9:13 a.m. This morning I was just going through routine preparation time before service. I love this time because it allows me to reflect on the whole week. But I can’t get away from the reality that we are being encountered by God the last few weeks. It feels like God is challenging us to steward – not influence, not a city, but steward knowing Him. I feel like He is asking us “Can I trust you with my heart, and My supernatural thoughts?” We can’t get away from the reality that I had four dreams about four mantles in four weeks; Read the rest of this entry »

9:30am it has now been two weeks today since her surgery. She’s been home since Sunday.

Being home means I am taking care of her. With the help of Mandy, our sister-in-law, we have had times when people sit with her and I am able to get stuff done for a couple of hours.

Her pain is still strong and we are patiently progressing together. Our family of five has had our world rocked. We have such a blessing in God.

I’ll keep all of you posted through this weekend.

3:30pm Pain Management has been the sole goal for the week. Brandi not only has had a very rough week, but found out Tuesday that she has a fractured rib. She had an incredible pain apart from the 10 inch cut along her right side. That’s on the outside. Inside, she has two cuts along her ribs. They couldn’t identify what it was until the surgeon said it was a broken rib. Ugghh!

Both tubes have been removed; one Tuesday and one today She’s had a few rough experiences through the week. Pain pain pain! She may get to go home tomorrow, though, so I’ll keep you posted.

My honey is in good enough shape to blog now. It’s www.whoistherock.com/brandi

6:38 pm Brandi’s doing alright. She’s been recovering on pace. I was home for some rest today. When I got back, grandma Roe was with her going her a little message.

It’s been 4 days and wild ones at that! She’s doing great though. Our church family has been out of this world! Heavenly!

2:00 pm Today was the first time the kids got to see Brandi since Wednesday. It’s to hard to know what to do. Do I bring them? Do I not?

At this point, it is basically a waiting game. It’s time to let her heal and exercise her body. The physical therapist has her get up and sit on a chair. It’s moving from the chair back into bed that is a problem.

It’s just very difficult for me to watch my honey go through this. But God is faithful, and he is good.

I am working through the whole feeling helpless. And also, I am so protective of her as well. Uugghh!

2:26 pm. Brandi is doing alright. We had her sit up in a chair and it was a super struggle to get her back in bed.

Her doctor said to have two long cuts along the side, this type of surgery, is the most painful known to man. He said it’s even worse than open heart surgery. My wife is tough!

I am praying for my honest. Tonight will be the first time our three kids sleep at home. They’ve been with family since Wednesday night! Thank you Uncle Jason and Aunt Mandi and Grandpa Bud and Grandma Joan!

I can’t wait to kiss and hold my three babies tonight. Then we have arrangements in the evenings. Thank you again, Mandy for all your help

7:06 pm Things have stablized for Brandi. Her pain is now being managed. She has been sleeping a lot today. Just so good to see her not be in severe pain.

Her grandma and I have been here all day. She just left and now we are watching the World Series. Go Rangers.

Some of the ladies came and saw her. (9 of them) after our Women’s ministry retreat this weekend. Brandi and the women’s board did such a great job. 68 women went on the retreat. Good job ladies! They worked so hard on it, then with this, Brandi not being able to go. But heard it went phenominal.

Tomorrow is day 4. My honey is slowly recovering.

10:10 am Rough evening yesterday, but she made it. Brandi is moving right along, but it’s important to realize how huge of a surgery this was.

Being in her room yesterday, her pain level began to escalate. Her epidural shifted amidst the transition from ICU to her room a floor higher. Basically, he was not getting any help on the pain.

Within five hours, her pain went up to a “7″ on a scale of 1-10 (which is what nurses use to communicate how badly you’re hurting).

There was a breakdown in communication as well between the doctor and the shift nurses on the epidural removal and transition to a pump of some kind. Brandi hurt badly because of it.

It was a rough transition in the area of pain management. The surgery was huge.

She said to me today, “So this is what it feels like to have the wind knocked out of your sails.”

She’s doing better now; they helped her.

More later.

Brandi is doing fine, she is now in her own room. She was brought up here about 11 AM. She is resting and recovering and we are enjoying being together. Grandma just left at about 6:45 PM. So at this point Brandi is a little bit ahead of schedule. More later.