A Light in the Dark
This week has started out with a huge blessing! Cyrus got his feeding tube removed this morning and is now getting everything he needs by nursing or bottle feeding. The medical staff will evaluate if this is enough, but based on his enthusiasm for eating, I don’t think we have anything to worry about. After a few days of evaluating his eating, the next steps are to begin reducing his supplemental air supply. There’s a chance he could be home next week, but it’s all up to Cyrus!
With NG feeding tube (09.19.23)
Without NG tube! (09.24.23)
On other fronts, Laura continues to struggle with depression and anxiety. She seems to be gaining ground, but progress is slow and isn’t solely linked to Cyrus or anything else going on in our lives right now.
The girls continue to talk regularly about Cyrus and the loss of Arthur. It’s painful to them, but talking about it is a good sign that they’re working through it, and it can be an integrated part of their life stories going forward.
For my part, I’ve been struggling with a bunch of negative emotions, mainly related to stress. I’m working to stay mentally healthy while I try to improve our external circumstances.
The office shed should be finished enough this week for us to move our office furniture in and start using it. This frees up our current home office to be Cyrus’ new bedroom, and just in time!
Not only might Cyrus come home next week (or 4), but I have shoulder repair surgery on Friday and will be unable to do much with my right arm for six weeks. In church this morning, I was holding a 1oz communion cup during our worship service, and just that and the weight of my own arm caused my shoulder to drop out of the socket. I popped it back in by flexing my lat and neck on my right side, but it shows how unstable my shoulder is right now. The timing on all this couldn’t be much worse, but I’m at constant risk of a huge shoulder injury and can’t keep living like this.
Please pray that I quickly recover and can at least hold Cyrus soon with my right arm. Please continue to pray for Laura, the girls, and my emotional and mental health. Thank you again for all your prayers for Cyrus’ health! He’s almost there, so please keep praying he can cross the finish line and come home soon. It’s a great week! We’re definitely praying some thankful prayers for all God has done for us.
