Alive with Christ

I had a funny feeling when we walked into the hospital this morning.  Because I knew in my heart that quite soon, our daily visits up to Stony Brook Hospital would be coming to an end.  It’s hard to imagine, but it’s been nearly three months of visiting Michael Einfeldt most every day, with only a few exceptions of us being away or out of town.  During that time, we’ve gotten quite used to walking the familiar halls of this hospital.  A few of the people at the reception desk know us so well that when they see us coming, they automatically fill out the visitor passes and hand them to us before we say a word.

In our three months at the hospital we’ve learned a few things.  For example, we’ve learned the secret to sometimes skipping the main elevators to walk a bit further around the corner to the “secret ones” that Sarah told us about.  They are older, but often less crowded and when you use them then you get to walk over the hospital bridge to get to Michael’s floor.

And when we walk through the ICU, we always smile greetings at different nurses that we’ve gotten to know because they’ve worked a few cycles with Michael.  And even as I write, I’ve realized in a strange sort of way that I’m kind of going to miss going up to the hospital every day to see Michael.  I’ve gotten quite used to the halls and the people and even some occasional pleasant encounters with the hospital’s food which I personally think is pretty good.  Yes, we’ve gotten into such a routine that it really will seem strange to break from it.

But over all, our reason for not visiting the hospital every day will be a wonderful one.  You see it seems that our friend Michael is nearly ready to move on from the ICU to a Rehab center and we really could not be happier.

It’s kind of been the next step that we’ve been anxiously awaiting for some time.  In some ways, we were hoping it would come sooner, rather than later, but in other ways, I think it’s come at just the right time.  God tends to work like that, I believe.  Surpassing our small and limited views of time, to work beautifully and perfectly in His.

And now that it seems as though Michael is stabilizing and especially now that his skull surgery is complete, it’s definitely time for him to move on to the next phase of his recovery.  I know this because it’s something that Sally has shared for quite awhile and also something that I’ve heard his doctors and nurses mention in passing as well.  The ICU at Stony Brook has been the best place for Michael to stabilize and to be treated, but Rehab will be the best place for him to start to move forward in both healing and recovery.

It’s an exciting time.  There are a few things that need to get straightened out, but I’ll share more on that in a minute.  I did want to take a moment to share the result of a mini shopping spree that I had for Michael today at Target.

A wonderful group of people (some of you included) decided that they wanted to be a part of our Youth Group’s Campaign for Comfy Clothes for Michael.  Knowing that he was heading to rehab, we wanted to collect money from whomever was able and buy some things that we knew Michael would need.  So this afternoon, I wandered the aisles of Target (which funny enough is just something that I love to do in general) in search of things that would help Michael as he makes this next transition.

I was able to pick up some necessities, including quite a few size large v neck t-shirts.  The coolest one of course was the Chewbacca one.  Target didn’t have a big selection of comfy drawstring type pants or shorts, so I’ll have to keep looking for them.  They did have a cool lamp and a few fun Star Wars figures that I thought would just help to make Michael’s room his own when he gets to Rehab.

Because of the incredible generosity of so many, we will continue to pick up more comfy clothing and other things that will help Michael as he transitions to Rehab.  And on that note, thank you so much to everyone who was able to share in this project.  It was a fun and tangible way that we could help and I know that Michael’s family is very thankful to all of you!

In thinking about everything coming up, I couldn’t help but be drawn to Ephesians 2:4-5.  I love how these verses talk about God’s great love for us.  I love how they say that it is God being rich in mercy that makes us alive in Christ.  God continues to be with Michael and his family.  He has such a great love for them and for Michael and He is the one that gives us life.  He gives us a true life through Christ and I cannot wait to see what He has in store for Michael as he starts this next step in his journey to recovery and healing.

Michael’s ICU discharge is very close.  Sally did ask that we pray since there is one medication that might hold him back a few days as the doctors and nurses seek to regulate it before Michael leaves for Rehab.  Please pray for Michael’s body to adjust quickly so that he could get to Rehab as quickly as possible.  Thank you for taking time to check in on Michael and for your continued support and prayers!