Thanks again for your continued support as you walk beside us on this life changing journey.
-Barbara
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Thank You
I am thinking about what happened last Sat. I can't believe all that my dad went through!!! What a miracle that he is doing great and alive. As I write this entry, I am so tired, can't think clearly, but SO thankful for every one's prayers and support. Please forgive the grammar errors and spelling mistakes. I hardly know my name right now or where I live. I am so grateful for this miracle God has given us. God used my dad to help others either through prayer, getting closer to God, trusting him, and not worrying about the little things like the economy, and the loss of jobs. We should be grateful for family and health. I know that he was used in a way that would help others. God knew that he was strong and would make it through this. I know that we heard wonderful news today, but God does not want us to stop praying for him and to stop us from talking to God.God likes hearing from you and wants you to trust him. Pray for my dad's healing, him getting off the vent. and his ulcer that is still there. I can't wait for my dad to talk. I also ask you to pray that he knows us. Thanks for doing this. There will be and has been a lesson learned through this. My faith has never been so strong before this. Don't stop praying, keep praying hard and often. When my dad is better and telling his jokes, don't forget to talk to God about what is going on in your own life. HE DOES LISTEN!!!!!!
-Christine
-Christine
HALLELUJAH!!! OUR PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED!
After a week that has been pure torture for all of us, Dwight woke up!
During my early morning shower (before any word of Dwight's amazing progress from the night), I didn't know whether to cry, scream, or just remain numb. The words of a song I learned as a little child kept resonating through my mind:
The Lord knows the way through the wilderness
All I have to do is follow
Strength for today is mine always
All that I need for tomorrow
The Lord knows the way through the wilderness
All I have to do is follow!
I have been in the deep valleys and in the wilderness. But your prayers have been with me and have given me the courage and strength to withstand each hour. Without that, I would have exploded.
Here is what is happening right now:
They took Dwight off the respirator, but he was breathing too shallow. They have reconnected the respirator for the time being and have given him another sedative to keep him calm. They will try to take him off of it again today. When he has been breathing on his own for 24 hours, they will transfer him to another floor. He looked at us, was able to nod to questions, but naturally he is scared and confused and totally unaware how terribly sick he was. There are still some issues such as the huge ulcer, but we have been through so many more serious things, that we are glad it is only that now.
Please continue to pray for his recovery. They said that he had several years of stress and bodily aging due to the massive abuse to his system. Perhaps now our energy level will be the same. Dwight was always super go-go-go!
I have my rock back! I am so thankful to all of you but most of all to God who listened to our prayers and showed us mercy and grace!
-Susan
After a week that has been pure torture for all of us, Dwight woke up!
During my early morning shower (before any word of Dwight's amazing progress from the night), I didn't know whether to cry, scream, or just remain numb. The words of a song I learned as a little child kept resonating through my mind:
The Lord knows the way through the wilderness
All I have to do is follow
Strength for today is mine always
All that I need for tomorrow
The Lord knows the way through the wilderness
All I have to do is follow!
I have been in the deep valleys and in the wilderness. But your prayers have been with me and have given me the courage and strength to withstand each hour. Without that, I would have exploded.
Here is what is happening right now:
They took Dwight off the respirator, but he was breathing too shallow. They have reconnected the respirator for the time being and have given him another sedative to keep him calm. They will try to take him off of it again today. When he has been breathing on his own for 24 hours, they will transfer him to another floor. He looked at us, was able to nod to questions, but naturally he is scared and confused and totally unaware how terribly sick he was. There are still some issues such as the huge ulcer, but we have been through so many more serious things, that we are glad it is only that now.
Please continue to pray for his recovery. They said that he had several years of stress and bodily aging due to the massive abuse to his system. Perhaps now our energy level will be the same. Dwight was always super go-go-go!
I have my rock back! I am so thankful to all of you but most of all to God who listened to our prayers and showed us mercy and grace!
-Susan
HE IS RISEN...HE IS RISEN INDEED!!!
From all of us, we THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR PRAYERS AND KIND WORDS. But most of all, We thank God! This experience has brought our family closer together than ever before. Dwight will be happy to know this.
The ICU doctor said that his review of the MRI didn't show anything of concern. He still wants the neurologist to look at it, but he said the real indication of Dwight's condition is how he is acting now that he is awake. He told me that Dwight will be talking to us soon. They took him off the ventilator for little while this morning. Dwight was breathing on his own, but he was taking some quicker, shallow breaths. They put him back on the ventilator but the doctor said he thinks they'll be able to remove it this afternoon.
All of my deepest thanks and gratitude to everyone.
Love,
Mark
The ICU doctor said that his review of the MRI didn't show anything of concern. He still wants the neurologist to look at it, but he said the real indication of Dwight's condition is how he is acting now that he is awake. He told me that Dwight will be talking to us soon. They took him off the ventilator for little while this morning. Dwight was breathing on his own, but he was taking some quicker, shallow breaths. They put him back on the ventilator but the doctor said he thinks they'll be able to remove it this afternoon.
All of my deepest thanks and gratitude to everyone.
Love,
Mark
“Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how.'”
We are rejoicing in the waiting room today because we are now on the road to recovery.
The MRI is clear.
My dad is off the ventilator.
He should be talking soon.
The doctors are smiling . . . an expression we haven't seen all week.
So now we pray for my dad's healing and rest. Praise God that these are our prayers.
I am so proud of my dad. The amount of fight that he has for us. This is a miracle and our laments have turned to praise.
"When we are no longer able to change a situation - we are challenged to change ourselves.” -Victor Frankl
We are forever changed.
-Barbara
The MRI is clear.
My dad is off the ventilator.
He should be talking soon.
The doctors are smiling . . . an expression we haven't seen all week.
So now we pray for my dad's healing and rest. Praise God that these are our prayers.
I am so proud of my dad. The amount of fight that he has for us. This is a miracle and our laments have turned to praise.
"When we are no longer able to change a situation - we are challenged to change ourselves.” -Victor Frankl
We are forever changed.
-Barbara
HE'S BAAAAAAAACKKKK!!!!!
This is Mark. I've been talking to Dwight and he smiled at me. I think he was real happy to see my White Sox cap! :-) Let me tell you one thing: GOD HAS ANSWERED ALL OF OUR PRAYERS! GOD IS REAL. GOD IS GOOD. I am so happy I can't even type any more!
The true test!
My dad opened his eyes and is responding to commands! They took him off of sedation for a while (what I'm told is a sedation vacation) to see what he responds to and when the nurse said Tokig he opened his eyes and tried to smile. He nodded to a question and was looking around the room.
Our friend Nick has kept telling us to focus on my dad and not the tests and while we are still awaiting results from the MRI I have absolute faith that my dad is with us!
Keep praying!
Our friend Nick has kept telling us to focus on my dad and not the tests and while we are still awaiting results from the MRI I have absolute faith that my dad is with us!
Keep praying!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Where is it written?
As I go to bed tonight I am led to hope by God's word.
Jesus said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed and walk.” (Matthew 9:6)
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
“When doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer.” (Psalm 94:19)
Thank you for your prayers. We pray for God's mercy and healing for my dad's brain and good results from the MRI tomorrow.
Jesus said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed and walk.” (Matthew 9:6)
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
“When doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer.” (Psalm 94:19)
Thank you for your prayers. We pray for God's mercy and healing for my dad's brain and good results from the MRI tomorrow.
