Friday, Janaury 31, 2014 John's Retirement Day

HONORING TODAY,

MOVING FORWARD

 

Officially, John retires today from a 40 year career as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  It only seems appropriate that I mark the occasion in this blog.  We all know he has a pastor's heart and a love for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Certainly, he is not retiring.  We have received lovely reflections from friends and family.  I have chosen to let you all read Amy's note since so many of you enjoyed the last post she wrote.

 

 

I had the same pastor my entire childhood.

               I’m glad he was a good one.

 

When I was little, he was really big.  But he’d sit down right next to us on the low steps in the front of the sanctuary when it was our turn to come close and hear the story he had to tell.  I don’t remember what he said, but his voice and his eyes were warm.

 

I remember my mom said that the old people would complain that his voice dropped at the end of his sentences.  But I loved the way his voice trailed off in his pre-sermon prayer, like we were hearing something that was just between him and God, “…the words of my mouth and the meditation of all of our hearts….”

 

I used to stand beside him sometimes as he greeted people after the service.  His smile was real and you could tell he wanted to know the answer to the questions he asked.  Which made people linger so the line backed up, but he never seemed to notice, never hurried.

 

I used to love to lose myself in his hug, the folds of his black robe draping around me in welcome.  I think you’re supposed to feel safe like that, and loved, at church.  I guess I thought everybody did.

 

He was smart - very, really.  With thoughts that sometimes tangled and trailed their way through his sermons.  But it wasn’t the wisdom in his words, it was his humility that had people leaning in to listen.

 

He was hard to rile, calm in a conflict, with a unique self-certainty and immense patience for the process of building consensus, for the slow hard work of forming disciples.

 

When I went to college, I sat in the pews before other pastors and tried to count up how many sermons I must have heard him preach over the years.  I can’t remember a single one.  But I know his God, love his Savior.

 

He was my first pastor,

 

the one to whom I compare every other pastor,

 

the pastor I hope to be.

 

  

From Amy, with love, on the occasion

    of Dad’s retirement, January 31, 2014.

 

Thursday, January 23, 2014 9:00pm

ANOTHER UPBEAT, MIDWEEK REPORT

It is getting late and I am tired, but seems like a good time to give a midweek report.  Yesterday the staff who have been working with John met to share evaluations and to set goals for the coming days.  Once again, they were all pleased with the progress he is making.  Here is the quick scoop on what has been happening:

* John has been standing at the parallel bars with two therapists for the past three days.  Each time he was standing for 3-5 minutes/ twice each day.

* Yesterday and today John was "transferring" - using a slide board - to go from the bed to the wheelchair and back with minimal assistance.

* He is getting less speech therapy and more physical therapy each day.  His food "level" was upgraded and he eats a bit easier and quicker.  There are still several letter sounds which he cannot say clearly.

* He spends about 3 hours each day in the manual wheelchair propelling it by himself.

* John received clearance from the wound specialist for no more dressings and we are waiting for permission for weight-bearing on the stump.  He will probably quit wearing the stump protector tomorrow.

* This evening we had his first prosthetic consult!  Our heads are whirling with all the new information.  The prosthetist will return tomorrow with written information and perhaps a "stump shrinker" which is the next critical step. (1/25/14 Update: He is wearing the shrinker.)

*And here is the big news:  They set February 7 as the target date for going home!  Of course, this can change, but it seems possible.

So, John is busy and loving it.  He has a lot of fans and cheerleaders on the staff.  Now I need to get busy on the adaptations in the house in order for him to come home.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

A TUESDAY REFLECTION AND A LITTLE REQUEST

It was a good weekend for us.  As John gets stronger, he needs a little less sleep, but the relaxed schedule gives him good rest.  He did have a very productive hour of physical therapy on Sunday and continues to work on his facial exercises and, of course, eating better.  John has been wheeling around in the manual wheelchair and building up strength and endurance in his arms.

We enjoyed short visits from the Davises, but also from the Baumanns and the Guisedieck family from Historic First Presbyterian.  I left early for a haircut appointment and to spend time with my parents.  John settled into watching football and our nephew, Cody Cottington, came to visit with him.

As I have mentioned several times in this blog, we have received such lovely, encouraging notes from so many people.  These have lifted our spirits, fueled John's determination, and connected us to our faith community and a God who continually sustains us.  Many of these cards and notes have included a brief story or reflection of a situation or time or just an encounter when John's ministry and care have made an impact in someone's life.  Some just contained a funny story they remember about John. 

REQUEST:  Would others of you readers be willing to share a story, too?  If so, please jot it down and send it to me (email is fine).  The family is going to gather on January 31 at the hospital to celebrate John's retirement from 40 years of active ministry.  Think about it and see where the Spirit leads. And as always, thanks for sticking with us!

Thursday, January 16, 2014 6:00am

JOHN IS CONTINUING TO MAKE PROGRESS

It is hard to believe that a week has passed since my last posting.  In many ways it was a "routine" week in the life John and I are now living.  He continued working hard in his daily therapy sessions as well as on the many exercises he needs to do independently.  We do see progress in his strength and ability to move his body, but each thing is a continual struggle for him and pretty slow progress. He is able to "assist" a bit in his transfers now which is critical to going home.  John's feeding tube was removed and the opening is healed, but the feeding issue with facial muscles is still a drag. We did enjoy some delicious cheesecake together!  And we enjoyed visitors on the weekend when he is "resting" for the week ahead.

