Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Blue Eyes
Mieke here...
I am sitting next to mom in the ICU. I walked in and was scared by the machines hooked up from every part of my mom's body. Her arms are tied down, there are tubes coming from her nose, her mouth, and just about everywhere else. I was thinking, praying, and crying the whole way here as I thought about what this encounter would be like. ( I haven't seen here since surgery on Sunday night). I said, "Hi Mom." and she slowly turned her head, looked directly at my and raised her eyebrows with a very apparent look of excitement. I could see that she was happy to see me. Her blue eyes starred into mine and she started to cry. I don't know what is going on in her head but I do know that she heard what I was saying to her. I'm afraid I wasn't expecting this so I became a bit emotional and tears streamed down my face and dropped onto her very swollen hands. I told her how many people are praying for her and she shook her head. I read her all of the cards that were in the mail and I am quite confident that she heard them. Thank you to everyone who sent them. I then opened up her blog and read her dad's post and every comment. She had tears as I read them to her. You don't know how much they mean to us. Truly, she recognized all names by opening her eyes, then closed them to listen, and then a tear would drop when I finished reading. The nurse came in and told me that this was the most response she had seen from her all day. When she asked her if I was her baby, mom gave a big nod and opened her eyes. It is amazing how one can read emotion just from the look in ones eye. I asked mom if she was uncomfortable or in pain and she closed her eyes tight and gave a couple of nods. I took this as, "I am confused and scared, but they are taking good care of me." The nurse untied her arms and mom reached right over and held my hand. I hope that she won't be able to remember this time. If anybody posts a comment meant to be read to her, I promise we will read it directly to her.
The nurse turned up her sedation meds a bit because she was so alert. Now she seems to be resting very peacefully. I will be here tomorrow morning to report news from the surgery. Love to all, Mieke
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I love you Deb. Please get well!!! I am praying for you and so will Paul.
ReplyDeleteCrystal
She's so blessed to have you, Mieke! Praying for peace and comfort for all of you. Lots of prayers as she goes into surgery tomorrow, too. We love you guys!
ReplyDeleteMandee VanKampen
Hi Deb--Krista's friend, Carole here. I've been following your blog all along and pray for you regularly. I am blessed by hearing about your caring family and friends and even though I don't know you, I can tell you are so deserving of all their love and attention! May you rest peacefully for now and feel that love surround you and lift you up--God's healing grace be on you!
ReplyDeleteCarole
Hello Deb and Mieke
ReplyDeleteSo glad you were able to communicate through touch and gesture. I was happy to hear that the nurses untied your hands, Deb, so you could connect with Mieke. I'll get in my ICU nurse mode now and say I don't like restrained hands, but I don't like breathing tubes coming out accidently when a hand goes up to touch a face and accidentally pulls at the tape holding the tube in place. The ICU is overwhelming, yet comforting to know that you are being watched over very intensly!!So now back to my friend mode..... I will pray for you tonight......tomorrow has got to be a good day. It's going to be successful. Mieke, thanks for communicating so beautifully,,,,you and Deb are a winning mother and daughter combination.
Terri, PEO
Mieke, Stan, and family -- my heart is heavy when I think of what you're going through right now. However, I will keep praying, and I have shared this with family and my prayer group, and they are praying as well. Of course, I am sure there are many nine and ten-year-olds who are praying also! :-) What a privilege to have Mieke student teaching in my classroom, and what an even greater privilege to be able to pray for you. Philippians 4:6-7
ReplyDeleteChad Boorsma
Debbie...you are so in my Prayers...you are loved by so many...stay strong...and fight that stupid infection...you have done so well over the past few months...and you will continue to do well....Lily is trying to sit in my lap as I write this so if there are any misspelled words I am sorry....Stan, Mieke and all you are too in my Prayers....the ICU is scary but as was mentioned earlier Debbie is being cared for and watched over....I hope and Pray that the tubes are out soon. take care my friend...love ya, char and lily who of course sends a huge wet newfie kiss...
ReplyDeleteDeb, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your wonderful family. Know how special you are and how much your friends and family love you. Mieke's words expressing her visit with you are beautiful, but so hard to read, knowing how much she hurts for you, but beautifully expressing her love and devotion to you. You both have my deepest admiration.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Sandy Buller
Hi Deb, Linda Breen here. I want you to know that everytime I turn on my computer your blue eyes are smiling at me because you are my screen saver. It is Holy week and the Life Saver - our Lord and Savior - is holding you close.
