Steps forward with caution

Keep Dad in your prayers as he will need to slow his breathing down so he doesn't get too tired. His irregular heart rhythm has returned. We are so glad for the opportunity for some of us to talk to him already.

He was really tired when I left him sleeping this evening, with a fair amount of work of breathing  and confusion. Continue to pray that the stress of burns and the situation can be healed in amazing ways even as we wait for the first look at the graft dressing on Wednesday. Like the doctors keep saying Dad is not out of the woods yet but they are pleased at his progress. 

We will be making some decisions on the funeral plans for Mom by Wednesday and will share as they become available. Thanks so much for your continued vigil of this thread as you remember to pray, Thank you to all.

Praise The Lord

THE TUBE IS OUT!

Smiling big smiles right now with Dad, they removed the breathing tube.  

Keep him in your prayers so that his confusion is quick to dissipate. The ICU'itis is well set in when we start to talk now. 

thanks again for your prayers to this point. 

Remembering Stories

Dad had another reasonable night in SICU still with the breathing tube assist but remains easily alert and enjoying the stories we were able to share about mom.

Mom at 16

When Dad saw this picture of Mom that we taped under the TV he had a cry and the nurse commented how that was a beautiful a woman he had fallen in love with and must have had fun chasing. But a sister commented that Mom had seen how her brother-in-law was a great father to her nieces and nephews. Uncle Pete had another brother, she made it her job to chase and get to know Wally then known as Butch. Dad laughed at the implication that Mom did the chasing :). He became a special father to her eight kids. They had a great relationship until God decided to call Mom to be with Him in heaven. 

Any who have great stories to remind of us of the lovely woman Martha was: feel free to share your stories on a Stories & Memories page we have added on the site. God is good and we know He blessed many of you through our Mom.

Looking forward after a day of looking back

We as siblings all got the chance to be with Dad and speak to him of our memories of Mom. Some got to share more than others as Dad gets tired easily. But there is a feeling of peace among many of us now that we can freely speak about our grief in Mom's passing. There was a peace in Dad too as we feel this was more of a confirmation rather than a telling of a fact.

Dad loved the picture that we were able to hang up of Mom. He still is struggling with being able to communicate with us with that tube. And we have been told that he will be in protective isolation for at least a month if not longer so we will plan a memorial/funeral in a couple of weeks. 

Continue to pray for Dad as his condition remains stable but critical and us as we plan a way to honour our Mom's life and passing.

Dad had a reasonable night's sleep

Pray that as all 8 of us talk to Dad today that any unanswered questions that Dad is trying to mouth to us can be answered in and by all those stories we share about Mom today.

Praying for wisdom tomorrow

We as kids were trying to wait until the tube was out to clarify with Dad the issues about Mom's death. Since the tube remains in and Dad is becoming more alert and trying to ask more questions. It was confirmed to us by the SICU fellow (Dr Ashcroft) that we needed and he was stable enough to tell and confirm about Mom's death. It will help us all in this grieving process. So tomorrow pray for wisdom and the ability to lip read, as we remember and talk to Dad. Hopefully in this time answering some of the questions about Mom that he has had the past week and 1/2 in hospital. But also pray as we deal with how to plan the services for Mom and grieve for our dear Mom and grandmother.

Pray for a restful night for Dad, he has not been able to sleep the past two nights.

Talked to the nurse

Extubation - trial of breathing not happening today.  

Why ? God we continue to pray for a miracle so together WiITH Dad we can grieve Mom. 

Praying for breath / health

a fresh outpouring of the breath of the Holy Spirit

a successful trial of breathing without ventilator support

a healing wind for restoration of the health of Dad

for the Spirit's intervention in all our lives with a new breath as we pray for healing in the loss of Mom and restoration / protection in the health our lives as we move forward.

An understanding of the Holy Spirit's will in all of this. 

And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:27 ESV)

Smiles and Laughter

Dad had a great day in many ways. So we choose to focus on the positives today. Dad is so much more alert, when shown pictures of grand kids especially Marg's girls he had big smiles.

