September 2005 - Posts
No changes to report for Michael, but thank you for your prayers and support! I hope my thoughts here are profitable to you...
I did get this request from our prayer list at Lakeland...
Last week, a family member of the church, a young girl named Caitlin, was abducted in Oklahoma and murdered. Please pray for Caitlin's mom and dad as well as her littler sister named Amanda. I can feel what they are going through and the NEED our Lord now.
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Today Michael's nurse told me that she noticed him turning and looking toward his mom. The same nurse commented that the last 36 days have sure shown this kid is loved. It made me feel good that other people see that, it shows me they are watching. He is deeply loved.
Michael should be moving out of the ICU soon, his current test off the ventilator is until he can't do it, he won't have a problem with that. He's doing great on the tube feeding, no more I.V. for food, that makes for one less tube going into him. He has a fever but he's doing much better there as well. More little pieces of improvement. There still is something in his chest but it is getting better. God is answering prayer, and working all around him. We just have to be patient for God's timing and to see his plan. Submission......
Thanks again to everyone!!!
Thanks for the replies! I appreciate it, very much! We must trust in God and him alone but it is very encouraging to hear someone say they are standing with me in this!
It's not always easy, many times my prayer is that I believe you Lord but help my unbelief. I am completely submissive to God and whatever he has for Michael, I guess we could just leave it there, that might even be easier, safer... the doctors and nurses are doing a great job of taking care of him, but honestly most of them do not expet him to make much of a recovery... but God clearly tells us to bring our requests before him, to trust him, to believe in him, so I will do that! I have nothing in myself, only trust in him and his word. If I fall on my face, then I'll be falling on my face, clinging to what he promises. Thank you to all who are praying and standing with me! |
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Some Good News for Lakelander's we got the occupancy permit!! Next Sunday will be at our new place. Thank you God!
So, yesterday Michael started again on his breathing test. It's funny how those nurses are always amazed that he breaths so well on his own. Yesterday he started another test off the ventilator, it was to be for 2 hours, well it ended up being for 8 hours. Today they will go longer. If no other infections, blockages etc etc come at him he will probably be out of the ICU in a couple days.
I would like to say thank you to all of the Nurses that have taken care of him in the ICU!
Michael got some elbow splints yesterday, at first I didn't like this but I was way off. When he's stressed he will tense up, especially his arms, this isn't good on his joints. The splints can hold his arms at any position. They are locked from bending for 2 hours then released for complete movement for 2 hours. It is interesting how it relaxes him, his arms and hands relax, his heart and breathing rate have slowed down. This is a specific prayer answered. Thank you God... again. Thank you as well for continued prayer. Our God is an awesome God! |
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Whatever changes there are, they're very slow. I've been told that it is normal for people in a coma to favor one side or the other. Michael keeps his head turned to the left most of the time, when he's stressed he does this very tightly and he will resist someone trying to assist him in turning it back to the right. The more stressed he is the more tension he has in his neck, really his whole body. Yesterday at around 3 and around 9 Michael turned his head to he right side, he seemed to be looking in the direction I was talking. The second time, in the evening, he did it when I asked him to turn over here. It's another subjective thing but it was nice to have him turn that way and look at me. This could be defined as more purposeful movement..... Thank you... again God. He is here. All around this!
God has been answering prayer here all along. I don't think anyone will try to give a definitive reason why God takes what seems to us to be so long in answering prayer. Many specific prayers have been answered, he's come through the initial operation and the first few hours, he wasn't given a lot of chance in that. He's made it through pneumonia, staph infections, a blocked urinary catheter, high temperature, really fast heart and breathing rates, a blocked airway... I'm sure there is more but God has been here answering prayer daily. I Praise God for taking care of Michael and for taking care of me and our family! Thank you for being part of that! I expect a miracle and I except God's plan. |
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Michael's doctors said that his preliminary results from his most recent blood culture are negative. Thank you Lord!! This means that he is no longer showing signs of having a Staph Infection in his blood. He still shows it in his lungs though. The Doctor said, "That's very good news" I like to hear them say that! 
Thanks for the prayers, please continue to pray and thank God for hearing us!!
Here's a song that I've been listening to, it's an old song. The last verse has really stuck with me. We American, Suburbanite, Christians forget this...
