September 15, 2008

Monday's Update

I went to the hospital with my mom today. Christian looks really good. He was extubated so he can talk, but barely a whisper. He was on a lot of medication because they were getting ready to do a dressing change (they drug him up just before to manage the pain) but then got called away for an emergency. That was a blessing in disguise, because otherwise we wouldn't have been able to see him because he would have been in the middle of a dressing change, which takes about 2 hours.

My mom asked Christian if he wanted me to sing. He nodded "yes." I asked, "Do you have any requests?" Without hesitating, he whispered, "Nearer, My God, To Thee." I obliged, and then sang the rest of my favorites too. He whispered a few times, but mostly that he wanted water (which he can't have yet because his swallowing isn't up to par). But he did say that he wanted more singing.

Stephanie was in surgery when we arrived (prepping her for her "lab-grown" skin grafts tomorrow) so I didn't think we would get to see her. But she was back in her room by the time we finished visiting with Christian, so we went in. She is stable (better than last week) and tolerated the surgery well today. We are praying for the same tomorrow. My mom suggested that I sing to her as well. I began with "Nearer, My God, To Thee" and sang some of the others that I sang for Christian, but not as many. The nurse had to kick us out while she did some stuff, but we had been there a while anyway.

We were also able to get a good update from the doctor, and he sounded really positive. Tomorrow we will all be fasting again for successful skin grafting for Stephanie. You are welcome to join us.

5 comments:

  1. Alice -
    I don't know you personally, but part of my growing up was in the same ward as your family... I was in Stephen's grade... I'm a reader of the NieNie Dialogues... Love that girl!
    Thank you for your updates. The imagery of you singing to Christian and Stephanie are beautiful.
    I will fast for her and the Doc's as well tomorrow.

    Sara (Matheson) Maier

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  2. Alice,
    Thank you again for the update. You make us feel so connected to all of you by keeping us up on what is going on with C&S. Your post are sooo appreciated and we feel your love. Thank you so much. I will join your fast also.

    Hugs to you and your family
    Becka

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  3. I'm sure your singing is helping the healing process, in more ways than you can imagine! What a blessing to have someone to come visit them regularly. Glad things are going better for both of them this week & keep us updated on Stephanie's surgery tomorrow. She will be in my prayers.

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  4. I just love picturing you singing to Christian and Stephanie. I'm sure your singing has a healing power - I know that whenever I hear you sing, I feel a beautiful peace. I was curious if the doctors and nurses get to hear you as well - what a sweet way to share your testimony with others. Thank you for the updates - prayers continuing.

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  5. I am so glad to read the updates. I love the song, Nearer My God To Thee. It has touched my life so many times. I love music. It has a powerful impact on lives. I will try to find a way to make a tape of songs that my family sings if that would be OK. I say try because my 3 yr old extreme boy (ADHD with a bang as well as sensory problems and possibly a form of Autism) makes it difficult to get anything done around here.
    We pray for your family all the time, even though we don't know you at all. Perhaps it's the connection of the Gospel that draws us closer together.
    Love from The Bucklein Family in Orem.

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