ThinMint

Hi there! For those who have been following me for the last 4-6 weeks, there are few things you might not be aware of. My faith means everything to me. As does being a free thinker who believes in the importance of prepping for hard times. I'm a homeschooling mom of 4 -another way we embrace God-given freedom. Humor is very important to me. As are cookies. So cookie jokes are par for the course. On occasion I will share my most requested recipes. Since about mid-May until late November when we became ill, I posted good news every Friday. I will start this up again, but it will be a little different -temporarily so until I get my wits about me again. Then I started Comedy Night On Telegram™ every Wednesday evening. I'm definitely bringing that back! A cheerful heart (laughter) is indeed good medicine. So share the stories, the images, the brief video clips that made you laugh 👇🏻

UPDATE: Monday when I arrived the respiratory therapist was doing a nebulizer treatment. I’ve been told that they have removed a lot of phlegm, broke up some mucus plugs over the last two days. The vent settings Tuesday were FIO2 40% and PEEP 5. Monday was the most alert I’ve seen Felix. He had his eyes open quite a bit, had a reaction when the nurse put some ointment in his eyes, appeared to have periods of rest, opened his eyes to loud noises, things like that. Still no eye contact with me. Almost every time I’ve done FaceTime or been with him I play “Reckless Love.” When I first started the song on Monday I wasn’t looking at him because he appeared to be resting. Then I glanced at him and he had his eyes wide open and he moved his head just a bit a few times. Later when I played a different song while he was resting, I would nudge his hand and squeeze it and he would open his eyes briefly then go back to resting. He also seemed to really react to the kids’ voices when we did a brief FaceTime with them. Tuesday I saw his eyeballs move for the first time. I’m not positive he can focus or really see, but there’s no doubt in my mind he knows someone who loves him so very much is there with him. I’m waiting for confirmation from the infectious disease doctor, but it appears he doesn’t have black fungus. I asked his nurse yesterday about it and she couldn’t find anything in his records. I also asked her about the fentanyl. She said it’s been discontinued but she couldn’t find when it was last given. Some of his secretions were collected and sent out for a culture today so we’ll see. I’m also waiting to learn why an ophthalmologist was requested to examine Felix. Some more good news. The insurance has agreed to treat this claim, along with the ambulance as in-network. Otherwise, I would’ve been responsible for 50%. Still waiting to learn which restorative care facility he’ll be at -which is supposed to happen this week. I hope this is as much encouragement to you, Faithful Prayer Warriors, as it’s been to me. God bless you for your perseverance! 🥰

There are verses we know by heart. These are embroidered on pillows, painted over scenes, recited at weddings, appear in cards written in beautiful calligraphy. But every once in awhile when it’s just you and God enjoying one another’s presence, these verses take on a meaning you never contemplated before. As often happens when I’m praying, my thoughts will meander down all kinds of nifty paths. In the wee hours of Monday as I soaked in quiet time before God, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 drifted across my mind. My first inclination was to smile, sigh and say, “yes, those are indeed stirring sentiments.” In the next moment, however I literally gasped at the realization that I have never applied those verses to my relationship with God. All these years those particular verses seemed applicable to my earthly relationships. As I read them over I would sometimes feel the poke of guilt knowing there were some areas I needed to work on with others. But, never ever had it occurred to me that these precious verses should be actionable counsel for loving God. I’m humbled by and grateful for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Prayers so seriously needed. The doctors have been vague -not naming it, but putting two and two together it would appear that Felix has mucormycosis, also known as “black” fungus, a rare infection that is popping up in covid patients. Reading the articles makes me feel quite uneasy. Time for some interceding for Felix to have supernatural intervention regarding this. Lord have mercy! -ThinMint Edit to add: please remember how limited I am on what I can do. As always, this has to be accomplished by God.