ReplyDeleteWe love you SO much and know that you are in good hands.
Your family has shown great strength...and faith that is amazing. Such an inspiration to us all. Our prayers are with you all.
Hi Deb, Karen K's neighbor and friend. I pray for you and for your nurses and doctors to be comforting and caring to a special lady. What a loving family you have and I know you are surrounded by love. Tomorrow some extra prayers go upward. However, God hears them all and knows your needs. Meike, you are a very amazing daughter and have your mother's fine qualities of courage and strength. May you all know how much friends care. Lynn Schweibert
ReplyDeleteHi auntie Debbie...we love u so much & keeping u in our prayers! Luv, drake (mommy & daddy too)
ReplyDeleteWe are thinking of all of you all the time and praying for swift recovery. You are all doing so very well under extraordinary circumstances. What your mom knows, having seen people in ICU in her job, and I know, from working in the business- is that this, too, shall pass. As absolutely frightening and shocking as it is to see all the tubes and machines that are helping her right now, she does not require any of them to function as many/ most in the ICU do. She requires them just due to some unusual circumstances and that will make her ability to come off of the machines so much easier. I'm sure that the docs all explained that adequately, but I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in. I'm sure she will remember very little of what is going on right now. Drugs do wonders. But when she is aware, you better believe that all the love and support she feels from all of you will go to help her healing process and boost her immunity. I have never met anyone who has handled a situation like this with such strength and grace so keep it coming, Deb. Our love to all.
ReplyDeleteErika
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ReplyDeleteLisseth is in NY with Laura and Mike and a little while ago I told her everything you're all going through. Like so many others, we are "there" with you, and we'll join many others in prayer tomorrow morning and beyond. We love you. Roland
ReplyDeleteHi My Sweet Friend...I find myself waking up thinking of you and ending each day thinking of you as so many, many friends and family are doing. Your family's updates are written with such love and compassion for you. Please know we are praying for you, your strength, the care and experience of your doctors and nurses and your lovely family. Keep those bright blue eyes twinkling...
ReplyDeleteWe love you, Nancy and David
Finally! Don't know if any of the blogs went through. In Florida and on our way home early. Our thoughts and prayers are constantly with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your updates- as we thinking of Deb and all of you day and night. Love her light-up smile and blue eyes- and hopefully by tomorrow night she will be back on track for beating this! xo Deb and Dave B.
Praying for you Deb! You are such an inspiration of grace and strength....and you will get through this!! Prayers will be many through your surgery tomorrow too..... Love and hugs to you:) Sara T.
ReplyDeleteDeb, you are in my ongoing conversation with God, right there next to Gary. I know that you're going to get past this. Anything we can do to help, just have any of the family give us a call. Meike, I'm sure your mom is finding great comfort having you near. Deb & Gary Millikan
ReplyDeleteThank you Meike for the update! Prayers continue for you Deb and extra prayers for your surgery in the morning! You will get through this. Prayers too for the entire family to find peace and comfort knowing there are so many praying for you all. Deb VandeBunte
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ReplyDeleteThanks Mieke, for that lovely update. WE are praying fervently for your mom, and for your whole family tomorrow during the surgery and through out the recovery process. We know you guys have a long haul ahead of you. We are comforted by the fact that God is in control and is watching over you. Please give your mom a big hug from me, and tell her I will talk to her as soon as her tube is out. Much love. Aunt Nancy - and Uncle Jim I will talk to you tomorrow, okay?? Love you.
ReplyDeleteLove from Miriam and family. I'm really taking heart in that little piece of news that said the meds for combatting all this might actually help in attacking the cancer as well. Deb,keep fighting! I'm praying for you!!!! Love Miriam
ReplyDeleteThanks Mieke you are such a wonderful daughter. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Deb stay strong today and keep fighting. I am sorry you are going through all of this. Stan if there is anything you need done at home....Love Vickie and Doug
ReplyDeleteDeb,
ReplyDeleteI have been following your blog since Debbie Santucci informed me of it. I want you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Prayer is such a powerful tool.
Fondly,
Connie Tuma
Deb and family,
ReplyDeleteYou all continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. All of us at the BBC are thinking of you today! Praying for guidance of the surgeon's hands and for healing from the Ultimate Physician!
Emily Fynaardt
hi there ,, saying my prayers.. mieke I sent a friend request to you b/c I want to give you some encouragment. My mother had cancer and I want to tell you that I am so sorry that you are going through this...
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