Robbie with "Oma" - Tanja's mother Sonja Wilks
It has been a week of updates and a week and two days in the hospital. Yesterday was a blessed respite from the chaos, turmoil and heartache of the 72 hours before. After the MRI two nights ago, they raised Robbie’s meds significantly and he rested well (off and on) for about 3 hours, then 4 hours. During the day yesterday they became concerned with his breathing and began lowering his meds some. This has kept him from the intense pain but it is also keeping him from sleeping much. He only got about 3 and a half hours last night. When he is “awake”, though not completely conscious of his surroundings, he goes in about 30 - 45 second waves which include 15 - 20 seconds of peace, then 15 - 20 seconds of discomfort and pain.
PRAY FOR REST FOR ROBBIE AND FOR THE SWELLING TO GO DOWN IN HIS BRAIN.
Last night, Robbie was moved from Neurology to Step-down which is one “step-down” from I.C.U. - a one nurse to one patient ratio in order to monitor his breathing more. He is now in 3C4. We were so blessed to have Tanja’s father Larry, sister Heidi and her husband J.P. Wornock come for the night last night. J.P. has been Robbie’s primary care physician for many years so how awesome is it to have his doctor stay all night with him and not charge a cent!
We want you all to know that we believe your prayers are in effect even though the news is not all that good. Our faith in the Father is stronger than ever right now and we feel a sweet communion with His Spirit as we work with Robbie, pray, weep, hold him, hold each other, visit with those who come by. We pray for all of you praying for us, that your faith will be strong in our time of need. God IS good.
My thoughts have recently turned to the words of a favorite song:
Blessed be your name in a land that is plentiful
Where your streams of abundance flows, blessed be your name.
Blessed be your name when I’m found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be your name.
Every blessing You pour out I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord, STILL I WILL SAY...
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your name.
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your glorious name.
Blessed be your name, when the sun’s shining down on me,
When the world’s all as it should be, blessed be your name.
Blessed be your name on a road marked with suffering,
Though there’s pain in the offering, blessed be your name.
You give and take away, You give and take away
My heart will choose to say, Blessed be Your name.
I would ask that all of you who are praying for Robbie spend some time just thanking the Lord for His goodness. He has promised to never give us more than we can bear. What a strong boy our child must be!
With love in our hearts for all of you.
Ken & Tanja