Follow Me
I traveled down a lonely road and no one seemed to care.
The burden on my weary back Had bowed me to despair;
I oft' complained to Jesus How folks were treating me,
And then I heard Him say so tenderly,
"My feet were also weary, Upon the Calvary road;
The cross became so heavy, I fell beneath the load,
Be faithful weary pilgrim the morning I can see,
Just lift your cross and follow close to me."
"I work so hard for Jesus" I often boast and say
"I've sacrificed a lot of things To walk the narrow way,
I gave up fame and fortune, I'm worth a lot to thee"
And then I hear Him gently say to me,
"I left the throne of glory And counted it but loss,
My hands were nailed in anger Upon a cruel cross,
But now we'll make the journey With your hand safe in mine,
So lift your cross and follow close to me.
Oh Jesus if I die upon A foreign field someday,
'Twould be no more than love demands, No less could I repay,
"No greater love hath mortal man Than for a friend to die"
These are the words He gently spoke to me,
"If just a cup of water I place within your hand
Then just a cup of water is all that I demand.
But if by death to living They can thy glory see,
I'll take my cross and follow close to thee.
This was written by Ira F. Stanphill
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No changes to give today, the Infectious Disease doctor is happy with how things are going to this point, we'll have to wait to know how he is doing fighting off the infection.
Thanks so much for your continued care and prayer!
Don't forget that the reason Michael set this site up. If you have something you want people to pray for leave a comment about it.
Do pray for our Church! We at Lakeland Community Church are supposed to have our first service in our new building next week. Pray thath God's plan be done there, that everything that needs to be completed for that to happen will happen. Most importantly pray that people will be drawn to and come to know Jesus Christ! |
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The Doctor told us tonight that the infection he has could be serious. He has a Staph Infection in his blood and lungs. They have changed out all the IVs and moved him to a different area in the ICU, the next few days will be crucial.
He still seems comfortable, at least he's not in intense pain or coughing for hours.
Sorry I don't have more to say, well maybe that's a good thing  If God's plan is to heal Michael this step back won't stop it.
I do appreciate your care and prayers! |
A couple steps forward, a step back.. That's what I keep hearing "these kinds of things" are. So, Michael has an infection in his lungs, another complication from lying in bed for a month now. His nurse said it isn't anything serious, they are treating him for it. This time is different than the last, this time Michael seems to be handling it much better, his heart rate and breathing rate are lower and better.. as long as they keep his temperature right. He seems very peace.. sorry, comfortable.
One of the things I've learned so clearly in this is that the love parents have for their kids is so unknown or unrealized. I don't know how we do that better but there must be a way. Are we afraid to tell them cause we think they'll just blow it off? They'll say "I know" but we know they really aren't getting it. Some times we just get caught up in the things of this life and don't try to let them know. But then, why do we have to try so hard and put so much effort into letting someone, especially our kids, know how much we love them. I don't get this!
God must have something here to teach us, maybe it's how much he loves us.
I admit I'm assuming that other parents feel as I do, but I'll bet that's a pretty safe assumption.
I do know that my love for Michael is so deep! It's not just now, of course I feel it now, I hurt for him, I hate seeing him there unconscious, unaware, having to fight battle after battle. I don't know what he feels, how much he hurts, I miss him. But, before this my love for Michael was just as much there, I hurt for him with some of the things he had to go through, I wanted the most for him, the best for him. I intensely looked for how to help, how much to do, when to get out of the way, when to step in more....
Know that your mom and dad do care about you, Deeply, Intensely! You own their hearts! They may be way off on their methods, but they are trying. They do want you to have the best life and the best day possible.
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Here's some good news! The nurse that took care of Michael last night told me that he had "purposeful movement". Purposeful movement isn't necessarily conscious but it's like scratching something that itches, holding something that hurts etc. I didn't see it so that's all I know, but it is very good news. Yesterday I was holding his left hand, and he squeezed it much harder than he had before, I had to move his hand cause it was a little too tight. 
Thanks for your continued prayer! |
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Here's the update for today and some personal thoughts....
