April 17, 2005 – "REFECTIONS"

After Jan and I enjoyed a time of worship with Denver Crossroads Church today, we sat at lunch 
reflecting on the past few weeks, trying to piece together where the time had gone. It was amazing 
how quickly in one sense the time has flown by. (At least for me since I was "out of it" for a number 
of days in ICU.) We couldn’t help but be thankful for God’s help and deliverance.

Psalm 28:6-7 (New Living Translation) Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy. 
[7] The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust in him with all my heart. 
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

We couldn’t help but reflect on the goodness of God through the help, encouragement, and the 
praying of the congregation of Winter Park Church, The Child Development Center, Reformed 
Theological Seminary, The Track Shack – employees, runners, & triathletes, as well as friends 
all over the country. I thought of my friends Lincoln Murdoch and Scott Bennefield who had me 
in mind as they raced and led at the Iron Prayer Service at Ironman Arizona last weekend, where 
I had planned to be racing, instead was in ICU. I thought of the Godards who have opened their 
home to Jan as well as her dad and Lisa K when they came to be with Jan while I was playing the 
role of Michelin Man in ICU. There are so many more who come to mind, like the children of the 
Child Development Center who send me pictures, the many who send emails to encourage, the 
nurses here at NJMC and the University Hospital ICU. I am thankful that Dave Hall took over 
the organization and publishing these daily updates after I write them and send them to him. 
The list goes on…

The point I am making is this: as we reflect on the past four weeks, we have seen God’s hand at 
work in our lives for which we are thankful. As expressed in yesterday’s update, we are especially 
grateful that Dr. Scott Worthen has come to the conclusion on a diagnosis and treatment and that 
it looks now like we’ll be home by next weekend.

Thank you for praying and for your encouragement.

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April 18, 2005 – THINGS STILL LOOKING UP

We are back in the swing of things at National Jewish Medical Center. When you are here, 
you aren’t on vacation, as they remind you, you are here for treatment. Therefore our day 
begins early and is filled with plenty of things on schedule. Today there was a consultation 
with our nurse, planning with a coordinator, blood tests, chest X-ray, physical therapy, and 
a meeting with my doctors.

We were thankful that my doctors seem to be pleased with the progress I have made on the 
current treatment plan and really pleased at my recovery from the collapsed lung and following 
"Michelin Man" episode. Only a little of the air remains around my ribs, and back. Otherwise, 
it’s pretty much cleared up.

Compare these pictures and thank the Lord with us for His healing.

Bob on April 7th and Bob on April 18th

Things about which to pray:

1. My CT Scan of the chest tomorrow – I need to be clear of air pockets in the chest wall so my 
   doctor can clear me to fly home.
2. Once we have clearance to fly – we need to book a flight on United, the only airline with a 
   direct flight to Orlando and also has oxygen on board capabilities. Please pray that there will 
   be two seats together!
3. Once we have seats, we need to get clearance for oxygen. Therefore we need approval from 
   United who will be consulting with my doctor but even if my doc says OK, their doc advisor 
   has to give approval and has the option of saying, "No." So we need approval for me to have 
   oxygen on board.
4. In order to get that approval it would really help if my oxygen needs would lower. Presently, 
   I’m on 4-5 liters of oxygen and that moves to 6 liters when I move around. My oxygen needs 
   should come down through the week as we are hoping. Please pray that it does.

Lord willing, we are hoping to be flying out of here on a flight on Friday morning at 8:33 a.m. arriving 
in Orlando at 1:53 p.m. We pray this all will fall into place and we’ll be able to get HOME at a decent 
hour. Of course as we fly we will need God’s hand upon us that nothing will go wrong in my lung on 
take off and landing which are the critical times for post lung collapse patients.

Thank you for praying and for your encouragement. As we enter our fifth week here in Denver, it 
has been comforting to have friends everywhere who have been praying and standing with us in so 
many ways. We give thanks for you all, excuse me, I live in Florida – just been away too long, 
"We give thanks for y’all."

