The visit with Virginia.

It really hurt to visit with Virginia. She is such a friend to me, and seeing her in the hospital bed, drooling from the side of her mouth, unresponsive . . . . I miss her, and I miss her comments, her company, her opinions.

Visiting hours yesterday were from 4pm to 6pm.

Previously, after church yesterday I invited Carlos and Virginia's kids over to play with us so the plan was for me to meet Carlos at the hospital at 4pm with the kids, and I'd be able to go visit Virginia.

There were 14 people (mostly deaf) who were waiting to visit Virginia.

They only let one person go at a time. We had to wear a mask. The place smelled of sicknesses, and her room was all colorless white and beige. She is alone in the room with it's too bright white lights, and it feels cold. The too-worn-thin hospital gown was slipping off one shoulder, and her lips had sores on them. Her hair needed washing and her hands smelled sweaty.

I only had moments, but after touching and rubbing her feet through the very thin sheet that half covered her, I took her hand and tried to sign into her hand.

They say that sometimes people in comas still hear what's going on. Well . . then, couldn't she be able to feel and understand that I'm trying to communicate with her???

Her eyes would open and close slowly but they looked around blindly.

I want to go back on a day when so many are not waiting for me to get their turn to see her. I want to go and wash the sweat from her hands and cover them in fragrant lotion. I want to spritz her with some sweet smelling body spray like the kind I know she loves. And perhaps bring a scented candle, not to light, I doubt they'd allow that, but let her room be fragrant.

I want to try to sign into her hand some more, even if it is to pour out my heart to her. I know she will be so upset to not know that our mutual friends Mario and Rita are expecting again! This will be their third baby . . . Virginia must know!

I want my friend back.

I'm back!

there is a moment in the mothers morning where she realizes that the little ones just are not going to let her sleep for a moment more

I really, really, wanted an hour more before we start getting ready for church, but . . . forget it! And so, with the kids having their very healthy and slaved over breakfast of toast and apples I have a moment to catch up with you all.

Oh man, but where do I begin? . . . .I think I'm gonna need coffee first . . .. hold one second . ..

*sigh* aaaaaahhhhhh

You know, the saying "When it rains, it pours." Well it has been hurricane season here.

First my computer dies, right when I needed it most! Then Virginia falls into a coma and is hospitalized. But no sooner did that happen then my own husband gets admitted to the hospital for pneumonia and my baby is diagnosed with RSV and pneumonia as well. Oh, and a "by the way" I have a cough that won't go away, but not nearly as urgent as all the above.

So in that order lets deal out updates . . .

We celebrate this morning because I now have a working computer thanks to my super bro. It's a "new to us" computer, but better than the one that died and functioning! Woo Hoo!

As for my good friend, ministry co-worker, Virginia, as II have been able to talk to her husband Carlos (the deaf pastor here) he seems amazingly calm and peaceful. It has been prayer! And yesterday I am told that they have taken her off the respirator, she is breathing on her own, she is off a lot of the medications they had her on to stabilize her and she is doing well. Her eyes are open, but unfocused. They were hoping to get her sitting in a wheel chair. I ask about her hands. If she has tried to sign. But no one knows. I hope to go in to see her today . . . . keep praying.

My husband scared me so bad when I first got him home from the hospital. He was SO weak and unable to do anything. It was so unlike him, and before he left the hospital his doctor told him that they found some fluid around his heart so that he had "A little CHF, congestive heart failure" and then his doctor when on vacation.

So seeing my husband weak, and unable to much get out of bed, I thought the "little CHF" was getting "a lot" and didn't know where to turn, since it was Christmas and all . . .
I did what I typically do when I need a reality check, I called my aunt. She has had pneumonia too and said that it took her 4 months to get out of bed and a whole year to fully recover.

*whew*

So his fatige is normal. And he will be taking it easy.
He is feeling better now, and yesterday he helped me with cleaning up the kids room (*grovel thank you! thank you oh hubby of mine! grovel*) and he hopes to be on the field again on Monday. But he insists that he is going to only point fingers and supervise, not do anything physically exacting.

As for the baby, he is taking his meds, getting nebulized every 8 hours and as happy as can be. The doctor says that she has never seen a baby with RSV be so happy. The baby is resting a lot, and drinking lots of mommas milk. He will not be doing anything physically exacting . . . so we are all good.

I finally got an appointment for myself, and am being treated for bronchitis plus my doctor said I have sever allergies. Totally treatable, and I'm feeling better too.

Now it is time for me to get ready to go to church. As I mentally prepare myself to interpret for the worship, I kind of hit a melancholy note, since it is Virginia that loved the signed worship more than anyone. I have to confess, I don't have as much "gana" -as they say here- or much "want to", to sign without her.

It's amazing how we can take comfort in the little things.

Like knowing where the Splenda is kept, and that first cup of coffee that marks a morning . . .

With all that has been going on, we've mostly stayed at friend's houses in the States. But late Friday I drove "home" to Mexico with the kids. They were SO ready to be home.

