Tuesday, March 30th - Day 43

 Quick update while I sit with Brian during his 'quiet hour.'

Brian's transfer to rehab is being delayed to next week. Nothing is necessarily wrong, the next facility just requires that his secretions are suctioned every 4 hours, and right now his vary between 3-4 hours. They just want that to be more under control. We, as a family, are not concerned or troubled by this. In fact, its kind of a relief to know he can continue to rest and heal before we hit the ground running in the next phase.

Yesterday Brian sat upright in a chair for 2hours! They do this to stimulate him, make sure his blood pressure can handle it, reposition his lungs/torso, and activate muscles that he otherwise doesn't engage while in bed. This was great to see because he was upright when I arrived! He also couldn't tolerate more than 12minutes last week, so leaping to 2hours is amazing!

Other than that, Brian's vitals and labs are all looking really good and stable still. His white blood cell count was looking a tad high but as of this morning, it's back down so we are praying for his levels to stay trending 'normal.' His thyroid and liver enzymes are also returned to normal, which I likely never mentioned but wanted to acknowledge and be grateful for all of the above! He's also been off the vent for 10 days and is only connected to 25% oxygen (the air we breathe is 21%). If he had more neuro activity, the Drs say he'd be able to breath without a trach entirely!

His picc line was removed yesterday too, so the ONLY thing he is hooked up to as of today is the oxygen via his trach and his feeding tube!! 🙌 Listen - praise the Lord for this rapid stability and health!!! In the very beginning when they saw his brain stem suffered some damages, there wasn't much confidence from the medical team that he would be able to have vital functions, and here we are! Minimally hooked up, minimally medicated, and strong! AMEN! All of Brian's energy & rest can be directed toward healing his brain and that's a blessing!

As for me, I'm hanging in and doing better than the weekend. I've gotten to a place where I am surrendering all of this to God. I trust him to continue to heal and keep Brian in his protection until he's ready to wake him. All I can control is showing up for Brian daily and loving him in the best ways I can, stay by his side, pray for him constantly, and put my hope in God to return him to us when the time is right.

Please pray with me for a continued restful and stable week for this man. For the next medical team to be his 'A Team' (not that we haven't had excellent care thus far), for God's continued healing and complete restoration for Brian's brain, for endurance for us and our 'army,' for the Holy Spirit to press into us and help us persevere, and for us to trust in God's perfect timing to bring Brian back to consciousness. I've asked for that to happen before he transfers often, as a specific request, but I am releasing my own desire for that because God knows exactly what Brian needs, including where & when - so let it be your will Lord, and may we be confident in and expectant of the miracles you will perform. We ask all of these things in Jesus' name. Amen!

Thank you all for covering us in prayer, constantly. This army of support amazes me daily. Special thanks to my parents and brother who have given me a safe home, fresh meals, clean my laundry, spend time with Layla, and hold me through every moment - and to the Franks for being ever present and supportive throughout as well. ❤️