He's Home!

Tim was discharged this morning after a good night's sleep!  He is now snoozing on the couch.  The next few days will bring learning the next phase of the diet (full liquids), and increasing activity and exercise.  The diet has to be limited in volume, high in protein, low in calories, no seeds or skins that could get hung up in the stomach right now.  Things gradually loosen up over time.  The challenge for this phase is to get enough fluid and protein in, and manage shifting blood sugars.

We trust that things will continue to go smoothly.  We are so grateful for your prayer.  Please continue to pray for an accelerated recovery, complete adjustment to the new program of a new way of eating and exercising, and no infections.

Blessings to each of you!

TJ's recovery has been remarkable thus far.  All IVs are out, pain has been minimal, and he is tolerating fluids with no nausea or vomiting.  Up walking without difficulty.  The only fly in the ointment is that his blood sugars have been fluctuating widely.  He could have gone home today if not for that!  Prayer  requests would be for continued excellent recovery, protection from infections, stable blood sugars , and discharge tomorrow!

We have been asked what is up with me (Mary Ann).  I have multiple joint tendon dysfunction so my joints are often painful and sometime it can be difficult to walk.  However,  I am planning on our Heavenly Father to heal that as well!

We are very grateful for your prayer and support! 

Thank you for your prayer!  God has demonstrated his hand in smoothing every detail.  Dr. Rupp was able to use the laparascope for the full surgery. TJ has six little incisions, the largest about 2 inches long.

Yesterday afternoon TJs evening shift nurse was a very good friend of mine who had been at our house on Monday evening to pray for him with the other women in my prayer group.  I was able to go home and go to bed early-which was needed!  TJ's blood sugars sugars were variable during the night, common after surgery, so they were checking his blood sugars every half hour.  That gets old in a hurry.

This morning he was sore and tired, but no nausea and vomiting as many post sleeve patients experience. On the fluid intake he will start with tablespoons at a time and has to get 64 ounces in- half ounce at a time.  He has been up and walking a few times as well.

Prayer requests are for:

• Protection from infection
• Ability to stay hydrated and good transition to eating (over several weeks)
• A restoration of full and active health. 

Several people who have been praying about the surgery have been sensing, "I will restore the years the locust have eaten."  Please declare with us that the season when both of us have been repeatedly hit with health issues is over.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, make his face shine upon you, and give you peace.
MA

Out of Surgery

The surgeon just came out and told us that everything went well!  Praise God!  After PAR he will go to a regular post op floor.

Surgery Tomorrow

Tomorrow TJ is having Bariatric surgery.  The weight gain was a side effect of the first time he was so sick- NO muscles left to stay in shape.  I will paste in the prayer update he sent out today at the end.

The specific prayer requests this time would be for:

• Not needing to update this blog very much!  It has been a lifeline, but it would be nice not to need life lines this time.
• Protection from hospital acquired infections, and pneumonia.
• MA has had a lot of foot, ankle, and knee problems.  Please pray that she is pain-free during this time and can get around the hospital easily.

They did a mega heart and lung work-up prior to scheduling this surgery. Everything, literally, everything is perfect.  Not even scar tissue in his lungs after 3 rounds of ARDS!  God's healing was complete!

Blessings!

Thank you for praying. God is at work.

Addington Prayer update Please do not post to the web Dear Friends: Many of you know that on December 4, 2007 I went to the hospital with a very serious condition that should have taken my life. In the aftermath of that 45 day stay (31 days in the ICU and most of those in a coma) I struggled to get back to full health. A year later I had another similar stay in an ICU in Thailand and then a third stay in an ICU in Montana this summer. After my first long stay, I put on a fair amount of weight which my doctor says is a life threatening condition because of my propensity for lung issues and three episodes of pulmonary failure. Thus, this coming Tuesday I will have bariatric surgery to resolve the weight issue (hopefully my insulin dependency) and get back to full health. It will be a procedure where they simply remove about three fourths of the stomach. I would covet your prayers for successful surgery and a quick recovery. I would love to be back in a position of robust health for the work I do domestically and internationally. I thank you in advance for your prayers. For those who would like updates you may access those at this blog address which was used for all three previous hospital stays:www.reachTJ.com. I expect to be home for about two weeks after the surgery and hopefully be able to work from home during much of that time. Mary Ann has done a fabulous job of preparing for my new diet – especially for the first months after the procedure. I am very much looking forward to this surgery and the potential health improvements it will bring. We would appreciate your prayers for a successful surgery and a fast recovery.   Timothy J. Addington Senior Vice President, EFCA Leader, ReachGlobal