Septemberly News on Daniel
Dear All,
What a magnificent week God gave us last week! Daniel had the usual 3 appointments for wound care but he also saw his Infectious Disease (ID) Doctor and his trauma Surgeon. Both were very pleased with his progress. Both moved his care to the next level - which I'll explain in a minute. Many things for which we praise God.
Dr. P (you couldn't pronounce his first and last name even if I spelled it out) is originally from India. When he was first asked to be the ID Doctor to treat Daniel's raging infections, he came in with a very professional, business attitude. You could tell he knew his stuff but he was quiet and we couldn't engage him. For example, we told him that Eddie, Sara Ann, Aunt Sara and I had been to India. Well, usually that starts a big conversation. People want to know what part of the country you visited and they tell you where they are from. And the conversation goes on from there. Well, Dr. P barely acknowledged we had said anything. He wasn't rude, just quiet. The Internist had told us he is quiet when he is worried. Well, on Tuesday morning of last week, he came in smiling, friendly and open to conversation. What a difference. Why the difference? He had a CT scan done the Friday before and it showed Daniel's infection was completely gone! As we conversed with him he stressed the seriousness of Daniel's condition when he arrived in the States but now was very positive and took Daniel off of IV drugs completely. No more spending 3-4 hours per day watching an IV drip for Daniel. So we no longer have a son who is an IV drug user! (ha!) Life is much more normal for Daniel. Thank you Lord. He just has to take oral antibiotics for 4 weeks as a precaution.
Then on Friday we went to see the surgeon. He is always friendly. He was happy with Daniel's progress. To stress how much healing Daniel had done and what the prognosis is he said that no matter what Daniel does the hole in his back is going to close. He can do any activity that he feels up to (and that a Wound VAC will allow). His sister has told him she wants a room painted!! Anyway, the trauma Surgeon discharged Daniel and said he didn't need to see him anymore. Praise be to God. So obviously Mom and Dad are grateful and doing better.
So, what about leaving the first week of September as Daniel had hoped? The hole is still there but not worrisome in the way it was. It is closing and there is skin growing around it. You can tell a big difference every time the nurses change the dressing (which is the only time you can see it). We are much encouraged by being able to see the dramatic healing God is doing. But it is still open. Also a further development. As of yesterday, Daniel was diagnosed with shingles. It is on his neck and scalp. A doctor told us that happens sometimes after someone has taken steroids. Daniel had steroids to counteract a rash from antibiotics a couple of weeks ago. So, obviously, God has plans for Daniel to stay around at least a little longer. Ok by us.
So, Daniel is on 5 different medications right now and has the Wound VAC (man purse) with him all the time. He began driving again on Saturday (he even drove me to the wound care visit on Monday, as it should be!). He said it took a minute for him to get the hang of driving - like staying in his own lane - but then it was normal after that. He has more energy in general. He is playing his guitar more. He is just doing more. For example, he drove to the park on Monday and walked for about 3 miles while it was still kind of cool. The only thing was the old ladies (like 40s and 50s he said- I gave him a hard time for that) were passing him. Sara Ann and I tell him we can still "take him" (down) at this point. But we know our days are numbered. And thankfully so. His strength is returning although the surgeon said it will be a year before he is completely back to normal strength.
Please continue to pray for his healing. The shingles are not very painful at this point but we understand they can be. So pray for freedom from pain. And while you are praying, praise God for your love and interest and support you have given the Stinsons in our time need. We certainly praise God for YOU!! The ordeal is almost over but the blessings from the outcome have not all been revealed yet. We look forward to that. God's blessings are new every morning. Without struggle, there is no growth.
Obviously Daniel will always have a testimony to give of God's love and care and how He spared his life. Pray that he will be used mightily by the Lord in His kingdom in the days, weeks and years ahead. How gracious our Lord is! When Daniel was only midway through his hospital stay in Ecuador and he was very foggy, I told him that 10 years from now if the conversation got slow or boring, he could just say something about the time he got shot in the stomach in Ecuador and that would get things going. My son who is usually sharp and with it looked at me and asked, "Why would I wait 10 years to talk about it?" Today he is clear headed and looking forward to God's continued working in his life -- if it is in Arlington Texas for a few more days or weeks or in Seattle or somewhere else after that. By this, we are much encouraged.
May God richly bless you today. May you see His hand on you. May you continually hear and respond to the Holy Spirit's prompting. And through that glorify the Lord and be blessed as well as be a blessing to others. May God lift you up today, no matter what your struggle.