Every time we got into the car on Friday my daughter would ask "Are we going home now?"

You see, it was Wednesday night that my hubby went into the ER, and was admitted for pneumonia.

So Saturday the kids and I stayed home, and late Saturday night I drove back to the States with the kiddos to pick up hubby from the hospital.

My husband had been so pale for so long that on Sunday (today) when I went to get hubby, and he had his color back I thought he had too much sun or something. It took me a minute to just see that his skin was just a healthy rosy color!

He is still a bit weak and achy, but he is back with the family now.

We really missed him.

And today we are resting at a friends house in San Diego. Tomorrow we go home. You watch and see . . .. I bet my hubby will be out on the field on Tuesday.

News on Virginia - no change really. Keep praying. I'm making plans for the deaf women's retreat and I hate doing this without her. She is the heart of the women's deaf ministry. We need our heart back!

I'm tired folks. Real tired. But we carry on, don't we?

For all ye students of Spanish or speakers of Spanglish.

T'was the night before Christmas and all through la casa

Not a creature was stirring, only the masa.

Mama making tamales con mucho cuidado

In hopes old Santa would feel obligado

To bring all the hijos, both buenos y malos

A nice batch of dulces and other regalos

Mis hermanos and I went to sleep in our camas

Some in calsones, some in piyamas

Cuando out in the yard I heard un gran grito

That I jumped to my feet like a frightened cabrito

And who in the world do you think que era?

El mero mero with his venados estaban afuera

Santa Claus in a sleigh with a big sombrero

Came dashing along like a little bombero

I watched as they came, and this little fat hombre

Was shouting and whistling, and calling by nombre

"Ay PEPE, AY JESSE, AY CUCA, AY BETO

AY PANCHO, AY CHATO, CHUY Y NETO!"

Then standing straight up, with his hands on his pecho,

He flew to the top of our very own techo

With his round little belly like a bowl of jalea

He struggled to squeeze down our old chimenea

Then huffing and puffing, and a little cansado

He picked up a bag that looked so pesado

He filled all the stockings with lovely regalos

For none of the hijos had been very malos

Then chuckling aloud, seeming very contento

He turned like a flash and was gone like the viento

As I heard him exclaim and this is verdad,

"MERRY CHRISTMAS A TODOS! FELIZ NAVIDAD!"

More prayer needs

This post is being typed by a friend. Michelle (and family) had gone stateside a few days ago to visit with their family etc... And before they were able to return home to Mexico her husband (who as many of you know is on dialysis) was complaining of pain in his ribs. He thought it was from coughing but it hurt so bad that he went to the hospital ER. He ended up being admitted and was found to have pnemonia. But not only that, her youngest, their baby boy, also has pnemonia. Michelle and kids have gone back home to Mexico and the baby is taking medication. Her husband is still in the hospital stateside the last that I heard.

Please be praying for them.
Be praying for Michelle...for God to give her the rest and strength when she needs it.
For the kiddos and the home to be covered in peace....that passes understanding.
For the deaf ministry, because it is being hit so hard right now. That the Lord will turn EVERYTHING aroung for His glory and purpose.

Update on Virginia

Virginia is still in coma and her family is only allowed to visit her for 5 minutes at a time.
This is to protect others and Virginia as well.
We are waiting to hear the results of the test to find out which kind of Meningitis she has, either bacterial or viral. From what we understand, bacterial meningitis is the more severe and life threatening. They are treating her for this until they get the results back. It should take about three days.
Thank you for your continued prayers!

Urgent prayer requset for Virginia

This is an urgent prayer request that is being posted by a friend of Michelle (via my computer since hers is still not working).
A dear friend of ours, Virginia Suarez (deaf pastors' wife) had been sick for a few days and on Sunday morning she passed out and has only woken up once since. She is still in a coma at this time. The Doctors say that she is dehydrated and that her sodium and potasium levels are very low. They had originally diagnosed her with diabetes but they just rediagnosed her with menengitis. As you can imagine this has really shaken up their family. Her husband's mother is visiting for the holidays and is able to be the mediator at the hospital and make sure she is getting the best care. She will be having a neurologist come and check Virginia in the morning and if she is not getting proper care she will be asking for her to get a transfer to a better hospital.
We covet your prayers for her.
1.For her to wake from coma and for the doctors to effectivly treat the correct problem.
2. That she would be getting the best possible care.
3. For the family, her husband Carlos and the two kids. For their peace and comfort during this time.
4. For their financial situation. They do not have any insurance and do not have the resources to handle a situation like this.

Thank you so very much!
Sorry I could not get the links to work properly, but you can find more information about the Suarez family and their picture on Michelle's ministry blog. http://www.bajacompassion.blogspot.com/

We are experiencing tecnical difficulties

My computer powers up and shuts itself off. Then it won't come on at all.

I admit, it's old.
About 7 years old.

Today I am posting at the Suarez house.
But won't be able to post as I'd like, or anything until my super brother can come and fix my computer.

I am missing you all!

Blessings!