Friday, April 26, 2013

Friday, April 26

President Martinez was coming to the clinic again this morning. He and his wife had a fireside in Temuco last night, but decided to drive to Los Angeles (Chile). When Elder Babcock thought he was going to have a second visit from the President, his comment was: “Like Moroni.” It was funny and sweet. He had been reading the introduction to the Book of Mormon in Spanish, and for him, the President was an angel. I asked him if he remembered President Martinez, and he said, “Yes, but without any previous context.”

I wish everyone could have heard the blessing Elder Babcock received. It was so complete and so beautiful. He will hear and walk and work and will be a great missionary here in Chile. Everything will come back. The President assured Elder Babcock that he was a missionary now, and would be throughout recovery, and that he needs to be at peace.

It was the first blessing Elder Babcock recalled receiving. And yes, it was a tearful and special experience for him. One that he needed to hear. For me it was the third blessing. Luanna was in ICU for a fourth blessing by the president when I was out of the room.

Elder Babcock had plans to walk up to the first landing of the stairs this morning, and then realized that he had only two choices. One was to climb to the second set of ten stairs and go down the elevator. The other was to turn around and go back down the ten steps. He decided to climb. And then he exercised at the bar outside the room.

Elder Babcock had plans to walk to the first landing of the stairs this morning and then he realized that he had only two choices. One was to climb to the second set of ten steps and return to the first level in the elevator. The other was to turn around and go back down the first ten steps. He decided to climb higher. And then he exercised using the bar outside the room.

He slept for a while, and then he was using the computer. He shaved in front of the sink and brushed his teeth standing up. He had no idea how much warmer and more comfortable the hospital was compared to the house in Victoria.

When asked about when we could leave the hospital, Dr. Rivas said, “Monday, if the MRI is good” and then he said, “Maybe a couple of days after that.” Then he laughed saying that Elder Babcock is a case study of complications. For me the idea of leaving the clinic brought a lot of fear. I didn’t know how I could take care of his needs by myself. He was used to having many nurses and aides helping him.

I wrote a letter to President Martinez in Spanish:

Querido Presidente,

He pensado sobre la situación después del hospital.  Puede ser tan pronto como miércoles si la resonancia está bien.  Creo que necesitamos un tiempo de transición antes de Victoria.  Yo voy a reservar el hostal para dos semanas más, quizás tres, y más si Elder Babcock no puede salir el hospital la próxima semana. El hostal no es tan frio y tiene un baño cerca de la cama.  Gracias para todo. Nos vemos la próxima semana. 

Con amor,

Hermana Babcock

In English:

Dear President,

I have thought about the situation after the hospital. It can be as early as Wednesday if the MRI is good. I think we will need a transition time before Victoria. I will book the hostel for two more weeks, maybe three, and more if Elder Babcock can’t leave the hospital next week. The hostel is not as cold and has a bathroom near the bed. Thanks for everything. See you next week.

With love,

Sister Babcock