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April 19, 2005 – "THINGS ARE COMING TOGETHER"

We are thankful to announce that we have cleared a couple more obstacles regarding our return 
to Orlando on Friday. Although there was a scheduling snafu, we were able to get the needed 
CT Scan on my chest this morning. The doctor needed it to review before giving final approval 
for our flying. When we called to make our flight arrangement, the flight we had hoped to be on 
was sold out but thankfully, we were able to schedule a flight for Friday, leaving at 12:20 p.m. 
and arriving in Orlando at 5:37 p.m.

Things seem to be falling into place but please pray because United could still deny me a seat 
based upon my oxygen need and can just decide it’s too risky to allow me to fly even though my 
doc says it’s OK. In addition, I’ll need oxygen on the flight and arrange oxygen upon arrival in 
Orlando so those are details still to be worked out. Obvious from today, God is working in this 
matter so we are looking to him as we thank you for joining with us in prayer.

Psalm 150:6 (New International Version) Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. 
Praise the Lord.

We were blessed on Sunday to hear a very special song called "BREATHE" and the author was 
kind enough to send us the lyrics. This is truly my theme. See how it matches...

breathe

verse:

You are all things so I need nothing

You are my home so I need not wander

You are my hope so I need not worry

You are all love so my search is over

chorus:

So now I breathe because You have allowed me

I breathe to tell of your mercy

I breathe though I’m not deserving

I will love You with every breath I breathe

Other than today’s very significant answers to prayer and God’s continued help in making progress 
in my breathing since the treatment has begun, we are working through the day in good manner. I 
rode the bike for fifteen minutes in PT this morning, while Jan worked out on other equipment in 
the PT room. When we have not been doing NJMC "stuff" we’ve been busy with the packing 
process and making necessary arrangements for "going home." (OH, how sweet the sound.)

We’ve been most encouraged by your emails, cards, calls, gifts, and the multitude and variety of 
help to us. Thank you all very much.  We appreciate your continued prayers.

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April 20, 2005 – "A LITTLE BUMP BUT STILL GOING HOME"

We had a visit from Dr. Worthen last evening that almost sent us to the moon. He came in and explained 
how he had looked at the CT Scan, had given his "go ahead" for us to fly, and how afterwards he had 
given it a second thought so he wanted to talk to us.

Both Jan and I immediately thought the worse: We had just spent over $1000. in plane tickets and 
oxygen expenses, spent most of the afternoon and early evening lining up everything to fly home on 
Friday afternoon and now it appeared to be going down the drain and lost.

However, Dr. Worthen admitted that even though he would like me to be here another week because 
I needed to be back on IV antibiotics, he was going to let us go home. Whew!!!

As Dr. Worthen pointed out to us on Saturday, the disease which I have, "Diffuse Pan Bronchialitis" 
leaves me open to pseuodomonis bacterial infections in my bronchial tubes so until we get things under 
control with the disease, we’ll be constantly fighting the battle with the bacteria. Hence, the need for 
constant rounds of antibiotics via IV and from the current tests, it was necessary to begin another round 
before we leave Denver. Although as Dr. Worthen said, the best case scenario would be for us to be 
here another week under observation and antibiotics to see how I responded. However, he was willing 
to send us home and follow through with Dr. Feibelman who will be keeping tabs on my progress and
communicating with Dr. Worthen.  (Jan did, however, extend an invitation to Dr. Worthen to fly home 
with us and spent the week in Florida!)

It was a close call but we are thankful now for the IV experiences we had back home in February which 
helped clear the way for us to continue this current round of antibiotics via home health care and Jan’s 
care.

We met with Dr. Kingdom this morning, the Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor who performed my sinus 
surgery on April 1^st. It was hard to believe that this was the first opportunity since that surgery to have 
a follow up visit. Of course, ten days in ICU changes many schedules. However, Dr. Kingdom was 
pleased at the way things had healed in my sinuses and the outcome of the surgery for which we are 
extremely thankful.

