Stan Here:
I think we all kind of yearn for the time when some good reports could come out of here but that just is not the case. It seems that no matter what is done they cannot get things going the way we should. Seems like one problem after another and very frankly Deb is really very sick. They have set up some different test for Friday. Things are looking a little like there is a kink in the intestinal area. Things are kind of pointing to another surgery on Saturday. There is some chance that the procedure they are going to do tomorrow will help things and prevent surgery but given the fact that things are not seeming to go that way for us Deb is pretty much resigned to having to undergo surgery again.
Some people have asked if that means reversing again and having to redo the illeiostomy bag. So far that is not in the cards. The medical people are still confident they can find the problem and prevent that.
One of the difficult things with the duration of time and the difficulty Deb has encountered is that her spirits are very low and she feels quite ill. The NG tube is still in and many more tubes and devices all of which cause various types of discomfort. Although we have often tried to write these with a optimistic flavor I would say I would be more accurate if I would say that it is really hard to be that right now.
Many people have asked "anything we can do?" Well I am not sure what to say about that. Talking is a problem with that NG tube in. The room is full of plants and greetings (thank you). Perhaps the only thing I can think of right now is that the time here goes by so slow and Deb does spent some time each day reading e-mails and responses to the blogs and she does seem to treasure those. I will keep you posted with the updates. Of the encounters we have had it seems that this one has proportion and difficulty level that we could have never expected. One of the more intense things I have seen. Yet with all of this we do have hope for a good outcome in the long run. How we look forward to that time.
I will try to update a little more on the events for those that follow. Thanks again for staying with us through all of this and please keep Deb in your thoughts and prayers.
Stan
Mieke here....
Mom just wanted me to write a little bit about how much she enjoyed watching the kid's program last night. It was fun to see it live over livestream. She saw everyone saying hello and really liked watching the kids. It was a lot of work and I'm pretty glad that it's over considering all that is going on. I am grateful to be done with school tomorrow so I can spend more time with mom here at the hospital. She needs to get better, this whole thing is rediculous and I can't believe she is still here. Christmas is a time that we love to spend together, as so many people do, and I am really very sad to spend it like this.
praying praying deb....thinking of the hoksbergen family and sending our love
ReplyDeleteWhat a disappointment, my heart really is breaking for you. You must just want to bust out of there. You must be so sick of movies and TV. Hopefully, you will get some good results in the next day or two.
ReplyDeleteThen you will look back on these couple weeks as just another glitch in life. Carry on, keep smiling and keep up your spirits.I'll watch for updates.
Debbie S
OH My goodness, so sorry to hear about what has happened in the last days. Now I understand why you couldn't answer the phone. Deb and Stan you are in our thoughts and will be praying for a good turn. Deb and Bob
ReplyDeleteDeb,
ReplyDeleteYou are daily in my prayers...wisdom for the doctors, healing and comfort for you, and grace for your entire family. Certainly the hospital is not a great place to be right now, but wherever you are, remember that Jesus is Emmanuel -- God with us.
Chad Boorsma
Dear Deb,
ReplyDeleteI usually talk with you rather than Comment but tonight this will have to do. I am so sorry to read that tomorrow brings another procedure. We will be praying that it is successful and it prevents surgery on Sat.
Wishing I could come sit with you at Spectrum but that is not to be. We leave in the morning (6 am flight) to visit Libby, Justin and Ava. We will all be thinking of you and praying for God's rich grace to lift up your spirits while He heals your body.
Know that so many love you and are supporting you in thees troubling days. We pray that brighter ones arrive very soon and the New Year starts on a brighter note.
Hope to hear from you when you can talk more comfortably. How is the amaryllis doing? Any sign of red and white stripes yet? Maybe waiting for you to feel better. Hope to see that photo soon! Keep fighting. You have what it takes. I know you do!
God bless & I Love you,
Krista
We are praying for you Deb, for healing and relief.
ReplyDeleteCan't imagine how much you wish you could walk on out of there. While we know that you saw the Christmas program last night it would have been so much better if you could have been there in person. Mieke did a remarkable job of directing the children and coaxing a wonderful show out of them. They will remember that night for the rest of their lives, as will their parents. Aaron was the biggest little kid up there - what a ham he is. He actually gave a fine performance and helped bring out the best in the kids. Mieke and Aaron are quite a pair.
See you soon,
Conrad and Laurie
My heart aches for all of you.
