Rumor has it...

Tammy may be getting out of ICU today.  Granted at this time it is only a rumor.  You know how doctors are.  They may say, "Tomorrow we will..." but what they really mean is: "Maybe.  If you're lucky.  If your numbers are right. If I feel like it."  Actually, they aren't that bad.  It just feels like it sometimes.  So, we are optimistically hopeful.

They have been slowly lowering the numbers on Tammy's bypap machine back to a more healthy level.  She was breathing pure oxygen at 55%, but they have slowly worked it down to 40% which is closer to normal "air that we breathe" ratios.  So, continue to pray that she can get closer to the acceptable range.  However, when she is off the bypap machine, she gets tired within a few hours.  Her sleepiness is a symptom of too much carbon dioxide in her system.  Even lying in the bed, she just cannot breathe deep enough to allow her lungs time to absorb the oxygen and expel the carbon dioxide.  I suspect that she will be going home with a bypap machine if they allow her to come home.  (Yes, that is still an if.)

So, what can we pray?

Dear Father, Lord of heaven and earth, Giver of Breath, Healer of the sick, Provider of all good things, I ask you - I beg you - please to send some lungs for Tammy.  She has been faithful to give you all credit for what you have done in her life.  She wants to live, to celebrate, to thrive once again.   You have given us so much, and it does seem selfish to ask for more.  We have had a year of celebrations.  We have had a year of laughter, much of it laughing at ourselves.  We have had a year of blessings upon blessings, all of which we know we have not earned, but which You have given us out of the overflow of Your love for us.  We will accept whatever answer You give, but in my heart of hearts, I believe you showed us that You were going to provide lungs for our girl.  I choose to stand on that promise, even when circumstances seem bleak, or when the fulfillment of the promise doesn't come on my time schedule.  I choose to trust that You love Tammy and each of us more that I can ever understand, and I know that you work all things for good for those who love you and are called according to your purpose.  In light of that, we know YOUR GOOD will be done.  There is no power in heaven, on earth, or under the earth that can thwart the purposes of Our Most High God.  You are above all and over all.  You complete what You start.  You do what You say You will do.  Help us to see You, to know You, and to find You as You work, yet again, in Your daughter Tammy's life.       Amen