Love,
Eddie, Marilyn, Daniel, Sara Ann and Jonathan
What a magnificent week God gave us last week! Daniel had the usual 3 appointments for wound care but he also saw his Infectious Disease (ID) Doctor and his trauma Surgeon. Both were very pleased with his progress. Both moved his care to the next level - which I'll explain in a minute. Many things for which we praise God.
Dr. P (you couldn't pronounce his first and last name even if I spelled it out) is originally from India. When he was first asked to be the ID Doctor to treat Daniel's raging infections, he came in with a very professional, business attitude. You could tell he knew his stuff but he was quiet and we couldn't engage him. For example, we told him that Eddie, Sara Ann, Aunt Sara and I had been to India. Well, usually that starts a big conversation. People want to know what part of the country you visited and they tell you where they are from. And the conversation goes on from there. Well, Dr. P barely acknowledged we had said anything. He wasn't rude, just quiet. The Internist had told us he is quiet when he is worried. Well, on Tuesday morning of last week, he came in smiling, friendly and open to conversation. What a difference. Why the difference? He had a CT scan done the Friday before and it showed Daniel's infection was completely gone! As we conversed with him he stressed the seriousness of Daniel's condition when he arrived in the States but now was very positive and took Daniel off of IV drugs completely. No more spending 3-4 hours per day watching an IV drip for Daniel. So we no longer have a son who is an IV drug user! (ha!) Life is much more normal for Daniel. Thank you Lord. He just has to take oral antibiotics for 4 weeks as a precaution.
Then on Friday we went to see the surgeon. He is always friendly. He was happy with Daniel's progress. To stress how much healing Daniel had done and what the prognosis is he said that no matter what Daniel does the hole in his back is going to close. He can do any activity that he feels up to (and that a Wound VAC will allow). His sister has told him she wants a room painted!! Anyway, the trauma Surgeon discharged Daniel and said he didn't need to see him anymore. Praise be to God. So obviously Mom and Dad are grateful and doing better.
So, what about leaving the first week of September as Daniel had hoped? The hole is still there but not worrisome in the way it was. It is closing and there is skin growing around it. You can tell a big difference every time the nurses change the dressing (which is the only time you can see it). We are much encouraged by being able to see the dramatic healing God is doing. But it is still open. Also a further development. As of yesterday, Daniel was diagnosed with shingles. It is on his neck and scalp. A doctor told us that happens sometimes after someone has taken steroids. Daniel had steroids to counteract a rash from antibiotics a couple of weeks ago. So, obviously, God has plans for Daniel to stay around at least a little longer. Ok by us.
So, Daniel is on 5 different medications right now and has the Wound VAC (man purse) with him all the time. He began driving again on Saturday (he even drove me to the wound care visit on Monday, as it should be!). He said it took a minute for him to get the hang of driving - like staying in his own lane - but then it was normal after that. He has more energy in general. He is playing his guitar more. He is just doing more. For example, he drove to the park on Monday and walked for about 3 miles while it was still kind of cool. The only thing was the old ladies (like 40s and 50s he said- I gave him a hard time for that) were passing him. Sara Ann and I tell him we can still "take him" (down) at this point. But we know our days are numbered. And thankfully so. His strength is returning although the surgeon said it will be a year before he is completely back to normal strength.
Please continue to pray for his healing. The shingles are not very painful at this point but we understand they can be. So pray for freedom from pain. And while you are praying, praise God for your love and interest and support you have given the Stinsons in our time need. We certainly praise God for YOU!! The ordeal is almost over but the blessings from the outcome have not all been revealed yet. We look forward to that. God's blessings are new every morning. Without struggle, there is no growth.
Obviously Daniel will always have a testimony to give of God's love and care and how He spared his life. Pray that he will be used mightily by the Lord in His kingdom in the days, weeks and years ahead. How gracious our Lord is! When Daniel was only midway through his hospital stay in Ecuador and he was very foggy, I told him that 10 years from now if the conversation got slow or boring, he could just say something about the time he got shot in the stomach in Ecuador and that would get things going. My son who is usually sharp and with it looked at me and asked, "Why would I wait 10 years to talk about it?" Today he is clear headed and looking forward to God's continued working in his life -- if it is in Arlington Texas for a few more days or weeks or in Seattle or somewhere else after that. By this, we are much encouraged.
May God richly bless you today. May you see His hand on you. May you continually hear and respond to the Holy Spirit's prompting. And through that glorify the Lord and be blessed as well as be a blessing to others. May God lift you up today, no matter what your struggle.
Love,
Eddie, Marilyn, Daniel, Sara Ann and Jonathan
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