Updates on Chris
- Kevin Reynolds
- Sep 20, 2023
- 13 min read
Updated: Oct 30, 2023
As you may know from the post on the main page, my son Chris has been in the hospital since April 2023. This is where I will share his daily updates. GOD IS GOOD! Scroll Down for latest updates!
https://gofund.me/ebd65501
Day 185: Today Chris and I had our last supper together at the hospital. Tomorrow, we leave for home. Tomorrow will also be my last daily update via text. I will send a link where I will post updates. Thank you again for all the prayers. God is Good!
Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Day 184: Almost home! We have two more "wake-ups" before we head home to sleep. We are having a class tomorrow (with the family) on how we can assist Chris while he is at home. Thank you for all your prayers. God is Good!
Psalms 19:1-2 "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge."
Day 183: Thank you for the prayers. Chris is getting better and stronger each and every day. In preparation for his homecoming, we purchased and had a stair chair lift installed in his house, purchased a wheelchair, had handicap accessible bars installed in showers and near toilets and we are getting items installed on toilets to make them handicap accessible as well. More things are coming as well thanks to all your generosity.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one."
Day 182: Thank you for the prayers. Chris did a lot of PT today as we prep for homecoming on Tuesday. We got some items for his house to help prepare for that transition. God is Good!
Day 181: Thank you for the prayers. Unrelated to his healing, Chris's cat "Stringer" passed today. She was very sick with pancreatitis. It was a sad day for us. However, Chris did PT today without a wheelchair at all. He continues to gain strength. He walked more than he did yesterday. God is Good!
Romans 12:12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
Day 180: 6-months today! He walked over 600 feet without taking a break. Probably about 1,000 feet overall. We are one week away from going home. God is Good!
Psalms 143:8 "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life."
Day 179: Chris continues to gain strength. Today the doctors are starting to wean the opioids from Chris. They are reducing his fentanyl and Oxy. So far he has tolerated it well. God is Good!
Psalms 46:1-2 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear"
Day 178: Chris is continuing his PT regiment in preparation for going home. We are getting a chair lift installed in his house to assist him with the stairs. He has spoken with work in preparation for return to the workplace as well. God is Good!
Isaiah 40:28-29 "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."
Day 177: Chris is still doing a lot of PT each day to regain his strength. We are projected to be complete and, on our way home on Halloween. Please continue to pray for his strength to return. God is Good!
1 Peter 1:3-4 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you"
Day 176: Thank you for the prayers. It is a slow day today, but everything is going very well. I am thankful for your prayers, and I continue to pray for you every day as well. I am thankful that you have been able to see these miracles happen along with me. God is Good!
Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Day 175: Chris continues to do 3+ hours of PT per day to get his strength back. I think tomorrow is his off day. He continues to be able to eat and his digestive tract is working. On Monday he is planning to call his work to discuss the plan to return to work! God is Good!
Psalm 5:11 "But let all those who take refuge in you rejoice, Let them always shout for joy, because you defend them. Let them also who love your name be joyful in you."
Day 174: Chris is doing very well, but they are extending his stay until 31 Oct, just to make sure he is a little stronger. He gains strength every day. God is Good!
1 John 4:4 "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world."
Day 173: Thank you for the prayers. God continues to make Chris stronger each day. Today, he had his first under the water real shower in over 4 months. He liked it, but felt slightly worried because his strength is still not 100%. He did well with it, however, God is Great!
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 "We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair; pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed."
Day 172: God is Amazing! Chris walked over 600 feet today and he is standing on his own without assistance. Chris is feeling better each day and I am looking forward to the day we can bring him home. Thank you for the prayers! God is Good!
Psalm 138:7 "Though I walk in the middle of trouble, you will revive me. You will stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies. Your right hand will save me."
Day 171: God is Good! The doctor came in today and said not only is Chris doing well, but he no longer has diabetes. He has been doing a lot of PT and can now stand on his own (with someone watching). Each day he gets stronger and better. God is Good!
