a walking miracle x10

Here is the recent posts from Lexi on Ben's condition.

It has been a challenging few weeks but the miracles and blessings are apparent.

The outpouring of love for Ben is amazing

but witnessing the miracle of his recovery is humbling. 

Our Heavenly Father has big plans for my cousin.

Monday Night, April 1st: Today Ben has still made small improvements! The doctor said his chest x-ray showed less infection in his lungs, so that is very encouraging. When he was on lower levels of sedation, he was able to nod his head in response to questions. They continue to rotate Ben on the Rotoprone bed to increase his oxygen levels. Thank you once again for all your prayers and support. We feel them, and I know Ben does too.

Tuesday, April 2nd: Ben was able to be on his back most of the day today which is the most he has been able to do so far. They decreased the amount of oxygen they give to him, and his oxygen levels were able to maintain, even while on his back. He had lost a little more blood today, which is coming from a sore in his stomach. While he is making many small improvements, there is still a long road ahead and so much unknown. Every day is literally a miracle, and everything is still very critical. Again, please continue to pray for him, his lungs, and his whole recovery. 

Also a reminder that if you would like to send Ben a note or card or something, you can email me or send it to us, and we will let Ben know how much we all love him. Thank you for your support!

Wednesday, April 3rd: After six days on the rotoprone bed, Ben has "graduated" to a normal bed. This is really big news because the bed was so crucial for him for those few days. They decreased his sedation levels so that he was nodding and shaking his head to our questions. They started some physical therapy to keep his muscles and joints moving. We are so grateful for even such small improvements. Ben needs prayers of comfort and strength at this time to keep going strong. And as always, continue to pray for his lungs to heal, and the bleeding in his stomach to stop. Thank you all so so much for your support!

Thursday, April 4th: They have continued to decrease the oxygen they are giving Ben, and his oxygen levels have been stable, so they possibly may take out the ventilator in the next couple of days. His stomach still has some bleeding, but his lungs seem to improve a little everyday. Thank you to everyone who has made and sent cards already! We have hung them up in his room, which gives it a much homier and loving feel.

We have exciting news---They took Ben off the ventilator today and he is holding his 02 sats with nasal oxygen. He is blown away that today is April 5th. He has vague remembrances of March 27th and something from last eve. He still has the stomach issue. If you want to pray for that to heal, we would appreciate it. I want to say THANK YOU to all of you, for your love, concern, prayers, fasting and the other ways you are serving and blessing our family at this stressful time. It is a bit boggling to realize that SO many people care. Thank you! May Heavenly Father bless all of you.

I was able to talk to Ben Thursday night on the phone. 

I happened to be standing next to my grandpa at the time he called

Luckily grandpa shared the phone with me 

and hearing Ben's voice was one of the best moments ever!  

Sunday night, April 7th: We apologize greatly for our lack of posts the past few days. I know several of you check this every day. Ben is awake! We have literally been spending every free moment with him. They took one of his chest tubes out yesterday. If his x-rays look good in the morning, they will take out the second one tomorrow. Ben has been doing great with physical therapy. Yesterday he stood up in the morning with PT, then was able to take a few steps around his room in the afternoon. Today he walked down to the end of the hallway and back, and then this afternoon he walked all the way around the ICU. The doctor is very impressed with his improvement. Ben is even joking around with us, and seems to be in good spirits. He is very humbled and grateful for all the many prayers and love that have been sent his way. We are so grateful to have him with us still. Don't let anyone tell you that miracles don't happen.

Monday night, April 8th: We are so impressed with Ben's improvements every day. His last chest tube was removed today. If all looks well in the morning, they will move Ben to a different (and less intense) unit. He's still really tired, has a persistent little cough, and doesn't have as big of an appetite as the doctor's would like. But he is in good spirits and has a lot of motivation to get out of the hospital and walk at graduation! Thank you all for the prayers, love, and cards!

Tuesday night, April 9th: Ben has been moved out of the ICU and into the PCU (Progressive Care Unit). He even was able to walk the whole way there with the physical therapists. He has gotten rid of all his tubes except one IV and some oxygen. And now for the news that many of you have been waiting for: Ben can have visitors! Ben enjoys having visitors, however we don't want to wear him out at this time. He is still very weak and trying to recover from such a huge ordeal. So as you go, please be sensitive to his needs. He will be spending a lot of time working with the physical therapists and the nurses. Quiet hours begin at 9pm, so try to wrap up the visit before then. Also, Ben's immune system is very suppressed at this time, so if you have any kind of a cold, please wait to visit him until either you or Ben is doing better. Don't forget to always use the hand sanitizer outside the door. Thank you all so much for supporting us and Ben at this time. Ben has been very appreciative of all the love and concern from everyone.

Wednesday night, April 10th: It's hard to believe it has been two weeks literally to the very hour since we almost lost Ben. We have all been through so much. It is so incredible to see the huge progress he has made. Tonight he got out of bed by himself and walked around the room without assistance. He is off all of his tubes and only has to use the oxygen occasionally. This is truly a miracle. We have seen so much of the Lord's guiding hand in all of this. Some of the nurses have come back to talk to us about how they "accidentally" put a three-way pick line instead of a two-way that Wednesday day, which is exactly what Ben needed when things started to go downhill that night. They would not have had time to put in a new pick line when his condition worsened so rapidly. There are so many other little things similar to that which all came together at just the right time in order to save Ben's life and help him get to the stage he is now. We thank our Savior, and we thank you for your faith and prayers.