ThinMint

Happy New Year. May it bring you health and happiness to overflowing, and may it bring you great peace and increased faith. Over the next few days I will be praying for supernatural healing for Felix’s lungs. Of course, I do not know the order in which the Lord will heal him, however that is where I will be directing most of my prayers. Please pray for continued peace for me along with good health as I am starting to feel a little run down. I will update when I can. So much steadfast love for y’all 😊 ThinMint

Posted By Admin: HAPPY NEW YEAR, to ALL of TM’s TG Family. Over this past year we have all had to face many challenges, changes, and some have had to face tremendous grief. We have seen broken heartedness, and some have seen the Glory that can only come for the Almighty I Am. We have grown, Awakened, and returned to the only place where LIFE truly exist, to the WORD and ARMS of our Heavenly Father, Our First LOVE. As this new year begins, many will make resolutions, promises and set goals. I have chosen instead to Proclaim all that I dream to accomplish in the days ahead. I like that word, PROCLAIM. Years ago, I learned that at the beginning of each new year to find the word that speaks to me. That will be my word for this new year. Taking notes for remembering how the journey went and has gone. I also love Devotionals. I’d like to share with you from Pastor David Jeremiah’s devotional “EVER FAITHFUL”, todays message. As we continue to pray, lift up, and hold up our dear friend and Sister in Christ, Kris and her beloved Felix and hold on to the Faith the size of a mustard seed my hope is that we all grow closer and stronger in our Faith and Proclaim the promises of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “January 1, He Watches The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3 As we welcome a new year, Proverbs 15:3 is a very helpful chapter to turn to. Every verse is applicable to our daily life. It begins with the ever-relevant advice: “A soft answer turns away wrath.” Verse 2 counsels us to speak wisely about the state of our lives and the world. Verse 3 reminds us that the Lord observes all our actions and reactions. His eyes are always open, watching both the good and the evil. Those who don’t know the Lord never pause to think that God is observing them like bees in a glass hive, aware of all they say, think, do and plan. Those of us who do know and love Him are grateful we have someone watching over us. In 1926, George and Ira Gershwin wrote a popular song entitled “Someone to Watch over Me.” How wonderful to know we have someone watching over us every moment of the year. As Psalm 145:20 says, “The Lord watches over all who love him” (NIV). Great is His faithfulness to us!” There are so many beautiful prayers and suggestions being lifted up and I just know in my heart that TM cherishes them all. The love and friendship given is a testament to who Kris is and to the Glory of the Father. Today if I may ask that we continue to lift her up and reminder her, Someone is watching over her and Felix and the children, that she is not alone. From the bottom of my humbled heart, I am grateful beyond words to have the privilege to share Kris’s journey with her, to learn from her and grow in my faith with her. I just know each of you share these same feelings. God Bless each and everyone here. Let us all go and Proclaim the Victory of Felix's full Recovery and Proclaim this the Year of Restoration. For those wishing to share a gift to TM, please use the link below. Or you could send something to her and the family Kris/Felix PO Box 6 Collierville TN 38027 https://givesendgo.com/ThinMint

I want to hop in real quick before leaving for the hospital. Just saw a ProBNP test result that concerns cardiac stress/failure. His result is 6120 pg/mL and the range is <125 pg/mL. 🙏🏻

Yesterday I thought Felix did a pretty good job maintaining his oxygen level. His blood pressure, heart rate and temperature remained stable. His hemoglobin and hematocrit are very low, but stable. They removed the arterial line and catheter. For the latter they use a condom catheter –which kept falling off. I suggested duct tape but they frowned on that for some reason. This needs to stay on so a line is not reinserted –we want to avoid infections. Speaking of, his white blood count is back up to 14.7 and here is the verbiage from his chest X-ray yesterday: “Extensive bilateral airspace disease without improvement. There is increased right basilar opacity with some increased pleural fluid. No pneumothorax evident.” Please pray. Now for reference, here is the verbiage from the 27th: “Diffuse and extensive bilateral parenchymal opacities are once again none noted with improved aeration right mid and right lower lobe. Impression: Interval improved aeration in the right mid and right lower lobe with persistent diffuse and extensive bilateral airspace disease.” What gives?!? This is the roller coaster that wears me down at times. The BUN and creatinine (kidneys) are trending down, but his kidneys still need prayer coverage. I would also ask for prayers that when I am with Felix all fear is gone. That I can minister to him, know what to pray and when. Know what to do and when. That I have patience with some of the staff in this new unit who are mask psychos and kool-aid drinkers (I didn’t have to worry about this so much in the other unit). Thank you for the financial support (the medical bills are starting to come in), the cards, the encouraging words, the music suggestions, and the prayers. You are strengthening me and renewing my heart with your support! Love, ThinMint

Felix got moved to another room yesterday (edit to clarify: still in the ICU, different unit). Looky what I wrote on the whiteboard I can finally reach 👇🏻

It's not perfect, but I knew it was meant for me.

