Maxine and I have had a great day.  She had a visit from Lucas the Therapy Dog and she absolutely loved it.  He kept standing on his hind legs to get loves from her and was just beautiful.  

 

They removed her trach early this morning and she's doing good learning again how to talk.  They also removed her last drain tube in her neck as well as the Doppler.  I reported that in the update earlier today.

 

She will go home with the "boot" on her leg with a drain tube.  We have learned how to change the dressings and how to feed her.  She is now allowed to put some weight on her leg for short amounts of time such as to bed from wheelchair!   That's huge ya'll!  Praise God!!

 

We did her exercises together and no matter how determined I was..she did them better! lol  She's strong ya'll!  

She continues to remind me when I forget things.. taking care of me taking care of her!   Our relationship has been strengthened and I know she sees how much I truly love her.  

 

Tod came up to the hospital at 5am to be here when they removed her trach and then he went in to work-  it was his first full day back to work since her surgery.  We're so blessed that McDonald Electric has been so wonderful to support him right now as he cares for his mother.  Thank you Richard McDonald and Jack!  The whole company has been so good to back him while he's out and pray for him and his mother. 

 

Mood Media has been wonderfully understanding for me as well.  Thanks Steve and Mark..and my whole IDSR Team!  The prayers and love have helped to carry us through this journey.

 

As I sit here at her bedside I feel so much peace and love.  We've been covered with God's blessings.  Our churches Harmony and Sisk have done some serious praying for her.   We miss serving at church and miss you all!  Thank you all for the prayers, calls, texts, messages, etc...  we love and miss you.

 

To the family... man am I blessed to be a part of this beautiful family.  The calls and messages have all been relayed to her.  She may not remember the ones in the beginning days but we'll remind her of how each of you reached out and prayed for her ...and us.

 

Tomorrow may be the end to her stay at CMC with the nurses who she has grown to love...and they love her.  There's special ones that stop and chat with her and she has invited them all to church.  They come by whey they are working on other floors to check in with her...they adore her.  She rubs their hands and arms as they give her meds or take care of her.  She has told her favorite one Jo (Jenelle) who is 8 months pregnant she needs to bring her baby to Sisk so she can love on it.  She says "bring that baby to me!"  lol   Jo leans over and loves on her and they just talk and talk.  Jo takes time to understand her as talking is a challenge with the graph/ flap in her mouth.  Thank you God for Jo and all the precious nurses that have taken care of her!  Even though this journey has STUNK for real.... we haven't failed to see your Grace and Mercy extended to her.  We've seen the blessing daily.  Jesus is enough and sustains us.

 

Tomorrow being at her home will bring new challenges and we're up for overcoming them.  We know the worst part of her recovery from the surgery is over and we're ready to march on toward Radiation and whatever the future brings.  No matter what happens.... she knows she is loved and adored.  I've seen her son and Granddaughter take such sweet care of her..what a blessing this storm has been.  We've danced in the rain, cried in the sunshine and celebrated the rainbows. Thank you God for this testimony.

 

Maxine Ellis