ReplyDeletePray with me, Deb:
Please, God, hear the lament of your child, Deb, and heal her. Please guide the doctors, nurses and entire health team at Spectrum so they know exactly what needs to be done to get Deb on her way to recovery. Be with Stan and the kids so they feel your comforting presence during this time of uncertainty. Take away Deb's discomfort from all of the tubes, IV's, dressings, uncomfortable hospital beds and the unrelenting sameness of her hospital room. Bring cheerful caregivers into her room each and every time she needs something. Lift Deb's spirits and take away the gloom of unwanted infirmity. We pray all of these things in the name of your son, Jesus, whose birth we celebrate in this advent season. Amen. Hug included.
Ellen Batts Jongsma
Deb, sorry this has taken so long! I pray daily for a resolution. Hope things "move" very soon. Love you
ReplyDeleteWill continue to keep you in my prayers! Remember God is always with us and in control. Sometime it is hard to see it and understand and even to know what to pray, but that is what friends and family are for. Love Arloa
ReplyDeleteI must say that I am arguing with God at the moment. How could He let that chemo work so marvelously and then allow so many complications???
ReplyDeleteEllen's prayer was so beautifully stated and I will keep that prayer handy to pray as well.
So happy to hear that Mieke will now have more time to spend with you, to advocate for you, to talk for you, a calming presence.
Meanwhile, Sleep in heavening peace.
Love you, Linda Breen
Here it is my dear friend---I have run out of "Woody" characters BUT I have not run out of time to spend with you! We have 2 more Toy Story movies to watch to make the series complete, but we can always do that when you get home.
ReplyDeleteLove you, Jackie
Good morning Deb, Having just read all your posts to this update I can only quote from Ellen Batts Jongsma. Her comment summarizes very well my sentiments for you! Continuing to praying for healing. So glad we had the live streaming for you and others. May God hold you close.....
ReplyDeleteOh Debbie, I am so sorry...hoping whatever they are doing today will do the trick and you will be home very soon. I miss seeing your smiling face here on the BBC...Don't they know you need to be home...well one good thing is it is very windy, cold and snowing here...I am sure my girls are loving it as I sit at work and they are playing in the snow (if grand haven got any). Newfies kisses coming your way :) wait until you meet Breslyn so different than Emma and Lily. She will really make you smile and laugh so much...Prayers my friend...love you and thinking very, very positive thoughts :)
ReplyDeleteHi Deb, So sorry that this has dragged on with one complication after another. I can relate somewhat in that I, too, had major intestinal surgery....and after the almost complete removal of my colon, and lots of patience and perseverance, I am feeling great and eating solid food again! It took a good 6 months and now I can honestly say everything is working well. I really feel for you and send support your way....thoughts and prayers from Florida! Hang in there.
ReplyDeleteDeb,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that I checked your blog as I thought you'd be home by now and enjoying your Christmas tree! I have been praying daily for you and will get a little more specific in my prayers. I hope that today's procedure yielded results that will prevent another surgery and that will get you on the path to healing and discharge to home!!!!!!!!! Continue to smile as your smile is so beautiful. Praying for healing and for things to begin to move in the right direction. Claudia M (BBC)
Hi Deb,
ReplyDeleteSo sorry that it is taking so long for this whole process to get resolved. You are in our prayers.
We know how hard it is to be stuck in the hospital at Christmas- and we share your pain & disappointment. But keep putting one foot in front of the other, and know that it will be worth it. You will have many wonderful holidays ahead, which will be extra joyful after what you've been through. You and yours are in our thoughts constantly. Sending love from Maryland, The Vanderwagens & Dorothy Martens
ReplyDeleteDeb,
ReplyDeleteI wish I had words that would help in this time of waiting and suffering. I'm often struck by how hollow my own words sound in moments like these, so I feel that sharing a relevant Scripture might bring more comfort. I was just reading this passage this morning in my own time with God:
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." -Hebrews 4:15,16
I hope that you will boldy approach the throne of God's grace and there you will find help as this is truly a time of need. I also realize that there are times we just cannot approach God - we're either too weak or we don't trust Him or we're simply out of things to say. It's in these times that others "carry us" before God's throne. I'm reminded of the story in the Gospels where the paralytic was carried to Jesus by his friends and they lowered him through the roof so that Jesus might heal them. He had no way of coming to Jesus on his own, so his friends carried him. I want you to know that I have been carrying you before the Lord often these past days and weeks Deb! I had an especially meaningful time of prayer for you before the Lord this morning here in Swaziland. May you receive an extra measure of His grace today Deb! Please know that you're being carried right now, and are safe in the grip of our Lord - whether you're in a hospital bed or in your home. We love you!
Eric Peterson