Friday, June 9, 2006
1:00 pm
“I have to cough” were the words Dan scrawled on a scrap of paper at around 9:00 this morning. With tubes in almost every opening of his body, he had tried to communicate with us by writing with his finger on the bed sheet. He must have been puzzled by how happy we all were at his need to clear his throat. This was the first coherent communication from him since yesterday morning.
A few hours and much suffering later, as they reduced his pain medication, the respirator tube was removed and he could speak! Later the doctor confided in me, “I was extremely relieved with what I found this morning.” “Well, both Dan and you have really been prayed over through the night,” I told him, “on five continents. One good friend wrote me this morning to share that he had sent out 200 e-mails asking for prayer, and made another 50 phone calls.”
Last night all of us were extremely concerned with what we would find this morning. Would Dan be able to move, respond, speak? Early this morning the neurologist checked him over and was pleased that he could move his fingers and toes. Through the morning we have been encouraged with his progress. One by one the tubes are starting to come out. At the same time, no assessment of possible permanent damage can be made for a day or two.
Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Mt 6:34
So, we are rejoicing in signs of progress today. We are really encouraged too with the many notes we are receiving that remind us of our brothers and sisters around the globe who are praying for us.
Future updates will be posted at http://www.xanga.com/dan_g_update. We encourage you to check in periodically.
