Week Nine at Harmarville
Week Nine
Day Fifty-seven...
July 30, 2003
Hi all....
Greg had a very full day of therapy today. He said that he feels like he's getting
some of his abdominal muscles back. Also, he's feeling the muscles in the back
of his hand tighten. Please pray that these improvements continue.
News on the van: a new, smaller lift is being placed in the van.
This will enable Greg to sit more in the middle of the van and will
better accommodate his power chair. It should be done by Friday
and ready for the trip to church on Sunday. This will be a great
help to Francie, so she doesn't have to transfer him into and out
of a car. As you know, the van was a gift from Tom's cousins
and the lift is being purchased with funds that have been
donated by some of you and others. We feel very blessed.
More good news...Here's a note from TJ's mom, Resi
Hey everyone,
What a glorious day!
Tj's results are in and they are very positive! His blood work
came back normal and the ct scan shows NO more enlarged lymph
nodes. Dr. said chances are strong mono was the problem. Tj will
have to be monitored for the next 3 months, with tests as in the
past; the Dr. said 1 out of 1000 lymph mono cases develop into
lymphoma. His next Dr. app. is in 2 weeks. Please let all know
how grateful we are for all the prayers and concerns.
Still keeping the faith,
Blessings,
Connie
Day Fifty-eight...
July 31, 2003
Howdy All....
The news about Greg continues to be positive. When I arrived in hand therapy,
Greg was bulding a block tower using the kind of blocks that are all different
shapes. He used all 24 blocks. The first time it's been done according to
Jan the Hand Therapist. Also,as he was walking in his KAFOs, Chris told
him that every so often Greg was "helping" Chris move Greg's legs.
Apparently, every few steps Greg would have a sort of spasm which
would send his leg forward. Chris said that this doesn't happen
with people very often. We'll keep you posted.
I have another prayer request. Please pray for Steve Carlini.
Steve graduated from Moon High with me. Several months ago Steve
was diagnosed with and treated for esophageal cancer. It
seems that the cancer has recurred. Please pray for Steve
and his wife Jamie and their family.
I know there are probably some of you who are going through things.
Feel free to share them. There are many prayer warriors on this
distro and others. Also, our friend, Terri Peterson sends this...
Hi Connie.....after seeing it was day 56, I felt led to read Psalm 56....my
notes from the NKJV state " this psalm, apparently written when David had been
endangered by the Philistines, expresses the kind of confidence in the Lord
that believers should exude when they find themselves in terrifying
circumstances. David's natural reaction was to panic, but he
demonstrates in this psalm that the believer can replace potential
terror with the composure of trust." So easy to read...so hard to do...
Blessings,
Connie
Day Fifty-nine...
August 1, 2003
Well...Greg is now more mobile. The new lift is in the van. He got in, we
strapped him down and took a ride around the parking lot. He's good to go !! I
expect them to arrive here this afternoon sometime. He'll be back in church
again on Sunday.
He had music therapy yesterday. All talk, no singing. I'll keep you posted on
that.
Heather has the website up and running. Check out http://www.faith4recovery.org.
Don't forget to leave a greeting.
Blessings,
Connie
Day Sixty...
August 2, 2003
Greg and Francie are just leaving for the long ride back to Harmarville. She'll
be driving back first thing tomorrow morning to pick him up for church.
Greg is having a lot of burning. It is caused by the nerves regenerating. A
good thing...but very uncomfortable.
They stopped at their house, the first time Greg has been there since he walked
out to go to work on May 28th. He was very impressed by all the work that has
been done to prepare the downstairs for his homecoming.
I think they had a pretty good day. They and the boys spent a few hours by
themselves downstairs in our family room watching a movie. Normal family stuff.
The whole family dynamic is going through some changes as can be expected. So
please continue to pray for the whole situation.
Blessings,
Connie
Days Sixty-one and Sixty-two...
August 3 & 4, 2003
Hi All....
Sorry for the delay. Greg was home again yesterday, but it was back to work
today. He received his goals for this week...lifting his right wrist with 12 oz
of weight, lifting his left wrist against gravity, putting his pants on to his
ankles with moderate help, transferring himself with 75% help. Greg hopes to be
able to transfer himself by the time he gets home. Chris said the only problem
is the spasms that he has. He gets them all over, some extend his legs, others
pull them back, some abdominal ones pull him from one side to the other. Some
patients can control or trigger spasms somewhat. By doing so, they can use the
spasm to help with movement.
We were talking to another patient, Ginny, and her husband Steve. They are from
Union City, near Erie. Steve drives to Harmarville to see her several times a
week. Her mom, Sophie, comes other times. Ginny and Steve have 2 sons 10 and
12. Ginny was in a car accident I believe. She has replacement tendons in her
left arm. She often cries during her hand therapy because the pain is just so
bad. Please pray for her.
My friend Cora sent this passage
"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in
God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Pslam 42:11
Blessings,
Connie
PS.. Greg asks me everyday if there are emails. Don't ever think that he is
too busy or too tired to read them. I usually put them in a Word document and
take them to him each day. He loves getting them.
Day Sixty-three...
August 5, 2003
Hi All....
Today in OT, Greg used a built-up fork to move Rice Krispies from one bowl
to another. This was a step beyond using the U-cuff and stuffing the fork into
it. He moved the cereal very easily and could easily feed himself with it.
Good. This means that it will take less set up at mealtime and therefore more
independence.
He also went online for a little while. He checked out the website,
especially the map. Don't forget to visit the website and put your greeting on
the map. If you've never met Greg, please include some personal information.
http://www.faith4recovery.org
I've shared here some stories about other people at Harmarville and
elsewhere who are suffering. You may know more. I came across this note in my
Touchpoint Bible about suffering.
Psalm 126:5-6
Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go
to plant their seed but they sing as they return with the harvest.
"The Bible does not promise that Christians won't suffer. In fact, the
Scriptures give much evidence that we can expect to suffer, given the evil that
is in the world around us and the sin that is in us. What God does promise in
these and many other hope-filled passages is that our suffering can become the
catalyst for new growth. God promises to redeem our suffering into his glory.
What griefs are you currently suffering? Can you entrust them to God confident
that he will use them to bring new growth into your life?"
Blessings,
Connie
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