2 Tim 4:18 "And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom; to him be the glory forever and ever. Amen"
Day 170: Today was a slow day for Chris. Tomorrow starts therapy again. Things are going well. He is eating and his digestive system is working properly. He continues to gain strength. Thank you for the prayers. I continue to pray for you all each night as well. God is Good!
Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Day 169: Thank you for the prayers. Chris is doing very well. He has not needed any insulin or meds for diabetes and his sugars have been perfect. He did 3 hours of PT with no problem, just a little tiring. God is Good!
Psalm 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands"
Day 168: Today Chris was able to standup without any help. He also had his J/G tube removed and his last IV line removed. He no longer has anything poking inside him. The staff here anticipate him going home on October 26. God is Good, Great, and Amazing!
Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Day 167: We arrived at Bayview Rehab center late last night. Chris has been eating and getting evaluated by rehab professionals all day. Today has been the longest he has sat upright since being admitted, with at least 3-hours of sitting (if not more). Things are going very well and rehab kicks in full force tomorrow. God is Good!
Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Day 166: They have released Christopher to John Hopkins Bayview Rehab center. We should be getting transported there within an hour or so. This is the biggest step yet. He has been eating well and had a waffle for breakfast and a slice of pizza for lunch. God is Good!
1 John 4:4 “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
Day 165: Today Chris was allowed full food; today he ate an egg and cheese sandwich with bacon for breakfast, a roast beef sandwich for lunch, an apple turnover, and a soda. They want to ensure he can handle a full day of food before he goes to rehab, and this was a good start. God is Good!
Psalm 124:8 "Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."
Day 164: Chris is doing well. He did a lap of the ward with no resting, plus stayed up standing for a while. He is now off all IV medications and will be authorized to eat a full diet tomorrow. They are starting to look for rehab facilities now. God is Good!
Psalms 9:1-2 "I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High."
Day 163: Chris got another milkshake and tolerated it. The doctor is now taking him off of IV nutrition. I assume he will be authorized to eat regular food by Tuesday. We are continuing to praise God and pray for increased strength. I pray for you still every day as well. God is Good!
Psalm 7:17 "I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High."
Day 162: Chris got his milkshake today and also got milk, protein shake, apple sauce, and pudding. He was able to tolerate it all. He also walked around the ward with no rests or sit-downs. Things are looking up. God is Good!
Psalm 34:8 "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."
Day 161: Today Chris is going to get all his IV meds taken off and transitioned to oral medication. Chris also had his last drain removed. Tomorrow, they will allow him to eat a milkshake and ice cream and such. They are still working with the eye doctor to give him an eye exam, but he is 100% strong enough to go if they allow it. Things are progressing well. God is Good!
Psalm 28:7 "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him."
Philippians 2:5-8 "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!"
Day 160: Thank you for the prayers. Chris was able to stand 7 times today with just my help and no support of nurses and PT staff. We also moved from bed to wheelchair without any help. Now we are able to get an appointment with the eye doctor, so we should be getting new prescriptions tomorrow or Monday. God is Good!
James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
Day 159: Thank you for the prayers! Chris is doing well today. He actually made it 3/4 away around the ward today before he had to sit and rest. He also did 2 sets of 5 squats from the bed to standing. He was able to tolerate the juices and clear "ensure" today with no vomiting. He said the ensure tasted very good, and he liked the cranberry juice a lot as well. He also drank ice water as well. God is Good!
Psalm 34:8 "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"
Day 158: Chris was allowed to have apple juice today. He mostly tolerated it, with a little vomiting after exercise, but other than that he was OK. They are going to continue monitoring how he does, and then introduce soft foods like ice cream. God is Good!
Psalm 31:19 "Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!"
Day 157: Thank you for the prayers. Today Chris had his trach removed. His kidneys are operating at 100% again. He had a CT scan and we are awaiting the results. God is Good!
Psalm 103:8 “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He relents from sending calamity.”
