Week Eight at Harmarville
Week Eight
Day Fifty...
July 23, 2003
This will be a very quick note since I'm on my way to the hospital shortly.
I think I mentioned that Greg and Francie met with Deb from the Office of
Vocational Rehabilitation (henceforth known as OVR). They are more
optimistic about OVR's help with getting the computer software and
adaptive devices than with their help in the house. Nevertheless,
we continue to get leads from friends on other sources of help.
I am very confident that God will make the way. He has so far put
the right people in the right place. We just need to stay the course and rely on Him.
Greg has a lot of therapy today and he expects to get into walking braces this afternoon.
Wild..huh !!! No, he hasn't started walking on his own ...No he hasn't
suddenly started moving his legs all around...but I hope to have some
very interesting things to report on tonight's email. Be patient. And keep praying.
This distro is up to 114 people .. amazing. If you send it on,
would you please reply and tell me how many people you send it to?
I'd like to tell Greg and Francie. As I've send before, but can't
say enough, you have all been such a source of comfort to us.
Just knowing that you're out there praying and helping in so many ways.
Talk to you soon.
Blessings,
Connie
Day Fifty-one...
July 24, 2003
Wow...I got lots of notes from y'all today. It's always great to hear from you.
My note this morning didn't include everything that was going on, so I'll try to catch you up.
Yesterday Greg started out with the usual visit from Dr. Brenes.
He told the Doc that he has increased burning in his arms, hands
and feet. Dr. Brenes then put him through the tests, move this,
move that, squeeze your knees, etc.. The Doc said that what is
exciting is that Greg has C6 and C7 function, wrists and triceps.
See the diagram below. He also noted flexion in Greg's wrists.
As you may remember, Greg had a burst fracture of his C5 vertebrae.
This is very exciting !!!
At about 745, he had ADLs with Michelle. He was able to put his
shirt on and over his head and half way down his body. He only
needed help where his back was against the chair. He went to PT
where everything went as usual. In Hand Therapy, he had a sub,
Julie. He stacked blocks..small ones..18 high, a new Harmarville
Hand Therapy record!!! (We're waiting for a trophy.) The best
is that she noticed some slight movement in his right middle and
index fingers. Finally he had aquatics in the late afternoon.
He was floating vertically and wanted to try moving his legs.
Mark and 2 students were with him. He tried pulling his legs
together...no movement. He tried pulling them apart..nothing.
He tried kicking them out...nada. He tried pulling them back...Yikes !!
Movement. Pray for more.
Today, in PT, Chris got Greg up in K(nee). A(nkle).F(oot) O(rthotics)
((Not sure about the last word). Anyway, they are full leg braces with
a sneaker on the end. He leaned on a very high stand with arm rests and
wheels. Someone else drives, Then Chris stood Greg up and pushed his
legs one at a time. He told Greg to think about walking, moving each leg.
He repeated that three times...maybe 20 steps each. Greg said it was very
cool. He said he felt like he was on a ladder. He hasn't really been fully
upright and moving since May 28th.
I want to send you an excerpt of a note that was sent to me
from a dear friend, Saundra..."I was praying for Greg. During
that prayer it occurred to me that Greg's physical progress is
not unlike our spiritual progress. Many of the changes that God
brings about in our lives is a process. Sometimes long and painful
and sometimes excurciatingly slow. There are good days and bad days,
mountain top experiences and deep valleys. but, the process goes on.
It also occurred to me that our heavenly father watches and waits with
great expectation for even the minutest of successes the smallest of
victories. and I know he celebrates each baby step, each twitch in
the right direction just as we have all been celebrating each day
for all the progress, big and small that Greg has made. I can see
your family growing by huge leaps and bounds spiritually and I
thank you for sharing this with all of us. I can tell you that
I for one have grown along with you. what a mighty and generous
God we serve! At the end of my prayer for Greg today a scripture
came to me. Isaiah 40:31 ...but those who hope in the Lord will
renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they
will run and not grow weary, They will walk and not be faint.
God's purpose will reveal itself in all of this. Perhaps it already is.
Blessings,
Connie
Day Fifty-two...
