Sunday, November 2, 2008

Sunday Night

Luke told me that they had a little bit of excitement today. They had to take Emily off of the sedation some because her blood pressure had dropped. They had dropped her oxygen level from 60% to 35% and the nurses called the pulmonologist because Emily was struggling some. They came in and cleared out her airway of some old mucus. The doctor came back and wanted to use a camera down her airway to make sure she was clear so they would know whether they could lower her oxygen again. They used the camera and she was clear! So that's great news. They then put her oxygen level at 40% the rest of the day. Luke doesn't expect them to take her off of the ventilator tomorrow because he doesn't know how quickly they'll keep lowering the percentage. But they're definitely on track of weaning her from that.
He said it was really hard because Emily was in a lot of pain as they lowered her sedation today. They told her not to talk but just to listen as they talked to her. She did squeeze their hands occassionally.
The hard thing to hear was that her kidneys had no output today. They didn't do dialysis and Luke hadn't gotten a report on her workup---but he expects to talk to the kidney doctor tomorrow. With it being a weekend, it's just hard to hear anything. So...that's the BIGGEST prayer need at this time. Pray that her kidneys start functioning.
Luke said he got lots of support today---lots of friends and family came by. It really ministered to him. And he said some friends took the 3 oldest kids to a church in Greenville tonight to their fall carnival and the kids were so excited. Some of Emily's friends are taking Abigail & Lily to a Bible study that Emily usually attends tomorrow. Luke said Abigail is just hard to live with if she doesn't see Miss Jane each week!!
Luke was telling me about the church alliance in their area. He said he made one call to a pastor in the alliance asking him to let everyone know that he needed prayer for Emily---and that pastor not only made calls, but was the first one on the scene to pray with him. And then today, he heard that Pastor Wally at First Methodist is ministering to his family this week. Emily's Bible study group is also helping out next week. And of course, Luke's own church is ministering to them over and over. He said he was just overwhelmed at the outpouring of love by the body of Christ. I told him that people were giving through the website to help with their needs and he was just astounded. It really is amazing to see the body of Christ at work.
Luke promised to let us know as he works out a schedule for his family if he needs help. So check back---I made him promise to let us know!
Thank you for caring for and loving the Panters in such an extravagant manner.

II Corinthians 1:3-4
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

9 comments:

Corey, Kelly, Alex, Blaize said...

We are anxiously watching and reading and praying as we read updates - everyone I know in all my classes I teach and close friends are praying for you Emily and family! Miss you and love you guys OH SO much! You mean the world to me! All the Dietz clan.

Becky Dietz said...

Emily,
I'm hearing from so many people who are praying for you. I've never seen anything like it. Well...except maybe when Andy got kidnapped! ha! It's alot like that outpouring.
I'm so proud of how hard you're working. I know you want to get out of that bed and go home and be with your sweet family. That's what I'm praying for.
Good night. I'm praying God washes your mind tonight by the water of His Word. Love you bunches!

Anonymous said...

Em,

We spent a good part of the day with you today and left, once again, rejoicing in the Lord. He is so good. You were awake quite a bit today and your eyes were so much clearer than they have been. You seemed to really know what was going on around you...very alert compared to other days. I bought the kids some little gifts today and when I got there I was telling you that I had done that and would send them home and when we left your room, Luke said "You don't think she'll think it's Christmas do you?";) I just started laughing and told him that I would remind you the next time I went in to see you that it was still Nov. You should've seen the looks on the nurses faces when I was beside your bed saying "Now, Em, it's not Christmas yet...it's still Nov. blah blah" They were looking at me like I had TOTALLY lost my mind!:) Oh well..maybe I have! Another funny thing happened,too. Each time we come in or leave ICU, we put germ killer on our hands, but some of the contianers are these weird kind that look like upside down spray EZ Cheese cans and you have to push up on the little spout to get the stuff out...well...I pushed up way to hard and germ killer foam COVERED my face!! (the dispensers are at eye level)I know all of your nurses feel sorry for you that you have such a crazy s-i-l! I could hear them laughing at me all the way down the hall as I was walking out to the waiting room. I love you, sweet girl. I'm praying for supernatural release of the floodgates of your kidneys tonight. I told Luke I don't think I will ever in my life be more excited to know someone peed than I will be when you do!I'm asking God to send a flood through you to completely heal every inch of your body inside and out. I'm praying for lungs that breathe in deeply on their own and for the presence of the Lord to rest there with you tonight. That you wouldn't be afraid, but that peace would overtake you. I'm asking Jesus for even more miracles in your life. In Jesus' Name!

aredmond said...

I just wanted to let folks know that a blood drive has been organized in Emily's name. It is to held on Sunday November 9th from 1-5 pm at the Crossroads Mall. If you wouls like to make an appointment please go to www.carterbloodcare.org and click on the community drives link.
Thanks

Anonymous said...

I have been praying for Emily and Luke and their children these last few days as so many others also have been doing. I am thankful for the ways God is making His presence and power known in this situation and trust that He will soon bring complete healing to Emily.

I am happy to read that Abigail will be with me in our Bible class this week! I have prayed these past days that she might be comforted by our Bible thought/verse based on Matthew 28:20, [God says] "I am with you always."

My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you all.

"Miss Jane"

Anonymous said...

It was wonderful to see the kids at the Fall Festival tonight! It was nice to see them enjoying themselves and to see how much they've grown. Luke & Emily, you have certainly done a great job with them! We are continuing to pray for you all...

Anonymous said...

I love you and I'm praying for you. Jason is too. It's hard to tell you what you mean to me. I can't believe it's been nearly 10 years since our suitemate days at Commerce. I'm so glad we've remained friends all these years. I'm so sorry that you're having to go through this. I've got everybody I know praying for you.

Love you,
Julie

Anonymous said...

I found your blog through a friend and am following your story. I know that you don't know me and we might not meet here on earth, but I wanted to send you a little note Emily to let you know that I am praying for you and for your family. I know that they are all awaiting to see the miracles that God is performing in your life - we are all waiting and praying for you!
Katie

Debbie Jenkins said...

Emily,
I just wanted to leave you a note for you to read when you are better to let you know I am praying for you. This past weekend, we had the boys and over lunch, Max and Josh said, "We need to pray for Aunt Emily" so that is just what we did. In their sweet voices they asked their Father to heal you. I know your precious angels are asking the same thing. He won't disappoint them. You will be healed totally.
Your father, 2 brothers, and husband are all ministers and if God needs to get the message out to a crazy world that He is in control, He certainly has picked the right family. He loves you. We all do. You have touched people from all over the world.

Have a wonderful, pain free day. Rest and get ready for all of the excitement and joy for your healing!

We love you so much.
Larry and Debbie