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Updates on Andrew Page 4 Click here to submit a note to the Stringers Saturday Night, April 12Well, Andrea *finally* answered my gobs of messages! :) She has just been too busy basking in the presence of her beloved... so I forgave her. She said that she laughed at my text message today when I accused her of being so busy with her man that she doesn't have time for her old friends any more!As you can probably imagine, it's been a great week for Andrew. He is off the vent, the trach, the catheter, and the feeding tube (all of which he basically griped and whined about until he could coerce his caregivers to remove them!). Sunday night was his last night on the vent, so he's been doing fine all week without that. When they removed the catheter, they said he'd have to "go potty" within a short time frame or else... so he cooperated with that ultimatum. He also has really been fussing about the feeding tube in his nose/throat and the Ensure, so he begged them yesterday to let him eat on his own. He'd been offered food all week, but he's had no appetite. He did reason with them, however, that there's no way he'd be hungry for breakfast when he's had Ensure going into his stomach for the past 12 hours. So they bargained and said that they'd take it out, IF he would eat at least 75% of ALL his meals. He's doing pretty well with some coaching from his drill sergeant, er wife. He's accused her of being mean, but we all know how that tough love works! He has some issues with being short of breath, but he felt better once they got him up and sitting in a chair. He's very slowly growing stronger day by day (ha, ha, I just had a typo ~ growing "stringer day by day" :)). He has experienced the "blues" a few time, which comes as no surprise to his doctor. Pray for him emotionally as well as physically. His thinking is a whole lot clearer, too. Shawn & Misty Allen arrived today at noon with Andrea's new van, and she's sooooo excited to be driving in style now! She was driving while we were talking, and exclaiming about every cup holder and compartment that she came across. Unfortunately, a man in GIBC passed away; and Bro. Shawn had to go back early to be a pallbearer. Therefore, they had to go at 6:00 after just a short stay and after only a few hours of sleep last night. So please pray for their safety! Andrew told Andrea that he feels so much better when she's there. He's disappointed that tomorrow is Sunday because she'll be gone to church all morning. Pray that his morale will continue to improve, that he'll have a merry heart, and that God will strengthen him to overcome his limitations and make the decisions that will be coming up in his life. Oh, yeah... he might get to be moved "on the floor" Monday (out of CCU)! We know that they're looking at about 2 weeks in a regular room and 2 weeks of rehab. He'll be in the hospital at least another month, and Andrea's pregnancy has about 2 months of pregnancy. Pray for her stressed out self. Ha Ha Ha!! She just texted, "Let me tell u it is no fun eating by the bathrm light only and alone 2." While we were talking, she was going through the Arby's drive through getting food. Then when she got to the room, her in-laws were already in bed asleep; so we had to hang up. I texted back that she can just imagine me sitting in there with her sinking my teeth into a cheddar melt. With horsey sauce. She hates horsey sauce. She just wrote back, "Ha ha! I need a rm by myself!" Tuesday Morning, April 15 -- Update from Andrew's MomHere's the latest: He's walking (with a walker), he's talking, nofever, no infection,no tubes. He's in a regular room and they'retaking about his going home in a week or two. Ain't God good?!Andrew's known as the "miracle man"!Wednesday Night, April 16Andrea has texted a few times tonight. No more lengthy phone calls for now ~ her cell bill is hideous!! However, Andrew is in a room now; and she gave me the room & phone #. If you'd like it, contact me.Here's the latest from his mom: Andrew will have a defibrillator put in Mon. This is a device that will shock the heart back into rhythm should it go out. He will stay in the hospital after that for 2 or 3 days and then go home! Again, I say, ain't God GOOD! Today I accompanied Andrea on a visit to a midwife here. All was good news! Mother and baby are doing fine and I got to hear my newest granddaughter's heartbeat! Another praise to God that all's well; can't wait to meet the little one. Thursday, April 17I talked to Andrea earlier today, and everything is looking good with Andrew. He walked down the hall to the nurse's station without his walker ~ another great milestone! They are looking at going home next week. I know that many have asked: Where will "home" be? Well, it looks as if they are going to be heading to Harlem, GA, which is where their children are currently staying. There is a great doctor in Augusta, who was actually trained at U of VA by Andrew's current heart doctor. They will have friends nearby who can help with the kids, and it looks like a good situation for them.Andrea requested specific prayer for herself: 1. She didn't pass her glucose screening, so she has to go in the morning for the 3 hour test (yuck! Been there done that!). Pray that she "passes"... her plate is full enough for now without worrying about gestational diabetes! 