Home, Again...

"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The Foxhole is now posting from home!  And while we have been home now for several days, we are still trying to acclimate ourselves.  As the verse above states, Rejoice Always.... Easy to do now at home...difficult to do while going through an unpleasant circumstance like we just went through.  Yet, we did and continue to celebrate the milestones and victories we received while in the ICU and Hospital, and now at home.  We also greatly rejoice because of great support and friends like you.  Like the early church, as spoken of in Acts, you came alongside of us, supported us and gave of yourselves.  As Barnabas' name meant comforter or encourager, you were, and still are, a Barnabas for us. 


And whatever form of comfort and encouragement it has been, it has helped to carry me, Princess, and even Critter through this last month and looking forward.  So in our prayers, we too, pray for you continually, and give thanks for God's provision.  Thank you!


Additionally, I look to this verse to let it be a reminder of how can I rejoice in affliction.  Sure it is easy to rejoice when things go our way, yet in a trial...how is it possible?  For me, it is what follows after the first part of this verse.  An attitude. 


Focused attitude and attention on God. This attitude and really, the heart, has to be centered and focused on Christ.  A sure way to do this is to communicate with God.  How do we do that?  Through prayer.  Simply, prayer is our time to just talk with God.  So therefore, having an attitude of prayer and praying without ceasing will dramatically change mine, our, attitudes.  Hence, our attitude needs to be guided by prayer.  And then, finding a way to give thanks.  While I may not have this focus all the time, I am grateful for God's grace and His mercy.  For as the Bible says in Lamentations 3:22-23, "The Lord's lovingkindesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness." 


Is it easy to give thanks in ALL circumstances?  No, it isn't.  And really, it is truly hard. Sometimes it seems even impossible.  Many have walked an even tougher road and for me to sit here and encourage someone to be thankful for a horrific event, is really something that I cannot understand.  My finite mind cannot even begin to explain an infinite God who says that He knows the plans He has for you and me.  Plans to prosper you, not to harm you. Plans for a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).  Therefore, as we have referenced in the Foxhole many times, Proverbs 3:5-6.  Trust in the Lord with ALL of your heart and do not lean on your own understanding; in ALL your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. 


So, do I, does the Foxhole have it all figured out?  Certainly, not!  Are there times when we get frustrated, beaten down, angry, and upset?  Absolutely.  But, it is because of God, because of you, because of our attitudes directed at and towards Christ, that brings us through and allows for us to rejoice always, and give thanks.  And hence, that is even now our focus as we are now home. 


Home, again...  Being timid this week at home has been a struggle.  Princess has truly gone through two nearly life-ending events in just less than four weeks.  Her body that is supposed to be able to work on its own, was literally being controlled by a single machine.  Therefore, she is fragile as her body's own systems begin to function all together again.  Like a restored antique auto, all the parts and pieces have to each come together to be fully restored.  And that process takes time.  Unfortunately, it doesn't happen overnight. 


How did we get to where we just came from?  Her sodium levels literally crashed.  And while we don't know if it was a gradual event or just sudden, her sodium levels are the only outlier in both hospitalizations.  This most likely caused by a consumption of too much water, trying to control another condition that she suffers from, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).  So now it is scary to even consume fluids, trying to find the right balance for what the body requires in a normal state, yet what the body requires for a condition like POTS. 


And while trying to maintain the right sodium level is a concern, we also find ourselves trying to adjust to a "new normal" at home.  Even discussing last night, we don't want to call it a normal.  While in the hospital someone mentioned to us that for every day in the hospital, it takes about two days to recover.  After this week, we are seeing this.  It truly will take some time (possibly two months) for Princess to recover.  Getting around the house is not easy.  Though guided by a walker, it is an exhausting task to just get from bed to the bathroom.  What should be just a short few steps, seems like a mile.  Physically, she is just continually exhausted and is having to relearn many things.  And while we have not recorded any seizures, she is still having auras.  Though less serious, it does cause for all of us to take a moment and stop.  And now our schedule at home is trying to coordinate follow up appointments, physical therapy, speech therapy, and fitting in final arrangements for the upcoming school year. 


Speaking of follow up appointments.  Many of you knew and have been asking about our recent ENT appointment.  Since Princess' second extubation, she has had no voice.  Whether there was some laryngeal trauma or even something else, we needed to follow up with the ENT to figure our what was going on.  Praise report, it appears that Princess' throat, and everything pertaining to the neck area (internally) is very inflamed.  It appears that there is still some present infection (pneumonia) and a few scratches or trauma in the palate.   Therefore, a steroid, antibiotic, and something to loosen the mucous should hopefully have Princess' voice returning.  We are pleased to say that midway through the steroid regimen, Princess is showing a small improvement in her voice in various snippets throughout the day.  While just above a whisper, it is encouraging for all of us to witness this!  Referencing to early....Easy to give thanks!  Praise the Lord! 


On another front, Princess has likewise has a continual pain that is focused squarely on her right shoulder and chest area.  While we have been trying to determine if this was muscle related due to the seizures, reaction to medical tape, or a reaction to the EEG, we think that as of late yesterday it actually might be shingles!  Lovely!  While there isn't an open sore, in really looking at the facts, visiting with others (including our physician), this seems to be what's taking place. 


And there it is, a much long overdue post.  First, again, thank you!  Second, please keep Princess in your prayers as she recovers.  It is going to take some time.  While I see improvements in her daily, it is going to take some time for her strength, cognitive ability, endurance physically and mentally, and really just daily life to get back together.  Please keep praying.  Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.  Give thanks to the Lord! 


Please pray:

• Princess to be strengthened physically and mentally each day.
• Princess to not be overwhelmed by being at home and not being able to "be at home."
• Princess' voice and throat to heal.
• Princess' shingles to subside or go away.
• Our family time and some greatly needed Critter time.