Amazing Grace
I am sitting here in the waiting room looking at the comments on the blog, reading e-mail and listening to messages on my phone. I am truly amazed and humbled by the outpouring of support that our family has received. First, Christine, Mark, Barbara and Nathan have been a tremendous comfort to me during this awful, devasting time. They have bolstered my spirits and have shown me their great faith in crisis.
The visits from many friends and relatives have kept me as calm as possible. The cards have been encouraging, and the prayers that have surrounded Dwight and me have been very meaningful to us.
Please continue to fervently pray for Dwight.
We are glad that Dwight is strong enough for them to give the MRI test, but we are so fearful of bad news. We do have faith that God is in charge, and we are asking for his mercy and direction for our family. The amount of people who have read the blog show us how much all of you care for him. Please be sure to include your full names so that we are sure who is entering comments.
- Susan
The visits from many friends and relatives have kept me as calm as possible. The cards have been encouraging, and the prayers that have surrounded Dwight and me have been very meaningful to us.
Please continue to fervently pray for Dwight.
We are glad that Dwight is strong enough for them to give the MRI test, but we are so fearful of bad news. We do have faith that God is in charge, and we are asking for his mercy and direction for our family. The amount of people who have read the blog show us how much all of you care for him. Please be sure to include your full names so that we are sure who is entering comments.
- Susan
I Am There
I Am There
A poem sent to my mom by a friend.
Do you need Me?
I am there.
You cannot see Me, yet I am the light you see by.
You cannot hear Me, yet I speak through your voice.
You cannot feel Me, yet I am the power at work in your hands.
I am at work, though you do not understand My ways.
I am at work, though you do not recognize My works.
I am not strange visions. I am not mysteries.
Only in absolute stillness, beyond self, can you know Me as I am,and then but as a feeling and a faith.
Yet I am there.
Yet I hear.
Yet I answer.
When you need Me, I am there.
Even if you deny Me, I am there.
Even when you feel most alone, I am there.
Even in your fears, I am there.
Even in your pain, I am there.
I am there when you pray and when you do not pray.
I am in you, and you are in Me.
Only in your mind can you feel separate from Me, for only in your mind are the mists of "yours" and "mine."
Yet only with your mind can you know Me and experience Me.
Empty your heart of empty fears.
When you get yourself out of the way, I am there.
You can of yourself do nothing, but I can do all.
And I am in all.
Though you may not see the good, good is there, for I am there.
I am there because I have to be, because I am.
Only in Me does the world have meaning; only out of Me does the world take from; only because of Me does the world go forward.
I am the law on which the movement of the stars and the growth of living cells are founded.
I am the love that is the law's fulfilling.
I am assurance.
I am peace.
I am oneness.
I am the law that you can live by.
I am the love that you can cling to.
I am your assurance.
I am your peace.
I am one with you.
I am.
Though you fail to find Me, I do not fail you.
Though your faith in Me is unsure, My faith in you never wavers, because I know you, because I love you.
Beloved, I am there.
by James Dillet Freeman
A poem sent to my mom by a friend.
Do you need Me?
I am there.
You cannot see Me, yet I am the light you see by.
You cannot hear Me, yet I speak through your voice.
You cannot feel Me, yet I am the power at work in your hands.
I am at work, though you do not understand My ways.
I am at work, though you do not recognize My works.
I am not strange visions. I am not mysteries.
Only in absolute stillness, beyond self, can you know Me as I am,and then but as a feeling and a faith.
Yet I am there.
Yet I hear.
Yet I answer.
When you need Me, I am there.
Even if you deny Me, I am there.
Even when you feel most alone, I am there.
Even in your fears, I am there.
Even in your pain, I am there.
I am there when you pray and when you do not pray.
I am in you, and you are in Me.
Only in your mind can you feel separate from Me, for only in your mind are the mists of "yours" and "mine."
Yet only with your mind can you know Me and experience Me.
Empty your heart of empty fears.
When you get yourself out of the way, I am there.
You can of yourself do nothing, but I can do all.
And I am in all.
Though you may not see the good, good is there, for I am there.
I am there because I have to be, because I am.
Only in Me does the world have meaning; only out of Me does the world take from; only because of Me does the world go forward.
I am the law on which the movement of the stars and the growth of living cells are founded.
I am the love that is the law's fulfilling.
I am assurance.
I am peace.
I am oneness.
I am the law that you can live by.
I am the love that you can cling to.
I am your assurance.
I am your peace.
I am one with you.
I am.
Though you fail to find Me, I do not fail you.
Though your faith in Me is unsure, My faith in you never wavers, because I know you, because I love you.
Beloved, I am there.
by James Dillet Freeman
No news yet
We are still waiting for my dad to take the MRI. I am feeling nervous that the test will come back bad. I know this test is it. The final decision. I have been hopeful this entire time, even when they said my dad might be brain dead. I still did not give up hope. When I sit with my dad I feel that he is going to make it. I know he is. But when I wait in the waiting room I get nervous. I still need everyone to pray just as hard as when we heard bad news. Pray loud and hard. I know God is listening. He needs to hear from you. Don't give up on him. I have not. My dad needs the prayers. God is going to work a miracle.
-Christine
-Christine
Housekeeping
Several of you have said that you'd like to post a comment but don't know how. Look at the top right of the computer screen where it says sign in and then create a user name and password. Hope that helps!
Also, I went through my mom's cell phone and listened to the messages so she has room in her voicemail box now. Thanks so much for your words of assurance and support. Please know that my mom has heard these messages but may not have time or energy to respond.
Thanks again!
Also, I went through my mom's cell phone and listened to the messages so she has room in her voicemail box now. Thanks so much for your words of assurance and support. Please know that my mom has heard these messages but may not have time or energy to respond.
Thanks again!
A prayer
Jesus, there are times in our lives
when things fall apart,
when dreams are shattered,
when hope no longer seems possible.
In our poverty, our brokenness,
we come to you for healing.
In those times of trial, Jesus,
remind us of your love,
remind us of your forgiveness,
remind us of your promise to be with us always,
and grant us the grace to go forward in faith.
KEEP PRAYING HARD. PRAY AS HARD AS YOU DID WHEN THINGS WERE NOT GOING HOW WE WANTED IT TO BE. GOD IS LISTENING. HE 9WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU. PRAY FOR MY DAD'S MIND AND THAT THE MRI COMES BACK SAYING THAT HE IS GOING TO BE OKAY. PRAY LOUD AND HARD.
-Christine
when things fall apart,
when dreams are shattered,
when hope no longer seems possible.
In our poverty, our brokenness,
we come to you for healing.
In those times of trial, Jesus,
remind us of your love,
remind us of your forgiveness,
remind us of your promise to be with us always,
and grant us the grace to go forward in faith.
KEEP PRAYING HARD. PRAY AS HARD AS YOU DID WHEN THINGS WERE NOT GOING HOW WE WANTED IT TO BE. GOD IS LISTENING. HE 9WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU. PRAY FOR MY DAD'S MIND AND THAT THE MRI COMES BACK SAYING THAT HE IS GOING TO BE OKAY. PRAY LOUD AND HARD.
-Christine
Verse for the day
Thank you Melissa for sharing this verse with us. Let it be our prayer for today:
We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.