We are supposed to live by faith not by sight. Applying this principle however, is packed with challenges. When our hearts and minds are looking for the human solution, the human confirmation, how does one go about aligning themselves with what we ought to do? For me, it’s honesty. It’s telling God, “I can’t,” “it feels too __ ,” “I’m so afraid.” There are times we just cannot put our best foot forward, and we can never fake our way through communicating with God. I went to bed feeling panic, despair and being incredibly fearful. When I woke up those feelings smothered me all over again. I didn’t feel shame, I didn’t feel guilt, but I did want to overcome these peace-stealing impulses. I went through the morning routine of opening blinds and curtains. When I lifted the backdoor covering, I was amazed to see a cross formation in the sky. Still reeling from that, still feeling shaky with doubt, I made my way upstairs to put something away. I received a text. My friend said that she felt the Lord was telling her to share a message with me. She said to not worry about what the doctors say, that our Heavenly Father is in the business of making the impossible possible. "Felix’s spirit is well aware, sees you, feels you, hears you..." I stood there gobsmacked, not sure if I should start grinning or start crying. Looking back over the morning I can now giggle because God knows me so well. He knows how to reach me, how to get my attention. Am I still scared? Yes, I am. Watching the most horrifying things happen to your husband and feeling so helpless elicits this human response. But, I am determined to lean ever so heavily upon my God to get me through just one day, just these moments. I am determined to have a spirit of peace, joy, happiness and confidence around Felix. I am determined to minister to him in various capacities with a love that knows no bounds. Honesty with God. It’s the first step towards trusting Him. Love, ThinMint

Another message of inspiration and appreciation 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 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! 🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪 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

Hello Dearest Friends, I’m exhausted, but wanted to get a post up. I arrived at 10:45 am and left at 9 pm. I love being able to stay so long and holding his hand for about 99.9% of the time 😊 When I arrived he was coughing a bit. When that happens the oxygen saturation will drop. I appreciate that this nurse tried to resolve it -eventually getting the attending to help, as opposed to what some other nurses have done: “oh hey he’s agitated so he needs some fentanyl.” His blood pressure, heart rate (went a smidgeon high at one point), oxygen saturation were at good levels. His kidney, hemoglobin and hematocrit numbers are low, but stable. He put out lots of good urine. The blood coming up from his lungs was old blood -something the attending was happy to see. He did get to 100 degrees, but was down to 99 when I left. The swelling in his feet and part of his calves has gone down considerably, and improved in his hands and forearms. I rub his feet and hands with a wonderful homemade oil/lotion. I add a few drops to his belly button and rub a little over his belly. He has sores on one ear and the inside of the upper lip and I’ve added a little bit to those spots. I noticed this morning that his lip has really improved and his ear is doing better. He did not get the PEG line done Tuesday so perhaps Wednesday. I am trusting God’s timing in such matters. No chest X-ray Tuesday. The attending felt the lung improvement is due to a steroid Felix was just put on. The infectious disease doctor said steroids are a double-edge sword. He kept his eyes open, and though the pupils constrict there is no eyeball movement. I did try to close his lids, but the lids wouldn’t stay closed. He continues to have a cough/gag/eye reflex. He’s not moving his head or any body part. I’ve seen tears slip out but I don’t know if that’s due to the eye ointment. I’ll have to pay closer attention to when this happens. By the time I left the vent was at 65 and the PEEP at 14. Mentation is a serious concern as well as the lung infection and kidney function. I tootled around online briefly and didn’t find encouraging survival stories regarding hypoxia. Heart bent to God because this is heavy stuff that hurts too much to think about. Thank you for praying for others to help with the kids as I now have people through Sunday! I pray God returns to you ten-fold what y’all have done for our family. Blessings to you! Love, ThinMint

Because we all need to see this... I think I found my new theme song 😃 Someone please give this precious child some cookies!

I'll be heading down to the hospital later this morning. I have not spoken to any nurses or doctors yet so this info is based off online reports. - Felix's kidney numbers look slightly improved (don't know the urine output). - His hemoglobin and hematocrit continue to drop (maybe another blood transfusion?) - I noted that fentanyl is not on today's scheduled meds (I've been praying about this since last night. That God goes before me in getting some of these removed/changed) - He had a chest X-ray on December 25 (my first day to visit him and the day the attending was sharing dire news). It stated that his right lung was worsening - He had another chest X-ray on December 27. It stated: "bilateral parenchymal opacities are once again none noted with improved aeration right mid and right lower lobe" - He's scheduled for the PEG line today Thank you again for being with me on this journey.

