Our Covid Journey...

Thank you Jesus for today. This morning I met Momma, Eugenia, and Mark so they could take Rebecca Lynne back home. She was able to spend two days with Joe before the hospital stopped visitation. I needed Momma's hugs and lovins this morning. I can honestly say we are closer to going home then we have ever been. We are homesick, and I'm looking forward to cueing "Country Roads". Joe was able to call me. I got so excited seeing his phone number pop up on my screen. He still has shaking hands but it didn't stop him; blessed.

Joe will get to eat on Monday. He was able to move more today. Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers.

Happy New Year!!!

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not parish but have everlasting life." John 3:16.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for being able to use the phone. Praising God for eating on Monday. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Thank you Jesus for your love.

The vent has been removed from Joe's room. Thank you Jesus!!!

Thank you Jesus for a great day!!! Today was a big day for Joe. Dr Gilbert said that once the vent was gone things would go by fast for Joe. This morning the respitory therapist changed out Joe's trach with a smaller one. She put a voice cap on it but he did not wear it long. He went into a coughing fit and shot the cap out across the room. During PT, with help, Joe stood 5 times; blessed beyond measure.

This evening Joe's trach was capped. He is now breathing through his nose/mouth and able to talk. He still needs oxygen, especially while he sleeps so he was given a nose canula. Joe has not eaten since November 2nd. Hopefully tomorrow Jill will let him eat. Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for no vent. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come. Thank you Jesus for being the Great I Am.

Thank you Jesus!!!! Joe is completely off of the vent. Tomorrow they will downsize the trach and Monday they will probably close the trach for good. Today, with help, Joe was able to stand three times. I so cited!!!!

Yesterday I was told that the hospitals have gone to code red due to increased COVID cases. No visitors are allowed. Dr Gilbert has given me permission to be with Joe during normal visiting hours. She said Joe needs me. God is amazing.

Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for no vent. Praising God allowed visits. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come. Thank you Jesus!!!!!

Thank you Jesus for a great day. Joe is on his 24 hour wean and holding his own. He was able to eat some ice. We will find out tomorrow when Joe will be removed from the vent for good; blessed beyond measure.

My Aunt Betty told me when I was a little girl I used to go around saying "I so cited, I so cited". Well, I may be 48 years old but I'm going to say it.... I'm so cited, I'm so cited for tomorrow!!!!

Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for the vent weaning. Praising God for ice. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come. Thank you Jesus.

Thank you Jesus for a ventless day. Dr Gilbert says that Joe will be off of the vent by Wednesday or Thursday. Tomorrow morning at 6am he will start his 24hr wean; blessed beyond measure.

The plan for Joe, after vent removal, is to send him to a rehab to build up his strength. I explained to the doctor we are not from here. She lit up when I told her we were from Princeton, Dr Gilbert is from Marion, VA. If I am able to drive Joe home then they will try to get him in a rehab at home. I told her if not I want him returned to Kennestone.

I received a call from the hospital. COVID cases are on the rise in Georgia. Joe can only have one caregiver a day. Please remember all the ones that are fighting on the front lines and the suffering patients in your prayers. Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for a ventless day. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come. Thank you Jesus for being our comforter.

Thank you Jesus for this wonderful day. Today Rebecca Lynne was able to see her daddy. Joe has not seen Rebecca Lynne since he was home the beginning of October. Not only did she get to see him she got to hear him talk. The RT put the talking cap on Joe's trach for a little while; blessed beyond measure.

Joe is still trying to piece everything together. I started going over the time line with him. I'm extatic for baby steps. Each day we are getting closer to coming home. Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for Rebecca's visit. Praising God for remembering. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come. Thank you Jesus!!!!

Merry Christmas from Marietta , Ga. We want to thank everyone for your prayers, generosity, and encouragement. God has blessed us beyond measure with family, friends, church family, work family and new friends.