UPDATE: Felix got a MRI without dye Thursday night. I read the report Friday but wanted to speak with a doctor before communicating with anyone. Someone from neurology put leads on him Friday afternoon to monitor him. I found out today that Felix got another MRI with contrast dye Friday night. The attending spoke with me today. He said that Felix had small strokes in different areas and some tiny hemorrhages. Even so, there is nothing to explain why he isn’t waking up/has a lack of awareness. The goal is to still get Felix moved to LTAC/restorative care to wean off the ventilator (FIO2 is 50 and PEEP is 7 the last couple of days). Please continue to pray that God places us where we should be. The doctor said sometimes the brain needs to heal and when I asked him what term he would use for Felix he said vegetative. The leads, which were put back on today are to monitor for seizures. So far there has been no indication of seizures. The neurologist spoke with me as well. He said Felix had mini strokes. He explained that the brain is secondary to the infection (he used the word fungal a few times) in Felix, and this is what needs to be addressed. He said - as have all the doctors, that Felix is very sick. I asked him about the hypoxia and he said that it can’t be proven or disproven there’s lack of oxygen damage. Felix is a fighter, and I go with the assumption he can sense and hear me. I speak love and life to him, pray over him and read your prayers to him, play music, hold his hand, massage his hands and feet, and clean him. I know you’re praying for a miracle, too. Please also pray that I can clearly understand what God wants me to do. I know His hand is in all of this already and He has done so many incredible things thus far. Love and gratitude for your support -ThinMint

Hey all… Message from an admin here... it seems that telegram recently has had some issues with a lot of accounts having people impersonate them, TM is not immune from these viruses… Lol...I'm sure she will check in when there's something to report, so please don't feel you have missed anything, I'm sure telegram will fix the issue they are having, hope everybody is well and have a nice day!

A message of gratitude and inspiration for ThinMint from @amazinluv Hi fellow Thin Mint friends! I initially came across TM channel via Lin Wood. I have a Junior in high school as well as a kindergartner. I work full time and really wanted to homeschool my kids since the indoctrination of the schools was worrisome to me. After reaching out to TM and talking with her and getting sound advice, I took the plunge and pulled my girls out to homeschool. Never in a million years did I think I could handle it, but TM encouraged me and supported my efforts and here I am, being a boss homeschool mom and working a full time job!! God has given TM a unique position in the Kingdom of God! I could never express my appreciation for her and her willingness to be a vessel that God is using mightily. We love you TM and you and Felix and your littles are in my constant prayers! 🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪 Please also consider donating and/or sharing the fundraiser for her and her family. Or you could send something to her and the family Kris/Felix PO Box 6 Collierville TN 38027 Thank you for the continued support and prayers, God bless, Team ThinMint GiveSendGo - Hospital's Covid Protocols Override Family Wishes: The #1 Free Christian Fundraising Site.

UPDATE: The pulmonologist/attending stopped by to speak with me. He told me that he put in an order for a transfer to a restorative care facility that will help wean Felix off the ventilator. I’ve reached out to our attorney and Felix’s HR manager to see if we can find a place because I do not like the one the hospital wants to use. Please pray that we can find a place for Felix! He did not get the MRI last night or today. His nightshift nurse thought he may go tonight *deep breath* God’s peace will wash over me! The PEEP had been lowered overnight to 10. When I arrived the oxygen was at 50. However, he kept coughing -which makes the oxygen dip. The nurse wanted to administer fentanyl and I said no. She couldn’t answer when I asked if there were other alternatives so I asked for the respiratory therapist. He turned the oxygen to 60 and we had many hours of calm. I noticed a lot more greenish phlegm and asked the nurse about that. She said he has pseudomonas. I don’t know if there’s a specific strain/species because I never heard of this and didn’t think to ask. Please pray over this infection, too. EDIT TO ADD: I asked to see the image of his chest X-ray and the pulmonologist pulled it up on his phone. I said it looked less cloudy to me and he said it looks clear to him 🙂 Thank you for coming alongside us in this journey.

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For my prepper friends out there 👇🏻