Today I was with Felix for six hours, thanks to a neighbor who was willing to have the kids over to her place. When I arrived his blood pressure was stable and the two meds he was on for that were stopped sometime during the night. His urine output had improved so much he didn’t require dialysis. His hemoglobin and hematocrit were stable. He had a 100 degree temp. The vent was at 60 (was 100% all weekend) the PEEP was 16 (had been at 20 over the weekend) and his oxygen saturation was in the 90s. About 20 minutes or so before he was taken for the IVC procedure, his oxygen saturation briefly dropped into the mid-80s and the nurse gave him a dose of fentanyl to help calm him. Between that and the oxycodone… [Edit to add: found to other opioids were added to the dosing schedule. Praying for God to go before me as I need to talk to the staff.] By the time I left his temp was 98 degrees, he was recovering nicely from the procedure (they bumped the vent setting back to 100%) his oxygen saturation staying in the 90s, upper 90’s my last hour. The NP said they would work on weening the vent back down. Blood pressure and heart rate remained stable. I spoke with the GI and the PEG line is scheduled for tomorrow. For those unaware, this will allow the feeding tube that is currently up his nose and down his throat to be removed and the new feeding tube will go through an incision in the abdomen. Once again, his eyes were open when I got there, and pretty much stayed open the entire time I was there, though there were a few brief times he “closed” his eyes. One thing that was curious to me, an alarm went off (empty med drip) and his drowsy, practically closed eyes opened. When I got home I saw a report that he got another blood transfusion. I have to wonder, one of the doctors told me on Christmas day that there’s a strong possibility Felix will remain in a vegetative state. So why did they need restraints and paralytic drugs because he was fighting the ventilation then? Asking for a friend. [Edit to add: he was restrained and was on paralytic drugs about two weeks ago. I’m suggesting how does one go from needing that to the doctor insinuating a vegetative state?] There are things about my walk with the Lord I want to share. However, I want to be careful in how it’s worded so it doesn’t come across as braggadocious. Please be patient with me as I work on these kind of posts. I still remain so humbled by those who are committed to praying for Felix. You’re making my heart all kinds of happy. And I am so grateful for the prayers for me as well because it’s strengthening me, keeping me focused and I’m relieved to know when I just have nothing left in me at the end of the day, y’all will pick up the mantle. Love, ThinMint PS - If I could possibly add one more thing to the list of prayer requests... Please pray that I can find people who are willing to stay with the kids so I can spend some time with Felix.

I'm getting ready to head to the hospital. Just got a call from the ICU. They want to put in an IVC filter for the blood clots. Please pray for this procedure to be successful and for Felix to do well through it all. Will update with more later. Thank you so much! Love, ThinMint

All of us @ Team ThinMint hope you all had a Merry Christmas and happy holiday! Here is a video message of inspiration and appreciation for ThinMint From @PaigeFlight 🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪 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

Was able to spend four hours with Felix today. His blood pressure improved as well as his oxygen saturation. However, his hemoglobin and hematocrit are dropping and he required two blood transfusions. His kidneys remain a concern and the renal doctor said they will consider dialysis in the morning. Urine output slightly improved from yesterday. His temp has been around 99, and his WBC is 11 after going down to 6 a few days ago. Yesterday he briefly opened his eyes in response to the nurse clearing out the trach tube. Today his eyes were open the entire time. He blinks and has a cough/gag reflex as well as an eye reflex when the nurse touches the eyelashes. I thought there was the tiniest eye movement but I could’ve imagined it. His glaze was “focused” on the ceiling. I read more of your prayers, played music, sang to him, read scriptures, prayed over him, held his hand, shared memories and rubbed coconut oil on his feet (he’s so swollen all over). I remain strong in his presence. But, I ain’t gonna lie: it’s so hard seeing the person you love and adore like this.

I spent five and half hours with Felix on Christmas day. When I arrived his blood pressure wasn’t doing well, and he was on a med for that. The nurse said they look at the MAP and don’t want to see it go below 65. He was at 66, and while I was there his blood dropped to the 80s/50s. By the time I left they switched meds, and his MAP was 77 and the blood pressure was 110s/50s. His urine had decreased significantly from the night before, and his kidney numbers do not look good. The doctor was not optimistic. I prayed over Felix, held his hand most the time, read him your prayers, read him scripture, stroked his hair, whispered into his ear, played him music, prayed over him. When I left the hospital I drove around it seven times, praising, praying. As soon as a friend arrives today I will return. I took a quick peek at his kidney numbers and it’s worse. Thank you for being my prayer partners! Love, ThinMint

The Piano Guys with Lexi Walker - O Holy Night/Ave Maria