August 29, 2012

I admit that I am not spending as much time as I want in God's Word but that is just one of many things I don't spend enough time doing.

Well, according to her neurosurgeon via the hospitalist there is no reason for Gretchen to stay in intermediate care so as soon as a bed becomes available she will be moved to "the floor".  That was the good news for the day.

I had to go in at my normal time today because we needed to move a bunch of PCs downtown and they wanted to do it first thing.  I stopped by the hospital around 7:00 and Gretchen was sleeping (was there any question).  I noticed by the board that she was running a slight fever so I let her sleep.  I kissed her forehead, told her I loved her, sat down in the chair next to the bed (where I could watch her) and prayed with/for her.  When I finished I got up, kissed her forehead, and headed for the office.  (if it weren't for the prayer reference this could be the makings of a love ballad from the late '60s)

I decided to "take a lunch break" on the way back from town and stop by and see Gretchen (okay, it was 9:30 so I took an early lunch).  I am glad that I did.  She was awake and conversant.  We talked for quite a while.  Mostly I told her things and she commented on them (sounding vaguely like some of my smart-alack comments - we've been married a while...).  At one point she told me about some pain she was having, sort of head, neck, back. I mentioned it to the nurse and when she came in she asked Gretchen if she was having pain and Gretchen said "not really."  Based on some comments that Gretchen has made, that didn't really seem to make sense, I am wondering if there is a world in her mind in which all these people in blue and maroon scrubs are out to get her.  When she is fully alert I think that world recedes but when first waking or when in pain it may be harder to tell the two worlds apart.

The hospitalist called me at work to talk about her moving out of IMCU.  He expressed concern about her alertness and said she may need a feeding tube long term if she can't stay alert long enough to take enough nourishment.  They are going to switch her to a narrower tube for a week or two to see how it goes.  If she doesn't improve they may need to surgically implant a feeding tube (Gretchen WON'T like that).  He also mentioned that if she isn't alert and strong enough she might need to go to a nursing home before therapy.  I am debating when to tell Gretchen about these two "threats" because if she is able she will prevent both things from happening.  Pray for her alertness and strength.

Peter seems to be rising to the occasion.  He doesn't always get everything done but he always has some surprise.  Today he did a bunch of weeding out front and found some baby plants that Gretchen will be glad to hear about.

I, on the other hand, am beginning to get overwhelmed.  My only Bible reading of late is at night with Peter.  I only spend an hour or two with Gretchen, housework is only the essentials, Peter fends for himself for two meals a day (good thing he and Gretchen were reading The Treasure Seekers and he and I discovered The Rifleman on Hulu, he just sees it as an adventure), and I still haven't worked a full day at the office since Gretchen went into the hospital.  I now know why God burned Philippians 4:13 into my brain back on August 12.  If he hadn't it would have been harder not to give up.