Jo posted a joke on Facebook, "Pete, here is it possible to take this in to dad. This is his kind of humour." when shown this picture. Dad gave a silent long chuckle.

I am sure that if we said everyone who is tired of Dad having that tube in his throat, raise your hand! We with Dad are raising our hands in prayer that the tube can come out sooner than later so Dad does not have to be so frustrated with one way communication.

But to end on a positive note, the guys found Mom's iPad with her pictures, as well as some yellow rose dishes, our old family nativity scene and various other things. It will help to just remember Mom in another way.

We are choosing to focus on the positive.  

Video of Mom and 6 week old Zoe

Anybody who spent any time with Mom knew her love of children.  Hearing her talk in her baby whisperer talk really brought on the tears.  But tears are healthy so I don't apologize for any they bring you as well.      

A good day needed after a restless night

Our prayers for today are a good day.

Last night was a bit more restless and therefore he will need the support to his breathing a bit longer. Again the ups and downs continue. But God is good all the time.

Pray that all those functions that need to be working in the tummy get moving so the lungs can work properly. 

Pray also for safe travels on the after stormy roads for the siblings. 

We can say, Thank you again today!

Taking each day at a time! But today is a day to say thank you even more!

Earlier today Dad did a lot of sleeping, but then he was awake to wiggle his toes for Joy, Just like before surgery, Zoe got Grandpa to wiggle his toes, today it was Joy's turn, those two youngest granddaughters have really gotten grandpa to respond and encourage our hearts. 

He has been watching the curling bonspiel off and on, and when asked who he was cheering for Saskatchewan or Ontario, Ontario wiggle your left foot/Saskatchewan wiggle your right; Saskatchewan got the wiggle. It is good to be able to communicate with nods and toe wiggles more today. 

Pulse is good (check), BP is good (check), ventilator settings going down (check), tolerating feeds (check), fluid balanced (check), it is so good to see good things happening. Not out of the woods, (the nurse in me says it will be 3 days post op tomorrow not always a good day). Yet my God is greater than any fears I have. They are going to try to turn off the ventilator tomorrow, first step to getting that tube out so we can really talk to him! Pray that all goes well. We so want to hear Dad's voice again. 

Encouraged but cautious. Praying and thanking God for the continued mercies so far. 

Some of the guys and Marg is picking up the girls who have spent the week back at school. We have been told that there is nothing left to salvage of the house and that is something the guys will check out. Pray as they look for memories of Mom. If nothing is found we know there are lots in our hearts and pictures some of us have.

Praise the Lord!

Jo's report: Marg went down to see Dad this morning...all is good...very good sleeps for us and Dad. For those of you with any medical background: Dad's blood gases are "mint", and his breathing support numbers are down. Dad is still fighting. Yeah

Keep praying as we enjoy God's grace in letting Dad remain with us as we mourn the loss of Mom.

Update after a Long Day

The surgery went amazingly well, We praise God that Dad still lives and is remarkably stable . The ventilator tube is still in place and he is back breathing on his own with "support". The miracle is that we were told that it was over 100% chance that he wouldn't survive the surgery. Pray that the tube can come out soon so that we can communicate with him. God is faithful and is holding Dad in His hands. There is a long road ahead and his life remains in the balance. Together with him we still have lot of decisions to make. Continue to pray for unity in the family in those decisions.

A God moment in this day was while we were in the room waiting for news about Dad the funeral home called to tell us there were some personal effects of Mom that we could look at and share while waiting for the news of Dad. We have two rings that were on her fingers that we could each hold and touch and remember the dear wife of our Dad and our Mom. 

Thanks for praying for us and our dear Dad. We will continue to post updates about his recovery from this surgery and our memories of our Mom. 

We all got here

praise The Lord we are all here before Dad goes in to surgery

Can I get off the roller coaster yet God

Going down another steep hill. Just found out the surgery is 0900 not 1300.

siblings are driving from 1 hour to be with him before he goes in to surgery to pray  

enough God please, your will and your peace please!

What do you say, what do you pray?

What can you say? What can you pray? 

When all you want to do is cry!

