four walks

Wendy's physical therapy assignment today was to go on four walks. Wendy went on four walks! She doesn't qualify for physical rehabilitation while at the hospital because she has full use of her arms and can take a few steps with a walker. She will most likely qualify for out-patient rehabilitation when she gets home.

Her right leg is still numb. They did an ultrasound of both legs today, looking for blood clots or any other potential problems.

Wendy's PCA Infusion Pump will be removed tomorrow. She will no longer be able to give herself pain medicine. She started on a Fentanyl patch today. The pain medicine from the patch will be absorbed by the skin and transferred throughout her body via her fat cells. They are hopeful the patch will work well for Wendy because it moves through the body in an even and continuous manner.

The Wound V.A.C. is working well! The incision site is shrinking, looking less red, and is successfully being healed from the inside out. Nurses continue to be Betadine, a broad spectrum topical microbicide on Wendy's large incision site to protect it from infection.

One of Wendy's favorite ICU nurses, Nurse Stacie stopped by to wish her well and to say goodbye before her two week vacation time started. Nurse Stacie put together an extremely thoughtful gift for Wendy while she was still in the ICU. Wendy was told she couldn't wear makeup, deodorant, lotion, etc., during her surgery. Wendy misunderstood and thought she couldn't have personal necessities during surgery AND while she was in the ICU. After it was quite clear that Wendy would be in the ICU for awhile, Nurse Stacie brought Wendy a little purple purse filled with travel size toiletries, lotions, and nail polish. An incredibly generous and thoughtful gesture from a very special nurse. Wendy and her family wish Nurse Stacie and her family a fun trip to Disneyland.

Wendy is feeling less anxious today. Her family's presence today after a long, sleepless, frightening night brought her much needed security and relief.

Wendy is being weaned off of her TPN line and will continually receive less calories and nutrients from it. She needs to start eating more food. She will now receive 6 ounce health shakes that are packed with calories and nutrients at every meal.

GB met and prayed with yet another mother today. Letha from Modesto has three grown sons that all have a genetic disease called Polycystic kidney disease. All three men have suffered with severe health issues as a result their entire lives. Letha's oldest son Keith is waiting for a kidney and liver transplant at a hospital in San Francisco. Her youngest son is at UC Davis Medical Center in the ICU, recovering after having both of his kidneys removed last Saturday. GB said she'd have Wendy's prayer warriors add Letha and her sons to their prayers. Letha said she would call her church and have Wendy's name added to the prayer list. The power of relationships, prayer, and God's love continues to spread.

Pray...

• The ultrasound shows no blood clots and her legs look good.

• Her right leg continues to regain feeling and movement.

• The Fentanyl patch works and she is able to cope with the pain.

• She eats enough and sleeps well.

Praises...

• Amazing nurses like Nurse Stacie that love on Wendy and give her comfort through thoughtful gestures.
  

• The Wound V.A.C. is helping her incision site heal.

• She went on four walks.

• Wendy is less anxious thanks to the physical presence of her husband and parents and the constant presence of our Heavenly Father.

Oh Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our
salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2

new floor, hard night

Wendy had an awful night and experienced her lowest point since being in the hospital. She is having an extremely difficult time making the transition to a new floor. The change has really affected her emotionally, mentally, and physically. Dr. Calhoun knew it would be a hard transition, but didn't know it would be this tough on her.

Wendy didn't sleep at all last night. New nurses, sharing a room, delayed food trays, unfamiliarity of a new space all made it impossible for her to relax. Dr. Calhoun said she desperately needs sleep. Without sleep she won't have enough energy to adequately complete her physical therapy. She also needs to start eating more. She needs calories for much needed energy.

She has absolutely NO set date for going home. Her recovery will be evaluated day by day.

CB met up with and checked in on a few of the people you have been asked to add to your prayer list. Hunter had his tracheotomy today. The procedure went well. He is heavily sedated at the moment. Vincent smiled for the first time today since his accident on September 27th. His sisters said this last weekend was very scary and they almost lost him. CB shared with them that he though for certain it was the power of prayer that got him through the weekend. Two more of his sisters will be arriving from Holland on Saturday. CB, GB, and Sylvia met up for breakfast at the Kiwanis Family House this morning. The three prayed for a little baby named Madison that had surgery at 5:30 am. They encouraged Sylvia to not be afraid to pray and talk to God. Sylvia was excited to report that she read the first two chapters of John last night.

