Thursday, March 15, 2007

Brain Drain Continues

Today they are checking for cognitive, phsyical, and speech defecits & are finding nothing. So far, they've found no deficiencies...dad even remembered his computer passwords, which is more than I can say for myself in even the healthiest state.

He is very groggy from pain medication and is having trouble getting comfortable. We are reminding him that he's in the hospital and things are just a little different from home. They will continue to monitor his brain for vassel (sp?) spasms using a doppler device (like an ultrasound). Some amount of spasms are normal, but they are expected to peak between 4-7 days, so he'll be in the Trauma ICU until at least Monday.

Notably, all doctors and nurses are saying dad's situation is absolutely exceptional. Dr. Bidiwala (the neurosurgeon) said that he has only had 3 other cases where they thought it was an anuerysm and wasn't...and he drains brains like plumbers unclog toilets. Every single medical professional who visits with dad can't help but see God's miraculous healing because they lack medical explanation for his condition.

We so appreciate your prayers and love. Dad is overwhelmed with all of the people expressing care for him. He couldn't believe all the people we'd had contact with and he also couldn't believe he'd told us to call everyone. "Really," he said, "I told you to call all those people?"

We are currently camped out at Fort Galanos in the Baylor ICU lobby, googling Dad's doctors (so far, they're all legit) and medical terms. Mom has been amazingly (but not surprisingly) steady with peace that comes from knowing God.

We'd love to share your thoughts, prayers, verses you've been praying, etc. with dad, so feel free to post them on this site or shoot us an email (nicole.rowell@gmail.com). Mom isn't really home to check her email, so contacing me or kari (karigalanos@yahoo.com) might be best.

Our prayer and promise from Isaiah: Isaiah 41:10 "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

We love you and thank God for you!
Carla, Nicole, Brad, Mark & Kari...for Chris

9 comments:

sue.g said...

Hi Chris - I can't wait to come see you 'post tube' when you can get around. Mom and I got home about 5pm. We hated to leave you, but we'll be back.

I spoke with Dana tonight (Thurs 3/15) to give him the update. He said he would be in Dallas on Sunday to check out this situation for himself.

I love you!!
Susan

Cody Dick said...

Mary Rebecca and I are praying for you and your family!

Maria said...

Isaiah 35:3-4 Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come...he will come to save you."
Rejoicing at God's miraculous working and praying for HIS strength for each of you. You are loved and prayed for!
maria

Unknown said...

Chris "My Favorite Elder"-
Even in a hospital bed, you look great! But I want you feeling better!!
God has been speaking to me a lot lately with different verses that I hope will be an encouragement to you... I know he speaks differently (intimately) with each of us but it is amazing how the same words spoken to different people can support life for different reasons...

1 Peter 5:10- "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you"!

Ephesians 2:13-14 - "But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace."

Zephaniah 3:17 -
"The Lord your God is with you,
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with his love,
He will rejoice over you with singing."

Love you, Chris!
Emma

Leigh said...

Isaiah 46:4 says, "I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."

I will be praying for all of you! Carla has been such a sweet friend to me in the last 2 years, and I know that God will care for her, Chris and all of you as you walk through this.

Trisha Dubey said...

Hi Chris, Carla & family! Thanks for the update.

Phil. 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Even recover from a "brain drain"! Sounds like you are a miracle, Chris, and confusing the doctors! (God doesn't always follow our rules of science, does he?!) I'm sure you are relaxing and taking this little vacation in stride (ha!).

Hurry home - I miss seeing you two running around the neighborhood. If your grandbabies have been stuck at the hospital, Taylor & Sarah would love to entertain them. Please call if they need a break - I'm sure our playroom is more fun than the ICU lobby!

Lots of prayers and love,
Trish, Rick, Taylor & Sarah Dubey

Andy Rowell said...

We have been thinking and praying for you all.

Andy and Amy Rowell

Amy said...

Chris!!! So glad you're doing as well as you are, sounds like God has provided some powerful miracles for us all to see in you! I love it... It was good to see Nicole and Kari and your beautiful bride yesterday at the hospital, I hope they passed on my hugs and kisses :-) Love you so much!! Hang in there and know that you are being constantly prayed for! -- One of my favorite songs is stuck in my head as I write this, sing along if you know it:
And He will raise you up on Eagles Wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And Hold you in the palm of His hand.
Hope to see you sooner rather than later, :-) Shack

gwynne said...

Thankful for a good report today in answer to our specific prayers. We'll keep them up, you keep getting better...Love Gwynne and Don