Upon our returning to the room today, we had a surprise. The nursing staff had prepared a cake for 
Jan’s Birthday. Actually, they had planned it for the actual date of April 11^th but due to the fact we were 
in ICU at University Hospital at the time, it was delayed. What a great staff of people here at NJMC, 
who go way beyond the call of duty.

JAN'S "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" SURPRISE AT NJMC

Toni, Jan, & Veronika

It’s hard to believe that in less than 48 hours we’ll be flying out of Denver and heading for home.

Psalm 27:13 (NLT) Yet I am confident that I will see the Lord's goodness while I am here in the 
land of the living.

God has been good. Thank you for praying.

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April 21, 2005 – FINAL PREPARATIONS FOR LEAVING

Today has been busy with last minute doctor consultation, physical therapy, PICC line installation, 
gathering reports to take home for Dr. Feibelman, and of course packing.

The day began with our morning visit with the panel of doctors, including Dr. Scott Worthen, 
Dr. Worthen pointed out that the my present diagnosis does include DPB (Diffuse Pan Bronchiolitis) 
but I still show signs of having APBA (Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergerlosis) and Dr. Glenn Whelen 
pointed out that the latest tests show my insensitivity to prednisone. Hence, the doctors agreed to 
move to a different steroid and that the DPB treatment should have a positive effect on that problem 
as well. With everything "go" for our leaving tomorrow, I will still get a PICC Line installed to infuse 
the antibiotic IV’s at home. Along with following directions and working with Dr. Feibelman the doctors 
have released me to "go" with a check up here in three months, at which time we will begin seeing 
some positive results from the treatments. (How we look forward to that…)

It’s quite interesting, as Dr. Worthen pointed out in this morning’s meeting that a Japanese radiologist 
was at NJMC the other day and happened to see my latest CT Scan of the chest and immediately 
pointed out DPB, based upon just the CT Scan. Since the disease is most frequent in Japan and among 
people of Asian descent it made sense the Japanese radiologist should be open to that whereas a 
person here who would rarely see it would not. It was a confirmation to us that Dr. Worthen was on 
the right track.

We were reminded of the fact that even though we know we have been blessed to be under the care 
of such great doctors here at NJMC for ,which we are forever thankful, we know the real help has 
come from above.

Psalm 54:4 (NLT) But God is my helper. The Lord is the one who keeps me alive!

We’ve been through some dark valleys on this journey but God has been with us and He has been 
our help and strength.

It’s seems sad saying "good bye" to the healthcare workers here at NJMC. They have treated us 
so well. As we get closer to the hour to head home, however, our focus is there so it makes it easier.

Jan wanted to share the words from the birthday card that Toni, the care coordinator, selected as 
the card "from Bob" that was presented to her yesterday at yet another surprise birthday party! 
(She loves those!!)

Isn’t that lovely?! Of course, I wrote something special in the card before presenting it to Jan – and 
it’s a Hallmark! It was encouraging to both of us to know that someone here had witnessed our 
relationship and could select a card so true to us! To God be the glory for our marriage!

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April 22, 2005 – "HOME SWEET HOME! Daves update"

Note from Dave:  Bob and Jan arrived HOME safely. Thanks to Geoff and Marguerite for picking 
them up at the airport and getting them home safely. They were tired but so grateful to be back 
in their own home. Bob starts his IV antibiotics tomorrow morning. He is on oxygen with a super long 
line so that he can move freely about the house. He thanks everyone for their prayers. Please keep 
praying for his full recovery, he still has a long treatment plan with some very powerful drugs. Bob 
is looking forward to his sermon this Sunday, "God's Cure For Worry". Join the friends and family 
of Winter Park Church as we welcome Pastor Bob back HOME. The service starts at 10:30 and we 
are located at  1721 Harmon Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789, 407-644-3981.
( http://www.winterparkchurch.com )

Jeremiah 33:3 (NASB)
Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

The Lord has shown us some Great and Mighty Things........

