31 days - on repeat

So far this year Carol has been in hospital 31 days ( I can imagine my US friends totting up the $ signs!)  It's been a bonus to have family support this week and Rob's visit from the US has brightened up our nightly returns home from the ward which are otherwise so dreary.  Our neighbours (who also go to our church) have cooked meals for both of us the previous five nights - that's real neighbourly love!

Carol is stuck deep in a groove with increasing weakness. A repeat pattern dominates. Partly with successive doctors, nurses,  physios and dieticians each requiring a summary of Carol's condition (with differing results from active listening to its opposite). And partly, dear Carol herself, for ever repeating how numb her hands are, how sore her lips are and (most difficult) about her desire to get up and walk to the toilet (impossible) and to eat something, which has still not found an answer. Three staff came to see us through yesterday about her swallowing and diet problems. Frustration was increased when one swallowing expert made dairy-free porridge which ended in more choking. The end result was talk of a feeding tube up her nose and down her throat. This option was not well received!  Actually, thinking about that is quite frightening in terms of quality of life, isn't it?

However, Carol continues with (very) occasional vintage observations. She told Rob that he needed to lose weight today and because I was wearing a red sweater with green trousers she observed that I could work in the US chain store Target, where this is the uniform. These moments are rare but to be treasured. 

One of you asked me to be more specific about a couple of prayer concerns I have. Good point. 

1. For Carol to have peace, patience and courageous faith in these difficult days. And for me, too!

2. The neurology team insists she has an MRI - may this happen soon and reveal more about Carol's illness with the possibility of some specific remedial help.

3. The palliative care team needs to share help from their experience about possible future steps for Carol.  

I have been overwhelmed by the contacts that so many of you have made. I am not sure when I shall be able to respond but please know how deeply grateful I am.