FRIDAY, continued

Update on John

Since this blog started for the purpose of keeping you informed about John's condition, let me tell you about him.  It has been almost 18 months since his aortic dissection on January 14, 2013.  We've been told it can take up to 2 years to recover.  Some days John can hardly drag himself around.  Other days he feels pretty good.  Always, though, he must pace himself.  He tends to do the natural thing which is to overdo and then it takes a while to recover.

He is on lifetime antibiotics, two blood pressure meds, and several other drugs.  When he feels crummy, he wants OFF the meds.  Our plan is to talk to his infectious disease team at Barnes to see if in fact he MUST stay on the antibiotics.   Since the Pseudomonas infection got onto his graft, some medical experts say that the antibiotics are suppressing the infection because it cannot be eradicated.  It is for that reason that they have recommended lifetime antibiotics or at least as long as he can tolerate them.  Whatever THAT means.

He was having a difficult time controlling his blood pressure.  His CT scan in January showed that his aorta has in fact grown some, which means his blood pressure is NOT low enough.  That was when they changed his medication and we have seen some improvement. 

Karissa has said that she knows why God spared her Dad's life;  first, so she could graduate from college.  She felt she never could have gone on, been able to concentrate, and finish.  Second, so he could walk her down the aisle.  That is tomorrow.  So we've accomplished several important purposes in these 18 months.

John's main constraint is emotional energy.  Loving people as he does, he talks and visits with people, and gives a tremendous amount of energy to his relationships.  It takes its toll, however, and he is soon worn out and it takes some time to recuperate. 

He continues to work out about three times a week and has learned to use the treadmill and is starting to even enjoy that.  Thankfully, he also eats well and sleeps good, too.  Lots of blessings, to be sure!

Sometimes when he wants to become discouraged

Our wonderful neighbors, Randy and Susan, who provided the
ministry of caring for our lawn for over a year!

with his debilitated condition, I have to remind him just how much worse he COULD be.  Not everyone "comes back" from these kinds of surgeries.  Some people's brains just cannot take the trauma and they don't "come back".  How fortunate we can be that John is as well as he is.  That he CAN take care of himself. 

Not being able to work takes a major adjustment.  John has a hard time with that as well he should.  We have also just moved and that requires adjusting, too.  Life is, after all, sometimes just one big ADJUSTMENT!  So, here we are, grateful that John is where he is and looking forward to our future which God has securely in his hands!