Good Times and Boxed Whine

Friday, October 26, 2007

Things are...okay.

I must tell you that tonight is one of those nights that I don't feel like writing. Maybe a glass of wine will help, BRB! Anyway, Carmen is still "unstably stable" which means every time she takes 2 steps forward, she'll then take 1.5 steps back. The she'll take 1 step forward, and 1.5 steps back. What does that mean? It means that not much is changing. She is fighting to stay alive and she is succeeding in that, so we should all be thankful. One of her doctors (pulmologist) put it into perspective today, saying "it will drive you crazy to sit here and look at numbers all day. When someones lungs fail, you'll have good days and you'll have bad days". That is something I'll have to remember when I'm sitting there all day looking at the numbers.

Thanks for Gina in South Carolina sending a wine basket (well needed!). Belated thanks to Candice and Seneca here in Santee for EVERYTHING that you've done. Thanks to Rex for jumping on a plane on last Friday and just flying here from Atlanta for the weekend. Thanks to Marie for driving over lasagna today.

But the real heroes are Carmen's mom and dad Sharon and Marty. My mom Loreen. My Dad and his wife Donna. These are the people who are keeping the wheel turning, doing the dishes, making the meals, visiting Carmen, cleaning up the house, and watching Dominic. Life would be considerably more difficult without them, or all of you supporting me.

If you are praying, or have a prayer group, the following is what I request. Carmen to again be deemed to be a transplant candidate (taken off temporarily for infection), be transported to the ICU at University of California San Diego, and be given a transplant. In a perfect world she would wake up again with new lungs and be able to breathe again.

Thanks again for all your support.

12 Comments:

  • At 7:09 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Thanks for posting Mike. I will never give up hope, and I will continue praying hard for Carmen. The outpouring of love and support of everyone is incredible. I am so proud to call this strong and incredible woman my friend. Love to everyone, Liz

     
  • At 7:17 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Hang in there, Mike. It must be so hard for you to go see Carmen every day and just want her to be better. We are definitely praying for her to be put back on the list-- and we all know that girl has spunk and can fight a good fight :) Thank you so much for updating her blog. I come and check here daily to see how she is. We love you all ... The Eckards

     
  • At 8:15 PM, Blogger Granny said…

    I'll pass your wishes on.

     
  • At 8:23 PM, Blogger Rex White said…

    I'm sitting here, listening to "I Got Friends That Do" over and over (darn you, Mike!) and waiting for the nightly update.

    I feel very humbled to read your "specific" prayer request ;) and I'm so proud to you and Carmen BOTH my friends.

    I cannot recall when I've ever seen such an outpouring. You guys are blessed, even though I'm sure sometimes it may not seem that way.

    Sorry for the long comment. Wish I were there again this weekend to just hug my best friend and hold his wife's hand. But you've got the best in-laws and parents in the world - I know you're both covered!

    Rex

     
  • At 8:27 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Mike, I hope you got into that basket of wine tonite! Thank you for writing-especially on the days that it's hard for you. I know all of you get your strength from each other-just being together can be so comforting. I can't imagine how hard it is for you all - we all want to hear "yesterday" that Carmen is better-it can't happen fast enough - but to be there with her and see the lows after the highs, must be hard to take-it really is unimaginable to me. Stay strong Mike and have faith that your prayers and along with everyone elses, will be answered. We love you all...JL & Amy

     
  • At 8:57 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Michael, it's Pam. I am so sorry that so much time has gone by since I last wrote. Raena just called me with the good news that Carmen looks so much better tonight. I know that things are terrible for you. Having to have so much trama everyday for two weeks and for how much longer. Carmen has really so much in her favor. Good heart, good brain. She is so much with us and she is fighting. What a girl. She is so strong and will not give up. Please take care of yourself, no matter what you have to do and lean on the offerings and help of others. I, like everyone else in this famil, am thinking of all of you, all day. I hope you and Dominic are doing ok, and I will keep praying. Carmen told me about her new study bible and she is in the ultimate hands. Try to get some rest and sleep in peace. Love to all of you,
    Auntie Pam

     
  • At 9:36 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Hey, Michael, one more thought. Why don't you just take the weekend off, don't worry about us and just spend time with all your people or by yourself. Carmen will be fine during the weekend and she would probably say, lets stick around and do nothing. Michael, we all hereby tell you to relax and not worry about the updates this weekend. If you have to write us, you will, but just enjoy. Pam

     
  • At 11:02 PM, Blogger Unknown said…

    Thank you, Mike, for the update. Our prayers continue. I am sharing your updates on my blog as I receive them. Also, I have requested prayers from the Kentuckiana Association of the United Church of Church of which I am past moderator.

    Blessings and shalom to you all.

     
  • At 6:35 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Mike thanks again for the update on Carmen. My heart truly goes out to you because I know your body must be tired and yet somehow you found the strength to give us an update on our loved one. However I agree with one of the other comments you need a break so don't feel pressured to write. We will all continue to pray and pray specifically according to your request. Aunt Pat

     
  • At 6:41 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Hi Mike,
    I am Dawn, Pam's neice on the other side. She has always been great on filling me in on Sharon & Marty's family. I feel, in some odd way, that I know you all. My prayers are with you all and I am blessed to have been put in touch with this blog because Pam has a tough time talking about Carmen right now. Just know that distant relations in the Midwest are pulling for Carmen, too.

     
  • At 8:06 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Thank you for the updates Mike I will continue to keep you and your loved ones lifted up in prayer for Carmen to be put back on the list. It's a blessing to have the incredible strong support of family and friends.

     
  • At 2:47 PM, Blogger Unknown said…

    Mike,

    You don't know me, but I have read wonderful things about you written by Carmen. Please know prayers are lifted for Carmen and you and Dominic as well. The two of you are the world to Carmen. We will pray for a swift recovery and to get her back on that list. Carmen has alot of life ahead and she has been such a great inspiration to me. Scleroderma pushed me into early retirement in 2001 from a local school system here. I know Carmen is truly loved by so many people accross this country. Thank you for posting this blog so we can keep up with carmens status.
    Praying in Alabama for Carmen today.

    Cynthia Taylor
    Birmingham, Al.

     

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