CBC Happenings

God Lives Under The Bed

2008-07-12T01:17:00.003-05:00

I envy Kevin. My brother Kevin thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night.

He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, 'Are you there, God?' he said. 'Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed ...'

I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in.

He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult.

He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.

I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life?

Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni -and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed.

The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child.

He does not seem dissatisfied.

He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work.

He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.

And Saturdays-oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. 'That one's goin' to Chi-car-go!' Kevin shouts as he claps his hands.

His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.

And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips.

He doesn't know what it means to be discontent.

His life is simple.

He will never know the entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.

His hands are diligent. Kevin is never as happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it.

He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax.

He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure.

He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.

Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God.

Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an 'educated' person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.

In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith.

It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions.

It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap . I am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care.

Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God.

And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed.

Kevin won't be surprised at all!

When you receive this, say a prayer. That's all you have to do. There is nothing attached. This is powerful.

FRIENDS ARE ANGELS WHO LIFT US TO OUR FEET WHEN OUR WINGS HAVE TROUBLE REMEMBERING HOW TO FLY.

God Lives Under The Bed

Tonya Still At Home

2008-07-11T22:53:00.001-05:00

Well, we are still at home. Tonya is still running a fever and sick at her stomach. That scan that was supposed to tell us what's wrong was negative. Yes, I said negative. Tonya goes back to the doctor on Tuesday. I guess we will see then what the next step is. For now anyway we are home and I hope to stay there at least for another week. I will keep you all updated on the next doctor's appt.
Brian

Blake Is Doing Better.

2008-07-10T23:31:00.002-05:00

One of Blake's first dad's family members was working in DC and drove up to see Blake today....we got a photo of him in the hospital that I'm attaching. He is continuing to improve....his motor skills are good and his brain function is good, just need more healing on his ears. They put headphones on him yesterday and he was able to hear a little, so we are hopeful his hearing will return 100% as the infection goes away.

Dee

Tonya Is Home!

2008-07-10T23:12:00.000-05:00

We are finally home. Tonya is still sick at her stomach and has to keep a check on her temp. every 3 hours or so until next week when she goes back to the doctor. He is supposed to call us tomorrow with the results of the scan. I hope it shows something. We are home and Tonya is resting right now. In case you don't have it, our number is 442-4740.
Brian

Tonya Update

2008-07-09T21:58:00.001-05:00

Day 22,
The doctor began the scan this morning. It had to be done in segments. So they began and brought Tonya back to her room. At 2:30 they came to get her again for a scan a 3 o'clock. the man who came to get her said the machine they were using broke. So now she had to be transferred to RMC by ambulance so they could do the scan. So she went and had the scan and came back. Now they want to take another picture in the morning. The doctor has her down for discharge at 730 but, she has to go back to RMC for one more picture to be taken. They don't come in until 8 am. We have to be in Huntsville before noon tomorrow to get Tonya's pump filled up. This will definately push us but if everyone gets on the ball I think we can make it. After Huntsville we will be able to come home. WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know how long it will take to get the results of the scan back but the doctor said he would call us with them. So, now we wait, again.

Brian

Tonya Update

2008-07-09T13:52:00.000-05:00

Day 21

The doctor came in today and told Tonya he might send her home today after the test. Then he remembered that the radiologist said he might want to take a couple of pictures in the morning. He did say she was down for discharge at 7 am tomorrow morning. Unfortunately, we have to leave the hospital going straight to Huntsville to get Tonya's pump filled up. Then we will be home. I hope!!!!! Thanks to everyone for all your prayers.
Brian