Remember that Christmas day is to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believe in Him should not parish and have everlasting life. " John 3:16

Thank you Jesus for another day. It has been a quiet day. The doctor said if Joe continues doing well she thinks he will be off of the vent by Wednesday. This is the first time we have ever been given a time frame. Thank you Jesus that Joe is doing well off of the vent.

Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers. I hope everyone has had a Merry Christmas.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for good news. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing is to come. Happy Birthday Jesus.

Thank you Jesus for this special day. Yesterday I spoke with the doctor about a type of neuropathy that Joe has. It is caused from being in the paralytic coma. The nerves are still affected by the drugs that were used. The brain and the nerves are not communicating. Joe has been able to move his legs but not his arms. Today I was working with his arms. We kept working until he was moving them on his own. He didn't realize he was moving his arms and when I told him the look on his face was wonderful. Joe has been off of the vent since 9am; blessed beyond measure.

Thank you for all of your prayers and continued prayers. Cherish your family and hug them a little tighter tonight. Looking forward to tomorrow to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The one who loved us so much that He died to save us from our sins.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for arm movement. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come. Thank you Jesus for your love.

Thank you Jesus for one day at a time. Joe was able to do PT. His strength is returning in his legs. The therapist is going to work him on standing the next session. I'm so excited.

Joe is still trying to put all the pieces together in his mind. We go over the day, month, and location throughout the day. He knows how he got to Georgia and why. Its been amazing to see God move through this ordeal. Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers. We greatly appreciate you all.

Thank you Jesus for today. Joe is still trying to grasp everything that has happened. He is able to move his legs around. His arms need a little extra help. Please pray for strength, mentally and physically.

We cannot say thank you enough for your prayers and continued prayers. We are so close to coming home. I get so excited thinking about it and I want to rush things. I have to sit back and remember this is all in God's timing and He doesn't need my help.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for strength. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical staff. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come. Thank you Jesus for being our strength.

Thank you Jesus for a good day. Today Joe sat up in a chair for a couple of hours. He stayed awake for the majority of the day. The doctors kept him on the vent today. Tomorrow they will resume weaning him off the vent.

Several times throughout the day Joe would motion for me to come near him. All he wanted was to give me a kiss; blessed beyond measure. Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for kisses. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come. Thank you Jesus!!!

Thank you Jesus for a day of rest. Today Joe was Sleeping Beauty, he slept all day. Joe was asleep when we left at 6pm. The doctor said that this is normal for some. I find myself struggling with patients now more than I have this whole time. We are so close, we finally see light at the end of the tunnel but we are not yet finished. I'm trying to be still and wait; we are blessed beyond measure.

We met a woman this evening as we were leaving. Her husband had been in ICU for 4 weeks. He had an infection that attacked his nervous system. He woke up paralyzed one morning. Four hours later he ended up on a vent. Now he is at the rehab hospital being weaned off of the vent. We ran into Eli's mom, Eli got to go home today. Thank you Jesus!!!

Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for a day of rest. Praising God for the healing of others. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come. Thank you Jesus for being the Ultimate Healer and Physician.

Thank you Jesus for a restful day. Joe started out with a rough morning but thankfully the day became peaceful. Instead of watching TV we listened to Casting Crowns. Without thinking Joe bent his knee and started moving his leg back and forth to the music. He started drumming with his hands. My heart was full of joy watching him mouth the words to the songs. Blessed beyond measure.

Joe is still breathing on his own with some pressure support. Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for movement. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come. Thank you Jesus for your love.

Thank you Jesus for another day. Today was what one would say a rough day for Joe, but we are not. Joe has had better but he has had worse. Joe had hot flashes all day which caused agitation, increased heart rate, and increased respirations. He was able to continue breathing on his own; blessed beyond measure.

He finally fell asleep a little after 8pm. Please pray that Joe sleeps tonight and tomorrow will be full of therapies. Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for Joe breathing on his own. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come. Thank you Jesus!!!!

Thank you Jesus!!! Joe's trach has been temporarily capped. Joe is talking and he is eating ice. Now he is telling me we have to get out of here. Praise God!!!!!

