Update (3/4/09 - 8:30pm)

Cindy sat in the chair again for about 2 hours. She is still retaining a lot of fluid (especially in her knees, thighs, and abdomen) and not allowed to eat or drink due to her "sleepy" bowels. The doctors hope to remove the chest tube suction tomorrow and remove the tube altogether Friday. That would make Sunday her likely departure day. Please pray that Cindy's bowels "awake" and the excess fluid exits her body soon.
Cindy's pain is under control, but she is pretty loopy (she asked me to clean the kitchen a few minutes ago). She is sleeping soundly right now. I will be staying the night to keep a close eye on her.
-Rick

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Ps. 4:8

Update (3/4/09 - 11:30am)

Cindy as gotten out of bed for the first time in over 5 days. With some help from the nurses, she sat up, stood up, took a few steps, and has been sitting in a chair for about 45 minutes. All of these are taken for granted by most of us, but they are small miracles for Cindy right now.
Thank you Lord for the small miracles too.
Many of you have asked for an address to send a note or card to Cindy. I expect she will remain in the hospital for the next 2-3 days. After that, we will be at our friends - Bob & Sherry Scheihing (pronounced "shine") until Cindy is ready to travel back to Atlanta (probably 2-3 weeks).

Johns Hopkins Hospital
Meyer, room 966
1000 E Eager St
Baltimore, MD 21202

Bob & Sherry Scheihing
3847 Beatty Rd.
Monkton, MD 21111

Update (3/4/09 - 9:00am)

The challenges of the recovery process continue. I initially went back to the Scheihing's last night, but had to return to the hospital at midnight after Cindy called complaining that her legs were swollen and burning. She is retaining fluids and her bowels are still "asleep", so she is not allowed to eat anything. That all adds to her discomfort. Pain seems to be under control, but it takes heavy doses of the pain med. Cindy is sleeping off and on.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Prov. 3:5