Fourth Day at Rehab Hospital
 I’m not sure whether to say this is my fourth day at the rehab hospital or I have four days left until I return home. I do hope to return home on Saturday. At this point even I feel that I could manage safely at home. Today’s therapy sessions went well and I am now looking forward to not just returning home in a diminished state compared to my recent hospitalization, but with new skills and level of strength.
For example today I worked on standing in a walker and bearing my entire weight on my legs and being able to let go of the hand holds one hand at a time as well as with both hands. After my last scheduled session, I was in the gym using some dumbbells and found that I can lift four pounds more with my right arm and left arm than when I left the rehab hospital in December.
Considering the seriousness of my condition last week, I feel that I have rebounded well and am on the mend. My blood and urine tests reveal some positive reports. The antibiotics are working in attacking the infection. I will continue on this regimen for the most of March, administering the course of antibiotics at home. The only drawback is that the heart medication that I am on has some side effects of creating a sense of fatigue which impacts me mostly in the morning. I hope I can get off this . Thank you for all those who have prayed and continue to pray for me during this most recent crisis.
One again the sense of being surrounded by the prayers of family, friends and even those I don’t know is highly valued and provides the encouragement that is needed to keep on keeping on. In my Bible reading schedule I have been in the Book of Ecclesiastes. The following verses are familiar ones that speak to the value of friendship and partnership.
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Eccl. 4:9-12
As I look at these verses I see the value of partnership:
1 – Increased productivity (v. 9) – there is a value added dimension that makes work easier and provides that “good return.”
2 – Protection (v.10,11) – I have learned a little about falling and needing someone to pick meup – literally! It is nice to know that someone is close by when you need help and being on the floor with no one around and not being able to get up can feel like an eternity.
3 – Safety (v.12) – Having someone “fighting” for you and with you can make all the difference. I think of the times that I have been helped by Debbie fighting for me on the medical front. I can recall the comfort of knowing someone was fighting for me and with me on the political front as I worked on various laws.
4 – Strength (v.12) – Prov. 24:10 “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.”
A three cord rope is able to withstand the pressure of stress and the load of a burden. It won’t snap and give out when you need it to rescue you or work for you. When I was first home I had a climbing robe tide to the foot of my bed to help me sit up and get out of bed. I was glad that it was a strong rope and I didn’t need to worry about the strength of the rope, I just needed to be concerned about my own strength! Partnership gives us the strength to get the job done! And the greatest test of that strength is when adversity comes our way. I am thankful for the medical staff that has given me support and encouragement especially at Rehab Hospital where there is encouragement and celebration over progress and not just clinical medical care. (Picture above with me is Sherry one of the RN’s who has been with me the past several days)
How can you cultivate the relationships and the partnerships in your life that will provide you with increased productivity,protection, safety and strength?
PLEASE PRAY FOR…
- Continued progress in therapy
- Healing of infection
- Discovery for the cause of the infections (the mostcritical issue moving forward)
- Debbie as I am in rehab hospital and she is taking care of her patient load