UPDATE - I sat with Felix for six hours today. Thankfully, the Hangup Nurse from last night posted her info on the whiteboard. It was very considerate of her 😃 His vitals remain stable, his oxygen dipping when he coughs. And he continues to have blood suctioned from the trach... which is causing him to reflexly cough... which causes the nurses to administer sedatives. Vicious cycle. His vent setting was at 50 when I arrived, the PEEP was lowered to 12 while I was there and tidal was at 450. I passed the nephrologist in the hallway and he said Felix’s kidney function was normal. The infectious disease doctor listened to the lungs again and said they sound improved. I asked how the chest X-ray looked. Doctor said today’s report showed improvement, that Felix is on an improving trend. He said that Felix might have a moment in the day or a day that looks like a step back, but it doesn’t mean a backwards trend. Waiting on some blood cultures. Felix didn’t have a fever and his WBC is 10. As I was getting ready to leave, one of the nurses pointed out the pulmonologist/attending who ordered a MRI. Huh. I watched that doctor, who was Felix’s attending the second week of admission, walk back and forth many times today. I didn’t know who he was at the time, but now I know he couldn’t be bothered to speak to me. The MRI may get done this evening or tomorrow morning. I cannot pretend I haven’t been fighting fear over this. Hypoxia is written on all the doctors’ notes. My prayers have been for Felix to do well through the exam -that his oxygen and vitals remain stable. And I’ve been earnestly crying out to God to overwhelm me with His soothing presence so I don’t feel the panic and fear. Saying thank you for the continued support seems so meager compared to the benefit you’ve bestowed me. When the children and I pray, we ask God to give it back to y’all tenfold for all the kindnesses you’ve given to us. Y’all have made this such a beautiful community here -a home among the chaotic world we find ourselves in these days. Blessings to you. Love, ThinMint

We hope everyone had a peaceful and joy filled holiday. In this new year the best way to combat the evil that humanity is now facing, is to show no fear and fight back with happiness and a caring smile/attitude! For todays installment of "Inspired by ThinMint " we have a song from @songbolin here is her message and song..... Sometimes only singing can express the heart. Praying 🙏🏻 🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪 If TM has also touched your life with her posts and faith, and you'd like to let her know, please message @FarkPorch with your contribution. Please also consider donating and/or sharing the fundraiser for her and her family. Or you could send something to her and the family Kris/Felix PO Box 6 Collierville TN 38027 Thank you for the continued support and prayers, God bless, Team ThinMint https://www.givesendgo.com/ThinMint

Lullabies have come a long way. I was inspired to play some specific ones for Felix during our special time Saturday. The ones today are soothing, the tone and voices pretty even so there are no jarring moments. A few years ago I came across “Hidden In My Heart,” scripture lullabies. Enjoy one that’s been playing in my heart:

Since I was unable to spend time with Felix today I called the ICU for an update. I was put on hold for an hour. I called on another phone and when the nurse finally came on the line she was rude, raised her voice, was sarcastic –then hung up on me without providing an update. This is the kind of unprofessionalism I’ve been dealing with almost every day in some capacity since Felix’s admission. I did get a call back from a doctor who told me Felix remains stable and the vent setting was lowered to 55 (PEEP still at 14, tidal at 450).

I thought yesterday was a good day. In the infamous words of Dr Obvious Attending, “Felix is stable. And in the ICU, stable is what we want.” I noted some eye movement –not the eyeballs (and the doctor said his pupil constricts slowly) but lid movement. Felix would raise and lower the lids in a way I have not seen before. It seemed at times he reacted to my voice, his family’s voices via FaceTime, or what was happening in the environment around him. Three separate times he moved his head ever so slightly towards me. An order has been put in for a neurologist consult. He did more coughing as well –which prompts the staff to sedate him at times. I understand he’s not getting lidocaine anymore, but he does get fentanyl (as needed) and oxycodone for pain. This is one of the reasons I am concentrating my prayers on the lungs clearing! The nephrologist popped in and was happy with Felix’s kidneys. The infectious disease doctor stopped by. He told me that one of the blood cultures came back positive for a fungal infection and he had the PICC line changed. He used a stethoscope to listen to the front of Felix’s chest. When he was done, the doctor said he thinks Felix has improved. I totally rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance while I’m with Felix to prompt me what to say, and when, and what to do, and when. The last couple of days I’ve played more of a variety of music, and have been reading Pride and Prejudice to him. Unfortunately the neighbor who was to help me out is unwell so I don’t know if I’ll be able to see Felix today. I’m heartbroken, but perhaps it’s God’s way of slowing me down and trusting Him. I have decided to step away from Felix’s reports for a few days. It’s too easy to become distressed over the numbers, and it can take me a couple/few hours to come back to a preferable level of peace. There’s so much to share with what I’m learning in my faith journey and I would love to sit here at the computer working on this. However, I freely confess I’m in need of a nap after another morning of waking at 5 am. And as some of you know, I am Night Owl so mornings and I do not always see eye-to-eye. I remain humbled over your continued prayers. Love, ThinMint