Saturday Evening, Day 9

First, I apologize for the delay on a post.  I promise that you will find a new post here EVERY SINGLE DAY until Jerry has recovered.  But because every day is a little different, the posting time might vary.  But keep checking, and keep praying, no matter what.

I got to see Jerry very briefly today, in fact, he might not have even seen me as I talked to his gathered family and friends.  Like yesterday, he was able to spend several hours out of his bed and room in his wheelchair.  Yesterday, he took a ride around the hospital hallways, and today he spent time outside on the hospital patio as well as in the bright, sunny hallway just outside of the Rehab Trauma Unit.  This, of course, has been a fantastic development as he is able to leave both his bed and his room, giving his eyes a chance to settle on something new.  As I watched him from the distance, it was good to see him surrounded by those who love him, and to see him working hard to interact and be as much "himself" as he can be right now.

In talking with Dennis and Katie, both mentioned that Jerry is still having some strange sensations in his body.  At times he feels like crows are crawling on his arms, or that a dog is licking his hand, and that there are spider webs and sticky bugs on him.  At times, they've had to work hard to convince him that there is certainly not a dog in his room, and that no webs are on his arms, which has made for some oddly comical conversation.

Overall, it seems like the days are pretty encouraging and good.  A bit of "routine" is starting to be built, and for now, the days keep bringing something "new"--first, removing the intubation, and then yesterday, the introduction of the wheelchair and some freedom from his room.  Please pray that something "new" would arise each day, something that offers hope and encouragement.  Pray that Jerry will have good interactions with his caregivers, and that the determination and effort that he has always been known for will continue to see him through these circumstances.

As we are heading into night time, please also continue praying for the nights to get easier.  Last night, Jerry suffered with hallucinations until about 1am.  He then slept intermittently from 2-7am, but was waking up every 45 minutes or so.  Thankfully, the hallucinations had ceased by then, but instead he was waking up with confusion--wondering where he was and why he couldn't move--Katie said he would ask question after question, and wouldn't settle back down into sleeping until he had the answers he needed.  This was extremely tough on Katie, as she would answer his questions,  comfort him and get him back to sleep only to repeat the cycle the very next hour.  

Because of the nasty hallucinations and side effects, Jerry has been opting out of clicking his morphine button today in hopes that the hallucinations might cease.  Therefore, he is in a bit more pain, but the hope is that good sleep will finally come his way.   So please ask God to settle Jerry's mind and heart, and to intervene and remove his pain.  Pray that Jerry would fall asleep easily, and stay asleep throughout the night.  Pray also for Dennis, as he is with Jerry tonight.  Pray that as he needs to comfort Jerry and soothe any panic, that he would have the right words and prayers for the moment.  Pray for Katie, that she also would be able to sleep soundly and sleep without interruption.

Continue also in praying for Josh, Janea and Jessica.  As they each are coping with Jerry's accident in their own way, pray that God would give them peace, strength and a whole lot of courage.  Pray especially for Jessica as she attempts to keep up with school and some sense of "normal."  Pray for Dennis and Katie as they begin to consider what the new "routine" will be in not only caring for Jerry, but also for the other three kids.  Pray that God would continue to bind this family together and give them peace.

Katie asked this evening that everyone just continue to pray without ceasing.   It's clear that prayer is what Jerry needs most as these days blend into weeks.  Continue praying for his complete recovery, that he would be healed entirely from his ordeal, both physically and emotionally.  Join us also in thanking God for the work He has already done.  God has been so faithful in sustaining this family, and He has only just begun.

The MacCallisters again thank you all for the fantastic posts of Bible passages, and are still just stunned at the amazing outpouring of love that they are receiving.  Thank you for being the hands and feet of God at this time and may you and yours also be blessed through this story.

Until tomorrow,

Marci

marci@redwoodchristianpark.com