Feed back

Hey Mama Hen--we've been here officially 5 1/2 days and we've seen and heard so many tragic stories, most are younger people which we knew was a huge resident number here and each story tugs at your heart strings. We met one mother who advised we would find some that wanted to fuss about Shepherd more than anything and that has happened. I find it hard to believe that people hold no more respect than they do for the many blessings they have before them.

I put a lot of my strength comes from people like you and my Delaware sis, Louisiana gang and ever faithful Ms. Lue and the many, many others that believe in God and Justin. While the days have been good day, bad day--I can't blame anyone for them! This rollercoaster doesn't come with instructions, same as children do not. God said believe in Him and we would be rewarded with eternal life and peace in Heaven, not perfection on Earth. The trials aren't easy, yet the blessings--small or large--are amazing.

Our experience to date is awesome in that we have a bad Saturday and then have such a remarkable Sunday. I wish others here could feel what a miraculous feeling that is. Yes the bad days 'suck' as my children would put it, yet the good days make you want to cry with joy. It can be tiring and stressful, but oh so motivating. As with any hospital, you will find caregivers that have a great repour and generous spirit & heart, then there will be those that approach it as a job that pays their bills so they can lead their own lives--and that's okay too! I just thank God for all of them because Justin is ultimately the one getting the treatment, whether they "Dote over him" or just deliver the meds and leave.

Justin is still determined in his faith and motivation. He said just today that no one believes him when he says he's walking out of here yet everyone continues to acknowledge how well he has done in just that short 5 1/2 days.

Remember he came here from CCU, had not eaten real food in 26 days. In 5 days he has eaten every day, has been in a regular room for 3 days, has been up in his chair for 2 1/2 days, has been off oxygen for 4 1/2 days and spent 24 hours without pain meds. I can't figure out the negative that people are finding here. We have a shower, toilet, sink for washing, dishes for eating, a fridge to keep things cool and a stove for making things warm, towels to bathe with and a bed when we are weery.

I don't know that we'll ever be able to express the full extent of our journey. I would much rather be in Enterprise AL cooking 5 pounds of bacon for my son and son-in-law but life just changed one day and now we are here. Thanking everyone and God for the Justin we spent time with today.

May all of your lives be so blessed during good times (or bad should you ever encounter any trials). To all of you, thank you so very much, God bless and we love you guys!!

You would be loving the Justin personality (even the jokes that the nurses clearly know are something that is more of a 'family joke') and there is one-Valerie- that noted today that his "eyes" told her that he was tired even if he was saying no!!

Thanks for all the encouragement--I guess I used this blog for venting more so than an update tonight. We were informed at 7:30 by our neighbor whose son is Justin's roommate that they were both sleeping so I'm doing dishes and laundry (killing time waiting on the spin cycle, ha).

Let you all know how Monday goes!!!