On Monday, John got a motorized wheelchair!  This is great fun for him and intended for his stay in the rehab so he can have some real independence.  The expectation is that he will go home in a regular wheelchair fitted out just for him.  It took some practice.  On our first outing to the main hospital lobby, he was so slow getting into the elevator, the elevator got stuck, the automated voice kept asking us (loudly) to close the door which wouldn't close and the alarm went off.  It was quite a commotion for everyone and maintenance was called.  Our next outing was yesterday with our dear friends, Judy and Fred Davis, and we had a wonderful time strolling through the Renewal Garden and just basking in the Arizona sunshine.

At yesterday's weekly review, all the staff involved with John's rehab gave enthusiastic reports on his progress.  We are staying on track and expect to go home in 2-3 weeks; next week we will probably set a specific target day.  The goal is for John to be independent in his daily living with minimal assistance from me.  I am now busy working with the occupational therapist to obtain the necessary equipment and make the necessary adaptations at home to accommodate John's needs.  I am praying that our landlord will be cooperative with the required changes.  The bathroom is the real challenge and we will need 2-3 short ramps over thresholds.

Thanks for the prayers and some direct advice regarding the insurance issues.  I think we are on a good track now and I am making progress in sorting and paying the stack in front of me.  The application for disability is a detailed process and a challenge - this has been a complicated road through four medical facilities.

John, as always, continues to be upbeat, optimistic and determined as well as very, very grateful. For the friends and family and "silent readers" who continue to send notes and cards of encouragement, please know that we read each and every one many times.  I have no time to answer each one, but they are all a treasure to us.

Thursday, January 9, 2014 8:30pm

A MID-WEEK REPORT

Yesterday we received the results of John's first week's evaluation by doctors and therapists.  He made good progress on most of the goals that had been set during the intake process.  New goals have been set for the next week's work.  Barrow's staff believes John will be in this rehab facility for 3-4 more weeks.  The goal is for John to be mobile in his wheelchair and attend to his daily living skills independently as well as get in and out of a car when he comes home.  John was so excited about this good report and eager for the next few weeks of hard work.

Here is a prayer request: the only real frustration and discouragement that John is having is with eating.  He is still on pureed food and allowed one "textured food" (something easy to chew) at each meal.  Mealtimes are slow.  The return of the mouth and facial nerves and muscles is very slow which affects eating and speech.  With all the "big" challenges of the lack of body strength and the amputation, this is something we did not expect.  Please pray for this function to return in good time.

I understand that blogs are for recording thoughts as well, so here are some things I am experiencing.
This week I have begun the real struggle of dealing with our insurance company.  All these providers John has had are clamoring for correct billing and payment information.  Despite the fact that John is still employed fulltime and the church continues to pay full premium dues, Blue Cross/Blue Shield declares that Medicare is the primary provider.  We disagree.  We had been told different.  This is a hideous stress in the middle of a life-altering, life-threatening event and a struggle to find some way back to a new normal.

And today I packed up all of John's professional books and papers in his office at Historic First Presbyterian and with Steve Furidy's help, we cleared the office.  That was a very sad time for me
as I came face-to-face with all the loss in our life.  It is just not the ending as we imagined it and seems so unfair.  I know full well that he will continue to be a witness for Christ and a help to people in the future, but I still feel great grief.  I am wondering when this grief may hit John.

Good night to all you family, friends and "silent readers".  All prayers are appreciated and I know
your intercession for us is heard.  Blessings.

Sunday evening, January 5, 2014 8:30pm

"BOOT CAMP" AT BARROWS REHAB

Around St. Joseph's Hospital, they call the Barrows rehab unit "Boot Camp" for living when a person is physically challenged.  John and I believe it!  John has had 5 days of therapy now: physical, occupational, speech and recreation.  He has also had cognitive evaluations and together we had our first neurological/psychiatric consultation.  He is in his third wheelchair as they try to fit him with something that fits correctly until he has more strength and ability to handle the one he will take home. 

It turns out that the weak muscles right now are secondary problems to the rigidity and lack of flexibility John has in his right hip, leg, neck and shoulders.  A lot of his work is to stretch and loosen these areas so he has the range of motion he needs for more active strength building.  Occupational and speech therapists spend a lot of time working on his ability to speak clearly and eat - he is still on pureed food.  John is working hard to eat ALL the food and drink and supplements they give him so he can pass the threshold of consuming at least 2000 calories a day.  Then they will remove the feeding tube (which actually is blocked right now anyway).  All bodily functions have returned and John is very happy about it.Occupational therapists also concentrate on "daily living skills" which are still a challenge for his hands. 

The good news is that John IS making progress.  He can see and feel it although many changes are very slight.  He is encouraged and upbeat and works hard.  His stamina and endurance is slowly increasing.  Today he had four straight hours of visitors - mostly sitting in his wheelchair.  Tom and Dee Ann brought both my parents for a short visit.  He was tired, but not "wiped out" as he would have been 2-3 days ago.  So far, visitors are still being limited and need to call me to schedule.

We have had a good start to 2014.  All of our kids and grandkids arrived back at their homes safely.  The house is empty of voices and laughter - but there is plenty of bedding to wash!  So far, I have left the toys and books lying around as happy reminders of their visit.  For those of you still reading this blog, we continue to be grateful for your prayers and encouragement.