Our Flu Fight, Fix-It With Fran: All Things Faith, Family, Food, Fun and more!

I’ve been a bit MIA, but with good reason.

My husband was recently hospitalized with pneumonia complications following the flu.

It’s still rather surreal.

Even after seeing all the reports in the news, I never imagined that my husband would be one of those people.

The Order of Events

After MLK weekend, my husband developed Flu-like symptoms.

We contacted our doctor and family pharmacist, treated the symptoms at home, and after about a week, he started feeling better.

Then, the following Sunday, he started having chest pains.

His cough returned.

He couldn’t sleep comfortably.

His temperature was back over 100°

I became extremely concerned.

I knew that the flu could progress to a bacterial pneumonia or weaken the immune system and make one vulnerable to a secondary infection.

(I blame my years of working in hospitals and in medical social work positions…that exposure leaves you knowing TOO MUCH!)

By Wednesday, his doctor was treating him for pneumonia, even though his x-rays were clear.

Even still, his pain persisted.

With me being the concerned wife that I am (and him still unable to breathe well or sleep comfortably), he agreed to go back to the doctor…..

A Foundation of FAITH

That was Friday, February 2, 2018.

One day before his birthday.

A day I will never forget.

A chapter in our story whose details will remain largely between me and God (there’s actually a period of time that my husband doesn’t remember 😔).

What I will say is this, my faith got me through, along with the prayers and support from our family and friends.

I never imagined that, at 32, I would see my husband on a ventilator or be told that his lungs were failing and that it would be 2 or 3 days before he could breathe on his own again. 😭

I’ve prayed for my husband before, but that ICU room became my prayer closet.

My faith was the foundation that I stood on while the world around me felt as if it was sinking.

My faith was the foundation that I stood on while the world around me felt as if it was sinking.

When I couldn’t read or find the words of my own, I reminded myself that the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf and that the Lord collects our tears in a bottle.

I’d already been taking part in the James Study, but I didn’t know how much that study would strengthen me for this particular experience.

I remember sitting in the waiting room during his surgical procedure and thinking, “This is God’s will” and having peace with just that thought.

There was no feeling of worry/stress/anxiety. Just peace.

On the Mend

Despite the sometimes negative reports, I believed Brandon would be ok. I knew there were too many things that God had promised us that haven’t happened yet.

The doctors would gives us a 2 to 3 day estimate for progress and my husband would respond in less than a day. God has been showing himself STRONG! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

In fact, my husband came home a day sooner than they expected. I’d just come home from visiting him at the hospital to get a call that he was signing his discharge papers.

🙌🏾🏃🏾‍♀️🙌🏾🏃🏾‍♀️🙌🏾

With Husboo at the Hospital

God keeps his promises. I know it to be true because it’s why I’m still here. I’ve battled my own heath issues in the past, but God is faithful.

2017 was another challenging year for me. My chronic joint pain reared up again and I started having asthma attacks out of the blue. But God. I’m still here and getting stronger everyday. 🙌🏾

For the first morning in over a week, I’m waking up outside of a hospital and my husband is at home with me.

I’m beyond grateful.