Yesterday was a great day for Roy. The first night I got here, it was a little depressing because it was snowy and overcast, but yesterday we woke up to a big, bright sun! Roy was able to get up and take a shower so that made him feel better. He was able to shave, wash his hair, and change into a new outfit, so I know that made him feel better. He has two drainage tubes coming out of him and one was removed, along with his catheter and IV. They still won't let him eat and he is very hungry, but hopefully tomorrow they'll give him some broth. The doctors gave us some hopeful news so we will wait for Monday when we will know a lot more of what to expect, etc. Please keep praying because I know the prayers are working. Seriously, I continue to be blown away by all the emails and words of encouragement. I sat here early this morning in my hotel room reading the 50+emails and some of them made me laugh! I sat here in the dark shaking laughing at some of your funny words. I'm sorry that I can't reply to each one, but please know that they are all being read and are very encouraging and very much appreciated.
Okay, some of you (ahem, Jennifer) are asking for details. I had some pictures to upload but I'm having trouble, so I'll have to wait until I get home to post those.
1. Roy was not alone all week. He was traveling with a fellow employee, whom he had just met, and a translator. They have been so sweet and have stayed with Roy the entire time. Greg, the SP employee, left today to return home. His father-in-law passed away the other day!! What a week! Aleksander, the translator, has been great, too. He has made the hospital communication smooth. He will stay with us until we go back home.
2. Roy's hospital is very Eastern Euopean looking. Some of his nurses have been sweet, but it is just basically Eastern European! When Deanna (the girl traveling with me) saw Roy she jokingly asked him why he couldn't have picked a place like Paris or Rome to get sick! There is also nothing to do in this place, but good thing the hotel offers free WiFi!
3. It is so cute to see all the elderly people walk the hall of his ward. I PROMISE you I saw my deceased Russian grandmother shuffling down the hall last night. It actually took me by surpise because this lady looks like her twin. I had to do a double take! I would love to get her picture incognito but I think that is a little inappropriate:) I laughed when I saw her because Caroline is obsessed with me telling "Grandma Reber stories", so I knew she would have liked it.
5. The kids are doing great! It snowed about 2 feet in Boone, so they are having a blast! My in-laws are treating them wonderfully and word on the street is that my father-in-law attempted to change a poopy diaper in his office the other day!! Wow! Now that's what I call service!
6. Deanna has been such a blessing! I feel so bad that she is here to begin with. She missed a Christmas party last night, hasn't finished her Christmas shopping and might possibly miss Christmas with her family. This makes me feel so bad, but we are having fun together. She is hilarious! She worked for Laura Bush in the White House so I've been asking her tons of questions and details. I think I may be getting on her nerves?! She's got cool stories, though, and I think we may have bonded on this trip:)
7. My hair dryer blew up this morning. I had it plugged in, did a quick initial dry of my hair, turned it off to go get my brush and it went "Poof". A big black spark came out and I blew a fuse in the room and I think my hairdryer is dead. So, for the rest of the trip, I'll have nasty fuzzy hair.
That's all for now. Please keep praying for Roy's recovery. He is almost there! We have some hope that we "may" be home by Christmas. I am cautiously optimistic, so please keep the prayers up!!!!
12 comments:
Aw man! Too bad the pictures will not upload! I am so glad that you are taking pictures of this whole experience. You need to make a little shutterfly book for Roy to keep. I mean think about it. Wouldn't it have been cool to have a book documenting Daddy's car accident years ago??? And how he was laid up in a cast for so long and mom had to take car of all of us in a borrowed car. Those are good memories!
BTW, I am on another funny email for you and Roy! Hopefully I will send it out soon!
And another thing, Thank you JESUS for the internet!!!!!
DJ - The memories you are making will be priceless. The stories you are telling are funny! The "healing" process starts from the heart and I am SO glad you are right there helping Roy. How encouraging it is to hear that he is up and moving around. He is a fighter - remind him of that and get out of there! :)
God has provided the help needed to get through this crisis in your life. He knows exactly who you need and how long you need them.
I love you...and Roy! Cheers to another good day!
I was hoping you would have pictures up too! can't wait to see them when you get back. I'm sure you've got some funny ones in there.
Leland wanted me to tell you that you're supposed to use a converter in Europe. Over here everything runs off a 120 volt system and over there a 220 volt system. (did you get that?) He says a world traveler like you are should know that. ha!
The cutest story is that Roy's nun nurse made a smile gesture to make him smile. So sweet! I'm glad you got their pictures. I'm sure you are bringing all the hospital peeps lots of cheer. You and Deanna should walk around the hospital singing Christmas Carols! haha!
Can't wait to hear the report tomorrow (Monday) Love you both
Dolly, tell Leland that his sister-in-law wasn't born yesterday. I DID have a converter, so there!
Good morning, Donna. It was so nice to wake up and read this nice blog post. I'm sooo glad things are going so well for you over there....and that your sweet little ones are being taken care of so well over here. The Lord knows your needs, and He's taking care of you.
You need to get your translator and go to that little "grandma Reber". Tell her she looks exactly like your grandmother who was born in the Ukraine, and ask if you can take her picture. She will probably be flattered and say yes. It can't hurt to ask, anyway. It's probably neat for all those people in that hospital to have Americans there with them, and the more you interact with them, it will make their memories special. And the idea of you and Deanna going around singing carols isn't really so crazy. Too bad you don't have little bags of candy to pass around!!
Well, we're all still praying and hoping that tomorrow will be the magic day, and you'll get the word that you can come home for Christmas. Take care....keep blogging....and take lots of pictures so you can make that book for Roy. ILY
Donna, SO glad to read this update! I can almost picture you with the hair dryer - so sorry. Any chance the hotel would have one for you? Just askin'. You never know.....
Seriously, we are praying here for Roy to continue to improve, for you and your children and -even though God is ALWAYS on time - for you and Roy to be home for Christmas!
Know that you are being lifted up by many today!
Donna... don't feel bad about the blow dryer..I blew out the power in our ENTIRE hotel -while using a conerter, Leland- in Italy,oops.
I am so glad you are posting such informational posts! Wow! What a time! Tell Roy to keep walking and doing what he is told...you've got a few days to still make it home by Christmas! We will keep praying here.
I am so proud of you for being such a strong, encouraging wife! God is going to bless you for putting your man first and forgetting about the hubbub of the holidays! Think Mary and Martha..heehee.
Man, I wish I had thought of lending you my set of plugs for your trip....I need to go dig them out and let you keep them "just in case"!
I blew up many a hair dryer when I was flying and made the electricity go out a few times myself....don't worry! Have you asked the front desk if they have a spare one?
Glad you and Roy are doing ok...tell Roy Ron said there are some bird hunts waiting on him when he gets home!
We miss y'all!
Okay...I have obviously missed something!!! Poland? Surgery? What??okay I need to keep reading....
I wish the pictures would upload too but we will have to wait! IS here even deleted the photos that came to Roy's email so I didn't see those either! Thanks for your update and it sounds encouraging! That's cute about the nun nurse. I will continue to pray. I didn't know that about your Russian grandmother - you have that blond hair and European look -now I know where that came from! I know you have enjoyed getting to know Deanna and learning about her DC days. I'm anxious to hear about it too.
Donna, I think that it sounds like a great idea for you and Deanna to go around and carol there at the hospital. Maybe when Roy is up walking, he can join in. :0) It's great to hear that he is feeling better and was able to get up, get a shower etc. I know that in itself makes one feel better.
Really praying that y'all will be home for Christmas but know that He is perfect in all things.
That's awesome that you and Deanna may get to go to an OCC Distribution while there....fun, fun.
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