- Ps. 33:20-22
We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.
- Ps. 33:20-22
Tokig
Tokig (pronounced "too key")is the name my dad chose to have his granddaughters call him. The loose transition for "tokig" in Swedish is crazy. Sanne loves talking to Tokig on her fake cell phone and answers to most random things like "where are we going" or "who do you love" often are answered with "Tokig"
This morning my dad's Swedish nurse started yelling to him "Tokig, wake up" and he opened his eyes!
This is good news. We don't know the extent of this good news just yet. He will be having an MRI later today which will give a more detailed idea of what damage was done to his brain during the time on Saturday that he did not have enough oxygen. So we continue to ask for prayers that they do not find anything on the MRI and that my dad continues to wake from sedation and continues to react.
After all the miraculous medical interventions and God's working hands . . . it now comes down to my dad waking up and being himself. Please pray that these miracles continue.
We thank God for our daily bread of good news to carry us through our day today.
-Barbara
This morning my dad's Swedish nurse started yelling to him "Tokig, wake up" and he opened his eyes!
This is good news. We don't know the extent of this good news just yet. He will be having an MRI later today which will give a more detailed idea of what damage was done to his brain during the time on Saturday that he did not have enough oxygen. So we continue to ask for prayers that they do not find anything on the MRI and that my dad continues to wake from sedation and continues to react.
After all the miraculous medical interventions and God's working hands . . . it now comes down to my dad waking up and being himself. Please pray that these miracles continue.
We thank God for our daily bread of good news to carry us through our day today.
-Barbara
Friday AM
Today my dad will have an MRI which to my understanding will give a clearer picture of my dad's brain in terms of tissue, bleeding in the brain, etc. Please say prayers that this test does not show anything. The MRI will be done early afternoon we think but we don't know how long it will take to interpret the results.
If anyone has any information to share about how MRIs work or a more defined explanation of what a coma is, please comment. It would be helpful for us to understand it in simple terms. We know that even the best medical professional can't answer our main question today and that is if my dad will live and how he will live but clarity for where we are at now is always appreciated.
I slept good last night thanks to a sleeping pill and the tremendous love and care my mother-in-law is giving to our family (she flew in yesterday morning). But once I sat on the couch and grabbed my coffee the phone rang and it all came rushing back. My body now feels like every nerve is shot and it is hard to find deep breaths. I know that everyone in my family is experiencing similar feelings so we just ask that you pray that God will calm our hearts today.
Please also send prayers for my dad to wake from his coma. What we would give for him to open his eyes.
-Barbara
If anyone has any information to share about how MRIs work or a more defined explanation of what a coma is, please comment. It would be helpful for us to understand it in simple terms. We know that even the best medical professional can't answer our main question today and that is if my dad will live and how he will live but clarity for where we are at now is always appreciated.
I slept good last night thanks to a sleeping pill and the tremendous love and care my mother-in-law is giving to our family (she flew in yesterday morning). But once I sat on the couch and grabbed my coffee the phone rang and it all came rushing back. My body now feels like every nerve is shot and it is hard to find deep breaths. I know that everyone in my family is experiencing similar feelings so we just ask that you pray that God will calm our hearts today.
Please also send prayers for my dad to wake from his coma. What we would give for him to open his eyes.
-Barbara
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thursday PM
Many of you know that my favorite mantra is "the blessing is next to the wound". I love this image because it does not try to mask or take away from the wound but acknowledges the parallel blessings given during difficult times.
I wept when I returned home tonight after another day/night/day at the hospital and hotel. Our dear friends had taken our house keys and we came home to folded laundry, muffins, tea, wine and a clean home. What a gift of God's work through our friends.
I am overwhelmed by the amount of love shown to my family during this time in a variety of ways:
visitors
babysitters
people who bring food and clean clothes
prayer
lit candles in your home and toasts to my dad
phone messages of encouragement and empathy
our friends who are in the medical field who have helped us sort through all of the information
those who have offered their homes, their hotel discounts, their transportation and time
When . . . when my dad wakes up he will be overcome by the amount of love that has been shown to him and to his family during this time.
When my dad fainted at work, the first thing he did, I am told, was to reach for his phone to inform his family. It is his reflex to love and take care of us. Thank you for doing that for him when he is not able. It is not only a gift to us but to him.
My mom wanted me to mention that the counter was put onto our blog on Tuesday at 9PM. There have been over 7,000 hits in 48 hours. Each hit to us is a reminder that a prayer has been said for my dad and we are so thankful of this tangible reminder of your support, love, courage, compassion and hope.
-Barbara
I wept when I returned home tonight after another day/night/day at the hospital and hotel. Our dear friends had taken our house keys and we came home to folded laundry, muffins, tea, wine and a clean home. What a gift of God's work through our friends.
I am overwhelmed by the amount of love shown to my family during this time in a variety of ways:
visitors
babysitters
people who bring food and clean clothes
prayer
lit candles in your home and toasts to my dad
phone messages of encouragement and empathy
our friends who are in the medical field who have helped us sort through all of the information
those who have offered their homes, their hotel discounts, their transportation and time
When . . . when my dad wakes up he will be overcome by the amount of love that has been shown to him and to his family during this time.
When my dad fainted at work, the first thing he did, I am told, was to reach for his phone to inform his family. It is his reflex to love and take care of us. Thank you for doing that for him when he is not able. It is not only a gift to us but to him.
My mom wanted me to mention that the counter was put onto our blog on Tuesday at 9PM. There have been over 7,000 hits in 48 hours. Each hit to us is a reminder that a prayer has been said for my dad and we are so thankful of this tangible reminder of your support, love, courage, compassion and hope.
-Barbara
KEEP PRAYING --- God is listening!
This is Mark (Dwight's "favorite son-in-law"...j/k Nathan). Things are happening and I am full of hope right now. I just saw Dwight and there was a promising sign. But, first let me fill you in on what's happened today.
This morning (around 11 am), the neurologist performed some tests and then asked that we (the family) meet with him and the ICU doctor in a conference room. When you hear that, you get worried. Here's what they told us. First off, Dwight is NOT "brain dead"! His brain stem functions, including basic reflexes, were working. His pupils respond to light, he can bite, he yawns, he coughs. This is the good news.
Then, the neurologist mentioned that the EEG test, which they had monitored for 24 hours was really ordered because they wanted to see if some muscle twitching in his neck was related to seisures. He said the test seems to show they are not seisures. While this sounds good, he said it creates other concerns. There appears to be a disconnect between the brain and the muscles in his neck.
Some tests perfomed on Dwight's reflexes to pinching some of his muscles and nerves showed some response in his right arm but no response in his left arm (remember this).
Basically, the doctors said the next test would be an MRI of the brain; however, they have to wait for him to strengthen and stabilize more. They may be able to perform the test tomorrow. The MRI will give a better indication if there has been any severe damage to the brain. If so, the neurologist said the prognosis is not good. However, if the test looks okay, hope continues.
We left the meeting feeling a little relief that the early EEG results from yesterday aren't definitive. For now, we expect Dwight to remain stable. He is still in a deep coma.
Now for the exciting news. I was just in his room with a nurse and I noticed his left arm moving. I pinched a nail on his left arm and he responded to this. This was the arm that showed no activity earlier. This for me provided a tremendous boost in hope and excitement. I STILL BELIEVE GOD IS HEALING DWIGHT AND BRINGING HIM BACK TO US. Nothing has told me that all hope is lost. To the contrary, I am more hopeful now than I was after meeting with the doctors.
