Luke spent his 25th birthday in his ICU hospital bed, but it certainly wasn't an uneventful day for him. He had a constant stream of visitors coming to see him and bring him cards, balloons and gifts. We can't get half of his get well cards up on his wall let alone all the birthday cards that came today! We read a few of them to him but there were far too many to try to read them all. We're all still struggling with the frustrations of not being able to communicate other than him nodding or shaking his head in response to questions and us trying to figure out the right questions to ask! In any event, it certainly is a blessing to see smiles!
As of 5:00 p.m. they still hadn't taken him for surgery, so we're doubtful that they will today. We aren't sure of the reason for the delay, but most likely it has to do with emergencies and repairing his elbow is not.
He did well on his sprint this morning going for 30 minutes on settings 5 and 5. The respiratory therapist was going to try to push him further this afternoon, but with all the visitors and activities, she decided to postpone it until 5:00. That's why we cleared out a little earlier than usual today. She wanted to be able to sprint him when all was quiet.
One of the trauma team doctors came in and talked to us about Luke's progress. Their main concerns now are getting him off the respirator and weaning him off the ativan and fentanyl. It is taking him longer than they expected, but when they stop and consider the many problems he had when he came in, it is understandable.
If I can find out any more about his scheduled surgery when we see him this evening, I'll post an update.
---Bill
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9 comments:
Happy Birthday Luke!!! Still looking forward to meet and to be able to talk with you soon. Best of wishes and health.
Thanks Bill and Paula, you are the greatest parents of them all!
John B.
Sounds like Lukes sprints are getting better, what a blessing. Hopefully the repairs that are needed will come soon. We will continue to pray for God to work His miracles (He's so good at that)
Blessings to you all
The Young's
All of your old highschool friends here in Meadville love and miss you and we are all praying for you. You have always been a strong person and we expect nothing less......hang in there :)
Happy Birthday Luke. You know, I read about what had happened to you during my rehabilitation of a finger that was fractured in 3 places during an altercation at the SYS POE. I'm glad that you are doing a lot better than that fateful day and I wish you the best in your recovery. I tried to donate blood a few days ago, but they tripped out on the pins in my finger so I'll have to do that when I heal up. I do hope they throw the book at this 51-50. You may not know this, but a few years ago, there were a lot of head-ons on highway 54. Anyway, I have faith that you will recover fully and that the leg that you lossed will not deter you in your endeavors. Although I can't really empathize with the gravity of your situation, I can pass on my deepest sympathies and I can empathize with your parents in their grief as being tantamount to when my dad told me that he had cancer. May God bless you bro and make you well enough to enjoy Christmas with your family. Happy Thanksgiving!
Recently my brother in law was in the ICU, and we were in the same situation. Wanting to speak to him but getting so frustrated because we couldn't. I came up with a method that worked some times. We wrote out the alphabet (space the letters pretty far apart or else you won't be able to see what he is pointing to) and had him spell out what he wanted to say. It is tedious, and the nurses kept reminding us that it could be the drugs talking but he was able to let us know if something was really bothering him. (PS. Have someone writing as he points. it gets to be impossible to remember the letters especially if his arm gets tired)
Hope this might help!
Luke,
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday and a Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Tucson Sector Family Support Unit!
All of you are in our thoughts and prayers!
Lots of love,
TCA FSU
Dear Luke and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all today. Good report on your sprints. Know that prayers from Saints all over the world are sent to Heaven daily on your behalf. We, like your parents, believe in the power of prayer and have seen many examples of God's grace in our lives in answering those prayers.
I found this prayer for you today.
Grant unto us, Almighty God, in all time of sore distress,
the comfort of the forgiveness of our sins.
In time of darkness give us blessed hope,
in time of sickness of body give us quiet courage;
and when the heart is bowed down, and the soul is very heavy,
and life is a burden, and pleasure a weariness,
and the sun is too bright, and life too mirthful,
then may that Spirit, the Spirit of the Comforter, come upon us,
and after our darkness may there be the clear shining of the heavenly light;
that so, being uplifted again by Thy mercy, Hear us of Thy mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord - Amen.
--George Dawson
In Christ,
The Pengra Family
Redmond, Oregon
Hi Luke, Bill and Paula! We didn't know it was Luke's birthday - so belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We check on Luke's progress every day and praise God for all of the miracles (physical and spiritual) He is doing for you and through you. God is so good and faithful to His word. Remember His promise to NEVER leave you or forsake you. Our Lord is a God that is right beside you, not off at a distant place looking from afar. He can and is taking a tragedy and bringing good from it. His hands are at work and even at times when you can't see it - in the future you'll be able to look back and see His work so clearly. We know your faith is strong and you are inspiring so many with your comments and praises through this storm. (It brings to mind the song of Casting Crowns - I will praise you in this storm). We are continuing to lift you all to our heavenly Father who knows your every need before it is even asked. The power of prayer is amazing!!! - Rob, Carol, Ryan & Heather Haylett
Happy Birthday Luke-A!
Thank you again for keeping us all updated! I know that its been a long road and I am praying that soon you will be able to communicate with him better!
I am looking forward to our visit and being able to see Luke and let him know that he has so many people standing behind him and supporting him!
See you all in 2 weeks!
Love, Jenna
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