Day 156: Chris is really pushing hard with PT, he walked a full loop (200 ft), sat in a chair and pushed himself a full loop with his feet, and then sat up in a chair for an hour. He will likely get his trach out tomorrow. Thank you for the prayers. God is Good!
Hebrews 12:12-13 "Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 'Make level paths for your feet,' so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed."
Day 155: Thank you for the prayers. Chris actually walked the entire ward loop, he stopped for a rest halfway and then finished the last half after getting up again. A CT scan is coming soon to see progress of the collections, and things all seem to be looking good. God is Good!
Isaiah 40:31 - “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run, and they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Day 154: Chris is on his trach cap test now, so he is breathing 100% through his mouth and nose. If all goes well, he will likely get his trach removed by Monday. Please keep praying for his pancreas and digestive system. God is Good!
Day 153: Thank you for the prayers. Chris is planned to have a cap test for his trach within the next day or so. If he passes that test for 24-hours, they will likely remove his trach. They continue to monitor his g-tube output, and he may be able to eat soon as well. Right now, they have been doing clamping trials at 9 hours of the g-tube being clamped then 1 hour of suction, and he has been doing well. God is Good!
Psalms 120:1 "I took my troubles to the LORD; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer."
Day 152: Thank you for the prayers. We have moved out of ICU to the main floor. The PT folks have cleared me to assist with PT by getting him to the side of the bed, and assist with standing. Praying for increased strength and Pancreas healing. God is Good!
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Day 151: Thank you for the prayers. Chris is getting stronger. He walked over 100 feet without resting today and took some time standing without his hands on the walker. They are now considering moving him out of ICU into a normal floor room. Please pray he will get all the care and PT he needs in the normal floor. God is Good!
Jeremiah 1:12 “Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am [actively] watching over My word to fulfill it.”
Day 150: CT Scan showed collections in pancreas are same size (which the docs say is a win). Apparently, when the collection does not grow, and the patient is clinically stable, that is good news and means healing is taking place. Chris walked in the hallway again (a little more than Saturday and was less tired). He seems to be improving clinically as well. He also had his dialysis line removed, as they believe he will no longer need dialysis. I am thankful for God's miracles in Chris's health and answered prayers. Thank you for the prayers. God is Good!
John 15:7 "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."
Day 149: God is Good! Chris had a day of rest today. They brought him in for a CT scan, and found the pancreatic collection sizes are still basically the same size (which they say is a win because it is not worse, and he is having no fevers). Thank you for the prayers. God is Good!
Romans 10:13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Day 148: God is Good! Chris took over 120 steps today and walked out past the middle of the hallway and then halfway back. They are clamping his G output every 2 hours to see if he can tolerate it without getting sick. Then they will decide if he can eat or drink. Thank you for the prayers. God is Good!
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Day 147: Thank you for the prayers. Today was a great day! The surgeons removed the right-side drain as things are looking better and the drain was leaking. They also decided to do an upgrade on his trach; they replaced his trach, with a "cuff-less" trach which helps him be more comfortable when He breathes. For PT, he walked about 30 steps (if not more). He walked to the chair I normally sit on, sat for a while, then got up and walked to the other side of the bed. He is getting stronger. God is Good!
Psalm 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.
Day 146: Thank you for the prayers. Chris's drain is leaking around the sides and is still not flushing properly, so they are likely going to remove it tomorrow. We are waiting to see what is next for his treatment, however, he did very well in PT and walked around the bed and back. God is Good!
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths..
Day 145: Thank you for the prayers. Chris had a drain adjustment today, but it still does not seem to be draining. Doctors continue to watch to see how things progress. PT was a little slow because he was tired from sedation, but he still stood for a couple minutes. God is Good!
Psalms 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
Day 144: Thank you for the prayers. It looks like they will try to inject some dye into a drain and scan to see how things are looking tomorrow. Until then, things seem pretty stable. He stood again for 5 minutes and walked to the wall and back (about 12-16 steps total). God is Good! https://gofund.me/ebd65501
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