Last year at this time the kids and I made a trip to stay with my Grandma while her hubby went to visit his kids in Minnesota. Even then, Grandma wasn't at her best but, she was still able to get around on her own and even go out to dinner with us.
This year things were very different. We made the trip already knowing that she had a couple of close calls in the last 2 months with COPD and congestive heart failure but, we weren't quite prepared to deal with what was coming next. Thank God my mom decided to come with me and the kids because this story might have ended a lot differently.
We drove in last Monday morning so, that my Aunt could show me what I needed to do and to show me where to take my Gram for her infusion appointments for an infection from 3 years ago that was still being treated. After her infusion, she had an appointment with her cardiologist who suggested that she be admitted to the hospital for "Tune-up" but, of course being the stubborn woman she is she said "NO" even with my Aunt and I saying "YES". So, off we went to have some blood drawn.
Now in between the Doctor appointment and getting home she had another episode of congestive heart failure and to make matters worse they were throwing in Renal failure. Luckily my uncle who lives in the desert and is a Respitory therapist was with my mom and the kids and came to the rescue. I called him because we weren't sure how to use her breathing treatment for the Emphysema. When he showed up moments later he told me she needed to go to the hospital so, I called 911. The kids were sad and shocked because they only just said hello to grandma and now she was being hauled off in an ambulance. This must have been so scary for them but, God knew and sent my mom to take care of them so, I could do what I needed to help my Aunt and my Grandma.
The next couple of days were a blur, no sleep, trips to the hospital, phone calls, flights scheduled, house cleaning, bad news and more bad news. The house was now packed with cousins, Aunts, Moms and the neighbors were gracious enough to let a couple of family members stay there too. For a moment there we lost track of what needed to come first...GOD. Where was God in all of this? This is why my mom was sent. She always seems to reel me back in when I'm spinning out of control. She reminded me that we needed to pray but, first we needed to know what my Grandma wanted. Did she WANT to go home to be with the Lord? Was she giving up? Was she just too tired? or did she want to live? Did she want to be healed?
We made a trip to the Hospital that night and asked her all of these things and at first her response was she just didn't want to be a burden to all of us anymore but, after reading the word to her she realized that yes, she could have healing and knowing that changed her answer. She said she wanted to to live then looked at my cousin and said that she wanted to see Angelina's baby. We rejoiced and prayed. She asked for her body to be healed and re-dedicated her life to the Lord.
The next morning there was only good news. Her CO2 level(the amount of carbon dioxide a person breathes out) had dropped from 60(she was told this was her normal) to 50.This is what people with this disease usually die of it's like breathing poison. Normal is 30. The next day her level was at 45 and her cardiologist said that if it was up to him he'd let her go home now. Her heart was much better and she was doing great all on her own.
So,we went from calling Hospice to trying to get her cupboards ready for a new healthier sodium free diet in a matter of days. God is so good!! He's just good all of the time! She is home now and getting better everyday. This is proof that HE is our great healer. It was not my faith or anyone elses's faith but, her own faith in the promises of God that healed her. We will just keep praising him and thanking him everyday and hope that you will too.
A little peak into our trip to see Grandma June 2011
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