"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot, and hang on." Franklin D. Roosevelt
Dad is definitely hanging on today and actually suggested the above quote...the morning was pretty low-key, but the infamous headaches were back this afternoon in full force.
This morning came a somewhat unwanted "T" party--OT's, PT's, ST's...all pestering Dad to make sure everything is still working. He is able to do his speech & physical therapy, but as you can imagine, he's very weak. Despite that, when the therapists all say they can't believe he's 61, he is good to go for another hour.
The neurosurgeon came by this afternoon, hoping to remove the brain drain. However, Dad was right in the middle of some intense head pain, so instead the doctor drained 20 cc's of fluid right before our very eyes. Who knew he had so much to spare? The headache pain didn't decrease, so the doctor decided to wait another day before setting dad free. The brain monitoring is what's keeping Dad in the ICU, so getting that removed brings hope of a normal room and disconnecting a few thousand cords.
Tomorrow morning we await the results of another CT scan. The doctors are making sure there is no water, spinal fluid, or blood in places it shouldn't be. Some kind of steriod was ordered to break up what might be left of some blood remnants in his brain. I guess blood can be pretty irritating when it hangs out in the wrong places.
Dr. Bidiwala emphasized agan that Dad has had 2 gold-standard angiograms read by the best radiologists in the business, so he is quite confident that a re-bleed is unlikely at this point.
DISCLAIMER: I want to reiterate again that we are not medical professionals. We are trying to relay info the best we can, but if you know more than we do, don't get worried until you call and clear things up.
We are relying on God for patience and perseverance today. Thanks for your prayers and please pray:
*headaches will lessen
*CT scan will come back clear
*again, rest & peace of mind and body
So many of you have shared this verse with us...it is our prayer.
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
That goes for all of you, too...
He is with you, He is your God, He will strengthen, help, & uphold you in whatever you encounter each day, no matter how big or how small. He is God. He can do it.
We love you all...dearly. You are God's vessels (hopefully without vasospams).
Carla, Nicole, Brad, Mark & Kari
About Me
- Nicole
- "My soul will boast in the LORD"...And i praise Him daily for my family, coffee, sugar, running, friends, laughter and an incurable desire to redecorate.
8 comments:
Hi Chris and Carla,
I have been sitting here reading your blog and catching up on what happened since we returned from Florida. Yesterday I saw Susan J. at my lunchtime and we had the privilege of praying together for you.
Here are two verses that I hope will encourage you. Since you are spending alot of time "on your bed"...Ps 63:6-8 "On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me." - and - Ps. 31: 24 "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD."
You are never far from our thoughts.
With love and prayers,
Cindy and Eric
Hello Chris and the rest of the family faithful.
Your passionate petitions are being echoed by a chorus of brothers and sisters 1K miles to the north, beaming into the heavens where our shared source of strength is receiving our signal!
Chris, you will recall cursoring through another blog where the script of brother Paul's life changing event (burned to a crisp) was penned. You will be encouraged to know that Paul is now taking a knee and bowing his head for you!
The specific areas of need posted here are most helpful. Although our omnicient Lord is clearly dialed into them, He must be pleased with the earnest and fervent requests collectively coming from His people.
I love the Hebrew names of God, a few of those listed here to remind us of the breadth and depth of His being.
El-Shaddai -- The God Who is Sufficient for the Needs of His People
Jehovah-Jireh -- The Lord our Provider
Jehovah-Ropheka -- The Lord our Healer
Jehovah-Shalom -- The Lord our Peace
Jehovah-Shammah -- The Lord is Present
Jehovah-Rohi -- The Lord our Shepherd
Jehovah-Eloheenu -- The Lord our God
May He bless and keep you.
-Matt H-
Dear Chris & Family.....We just wanted you to know that we are praying for you ! I am studying about the peace that the Holy Spirit gives believers....we are praying for God's peace in all of your hearts as you live through these difficult circumstances ! In Christian Love, Dan, Lisa, Austin, Ben & Hillary Barry (Winfield, IL)
Dear Team Galanos...Especailly Chris...
Every day in my morning scripture there's a verse especially for you...This one fit I thought based on your tussel with PT,OT,etc.
"The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.--I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD" One word...you don't have to "pop back" in one day...take it easy friend...:):) we want you around for the long haul...Praying for a clear cat scan and a "drained brain." Much love, Gwynne and Don
Hey Bro-
I guess these headaches give a whole new meaning to 'no pain, no gain'. I'm w/Nicole -- who knew that blood in the wrong place could be so painful.
My Wednesday night group is studying the book of Daniel (by Beth Moore -- the Bible study is by her not the book of Daniel, you know what I mean). Anyway,,,,,concerning Daniel 3, when Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego were thrown into the fire, Beth asks that we consider 3 scenarios when people of God face a fiery trial.
1. We can e delivered FROM the fire which has the dividend of building our faith.
2. We can be delivered THROUGH the fire which has the dividend of refining our faith.
3. We can be delivered BY the fire in to His loving arms which has the dividend of perfecting our faith.
You, my brother, are experiencing the fire and God is in there with you. You will be delivered THROUGH this fire and come out on the other side without even smelling like smoke!
I love you with all my heart,
susan
Hi Chris,
I just heard about your situation from some other ex-Intracorp folks, and am wishing you all the strength and faith in the world to speed your recovery! I will also correct Mr. Bryer who thought you were from "Mule Shoot, Texas". Anybody who was paying attention to you all those years at IC knows it's "Mule Shoe, Texas"! You probably don't know what an inspiration you were to others of us at IC. I thought about you last November when I ran my first marathon at 45 years old. Always remember being so impressed when you told me you ran your first one at 50. I know your fitness, strength, and faith will pull you through this.
Ed Zwicker
Hi, Chris!
Are you bored yet? (Not with the blog - it's cool!) but with the whole ICU thing etc? You are constantly on my mind and in my prayers. So I was checking the blog out for the gajillianth time - some very cool postings! So I decided to google "Chris Galanos". I was a little surprised to see all the entries that came back. Of course, I didn't see you specifically, so I thought I should narrow it down to "Chris Galanos Texas" - a little better. Did you play outfielder for Texas Tech?
Anyway- just thought that if Nicole is allowed to bring the laptop into your room, that you might while away your time googling different people you know. (You probably won't find them, but some of the stories of people with the same names are rather interesting!)
I am praying that today is the day that the drain and ICP monitor are removed - and that you can be moved to a private room -- and SLEEP!
Well, I should get back to working.
thinking of you, my friend (and favorite elder).
smiles- Emma
Dear Chris and Care Team...I found this verse in my morning reading..."Ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" Chris is simply have a little remodeling done and it occurred to me that we all know that "renovations" never run on schedule...hence a day or so delay in moving from ICU to Hospital Room. :):)
Trusting that today is a quiet and restful one...what with all that "hammering" in his head...Chris can use some uninterrupted peace and quiet...:):)
We're still praying and believing for a complete restoration...and can't want to hear about all the updated qualities that are bound to be the result.
Love to you all this morning..Gwynne and Don
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