The Kiwanis Family House is a sanctuary for families that are at UC Davis Medical Center with hospitalized relatives. CB got a chance to meet and thank the founder of the Kiwanis Family House today. Wendy's family has been so thankful for a close and comfortable place to end their long days. They are also thankful and blessed by the many incredible encounters they've had with people like Evonne, Michael, and Sylvia at the Kiwanis Family House. The Kiwanis Family House is filled with opportunities for conversations that open the doors for God's love to be heard and accepted.

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. Samuel 22:33

22 days later...

Wendy's move from the ICU to the 6th floor was emotional. She had a hard time saying goodbye to her nurses and the ICU staff that has cared for her with such compassion and love for the past 22 days. Wendy has a neighbor in her new room. Her neighbor is expected to be in the room for at least 2-3 more days.

Dr. Calhoun expressed his deepest regards to Wendy's family tonight. He thought she would have been home by now. Unfortunately too many complications arose.

Please pray for Wendy tonight, her first night in a new room on a new floor. She is trying very hard to be brave, but she still wishes she was in the comfort of the familiar and attentive ICU. There was a food mix up tonight and she had to wait until 7:30 pm for her dinner to arrive. A delayed food tray would never have happened in the ICU. Pray for her comfort, strength, and peace tonight.

one way ticket out

Wendy is leaving the ICU! She is holding a "one way ticket" Marissa made for her, waiting to be transferred to the recovery floor.

I just received a phone call from her sharing the tremendous news! Her voice was shaky, yet it was very much Wendy. Sweet, gentle, and loving as ever as she shared her good news. She is being released from the ICU this afternoon and will be transferred to a recovery room on the sixth floor.

She shared that she'll have to write a book when she gets out of the hospital and title it, "My Life in the ICU". She said she didn't remember anything about the first week after surgery and it is probably a good thing. The second week she remembers bits and pieces and started to feel the pain. The third week she has experienced tremendous physical pain as she feels her incision sites, struggles with stomach issues, and itchiness, among the array of other pains. She is also experiencing tremendous emotional pain, being away from her sons, husband, family, and friends. She misses her life and home. She said she has made a mental commitment to get home as soon as possible.

She is anxious about the move out of the ICU. She is afraid of sharing a room with another patient. She is fearful that the nurses won't be able to get to her in time if she needs their help. She is worried the nurses won't hear her pushing a button for help. Please pray that Wendy feels at peace and the transition from the ICU to a recovery room goes smoothly. Pray the nurses she has on this new floor are just as amazing and attentive as the ICU nurses were. Pray Wendy heals with accelerated speed and that the next step in recovery is her going home. Pray she goes home soon!

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalms 28:7

pushing past the pain

The stomach x-ray Wendy had done yesterday showed no blockage. Wendy's surgeon, Dr. Calhoun has decided to start weaning her off of narcotics. Narcotics can cause severe issues with the stomach, intestines, and bowels. The narcotics seem to be disagreeing with Wendy in a bad way. Dr. Calhoun said Wendy is going to have to teach her body how to deal with the pain and learn how to push through it. She will start to receive Super Motrin and Percocet every three to four hours while the narcotics are being removed from her system.

Wendy is no longer receiving breathing treatments every six hours. She will only receive two in a 24 hour period from here on out. Her lung is getting stronger and is staying healthy!

She got six hours (not all at one time) of sleep last night.

Wendy is still not receiving nearly enough calories, vitamins, or minerals from food. She will continue to receive nutrients through an iv line. She still has blisters on the back of her tongue but her mouth and throat are not as sore.

Her Wound V.A.C. is going to be changed every other day rather than every three days. Changing of the Wound V.A.C. is not a fun process and is quite painful. She and her family are always relieved when the process is over. Her incision site where the Wound V.A.C. is inserted is shrinking and is looking better every day.

It is imperative Wendy continue to push herself to eat food, walk, and sit up. All of these activities will aid her body in waking up her gastrointestinal system. In order for the stomach, bowels, and intestines to work, they must be harmonious. There is disarray if they don't all work together. Wendy is definitely experiencing painful disarray in her tummy right now.

CB and GB continue to meet people that are lost, broken, scared, and are in the fight of their human lives at UC Davis Medical Center. They met Silvia, a 70 year old Apache Indian at UC Davis for neck and back surgery this morning in the Kiwanis Family House kitchen. After talking for awhile the conversation turned towards their respective children. The Becketts shared about Wendy, her cancer, surgery, and fight to recovery. Silvia shared about her son, John that she lost so many years ago when he passed away at seven years old. Her next statement opened the door for CB and GB to help change her life. Sylvia said, "I wonder if I'll ever see him again." The Becketts assured her she could through eternal salvation made possible by Jesus Christ. After prayer and more lengthy conversation Sylvia accepted Christ into her heart and exclaimed, "I'm going to see John again!"

