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We are so grateful

Our Father in Heaven has arranged for all of our needs to be met. Jon continues on his road to full recovery through:

  • Your fervent prayers,
  • Weekly visits of his experienced and caring Home Health nurse,
  • Three times daily antibiotic infusions provided by Todd and/or Liz,
  • Substantial breakfast and lunch prepared by Todd and/or Liz, and
  • Todd accompanying Jon to his doctor appointments.

Todd shared the following with our Pastor John Tiffin. He said it so well, I’ve copied and pasting here for you: 

Good morning John, 

All of us are doing well. Jon has had follow up appointments with a cardiologist and his primary care physician. Both have found him to be in remarkably good health (other than the present staph infection). He has maintained a good diet over the years (Leslie always fed him well) and he has remained very active caring for things around their house. I think both of these specialists were expecting a recently hospitalized 70 year old man to have much greater underlying issues with diet and exercise. 

He has an appointment with his infectious disease doctor on October 21st.  We will find out then if his current course of antibiotics will end on November 1st  as expected, or if he will need to extend the course of treatment. 

Leslie’s condition is stable for the most part. She has had some congestion lately, which can be very difficult for her since she is unable to swallow.

The meals have been such an incredible blessing. When we picked Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday as the days for meal drop offs, it honestly was a random selection. But these days have proven to be ideal. Tuesdays and Thursdays are most often the days when we have doctor’s appointments and home health visits. These are usually long exhausting days and it is such a big help to have a meal delivered on those days. Now that Finn is here, we try to make some extra time for him on Saturdays. He’s a pretty adaptable kiddo and we’ve explained to him the Grandpa Jon and Grandma Leslie are both very sick. But he’s also a toddler and he needs some time to run and play and be loud. So the meals on Saturdays also give us more freedom to care for Jon and Leslie and also make time for our little boy. 

Every meal so far has been excellent. Thoughtfully and lovingly prepared. And they have been meals that Jon has found to be very satisfying. We are so grateful for the love and support of the church. We are upheld by your prayers and your tangible care. 

God is Able,

Todd

Thank you for your cards, 
expressions of love and
thoughtful acts of kindness.

 

Jody Langford Photography

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We’re still here . . .

Just when we all thought 2020 had generated enough confusion, dread, and frustration for an entire lifetime, along came September 18. Jon said everything went dark when he arrived by ambulance at French Hospital with only a faint recollection of being semi-conscious. We really believe he was very close to not pulling through. Truly, without our neighbor summoning 911, the EMTs swiftly coming to our home, Emergency Room personnel’s immediate action, and God’s intervention . . . Jon probably would no longer be alive on Planet Earth.

Kathryn has returned home to San Francisco. She was of immense help as she quickly stepped in to oversee my care, helping calm me, taking over household chores, and even assisting with the transfer of ownership of our seven hens to a trusted friend. That was especially difficult for her as she had developed a special bond with our friendly, productive chickens. At this time in our lives, we need to shed nonessential responsibilities and simplify our lives.

Laura assists remotely from Chattanooga making needed and sometimes critical phone calls on Jon’s and my behalf. Kathryn continues to help with the same. Liz and Todd have moved in with us and are helping establish a regular routine for Jon’s intravenous antibiotics which must be administered every eight hours. We have visits from Jon’s Home Health nurse, dietitian, and more as well as my weekly Palliative Care nurse visit. Medical supplies deliveries, too. Jon has upcoming doctor appointments, and Todd will provide transportation and accompany him. They are washing loads of laundry, sorting through items in our pantry, and shopping for food and other essentials. Liz is providing my liquid diet via my feeding pump, giving me bolus water injections in-between meals through my feeding tube, giving me nebulizer treatments in an effort to help with my increasingly thick, sticky mucus, and generally trying to make sure my needs are met. We have an essential oil diffuser and a humidifier running 24/7, too. As you can see, there are no dull moments in our lives. My grandmother would say, “Looks like you’ve got a 3-ring circus happening around there.” Each of us has been quite exhausted by midday, if not sooner. Additionally, Todd or Liz  have been responsible for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for Jon and themselves. Soon, our 3-year-old (going on 4) grandson, Finn, will be added to the mix!

Baywood Park Community Church where we attend will graciously coordinate some evening meal provisions. If you are subscribed to my blog and live locally, I will include you in an email with contact information. There is absolutely no pressure, but if you’re able and would like to participate, you’ll know how to do so. If you want to help and don’t receive my email today, please email me directly if you have my email address (not posting here to thwart potential spammers) or post a comment and I’ll make sure you get the details.

We appreciate your faithful prayers and uplifting comments as we continue to navigate through this most challenging season of our lives. I’ve always appreciated Jesus’ words as recorded in Matthew 6:34 (Revised Standard Version):

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.
Let the day’s own trouble
be sufficient for the day.