One step forward ... Two steps back!!

Johnny,

Last week you were transferred from the hospitals ICU to a LTAC (long term acute care facility). The week felt pretty grim! You still had/have the tube in your throat helping you breath. On Sunday we were told that you've been on the ventilator too long and that it's starting to damage the inside of your throat and mouth. The doctor said that the best thing for you is to have the trach put back in. This is something we absolutely did not want! Our fear being that if you have one again you won't be able to have it removed. Mom was told that we were given false information before and that it is possible to be weaned of the trach again. He also told her that it would be worse for Johnny having the ventilator any longer because of the tissue breakdown. So, you've been scheduled for a trach on Thursday.

Resent update: you were given a blood gas test today ... and you PASSED!!! A blood gas test is a test to see if the ventilator can be removed. Removing the ventilator means you will have to be able to breathe deep enough to remove the carbon dioxide from your lungs. This is really good news! If your able to breathe without the ventilator, you won't need the trach!! So, the doctor asked mom if she wanted to have the ventilator tube removed and mom said that she wanted another blood gas done first. You see, if you have the tube removed and then start breathing poorly, you'll have to have the tube again and then the trach ... Steps back! It's better to be safe and know for sure. So, you have time to study for your next test ... Ha! I know you'll do good because God answers prayers! Which leads me to my next subject ... God's will ... I've been having some trouble with knowing what exactly to pray for when I pray for you. I talked to a good friend about this and she told me that God already knows what we are wanting to pray about, even we don't . She left me a note in my mailbox this morning and I'd like to share it with you and those out there that are having some of the same troubles as me.

Romans 8:26
And the holy spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for but the holy spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the spirit is saying, for the spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will.

Our pastor said on Sunday:
The spirit of God searches every inch of our lives - He intercedes in prayer for us. He knows stuff about us that we don't even know!

There is comfort in knowing that when I can't find the words to express what I want or need, it's okay because God already knows!

Praying for you! Looking forward to some excellent test scores! XO Jen