Tough evening....

but Chris is actually sleeping comfortably right this minute. Very rough patch last night as she actually entered into a delirious state of mind. We held her hands, rubbed her checks, prayed over here, and actually sang a little bit (I can't sing but I figured in her state she wouldn't mine) too. I won't go into details but we think she basically was battling the pain without meds for too long. Then the doctors oked a morphine injection and a little something else to settle her.

By 1 am she was finally out! Nurses came in throughout the night to care for her and she was back to normal by the wee hours of the morning. We hated to see our girl in that condition without the ability to help her out more, but we all got through it TOGETHER.

Thanks for lifting Christine up before the King of Kings brothers and sisters in Christ. The bond we share to together in Christ is unlike any other bond on this earth. Even complete strangers will pray over a friend's friend in Christ. No matter how many miles separate us we unite in a moments notice over a challenging situation for one of HIS! Love our Christian family. Could we survive without it? Sure. But we were created for community and we thrive because of that sense of belonging to the same army . God's army! Soldiers of the cross. Thanks for doing battle on Chris behalf last night with us. Privileged to be on the same team with you. bd

PT is set to start at 8:30am today.

Chris is in GREAT PAIN....

I got home for about an hour before I got the call that Chris pain had returned with a vengeance! Heading back to the hospital now to help out as best I can. Johanna, who relieved me about 7:30 tonight, said "mom asked for prayer because she could hardly stand the pain."

brian

One more.....

PT session tonight by yours truly. It's my first solo PT session. Must admit I'm a little scared.....hmmm....wonder how Chris is feeling? Move one wrong button she could go through the roof....physically and pain wise! Oh boy, the PRESSURE is on! Game time is 7:45 but I'm getting psyched up now. Want to be the best lay person PTer ever! Why is that? I got issues.

After our PT session, assuming Chris survives, then she has another 2 1/2 hour machine workout on the right knee!

Then we are praying that she gets SLEEP TONIGHT before her first PT session with the expert at 8:15am.

almost done DAY One. Yahoo! Well done Christine!!!

EXTREME PAIN.....

has set in now for Christine. Poor girl! No morphine drip and block is wearing off. And Boy oh boy did she experience 30 minutes of grueling PAIN mid afternoon. Reminded me of her giving birth to Joy in Puerto Rico without meds. YIKES!

Short Visits by Johnston's, Breck, Di Steffens and Tim Roberts were a blessing. Although poor Breck had to leave early because she was in so much pain. Prayer times were encouraging for each of us. Best to call before visiting just in case it's not a good time for Chris. Don't want to waste your precious time.

So if you got two good knees today and you know it, JUMP FOR JOY!

bd

PS Grateful for a terrific bunch of nurses and a GREAT PT gal! We are so blessed!

First rehab session completed...YEAH!

Without much sleep last night and low oxygen levels at times she battled through her first one hour rehab session with her physical therapist. Wow, this is going to be one HUGE challenge.

After the rehab session she is put into a machine that moves her leg for two hours and then it's time for rehab session number two, followed by 2 hours on the CPM for the OTHER leg.

We repeat the process one more time in the evening which gives us a total of 10 1/2 to 12 1/2 hrs (depending on pain level) for our starting PT day.

They say her pain will be greater than child bearing the next couple of days after block wears off. Ice packs and morphine to the rescue. Already starting to have increase pain levels since first session. Morphine pump every 6 minutes and a stronger med. every 4hrs. Poor girl!

Thx for your prayers for Chris everyone. Overall we are off to a really good start (no problems encountered in surgery and first rehab session with PTA was excellent)!

Abiding in Him,

brian for Chris too.

Surgery is finished and successful.....

Chris went in around 1ish and was done by 4:30. We got to see her about 7ish and she greeted us with a big thumbs up! She is one tough cookie, of course that morphine helped!

She received a spinal block and was somewhat conscious during the surgery when they chiseled away! Rehab starts in the morning, 12-16 hours a day for the first 30 days! Doctors have prepared Chris well for the fact she may experience lots of pain in the coming days. She is as ready as she can be.

Thanks for praying everyone. Couple pictures posted on facebook.

bd ps Johanna was a real big blessing today to Chris and I.

Time to SERVE.....

the one who has SERVED us so faithfully for the last 30 years. She is not a saint, although 30 years with me at least makes her a good nominee, but Chris is an amazing servant of God as demonstrated by her humble consistent service to others. We look forward to serving her 24/7 in the days to come.

Surgery is planned for Tuesday, December 14th at 1:30pm Presbyterian Matthews.