2. Pray that we can find her a good midwife in Georgia. This will be her 3rd midwife change mid-stream! Pray that Andrew continues to improve and build strength and that the doctors will have wisdom regarding his discharge time. We don't want them rushing him due to lack of insurance, although they are quite eager to get out of that hospital! Saturday Morning, April 19Good Morning, Everyone!I've had several e-mails of inquiry about updates this morning. I'm sorry I couldn't post last night ~ I didn't have internet access. I did talk to Andrea for quite awhile yesterday between her sugar checks. We are sure hoping she "passes"! They drew blood instead of doing fingersticks, so we don't know the results yet. They were very excited to get to see their children yesterday! Andrea's brother is there as well. This note from Mama Stringer sums it all up pretty well: Yes, it is indeed wonderful. Do you know David and Stephanie Young from Harlem, GA? They're the ones who have been caring for the kids. They have a house there that Andrew and family can live in as long as needed. So when he's discharged, we'll all start for there. The doctor assured us that we'd have to make it a 2 day trip. My hubby and I plan to follow them there and stay a couple of days and then go back to AR. We spent yesterday packing up their house in WV and today some men came and helped get everything loaded into a Uhaul truck. The Youngs came this evening and he will drive the truck back and she will driveherself and the kids back (they got to see their daddy!) The church there is going to set up the house for them so he can go right to bed when we get there. Please pray for the procedure Mon., for recovery from *that*, for the trip, which will be grueling for him I'm sure, and for the future in general. We are praying for and expecting more miracles to come. Sunday, April 20I talked to Andrea yesterday. There's not much *new* news, but Andrew is still progressing steadily and looking forward to going "home" (new home!) next week. He is doing well with PT and has graduated from his walker to a cane. He is also learning to handle the stairs with a walker, and his therapist is having him do three steps at a time, twice. He is doing great and barely even getting out of breath (this is important because the new house has two steps on the porch). Continue to pray!Monday, April 21The defibrillator is successfully in, and the doctors are pleased. He's doing well, but he has to stay flat on his back for 12 hours. He is on an antibiotic just as a precaution, and they will be giving a pain med (like Tylenol) just because of the incision discomfort. They also have an ice pack on it for now. If all remains well, he will be discharged tomorrow or Wednesday.They have been dealing with the financial office today. Brace yourself for this hospital's bill: $500,000! Good news is that they qualify for 100% assistance! Praise the Lord! Continue in prayer as they start the journey to Georgia, which will no doubt be taxing on Andrew. Pray for a total and complete recovery and adjustment for the entire family in their new town and home. Wednesday, April 23Right now Andrea is driving her van out of the University of Virginia parking garage for the LAST time! She is a bit emotional, as she is leaving her 'home' for the past 6 weeks. I put her on the prayer chain this morning because for starters, she found out yesterday that she is gestational diabetic. She has a lot on her plate now that they are moving out-of-state, she's getting ready to have the baby in two months, and she has a disabled husband to care for.The CCU nurses did have a surprise for her this morning. They all got together and gave her a huge box of baby gifts! It was like having a baby shower at the hospital. She is very thankful for the caring group of people who have taken such great care of Andrew for the past month and a half. Pray for them a lot in the next few days! The trip will be tiring, and they'll have to break it up a bit. It's about 8 hours, but the doc doesn't want him going more than about 3 per day. She has a ton of paperwork from the hospital in regards to Andrew's care, so she has to find some 'leisure' reading time! She also has to set up house in a new place, get Andrew settled, and get used to once again living with her tykes. She's very excited, very emotional, and a bit overwhelmed! Thanks for your prayers & concern, Everyone! Wednesday Night, April 23 -- Note from Andrew!!!This is Andrew. Thank all of you for your encouraging notes and all the prayers that have been sent our way. I am writing this from the Best Western Motel in High Point, NC. Today is Wednesday and they let me out of the hospital about noon today. We are breaking up the 7 or so hour trip into two days, as traveling is very uncomfortable for me right now. All I can say is that God has been so good to me. Also I thank God for the great big family of Christians that I am a part of. Without your prayers, I probably would not have made it! I love you all in the Lord. Andrew C. StringerSaturday Night, April 26Just a quick note to confirm that they did make it to Georgia! Andrew's folks got back to their abode in Arkansas today at about noon. I'll try to update tomorrow; this page is getting too long, and I'm too tired to build a new one right now!Stringers' New AddressAndrew & Andrea Stringer3478 Old Augusta Rd. Dearing, GA 30808
Andrew Stringer Updates -- Page 1 Andrew Stringer Updates -- Page 2 Andrew Stringer Updates -- Page 3 Andrew Stringer Updates -- Page 5  Giving InformationIt is now possible to receive a tax-deductible receipt for your giving by making your gift payable to Church Planting America and sending it to:Church Planting America PO Box 37887 Jacksonville, FL 32236 Please don't forget to include the Stringers name in the memo line. You may also continue to give online with a credit or debit card by using the following button: Thanks again for all your help! |