Tonya Update

2008-07-08T23:41:00.000-05:00

Day 20,
Today Tonya was suppposed to go to Huntsville to get her pain pump refilled. Dr. Reddy called and spoke to Tonya's pain doc. Dr Willis. Willis said Tonya had enough medication in her pump to last her until Thursday. So, today they repeated the T.E.E., which is where they put a camera down your throat and look at your heart valve to see if it is infected. Luckily for Tonya they did not find what they were looking for. So no heart infection.
Tomorrow, Wed., they are going to do the "indium scan" that I talked about earlier in the week. The nurse told Tonya it would take about 6 hours to complete the test tomorrow. It involves taking xrays every so often so they will be taking Tonya back and forth for xrays during the day tomorrow.
A rheumatologist is supposed to be coming by to see her as well. We were told today that after tomorrows test everything is exhausted. We still don't have any answers and Tonya is still running a fever. She can go home Thursday so when she is discharged from the hospital, we are headed straight to Huntsville to get the pump filled. We have to be there before lunch time. Then it's home sweet home for a day or two at least.
Hopefully everything will stay on track and Thursday will be the day of homecoming but I don't know how long that will last. So, halleluja, I think.
Brian

Blake Much Better

2008-07-08T23:40:00.000-05:00

Blake is moving around more. He walked to the end of the hall today instead of 5 steps. His motor skills are returning and his mental faculties appear untouched. His hearing is still out. There is nothing physically wrong with his ears. The neural connection between his ears and brain has not been restored yet. I hope it is soon.

Bill

Tonya Update

2008-07-07T22:38:00.001-05:00

Welcome to Day 19,
Today was a complete fiasco. We found out that Tonya's pain pump alarm is going to go off tomorrow (Tues.). This is a must do to get filled up. Now comes the good part. We had to figure out a way to get the pump refilled and allow Tonya to be able to come back to the hospital. My suggestion was for Tonya to go to Huntsville by ambulance, even if I had to pay out of my own pocket, so she could get this done and return to her hospital room.
First of all, I contacted a friend of mine at Anniston Rescue and told him the delima. He said since Tonya was in the hospital already and needed a care item that was a necessity and was not provided at that hospital the ambulance ride would have to be absorbed by the hospital. He then contacted an administrator at the hospital and the warped ball began rolling.
Of course then a case manager had to contact Blue Cross and okay things. Several hours rocked on and the case manager told Tonya after about 3 hours they were still waiting on Blue Cross to contact them back. Tonya called a Blue Cross rep and talked to someone, who in turn talked to their supervisor, who said, since there is not another facility closer that provides that service Blue Cross will pay for the transfer by ambulance there and back.
The case manager came back in around 330 and said Blue Cross will only pay if you are admitted to another hospital.
I think this is the hospitals way of saying , we are not absorbing the cost of an ambulance ride to Huntsville and back. So now, get this and listen closely. Tonya has to be discharged from Stringfellow on Tuesday, go to Huntsville and get the pump filled, then come back to Stringfellow to be readmitted. All in the same day. Of course the central line that the surgeon has put in will have to come out and then be replaced again when she comes back. Now do you understand why I said earlier the ball was warped?
If anyone knows of someone who works at Blue Cross in a high up position, please let me know a name and number so I can call and ask some questions. I would like to know what brainless boob comes up with these hairbrained ideas. It seems insurance companies work very hard to get out of paying for something but boy you better not miss one premium or you won't have coverage for long.
That's about all my rant for now. Oh, one other thing. The infection control doc said this morning that all cultures are coming back negative so they are now checking for auto immune diseases, like lupus and so forth. They sent out a butt load of blood work over the weekend. I still don't know what we are going to do about the fever. Maybe we will know more after this scan on Thursday.
Blue Cross. What a joke.
Until tomorrow,
Brian

Blake Is Improving

2008-07-07T22:34:00.002-05:00

Blake is still very weak, but he was able to take 5 steps today. His hearing is still problematic. It could come back in six days, six weeks, six months, six years or never. We are praying for continued strengthening of his body and that his hearing will be restored.

