55 year old Doug went to California in February to visit his sister and her family. Shortly after arriving he began to feel badly and ended up in the emergency room. He was diagnosed with pneumonia. Having other pre existing health problems made it difficult for his body to fight off the pneumonia.
He ended up needing a tracheostomy and a ventilator to breath for him. His sister Chrys contacted us several weeks ago in desperate need, wanting to get him back home to Ohio. She is a kindergarten teacher and has gone everyday after school to sit and spend time with her brother. This transport took a little while to put together while we waited for a facility that would accept Doug in Ohio.
Finally after 2 months of being in the hospital, the day is here. We arrive at Doug’s room to find Chrys and her daughter at his bedside. She has taken today off to make sure everything goes smoothly. Doug is thin and frail, he has been off of the ventilator for about a week.
Although he is unable to speak verbally, when we enter his room and introduce ourselves, he spoke volumes through his eyes and his huge smile. He is excited to be going back home. Chrys hugged him good bye and I promised to let her know when we arrive in Ohio. We also showed her how to flight follow us.
When we got back to the airport Hal prayed over Doug and we all loaded up for our trip. Despite the length of the trip Doug did exceptionally well. He slept only for a short time.
He enjoyed his window seat and lifted his head several times to look out his window. We flew over the salt flats in Utah and the Rockies in Colorado, we were able to point out Pikes Peak.
I think he enjoyed the snow-capped mountain tops. It was a beautiful day for flying and enjoying the beauty of the earth that God created for us.
As we continued on we were blessed with an awesome sunset against the blue sky. Its multiple shades of yellow and orange as it danced just above the sea of white fluffy clouds.
Then in just a blink of the eye the sun was gone and replaced with the twinkling of the stars. At last we have made it to our destination, Columbus. It is foggy and raining but once again Doug has that great smile as we tell him we are here. As we rode in the back of the ambulance I called Chrys as I had promised. She said she had been flight following and had notified their mom that Doug was finally home.
Then she shared something very nice…..she said, “I have been leary of many things in the medical field over the years however, when you all arrived and entered Doug’s room, introducing yourselves, caring for him it was evident that you knew exactly what you were doing.
As soon as you all left with him, I called my mom and told her we have nothing to worry about, he is in great hands.” I thanked her for her kind words and for giving us this opportunity to serve her family.
We arrived at Ohio State University and took Doug to the ICU unit where the staff have been awaiting his arrival. Their team all welcomed him and immediately took over caring and loving on him. I am confident he is in good hands now with them. We prayed for Doug and told him that his mom will be in to see him tomorrow afternoon.
HEBREWS 11:3
BY FAITH WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE UNIVERSE WAS FORMED AT GOD’S COMMAND, SO THAT WHAT IS SEEN WAS NOT MADE OUT OF WHAT WAS VISIBLE.
Thank you to Hal, Jason and Chris for sharing this mission with me.
Many Blessings,
Shelli Engle RN
PLANE FUN FACT:
Columbus is the capital of Ohio. It is the 15th largest city in the U.S.making it larger than Sacramento which is the 35th largest city in the U.S. Sacramento is the capital of California.
During the gold rush (from 1848 – 1855 ) it was a terminus for wagon trains, stagecoaches, riverboats, the telegraph, the Pony Express and the First Transcontinental Railroad. Lots of cowboys in hats.
Cocklaphobia: is the fear of hats.
