Hospital Day #24 - 12/25/23 - Jesus’ Birthday!

 Hospital Day #24 - 12/25/23 - Jesus’ Birthday!

We loved, loved, loved celebrating Jesus’ birthday with our family today.  Since we couldn’t be home, our family came to us in person and on video chats.  Christmas is such a joy to celebrate as we remember the amazing love of God in sending His Son Jesus into the world to make a way for the forgiveness of sin. O what love! (https://www.trustworthyword.com/christmas) 

As our girls visited us, we enjoyed some entertainment (see L’s fun song!) with lots of smiles and laughs.  The girls got to open some gifts at home first, then brought some of their other gifts to open with us in the hospital.  The hospital had a delicious Christmas dinner that we got to enjoy together too!  The girls enjoyed passing out the last few dozen Panera Bread gift cards that we had remaining.

A little over a month ago when Brittney’s carotid arteries started showing desiccation (tearing) and other irregularities, Brittney started thinking of a special gift idea for the girls and her mom.  When Brittney and I dated, I gave her a special silver and gold “love knot” ring.  Brittney was worried about her condition worsening, or becoming fatal, so she wanted me to find a similar gift for her mom and daughters to always remember her by.  In recent days we were able to find a unique “mother-daughter love knot” ring that Brittney was able to surprise her mom and the girls with today.  It was such a special and sweet moment of love between these ladies.  Brittney overflows Jesus’ love in so many amazing ways :)

Brittney and I finished the day with a bit of Christmas movie watching together…Brittney even shared her fancy hospital bed! Thanks for your prayers for Brittney’s first day back on her 2nd blood thinners…things have gone great so far and we appreciate continued prayers for NO BRAIN BLEEDS and NO BLOOD CLOTS!

We hope and pray that you and your family had a great Christmas celebration as well. May we all realize and believe in the purpose of Christmas, to enjoy God’s witness of love and truth in His Son Jesus the Messiah.

“for this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice” (John 18:37 ESV)

Hospital Day #23 - 12/24/23 PM - Prayers Needed Tomorrow - NO BRAIN BLEEDS (restarting a 2nd Blood Thinner)

 

Hospital Day #23 - 12/24/23 PM - Prayers Needed Tomorrow - NO BRAIN BLEEDS (restarting a 2nd Blood Thinner)

Brittney had a great finish to her Christmas Eve, saying  “I feel like a kid at Christmas…and it’s not because of the presents…I just can’t wait to see everyone.”  I love how the love of Jesus overflows her heart with a love of others.  We absolutely cherished some great family time today and look forward to more great time with our crew tomorrow.  Regardless of location, we are so blessed to be able to spend time with one another as we celebrate Jesus’ birth (https://www.trustworthyword.com/christmas) 

ONE BIG PRAYER - Brittney’s clear CT scan today (thank you Lord!) allows for her to begin the 2nd of her two blood thinners again tomorrow. The doctors have waited two weeks post-stroke to start it back up (at a half dose this time) because of the danger of her brain bleed restarting.  So while she has remained safe from clots and brain bleeds the past two weeks on one blood thinner, this necessary step of returning to two blood thinners (to keep her 4 carotid/vertebral artery stents from clotting) is a serious step.  So please pray tomorrow (and the rest of the week) that specifically Brittney has NO BRAIN BLEEDS (and still no blood clots too :)).

Thank you prayer warriors!

Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (ESV)

Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (ESV)

Hospital Day #23 - 12/24/23 - Merry Almost-Christmas!!!

 Hospital Day #23 - 12/24/23 - Merry Almost-Christmas!!!

While we would have loved to be home for Christmas, we are thankful for the watchful care of our U of L health care team.  Brittney has had a wonderful start with worshipping our Lord Jesus with our church family by watching our church service online. We then had a sweet visit with Brittney’s aunt, uncle, and grandfather before resting and having lunch.  We had a followup CT on her brain bleed to ensure things are clear to restart one of her blood thinners tomorrow.

Brittney keeps perking up with energy and initiative.  She showed off her walking and standing skills to her family and even read through two bags of cards on her own. She so loves all of the notes and photos from friends and family.  She wanted to make the video to tell everyone how grateful we are for your prayers and love for us, but also for how you’ve cared for our U of L and Baptist Health care teams!!! Y’all are amazing lights of Jesus’ love.  Keep shining!

We’ve attached a photo from the distribution of gifts at Baptist Health too.  All of the hospital nurses and staff have been so grateful for your gifts.  They all keep working so hard through the holidays with such cheerfulness!

Ways to Pray:

• For Brittney’s brain bleed to remain stable after restarting a blood thinner tomorrow
• For continued protection from blood clots and strokes
• For Brittney’s carotid and vertebral arteries to stay open and sufficiently provide blood to Brittney’s brain
• For continued recovery of her stroke losses - particularly reading, writing, and cell phone use - all of which can still be very challenging
• For a Merry Christmas for all of the U of L and Baptist Hardin hospital staffs!!!

Matthew 5:14–16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (ESV)