It's been a week

Norm has been in the hospital a week now with no definite time of getting out which is extremely discouraging especially since they originally promised 3-5 days.  His morale keeps sinking.  If we could get the stomach tube out and he could start eating he would be a lot happier but we don't know what his small intestine is doing.  He has lost about 25 pounds through all of this which means I need to get on the stick and work at losing myself.  (LOL)

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As of right now I just wish we could have  a normal life but I guess then my next question is "What is normal anyway?"  You look around and everyone has some kind of struggle.  Everyone has their own cross to bear.  

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Psalm 9:9 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Norm's surgery

Norm had surgery on Monday to remove part of his large colon.   They also removed his appendix and nicked part of his small intestine. 

He had been having a lot of pain the past two days and it was not going well this morning.  His b/p dropped, heart rate elevated and his blood count also elevated. 

They moved him to the ICU this morning after pumping his stomach and are closely monitoring him trying to decide if he needs more surgery.  His b/p is still low and he has a slight fever.

The staff here has been great as far as seeing to his needs and keeping on top of things.  It's been hard to sleep with him often struggling to breathe plus all the lights and noises of the ICU.  We had hoped to be heading home by now but probably won't be out for awhile yet.

Your prayers are most coveted.  

Post flood......

     It has been two and a half months since a little anticipated tropical storm totally uprooted our lives.  We FINALLY got the insurance settlement.  We just signed it the beginning of this week but dealing with them has not been fun.  It seemed like one conflicting story after another -  and the politics!  It is so frustrating to be forced to deal with politics from something we had no control over and did not want and would not wish on anyone.  

     To add drama to the mix, we are preparing for Norm's surgery on Monday. He will be having part of his colon removed.  It has been stressful to think about all of the possibilities associated with that.   This stems from the episode during Hurricane Irene in which large blood loss caused Norm to pass out.

     In October we dealt with a similar situation with Norm's young nephew, Mason, who just turned three a few days ago.  Mason had been experiencing a lot of pain and stomach virus symptoms.  It was first thought to be Intussusception and a stomach virus and the surgeon wanted to send him home but Norm's brother insisted they check further and it was discovered he had a ruptured appendix.  He is still recovering from that but making improvements every day.
    We keep getting comments about our positive attitudes and how we are a good witness....but I don't always feel that way.  I guess I look at it as we are put in this situation and we can choose to moan and complain, but no one wants to hear/read that.  I don't enjoy reading posts on Facebook by people who constantly complain and I know others don't either and I guess I don't want to be that type of person.  I suppose I would rather just put a positive spin on things, but I don't enjoy being compared to a saint because I certainly do not feel like one.