Today has been a laid back day for me, which is probably good. Debbie has been with me today since the weather cleared up. It was also good to have some visitors come by this afternoon.

I did get some good rest periods in trying to manage my fatigue. It is interesting how we view and approach the concept of rest. A few weeks ago a friend of mine referenced this idea of rest and energy management that I had discussed in one of my posts. He said how as an executive he was learning how important energy management  was for him without the medical issues that I am dealing with.

Rest is reflected in the Biblical concept of Sabbath. This concept is easily misunderstood. For example a little boy responding on a Bible quiz said, (actually wording and spelling) “In the first book of the Bible Guinessis, God got tired of creating the world He took the Sabbath off.”  For many of us our understanding isn’t much better. A Sabbath can mean we stay busy at others things than just our Monday through Friday work. I admit that I tend to push this issue in my life and that is perhaps why I find myself getting rest reactively instead of proactively.

For example, I recall a few weeks ago my at-home physical therapist after seeing that my level of strength was weakening and my fatigue increasing, said, “Tomorrow is Sunday, I don’t want you working out.” I said, “Okay, I will just do upper body exercises then.” To which he responded, “No, I said no exercises for tomorrow!” Just today one of the weekend occupational therapists (Kim pictured with me above) said, “I will see you next weekend if you are on the schedule.” I said, “If I’m not doing anything, I might as well not do anything at home.” One of the aides close by said, “Ken! That’s not how it works!”

 Making the Sabbath work for us is God’s intention. I recall reading a book during a leadership class in my masters work on the concept of the Sabbath written by a Mennonite minister. So it is obvious that there is a lot of material to cover on this principle. I like the three R’s of the Sabbath. Rest, reflection and renewal.

God made the Sabbath a Holy Day by resting from His work.It is important to realize that the Creator has designed our lives to have an ebb and flow of activity. I remember in one of my pastorates hearing of a man who “never takes a day off” and “gets by with very little sleep.” I wanted to say,“well that’s stupid.” But I let that be my inside voice. It wasn’t long before this individual was out of commission for about a week because he was sick.

Reflection is an important aspect for our lives. The Bible says, God looked at His work of creation and saw that it was good. Solomon said, that finding pleasure in work is a gift from God. It is important in our work regardless of how our effectiveness is measured to be able to stop, look back and to have some degree of satisfaction in what we have accomplished, in what we have achieved. This is all part of God’s plan for a healthy balance in our lives.

Proper rest and reflection brings a renewed energy and commitment to the tasks that are before us in the coming week. We are able to focus on what needs to be improved and to stay focused on what is helping us to be effective.

My first prayer before the State House of Representatives in 2005, I shared these three R’s since it was near the close of the legislative session. I reminded legislators that the “energizer bunny is not their role model for a balanced life.” That statement earned me my first newspaper quote, although it was applied out of context as me admonishing legislators to get their work done and go home. At any rate the concepts remain sound and based on the truth of God’s Word. And when we have God’s Word as the basis for our lives we won’t burn out or rust out in both the divine and natural calling for our lives. It also prepares us for the ultimate Sabbath rest in God’s presence.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;  for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest…”. (Heb. 4:9-11)

PLEASE PRAY FOR….

Healing of infection

Strength for therapy sessions

Muscles strength

 A March 1st snow storm and my first day of therapy during round two at Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital. Today went good for my first day of structured therapy. I had visits from physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. The weekend doctor on call came to my room during the occupational therapist’s visit. We didn’t talk a lot about medical issues but he did fix a foot plate on my wheelchair!

I worked on standing and even walking in the parallel bars which is something that I did not anticipate. Considering the lack of strength I seemed to exhibit at Poudre Valley Hospital this was a surprise to me and a delight for the therapists. This certainly gives hope for a shorter stay at the rehab hospital.

I had an interesting personalized presentation on memory and how the brain stores information from one of the speech therapists. I didn’t realize that this was an area related to speech therapy. I felt like an audience of one listening to an excellent presentation. I will have some follow up sessions to learn more over the next week.

