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.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

I’m back……. Wishing I could let Ken do this post but he is a little too sick right now.  He became very sick in the night and vomited 3 times.  He was very resistant to going back to the hospital and said we could go to the minor emergency clinic in the morning.  When I assisted him to get to his electric wheeelchair, he quickly went into shock.  He became unresponsive so I did have to call 911 for help.  His blood pressure was 60/palp (another way of saying zero) so he was critically ill.  He is septic with an overwhelming infection, probably the Pseudomonas has reoccurred.  Infectious disease doctors have been called in to try to figure this out.  His blood pressure was unstable, lactic acid was 5  so he was considered critically ill and is now in Intensive Care. He has been able to talk to us (Christian has arrived from Denver) but is very tired so sleeping a lot.  Thank you for your prayers for him and our family!  God is with us….
Psalm 27:13, 14
I remain confident of this; I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord

I have been thinking about the progress that I have made since being at home. At least at home after being home and re-hospitalized with a UTI….

•  ·        My transfers are made on my own power without transfer board or requiring Debbie’s assistance.
•  ·        I am able to take steps in the walker and get8-10 feet. I can even get myself up on my own. (if I cheat a little by using my therapy chair or raising the wheelchair seat)
•  ·        I can lift my right leg off the bed when lying down. (Didn’t know for sure when that would happen!)
•  ·        I can get out of bed without assistance. And now I can push myself up on my elbows. (I just did not have the strength and oddly the mental awareness of even now to do that when I was in the rehab hospital)
•  ·        I got into our walk in closet for the first time by using a desk chair with casters and transferring from my wheelchair to the chair in the closet. I do use a cane to help propel me to where I want to go.
•  ·        I have regained about 90% of my weight loss. Now I just need muscle!
•  ·        My voice is stronger and people continue to say, “you sound like your old self.”

I believe there are other things that I am forgetting for the moment, but these are significant steps forward that provide me a sense of independence, accomplishment and thankfulness. I believe these are a direct result of the prayers of God’s faithful people around the world.

My physical therapist who monitors my progress has advised that I don’t over push the therapy and the progress. I have been a little more fatigue in the last two days. This evening I was really fatigued at 5:30 p.m. much later than usual. I laid down for at least an hour.

After resting I felt more alert, but woke with chills and headache and a 100 degree temperature. I haven’t had an abnormal temperature for months! Even when fighting infections.

I have not had these symptoms since July 19 when I ended up being hospitalized just three days later. It was interesting to sense the emotions that I did. I’m not sure if you can have PTSD from West Nile.  Those symptoms in and of themselves may be not unusual for a healthy adult, but for me it calls me to reach out to you today and ask you to pray, like now.

I had not been in a hospital for 59 years. I think this past year I did all the catching up that I need to do. We are still trusting the Lord, He is faithful and all the glory and praise belongs to Him for what He has done and what He will do in this very moment.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture the flock under His care. Psa. 95:6,7