Thank you Jesus for a great day!!!! Today Joe was able to talk to us. He sat up in the chair for 7 hours. He is still breathing on his own, but he needed a break from talking. The therapist removed the cap so Joe can rest. Earlier he told me to take him home, right then. Apparently he got tired of waiting on me so he said he was going on his own. Needless to say, we are still here. He was able to tell his physician how he came to GA and what brought him here. He is still a little confused on other information but it will all eventually come to him. Blessed beyond measure.

Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for giving Joe strength. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come. Thank you Jesus for being the ultimate physician.

Thank you Jesus for a productive day. Joe worked with several therapists today; PT, OT, and RT. Joe's mobility and strength is returning. He sat up in a chair for 4 hours. He was able to move his arms more today. He was still breathing without the vent when we left at 6pm. Words cannot express our gratitude for all your prayers, continued prayers, and generosity. We are truly blessed beyond measure.

I'm looking forward to see what Jesus does tomorrow. Joe is so ready to eat. The speech therapist will be meeting with Joe soon to see if they can cap him off so he can eat.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for therapy sessions. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Thank you Jesus for everything.

Joe is going to Windy Hill today!!!! This is where we say, "Thank you Jesus!!!!!".

Thank you Jesus for Graduation Day. The medical staff on 4 North calls the day patients move to rehab "Graduation Day". Today Joe was moved to a rehab facility. Everyone came to say their well wishes. Family members that we got to know while supporting our sick loved ones came by to see us before we left. Just like yesterday today was a humbling day. As the EMTs were getting Joe ready to transport I stood there crying uncontrollably. We had been there for 8 weeks. Eight weeks compared to other patients' lengths of stay..... we are blessed beyond measure. That light that I didn't see for a while, not sure if I was ever going to see it, finally is shining bright at the end of the tunnel. One step at a time, and one day at a time. Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for "Graduation Day". Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come. Thank you Jesus for being the 'Great I AM".

Thank you Jesus for a humble day. Today was a humbling day. Today two patients passed away. Tina, Joe's neighbor,, transfered to a hospice house. Walter's procedure didn't go well; decisions are being made. Nurses were coming to see Joe throughout the day. Holly, an ECMO nurse, said they put so much into taking care of the patients that it hurts so bad when they die that they hold on to the ones that survive. She kept telling Joe that she had to come and see his face. Thank you Jesus for all hospital employees who have been called for a time as this.

Joe was not transferred today. He is listed on the board as transfer so it is going to happen. Where to is the question. Joe may be transferred back to a step down unit he was in once before. Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for the transfer that is coming. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come. Thank you Jesus for being our strength.

Thank you Jesus for a wonderful day. Everyday the medical team makes their rounds and as a team they spend time with each patient. This morning as Nancy and I walked into 4 North the medical team was with Joe. We stood there and listened like we do all other times. Today he had a new doctor, DR Reddy. The resident doctor preceded to tell how Joe has been breathing on his owm since 4:00 pm yesterday. Also, he talked about all the medications that have been stopped and how they were going to disconnect him from the vent for a while. After the resident doctor finished Dr Reddy introduced himself to me and said nothing exciting was happening with Joe today. I told him he was wrong that Joe alone is excitement. There were several there that reiterated my sentiments. Thank you Jesus!!!!!

Joe was detached from the vent and was stable for a while. The nurse reminded me baby steps. He is still breathing on his own with the vent supporting with oxygen. Joe is being prepared to be transfered. Transfer could be done as early as tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for breathing on own. Praising God for baby steps. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come. Thank you Jesus for being our Lord and Savior.

Thank you Jesus for another great day. Joe was able to stay awake all day. Around 4pm the respitory specialist turned off the vent. Joe was still holding his own when we left at 7:30. The nurse showed me Joe's x-rays from today compared to the ones taken on November 3rd, the day Joe was vented. His lungs on Noevmber 3rd showed what they call a complete "white out". Today's showed black and white, which means Joe's lungs are getting better. This is where we say "Thank you Jesus!!!!".

