Since I am not currently with Mike, it is hard for me to know exactly what is going on. We talk on the phone, but that is quite difficult for him, so I just get the basics. So, I thought it was a good time to share some of the funnier things.
As you know, Mike is currently on blood thinners. I have no idea what the heparin was made out of, but the other two brought some laughs. Argatroban is made out of slug spit and coumadin is the same thing used in rat poison. What a combination! He is getting weaned off of the argatroban now.
On what is now known as open heart surgery day, there were many doctors working on Mike in the neuro ICU. One of them came up to me and said, “I’m Will and I am working with Dr. Keegan. I would like to explain to you what is going on with your husband.” I really don’t remember what he said after that. Something about a bunch of different medications needed to keep Mike’s heart working. The funny part is his name. All Mayo doctors wear identification on the jackets. This doctor’s name was William Shakespeare. I kid you not! I do not know what his parents were thinking when they named him. Maybe they wanted him to be a writer. Instead they got an anesthesiologist. Since he is being trained by Dr. Keegan, he’ll probably be a good one!
Mike still has his sense of humor, but some of the nurses don’t. As the kids and I were getting ready to leave last Saturday, Mike was overconfident in his newly acquired skills and thought he could get from the wheelchair to the bed by himself. He was not at quite the right angle and was leaning too far toward his weak side and fell over on the bed. He landed on the heart pillow all open heart patients get so that they can hug it when they cough. This apparently helps with pain. Mike just laid down, saying with a smile, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up. Goodnight!” We all got a good chuckle out of it. We did need to call the nurse in to help. We managed to get him upright before she came in. She asked what he needed, to which he replied, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” Saying that he’d fallen got quite a rise out of her! We assured her he hadn’t and was just joking. She really did need to have a sense of humor!
On a more serious note, Mike said he had another productive day of therapy. They added another session of speech therapy, which pleased him. He would like to see things improve more quickly in that area. He was also able to lift his arm for the first time. He had not even done that prior to open heart surgery day. I talked to him at around 8 tonight and he was exhausted. I am glad he is able to get good sleep now! I am anxious to see the improvements he’s made when I get back there on Wednesday.
Mike Evans' blog 
Karla,
You’re amazing – it’s great that you are able to keep your sense of humor with things during all you’ve been through. I continue to pray for your family.
Mike’s strength and his commitment to God have inspired me beyond what I could imagine.
I’ll continue to be here for you if you need anything.
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Dear Karla,
I am so glad you have been able to spend time with the kids. It must be hard to want to be in two places at once though. I am also glad that you and Mike continue to keep your sense of humor. Humor is the best medicine. I praise God that Mike continues to improve and has not had any setbacks. Will continue to lift all of you up in my prayers. I am proud of you. You have done a good job keeping life going and encouraging your children and husband. I love and miss you. Kathy
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God builds within us ways to relieve stress. Sometimes it’s crying, sometimes it’s laughing. Your close walk with the Lord through the years is now being revealed by your tears and laughter in the midst of your circumstances. Thank you.
Eccles. 9:7
Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.
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Dear Mike,
After watching you pull your seemingly lifeless leg up by grabbing your pants, and kick at your right foot with your left to get it to move, watching you walk down the hallway yesterday was like watching something out of the Bible, after Jesus said, “Get up and walk.” Your life is now the stuff of legend; the kind of thing people write books about.
We all know life is a gift, but we forget; your life is a reminder. Persevere in therapy, knowing that your every gain in mobility and memory is our joy as well as yours, and you are writing a chapter in the story of your life that cries out, “Glory!” in a way most of us will never experience.
I was glad to hear that though some words escape you, your grammar is still impeccable. If you weren’t such a good pastor, I’d say you should be teaching English!
Tim Trudeau
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Praise God for your faith and joy in the Lord. I am thankful for your unwavering faith and how God is using both of you to glorify Him. I pray He will continue to speak to you, powerfully and personally, through His word.
Blessings,
Lisa (Palmquist) Dailey
Deut. 20:4 “For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”
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Humor is a gift in life and during difficult days, wrapped up with a golden bow.
“In the unfolding of His providence, burdens become blessings, tears lead to triumph, and the redemptive grace of God overcomes the undercurrents of live in the experiences of His children.”
Travel safely.
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