Okay, now is where I ask EVERYONE, please CONTINUE TO PRAY. GOD HONORS PRAYERS WHEN WE BELIEVE AND TRUST IN HIM. I ask you all to remain positive and hopeful. I believe a miracle is at work. I'm not giving up. I'm asking you to do the same.
This morning (around 11 am), the neurologist performed some tests and then asked that we (the family) meet with him and the ICU doctor in a conference room. When you hear that, you get worried. Here's what they told us. First off, Dwight is NOT "brain dead"! His brain stem functions, including basic reflexes, were working. His pupils respond to light, he can bite, he yawns, he coughs. This is the good news.
Then, the neurologist mentioned that the EEG test, which they had monitored for 24 hours was really ordered because they wanted to see if some muscle twitching in his neck was related to seisures. He said the test seems to show they are not seisures. While this sounds good, he said it creates other concerns. There appears to be a disconnect between the brain and the muscles in his neck.
Some tests perfomed on Dwight's reflexes to pinching some of his muscles and nerves showed some response in his right arm but no response in his left arm (remember this).
Basically, the doctors said the next test would be an MRI of the brain; however, they have to wait for him to strengthen and stabilize more. They may be able to perform the test tomorrow. The MRI will give a better indication if there has been any severe damage to the brain. If so, the neurologist said the prognosis is not good. However, if the test looks okay, hope continues.
We left the meeting feeling a little relief that the early EEG results from yesterday aren't definitive. For now, we expect Dwight to remain stable. He is still in a deep coma.
Now for the exciting news. I was just in his room with a nurse and I noticed his left arm moving. I pinched a nail on his left arm and he responded to this. This was the arm that showed no activity earlier. This for me provided a tremendous boost in hope and excitement. I STILL BELIEVE GOD IS HEALING DWIGHT AND BRINGING HIM BACK TO US. Nothing has told me that all hope is lost. To the contrary, I am more hopeful now than I was after meeting with the doctors.
Okay, now is where I ask EVERYONE, please CONTINUE TO PRAY. GOD HONORS PRAYERS WHEN WE BELIEVE AND TRUST IN HIM. I ask you all to remain positive and hopeful. I believe a miracle is at work. I'm not giving up. I'm asking you to do the same.
Thursday AM
No news to report. My dad remains in a coma and we hope that this will slowly lift. Due to the heavy sedation they had given him, it may still take 24 hours to wake.
After the first EEG the doctors decided to run a 24 hour video EEG. That will be complete around noon today and we will await those results. (probably the first time the camera has been on him and not him behind the camera). The first EEG gave us very negative predictions as to the neurological function of my dad's brain.
So please keep praying for a miracle.
As I lay in bed last night so desperate to fall asleep I said this prayer to the rhythm of my breathing
Please let me sleep.
Please let my dad wake.
I know it's simple but that's what life has becoming right now. Incredibly overwhelmed by the simplest things that now mean so, so much.
A Prayer for This Day
written by Ruth Duck
Healing River of the Spirit
Healing river of the Spirit,
Bathe the wounds that living brings.
Plunge our pain, our sin, our sadness
Deep beneath your sacred springs.
Weary from the restless searching
That has lured us from your side,
We discover in your presence
Peace the world cannot provide
-Barbara
After the first EEG the doctors decided to run a 24 hour video EEG. That will be complete around noon today and we will await those results. (probably the first time the camera has been on him and not him behind the camera). The first EEG gave us very negative predictions as to the neurological function of my dad's brain.
So please keep praying for a miracle.
As I lay in bed last night so desperate to fall asleep I said this prayer to the rhythm of my breathing
Please let me sleep.
Please let my dad wake.
I know it's simple but that's what life has becoming right now. Incredibly overwhelmed by the simplest things that now mean so, so much.
A Prayer for This Day
written by Ruth Duck
Healing River of the Spirit
Healing river of the Spirit,
Bathe the wounds that living brings.
Plunge our pain, our sin, our sadness
Deep beneath your sacred springs.
Weary from the restless searching
That has lured us from your side,
We discover in your presence
Peace the world cannot provide
-Barbara
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Slumber
We are attempting to leave the hospital to get food and sleep. It is so, so hard to walk away from this waiting room even though it has become my least favorite place in the world. Some kind of purgatory.
We have spent the day at my dad's bedside . . . friends and family coming through this hospital to walk beside us.
We have had prayers, benedictions, songs, rubs, conversations, jokes, laughter, tears. And we wait . . . for God to show us His plan.
Nathan and I went out for a walk this afternoon and went to the Episcopal Church down the street. They were having a healing service. I have never before understood "give us this day our daily bread" as I did tonight.
When you are in crisis the simple things become everything to you. I would give ANYTHING to hear my dad's voice or see his eyes or watch him scratch his back against the wall like he so often does. Even to hear one of his corny jokes . . .
Something that has just been a part of my life for thirty years is now something that I so desperately want but can't have.
But God is giving us our daily bread . . . enough to sustain us right now. We are weak, tired, scared, filled with grief and devastation.
Tomorrow is a new day and we pray that God will provide us with good and miraculous news.
Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:21-23
-Barbara
We have spent the day at my dad's bedside . . . friends and family coming through this hospital to walk beside us.
We have had prayers, benedictions, songs, rubs, conversations, jokes, laughter, tears. And we wait . . . for God to show us His plan.
Nathan and I went out for a walk this afternoon and went to the Episcopal Church down the street. They were having a healing service. I have never before understood "give us this day our daily bread" as I did tonight.
When you are in crisis the simple things become everything to you. I would give ANYTHING to hear my dad's voice or see his eyes or watch him scratch his back against the wall like he so often does. Even to hear one of his corny jokes . . .
Something that has just been a part of my life for thirty years is now something that I so desperately want but can't have.
But God is giving us our daily bread . . . enough to sustain us right now. We are weak, tired, scared, filled with grief and devastation.
Tomorrow is a new day and we pray that God will provide us with good and miraculous news.
Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:21-23
-Barbara
My Best Friend
It is at a time like this that we find comfort from the prayers, calls, blog and e-mail comments and visits from family and friends. I cannot thank you enough for all the love and kindness that you have been showing to us. Words are difficult to find now since I am going through the worst day of my life. Please continue to pray fervently for Dwight. Most medical interventions have been performed on him, so now it is completely in God's hands. Dwight and I have been married almost 41 years and have so many plans for the future. I cannot imagine life without him, so please continue to pray! Thank you!
Susan
Susan
PM
I don't really have an update to tell you but wanted to just check in with our faithful readers. A little more detail on the news we received.
The EEG results showed that my dad is in a deep coma and there is very little brain activity. This is very difficult news for us.
They took him off of sedation at noon and we are waiting, praying, hoping he will wake up and if/when he does that his brain function is okay. (if he wakes up it is likely it would be in these next 48 hours)
The difficulty in the news we received is that due to the findings in the EEG this is statistically not likely.
But we know that God is bigger than statistics and doctors and medicine. As my mom said through her tears, God raised Lazarus. Nathan reminded me that this was through the love of Mary. Please be Mary for my dad.
