Coach's Cave, Part 1 (by Chris)

In our little corner I have been able to build myself a cave to catch some zzzz when needed. Tonight we sent Matt home to spend time with his family and sleep in his own bed, which I am sure he has not done for over a week. Mom also made the drive home with Deb tonight to clean up and try to rest. I have stayed back to have sometime with Dad and my thoughts. I was with Dad from 9:00-10:00. The time spent with Dad's caretakers tonight has been good for me. Before I crawl into my cave for a couple of hours here is what I can tell you.

During my 9:00 visit I noticed that one of Dad's tubes looked different and was hooked up to a bag of "oatmeal." Evidently this afternoon they started feeding him though a tube directly into his stomach. This is not a new tube just a previous one used differently--before it was being used to suction fluid out of his stomach and now it is putting nutriment into his body. I see this as a good sign. Not only have they started feeding him with real stuff, but they have also increased the amount that he is getting...imagine that Dad is going back for seconds.

This was my first time to spend a little alone time with Dad. I as sat with him I reminded him for the healing power of God that I felt 7 years ago. I reminded dad of the day that I told him that I was never going back to dialysis even though the doctors felt that I would need to be hooked up the machine again in a couple of day. . . my levels were too high. I never was hooked up to the machine again. Dad, your levels are too high to fix the other parts of your body and they need to come down.

I return the corner/cave to prepare for tomorrow. . . trying to manage the soccer team from Nashville.