update on momma 4

After our long-awaited stint from this weekend, my mom's surgeon was finally able to see her this afternoon. The tube that my mom has in her nose is removing all the liquids from her stomach into a container. The doc said that the tube will have to stay in until the output of liquids decreases to a certain number of milligrams in an 8-hour period. When her output has decreased to that level, they will remove the tube and start her over on a liquid diet. If she is able to pass the food, then it's a good sign that her intestine will have most likely healed. If she continues to have pain in her stomach and/or vomiting after eating, then they will give her a laxative to clean out her system to take more tests/x-rays. Surgery will be the last resort, depending on what they find from the tests. But it could take another couple of more days for her output to decrease to the necessary level for them to remove the tube. However, despite all this, if she can pass gas (sorry about being graphic) or have a bowel movement, then it's a good indication that the swelling has dissipated and her body is processing the nutrients she's getting from the IV. So she will be in the hospital for at least a few more days.

Momma seemed extremely discouraged yesterday, but was doing much better today. I really thank God for that. It is so hard to see her going through such an uncomfortable time at the hospital. Praise God that nothing is really painful for her right now. She was the one encouraging my brother and I today, telling us that everything will work out. And every smile that she gives is so priceless now. I have come to treasure these times with my mom more and more. It's also nice because she can feel "little William" (as she fondly calls him) move more often. She was even thinking about how to bless others in her church by seeing if I still had my old CD player to give to a family who is going through some serious trials right now. She said that being able to listen to praise music would really encourage this lady. I only pray that she herself is being encouraged and turning to the Lord for faith and perseverance.

We are in need of prayer for God's healing and mercy. Please continue to pray against any discouragement and unbelief for my mom. Pray also for Bill and I, as well as others who visit her, that we may be able to spur her on to endure and grow in her dependence on God, knowing that He is using this for her good. He is with her always and will not give her anything more than she can bear. Some of her friends were able to share a timely passage from Scripture with her:

Blessed is the one who considers the poor!

In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him;

the Lord protects him and keeps him alive;

he is called blessed in the land;

you do not give him up to the will of his enemies.

The Lord sustains him on his sickbed;

in his illness you restore him to full health.

Psalm 41:1-3