Hello everyone!

Joe was discharged yesterday afternoon and he is SO GLAD to be home! As many of you know, there is not much rest happening when you are at the hospital. We are grateful for the care of Joe's doctors and nurses while at Mercy. Joe quickly met the checklist requirements of OT/PT to discharge, yet his care team was closely monitoring his blood pressure & hemoglobin as he lost a liter of blood during the surgery. 

I'm hoping we can get some pictures of the new hardware Joe received in this spinal fusion/sacral reduction surgery. Here are a few specific prayer points.

• Success of the bone grafting that was completed
• Healing of incision and the body's adjustment to the new hardware
• Management of pain in the healing process
• Getting the digestive system  & bowels working 
• Blood pressure remaining stable - not low
• Hemoglobin count continues to increase
• Safety as he gets up and moves (no falls)
• Wisdom for PT moving forward 

I asked Joe if he knew the story of the Tortoise & the Hare - he said no. I love to use that story to teach slow and fast in my Kgtn. music classes. Anyway, I said, "Honey, you need to be the tortoise. Slow and steady wins the race." Then I was reminded of this great scripture I will close with today. I hope it encourages you today!

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Keeping my eyes on Him!

Tirzah