CB and GB say, "Wendy is improving and her physical strength is coming back. We were able to witness to another soul today and have the blessed opportunity to spread the word and love of God. We have much to be thankful for. Praise the Lord."

Pray...

• The Super Motrin and Percocet keep her pain at bay enough so she can teach her body how to "push through the pain."

• The blisters on the back of her tongue heal.

• Wendy's gastrointestinal system is completely healed and free from distension and pain.

Praises...

• Only two breathing treatments a day now.

• Her incision site is shrinking and healing well.

blessed by your comments

Wendy needs prayer for her stomach and bowels. Her abdomen is extremely swollen, distended, and her bowels have stopped working again. She is on a lot of heavy medication to help with her bowels and the nurses are hopeful the medicine will kick start things tonight.

Wendy went on two walks today. After her second walk she started feeling extremely itchy and nauseous. Up until today she has been able to get back to her room and have anti-nausea medicine put into her iv line in time to help the feeling pass. Unfortunately today the medicine didn't kick in in time. She felt better after she threw up but then was extremely anxious. Thankfully she didn't aspirate.

Wendy got to connect to the Internet today. Her eyesight is blurry and she can't focus very well so Sarah read some of the blog comments to Wendy. Wendy was overwhelmed by the many comments, passionate prayers, the upcoming bake sale, the "lend a hand" link on her blog, green and gold ribbons, and "A Heart to Mrs. Manzo". She cried often when listening to the comments, in between sharing how she knew each person. Aunts and uncles, cousins, grandparents, family friends, students, parents, new and old friends, fellow teachers and educators, and complete strangers. She can't believe that people are following her progress with such dedication and are staying in touch on a daily basis. The time on the computer spent listening to the comments allowed her to escape her constant pain and engaged her in "non hospital" thoughts. What a blessing everyone's words have been to her today.

She continues to eat very slow and only takes a few bites at each meal. The nurses encourage any eating she does and are glad she's moving away from needing nutrients through an iv line.

Wendy got her hair washed and braided this afternoon. You'd think she'd been to the spa. She was so appreciative.

Micah and GB are back at UC Davis this evening. Micah and Wendy got to spend some time together this evening just the two of them (alone time including nurses of course).

GB met a fellow mother on her way back to the Kiwanis House this evening. After talking for awhile the two discovered that both of their daughters were in the ICU. Wendy recovering from thymoma cancer surgery at age 30 and Baby Isabella fighting to survive born at 28 weeks, weighing in at 1 pound. Both mothers promised to pray for one another's daughters. Wendy prayer warriors you are encouraged to pray for Baby Isabella, her mother, and all babies and parents in need.

Fellow ICU patient, 18 year old Hunter, in the hospital with severely acute injuries from "car surfing" needs your prayers. His mom asks for very special prayer this evening. Hunter will be having a tracheotomy this coming Tuesday, 11/10 at 11 am. As with all surgeries, a tracheotomy involves potential complications and possible injury from both known and unforeseen causes.

Vincent from Holland and a patient in the burn unit is showing some improvement. CB got a chance to visit with two of his sisters today. Praise God for improvements.

CB has plans to meet up with recommitted Evonne and new believer, Michael in the next couple of days. He will share some love filled literature and pray with them both. Please pray that the days since they both accepted Christ into their hearts have been overflowing with God's presence.

Pray...

• Wendy's stomach is no longer distended and her bowels start working again.

• A reprieve from the constant, intense itching.

• The comments left by people praying for Wendy give her extra strength.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

wendy's shuffling entourage

Unfortunately the distension, bloating, and pain in Wendy's stomach is back. An x-ray of her stomach was taken this morning. They hope to get to the bottom of it today. Wendy's pain is at a 5 right now. Her face, arms, and legs finally look less swollen. Up until today her stomach was looking more normal every day. Unfortunately today, her stomach is extremely distended.

Her blood pressure and blood sugar levels look good.

