Update on Rhonda Brandenburg - Friday, November 1

Rhonda siting up a chair for the first time

Today's report is much easier to write than some of the others. Rhonda has had a few really good days in a row. Yesterday the surgeons removed the last of the drains from her surgical site. Everything is healing well there. Today, Friday, the surgeon came in to examine her and said he was releasing her from the surgical team. Praise the Lord!

Yesterday, Thursday, October 31, she was able to sit in a chair for the first time since we brought her to the hospital on September 24. This is a huge step for her and is an answer to much prayer. She was able to sit there for two hours. Sitting in the chair allowed her to stretch out her lungs and she has shown tremendous improvement since then. She is getting stronger every day.

When I arrived at her room in the hospital today, Friday, November 1, I founder her sitting up in bed, lights were one, and she had her Bible out. She has been able to have conversations with people today and even was joking around with the nursing assistant. It is wonderful to see her personality return. Even her smile is back today.

They are still working on her breathing and doing physical therapy. We are looking forward to her being able to stand and walk. The adrenal team is still treating her. The hematology team is still following her as well. They are also continuing to work on getting excess fluid off. Her appetite has not yet really returned and she needs to be consuming more protein. She did ask me to bring her one of my famous, homemade, fruit and yogurt smoothies. It was delivered and she was able to drink about half of it. She also asked for a Java Chip from Starbucks, which was provided and she certainly enjoyed that!

We do not know how much longer Rhonda will be in the hospital but we were told to begin to look at the list of skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities that have been approved by our insurance so that we can have a choice in place when it is time for the move. She still has a long road of recovery ahead. We do not know what the future holds for her or for us, but we are very confident in our God. We appreciate your prayers and your cards.

God is always good. He is only good.

-The Brandenburg Family