UPDATE on Lori Climer 3/21 AM/PM

AM

Just got back to the hotel (5:45 am) to shower and Ronnie and I will return to meet with Lori's surgeon. She will be released this morning at 10:00 a.m. - probably by the time everything is processed we should be back to the hotel by noon.

Praise

1) We have finally found the right mixture of medication that has controlled Lori's pain level on a consistent basis - this has been a battle!!!! God literally used an "old school nurse" and a brilliant intern to bring this about. We have had so much care and love given to Lori by the entire staff and teams that have worked with her. She is so appreciative of everyone and everything that is being done for her. She is by far the best patient we have every seen (and trust me we make a lot of hospital visits).
2) We have had the opportunity to visit and share the love of our Lord with the nurses caring for Lori. It is very different here in Mass General. You are given a nurse for an 8 to 12 hour shift. That nurse does what is needed - she/he has no nurse assistant to help. We are so grateful for Lori's surgeon training us in what to do for Lori as it would be impossible for the nursing staff to do all that he requires. It has been a team effort and the nurses have been so thankful for the 24 hour care we have been able to give.

What to Pray For:

1) For Ronnie and Lori to be able to endure the weather today (their bones feel every weather change). When I left the hospital this morning to catch a cab the wind was blowing fiercely - they expect the wind gusts to be 30 miles an hour today - it is very cold and feels like the wind is a knife cutting one's body in half - Boston wind is something one never forgets.
2) Please pray for us as we get her settled into the hotel and begin her care here.
3) Please pray for me as I face the fact that Ronnie will be leaving at 4:00 a.m. in the morning to fly back to Fresno. He has been invaluable to Lori and me. We are so thankful that he has been able to bear this trip and the difficult stress it has added to his body.
4) Please pray for me to be calm as this will be the first time I will be left to care for Lori on my own. Pray for wisdom and strength for me. Her after care requires 24 hour care.
5) Please pray for a safe flight for Ronnie tomorrow.
6) Please pray for Lori's pain to remain controlled.
7) Please pray for Lori and me as we spend Easter alone together without our family - this will be the first time as a family we have not been together.

"Thank you" cannot express our hearts gratitude for your prayers for us. Please continue to pray as we face each days challenges. God has literally carried us through these past few days with peace and calmness and assurance that "He is God."

We will continue to give updates during our stay in Boston. May you all have a blessed Easter!

Covered by His grace,
Carol

PM

We got Lori back to the hotel from the hospital just before 5:00 p.m. It was a much longer day than we anticipated - several doctors and teams visited with her and we continued to do some pain management control. The weather has been absolutely frigid today - over 45 mile an hour wind and the temperature at 35 degrees - difficult to manage. We will see the doctor on Monday to get an instrument Lori will use in her mouth to exercise and stretch the muscles in her face. We will return on Thursday to have the staples removed from her head and the stitches removed from in front of her ear.

Prayer Request

1) Lori has several blisters inside her bottom lip due to the rubbing of the bars and hooks - please pray for comfort.
2) Please pray for the swelling to decrease in her face.
3) Please pray for Ronnie as he prepares to leave in a few hours.
4) Please pray for our family - my aunt died today at 1:45 p.m. - this is the 3rd death in our family in five weeks. I've talked to my cousins but this is a difficult time for them. I am sad we cannot be with our family during this time.
5) Please pray for Ronnie's sister Nellie - she is dying of mouth and throat cancer. I talked to his other sister last night and she said the home health nurse said everything would be shutting down very soon - this is a horrible cancer. Please pray that Ronnie will be able to spend some quality time with her when he goes home. She cannot speak and must write to communicate - please pray that she will have the strength to do so.
6) Please pray for me as I make trips out in this challenging weather to get things Lori will need in the next couple of days.

Beginning tomorrow if everything goes well - I will be sending the emails to you directly. Thank you again for your constant prayers as we continue to climb the "hill of hope." Your prayers have power and are invaluable to us. May God bless each of you for your thoughtfulness.

Covered by His grace,
Carol

(From Carol via Debbie)