Baby Steps

We spent the morning with Gpa at his hospital then went and spent the afternoon with Matt at his. It sure would be nice if they were closer together! I wonder if we could put them in the same room at one of the two hospitals if we'd get a discount or something? Just a thought.

Gpa isn't doing well. He had a rough night breathing wise last night and when they tried to put some sort of breathing apparatus on him, he "fought the nurses and refused." According to the lung Dr. the fluid they drained the other day is building back up. He could go in and drain it again, but it's just going to keep coming back. Today, Gpa knew who we all were, but was struggling to breathe and coughing terribly. He did hold my hand for a long time though and let me tell you, for a dying man, that man has quite a grip! At one point, my parents were out in the hall talking to the Dr so it was just me and Gpa in the room. He opened his eyes and looked at me, so I smiled, leaned down to kiss his head and said "I love you." He said "I love you too honey....and I'm proud of you." Yea, I started bawling right then. That meant the world to me. I know that I've made Gpa proud over the years, but I also know that I've disappointed him a time or two as well. I thought it was neat that he mustered up enough energy to tell me now that he's proud of me. Love him. He told another good friend of the family who stopped by after church "I'll see you on the other side."

He's ready to go. Are we ready for him to go? Selfishly, no. But in the grand scheme of things...yes, it's time for him to go. My Gpa needs to go meet his Savior and Lord. There is no doubt in my mind that Gpa is going to heaven and that Jesus is waiting to meet him. It will be a very sad day when it comes (and it's coming a lot sooner than we want to admit) but at the same time, what a glorious day for Gpa. How can you argue that?

Matt is looking better today. He is still dopey, although they took him off the phentanel (thank God!) and he's now taking pain pills every four hours. They let him sit up, by raising the bed up and down, today and they even had him swing his legs over the side of the bed for a few minutes. His back is terribly bruised on the outside and his eye is pretty black. His tongue, where he bit through, is ugly and painful, but he is able to drink his diet coke, so that's good. He ran a fever through the night, but didn't have one while we were there and his blood sugars seem to be a little more stable as well.

The Ortho Dr came in while we were there and said it's a "complete miracle" that Matt made it out alive. He said the "skull fracture" (where the bone broke off) will hopefully heal on it's own. He's got two thirds of that bone left, and the Dr. said that's a good thing. His shoulder broke from the bottom up and the break didn't go into the ball and socket of his shoulder. Again, another praise. Tomorrow they are going to try and get him up and see if he can take a step or two. He'll be in hospital another few days and then will rehab for several several months. I was out in the hall when the Ortho Dr walked out and was explaining things to his Intern. Again he said he was so impressed that Matt lived to tell. Praise God for miracles.

Here's another blessing/God thing that we found out today. Jason, the neighbor that lives next to Matt and Tammy, was not supposed to be at the lake this weekend. (They all live on the lake-Matt and Tammy permanently, Jason and his wife, on the weekends. Jason works with my oldest brother) It just so happens that Jason's second job cancelled on him so they decided at the last minute to go to the lake. Praise GOD they did or otherwise they wouldn't have been there to help Tammy or to get ahold of us.

And another........you know the Water Patrol guy that was ahead of the car that stopped in front of Matt? I thought Matt knew him, but he didn't. They happened (God thing) to be there and see the wreck happen, so they were able to call it in to dispatch and were able to stay with Matt and then bring Tammy up here. One of the few things Matt remembers is the Water Patrol guy reaching in and taking his hand and telling him it was going to be ok. Some people might say coincidence...........I say a miracle. That man is an angel in my book. I'd give anything to know his name (Matt and Tammy don't know his name) so that I could thank him for helping save my brother.

I'm tired and worn out. So is Mom and Dad. We did get to take my parents out to dinner tonight for Dad's birthday, so that was good. I'm going to play it by ear in the morning, but will probably come back to Arkansas tomorrow. I've got to go do an errand or two for Matt and then will check on Gpa one last time. As long as both are safe and stable, I'll come home for a few days.

Thank you again for all the prayers and the well wishes. I know they've played an integral part in this past weekend. You'll never know just how much it means to all of us.

God is certainly good.