Well, Good Friday morning started with a bang. Marilyn hit the floor face first in a three-point landing, her knees (both of them) and her nose. She bled a lot because she is on Coumadin, and after a trip to urgent care she found out that she had broken her nose . Needless to say she was all decked out in Easter colors for the Good Friday service and Easter Sunday because of the bruising.
She saw an ENT doctor on the following Tuesday and he just said that Marilyn’s nose looked good. So no surgery was necessary, PTL. He just told her not to blow her nose for the next eight weeks!
We still had, Deb, Kate, and Nate as our guests for Easter dinner here at the apartment. Marilyn thinks we could accommodate several more if necessary. Kate provided the veggies, beautifully prepared, and Glen cooked the steaks on our new grill on our balcony. All in all, we had a wonderful day.
Marilyn had an appointment with a neurologist at KU Medical Center on the following Wednesday. Her name is Dr. Ford and she seemed determined to find a diagnosis for Marilyn’s issues. Dr. Ford ordered three MRIs, physical therapy and a host of blood tests.
The physical therapy started last Wednesday, and it went very well. we stopped by Costco and then decided to have lunch and a Panera Bread restaurant our way home. Unfortunately Marilyn tripped on a small floor divider and fell against a counter top that was unbendable. We thought she was okay, so we went on home after talking with the restaurant manager and giving an accident report. Two hours Marilyn knew something was terribly wrong, so Glen drove her to the ER of St. Joseph’s Hospital which is just a few minutes away. She was seen immediately . After an x-ray and CT scan, it was decided she had a bleed in her right breast, and a large hematoma in the same area. She was immediately admitted to surgical ICU and we figured she would be there overnight, but we were wrong. After a couple of occurrences of a-fib, she was finally released on Saturday.
Marilyn is including a rundown of the events that led to her longer stay. (No pictures here. They would be too shocking. Trust me.)
I must admit I was not sure I would see the apartment again. But God in His gracious plan brought me back here. I am able to see my bruises in their full extent, and it is not pretty. I had a fairly good night sleeping at home. I know Glen is trying to protect me by not letting go of my hand when I am moving. He insists on holding my hand every time I even think of getting out of bed or trying to walk across the room.
I am very weak, but I am very thankful for the wonderful care I had, and I was so moved when I came home to see how many people cared for me on Facebook and by email. God let me see just how blessed I had been to hear from my grandkids and my children as well. I received a cute, huggable, and large teddy bear from Nate and his girlfriend. He reminded me that someone had told him that bears had to be huggable and cuddly. I was that someone. My grandkids actually remembered what I had said!
I also received some beautiful flowers from the Nazarene church and two visits from my dear friend and pastor of pastoral care at that church, Dennis Apple. His visits were extremely special to me. I met many Christians on the hospital staff as well and many wonderful doctors. I only referred to one doctor as Dr.Grumpus. I prayed for him, and by the next day even he had sweetened up!
I know we often pray for wisdom for the doctors, but I’m not sure how often we pray for them to sweeten up. It works my friend, it works.
am still quite ill and very weak. Please pray that God will strengthen me and allow the bruises to leave soon. Please pray I will not have a stroke since I am off the Coumadin for an unknown period of time because of the bad bleed in my right breast. Coumadin is a blood thinner and prevents strokes in A-fib patients.
I’ve never seen such bruises. The bruising has started to move down my stomach and my back. The bruising is a solid dark blue/purple under my right arm, and it looks awful.
It is very difficult to feel totally out of control, but I am learning that God is always in control. PTL! God hasshown me that He is always in control and He has a plan to use me even at the age of 76. I am confident He is not finished with me yet.
Please pray with me that the swelling will go down quickly and that the discomfort will leave as well.
Thank you again for your demonstration of love and your promise to pray.
I know this is a long letter but we want to keep you posted. Thank you for your love and care.
Love you,
Glen and Marilyn