Bill

If You Have Children Or Grandchildren, Take Note

2008-07-07T18:55:00.003-05:00

Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness. It is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children 2 through 18 years old in the United States. Meningitis is an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningococcal disease also causes blood infections. About 1,000 - 2,600 people get meningococcal disease each year in the U.S. Even when they are treated with antibiotics, 10-15% of these people die. Of those who survive; another 11-19% lose their arms or legs, become deaf, have problems with their nervous systems, become mentally retarded, or suffer seizures or strokes. Anyone can get meningococcal disease. But it is most common in infants less than one year of age and people with certain medical conditions, such as lack of a spleen. College freshmen who live in dormitories and teenagers 15-19 have an increased risk of getting meningococcal disease. Meningococcal infections can be treated with drugs such as penicillin. Still, about 1 out of every ten people who get the disease dies from it, and many others are affected for life. This is why preventing the disease through use of meningococcal vaccine is important for people at highest risk.

Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) was licensed in 2005. It is the preferred vaccine for people 2 through 55 years of age.

Tonya Update

2008-07-06T22:22:00.001-05:00

Welcome to day 18 of Tonya's hospital stay,

Today the doc said he didn't believe Tonya's pain pump was infected. He is going to call the pain management doctor Monday to see about getting some advice on the pump. Tonya told the doc she had to have the pump refilled by Thursday at the very latest. The doctor told her she wasn't going anywhere until he found out what is wrong with her. She is still running a temp. The doctor has also ordered blood tests that can't even be done at the hospital lab. I don't know what tests he is requesting but it must be something that isn't done on a regular basis.

Since Tonya has to have her pump refilled no later than Thursday, I am going to talk to the hospital administrator tomorrow to see if we can arrange some type of way to get the pump refilled and still allow Tonya to have all the tests done that she needs. Maybe something will give before Thursday and we will know what's going on before then. Maybe I'll know more tomorrow. I have to go back to work tomorrow so the update for Monday and Tuesday will be late in the evening.

Until day 19,
Brian

Blake's Breathing Tube Has Been Removed

2008-07-05T20:13:00.001-05:00

The breathing tube has been removed and Blake is breathing on his own. He is aware of his surroundings, but doesn't quite know what he is doing in a hospital. As always, the patient is the last to know. He will continue to be weaned off the medication and tested to see if there are any neurological problems from the disease. At the moment, there does not seem to be any. Praise be to God Almighty for his enduring love and grace and I thank all of you who have lifted him up in prayer and kept his name constantly before the Lord.

Barring any complications, Blake should be home in a week or so. The doctors want him to remain on IV administered antibiotics that long to make sure whatever it was that caused this is graveyard dead.

Bill

Tonya's infection Source Still a Mystery

2008-07-05T14:38:00.002-05:00

Well,
Today the doc came in and said he still doesn't know where the fever is coming from. He said Tonya is not going home until at least Thursday. He told us of a test he wants to do called a "Indium Scan". That is where they take some blood from Tonya, place some radioactive meds in it and put it back into her body. Then they watch it under a scanner to see where the medicine goes. He said the medicine would go to where the inflamation is and show them what is wrong. The only problem with that is the small hospital where she is doesn't have the medication on site. They will have to order it and can't do so until Monday. After it is ordered it has a 48 hour turn over. So it wont be at the hospital until Wed. and then they will do the scan on Thursday. They are also talking about doing another T.E.E. on Monday where they look at the heart valve with a scope they put down your throat. She had one of those before.

The one thing that came to my mind today is that the pain pump itself may be infected causing this whole mess. There is a catheter that carries medicine to the spinal canal that leads from the pump and it is possible that could be the source of the trouble. If this is the case, it will mean the pump has to come out and that will done in Huntsville by the doctor who put it in. Tonya is going to mention that to the doctor in the morning and see what he says. Maybe I'll know some more by church time tomorrow.

Also, I am planning on taking the students to see Tonya tomorrow night. We are going to leave the church around 4 or 4:30. If you would like to go let me know in the morning and you can ride with us on the church van.

See you in the morning,
Brian

Blake

2008-07-05T14:31:00.002-05:00

They tried to take Blake off the ventilator last night, but it was too soon yet. They will try later today. I pray that he heals completely and quickly before I worry myself to death over him. I won't believe he is out of the woods until he calls and says, "Hi, Papa. Whatchadoing."

