Day Three Post-Norwood - Sunday, December 7, 2008

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

2 Corinthians 4: 16-18

This morning before we left for church we took a quick peek at our little bambino. We witnessed one of his first milestones: Tyson was awake and alert for the first time since his surgery on Thursday. Overnight they slowly weaned him off of all the muscle relaxers (which are actually more like paralyzers so that he cannot move even if he wanted to.) He was awake and alert when we saw him and he even focused right at Mom's face!

We attended Toronto church for their morning service and the sermon text was from 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (quoted above.) What a comforting sermon about how our trials and troubles here on earth serve to make us stronger and help us see God's glory. Isn't it amazing how God works through His servants and gives a message that so easily applies to our individual situations at a time when we need it most! Rev. DenHollander also took a moment in his prayer to pray for Tyson and for us. It was encouraging to experience the communion of saints even in a church where we were not well-known. Later we went to the home of Rev. and Mrs. DenHollander for coffee and lunch. It was very "gezelig."

When we arrived back at the hospital, we saw Tyson again and there wasn't much change since this morning. He is still on sedatives to make him drowsy and comfortable but overall he is still making good progress. Some of his drains will be coming out tomorrow as they are not needed anymore.

Yesterday the nurses started giving him small amounts (3 cc's) of breast milk directly into his feeding tubes, to get his digestive system working again. Today he has been getting 12 cc's about every three hours. He seems to be tolerating it well and he is digesting it and excreting it well.

So far so good!

We had some more company again today. Robert came by for a visit in between church. Then Gary and Lori, Scott and Tanya, and Carl came for the evening. It is nice to see family and friends again.

We were able to go through a stack of cards from fellow church members. It is encouraging to know that many of you are praying for us. We definitely can feel these prayers lifted up on our behalf, as we would not be able to get through this stressful time without the help of our God and Father. Thank you all for your prayers and words of encouragement. Thanks also to those of you who have helped out in the way of financial aid, bringing up meals and other groceries, and cards, but most importantly, thank you for your prayers! Tyson needs them and we need them! We are so thankful that we belong to a church family that helps us carry the load!

For the week ahead, Monday and Wednesday will be busy days as far as company goes. Provided that everything goes well with Tyson's recovery, Brian hopes to head back to Orangeville on Wednesday night and begin working again for Thursday and Friday. Melissa will be here by herself (with Tyson) on Thursday and Friday so if anyone wants to come down for company to visit, those would be a good days.

Till next time,

Brian, Mel and Tyson