November 9, 2008 7:14 AM
Tripp Update
Tripp's had his third surgery yesterday morning. I can't exactly say it went well or went badly. The orthopedic surgeon fillling in for Dr. K who is away accomplished what needed to be done. He found a pocket of fluid which was infected, cleaned the entire site, took cultures, and sewed Tripp's knee back up.
I was quite afraid yesterday morning. It's beginning to hit me how serious this is. People have lost limbs to MRSA. I don't like to add to the hype around MRSA because kids get it and it doesn't mean they need to be treated like lepers, but when it gets into bones, the consequences can be - well as we've all heard - fatal. For a few hours I was in complete panic thinking that Tripp might lose his leg altogether. Those were dark moments.
I had to drop Maddy off at school as she was going on to a chorus event. So I add to my spiritual confusion the fact that life must go on and my kids need their support and a mom who'shappy for them. Thinking all the time that at that very minute Tripp was in the Operating room.
Thank God Matt was here to babysit the kids so I could go to the hospital! I see God's hand so clearly in prompting Matt to come home to regroup - just when we could use his help and he could use ours. He is working full-time but would not have transportation. The plan is that when he starts getting paychecks, he will pay room and board and the car payment. I think the thing I am most grateful for is his cheerful, positive attitude and always trying to help in some way. To have someone like that present in the house at a time like this is healing balm.
So, anyway, I didn't have to worry about the kids. At the hospital I saw Dr. G after the surgery. He said he was able to clean things out and we would see how Tripp responds. Dr. K comes back Monday and the cultures will start indicating what needs to be done. At this point, it is a highly likely possibility that they will do a fourth operation this week to remove the knee replacement and put in spacers for six weeks to allow Tripp's body to have a better chance fighting the infection. Then put the knee replacement back in.
I'm looking at the calendar and realizing what a long haul we have before us. I feel so bad for Tripp, who has been such a vital and active man. How hard this must be for him - and how frustrating!
But when I see him, he is so radiant and so spritiually fit. He never watches the TV, but is constantly praying rosaries and reading the Bible and other spiritual books. He receives Communion whenever someone is there from a nearby church. And our parish priest visited him Friday.
While in the beginning he was really kicking at the goads, he is completely surrendered. When I come to see him, he ministers to me. When I worry, he reminds me, "Barbara, don't worry. I am in God's hands."
When Father Kelly came to see him, he gave him this to read from from The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis:
THE INTERIOR LIFE
THE kingdom of God is within you," says the Lord.[8]Turn, then, to God with all your heart. Forsake this wretched world and your soul shall find rest. Learn to despise external things, to devote yourself to those that are within, and you will see the kingdom of God come unto you, that kingdom which is peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, gifts not given to the impious.
Christ will come to you offering His consolation, if you prepare a fit dwelling for Him in your heart, whose beauty and glory, wherein He takes delight, are all from within. His visits with the inward man are frequent, His communion sweet and full of consolation, His peace great, and His intimacy wonderful indeed.
Therefore, faithful soul, prepare your heart for this Bridegroom that He may come and dwell within you; He Himself says: "If any one love Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and will make Our abode with him."[9]
Give place, then, to Christ, but deny entrance to all others, for when you have Christ you are rich and He is sufficient for you. He will provide for you. He will supply your every want, so that you need not trust in frail, changeable men. Christ remains forever, standing firmly with us to the end.
Do not place much confidence in weak and mortal man, helpful and friendly though he be; and do not grieve too much if he sometimes opposes and contradicts you. Those who are with us today may be against us tomorrow, and vice versa, for men change with the wind. Place all your trust in God; let Him be your fear and your love. He will answer for you; He will do what is best for you.
You have here no lasting home. You are a stranger and a pilgrim wherever you may be, and you shall have no rest until you are wholly united with Christ.
Read the rest here.
As much as I want my husband back to resume our normal life, I am truly humbled by the work God is doing in him, and grateful I am married to man who turns to God in times of trouble.
I asked Dr. G about the possibility of losing a leg and he said that you cannot rule these things out at this point. I asked Tripp if he had thought about that, and he said yes he had and that he was completely surrendered to whatever God would do.
That doesn't mean we can't pray, I suppose, but the final prayer is that God's will be done.
I thank all of you for your prayers. Though it may not seem as though they're being answered in the manner we would like to have seen, God is listening. He loves us. And he has plans we may not understand. I am certainly learning the limits of my own power. And learning just to trust like a person who's fallen off a cliff and been thrown a rope.
