A month of Advent ....ure

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 infection that we believe was causing communication problems between his legs and brain. He simply couldn't walk. Soon after entering the hospital, he was diagnosed with Clostridium difficile (klos-TRID-e-um dif-uh-SEEL), often called C. difficile or C. diff,  which is a bacterium that can cause symptoms ranging from diarrhea to life-threatening inflammation of the colon. (Source*Mayo clinic)

This began a month of terrible diarrhea.  When I say terrible, I mean terrible. The ordeal caused weakness, significant nutritional interruption, and weight loss. In fact, his entry weight in November was 250 lbs. Today he weighed in at 215 lbs; a 35 lbs loss. Needless to say, he is weak. His body has been on shut down because of lack of hydration, food and no exercise. The nurses have only been able to get him out of the bed a few times to sit up in the hospital chair in this room. His room has been a prison. He has been stationary in a 4x6 bed for the entire month.

All of that being said, we are excited to say his Cdiff has been controlled; his desire to eat has been regained. The doctor told him, "if you want to get out of the hospital, you're going to have to eat". In an effort to awaken his taste buds, I asked the doctor if an old fashion honey bun would be ok, he said, "yes, eat 8 if you want". I asked dad if he would eat one, he said "yes'. So Friday afternoon, I fed him an old fashion honey bun like he had eaten 100s of times at my grandmother's country store. He ate it all. Saturday and today he continued to eat more normal including a sausage biscuit, Arby's roast beef, and other common food staples.

Regarding rehab: The doctor said to expect 4-6 weeks at Bermuda Commons. He will receive approximately 2 one hour strength training daily.  We'll just call this chapter 2 of his medical story.

Two final comments:

Mom and the family have had many reach out to us via social media, calls, cards, and socially. Dad told me many times he has felt the prayers of so many. We will never be able to thank each of you personally, but please know that dad, mom, and the family appreciate the sincere outpouring of our friends. The phone calls, post, and visits have been relayed to him; every one of them.

A Day in Montana - 2015

Regarding my mother. Daily, she has been at the hospital, spending approximately 8 hours each day, 7 days a week being by dad's side. She has been his advocate, soul mate, and life love. Her dedication to him in his absolute time of need has been heroic and beautiful. Mom may be a small little lady, but she is tough as nails. Thank you for your example of a Godly wife. Better or worse gave you a little worse this month. Your example is powerful.



Christmas is over. December was the beginning of Advent, the period beginning four Sundays before  Christmas and observed by some Christians as a season of prayer and fasting. Many of you in your own personal way used this season for celebration of the incarnation of Christ. I witnessed the embodiment of the deity of God through Christ through so many people. The prayers were felt, they were received. My family's personal advent became an adventure. It was one that I would have rather not gone through. But despite the fear, the pain, and interruption of our lives, I know that something good has come from all of this. All things work together for good for those that love the Lord. Praise God!