The plans are to move Joe to the rehab hospital next week. Yesterday we had to tell him what he has been through. Joe doesn't remember going on the vent. He remembers me taking him to the hospital, after that he is foggy. Joe didn't believe what we were telling him until I started reading the messages I sent to him while he was in a coma. He is wanting to come home but it is better for him to stay down here. We thank you for your prayers and continued prayers.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for breathing on his own. Praising God for rehab. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come. Thank you Jesus for being my strength.

Do you want to know what our Jesus did today? This morning the doctor turned off Joe's vent. Joe breathed on his own for 3 hours. The only reason it was turned back on was for PT. He held his own for three hours. This is where we say, "Thank you Jesus!!!!"

Today has been a good day. Joe's fever has stayed at bay. He has been awake for the majority of the time.. He sat up during PT and he mouthed he wanted to sit in a chair; that is now the goal. His bed has been in the chair position all day. Joe hasn't wanted to lay down at all. As soon as they can get rid of whatever is causing the fever Joe will be moved to long term care. Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for no vent. Praising God for new goals. Praising God for long term care. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come.. Thank you Jesus for everything.

Thank you Jesus for another day. The first thing the doctor asked me is if I had heard from Windy Hill, my response was no. He informed me that Windy Hill is a long term facility that will help Joe come off the vent and stronger so he can come home. That was so good to hear. No talk of slim chance of survival and no talk of a double lung transplant. All I can say is, "Thank you Jesus!!!". Blessed beyond measure.

Joe was able to do PT today. The therapist was so excited to work with him. His fever stayed with him. They took out everything they could that would cause an infection. Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for the plans for rehab. Praising God for PT. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come. Thanking our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for being the Ultimate Healer and Physician.

Thank you Jesus for this great day. Since 7am today Joe has not been on any sedation. He was alert for the whole day. He tried twice to get out of the bed. I asked him what he was trying to do and he mouthed he was getting up. Blessed beyond measure.

Joe's gallbladder procedure went well. He is still bleeding so the blood thinner will be given by shot instead of IV. Joe is still running a low grade fever. Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for no sedation. Praising God for drainage tube in gallbladder. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come.

Thank you Jesus for another day. Joe's O2 and CO2 levels are doing great. The scan he had the other day revealed an infected gallbladder and Joe seems to have a GI bleed. I spoke with the GI specialist. The plan today is to do an upper GI to look for the bleed. Then they will insert a drain in the gallbladder. Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers.

A new patient arrived this morning. I do not have a name for him and his wife but God knows. He was vented a little while ago and his wife hasn't got to see him. Please pray for his healing.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for today's plans. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come.

Thank you Jesus for another day. Joe is being called a miracle. Nurses who haven't seen him since he came to the 4 North ICU were shocked to see Joe still with us. They were more surprised that he was off ECMO. This is where we say "Thank You Jesus!!!!" Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers.

Joe did great at PT early this morning. PT wore Joe out so he slept all day. Around 2pm Joe was taken down for a scan of his liver/gallbladder/pancreas that lasted 3 hours. By the time Joe returned to his room visiting hours were almost over for the day. Joe was running a temp; please pray for that high temp to go away for good.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for PT. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's complete healing that is to come.

Thank you Jesus for another day. Joe is being called a miracle. Nurses who haven't seen him since he came to the 4 North ICU were shocked to see Joe still with us. They were more surprised that he was off ECMO. This is where we say "Thank You Jesus!!!!" Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers.

Joe did great at PT early this morning. PT wore Joe out so he slept all day. Around 2pm Joe was taken down for a scan of his liver/gallbladder/pancreas that lasted 3 hours. By the time Joe returned to his room visiting hours were almost over for the day. Joe was running a temp; please pray for that high temp to go away for good.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for PT. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's complete healing that is to come.

