Healing Hurdles: Recovery Update

Dearest Prayer Warriors,

A Word that the Lord gave us today:

Psalm 84:5-7

What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. 6 When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. 7 They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.

It has been hard to find time to write an update and also because there are frequent changes in Don’s care plan. But we are “flexico”! Lots of practice with flexibility in Mexico.

The process for the prosthetic limb will begin when he has fully healed from amputation surgery. We will know more Monday after his first dressing change.

Hurdles conquered and to be conquered:

Hurdle 1: Conquered

April 3 Tuesday – Don’s scheduled left below the knee amputation. (left ankle arthritic deterioration, years of pain and mobility issues)

His goal for this surgery: No pain, more mobility for continued mission work in Mexico

April 6 Friday pm – Don recovered sufficiently to return to Christmas Valley home, Home Health scheduled, handicapped equipment in place, able to do fair transfers.

Hurdle conquered: Home with help on the way.

Hurdle 2: Conquered

April 7, Saturday early am – Don was flown to Bend hospital; sepsis from an infected gallbladder; hospitalized again. Gallbladder drain inserted; IVs and IV antibiotics started

Focus: Treat infection and prevent infection entering leg operative site, regain strength

April 10, Tuesday am – Antibiotic resistant ecoli bacteria (ESBL) identified in gallbladder; started on new, more powerful medication

Goal: Reduce swelling and bacterial count to a safe level to have gallbladder removed (possibly up to 6 weeks of IV antibiotics)

April 11, Wednesday - Don improved, but weakened from infection and fevers. In isolation to prevent people with weakened immune systems becoming infected

Hurdle conquered: Bacteria identified, no infection or pain in left leg, no fevers, feeling better

Up coming Hurdle 3

April 13, Friday – On Monday, April 16th, Don will be transferred to a skilled nursing facility here at St. Charles Medial Center in Bend. (Pilot Butte Rehabilitation Center 1876 US-20, Bend OR 97701)

Focus: Physical strengthening; balance training; combat infection with IV antibiotics daily; physical therapy one hour daily; maintain operative site infection free; sutures removed from operative leg if healing well

Goal: Discharge to either surgery for gallbladder removal or to St. Charles In-patient Rehabilitation (on the LL (lower level of the main building) of the hospital.)

Upcoming Hurdle 4+ (order unknown)

Goals:

Good physical strength and balance in transfers and mobility; rehab with PT up to 3 hours daily at St. Charles Rehab; reach a low fall risk
Excellent healing of operative site, then complete healing
Begin fittings of prosthetic sleave and ambulation with prosthesis
Complete antibiotic IV therapy (anticipate 6 weeks total of therapy)
Surgery: Gallbladder removal (thus removing the infection)!
Healing from gallbladder surgery, no infections
Focus: Complete independence with the prosthetic limb
Goal (ultimate): RETURN TO MEXICO IN AUGUST

2 Corinthians 12:8-10

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Opportunities for Intercession:

Fast healing of surgical leg site
Effective antibiotic therapy
Good rest and health for Ilene
Protection and wisdom for the team in Mexico

The Lord has blessed us abundantly because of you and your prayers.

Don will be ready for visitors tomorrow, some phone calls, but messages are wonderful too. He is a people person and needs someone around as much as possible.

In His Arms,