Today started out MUCH smoother than the last two days.  Chris still didn't sleep well, but his pain was much more controlled.  We got up, walked a long hallway and back, and he even did a few dance moves to impress some nurses. He then had an ultrasound and high fived everyone on the way down. We were feeling really good today and felt things were headed back in the right direction.  Then came two docs an hour later to inform us that the blood cultures showed bacteria in his islet cells that were transferred to the liver (not good) and he has a blood clot in his stomach (not good).  So the dancing and high fives quickly screeched to a halt.  While we began to ask all the questions and panic a little, the doctors tried to calm us.  They said, "well this happens and we will increase meds to hit the bacteria as well as the blood clots. And he will be on a blood thinner for at least three months once you arrive home."  Sigh....

Then wouldn’t you know, 10 minutes later we have a knock on the door and a sweet lady says, "would you like the therapy dog to come see you?" I almost suffocated the poor thing and then I remembered he was there for Chris. whoops.  Nessee was her name and she was JUST what we both needed at that moment and to help us turn our frowns around.  God keeps showing up in the sweetest of ways and usually just when we start to go "really God?...again?" 

And listen up...GOD ALSO SENT ME A FRIEND TODAY! I didn't even have to talk to turkeys:).  And it was just what the doctor ordered for both of us.  When I went to see Chris yesterday morning, I had only been there an hour and he said "wow, it's 9:30 and you've used up your word count. I guess you slept!" ha! So it was time for new blood in the ole hospital room.  Courtney Defeo is a dear friend that God plopped into my life 6 years ago through our favorite summer mission trip, Lighthouse Family Retreat.  This is another story for another day, but she's from Texas....I'm from Alabama....we just "somehow" got placed together in a condo for a week. We put it together night one that our moms lived down the street from one another growing up and played together when they were little. Then BAM! We became instant close friends and so did our kids. We are eerily similar, both extreme extroverts, and laugh a LOT. So it's been such a fun day.  She can't get over my college experience either.  Today was 55 and cheeky bikinis were out in full force on any green space available.  Side note, I was in my down jacket. 

So again, today was ups and downs.  But the roller coaster will continue so thanks for hanging on for the ride. What we are sure of, is His presence is with us minute to minute and hour to hour.  Keep praying, loving,  encouraging and HOPING with us.  

"The Lord replied, My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."  Exodus 33:14

Prayers for the Night:
- Rest- mental and physical- I know this is everyday
- For the meds to dissolve the blood clot quicker than expected
- For bacteria not be shown in the future cultures of the Islets and for meds to work
- Time with courtney to be great, and then two more sweet folks arrive tomorrow...stay tuned!