Friday, March 28, 2008

3:30 p.m. and Waiting

It has been several hours since I have updated the blog. Truth is we are waiting for Tracy to get out of an MRI. However, she has done really well. This morning all of the family members got to see her, one or two at a time. Though she was very tired, of course, she interacted with everyone. Even being part of a practical joke on Byron, saying to him as he came in, "Now who are you?". Earlier when I had asked my kids what they thought her first words to me were, Bryon could hear over the phone and answered that her first words to me were, "Where's Byron?". Truth is, her first words were, "Chapstick."
The speech pathologist came in to assess Tracy's ability to swallow. She let her sip from a straw, which Tracy could do, but since the right side of her face doesn't really work yet, it was difficult to get good suction on the straw. But she did swallow, though weakly. Next she gave her water in a spoon, which Tracy swallowed weakly. Then she spooned in a couple of spoonfuls of applesauce. Tracy swallowed that also, but afterwards she cleared her throat and coughed. So, she can swallow, but her throat muscles are weak. It is very good that she can swallow as she does, but she needs to be able to do so safely. She must be able to keep her airway clear. The decision then is too allow ice chips today, reassess tomorrow for clear liquids. Dr. Oghalai came in while I was gone, but Grannie was there and she said that Dr. Oghalai said he was very pleased with the results. He is planning on a feeding tube through the nose tomorrow, if the reassessment does not improve. She will need to have nutrition by tomorrow somehow.

Hey guys, I took a break for a minute because Tracy was back in her room. She is fast asleep; looks very peaceful and I think she is at peace. Jessy said Tracy has been very cooperative and good with everything she must do or endure. Her face is swelling up quite a bit. That is to be expected. Think of when you bump your knee and you say, "Ow!" and rub it, but you don't see anything. The next day, there is a big blue bruise there. Same kind of thing.

Tracy is doing great. We know she is bouyed by everyone's prayers. What a blessing.

Your comments on the blog are an anticipated blessing. Please be sure and sign your name. The blog will only recognize you as anonymous. There are many of you writing and we love it, but a couple have come without a signature and we don't know who sent it.

We'll update again later.

Jeff

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Im sooo glad to hear everythings going well!! We've been praying for you at school. I love you guys!

-Jaclyn

Anonymous said...

Jeff, so glad you are keeping us up to date on our friend and sister. We're now in Elgin for the week-end with our kids and it is so great that we can know what is going on.

As to Tracy's comment about "punk rocker"......how many young men can say their mother, the Punk Rocker, was the belle of the ball at their wedding. Not only is our God great, He has a sense of humor too!

He will show us more great things through Tracy and all of you. Our prayers are with you all. GET REST!

We love you all.

Ladonna & Chuck

Anonymous said...

Wow! God is soooo Good. I am very happy for all of you. We are thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers. The Shaws

Anonymous said...

Jeff et al:

We continue to pray and praise. We are so glad with you. Thanks be to God. Karen says that everything sounds so good. We are thankful.
Jack & Karen

chris hodges said...

If God leads us to it, He WILL lead us through it! The updates are so wonderful and we KNOW that divine intervention is the reason. Much love and prayers,
Chris Hodges (Carin's mother)

Anonymous said...

We will keep praying. Your blog has been such an amazing joy to those of us that are at home just getting to read how God is working as we pray.
The first time I read the update of Tracy being out of surgery, I emailed someone with words to a hymn that came to mind and then saw many others that commented here with reference to hymns. It was almost like reading the index of a hymn book.
Paula Headley

Clint said...

Hey, this all great news. My mom gave me the link, so I thought I'd chime in and let you know that your family is in my prayers. It's wonderful to hear that things are progressing.

-Clint Cullum

Anonymous said...

Tracy Way to go...all our prayers were answered. I pray for a speedy recovery and hope we can see each other in the near future at the greatest reunion for FTBC

We Love You!!!!

Jeana Hart Smith

Anonymous said...

Jeff:
What great news so far! Your blogs are such an inspiration and witness to the power of our faith in our Heavenly Father.....please tell Tracy that Mark and Cindy are ecstatic about your positive reports and will keep praying for a complete and faster than nomral recovery!

Love you guys,
Cindy McBrayer
Lubbock, Texas

Anonymous said...

Tracy and Jeff,

This is your cousin again from San Diego. My mom and I have been praying for you day and night. We are so encouraged to hear that God is in control!

We are keeping up on your blog daily and can't wait to hear about all of the progress and answered prayers.

Jeff...please give Tracy a hug for us when you can. Even though we have not met (maybe once when we were little) please let her know that we love her and are praying always.

Blessings,

Renee' and my Mom Debbie

Anonymous said...

Jeff This is such wonderful news. This is wonderful to see Gods work. WOW. It is great to get these up dates. We will continue to pray for Tracey and the family. We love ya'll.
Robin Gessner

Anonymous said...

Give Tracy love from Waddy and Marilyn Wadkins. We are sending beautiful bluebonnet thoughts and haapy easter prayers her way.

Sandy Bingham said...

At risk of arrest/fine for copyright infringement, I wanted to share what I read this morning in my "Streams in the Desert" devotional book.
---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---
[Matthew 6:28]
+++
Yes, leave it with Him,
The lilies all do,
And they grow--
They grow in the rain,
And they grow in the dew--
Yes, they grow:
They grow in the darkness, all hid in the night--
They grow in the sunshine, revealed by the light--
Still they grow.

Yes, leave it with Him,
'Tis more dear to His heart,
You will know,
Than the lilies that bloom,
Or the flowers that start
'Neath the snow:
Whatever you need, if you seek it in prayer,
You can leave it with Him--for you are His care.
You, you know.
---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---

Tracy & Jeff: You, you know, are His care.

Prayerfully entrusting you both to our Creator & Sustainer--SandyBingham