What A Difference a Day Makes...

Twenty-four little hours. OK...I'll quit singing. This is Donna's blog and I doubt very much she wants me on here singing. In fact, I don't think any of you want me on here singing!

When I arrived at this hospital this morning I couldn't believe my eyes. Donna was sitting up in her chair and eating a pudding! I am not sure what time she got out of bed, but she stayed up in the chair until about 12:30 in the afternoon. But wait! There's more. Not only did she sit up in the chair, she did some walking with physical therapy. She walked 150 feet today. But wait! There's more! Not only did she sit up in the chair and walk 150 feet, she ate HOT FOOD today (about 1/2 bowl of tomato soup).

Can you believe this?!? I am amazed, but I shouldn't be. A call for prayer was sent out, all of you responded, and God answered. Why does it amaze so much when God answers our prayers?

Donna has felt great today, for that we send all the praise to God.

All praise rising

All rejoicing

Every hour rise to Thee

All the beauty

All the glory

All thanksgiving give to Thee

All the music

All the singing

All the longing rise to Thee

In the sorrow

And the laughter

All praise rising, rise to Thee

It will rise, will rise to Thee

If there be any peace, any love

If there is any joy

Then let it rise

If there be any good, any just

If there is any grace

Then let it rise

If there be any breath, any sound

If there is any life

Then let it rise, let it rise

OK...Now We Wait and See

Donna was a champion today at putting her best foot forward to eat as much as she possibly can. Now we just have to wait and see what the doctors say tomorrow. I think she ate enough that we can beg for at least another day to work harder. Keep your fingers crossed and your prayers going!

Other than the eating thing, today was a little rough. Had a little bit of breathing trouble early on, but that straightened out after a breathing treatment, a little activity, and a change in her oxygen delivery method. By day's end Donna was breathing much better, and even sat up for an hour!

Time To Eat!

OK, I've got some things cooked and packed. Get your prayer hats on that Donna will eat today. There is "heavy talk" about reinserting the feeding tube if she doesn't eat, and we really, really, REALLY don't want that. I'll try to update from the hospital today to let you know how it goes, but if I don't get a chance to do that I'll be back on here tonight to report.

(And, Jan? Don't think your comment on the last post got passed me, and there'll be no more discussion about my, er, "talents.")

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DONNA!

Most of you know that today is Donna's birthday...she's 39, again. Donna had a little bit of a "down" day yesterday, Sunday, but perked up quite a bit today. Now, she isn't running any marathons or such, but she looks much better today and her fighting spirit is back. She isn't eating much but she has been a champion today and has at least tried everything we have put in front of her. Today Donna was put on a new medication, so our plans for pushing for more activity were put on the back burner, but I am happy to report that she sat up in the bedside chair for about an hour.

For those who like to pray for "specifics," today's prayer request is that we find a food that Donna can enjoy eating. She needs to start taking in more nourishment by mouth, but so far not much is pleasing to her. I am going to go shopping this evening to pick up a few things to bring in for her to try; please pray that she will find something she can enjoy eating. The faster Donna starts eating and exercising, the faster things will progress for her.

Thanks for all those prayers!

What a Gal!

All of us that know and love Donna know that in that "5-foot-nothing" frame of hers is a heart that loves God, family, friends, and even strangers. We also know that behind all that compassion and love is a mighty spirit that is tougher than nails.

Jan just told that Donna walked yesterday...not just a stroll, she walked 60 feet! You go, girlfriend!! Can you believe it? It's amazing, but why would we expect less because we know that Donna's strength comes from an almighty, all powerful God--A Wonderful, Merciful Savior.



Wonderful, merciful Savior
Precious Redeemer and Friend
Who would have thought that a lamb could
Rescue the souls of men, Oh You rescue the souls of men

Counselor, Comforter, Keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts have
Hopelessly lost the way, Oh we hopelessly lost the way

You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace our
Hearts always hunger for, Oh our hearts always hunger for

Almighty infinite father
Faithfully loving Your own
Herein our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne, Oh we're falling before Your throne

Weekend Update

No...I'm not going to break out in my best Chevy Chase Saturday Night Live Weekend Update impression (though for a price I will!!).

Just wanted everyone to know that the updates may be scarce this weekend during the "changing of the guard." Monica will be going down to relieve Jan for the weekend and I will be busy packing and tying up loose ends here, then driving down on Sunday to spend next week with Donna.

Last I spoke with Jan, there wasn't anything new to report. Donna was about the same--tired, but beginning to work with physical therapy to rebuild some strength.

Rest assured that if anything major comes up during the weekend I will find a way to get on here and post it. Otherwise, assume that no news is good news!

I'm Bev Wood and you're not. (I couldn't resist, and my apologies to Chevy Chase! lol)

Status Quo

There isn't a lot new to report. Pretty much everything is in a holding pattern, not worsening and not necessarily better. The hematology team following Donna did decide to change her plasmaphoresis treatments. Instead of 1 treatment per day to end on Friday, they ramped it up yesterday and started doing 2 treatments per day for 5 days. So, I guess that pushes the wait and see period to early next week, as this 5-day treatment will end on Sunday.

All in all, Wednesday was a quiet day for Donna, which was probably needed after the day prior when she had a lot of activity with follow up tests, etc.