CALIFORNIA FIRES V

2008-07-05T12:40:00.003-05:00

This morning from Toni:

Dear Family

It is with the biggest sigh of relief ever and with great thanks to God that I tell you that we now appear to be safe. The fire is still raging- was at 6,000 acres last night but, it is moving towards 154- San Marcos Pass. ( just as Brian said ). NOW, I will give you the map which shows where it is...Los Carneros Rd is not listed on the map, but is right between Glen Annie and La Patera. The fire originated in the hills about 5 miles above us. That's as close as I ever want it to be.

There are about 1700 homes that have been evactuated- all on the mountain side of Cathedral Oaks- but still no structures have been burned. These firefighters are just terrific and working very hard to hold the line and keep it from entering Goleta or burning any structures. They are now up to over 1000 firefighters

The air is terrible....ash is very thick on our deck and still falling. But, we are safe. I'm still not ready to unpack the bags and stuff but maybe by tonight I will. Remember that I am NOT the logical one here.
Please keep the prayers coming as the firefighters and other residents of the city still need it. The worst appears to be over for us but there are many for whom the nightmare is continuing.

Thank you for everyone who has been praying for my family. Please continue to pray until these fires are out and everyone is safe.

Mamie

Blake Is Better! PTL!

2008-07-04T20:29:00.001-05:00

I got a call about a half hour ago. Blake's temperature has broken. Near the effective end of his pain medication he woke up in a fright, his father took hold of him and told him it was all right, he was in the hospital and the family was there with him and Blake calmed down so he is processing information. They will be weaning him off of the ventilator tonight and will run tests tomorrow to see if there is any residual neural or mental damage. I would have written sooner, but I had a lot of thanking God to do. Now I am praying for his complete recovery. I deeply appreciate your prayers that brought this about and your continued prayers that will bring him home like new. Bill

Tonya To Stay In Hospital.

2008-07-04T19:11:00.000-05:00

Hello again,
Well, as you probably guessed by now, Tonya is not coming home today. Her temp went up to 100.9 last night so the doctor came in this morning he said, "discharge plans are cancelled today". The doc said he is going to start the blood work over again and do some other stuff. He said they may have to repeat the T.E.E. again. That is where they go into her esophagus with a camera and look at her heart to see if there is an infection. If there is, that is called "endocarditis". That is a heart infection and he told us last time if that is detected it requires 14 days of IV antibiotics. That however, can be done at home on home health. He said we have to put our finger on what's keeping the fever up before she can go home. Since she has a "can't miss" pain pump appt. on Tuesday, the doc said he could put a pic line in and let her go to the appt. and come back. It looks like that is what we might have to do. I don't know what the plans are for the rest of the weekend other than this. On the plus side Tonya's doctor is on call so we will be seeing him this whole weekend. I don't know how much he can get done over the holidays though. Probably won't know anything else until tomorrow now.
Brian

Blake

2008-07-04T15:44:00.002-05:00

Blake is stable and heavily sedated as of this morning. There was no sign of his organs beginning to shut down. Thank God for His mercy and grace. He is not out of the woods yet so continued prayers are appreciated. Bill

Tonya Update

2008-07-04T15:43:00.000-05:00

Hey again,
Tonya just called me and said her temp in now 101.2. We don't know what is wrong and I don't know what the next plan is yet. Maybe we will know something later today but I doubt it.
Brian

CALIFORNIA FIRES IV

2008-07-04T09:58:00.004-05:00

From Toni this morning:

Dear Family

I would have to say that last night was the scariest so far. Many evacauations were ordered and the fire is barreling down to areas very close to us. We're about 4 miles away from it- but it is in the foothills- in the Camino Cielo area. It would have to burn down the hillside and cross Cathedral Oaks to reach us. Fortunately, there are many orchards in that area which would serve as a barrier, but we all remember the Painted Cave fire was fueled by sundowners and crossed the freeway Last night it headed towards San Marcos Pass and is now threatening the same homes that were burned years ago in that fire. There have been NO homes or any structures lost to date.
The smoke and ash are thick- as in- it's snowing ash. Masks are being given to residents and we have all been told to stay inside.
Power fluctuations continue and when it goes out completely- especially at night- it makes everything look even worse than it is.
Brian is doing his very best to stay logical (!) and keep me calm. He continues to remind me of the direction that the fire is going. But it's pretty hard to stay calm when you have scenes like these outside your bedroom window. We have emegency bags packed and a few papers put together should we need to evacauate to Mia's house. I refuse to pack up the entire house and he assures me that I don't need to.