Marissa and Sarah are up visiting Wendy today. They brought her the laptop so she can read the amazing comments that have been left for her. Wendy's mom watched from behind as today's entourage; Wendy, Marissa, Sarah, nurses, a physical therapist, lines, tubes, and carts slowly shuffled down the hall. It requires a lot of assistance for Wendy to take her daily walks. Family, friends, nurses, and therapists cherish the walks. They get to offer words of support, cheer her on, and rejoice in her successes.

Pray...

• The distension in her stomach goes away.

• Nurses and doctors figure out what is causing the distension and stomach pain.

"when i get home..."

Wendy had a rough morning. Her catheter reached its useful life span today. She also had to have her Wound V.A.C. taken out, the incision site cleaned, and a new Wound V.A.C. installed. The entire process was painful and took a lot longer than it should have, three times as long.

Her morning walk wasn't as successful as she'd hoped for. She was still in a lot of pain from the Wound V.A.C. cleaning and re-installation. She was disappointed and extremely emotional after she couldn't walk as far as she had the day before. Her mom, nurses, and physical therapist reassured her that she is doing a great job and making good progress. She is really down on herself right now.

Wendy had a better evening. She sat in a chair for her longest stint yet, from 5:00 - 8:00 pm. There were points where she was in a lot of pain and extremely exhausted but one of her favorite nurses, Suzy, pushed and encouraged her to continue to sit. She was communicating well and had clear thoughts while she was up. She talked a lot about Skyler and Jadon. For the first time today she started some of her sentences with, "When I get home..."

Suzy is Wendy's night nurse this evening and Wendy is her only patient. Suzy promised Georgia that Wendy would get a good sponge bath tonight and some extra TLC and attention.

Wendy's mom is so excited about the laptop's arrival tomorrow. She really thinks the perfectly spoken prayers, incredibly supportive gestures, and loving comments from Wendy's many fans and followers will really give her a much needed boost.

Pray...

• The removal of Wendy's catheter was done in time and didn't cause any damage.

• The Wound V.A.C. continues to effectively pull out dead cells, infection, and excess fluids.

• Wendy is filled with renewed strength and confidence.

Praises...

• The amazing nurses that continue to care for Wendy.

• Pushing through the pain and sitting up for three hours straight.

Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. Ephesians 6:10

135 followers and 16,480 hits

Wendy's best friend Marissa is bringing up a laptop for Wendy tomorrow. Wendy's nurses have suggested she start using a computer to reconnect with the world and have something to take her mind off of her intense pain and long recovery.

Wendy has 135 followers and has had 16,480 hits on her blog. She will reconnect online tomorrow. Please leave a comment. Offer your words of support, love, and encouragement. 135 followers + 16,480 should equal A LOT of comments waiting for her when she visits this blog for the first time since her surgery. WELCOME WENDY!

For those of you who are unfamiliar oh how to post a comment on a blogger website here are some quick commenting tips.
1. Click on the link "comments" at the end of the post.
2. Scroll down past all of the comments that have already been made. Enter your comment into the box where it says "post a comment".
3. Select a profile from the "comment as:" drop down menu.
4. Once you type in your comment click on the link, "post comment".
5. You'll be redirected to a preview where you'll need to type in the word verification they give you. Once you've done that click on the link, "post comment" one last time.

three walks in one day

Wendy walked three times today and one of which was her furthest distance yet! She walked all the way to the surgery waiting room. Wendy's mom was beaming! Good, consistent walking is what will move her out of the ICU and into a regular hospital room.

Wendy is still experiencing extreme hot flashes. They are working hard to try and figure out why the extreme heat is back.

The PCA infusion system is still working well for Wendy as she self manages her own pain medicine intake. She can access pain medicine as often as every 15 minutes. She has waited up to 1 1/2 - 2 hours between infusions if she is sleeping. Even though she is waiting longer in between infusions to access medicine it is still problematic because once she is awake she is in an extreme amount of pain and requires a lot of extra pain medicine. The pain management team continues to encourage Wendy to move away from iv pain medicine intake and move towards taking it orally. Moving away from pain medicine by iv also helps eliminate some of the extra tubes, lines, and wires.

Recently Wendy has taken it upon her (very teacher like) self to give each new nurse a synopsis of the previous 12 hours. Wendy starts off each nurse's new shift by saying, "I know you probably know all of this but..." It's good to know she's still got it.

Wendy's surgeon, Dr. Calhoun gave Wendy the following homework assignments.
1. Get enough nutrients, and start eating more every day.
2. Walk, walk, walk.

The nurses continue to amaze, bless, and gently care for Wendy and her family. Go nurses go!

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6