July 4th Report on Mom

It's been a long day. It's 11:15 PM Istanbul time and we are just returning to our hotel. When we arrived at the hospital today, we were told that we'd have to wait a few minutes before we could see mom. When we got into her room, she was sitting up in her bed and appeared very alert. She had written several pages of notes throughout the night to her doctors and nurses. She wrote a lot about how she was feeling to us, had a big smile on her face, and looked better. Her nurse told us that she was going to get her ventilator out today, and Mom asked if Dad could be in the room with her. She was told yes, but that promise was broken.

Then she asked if Dad could be with her when they wash her. Again she was told yes, but ultimately the promise was broken.

After about 20 minutes with Mom, we were told that we had to leave the room. Dad was going to be allowed to stay in the room, but my sister and I were to leave. Jenny and I went downstairs to meet the State Department Official who works in Istanbul. He turned out to be a great guy. A few minutes later, Dad came downstairs. He was told that he had to leave for a few minutes and they would come back to get him. They never did. Dad shared his frustration with the American official, and he found a patient relations representative to meet with us and hear our needs. We told her about our frustration, and how mom really wants dad to be with her when the tube is taken out and when she is washed. The patient relations representative went to ICU and spoke with Mom's doctor. The doctor told her that she would meet with us in 45 minutes.

45 minutes turned into 2 hours. It is so difficult to wonder what is going on in the time that we cannot be in the room. We would soon find out that Mom became agitated, and pulled out her own ventilation tube. (She seemed pretty proud about the fact that she pulled it out).

Dad, Jenny and I were waiting outside the ICU waiting room doors, with frustration in our hearts when the head of the department came out, angry at Mom for pulling out her ventilation tube. Mom also felt like the hospital staff was trying to poison her. (The meds that she is on are making her delusional). So, the head of the department asked if Dad would come in to calm her down. All this time we were saying that what mom needed was a family member and she would calm down. Every time we are with her, she is at peace. When we aren't she is upset. The doctors and nurses assured mom that she would be able to see Dad, Jenny and me. When I walked into the room she asked me to run and get Jenny. When I did Mom said, "Hi Jenny, Goodbye," and she was content. She just wanted to see us. As we left she called me back and whispered in my ear to pray for her. She said that she is under intense spiritual warfare and to pray for her like never before. She also said, "Whatever you do make sure that you, Dad and Jenny are always together."

So, I'm sad. Mom is going through a lot of fear. But, I'm happy that the ventilator is out. Please pray that over the next 12 hours she proves to be able to breathe fine without ventilation. If she can do that, she will be moved from ICU to a regular hospital room. If that happens, one of us will ALWAYS be with mom. She won't have to be alone any more.

The "carte blanche" on visiting hours that we were praising God for a couple of days ago proved to be an empty promise. We are only getting about 45 minutes of the 2 hours that we are supposed to have with mom. So, we really want to see Mom moved. Her doctor assures us that as soon as mom is past the point of danger (12 hours breathing on her own) she can be moved. They also need to get one more test result back.

The doctors still do not have any definite diagnosis. They are continuing to treat her for the "Legionella Pneumatosis" and for encephalitis.

This evening we joined the entire Turkey team (several churches, from all over the states sent English teachers) for a boat cruise on the Bosphorus Sea. The students from the English camps joined us and we had time 100 people or so on the boat. It was nice to get away from the stress of the hospital, but our hearts are always with Mom. We've been invited to join the State Department Official and his wife and a few friends from the Consulate to watch the recorded Fourth of July Celebration from the Washington Mall. If we can be with Mom, we'll probably skip this invitation, but if not we'll plan on going. We're praying that we have to say, "No," to this invitation.

One other cool note; one of the churches that we are working with is the church in Colorado that my Senior Pastor, Leith Anderson, used to serve as Senior Pastor. The people from Colorado have been wonderful. It's so amazing how even here in Turkey we are surrounded by the body of Christ.

Thank you to all of you who are praying. And, thank you too for all the offers for help. I think we've had at least five offers for help from people who know people in Turkey who can serve as translators or advocates for us when it is difficult. We appreciate it so much. The doctors feel that mom will be in the hospital at least one more week.

This evening, while on the boat, I spent some time downstairs, singing Chris Tomlin's song Forever. We do give thanks to the Lord, our God and King, whose love truly does endure forever. For He is good, He is above all things. His love really truly does endure forever.

Until tomorrow . . .

Brian