Appointments, Appointments

On Saturday, I had a visit with Dr. Hendrickson, my overseeing doctor. She said she was really pleased with how I'm healing up. She then went on to give us the rest of the story that all the doctors had danced around while I was in the hospital. She told us that a couple of the doctors had been impressed with me when I entered the hospital. Not because of my stunning good looks or my boyish charm, but because of how badly my insides were infected. She then went on to say that the doctors weren't sure if I was going to make it. Hearing that was really sobering, realizing just how close to death I was. It also made me so thankful for all the prayers and for God choosing to heal me. She also stressed how important it is that I wait to move to Seattle until the wound on my back is completely closed up which brings me to my next visit.

Yesterday, I had my normal Monday appointment with the ET nurses to have the dressing on my back changed. After Kaleen took the sponge out, we talked about how much more time it will take. She estimated 3 or 4 more weeks. At this point, one side of the wound is about 2.5 cm deep while the other side is pretty much zero. It's weird how it's not healing evenly anymore, but it's sweeping in from one side and standing still on the other. So, we're still praying for the miracle of my back being completely healed in the next few days. Keep praying. The only other thing that has to be taken care of besides the back-wound is making sure the infection is gone which brings me to my next visit.

This morning was my check-up with the infectious disease doctor. I had a C/T scan on Friday, which the results of would determine if he would take me off of IV antibiotics. As we walked towards the examination room, I snuck a peak over towards the counter where my next round of antibiotics usually waits for me. I didn't get a good look at all the bags, but I didn't see one with my name on it which gave me more hope. The nurse came in and checked my vitals and told us the doctor would be right in. In a few minutes, he came in and immediately told us the C/T scan had shown that all the infection was gone and the nurse would come back to take out the P.I.C.C. line. The doctor told me how "lucky" I was and how bad I had been when he first saw me. He prescribed a couple antibiotics that I'll take orally for another month, but otherwise I'm done with all that stuff. Thank you God! I can finally wash my left elbow regions again!

So all in all, good stuff is happening and God is working. My prayer for today is that God's will will be done on earth as it is in Heaven, especially in my life.

Pictures from Ecuador and Texas

For all of you that don't have Facebook or MySpace, here's a few pictures from my time in the hospital click this.

It's Working

The prayers are doing their job and God is working. We went in today to get the sponge and dressing on my back changed. They measured the size of the wound and it had reduced from 5cm to 4 cm deep and from 6 cm to 5 cm long: a complete cm both ways in only 3 days! That's some quick healing. Thank you for your prayers for my speedy healing. At this rate, it will be completely healed in only 2 more weeks. Keep at it!

Also, here's an update on the funds. After a check I know is coming comes in, I'll be up to $9,000. That's great. My goal is $14,000 which includes the insurance deductible and plane tickets. So only $5,000 more to go. I've been incredibly humbled by people's generosity. I've received hundreds of dollars from people who've never met me and thousands from people I know well. It's been so cool to see God provide for me through family, friends, acquaintances and complete strangers. Thank you so much for your support.

Movin on up

This has been a decision long in coming, but I feel really good about telling y'all I'm moving to Seattle this fall. You may be wondering, "why Seattle." Straight and simple, that's where I've been seeing God lead me. Firstly, this spring I had complete peace and sureness that my time was done in Anchorage, so I knew it was time for a new place. Another part of seeing that leading is my partner in crime, Ross, being there for his 2nd year of med school at the University of Washington. I greatly value that friendship. Another piece is just plain liking the Northwest US. I like the laid back attitude, the cooler weather and the natural beauty found there. So I'm excited to see what God is preparing for me in Seattle.

I just looked at tickets for early September and a one-way only costs $125... so much cheaper than flying to Alaska! That's right, I said early September. That is the timetable I'm praying for and am asking you to join in agreement with me. In order for that to happen, the wound on my back has to be healed and my infectious disease doctor has to clear me and take me off antibiotics at the 4 week checkup. So let's boldly approach the throne of God together and eagerly await good things from our Good Father. The doctors have been telling me to not get my hopes up too much as it might take up to 2 months to be independent, so that I don't get depressed if it's slow-going. BUT, we are not a people called to be confined to and limited by normalcy and mediocrity. We are part of a heavenly kingdom with a King who is able to do more than we can ask or imagine (Eph. 3:20). We are a pure and holy people with a perfect High Priest and Savior who is at the right hand of God interceding for us (Romans 8:34). We possessors of the mind of Christ by the indwelling of the Spirit who intercedes for us in accordance with God's will (1 Cor. 2:16, Romans 8:26,27). When you think about it that way, no goal or obstacle seems so big (assuming you're seeking to walk in God's will). Thank you for your support and prayers.

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

That's right. At about 9:30 this morning, I checked out of the hospital. We then headed over to one of the doctors' offices so I could learn how to self-administer antibiotics into my P.I.C.C. line (this semi-permanent IV thing that goes into my bicep) where the nurse told us all about meeting her Brazilian husband online, him staying over the first night, them living together and then them deciding to have many kids as fast as possible since they were already in their 30's (they stopped at 4, but may adopt). Ya, sounds fun doesn't it? It gets better. My dad picked up Taco Bueno for lunch and I had my first fast food in a month. Sadly I have to avoid spicy stuff for a little while, so no salsa. I already feel so much better just being free from my hospital cell and not always having tubes running this way and that out of me. I'm pretty tired now, but it's been a good day. One more highlight. I peed standing up and no one monitored or measured it... makes you feel like a man.