Day 14-July 31

We woke up early today in preparation for the aid coming to do a bath and the PT coming at 0900 to do exercises. It was pouring rain with flood warnings so both were late. Grandma and I did her shower. Really, she did it independently and stood the whole time (a first for her). We got her dressed and I put her hair in curlers. Her nephew is getting married tonight and she's planning to attend, so we're getting her hair ready for the big night.

We had a wonderful time with the PT who talked quite openly with Grandpa about her current hurt of having her 3rd miscarriage. He was able to spend a little time with her and give her his book. Please pray for chris the PT that she'll find comfort in Jesus and the cross during this time.





By the time the home health group left it was already time for lunch. So we had lunch with Grandpa and then he went down the mountain. We did our devotions together, late, and read through Romans 8. We were encouraged by:

"26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified."

We both got a nap this afternoon, then got ready to go to the wedding. Thankfully the rain slowed down, because the wedding was at a campground. We left for the wedding and we had sun and cooler weather. Grandma got out of the car and enjoyed the short wedding. We had bbq for dinner and caught up with family. We took lots of pictures and Grandma just glowed. She was the surprise for the wedding and made the groom cry as he saw her pull up. God is soo good. She did well with walking and sitting in the heat. Her tank held out and we were home by 9pm. We all fell into bed realizing what a GREAT day God had given us. He has been so faithful.

Keep praying that the fluid will drain from her right lung, for ongoing encouragement, strength and endurance as she moves forward after I'm gone. Pray for Grandpa that he will want to serve her and put her first.

love,

shauna

Day 13-July 30

Grandma had a fitful night sleep and said the Lord woke her up only to find her oxygen was off her nose. She was grateful for that.

She was ready to go this am, so we did a full set of standing, sitting and arm exercises after breakfast. We ordered wedding pictures from Aub's wedding, Josh's wedding and my wedding, so she can work on albums.

The doctor decreased her BP pills to help with her dizziness and the home health nurse came by and her blood is too thin, so we're adjusting her coumadin. Nothing to be alarmed about, just skipping a dose tonight. We did another set of leg exercises out on the porch this afternoon and Grandma has been extra careful with her lung exercises! God is sooo good.

We had some time in the word and were encouraged by Psalms 30: 2

2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.

Grandma had her cleaning lady here for 3 hours and the house looks GREAT! I think that helps Grandma rest better knowing the cleaning is done. She's getting excited about attending her nephew's wedding tomorrow night (she wasn't going to go 2 days ago, but now she's calling everyone telling them she's coming!) Can you tell she's feeling better?

We're doing pork chops for dinner and probably another game of upwords tonight.

Please continue to pray that her BP levels out, that her Coumadin levels get normal and that her right lung clears of fluid. Pray for me as we spend our last few days together that I prepare myself for leaving and this home/family for her care once I'm gone.

God is so very good!

shauna

Here's grandma posing!

Day 12-July 29

I took the morning off and went down the mountain to do some shopping. This put Grandpa in charge of Grandma. They didn't sit around, of course. They changed the sheets on the bed and went through all her cards/gifts while she was in the hospital. I think this was really encouraging to both of them. We enjoyed lunch together and then Grandpa left for the office.

The PT came this afternoon. She was wonderful and did exercises with Grandma standing in the kitchen and sitting in her chair. She said she was used to much sicker patients and was enjoying how strong Grandma was and said she planned to get her using stairs and walking outside soon. She will come 3x/week.

Grandma had her nails done this afternoon. Someone came to the house and filled her nails and painted them. Grandma felt like a million bucks. We had a nice dinner together and played upwords this evening.

Grandma continues to have bp problems and gets dizzy. We held her pm dose tonight which helped some. We plan to call the doctor tomorrow if it persists.

She's getting tired of exercises and waiting, so please keep praying her endurance, strength and the desire to stick it out a bit longer. Please pray for wisdom and patience for me.

Lots of love,

Shauna

Day 11-July 28

Today was another good day, though Grandma seems tired. I don't know if she's discouraged, bored, or neither but she's not as eager to go today. She slept well and ate a good breakfast.

We were bombarded with home health today. The occupational therapist came by (a delight) and feels the facility is safe and Grandma has what she needs. She also didn't see any physical limitations at this time. She did see lacking strength and endurance, so she will work on this with Grandma. She also works on upper body strength and will focus on this and specific exercises to work her lungs to help facilitate losing the fluid on her lung. She will start next week and come 2x/week in between the 3x/week physical therapy. The home health nurse came and did an oxygen study with Grandma. She remained above 90% with sitting, standing and walking on oxygen. She dropped to 86% with walking without oxygen, thus showing she needs to continue on oxygen. We both think it's related to the fluid and once the fluid is gone, her oxygenation should stay more stable. Every thing else looked good with her lowest BP yet: 136/72. She will return on Thursday to do vital signs and to check her blood levels for her coumadin.

