Sending out birds

Just when things seem to be progressing at a nice pace for Karl, his tummy started acting up again.

Until yesterday, Karl had been working hard with both the physical and occupational therapists. The physical therapists were putting Karl at a 45 degree angle using a mechanical lift apparatus. Then when he was in position, they’d work his legs. The goal is to eventually get him in a standing position. They’ve also had him in a sitting position for nearly an hour every day. The occupational therapists have been working Karl’s arms. He is now strong enough to roll himself over on his side with just a little guidance of his legs. It’s becoming less and less painful and he can do it with relative ease.

Unfortunately, Wednesday night was not much fun for him. And last night wasn’t much better either. They had removed his NG (feeding) tube because he was feeling so much better (he said he felt like he could eat a steak). Nonetheless, they were taking it very easy and giving him only clear liquids because they didn’t want to go too fast. Well, apparently the “kink” in his small intestine never worked its way out; more fluid pooled with nowhere to go but back where it came from. Yesterday he spent all day recovering from a night of feeling very ill. The nurses put the NG tube back in place to drain the fluid yesterday morning. Unfortunately, the pump to drain the fluid wasn’t working properly last night so it was more of the same. This morning Dr. Redmond told Karl if things didn’t work themselves out they’d have to do surgery, but they can’t do that for at least two weeks. Dr. Hannah told him, however, that he felt surgery wouldn’t be necessary because of the amount of noise and activity being produced by his intestines/stomach. Ann, the reiki practitioner, also stopped by and said she could “feel” activity, which is a good sign. She did her thing and, as usual, Karl drifted off to sleep.

A surprise visit from Bob and Anita Schultz who were in Minneapolis for a seminar helped to boost Karl’s spirits today. Bob is a high school chum who now lives in California. He and Anita made the 90-minute drive this morning. Karl was so happy to have them stop by. Another guy who Karl hasn’t seen in awhile also stopped in…Dr. Yaszemski. We think he’s had some military obligations in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere. But he promised Karl he’d have him back home soon. It looks like it will be at least another month, however, before we can start planning for that.

This waiting/patience thing Karl is experiencing reminds me of Noah’s experience with the ark. After 40 days and nights of intense rain and then many more of not seeing any living thing other than what was on the ark, Noah et. al was probably getting pretty antsy and stir crazy. Let’s face it…Noah spent a year on that ark! Imagine how badly he and his family wanted out of there. He kept sending out birds just to check the progress of the water’s recession. First they circled, then one brought an olive branch (imagine the excitement) and then the last one never returned. Then Noah waited a little longer. Finally, God gave the all-clear and Noah yelled, “Land-Ho!” and off the animals went. In God’s divine wisdom, he knew the earth was not dry enough for Noah and his family to safely live so he made them wait. Noah’s patience and trust in God is something for which we should all strive. But we’re ready to send out some birds.

Blessings,
Kerry