It has been a tough day, after a really restless night and an even more restless morning, and with some tough news to hear in the afternoon those are the questions that come to mind.

It is a roller coaster ride that God has put us on, normally I love all the ups and downs, and all the butterflies my tummy feels. But not today or tonight or even for tomorrow, whatever may come to pass in the next 24 hours, we know that God is in control. He has the wheels of the roller coaster firmly attached to the tracks even though forces may want to throw us off the course. We are strapped in by the arms of Jesus from the cross, we know He will keep us safe. We feel the wind of the Holy Spirit as we go up one hill and then down the next.  We know God will keep us safe through this ride as we trust in Him.

Tomorrow around 12, Dad will go into surgery. His chances are not good but with the surgeon and so many advances to techniques, God can perform another miracle. After all Dad walked out of that smokey house. Why would God let him take that walk if he didn't want to carry him through the surgery as well?

Tomorrow at about 1030-1100 as kids we will all be in Dad's room, join us in praying and singing and placing Dad in Jesus' arms as he goes into the skin grafting surgery. 

God can either let us enjoy his company here on earth a wee bit longer or take him to be with Mom up in heaven.  God, what can I say, what can I pray? Only that your will be done here on earth as it is in heaven.

"God is Good" / Dad always replies "All the time" with his eyes!

There were lots of tears but lots of moments of peace as well last night as Marg, then Lisa, then Lori stayed with Dad as he opened his eyes last night. He is moving and focusing more this last night. Thanks to those of you who were able to pray and be with us last night.

Psalm 103

A psalm of David.

1 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    may I never forget the good things he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins
    and heals all my diseases.
4 He redeems me from death
    and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
5 He fills my life with good things.
    My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

6 The Lord gives righteousness
    and justice to all who are treated unfairly.

7 He revealed his character to Moses
    and his deeds to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
    slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 He will not constantly accuse us,
    nor remain angry forever.
10 He does not punish us for all our sins;
    he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
    is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
12 He has removed our sins as far from us
    as the east is from the west.
13 The Lord is like a father to his children,
    tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
14 For he knows how weak we are;
    he remembers we are only dust.
15 Our days on earth are like grass;
    like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
16 The wind blows, and we are gone—
    as though we had never been here.
17 But the love of the Lord remains forever
    with those who fear him.
His salvation extends to the children’s children
18    of those who are faithful to his covenant,
    of those who obey his commandments!

19 The Lord has made the heavens his throne;
    from there he rules over everything.

20 Praise the Lord, you angels,Heading 1
    you mighty ones who carry out his plans,
    listening for each of his commands.
21 Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels
    who serve him and do his will!
22 Praise the Lord, everything he has created,
    everything in all his kingdom.

Let all that I am praise the Lord.

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

MOM LOVED TO SING!  AND READ HER BIBLE! 

Watch her raise her hands in praise ! Even more today! 

Mom raising her hands in praise with us at Koinania!

Pete Here

Today will be a tough day. but don't forget to read Psalm 103!

Last night when Wally (Jr.) and I went to see Dad and say goodnight to him.  My dad started crying. I want to publicly thank my sisters the ones who have been sitting by his side and spent last night with him. So far because of risk of infection they have not wanted more than 4 of us to be by dad's bedside. Today hopefully that will change.

Talking to dad through an intercom is tough. For those who know my dad, he is a big man with a heart that is bigger than he is. The words compassion and empathy are not hard for us kids to understand. We as kids saw them in Our Dad.

Many times I remember being present when Dad received a phone call from someone in distress or crisis and watching as my dad would start crying both for and with the person on the other end of the line. Today you will find us as family praying for our dad.

Thank You all for the support that you have been giving to all of us Dad's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild.

Pete

For those that are still awake tonight

Although the nurse reassured us that burn patients rarely remember any of their time in SICU. It is tough as Dad becomes more alert and to see his lip quivering and crying. Whether he is remembering Mom or what it is just tough to see so if you are awake reading this lift him up in a special way tonight please. 

I will post more tomorrow about a surgical consult we had today, right now I need to finish some work so I can concentrate on Dad and keep pulling God's ear about this upcoming surgery.