Reflections

If you would have told me November the 1st what our December was going to be like, I would not have believed you. Lewis came home from the hospital a few days before Christmas. 9 days and approximately 23 lbs later,  Lewis is attempting to piece together his post-graduate life. He has had one post-hospital visit with the doctor saying he is on the mend. As the doctor said, he was one sick kid. Papa Jerry, we hope, is spending his last night in the Forsyth hospital tonight, Sunday, December 30. The doctor and caseworker gave dad the go-ahead to leave the hospital on Monday with a 4-6 week prescription of formal rehabilitation. His insurance/doctors have chosen Bermuda Commons in Advance, NC for this next chapter. On the last Monday of November, mom called me indicating that dad could not get up and she was unable to get him mobile. I arrived and we decided to call 911. That was the beginning of his month-long stay at Novant Forsyth Hospital. He was diagnosed with some type of ...

First off, I appreciate the way so many of you have reached out to Lewis thru Elizabeth & me. This morning at 7 AM, the nurses came to pick Lewis up to take him down 8 flights to the operating room. He was so thirsty, all the whole time brave. They cut his water intake off at 10 the previous night. The OR prep team explained the procedure and Lewis said, “lets get this done”. Both his grandmothers, Liz and I waited as we watched the monitor identifying “prepping, in “surgery” and “recovering”. As all people waiting for a love ones to get out of surgery, we anxiously waited for the OR waiting room phone to ring. I hurried over to answer and they ask for someone in the Swicegood family; I said “speaking” . The nurse said "the surgery went well, and his first words were I want my mom”. Only one person could go back. Twenty four years old or 10, a boy wants his mom when he's in a pickle. The doctor said that he accomplished his goal by cleaning the infection surrounding ...

Despite Lewis' energy last evening, our hopes that he is getting better was diminished this morning with a visit from the surgical team doctor. Inside of Lewis' left lungs is a spider web, mesh like infection called "loculated capsules". The strong antibiotics they have him on is no match for this infection. So, in the morning (time unknown), he will be going into surgery to have these things removed from his left lung. Last night, in hopes of seeing himself coming home the week before Christmas, he wanted to be cleaned up; so, I gave him a shave. He also wanted to walk down the hall, so they hooked up the suction devices to a battery and the mobility nurse Kim (who was so helpful) walked him down the hall. She asked, "how far do you walk to go", and like Lewis, he said "my goal is to the outside window and back". He made it and was so happy to get out of the bed. This past summer, the two of us were on the Missouri River in Montana. Suddenl...

I'm sure if you're like me,  music seems to always show up in your mind during life events and the memories of them. Summer time, Sweet Home Alabama, Christmas, Josh Groban's O Holy Night, and the funny one, My first year of dating Elizabeth, Caribbean Queen by Billy Ocean.. " now we're sharing the same dream". I guess she was my queen . But tonight, sitting in a hospital room with my son, and my father directly above him on the 9th floor at Forsyth Hospital, the chorus to the Casting Crown's song, Praise you in the Storm has been on my mind.   And I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands, For You are who You are no matter where I am, And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand, You never left my side and though my heart is torn, I will praise You in this storm Fun times in Craig, Montana Don't we take life for granted! Three weeks ago we were talking about final exams, caps, and gowns. The college milestone was com...