Thank God for my husband. Thank God for my children. Thank God for my friends. Thank God for this day.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, God!
Posted in Family, Inspiration, My life | Permalink
Comments
Barbara,
Thank you for sharing your struggles and your heart with us. I'm praying for Tripp and your family.
What a beautiful testimony you've already recorded.
I wish I could be there to help with the kids.
Blessings friend,
Sue
Posted by: Praise and Coffee | November 9, 2008 8:43 AM
I will pray for Tripp as the Lord brings him to my mind. Tripp is right, it is in God's hands and its good that Tripp has surrendered. You are right that that doesn't mean we cant pray. I think God mainly wants us to surrender and be totally dependent on Him. He is our life giving creator. It is true that we grow the most in the hard times. God bless you and may His face shine upon you.
debbieo
Posted by: Debbieo | November 9, 2008 9:35 AM
I'm praying for Trip and the rest of your family.
Posted by: lauren | November 9, 2008 10:17 AM
I will continue to pray for Tripp, for you, and for all of your children. It does seem such a blessing that your son Matt is home. It's just like our heavenly Father to bring just what we need just when we need it.
Psalm 27:14--Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the Lord.
Posted by: Karen | November 9, 2008 10:25 AM
Hi Barbara,
I am praying that God will heal your special man and provide all your family needs.
Posted by: Elizabeth M Thompson | November 9, 2008 10:52 AM
Oh Barbara. You know, I feel l like I know you because I've been reading your blog and your books for so long. You have been such a positive influence in my life and I am so grateful for you and your family. I so wish there was some way I could bring dinner to your house or drive your kids to school or do something tangible.
But, I live across the country from you and so the best I can do (and probably the most important anyway) is to offer prayers for God to have mercy on your family and that He sustain you through this time. I've been through health crises myself and they can be so discouraging and tiring. But I think you are handling this as well as possible. And I am grateful that God brought Matt home. Blessings on you and your family!
Posted by: Lucy | November 9, 2008 1:01 PM
Momma C: my prayers are with you today; I pray you are blessed with peace and that God goes before you to make a way. I pray for healing for Tripp and above all for God's will to be revealed in your life.
Love,
Nilda
Posted by: LadyLovas | November 9, 2008 2:57 PM
We are continuing to pray for Tripp. Please have a priest anoint him with the Sacrament of the Sick if this hasn't been done yet. This at times brings physical healing, but always graces, spiritual strength and healing.
Posted by: judy | November 9, 2008 3:42 PM
Barbara, I'm praying the Lord heals Tripp quickly and that this MRSA infection would not cause him to lose his leg.
What a blessing it is to read your thoughts. I have experienced a major illness that was mis-diagnosed. I suffered many complications, had a couple of different hospitalizations and a long recovery as a result. Looking back, I am amazed at how the Lord was able to use the situation (and my response to it) to ultimately glorify himself. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. It appears as though the Lord is ministering to Tripp in a mighty way and He is being glorified in the process. Praise God!
Posted by: Diane | November 9, 2008 10:06 PM
I just wanted to drop you a note of encouragement on this situation. My husband battled a MRSA infection last June, and it was very scary and exhausting for us all. It was a skin infection, and he ended up at home with a PIC line giving himself Vanco twice a day. I just want you to know he licked the infection and he is doing fine today. That was a rough time for us, and like you we had a lot of responsibilities that really take two to handle. Hang in there, and call in all of your favors. He will get through this. I was going to email you privately, but I must be blind since I can't find an email link.
Posted by: Catherine | November 9, 2008 10:23 PM
I am continuing to pray for Tripp and your family.
Posted by: Rain | November 10, 2008 7:58 AM
I hope and pray that Tripp is healed. Please, if there is any way I can help from here in Maine, let me know. One thing I do know is how to navigate the system.
Teresa
Posted by: teresa | November 10, 2008 8:30 AM
Continuing to pray. So great to hear about Tripp's attitude in all of this. Truly the Lord is present. Waiting to hear more updates, Shelley
Posted by: Shelley | November 10, 2008 11:17 AM
Barbara,
I'm glad Tripp's faith is remaining strong, and he is growing through this. Life is hard. But often good. One day at a time.
It's great that Matt is able to help.
Posted by: Julana | November 11, 2008 12:44 PM