July 25, 2003
Hi everyone...Another good day. Greg sat on the mat in PT with his legs kind
of frog-style and he could move his arms from his lap to behind his back
without losing his balance. Regaining trunk strength and control is
obviously very important. It will help him do weight shifts in his chair
and hopefully roll over himself. Currently, he gets rolled over and
repositioned in bed at 12M and at 4AM. Until he can do it himself, Francie
will need to do it. For both their sakes, please pray that he regain this
strength soon.
Also, both Greg and Francie saw some slight movement in his right pinkie. Praise God.
Yesterday Greg talked to Joyce Bender by phone. Joyce is an IT
recruiter specializing in the disabled. She describes herself
as a crusader. Greg was very impressed by her and is optimistic
about how she can help. As I wrote before, the job (and benefits)
issue is a concern. We are confident however, that God will find a way.
This is the weekend in the apartment. Please pray for Francie. Although help
is close by, Greg's care will fall to her...plus the boys will be there too.
Greg also would like everyone to pray for Mary Beth, a nurse at Harmarville. She
was to see a neurologist today to "rule out MS".
Blessings,
Connie
Day Fifty-three...
July 26, 2003
Just a quick note to all. Greg, Francie and the kids are staying
in the apartment at the hospital tonight. I think they were going
to play games and watch movies. Tomorrow, church again.
I need to correct yesterday's note. The finger movement was the
middle finger not the little (pinkie) finger.
Also, please pray for John Eckert who has been diagnosed with colon cancer.
His daughter Valjean is on this distro. Valjean, we're praying for you also.
Keep us posted.
"I lift my eyes to the hills,where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
The Lord will keep you from harm--he will watch over your life: the Lord will
watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalm 121: 1-2, 7-8
Blessings,
Connie
Day Fifty-four...
July 27, 2003
I am writing this quickly before we take Greg back to the hospital.
He is sitting right here beside me. The day went well. He got to church,
then came back here (our house) for lunch and dinner. We played a bit with
the van, trying to load the chair with Greg in it. That didn't work very
well. Francie plans to take it to someone who specializes in this type of
van and equipment to get everything into shape.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Blessings,
Connie
Day Fifty-five...
July 28, 2003
Hi All...
It's been 2 months since the accident and 1 more month here at Harmarville (tentatively).
Another interestig day. This morning in PT, Chris had Greg try to lift his legs
onto the mat. He couldn't do it by himself yet, but that's how all things start.
In OT, Greg managed to shave about 3/4 of his face with an electric razor.
He had to use 2 hands to do it...but not a bad beginning. Then in afternoon
PT, he was back up on the walking braces.
It's a long process and sometimes daunting if you try to look too far ahead.
But..a fruit of the spirit is patience
Also, please pray for Greg's friend Mike Krut. Tricia (Mike's wife) took
him to the hospital with chest pains. He has been admitted.
They have three young children. Please pray for all of them.
Blessings..
Connie
Day Fifty-six...
July 29, 2003
Hi all.....
Not much new to report today on the Greg front. All therapies went as usual.
As the time draws near for his release financial concerns keep cropping up.
We still struggle, knowing that God provides for our needs and yet, being
human, worrying. So please continue praying. Some updates need to be
made to the big van, a new lift and tie downs for a power chair, and
seat belts. Renovations are continuing on the short-term fix on their
downstairs. People are donating labor and some other things...praise
God. Still, there will be some major items that will need to be
purchased before Greg comes home. A special king sized bed (I think
it's actually two matresses, not sure; sink, toilet, shower, tile,
carpet etc. for the new bathroom downstairs. That's all before we
start thinking about the upstairs.
We are so blessed as a family to have so many people who are pitching
in and helping in so many ways. It is also very comforting to know so
many are praying. Many people that we don't even know. I pray that God
uses all of this (and all of us) to do His mighty work. Actually, I
think He already is.
Mary Beth, the nurse who was being tested for MS, does NOT have MS.
And Mike Krut was released from the hospital late this afternoon,
after many tests. It appears that he has pleurisy. Please keep
praying for Mike. He was to start a new job yesterday. Pray
that his new employer is patient.
Don't forget to pray for TJ and John Eckert as well. Both are facing scary diagnoses.
Blessings to all.
Connie
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