It seems like my fluid retention is beginning to dissipate. It looks like I have a new experience that will help me relate to others who have similar struggles. Also, the feelings of fatigue are something that I am sorting out. I am not sure if it is related to my heart function, medication or my Myasthenia Gravis or a combination of these. I am learning to manage my fatigue and to try to remember the shock my body went through and is still recovering from.

I recently read someone’s comment about hope, specifically hopelessness. He said, “Hopelessness is when you have turned over every stone and found nothing.” When I read that the first thought that came to my mind was, “I’m glad a Christian has no reason to be without hope.” The Bible declares that God is the, “God of all hope…” (Rom. 15:13) We read in the Bible the consistent call to put your hope in the Lord. (e.g. Isa. 40:31; Lam. 3:25) The writer of Hebrews declared that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” (Heb.13:8)

While setbacks and challenges can be discouraging they are not a reason to lose hope. So during this time I am holding on to Paul’s benediction in Rom. 15:13…

“ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

 PLEASE PRAY FOR…

• Energy for therapy
• Muscle strength, especially legs
• Elimination of excess fluid

 My first day at the Rehab Hospital ended up busier than anticipated. No hard workouts, mostly evaluations, goal setting and meeting staff members that will help me get back on my feet and hopefully closer to where I was a week ago.

As I look at my clock, I realize that it was one week ago tonight that the intense symptoms began that resulted in an ambulance ride to the hospital. So here I am beginning, what all seem to agree, will be a speedy and successful rebound. Thank you for your prayers to that end.

Today I had a visit from my case manager with Kaiser to update her on my events. While she was with me I met my case manager who will assist me with communication and administration issues here at the rehab hospital. During this afternoon stretch that was “open” my respiratory therapist came to check me out followed by the speech therapist followed by the occupational therapist.

So, today was pretty much an evaluation day to determine the game plan for the next seven to ten days. Tomorrow will begin the three hour per day of therapy and off we will go with the goal in mind to return home as soon as possible, as strong and independent as possible.

The test results from my hospital stay showed that I had micro-abscesses in my right kidney that spawned the infection with it spreading to my blood system causing the drastic drop in blood pressure and the multi-organ failure. As a result my weight gain (instead of loss) is an issue, especially with some significant water retention due to the low functioning of my heart.

While this time can be a source of discouragement, I realize that in the broad scope of life that a few weeks of going through this temporary setback is relatively small. I am learning more about the Apostle Paul’s words, “…when I am weak then am I strong…”         (2 Cor. 12:10)

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:13,14)

PLEASE PRAY FOR…

• Success in rehab program
• Healing of heart function and elimination of excess fluid
• Resolution of the source of  reoccurring infection

This evening I returned to the Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital. This is the facility that helped me after my surgery last September.I was anticipating returning here within the next six weeks or so, but on an outpatient basis. It is helpful to see nursing and care staff that know me and will help me with a quick rebound in my physical strength and recovery.

I learned today how helpful it is to have a care team that knows your background and that can adequately assess your needs. One of my morning visitors at the hospital this morning was and education nurse who introduced herself and said, “I am here to talk to you about your congestive heart failure.” To which I responded, “My what!” What followed was some interesting information. Technically the septicemia and infection I had put my heart in that category by definition; however, there seemed to be only a cursory correlation between my medical crisis and the response of my heart.

This concept of accurate assessment reminds me of a definition of love that I used I my premarital counseling and weddings. I picked it up from Dick Foth and it is based on John 3:16. “Love is the accurate assessment and adequate supply of another person’s needs.” That’s what God did for us through Jesus. He saw we needed a savior (accurate assessment), so He sent His son the adequate supply needed for us to have relationship with Him. When that process takes place in relationships, in marriages it is love in action. You get specifics, not generalizations. You get progress, not frustration and complications.

During my waiting period it was good to have Pastor John Engle come for another visit. What an encouragement he is with a great heart and background of loving and caring for people in need.

Also, Ted and Murlene Grizzle came to the ready and delivered my power wheelchair to the hospital so I would have it here at the rehab facility. While we visited we discussed the importance of staying focused upon the Lord and not losing, “heart.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 are great verses that I have referenced to some degree in the past. However, these verses are especially relevant for my current status.

