Sweet release! When I (Ritch) arrived this morning by 7:20am Austin was already packing his room. Something tells me he is ready to split this joint. He told me his stomach pain went away during the night and that he had had probably the most restful sleep since being admitted to the hospital.
The doctor came in shortly after to confirm that his blood numbers were in the normal range and that he would be going home. He was taken for another plasma treatment this morning followed by a magnesium drip IV which should mean he will be done by early afternoon.
The plan for next week is still quite intense with daily blood tests and a minimum of 3 treatments (more depending on numbers). This will mean arriving at the hospital by 8am for blood work, having plasma treatment 2 hours later, and probably getting out by 2pm. On the days when he doesn't get treatment we will go to Goshen Hospital for blood work. His condition will be monitored daily at least for the next two weeks.
We anticipate difficult days ahead as the road to recovering also includes nursing a colon that is still in the healing process. Char and I both have been shown how to take care of the perm-cap port that he will need to keep infection free - also means only sponge baths. As you can imagine, Austin leaves the hospital with fear of blood numbers dropping again or of eating something that will aggravate his system. He will need both physical and mental endurance as he works at regaining his health.
We have decided to continue this blog with periodic updates of Austin's recovery at least through next week. Our gratitude runs deep for love expressed and prayers offered.
God bless! Ritch
Hooray!!!! We celebrate today with you Austin! We have followed the blog and been praying for you since the first day that you were admitted to the hospital and Maggie Huston called and asked us to pray. We praise the Lord for this recovery. Keep standing firm Austin as the healing process continues. It is through these very difficult times in our lives that we grow and learn the most about our Lord. I love what Job said at the end of his trials. ... I know Lord that you can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. (Here's the part I love.)...Before I had heard of you, Lord with my ears ... but now my eyes see You! We not only praise God for your recovery, but also that through this process you have seen HIM with your eyes in a whole new way.
ReplyDeleteDave and Kathy Frank (Eric's mom and dad)
Praise the Lord....!
ReplyDeleteAustin
We are rejoicing in the news of your release from inpatient hospitalization. we want you to know we remain committed to daily prayer for you as we know the journey is not done. Austin, God has been faithful and will continue to be on this journey with you
love,
Gary and Lisa Yoder
Praise the Lord for your release. Hospitals can be great when you need them but as Dorothy says, "there's no place like home". Sue
ReplyDeleteHey, Austin,
ReplyDeleteI am excited for you! My computer was down several days and then I got busy with outdoor projects so I've missed out on your progress til tonight!
A question: I'm due for some continuing nursing education. Might you be interested in doing some for me on kidney failure treatment, PICC lines, plasma treatment, what goes on in a dialysis lab, etc? Your knowledge will far surpass my own, and you can even teach it from a patient's perspective!
I wish you peace as you go home. I believe that in itself will help your body heal, and I pray that you will be able to relax, knowing you've got two "on top of things" parents, a great medical staff standing by, and most of all our God who made you right there with you.
With love, Kathy Holsopple
Awesome news! I hope by the time you're reading this, Austin has been discharged and continuing his recovery at home! The trips to and from may be draining but it sure beats a hospital bed!
ReplyDeleteI was in Pittsburgh for a few days helping Kayla move from a house with 2 flights of stairs to another 3 blocks away with 3 flights of stairs...On about the 50th trip up and down those stairs...I kept saying out loud, "I think I can, I think I can"...somewhere I picked that up that little saying...something about a train going up a mountain....or maybe it was the inspiring story of Austin Hochstetler who continues to tough out this "speed bump" that most of us have NOT had to deal with...
We know your recovery journey is not over yet, and we'll continue to send our prayers for complete healing your way...but we praise God for how far you've come and with God know we can say "I know I can...I know I can"...
Peace and love...
PS I'm still looking for an old, now obsolete, Lebron James shirt that says "King James" so I can cross out the "James" and insert "Austin"...
Cleveland Craig