Yesterday Michael had another surgery, the put a valve in his head to drain Cranial Fluid away. The doctor said he has retained more fluid than he should and that this will not impede his recovery in any way, it should help his recovery. During surgery they removed the neck brace and bite guard, it's nice to see just Michael, without all the stuff. I thank God that the surgery went well, no problems! Since then his heart rate has been pretty high, other than that he's doing just fine. He was going to again start the process of getting off the ventilator but they're going to let him rest awhile now. I'm thankful for that too. Again I have to trust that God is doing and allowing what he knows as best. Michael is doing well! Thank you for your care and your prayers! I do appreciate it! |
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A couple people have commented to me that they are impressed with how confident I am. I have to snicker a little here... If you know me, then you probably know I'm no "Positive Thinker". I've often been told that my comments come out on what seems to be the negative side, I don’t think of myself as negative either. I don't believe that prayers are answer because we stay positive, God does not require that, he requires that we ask according to his will and believe. If you remember, (LK 17:6) he also says that it only takes a little faith and nothing is impossible with God. Faith is not positive thinking, Faith is believing God. (Romans 10:17) The very fact that we are praying should show that we believe a little. We should pray with complete trust and belief.
This is a work in progress for me, I'm learning this principle in a whole new way.
Do we, as children, always know what God, our father has for us, what is good for us? Of course not, just like a little child, or even a teenager will want, what they want and not see anything else (adults do the same thing) but their parents see something different and even though it may seem bad at the time... Mom and Dad usually know better and they love their kids deeply, very deeply. Mom and Dad may not seem that way but they do and they want the best. Some times Mom and Dad make mistakes but as a child of God, my heavenly father never makes mistakes and I know he loves me. I know how much I love Michael, how in my heart I want now and have wanted the best, the most for him. I understand God's love a little bit better now.
So, I am positive? I do know that God is in control, hey he TOOK control. I know that God loves Michael, even more than I do. I also know that he knows better and more than I do. I'm confident of God accepting my request to heal Michael completely based on these things.
I've been praying for God to intervene in Michael's life for awhile now, to draw him closer. I don't believe God ignored those prayers, I think this is part of his response.
John 14:13 Jesus makes a point about asking the Father in his name, then he repeats himself in the next verse. When God repeats himself we should take notice. There are people watching this to see what God will do and Michael's recovery would very much glorify the Father.
As Phil 4 teaches me, with thanksgiving I am letting my requests be known to God...
Ephesians 3:12 - We have boldness and access with confidence by faith of him, in verse 19 He can do way more than I can imagine
1 John 3:22 - 1 John 5:13-15 I'm not telling God what to do I'm asking according to his will
In Lk 11:11-13, yes he's talking to Israel, but the principle is that God loves us like a father loves a son - but more, he doesn't want to hurt us or make us suffer. I believe God will heal Michael. I'm positive that God loves him, he loves me and you with a love that is more pure and more than we can imagine. I pray his will be done, I pray Michael recoving completely is part of his plan. |
Thanks for pointing out the words Kenny! By the way if you don't know him, Kenny is another great kid, he's become more than a kid though, he's an exceptional young man.
I'll explain my resting peacefully comment...
I guess that comment would fit better if you had seen Michael the last few days, he's had one thing after another. He's had a blocked airway, this went on for literally hours, at one point made him appear to be choking, he's had a blocked urinary cathiter, he was in obvious pain, again this went on for hours. His temperature has gone up, which sends his heart racing, his body hasn't digested food in a couple weeks now so he doesn't handle food in his stomache very well, again more pain. At times I've felt like he's being tourtured, it's one thing after another, on and on and on. It's hard to tell you these things. So, when I wrote he was resting peacefully, well at that point that's all I cared about, he wasn't dealing with anything, he wasn't in pain, he was exausted, resting and peaceful.
Our God is awesome, he loves us many times we have to realize that he knows more and better than us.
My God is an awesome God!
Thanks to all who have been praying for Michael!
