Hope's morning started off the same as usual with nausea, lots of pain, etc. She was really complaining of abdominal discomfort and the feeling of needing to have a bowel movement, but with no success after a couple tries. So Trev and I decided to pursue a more aggressive approach again this morning like this past Monday. As miserable as it was, on top of her spasms, pain, dizziness and nausea. . . drum roll. . . we got results!!! We were all three, super relieved, excited, thankful, etc., etc.!
Hope is still stating that her abdomen feels tender, but I could tell she was feeling better the rest of the day following, in her general overall comfort, chattiness, etc. She had less spasms today, for which we are also so thankful as they are the worst part of her pain. She tolerated about 45 mins up in the reclining chair tonight for supper, with only one spasm. And she ate two helpings of the yummy shepherd's pie that a sweet new friend brought to us, knowing it was one of Hope's favorites!
She also had her dear friend, Miss Isylla, come and hang out with her this evening, and she had a plan for her ugly ole' puke bin. . . I love Hope's creative side as her mother is extremely lacking in that area! Hope and Isylla turned an ugly ole' puke bin into a work of art, and when they called me into the room to view it, I had to run for the camera to share it with you! : )
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| A plain ole' ugly puke bin from the hospital! : ) |
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| Our creative girl turns plain ole' ugly into downright adorable!!! Here Hope is sporting her American Girl Kit Kitteredge doll's new bonnet, complete with a feather in her cap! This terrific creation has a ribbon bow in the back and also ties securely around the doll's chin to stay in place. And the colorful rainbow design is very much Hope's signature! : ) |
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| Hope and her buddy, Miss Isylla, pose debuting Kit's fashionable new bonnet!!! |
Hope's evening involved more pain again as is the trend, however, overall it was a BETTER day! And it was a day that felt super encouraging for this exhausted family! Hope even asked for Gabi to sleep with her tonight, which she has not wanted people laying close to her as it was too painful, even movement in the bed was uncomfortable for her. So this also felt like another huge praise, and her little sister was gracious to quickly hop in! : ) Here are my sleeping babes. . . how I love them, even though they are far from babes anymore!
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| That blue rice bag hot pack has been a huge blessing in helping Hope relax and fall asleep!!! She also got a "tension away" essential oil massage on that shoulder at bedtime. . . actually one from mom and one from dad. . . she's figuring out some good ways of stacking the benefits! And we are just thankful to have ways to bring her comfort! |
And one more quick praise. . . I mentioned that we had noticed some more blood drainage seeping out under the dressing. Today, I crawled behind Hope while she was on her side so I could mark the drainage with a pen to monitor it for changes. (Hope can only lie on her right side, as the left side causes lots of spasms and also severe vertigo, which makes assessment of her back difficult with that side being toward the wall, with the direction of her bed and it being against the wall!) As I went to mark it, I noticed that the edges of the "bloody drainage" were very straight, and as I looked closer, I realized that it was NOT new bloody drainage, but rather the blood stained steri-strips that were still on her incision when they did the dressing change! So there is NO new bloody drainage coming from her wound! This was a wonderful realization, as it greatly decreases her risk of infections and indicated that healing is underway!
Gabi also had someone show her some extra special love and attention today, which thrilled her heart. . . the fact that it involved candy was also a bonus. . . a LOT of candy! We are so thankful for all the dear people that God burdens to love on our little Gabi girl too. . . what an encouragement to her and display of God's amazing love for her as well. In all the focus on Hope's recovery, you all have made sure that she is never forgotten! Thank you dear ones, for being an extension of God's loving care for our whole family!!!
Well, that's short but packed with praises! Hope is still in a lot of pain, BUT it was a good day. . . an encouraging day to feel some progress in this long road of recovery! And this family is SO thankful and praising God's grace that is so evident around us! You are one of those amazing graces in our lives, so thank you for your prayers, dear ones!!! Now I'm going to go put foot to the prayers for rest, by joining my sleeping family!
You are so very loved!!! : )
Has Hope ever read/heard Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery? Sooo good!
ReplyDeleteHelen Jones
Thank you for sharing your journey and my prayer is that you would continue to find Hope and comfort in what God is doing in your lives. As you write it is evident of God's continued mercy and faithfulness to his church, his people. As someone who suffers as well, but in a different way, I want to encourage you guys to never fail to see the hand of God even in the little things. (Which you are doing) God will never fail us, so long as we see him working in our lives, even when he is quiet. I praise God for you all, and pray that The Lord continue to guide, comfort and sustain your family and your two precious kids. God Bless you.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing her smile. : )
ReplyDeleteCOULD THE APOSTLE PAUL RESIST SINNING? BY STEVE FINNELL
ReplyDeleteThere are Christians who quote the apostle Paul as their excuse for for sinning or living a sinful lifestyle. The example given is Romans 7:14-15, out of context of course.
Romans 7:14-15 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.(NKJV)
Was Paul saying that as a Christian who had been washed in the blood of Christ that he could not resist sinning? No he was not
Romans 7:4-6 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another, even to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit of God......6 But now we have been delivered from the law...(NKJV)
The apostle Paul as well as all Christians have been delivered from the law.
Romans 7:24-25 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of death? 25 I thank God ---through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. (NKJV)
Paul was not under the law after he became a Christian. He could resist sin.
1 Corinthians 9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others , I myself should become disqualified.
The apostle Paul could resist sinning.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (NKJV)
There is no temptation a Christian cannot resist. Christians sin by their own choice.
2 Peter 2:9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgement, (NKJV)
The apostle Paul nor any Christian has to succumb to temptation.
James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (NKJV)
This was a message to Christians. Christian sin because they resist God, not because they cannot resist sinning.
Ephesians 6:11-18 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil....(NKJV)
Yes, Christian can resist the devil.
1 John 1:8-9 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us......(NKJV)
Yes, Christians do sin. Christians sin by choice, not because they cannot resist sinning.
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