The physical therapist was going to come by and I told her we already had OT, nursing and the health aid coming so could she come tomorrow and she agreed. She will focus on strengthening Grandma's legs. We had a nice lunch and I arranged "sitters" for next week to come for 4 hours each day to help Grandpa since I know he can't sit still. We have 2 days left to cover, so I'll keep working on this. Grandma reminisced about Grandpa when they were first married, and many stories of their kids when they were little. That was a special time. She fell asleep looking at the Penney's catalog, so I covered her up and left her alone.

We figured out what was wrong with Grandma yesterday: her BP dropped from 160's to 130's and I think her body didn't compensate very well. So she was dizzy every time she stood up. We ended up holding her evening dose and she's feeling much better. She and I did evening exercises and she even helped make dinner. We got all of next week staffed with friends to come and visit, so that will help Grandma rest easier and give Grandpa some help as well.

Grandma and Grandpa and I had a nice time last night talking about life, my walk with the Lord and my marriage. They were so encouraging and we ended in prayer. God is sooo good to me to give me time with my precious Grandparents. I feel like I've been blessed so much with being here.

Please continue to pray for:
Grandma's right lung, full of fluid.
Endurance and strength for Grandma
Grandpa preparation for next week
Ongoing wisdom and guidance for me

Lots of love,
shauna

Day 10-July 27

What a GREAT day we had today! We woke up early this morning preparing to go to Grandma's doctor's appt. We had a nice breakfast and a safe drive to Knoxville.

We arrived at the medical building where I dropped Grandma and her oxygen tank in the foyer, parked the car and waited for a wheelchair to arrive. The office visit was quite thorough including a chest x-ray and at least 20 minutes with the doctor. He was careful to explain everything to both me and Grandma and walked me to the hall to show me the x-ray since he knew I was a nurse practitioner. He was caring and had a great bedside manner! What a special doctor for Grandma! Thank you Lord.

We brought a list of about 12 items and he was careful to answer all of our questions and didn't appear rushed! He also reassured me re: Grandma's lung. He said her right lung is better than it was in the hospital. He also said it's not urgent that he'd like to continue her on a water pill, continue working on lung exercises and being mobile to see if her body will just absorb the water. So that's my major prayer request. If by 4 weeks it's not resolved, they will stick a needle in the lung again to drain it. Sure would love to avoid that!

Everything else looked great and she can now check her blood sugar in the morning only. He changed a blood pressure medication to better control it and said to see him in 4 weeks. I was very impressed by the care he gave Grandma.

We celebrated and went to Cracker Barrell for lunch and then came home. Grandma was exhausted and got a nap. We did a round of exercises and then had a spaghetti dinner delivered from a friend. What a nice treat. We visited for the evening and then went to bed.

Please continue to pray for Grandma's right lung. I would love to say that God drained that fluid and healed it as a testimony to her doctors. We are working hard on her lungs. Also pray for ongoing strength, endurance and encouragement as she works so very hard. I'd love prayer for peace and wisdom. Please pray for Grandpa as well. He will have next week without me before Aubry comes and he has a hard time sitting still. Please pray that he's ready to care for her and to stay home more during that interim week!

love,

shauna

Day 9-July 26

Grandma was up at 0830 and ready for her breakfast. By the time I got to her, she'd already checked her fasting blood sugar. We ate our breakfast and then watched the videostream again of First Baptist Powell. A GREAT sermon on the sufficiency of grace in salvation and our need for Christ's pursuing! What a blessing!

Grandma did her breathing exercises, we got a shower, I put her hair in rollers and she got herself dressed! She was quite winded after the shower, so we know we need to work more on time up out of the chair, standing or walking, to increase her stamina.

Cathy came over to make lunch: roasted chicken, buttermilk biscuits, strawberry mandarin orange salad, fried okra (Grandma did it and showed me how). Jeanine and Caroll Parks came over this afternoon as did Gary Ragan and his fiance (getting married this coming Friday, which we will attend)! We had a nice afternoon of fellowship. We had a calm evening, leftovers for dinner and a healthy grandma! Not much to report which I'm happy with. We went to bed a little early knowing we have a big day on Monday getting to the doctor!

Please keep praying for recovery, strength and that right lung! God is so very good!

shauna

Day 8-July 25

It's Saturday so we get Cathy and Grandpa at home with us today.

Cathy made her famous blueberry french toast and eggs.

Grandma slept well last night in bed and said, "I just hung on to Grandpa's hand all night." God is sooooooo good!

We had a nice breakfast together and morning devotions.

Grandma had two sets of visitors and got a round of exercises in.

She had the home health nurse stop by to check on her lungs and she said they were sounding okay and to continue working on her lung exercises. We got 2 full sets of exercises in and Grandma walked around the house quite a bit yesterday.

We watched the Apple Dumpling Gang with Cathy last night and both grandma and grandpa seemed to enjoy it! Grandma's nephew and wife (a nurse) came last night to visit for a while and were amazed at how she's improved. She was so encouraged. Grandma is now eating at the dinner table for every meal and doing quite well. She got herself ready for bed and into bed on her own last night, just another marker of her incredible progress and strength! Thank you Lord.

Overall another good day! Keep praying. Love you lots,

shauna