Christmas Wishes

My friend Brittany

Hoping home before Christmas, please

Hello everyone, I am so happy to be able to communicate my latest status. As we move through the end of Advent and into the season of Christmas, I can’t help but think about the three Wisemen visiting and acknowledging God’s gift of eternal life to the world, our savior, Jesus Christ. In a way, I had my own three Wisemen in Dr’s Mansfield, Barone, and Halls announcing God’s gift for me of continued life in this world! I was also blessed when my nurse Brittany (pictured above) chose to share with me at the end of her shift that she was diagnosed with stage I cancer and scheduled for surgery. She had been feeling self pity until she cared for me and saw my positive attitude. She told me our interaction totally changed her outlook. It was wonderful knowing that I could impact others by just dealing with my illness!

It’s been almost one week, and but by the grace of God, my progress has been miraculous! My graft appears to be taking, continually having good Doppler readings and the majority of swelling is gone. My nutritional status is good as my bowels are functional and I continue to receive tube feedings. Pain has been managed and I am on a PCA (patient controlled anesthesia) slowly being weaned off of narcotics.  With my improved status, almost all of my IV lines have been taken out. Today Dr Mansfield removed my trach and replace it with my permanent prosthesis! WE ARE SHOOTING FOR AS DISCHARGE DATE OF SATURDAY!!! Our original expectation was three weeks in the hospital! I COULD BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!!!  Nothing short of a miracle!

None of this could have been possible without the Grace of God, the excellent care of the doctors and clinicians involved in my care, and the love and support of family and friends! Your support has been like a never ending wind of love carrying us through this! Words cannot express our gratitude!

Hopefully, next time I communicate, it will be from Casa de Lu! God bless and Merry Christmas!

Love, Daryl and Charlotte

P.S. Pictures- Christmas 🎄 in SICU, Scoly down visiting from Oxnard, Dodgers gifts from Danny

Char Christmas 🎄 in SICU

Scoly visiting from Oxnard

Dodgers gifts from Danny Lawton