Tuesday, December 24, 2013 6:15am

CHRISTMAS EVE DAY - REJOICING IN THE PROMISES AHEAD

Wow! I'm sorry that I have not posted for a week!  There really is a lot of catching up to do.  John and I are just moving through our days in a peculiar, set pattern, yet it is often changed and sidetracked. Each day I still spend about 12 hours at the hospital.  John usually gets "up" and into "the chair" as soon as the CNA is available and ready - often just as I arrive.  His discomfort in the chair has greatly diminished since sitting directly upright and moving his head and shoulders.  Then he works through the various workouts with therapists - and naps in between!

Enough - let's get to the real stuff of his improvement -
Wed., 12/18 - John's trach collar was "fully capped" - cutting off the ability to take in air through that tube.  He uses a nasal oxygen canula, but is fully breathing on his own through nose and mouth with  small oxygen assistance through out the day.  At night he returned to using the collar.  He had no problems with this adjustment and felt a bit more free from machines. Physical therapy continued as he sat of the side of the bed mostly unaided, working on balance and strength, and used the tilt table again.

Fri., 12/20 - John slept through the night with the trach fully capped.  No problems.  Oxygen levels and heart rate have continued to remain high throughout all activities.  Blood pressure is always very good.  He continues to gain some nerve activity and strength, but it is very slow - particularly in his right leg.

Sun., 12/22 - Late afternoon, the Respiratory Therapists (under doctor direction) changed John's trach to a smaller one called a "Jackson".  This is a much smaller hole which has a small plug to cap it off and yet has the ability to be used in an emergency and for continuing to suction his lungs and giving respiratory treatments every four hours.  It is almost flush with his neck.  His coughing and throat congestion are improving everyday.

Throughout this past week, John has been having intense Speech/Swallow Therapy sessions everyday (except weekends).  They are using "Vital Stim" which uses small electrodes placed on his face and throat and very small jolts to "wake up" the nerves and create a neurological response which will in turn use the facial and throat muscles.  We see improvement on the right side of John's face, but not much on the left yet - so he still can't smile, raise his eyebrows, or completely shut the left eye. 

The stimulation has increased his ability to swallow, however. Yesterday (Monday) he had a second swallow evaluation (LEES test) and had moved from a level 1 to a 9!  Now he can eat pureed foods!  Stephen, our son-in-law, was with him last night when he had tiny amounts of mashed potatoes, broccoli and V8 juice.

It is Christmas Eve Day and I have to get to the hospital, so here is the really BIG NEWS!  Following all the evaluations and passing an examination by a consulting physician (and receiving insurance approval, of course), John is going to move back to St. Joseph's Hospital (actually called Barrows) Neurological Rehabilitation Unit on Thursday, December 26.  John has been dreaming about this move and the opportunity to really begin work on more serious physical strengthening and moving towards mobility and independence.  We expect this next phase to take many weeks (or months).

Other news: Elisa and her four children arrived on Saturday evening.  Thanks to Brandon, a good friend who helped her drive down from Layton.  Stephen arrived by plane yesterday.  It was quite an event when they all showed up to see John on Saturday - getting everyone properly washed and "robed up" to enter the room was a challenge. but so exciting.  Paul and his family will fly in on 12/26 and Amy and her family are driving from Texas, arriving 12/27.  This is such a blessing and encouragement for John and me, but also for them to see their father/grandfather.  (Don't expect frequent blog postings!)

Now we are ready for Christmas.  Not much baking or decorating has been done.  Gifts are purchased and wrapped, mostly for the children.  The house is reasonably clean and neat.  But it is our hearts that are ready once again to receive the Christ Child and all the promises God wrapped up in that small bundle so long ago.  It is the reminder of the freedom and hope we have for the future because of the sacrifice of Jesus.  It is through visible signs of God's majesty and power and love that we can glimpse the invisible promise in our own futures. 

We are living with grateful hearts that John is still here with our family this Christmas.  He almost went home twice.  We believe that John is patiently listening to God and is continuing to witness to God's unfailing and unconditional love.

Merry Christmas to all of you.  May the new year be overflowing with God's grace and blessings, but also His sustaining strength and presence for what adversity may come your way.