ICU sequel, day 3

Today Susan’s status remained about the same overall, although her blood pressure has normalized, so evidently the proper steroid dose helped. Even so, the attending physician said her seizure activity continues. The ICU staff is focused on stabilizing her with a batch of meds and continues to watch for improvement. Under different circumstances, they might use a procedure with deep sedation for several days to break the seizure cycle; but in Susan’s case they’re concerned she might lapse into a coma.

Dental hygiene

She’s still sleeping much of the day and is sometimes more responsive than others during her few waking phases. One highlight of the day today was having the nurse brush Susan’s teeth. I’m sure it felt good; and the nurse used a special toothbrush attached to a suction tube that reminded me of Susan’s dental hygiene practice.

We’ve been reading daily from “Streams in the Desert,” the remarkable century-old collection of devotionals written by people who’ve gone through stuff knowing God’s grace. Ken and Lisa Korver blessed us greatly with it nearly six years ago as our journey began. I’ve seldom read anything like it that can touch a tender area related to our trials and soothe it at the same time.

Today's reading is based on Matthew 10:27 and says what God tells us in the darkness we should speak in the light. The darkness of our trials affords a unique opportunity for God to speak comfort and peace directly into our circumstances, whispered from his heart into our ears. Proclaiming that comfort to others not only helps them, it helps us, and it means our suffering is not wasted. I guess that’s why I write.