We just ask you to lay your hands on my dad, from where you are. Light a candle for him . . . sing for him, pray for him.
We are asking God for a miracle.
Lord in your mercy, hear our urgent prayer.
-Barbara
The EEG results showed that my dad is in a deep coma and there is very little brain activity. This is very difficult news for us.
They took him off of sedation at noon and we are waiting, praying, hoping he will wake up and if/when he does that his brain function is okay. (if he wakes up it is likely it would be in these next 48 hours)
The difficulty in the news we received is that due to the findings in the EEG this is statistically not likely.
But we know that God is bigger than statistics and doctors and medicine. As my mom said through her tears, God raised Lazarus. Nathan reminded me that this was through the love of Mary. Please be Mary for my dad.
We just ask you to lay your hands on my dad, from where you are. Light a candle for him . . . sing for him, pray for him.
We are asking God for a miracle.
Lord in your mercy, hear our urgent prayer.
-Barbara
Prayers needed
We've just received some devastating news. The results of the tests show that Dwight is in a deep coma. At this point we need to pray for a miracle. Please also pray for the whole Samuelson family during this time as more difficult decisions and news will most certainly be on the horizon.
The story
Nathan received a phone call on Saturday morning from a frantic woman regarding Sam (that's what they call my dad at work). This woman, Adriana Corea, a co-worker of my dad's at NBC, was so brave and acted fast. She shared an account of what happened to my dad before he entered the ER. This account was shared by her on facebook and I am pasting it below to give you more details surrounding our situation.
Thanks will never be enough for Adriana. Here is her story that she posted on Sunday.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO SAM @ NBC. Thanks for your concern.
Sun 9:00pm
I've told this story so many times within the last four days...and I don' t know if it's right for me to tell someone else's story, but so many of you have expressed concern and a desire to know what actually happened. So for those who have yet to find out, and to those who have at any point crossed paths along your careers with Dwight Samuelson better known to us as Sam...here's my account.
Sam worked the morning shows here at NBC as an editor for as long as I can remember. He retired not too long ago (and for those who are not aware), he returned as a daily hire on Saturday mornings, because he truly loves this profession.
Saturday at 5am I was the supervisor on duty for the morning shows. Sam was our editor, and Alex Zigic was the writer. Sam did not look well and when I expressed this to him, he agreed but he blamed it on the fact that he was not able to get a good-night sleep before his 3am shift. Being all too familiar with that symptom myself, I sympathized with him and told him to do what he could, and if he was not able to function, to let me know and I would step in and relieve him. Being the trooper that he is, he insisted he would be okay to work all the way through 9am.
At 830am, the writer noticed that Sam was not performing to his full potential (he thought that perhaps he was falling asleep due to his tiredness). He went looking for me and when we both returned to the edit suite, Sam was in the middle of a seizure like moment. He was not responsive, he was white as paper, and his body was limp. I immediately ran to alert the producer Laura Meeehan and had her call 911. When I returned to the edit suite, Sam was shaking, and kept wanting to stick his hand in his pant's front pocket. I reached in for him and found his cell phone. I thought perhaps he wanted me to call his wife so she would be able to tell me how I could make him better. Before I could say no more than my name, Sam let out an explosive amount of blood through his mouth and nose and then fainted. I could no longer hold him steady on the chair (I’m 5’1 and he’s like 6’2), and he fell to the ground. Those few minutes seemed like hours, I ran to the producer and yelled “where is the ambulance?” She assured me it was on the way and Anita Selvaggio (assignment desk editor) was outside waiting for them to arrive.
I returned to Sam’s side, turned him over and then suddenly he woke up, not knowing what had happened. All he wanted to do was get up and finish editing for the 9am show! I managed to get him to lie down and wait for the ambulance to come. All he kept saying was “I’m fine, I’m fine let me finish editing”. The ambulance came, and took him away. He was talking and seemed aware of it all.
Today Sunday I spoke to the Family at the hospital and they want to thank everyone for their concern with Sam. This is what they told me happened once Sam arrived at the hospital.
He underwent numerous tests, and it looked like they were going to keep him overnight, but things quickly turned bad. Doctors could not locate the bleeding ulcer, his stats dropped, he had several blood transfusions. They tried a very risky procedure, and with this they were able to locate the bleeding ulcer and stabilize it. Now they’re dealing with liquid in the lungs and other possible complications. They hooked him up to a machine to help him breath, and when I went to see him they told us that half of the breathing was his, and half was the machine so this was good news! He is totally sedated, but I'm sure he could hear me as I talked to him in his ear. They will keep him on the respirator, in hope that the liquid will dry up on its own. Let’s all pray for Sam’s lungs, his heart and for a full and healthy recovery.
Adriana
Thanks will never be enough for Adriana. Here is her story that she posted on Sunday.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO SAM @ NBC. Thanks for your concern.
Sun 9:00pm
I've told this story so many times within the last four days...and I don' t know if it's right for me to tell someone else's story, but so many of you have expressed concern and a desire to know what actually happened. So for those who have yet to find out, and to those who have at any point crossed paths along your careers with Dwight Samuelson better known to us as Sam...here's my account.
Sam worked the morning shows here at NBC as an editor for as long as I can remember. He retired not too long ago (and for those who are not aware), he returned as a daily hire on Saturday mornings, because he truly loves this profession.
Saturday at 5am I was the supervisor on duty for the morning shows. Sam was our editor, and Alex Zigic was the writer. Sam did not look well and when I expressed this to him, he agreed but he blamed it on the fact that he was not able to get a good-night sleep before his 3am shift. Being all too familiar with that symptom myself, I sympathized with him and told him to do what he could, and if he was not able to function, to let me know and I would step in and relieve him. Being the trooper that he is, he insisted he would be okay to work all the way through 9am.
At 830am, the writer noticed that Sam was not performing to his full potential (he thought that perhaps he was falling asleep due to his tiredness). He went looking for me and when we both returned to the edit suite, Sam was in the middle of a seizure like moment. He was not responsive, he was white as paper, and his body was limp. I immediately ran to alert the producer Laura Meeehan and had her call 911. When I returned to the edit suite, Sam was shaking, and kept wanting to stick his hand in his pant's front pocket. I reached in for him and found his cell phone. I thought perhaps he wanted me to call his wife so she would be able to tell me how I could make him better. Before I could say no more than my name, Sam let out an explosive amount of blood through his mouth and nose and then fainted. I could no longer hold him steady on the chair (I’m 5’1 and he’s like 6’2), and he fell to the ground. Those few minutes seemed like hours, I ran to the producer and yelled “where is the ambulance?” She assured me it was on the way and Anita Selvaggio (assignment desk editor) was outside waiting for them to arrive.
I returned to Sam’s side, turned him over and then suddenly he woke up, not knowing what had happened. All he wanted to do was get up and finish editing for the 9am show! I managed to get him to lie down and wait for the ambulance to come. All he kept saying was “I’m fine, I’m fine let me finish editing”. The ambulance came, and took him away. He was talking and seemed aware of it all.
Today Sunday I spoke to the Family at the hospital and they want to thank everyone for their concern with Sam. This is what they told me happened once Sam arrived at the hospital.
