Remarkable, Amazing, And Beyond Expectation

"This is truly remarkable" were the words of Dr. Scott Worthen as we met with him for my three month check up on Tuesday, July 19^th. He was looking at my Pulmonary Function Test results, comparing the data from when I left National Jewish Medical Center three months ago to the PFT data from Monday, July 18^th.

Bob and Dr. Worthen

Our week began with a late flight on Sunday evening to Denver so we could be at National Jewish Medical Center for a full day of testing on Monday. Facing the prospects of the last trip to Denver, we were a little intrepid about the trip but God provided peace and good breathing. Every time I checked my oxygen saturation level, it was in the "safe" zone which meant I could survive without additional oxygen. I was grateful to God for this answer to prayer.

Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer you, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou know not.

Monday was filled with testing, including the Pulmonary Function Test very early. My competitive nature and my desire to do whatever I can to advance the "healing process" in my body gives me added incentive to make as much advance as possible whenever I do a PFT. My respiratory therapist for this test, Jasti, coached me along with added encouragement from Jan, and I was able to show some good progress.

Bob and Jasti and Bob at the Pulmonary Function Test

The rest of the day was filled with blood work, CT Scan, X-ray, and more but we found time to see some of the great people who cared for me during our long stay back in March and April.

Bob with two of the great NJMC nurses, Veronica and Toni

We returned to the hotel "worn out."

When we returned to National Jewish Medical Center on Tuesday, we were awaiting our appointment with Dr. Worthen when Dr. Gwen Huitt stopped by and was all smiles. She said, "I’m not supposed to tell you this but your test results are "remarkable." We took some time to catch up and get our picture with Dr. Huitt.

A little blurred! - Jan, Dr. Huitt, and Bob

Finally the moment arrived when we saw Dr. Worthen. "Remarkable!" "Your testing shows a remarkable advance in your treatment." It was good to hear him say it. Jan and I are so thankful for God’s healing. Dr. Worthen went over my medications and outlined a tapering schedule for the one that is causing the sides effects of my swollen face, and the atrophied arms, legs, and stomach. Following his schedule, providing I continue to progress in the respiratory area, I should be off that medication by January. Since I am the most detailed patient Dr. Worthen has, sending him weekly reports of my breathing tests and oxygen saturation tests that I record five times per day, he agreed for me to schedule a three month check up visit but if things are going well, he thinks we should just go for a six month check up.

He was quite impressed with my physical activities and said that whatever I am doing, I should keep it up because he knows I am driven but sensible, in that I am disciplined to be active but smart enough to know when to back off. As I have found, Dr. Worthen pointed out the value of exercise for airway clearance purposes, as well as overall recovery.

All in all it was a great visit with the doctor for which we are grateful to God for the amazing healing He is doing in my body. We reminded the doctor and anyone else who asks: "I was just one breath from death on April 6, 2005 – but look what God has done."

Exodus 15:26 "… for I am the Lord, who heals you."

We enjoyed dinner Tuesday night with one of our nurses from ICU, Lucy!

Jan and Nurse Lucy

Then we went for a drive to Mount Evans (elevation 14,000 feet) which is about 30 miles outside Denver. We didn’t make it to the summit because it was almost dark (and there weren’t any guardrails – yikes!) but we did catch this great sunset at 10,000 feet at Echo Lake.

Echo Lake Sunset

Jan and I spent Wednesday in Boulder, hiking on a trail and enjoying lunch with a view overlooking Mount Eldora. Since Dr. Worthen gave permission to go higher in altitude we wasted no time.

A view from the Sundance Cafe, Jan on a Boulder Trail, and Bob on the trail.

Thursday we went to Garden Of The Gods and the Glen Eyrie Castle (Colorado Springs). Jan even took me to a tea party at the Castle.

Bob and Jan at the "Tea Party" at the Castle

We returned to Orlando thankful for the great report and grateful for being able to see some of the sites we wanted to see back in March when we were delayed in ICU by my "near death" experience. God has answered prayer and continues to answer prayer concerning my condition. As Dr. Worthen pointed out to us, I’m not there yet, but more progress has been made than he and the team of docs ever thought would. To God be the Glory!

Psalm 71:8 That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long.

Thank you for continuing to pray for us and for your support and encouragement.

Godspeed,

Bob and Jan