It has now burned 3000 acres and has been declared the # 1priority in the state because of the potential for loss of homes.
The wind has been calm ( thank you for those prayers!) but did kick up a bit last night. There are over 300 firefighters here but the key is the helicopters and planes which have already started up again this morning.

Fourth of July activities in Goleta have been cancelled (big duh!) so we will have a quiet day.
Keep those prayers coming for the firefighters, the residents and for lack of wind! Today will be a critical day.

And 20 minutes later, this:

Already a change....it has burned 5500 acres- and we now have 800 firefighters who are working 24 hour shifts.

Tonya Update

2008-07-03T23:49:00.001-05:00

Hi All,
The doc came in today and Tonya asked to go home. He said maybe tomorrow. The nurse told us the doc had written on the chart possible discharge on 7-4. However, and you knew there would be a however because we are talking about Tonya, when I arrived at the hospital at 1 pm today she said her temp was 100.2. This is not good and according to the nurse it could delay Tonya's homecoming for another day or two. She is still sick at her stomach and I don't know what we are going to do about that and neither do the doctors. We will just have to wait and see how things go tomorrow. The doc will probably be in sometime in the morning and he will decide then if Tonya can come home or not.
We will see what tomorrow brings.

Brian

Blake

2008-07-03T21:14:00.002-05:00

My grandson, Blake, was taken to the hospital today and diagnosed with bacterial menengitis. He is in the pediatric ICU at the University of Baltimore. Please pray for him. The next 48 hours are critical. Bill

CALIFORNIA FIRES III

2008-07-03T09:37:00.004-05:00

From Toni this morning:

We made it through another night! Lost all power at 7:15 --as in all of Goleta and a good deal of SB- about 150,000 people- because the power lines are right in the fire's path.
However, the good news is- and this IS good news- there was NO WIND last night. Like none. Zip. Nada. God really heard and answered our prayers!

So although the fire grew in size yesterday from 300 acres to 1600---it stayed in the hills vs coming down into the city! So we are grateful. Very grateful. It appears to be moving North of us now . Tankers and helicopters are already going overhead and making their drops.

Thank you for the prayers....keep em coming! God is listening!

CALIFORNIA FIRES II

2008-07-03T09:04:00.004-05:00

I have not heard from Toni yet this morning (Thursday 7/3), but here is her update from yesterday afternoon.

It's getting better. Lots of helicopter drops. They have a basket and they scoop up ocean water! and drop it. Also borate drops in DC3s and C130s. They're making progress
Prayers are working!

"The primary thing that will drive this fire into residential neighborhoods- is Sundowner winds. These are unique winds that come up after sundown and blow the opposite direction! Fire will naturally burn UP a hill, sundowners make it burn downhill. ( See below for the technical description of them **)

The last time that happened here, the fire flew down the mountain, burned several hundred homes and then crossed the freeway and burned businesses in SB. Scary stuff.
So, please ask for prayers for the absence of wind in general and the absence of sundowners in particular.

The view this afternoon....now we can't see anything because of the smoke and I kinda like it better that way!"

**Called Sundowner winds because they often begin in the late afternoon or early evening, their onset is typically associated with a rapid rise in temperature and decrease in relative humidity. In the most extreme Sundowner wind events, wind speeds can be of gale force or higher, and temperatures over the coastal plain, and even at the coast itself, can rise significantly above 37.8°C (100°F). In addition to causing a dramatic change from the more typical marine-influenced local weather conditions, Sundowner wind episodes have resulted in significant property and agricultural damage, as well as extreme fire danger. They have, in fact, been associated with many of the most destructive conflagrations that have occurred in the Santa Barbara region.

Please keep praying!

Mamie