I was on call the past weekend and Miriam had a rough week.
Last Wednesday evening, I received an urgent phone call from her sharp and compassionate Internist about Miriam being severely dehydrated.
Two weeks into the skilled nursing facility, she had lost 8 pounds. She was not getting adequate PEG tube hydration. Miriam needed urgent intravenous hydration and blood tests were needed. I drove back that night and started her IV line.
Thursday 2:30 am, I received a phone call from the nurse at the skilled nursing facility (SNF). Miriam's BP went up in the 200's because that is how she responds to pain and discomfort. They were compounded by dehydration and urinary tract infection. Her heart rate was in the 130's and her liver enzymes became mildly elevated.
Thursday morning, Miriam was admitted to Huntsville Hospital followed by more IV hydration and IV antibiotics. Her caring Internists did an excellent job and Miriam recovered the next day. While she was there Friday morning and afternoon, her cancelled scheduled Botox injection to her jaw muscles and her left ankle muscles were performed by her Neurologist.
Friday evening, Miriam was back at the skilled nursing facility (SNF). Her urine became clear, her vital signs have stabilized and her lab values have improved.
Miriam's trach collar has been capped for nearly 2 weeks. Yesterday, the trach collar was removed by the respiratory therapist. It is now covered with gauze and will eventually close as it heals. She has been breathing through her nose without problems and without aspiration. Although she remains in coma, Miriam seems to open her right eye more frequently, for more prolonged periods, and appears to slowly track more and more. God remains in control.
I was moved to tears by our neighbor who has visited Miriam frequently and read to her Miriam's favorite book, the Bible. Miriam's friends from the Hampton Cove Publix Grocery also came to visit her. They gave her a bouquet of flowers and a heart warming get well card. My family and I are deeply grateful to all of you who have been earnestly praying for her and our family.
Every time I see Miriam opens her right eye, I remind her of Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Mark 11:24 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
Knowing Miriam, it is our prayer that God will use this horrific storm in our family to touch lives so we can glorify Him. We continue to Commit...Trust....Rest....and Wait patiently upon the Lord. Psalm 37:5,7
In His Time,
Alex
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