Yesterday, another complication brought an opportunity for God to answer prayer, God came through clearly in this one. Something was partially blocking Michael’s airway, he could breathe but he was obviously working extra hard for each breath, it looked like he was taking a double breath. The Doctors conferred and determined that he needed to be “bronked” but they couldn’t do that because the trache that he has is too small and they didn't want to try to put in a bigger trache because his trachea is tight on the one that he has. They gave him some stuff that would help break up the clot or whatever it is that’s blocking the airway. We, my mom, sister and I, had to leave during non-visiting hours, these have become praying hours. We prayed specifically that God would clear his airway, that he would be able to breathe freely. When we came back he coughed just a little, and then relaxed started breathing smoothly, everything slowed down, a little bit later they suctioned out the clot and he’s been breathing fine since. As my mom said “Praise the Lord” 
God is here, taking care of Michael answering prayers. It’s amazing! I tell you these stories so you can know and be a part of it. I don’t believe God is done with Michael, I do believe he will heal him and I will accept whatever God’s plan is.
Here is the specific prayer list for now:
That his brain will absorb fluid correctly,
That his body will control his temperature correctly,
That his digestive system will again begin to work as it should.
Thanks again for praying and caring!
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Michael is resting peacefully, no noticable steps forward or backward but he's comfortable and resting. I'm happy about that, he's been through so much. God is here, taking care of him and me, our family. People say I'm doing so well, I'm so strong, no I'm just leaning on Jesus, counting on him. Without him I would have losted it a long time ago!
Thanks! |
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No real news today, something seems different with Michael at least to me.
Last night he was resting very peacefully, his breathing and heart rate were not as high.
Thanks again for praying and caring!
I wish you could have and hope you get a chance to know the Michael that I have, the Michael that wanted very much to follow closely to Jesus. Read his first comments on this site, that will give you a glimpse of how he felt. |
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Yesterday Michael was doing good, it was a day for him to rest. As one of his doctors said, the encouraging thing is that we are seeing more and more small progressions and improvment.
Thanks for caring and praying! I ask God to complete the work he has begun in Michael, to heal Michael completely, according to his will. I pray that God will give Michael the oportunity to live more for him, to give him the oportunity to tell his story. |
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No changes to report today. Thanks for praying for Michael!
Michael wanted this site to be used for prayer requests, I'm going to start posting the prayer requests from Lakeland's prayer chain. If you have a prayer request feel free to add it here. I'm thinking of maybe returning this site to the way Michael created it (with password so anyone can post a weblog) and updating on another one. Just thinking about it now though.
Thanks, Kirk |
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Yesterday was yet another eventful day! After spending most of the day in obvious pain, we found that his urinary catheter was blocked. It was very hard to just stand and watch him hurt again and again for so long, I left for a while praying intensely for God to relieve his suffering. Finally, at about 8 in the evening, I went in to see him and saw that his gown was wet, I called the nurse and asked if this could be the problem. The nurse cleared us out, changed his catheter and everything was fine. Michael was obviously relieved and resting peacefully. My God is an Awesome God!
Michael's reaction is more evidence that he is aware of at least what is going on with his body, God is working here.
Thanks for your continued prayer and support! Please Father, in the name our my Lord, Jesus Christ, heal Michael completely, according to your will, protect him and keep him, let the doctors and nurses also work according to your plan |
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Michael handled yesterday well, he shouldn't have to go through as much for a while now. The doctors are using all the have and all they know to give Michael the best invironment to heal. I appreciate them very much! I imagine the next step for him will be to move out of ICU but I don't know when that will be. No real changes, keep praying for God to heal him, according to his will. We're on God's schedule. |
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So, now we're in one of those be patient times. Although he is still connected to the ventilator he breathed on his own for 12 hours today, he did the same thing yesterday, the Respiratory Tech was very impressed. Michael is getting another CT Scan in the morning, then he's getting a feeding tube and an umbrella filter. Tomorrow will be a busy day! The Umbrella Filter is to prevent blood clots. He did get the staples removed from his head yesterday and he did respond, with each one. It hurt.
I want to thank every one for praying, for taking care of my family so well. Thanks for your encouragement as well. I am expecting a miracle from God!! I will accept his plan! We 21st Century, educated "Christians" explain away God's power to the point that all we believe he can do is change our attitude. Well I know God can change my attitude, I believe he is capable and will to do more than that. |
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More progress...