He underwent numerous tests, and it looked like they were going to keep him overnight, but things quickly turned bad. Doctors could not locate the bleeding ulcer, his stats dropped, he had several blood transfusions. They tried a very risky procedure, and with this they were able to locate the bleeding ulcer and stabilize it. Now they’re dealing with liquid in the lungs and other possible complications. They hooked him up to a machine to help him breath, and when I went to see him they told us that half of the breathing was his, and half was the machine so this was good news! He is totally sedated, but I'm sure he could hear me as I talked to him in his ear. They will keep him on the respirator, in hope that the liquid will dry up on its own. Let’s all pray for Sam’s lungs, his heart and for a full and healthy recovery.
Adriana
Housekeeping
On the suggestion of Nathan, we added a counter to our blog. I added it at 9:30PM last night. It is on the left colum of this page. Please take a look at the count. It is a way to quantify the amazing, amazing support and love we have been given through your concern and care. Thank you, thank you. As that number continues to go up we are comforted in knowing that our community surrounds us.
I am concerned for my mom's ability to balance her time here with rest. She wants to make sure that she sees all of her visitors and finds a lot of comfort in your presence here. In order to let her feel like she can run back to the hotel or grab some food, I am asking that if you come to visit and we are not in the waiting room to please call my mom or dad's cell phone (she has both). We are always within a block or two of the waiting room so we can be back here in a moments notice.
312.720.0297
312.720.0296
-Barbara
I am concerned for my mom's ability to balance her time here with rest. She wants to make sure that she sees all of her visitors and finds a lot of comfort in your presence here. In order to let her feel like she can run back to the hotel or grab some food, I am asking that if you come to visit and we are not in the waiting room to please call my mom or dad's cell phone (she has both). We are always within a block or two of the waiting room so we can be back here in a moments notice.
312.720.0297
312.720.0296
-Barbara
Waiting Game
We arrived at the hospital a bit ago and went to visit my dad. My dad's swelling has gone down but he is twitching and while this could mean many things, it has caused stress for my mom and I. We spoke with the nursing staff and it sounds like his night was pretty stable. They tried to take him out of sedation but the twitching didn't stop and they put him back in sedation.
They will do a second eeg today and it may be an hour or monitoring up to 24 hours. The doctors will compare these results with the first eeg and we will then get some more information.
I just want to know if my dad is okay. I know that this is so basic but it is the cry of my heart.
I know that we should be "taking it one thing at a time . . . one day at a time" but I am exhibiting the most patience I have ever had and still feel like I'm a child on a long distance car ride . . . "are we there yet?!"
Please continue to pray:
For my dad's neurological function.
For the wisdom of the doctors.
For God to provide more and more peace and comfort to us.
For the twitching in my dad's body.
For courage for my dad when he wakes from sedation.
For our tired bodies.
For continued wisdom in work/life/circumstance balance.
-Barbara
They will do a second eeg today and it may be an hour or monitoring up to 24 hours. The doctors will compare these results with the first eeg and we will then get some more information.
I just want to know if my dad is okay. I know that this is so basic but it is the cry of my heart.
I know that we should be "taking it one thing at a time . . . one day at a time" but I am exhibiting the most patience I have ever had and still feel like I'm a child on a long distance car ride . . . "are we there yet?!"
Please continue to pray:
For my dad's neurological function.
For the wisdom of the doctors.
For God to provide more and more peace and comfort to us.
For the twitching in my dad's body.
For courage for my dad when he wakes from sedation.
For our tired bodies.
For continued wisdom in work/life/circumstance balance.
-Barbara
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
As I breathe I hope - Latin Proverb
It has been a good day for my dad. Very simply (because, frankly, very simply is how I understand it)
Areas of praise:
His lungs are improving
His heart is strong
The artery where he was bleeding has been clamped during the procedure and if the ulcer continues to bleed it will not be as great of a bleed. They are hopeful that this will not happen at all and it will be healed through medication and time.
The doctors will soon begin the dance of taking him in and out of sedation to see if he is ready to wake up
His cat scan showed no sign of issues
His color is looking better and even though he is still very bloated from the fluids, he looks more like himself to the family
Areas of concern:
We are waiting for the results of his EEG which will give the doctors a more detailed look at his brain function. We are told we will hear this tomorrow. Please pray for mental and physical rest for the family as we wait to know what is totally out of our control. I'll speak for myself when I say that's not an easy place to be.
We will not know the extent of his brain function until he wakes up and of course, this is a huge, huge weight for us right now.
Please continue to pray for my dad's incredible strength he has shown to us.
God is very present to us and while we have a hard time truly saying "thy will be done" we know in our hearts that God's provision is here.
I can't help but think of this Lenten season as we walk through these trials. It is a true test to the discipline of casting our burdens and giving up control that was never ours to begin with. Anne Lammot talks about the image of a child sitting in the back seat of a car with a plastic wheel . . . moving that wheel around as if he is in control of the car. And the child's mother looks in the rear view mirror and smiles. God is our driver and I am reminded that as much as I want to choose my dad's destiny, I am in the back with the plastic wheel. In some strange way, there is comfort in that.
-Barbara
Areas of praise:
His lungs are improving
His heart is strong
The artery where he was bleeding has been clamped during the procedure and if the ulcer continues to bleed it will not be as great of a bleed. They are hopeful that this will not happen at all and it will be healed through medication and time.
The doctors will soon begin the dance of taking him in and out of sedation to see if he is ready to wake up
His cat scan showed no sign of issues
His color is looking better and even though he is still very bloated from the fluids, he looks more like himself to the family
Areas of concern:
We are waiting for the results of his EEG which will give the doctors a more detailed look at his brain function. We are told we will hear this tomorrow. Please pray for mental and physical rest for the family as we wait to know what is totally out of our control. I'll speak for myself when I say that's not an easy place to be.
We will not know the extent of his brain function until he wakes up and of course, this is a huge, huge weight for us right now.
Please continue to pray for my dad's incredible strength he has shown to us.
God is very present to us and while we have a hard time truly saying "thy will be done" we know in our hearts that God's provision is here.
I can't help but think of this Lenten season as we walk through these trials. It is a true test to the discipline of casting our burdens and giving up control that was never ours to begin with. Anne Lammot talks about the image of a child sitting in the back seat of a car with a plastic wheel . . . moving that wheel around as if he is in control of the car. And the child's mother looks in the rear view mirror and smiles. God is our driver and I am reminded that as much as I want to choose my dad's destiny, I am in the back with the plastic wheel. In some strange way, there is comfort in that.
-Barbara
March 24th PM
Here are a few updates we have for prayer requests:
My dad will be having a Cat Scan and EEG this afternoon. We will have results later tonight or early tomorrow morning. Time feels incredibly slow for us right now as we are so anxious for these results.
My dad has contracted pneumonia but this was expected and is being treated with antibiotic. Please pray for this healing.
The doctors may be waking him up from his sedation again this afternoon and this is hopeful to us as family. Hoping to see his eyes and have him hear our words of support and love.
We are exhausted and are leaning on each of you and your prayers to carry us through this. Thank you again for your faithfulness and hope, your generosity and kindness.
Below is a Hebrew prayer of healing sent to us by our dear friends, Hal and Corki. May this be a universal prayer for my dad today.
Mi Sheberak: May the one who is Blessed
May the one who blessed our ancestors-
Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah,
Abraham,Isaac, and Jacob,
bless and heal, Dwight, the one who is ill.
