Yesterday and last night proved to be a hard 24 hours… But it was Richard’s birthday, so there were definitely some bright spots. The nurses made some exceptions and let him have visitors yesterday! Some came and it was a bad time, some came and he was able to say hi for a minute. His room is now filed with balloons and cards, and I know it helps him to actually see your expressions of love. If you still have cards or gifts, please continue to send them to us at 1996 E Roxboro Rd. Atlanta, GA 30324—We are getting good at delivery. :)
P.S. He loves letters! Oh, and just as a friendly reminder… Richard is not supposed to have visitors. It was of course a highlight for him yesterday to be allowed a few of you back, but we still ask that you understand his condition. Please know that when he gets to Shepherd he will be able and need visitors!
So far, the surgery he had yesterday seems to be agreeing with his body. The drugs he received before, during, and after, really increased his hallucinations and nightmares…and they did not prove to be as humorous as the ones from last week. Most of the day yesterday he was scared and confused. Each time he came to, he had no memory of his situation and each time we told him, it was of course, very upsetting. Today seems to be a better day. There are no more chickens in his bed or bad experiences being a fork in a roll of silverware. …Just a hot, new band called “Laromy,” who Richard apparently really likes. He was a little frustrated when I couldn’t find them on itunes, so he sang me one of their more popular hits, “Recovery Juice.” :)
The surgeon who is overseeing his elbow and arm reconstruction came in today to talk with us. He told us that Richards elbow is literally in 50 pieces. But he believes that his team can repair it. It may or may not take a synthetic joint (elbow) to accomplish repair, but they think that one surgery can patch him up! (Not two, as originally told to us) He will go into surgery tomorrow morning at 7:30am. YAY! It will be lengthy, but they do not anticipate any problems. Check for an update here, tomorrow night!
This is the first surgery where the doctors are actually able to really communicate to Richard about what is going to take place before, during, and after the procedure. His anxiety was pretty high today and has been emotional about the surgery tomorrow… They also spoke to him today about his legs and he told me he was frustrated and discouraged. Please Pray for Richards stress level and for peace.
Pray for peace in Richard’s heart and mind. Philippians 4:6-7 says: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds, in Christ Jesus.” Peace from God really cannot be explained. It just is. True Peace is beyond words. It transcends understanding and description. In my inadequate language and personal experience, it is like a sense of Gods wholeness… a trust that everything really does become beautiful and good… and it just covers you. Peace isn’t ignorant of situation, but it certainly isn’t human-logic. It is both real and mystical how the truth of who God is and his love, quietly settles down our heart and mind. Its like God displaces the worry at the center of our life. And the best news is that True Peace is a gift God gives to all those who seek him. God’s Peace is for everyone! Rich or Poor, Muslim or Christian, Prisoner or Free, Healthy or Sick. So if you would, join us without anxiety, and in prayer…requesting that God’s perfect plan, be done concerning Richards healing. And for Richards heart and mind to be guarded by his creator, who loves him more than we do.