Thank you Jesus for another day. Joe's oxygen saturation is doing great. His CO2 has creeped up several times. His vent respirations have been set higher to help bring his CO2 down and it seems to be working. Joe's liver enzymes have increased and there is sludge showing in his gallbladder. They have been able to identify the bacterial infection so they are attacking it. Thank you all for your prayers.

Please pray that his CO2 levels continue to decrease; his bacterial infection goes away for good; his gall bladder and liver go back to normal; and Joe becomes more active.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for no ECMO. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come. Thanking Jesus for being our Lord and Savior.

Thanking Jesus for another day and dropping CO2 levels. Joe woke up from a 3 day nap. We had a good evening of watching TV.

Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for dropping CO2 levels. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come. Thank you Jesus!!!!

Thanking our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for another day. Joe is still doing great off.of ECMO. He is dealing with an infection that keeps returning. The medical team has reached out to an infectious disease specialist to help treat the bacterial infection. His temp has went up and down all day,. He was more alert today than yesterday. Dr Ramona went over CT scans throughout the last 6 weeks that Joe has been in the hospital. He said that Joe's lungs have a long way to go to heal. Joe is in the Lord's hands and we are leaving him there. Thank you for all your prayers and your continued prayers.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for no more ECMO. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come. Thank you Jesus.

Thank you Lord Jesus!!!! The doctor just called. They are taking Joe off of ECMO in an hour. He stressed that Joe's lungs are still bad and have a long way to go to heal but he doesn't need ECMO. Thank you for your prayers. Please pray the procedure goes well and Joe doesn't lose blood.

Praising God for a other day. Praising God for the ECMO removal. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come. Thanking our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for all that He is.

Joe's ECMO doctor, for today, graduated from WVU and worked in Elkins

Thanking Jesus for another day. Today was a very eventful day. This morning Joe was removed from the ECMO machine. His oxygen and CO2 levels have remained stable throughout the day.

The bacterial infection has shown its ugly head again; causing increased heart rate and temperature. They were concerned of internal bleeding. An echo and a CT were done this evening. I am still waiting to hear the results. When we left Joe around 8:30 he was sleeping and laying on a cooling blanket.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for being removed from the ECMO machine. Praising God for good blood gas results. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come.

Let me tell you what my Jesus did today. As Nancy and I walked through the doors of 4 North ICU this morning the nurses were grouped together smiling at us. I asked if Joe was still clamped and they said yes. All of 4 North heard me say "Thank you Jesus!!!". Normally a COVID patient is on ECMO for an average of 3 months. As long as Joe continues doing well without the ECMO machine through tomorrow afternoon, Joe will be removed from ECMO. Tomorrow will be one day shy of Joe being on the ECMO for one month. All of 4 North celebrated this miracle today. Nurses were coming in and hugging Nancy and myself. Doctors kept saying they didn't think he was going to make it. I was telling everyone about Joe that said "hi" to me throughout the hospital. I'm busting out the seams with complete Joy. Thank you for all your prayers and your continued prayers.

Joe didn't get to have PT today due bleeding from the feeding tube. The doctors added more stitches around the opening to see if that would help. Please pray that the bleeding stops.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for clamping. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come. Thanking my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for being the Great "I Am".

Joe can no longer say he is 39. The nurses are calling themselves his adopted daughters

Let me tell you about my Jesus. He is an Awesome Lord, Savior and Physician. Today Joe took another big step towards improving. Dr Chalhoub told the ECMO nurse to clamp Joe. Clamping stops the ECMO machine from removing CO2 from the patient's blood without removing them from the machine. So far Joe's blood gases have been within a good range. We will not know until after 24 hours if the ECMO can be turned off.

Joe's feeding tube procedure went very well; no blood loss. Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers. Giving God all the glory.

Praising God for another day. Praising God for clamping. Praising God for a successful procedure. Praising God for this hospital. Praising God for this medical team. Praising God for Joe's healing that is to come.