The Joy of the Lord is our Strength

November 29th 7:00 PM

Dania and I stopped in to see Diana on our way back from visiting family in San Antonio. We left on the morning of the 26th and returned today. The difference in Diana was nothing less than startling when she opened her eyes and recognized us. She is currently unable to create any sound but that doesn’t stop her. She’s chattering up a storm of conversation that only she can hear. It’s like watching a silent movie.

The nurse took Diana completely off the ventilator for 6 ½ hours and she sat in a chair for 45 minutes. The nurse was very pleased with Diana’s progress. She said “she is doing phenomenally well.”

Last week Diana’s road to recovery was going nowhere. She was placed back on what I’m calling complete-breathing (CIMV for those who know – I’m not one of those). This is when the ventilator does all of Diana’s breathing. It makes sure that she receives a minimum amount of breathes every minute. In her case it was 16. She returned to what I’ll call assisted-breathing (SIMV mode) on Saturday Nov 23rd. This is where she is participating in the breathing process by exercising her diaphragm muscle. If her breathing rate drops below 16 breathes per minute the ventilator will supplement her breathing to bring it up to the prescribed level of 16. Now she is breathing on her own (CPAP mode). Diana is still attached to the ventilator but it now only provides pressure in her lungs to make it easier for her to breathe and also maintains the oxygen levels prescribed by the doctor. This is the way I understand it. I could be wrong. These ventilators are remarkable pieces of technology that perform many other tasks and must save countless lives every day.

Before last week Diana’s oxygen level was typically at 50% (air is 21% oxygen). When she turned for the worse last week it went up as high as 70%. Our bodies use the oxygen and kick off carbon dioxide (CO2) as a waste product. The CO2 is removed from our system when we exhale. Diana was struggling to get CO2 out of her system. When the oxygen levels go up it is an indication that her CO2 levels are going up also. It was ominous to watch her oxygen levels climb last week. As of Saturday her oxygen level had been reduced to 40% and was holding from Sunday until Monday night at 50%. Today it is at 45%.

Another item of interest is her daily chest x-rays. These x-rays visually convey the quality of her lung’s health. On an x-ray a healthy pair of lungs will look dark. Last Friday her lungs looked very cloudy – there was little sign of darkness in either lung (her right lung has been the healthier of the two). Of all her x-rays across all the days she has been here this was the worst. Friday was indeed a depressing day. Ups and downs have been the normal course for Diana’s struggle. She recovered a little ground on Saturday only to regress a little on Sunday. Still, her lungs looked better on Sunday than they did on Friday. Monday morning her x-ray looked noticeably improved. Tuesday they looked worse and since Wednesday the x-rays have looked progressively better.

It seems Diana has made a turn for the better; however, she remains critically ill and is still in the ICU.

I’m sure that Diana would be overwhelmed by the prayers and the love that have poured upon her. May God continue to restore her so that all of those across this city, this state, and this world who have entered into her travails may celebrate with her and marvel at what God can do when His people join hands and hearts in our Lord’s name.