May the holy one, the fount of blessings,
show abundant mercies upon him,
fulfilling his dreams of healing,
strengthening his with the power of life.
Merciful One:
restore him,
heal him,
strengthen him,
enliven him.
Send him a complete healing from the heavenly realms,
a healing of body and soul,
together with all who are ill,
soon, speedily,without delay;
and let us say:
Amen
-Barbara
My dad will be having a Cat Scan and EEG this afternoon. We will have results later tonight or early tomorrow morning. Time feels incredibly slow for us right now as we are so anxious for these results.
My dad has contracted pneumonia but this was expected and is being treated with antibiotic. Please pray for this healing.
The doctors may be waking him up from his sedation again this afternoon and this is hopeful to us as family. Hoping to see his eyes and have him hear our words of support and love.
We are exhausted and are leaning on each of you and your prayers to carry us through this. Thank you again for your faithfulness and hope, your generosity and kindness.
Below is a Hebrew prayer of healing sent to us by our dear friends, Hal and Corki. May this be a universal prayer for my dad today.
Mi Sheberak: May the one who is Blessed
May the one who blessed our ancestors-
Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah,
Abraham,Isaac, and Jacob,
bless and heal, Dwight, the one who is ill.
May the holy one, the fount of blessings,
show abundant mercies upon him,
fulfilling his dreams of healing,
strengthening his with the power of life.
Merciful One:
restore him,
heal him,
strengthen him,
enliven him.
Send him a complete healing from the heavenly realms,
a healing of body and soul,
together with all who are ill,
soon, speedily,without delay;
and let us say:
Amen
-Barbara
EEG
My dad will be having an EEG in a couple of hours which will give the doctors a clearer picture of his brain function. Please pray!
March 24th AM
My dad had a good night last night. He has gone from 60 to 40 on the ventilator and they have begun to try to take him out of sedation. We have been told that this may take some time. This is a critical point for us as family because it will be telling of his neurological function.
Prayer Requests
That his ulcer does not bleed
His brain is working well
For our family to continue to find strength . . . we did not sleep well last night but know we need energy
-Barbara
Prayer Requests
That his ulcer does not bleed
His brain is working well
For our family to continue to find strength . . . we did not sleep well last night but know we need energy
-Barbara
Monday, March 23, 2009
I am discouraged. We met with the gastroendicrinologist (GI) following the procedure. He was able to locate the ulcer that caused the bleeding in the first place. This is the location that was stopped on Saturday (nothing short of a miracle). The ulcer is the side of a golf ball and the risk that it will begin to bleed again is greater than 50%. This is cause for alarm because the bleeding puts my dad at great risk.
Right now the GI and surgical team are consulting to weigh the risk of surgery vs. the risk of the ulcer bleeding again. We are assuming that we will hear updates on this decision in the coming hours.
To bring hope to my discouragement I wanted to share a Bible verse sent to me by our friend Greg.
"The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."We know that all things work together for good, for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."...
Romans 8:26-28, NRSV
-Barbara
Right now the GI and surgical team are consulting to weigh the risk of surgery vs. the risk of the ulcer bleeding again. We are assuming that we will hear updates on this decision in the coming hours.
To bring hope to my discouragement I wanted to share a Bible verse sent to me by our friend Greg.
"The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."We know that all things work together for good, for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."...
Romans 8:26-28, NRSV
-Barbara
March 23rd AM
Thank you for your prayer of sleep and nourishment for our family. We all slept last night and ate a good dinner and breakfast.
We have good, bad and neutral news to report. My dad continues to be in stable condition. His ventilator is down from being at 100% yesterday to 60% today. This is good news in that it means that he is breathing on his own 40%.
His heart has been working incredibly hard and they are giving him medication to make sure that it continues to heal and work properly.
The most overwhelming thing for us right now is the unknown regarding my dad's neurological function. Because they have put him in heavy sedation they are unable to assess how this trauma has affected his brain. He will most likely be in sedation for several more days so that his body focuses on healing his lungs and heart. He lost a lot of oxygen to his brain when he was in trauma so this is cause for great concern.
We fear the worst and hope for the best. This is a marathon and we are tired and scared and so badly want to sprint to the finish line.
We so badly want to take control and understand what is going on but know in our heart of hearts that God is in control and has been and continues to be.
How to care for my mom?
She welcomes phone calls and enjoys reading stories of who is praying for her, please feel free to share these through the comment section on the blog.
She welcomes visitors to sit with her here in the waiting room but please call first. Her number is 312.720.0296. My mom is here from about 10AM-8PM (9th floor of Northwestern Memorial, ICU)
And of course: prayer. We have felt God's presence and intervention.
Prayer Requests
My dad's neurlogical function
Liquid to leave his lungs
His heart to grow stronger
For our family's ability to be in the moment and not to be troubled by what we do not know and cannot predict
For the amazing medical team caring for my dad
That we will not be burdened by demands of our life outside of this situation
Nathan, Barbara & Mark as we head back to work tomorrow
Christine as she juggles caring for Klara and being present at the hospital
Blessings to you as you walk along side of us.
We have good, bad and neutral news to report. My dad continues to be in stable condition. His ventilator is down from being at 100% yesterday to 60% today. This is good news in that it means that he is breathing on his own 40%.
His heart has been working incredibly hard and they are giving him medication to make sure that it continues to heal and work properly.
The most overwhelming thing for us right now is the unknown regarding my dad's neurological function. Because they have put him in heavy sedation they are unable to assess how this trauma has affected his brain. He will most likely be in sedation for several more days so that his body focuses on healing his lungs and heart. He lost a lot of oxygen to his brain when he was in trauma so this is cause for great concern.
We fear the worst and hope for the best. This is a marathon and we are tired and scared and so badly want to sprint to the finish line.
We so badly want to take control and understand what is going on but know in our heart of hearts that God is in control and has been and continues to be.
How to care for my mom?
She welcomes phone calls and enjoys reading stories of who is praying for her, please feel free to share these through the comment section on the blog.
She welcomes visitors to sit with her here in the waiting room but please call first. Her number is 312.720.0296. My mom is here from about 10AM-8PM (9th floor of Northwestern Memorial, ICU)
And of course: prayer. We have felt God's presence and intervention.
Prayer Requests
My dad's neurlogical function
Liquid to leave his lungs
His heart to grow stronger
For our family's ability to be in the moment and not to be troubled by what we do not know and cannot predict
For the amazing medical team caring for my dad
That we will not be burdened by demands of our life outside of this situation
Nathan, Barbara & Mark as we head back to work tomorrow
Christine as she juggles caring for Klara and being present at the hospital
Blessings to you as you walk along side of us.
March 22 PM
Thank you to those who have reached out through phone calls, emails . . . and to those of you who hold us up in prayer.
I wanted to give you a quick update on my dad's health. Today has been a quiet day in terms of improvements and this is equally as good as it is bad. He continues to be in sedation and on a breathing tube. Right now we ask that you please pray for my dad's lungs. Our kind friend, who is a surgeon at the hospital, came by today to explain the situation in ways that made more sense to us. He said that the next most important improvement is my dad's lungs to be rid of fluid and that he be able to breathe on his own. This can take days to happen and it is critical for this to occur for my dad to be able to recover.
It is a test of faith and endurance for the family but also a huge hurdle for my dad at this point.
