I'll Fight Another Day

Last night Ariel stayed in Andrew's room. I got a phone call. His heart rate had dropped a great deal very rapidly but then it would climb back up. This happened about four different times. All of his other vitals were normal. They tried to pick it up on an EKG but, of course, it didn't do it. They weren't terribly concerned. So I tried to relax and go to sleep. Today Andrew had to have a little adjustment on his colostomy bag. We keep having problems with leaking. I am learning how to apply it. Bishop Quist came by for a visit. Dr. Matlock came in to see Andrew. He is pleased with his progress. They have been able to up his NJ feedings. His pancreas numbers are going down. So that it good. Today Andrew chose to have a bad day. We all have them. He didn't want to get out of bed, go for walks, or anything. Tracy Webb (from PICU and we knew her in Germany from church) stopped by for a visit. She is so motivational. She is a Navy Seal. One of a few women from a test pilot program some years ago. She epitomizes courage and strength. She is so great for Andrew. She tells him that she is going to beat him at basketball, no mercy!! I talked to Tracy after she visited Andrew. She recognized a couple of things. The heart issue is most likely due to a medicine. She also said that Andrew needs some buddy time. It is a real bummer to be in a hospital for a long time. He normally gets two shots a day but they added the H1N1 today for three shots. Strangers come in all day and ask questions, poke and make you cough. I realized that we have had all these weeks to get used to this new reality. Andrew is just now coming to terms with things. So we all cut him some slack today. Physical therapy said that he could have today off but tomorrow...no deal! After Tracy's visit, Andrew had a change of heart and decided to let us take him outside. Ashley, Dustin and the baby met us. Andrew got to hold his nephew. The baby was so cute and giggled on cue. The heart team came by just after I left to get some dinner. There were five of them. They decided to put a monitor with a recording device on Andrew for 24 hours. All went well until the doctor said to Andrew "worst case scenerio is that you will have to have a pace maker your entire life." ????? What was he thinking? It made Andrew worry so we had to do some damage control. Some people sure don't have a clue of what tact is. Aaron came up for some bro time and will spend the night. He is not sluffing he has home release first period. We talked Andrew into getting up to use the facilities. The doctor wants him to get up many times for small periods of time instead of once for three hours. There are times when you have to take a day off. Tomorrow will be a new day. The challenges will be waiting for the challenger. How do you find strength, courage, and the will to fight your battles? Love and supprt, prayer and faith. These are the weapons of the day!!