Yesterday was another eventful day. In the morning he went to surgery to get a Tracheostomy. The doctor also wants to work him off of some of the medicines he's been on. Michael's blood pressure and heart rate are stabilizing but still high, all this is progress. Next they tested his breathing without the ventilator which he did very well. So he is able to breathe on his own, they will work with him to get his pulmonary system strong again, he hasn’t used it in 3 weeks now. It’s my understanding that he’ll still be connected to the ventilator for safety. Michael’s responses have been stronger; the doctor said that is encouraging. All very good signs, still he is not conscious, he is in a coma.
Thanks for the support and prayers, the nice comments! I’m expecting a miracle, I accept God’s plan. |
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Today has been a busy day, Michael hasn't had much chance to rest. Early this morning the shunt that drains the fluid from his head was removed. This is scary for me, this also removes the monitor for pressure the ICP. I have to trust here that God is moving the doctors. Michael's Neurosurgeon is said to be the best there is, so I just leave it there. My God is in control. The rest of the day he's be moved around every few minutes. They took him off of the sedative medicine for a few hours, with this he moves around a lot, just looks restless. He opens his eyes, and moves them but I can't see that he's looking at anything or that he sees anything but I'm told this is a little piece of progress, another level of consciousness |
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There hasn't been much change; Michael is still in a coma and we are told the road ahead will be long and slow. I'm reminded that in these situations progression will be very slow it is often months before conciousness is regained. I remind myself that my God is in control.
Michael is still on a ventilator. The ventilator assists the breaths that he takes and if needed will make a breath for him. Yesterday, the ventilator was set to 18 breaths a minute, his total breaths were from 22 to 29. The ventilator is supporting him but he is doing more. He has made more movements, a little progress here and there. The good thing is that there is nothing negative happening. We are also told that the amount of recovery he will have is very questionable. My God is in control. I expect a miracle, I accept God's will and his plan.
Thanks again for all the kind words for Michael and for his family, you are in our prayers as well.
Remember God is in control! Too many times we think that our life is ours to do whatever we want. God loves us, he gave his son for us. I understand what it’s like to have a son hurting, God allowed his son to be tortured and killed for you and I. If you are a follower of The Lord Jesus Christ, if you have accepted his sacrifice then he owns you, he bought your life with his, but he doesn’t want to control you, he wants you to love him he wants you to tell others about his love. If you don’t understand this then find out, you can send me an email, you can talk to someone at either of these churches…
http://grace-truth.com/
http://lakelandcommunitychurch.org/
Don’t let the mess of this life take you down, let Jesus Christ lift you up. |
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There is a little progress to give you today, Michael has been taking a few breaths on his own. The sedative that they are giving him prevents him from being able to fully breath we don't know if he would be able to if he we off the sedative completely.
They will be trying to slowly take him off of that and other medications but it will be slow.
No bad news, really all good but it's just going very slow, as we were told it would.
I want to again thank everyone for their continued prayers and support. Michael's life and recovery depends on what God does. Our lives also depend on him, it's just more obvious with Michael.
Kirk |
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Today was a very good day for Michael, the best day so far!
By the way, I want to say this, I love my son! I love my son Michael, I've always been so proud to be Michael's dad.
Okay to the update... Today started with Michael's ICP rating continuing to fall. ICP is Inter-Cranial Pressure, normal is 1-3, I've been told there are times when a healthy person's will get to 10 or so. Michael's was as high as 39, it's been falling little by little but today it was consistently around 15 or lower. This was GREAT! Even better today was the first time he has responded at all extremities. Both hands and both feet responded to pain tests, he responded to a cough test as well. When I touched his eye lash he moved his head to the side. This doesn't mean that he is "awake" but his brain is responding. Thank you God! This is great progress, although I am reminded daily that there is often a step back for every couple steps forward. Today seems to be just forward steps! We are a long ways from being “out of the woods” but we took a couple steps closer to the edge of the trees today. I thank God for today. Again we are to expect days that will not be so good, but I'm thankful for today.
I expect a miracle, I accept God’s will and God's plan.
Ephesians 3:20-21
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all ages, forever and ever. Amen. |
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There isn't a lot of change, if I can I will be at Synergy tonight for a while and I'll give an update then.
Pray that Jesus Christ is glorified, pray that people are drawn to Christ through this, pray for those who are close to Michael, pray that Michael is healed and pray all these things according to God's will.
Thanks again! I appreciate and love each of you!
Kirk |