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April 22, 2005 – "We’re Home" Bobs update Apr 23

Although we didn’t get this up on the net last night, we arrived safely in Orlando on Friday evening. 
God provided all along the way, the assurances, protection, and help that we needed.

The day began with infusions of IV’s at NJMC and a change of dressing on my newly installed 
PICC line. Of course, everything seems to take longer when you have a deadline to meet, like make 
it to the airport on time. But we got away on time. Our next obstacle would be the return of the rental 
car which would mean the exchange of our bags out of car across the lot, to the curb, to the shuttle, 
and to the curb at the terminal. In addition, I had two bottles of oxygen to carry and the need to use 
it so I was of no use when it came to shuttling luggage. GOD PROVIDED! As we drove up to the 
check out line, Jan asked for a luggage cart and explained our situation. The attendant simply 
checked us in so we would not be charged and said, I’ll drive you to the gate. What a blessing!

Upon arrival at the terminal, we found all the provisions ordered to United Airlines to be ready, 
including wheelchair service to the gate. That proved to be a blessing with a challenge. It was a 
blessing having help getting through security and to the gate. However, the help through security 
obviously had never dealt with someone carrying on oxygen.  You'd think that wouldn't be the case! 
I was asked to give up my oxygen to walk through the scanner, which I did only to find the security 
guards whisk away with my oxygen tank to scan. When I started to attach myself to the back up 
tank, they took that one too. So I stood there for several minutes trying not to panic and was soon 
re-attached. All this time, Jan’s bracelet set off the alarm when she went through the scanner so 
she had to be screened, and my backpack with the laptop had to be inspected without our direct 
supervision. So we were thankful we made it through the screening, along with all our stuff.

The flight to Orlando was a great time of reflection. We were thankful the arrangement for oxygen 
had been made, the seat was prepared, and all we did was turn in our portable oxygen tanks at the 
gate after we found our seats. The concern about my lung collapsing, or the potential for it to collapse 
gave us some anxiety upon take off but my oxygen SAT held above 95 percent so we knew God had 
taken care of this problem too. The flight was filled with listening to praise music on the laptop and 
concluded with our reviewing the slides taken in Denver. The reflection sent chills up the spine as 
we thought about all the way God had taken us. He had been our refuge in time of need and had come 
through in so many different ways. It was a difficult road to Denver and back but a road filled with joy 
because of God’s goodness to us.

Psalm 5:11 (NLT) But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. 
Protect them, so all who love your name may be filled with joy.

Although this "Aloha" picture was taken before we left for Denver, 
it has the "ALOHA" welcome home feeling we experienced coming home 
after a long time away. 

It was an "Aloha Welcome" as Geoff and Marguerite McNeill met us at the airport with the needed 
oxygen, and brought us home, where Dave and Peggy Hall soon met us. It was so hard to contain 
emotions because we were home. While away, our house had been painted, cleaned, the yard kept up, 
and who knows what else. The children of the Child Development Center even got me a new chair for 
my home office. One blessing after another – it’s more than we could ever have imagined. But even 
greater was the feeling of love from so many through this journey. People that have prayed, helped, 
read the updates, encouraged, etc. It’s been a walk through the valley but we haven’t been alone 
for sure.

Obviously, I am not well yet. There’s a lot of ground to cover and I know it won’t be covered in hurried 
fashion. I have been warned by the doctor many times not to take things too fast. Thankfully, we are 
home. We’ll update this file as things progress but not quite as often – as needed or as cool things 
come up. Meanwhile, thank you for following along, for praying, and for caring.  We appreciate your 
continued prayers for my recovery over the next several months.  

With Aloha & God-speed,

Bob & Jan Brubaker