2 Cor. 4:16-18 (ESV)  “…we do not lost heart…for this light and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

 So we pray, “Lord give us spiritual eyes to see what you see and to be strong in heart trusting you in the work you are doing in our lives.” Amen.

 Please pray for …

Strength recovery and reduction of fluid retention

Encouragement and strength for my physical and spiritual “heart”

Doctors to demonstrate God’s love through the accurate assessment and adequate supply of my medical needs

Debbie as she covers her patient load and I am away from home

February 26, 2014

Written 29 minutes ago by Ken Summers

Today was actually a good day. My sister-in-law Sue spent the morning with me, I had visits from Ted Grizzle, Pastor John Engle, flowers from Pastor Mark Orphan and the Timberline Missions Team and even a visit from Kelly Schilling (my at-home physical therapist).

I even had timely visits from the doctors that are evaluating my progress and making recommendations on treatment and coordinating for discharge planning. I did have stress test on my heart this morning. The test basically confirmed the EKG results which showed some diminished heart function. This is probably a result of the severity of my infection and the drastic drop in my blood pressure. The plan will be to treat with some medication and then redo an EKG at a later date.

I have been surprised by the weakness that I am experiencing even though I am feeling better. As a result of the PT and OT evaluation, here at the hospital, they are recommending at least a week of in-patient physical and occupational rehabilitation. This is something that came to my mind and is probably a good strategy for the long term. My situation is greatly different than my last hospitalization.

So…the road home is going to take a little detour or at least a little longer route. This kind of reminds me of my propensity to seek different routes between points. Many years ago when attending a church conference my youth pastor looked at me one morning (as we traveled from the hotel to the conference site) and said, “Do you realize that we have made this same trip the last three days and you have not taken the same route twice?”

 I usually get to where I need to be sometimes sooner, sometimes later, and sometimes longer. So this journey is not new territory for me, because I know I will eventually get home to where I belong and want to be.

When I think of that, it reminds me of our sojourn hereon earth to heaven. We never know the path that we may find ourselves on, but we can be confident of safely arriving at our final destination. The road may be more frustrating than we expect or filled with unusual turns and detours, but as we keep in mind that there is a Heavenly Father who is above who can see what we can’t see, we can rest assured in His loving care and sovereign direction.

So, I am looking forward to seeing my friends at Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital. A little sooner and a under different circumstances, but I am looking forward to their excellent care as I prepare to return home in a few more days.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isa. 58:8,9

February 25, 2014

by Ken Summers

Monday, February 24, 2014

by Debbie Summers

I am working on this in a corner of Ken’s ICU room with a mask on while Ken gets yet another PICC (intravenous line that goes from his upper arm directly into his heart) placed in preparation for him going home to have antibiotics.  He will also ‘get’ to have a CT scan, another EKG and echocardiogram yet today.  Another kind of antibiotic is being given now.  The main focus is to try to figure out why Ken keeps getting a Pseudomonas infection.  This one was not only in his urine but also in his blood.  The infectious disease doctor thinks it might be in the interstitial lining of his bladder since the last CT scan done in December didn’t show any stones.  The hearts tests done yesterday show abnormalities as a result of the infectious process.  That is why they are repeating the tests so we know if things have resolved. Ken should be taking the caring bridge and kensummers.org over soon and believe me, it’ll be good reading since his perspective is very insightful (and funny at the same time).

Prayer Requests:
*find the source of the infection and for it to never returrn
*encouragement for Ken that he not lose strength in his rehab process
*safety for Ken since he is still considered a ‘fall risk’ (he is quite
adventurous)

Psalm118:17  I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done

Sunday, February 23, 2014

by Debbie Summers

I am so thankful to report Ken has now been deemed a ‘boring patient,’ by both the infectious disease doctor and the pulmonologist (intensivist-doctor over the intensive care).  Boring is good, especially when you are a patient that was critically ill yesterday.  Ken feels very weak, tired and puny but thankful to be alive.  We were told he has developed a heart murmur and blood tests that could indicate a change in heart function so we’ll keep you posted on those results. He had an EKG & an Echo-cardiogram today.  We are hoping for a transfer to a regular room tomorrow and possibly get set up for home care services for the intravenous antibiotics.