Amazing to think that two days ago . . . life was so normal and now we are living in the hospital waiting room looking at oxygen levels, heart rates and other things that we are totally unequipted to interpret but desperately want to, as an attempt to know more. We are waiting for my dad's body to work miracles for things we each take for granted . . . like breathing on our own and opening our eyes. The next big step once his lungs are functioning is that he have normal brain function. Right now because of the sedation, the medical professionals are unable to know what the results of my dad's brain function are. Please pray for this, as it is in our minds and hearts as well.
Other prayer requests:
For us to be able to sleep and eat. It's been difficult to find an appetite or quiet our minds to rest but two days in, it is certain that it's so important.
Nathan, Mark and I as we go back to work and try to balance that with our hearts wanting to be right here.
And of course for my mom . . . for comfort and rest. I can't imagine . . . I just cannot imagine what it must be like to be in her shoes. As I celebrate my 7 year wedding anniversary tomorrow I am reminded of the deep love my parents have for one another and the loyalty and love my mom has at my dad's bedside.
"To love someone is to learn the song in their heart and sing it to them when they have forgotten."
Thank you for singing to us.
We need and love your support.
Barbara
I wanted to give you a quick update on my dad's health. Today has been a quiet day in terms of improvements and this is equally as good as it is bad. He continues to be in sedation and on a breathing tube. Right now we ask that you please pray for my dad's lungs. Our kind friend, who is a surgeon at the hospital, came by today to explain the situation in ways that made more sense to us. He said that the next most important improvement is my dad's lungs to be rid of fluid and that he be able to breathe on his own. This can take days to happen and it is critical for this to occur for my dad to be able to recover.
It is a test of faith and endurance for the family but also a huge hurdle for my dad at this point.
Amazing to think that two days ago . . . life was so normal and now we are living in the hospital waiting room looking at oxygen levels, heart rates and other things that we are totally unequipted to interpret but desperately want to, as an attempt to know more. We are waiting for my dad's body to work miracles for things we each take for granted . . . like breathing on our own and opening our eyes. The next big step once his lungs are functioning is that he have normal brain function. Right now because of the sedation, the medical professionals are unable to know what the results of my dad's brain function are. Please pray for this, as it is in our minds and hearts as well.
Other prayer requests:
For us to be able to sleep and eat. It's been difficult to find an appetite or quiet our minds to rest but two days in, it is certain that it's so important.
Nathan, Mark and I as we go back to work and try to balance that with our hearts wanting to be right here.
And of course for my mom . . . for comfort and rest. I can't imagine . . . I just cannot imagine what it must be like to be in her shoes. As I celebrate my 7 year wedding anniversary tomorrow I am reminded of the deep love my parents have for one another and the loyalty and love my mom has at my dad's bedside.
"To love someone is to learn the song in their heart and sing it to them when they have forgotten."
Thank you for singing to us.
We need and love your support.
Barbara
March 22nd AM
This blog is an outlet for the family to communicate with loved ones about Dwight. Please feel free to check here for any status updates and prayer requests.
Email from 3/22:
Yesterday morning started with a phone call from a frantic woman calling about my dad. He was at work and had passed out and started throwing up blood. He was rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and quickly joined by my immediate family. At first it felt like they were going to give him more blood, run some tests and keep him overnight for monitoring but this quickly changed.
Some stats:
2/3rds of his stomach was filed with blood
his hemoglobin level which should be at a 15 was at 3
he received 20 liters of blood (5 times our body volume)
The doctors wanted to stop the bleeding but after two scopes they were unable to do so because they couldn't located it with all the blood continuing to fill. Doctors started to say "grave . . .critical . . brace for the worst" We were surrounded by family and friends . . .pastors and doctors and I have to be honest, I began to deal with the fact that I was losing my dad. The final decision was to do a last stitch effort to do a procedure with the intervention radiologist. It was incredibly risky and the doctors weren't sure if he would even survive the ride down to the OR. But time passed and with each moment we were met with hope for success.
Nathan and I ran downstairs to grab coffee and as we came out of the elevators to the radiology floor we heard clapping and cheering. A complete 180 . . . they were able to find the bleeding and STOP the bleeding. His blood pressure is up and his heart rate is lower.
God doesn't work in coincidence . . . for him to be at work yesterday, three blocks from Northwestern Memorial, the best radiology deparment, some say, in the world. We are not out of the woods. My dad continues to be in critical condition and is currently sedated and on a breathing tube. He has blood in his lungs and they are cautious for infection and lack of oxygen that was lost for a time during the day.
Each moment, yesterday, there were at least five doctors, working tirelessly to keep my dad alive and so, so many prayers.
Please be praying for my dad, for my mom, for our family and friends who are gathering together in the hospital and in prayer.
God has worked a miracle, my dad has fought so hard and we pray that this continues. Here are some numbers if you want to get ahold of us.
Please understand if we are not immediate in our follow through.
I will do my best to send updates. We are staying downtown for another night or two (thank you Sarah for the incredible gift of supplying us for hotel rooms!)
Love,Barbara
My mom's cell: 312/720/0296
My cell: 773/801/9544
Christine's cell: 847/738/3228
Northwestern Memorial Hospital Room 920 in ICU
Email from 3/22:
Yesterday morning started with a phone call from a frantic woman calling about my dad. He was at work and had passed out and started throwing up blood. He was rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and quickly joined by my immediate family. At first it felt like they were going to give him more blood, run some tests and keep him overnight for monitoring but this quickly changed.
Some stats:
2/3rds of his stomach was filed with blood
his hemoglobin level which should be at a 15 was at 3
he received 20 liters of blood (5 times our body volume)
The doctors wanted to stop the bleeding but after two scopes they were unable to do so because they couldn't located it with all the blood continuing to fill. Doctors started to say "grave . . .critical . . brace for the worst" We were surrounded by family and friends . . .pastors and doctors and I have to be honest, I began to deal with the fact that I was losing my dad. The final decision was to do a last stitch effort to do a procedure with the intervention radiologist. It was incredibly risky and the doctors weren't sure if he would even survive the ride down to the OR. But time passed and with each moment we were met with hope for success.
Nathan and I ran downstairs to grab coffee and as we came out of the elevators to the radiology floor we heard clapping and cheering. A complete 180 . . . they were able to find the bleeding and STOP the bleeding. His blood pressure is up and his heart rate is lower.
God doesn't work in coincidence . . . for him to be at work yesterday, three blocks from Northwestern Memorial, the best radiology deparment, some say, in the world. We are not out of the woods. My dad continues to be in critical condition and is currently sedated and on a breathing tube. He has blood in his lungs and they are cautious for infection and lack of oxygen that was lost for a time during the day.
Each moment, yesterday, there were at least five doctors, working tirelessly to keep my dad alive and so, so many prayers.
Please be praying for my dad, for my mom, for our family and friends who are gathering together in the hospital and in prayer.
God has worked a miracle, my dad has fought so hard and we pray that this continues. Here are some numbers if you want to get ahold of us.
Please understand if we are not immediate in our follow through.
I will do my best to send updates. We are staying downtown for another night or two (thank you Sarah for the incredible gift of supplying us for hotel rooms!)
Love,Barbara
My mom's cell: 312/720/0296
My cell: 773/801/9544
Christine's cell: 847/738/3228
Northwestern Memorial Hospital Room 920 in ICU
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