We are still here and working on the "new normal" of our journey. The past two weeks have been busy ones. We have at least one appointment every day - John has physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy every Monday and Wednesday and there are doctor visits and various labs and tests other days. We try very hard for John to get in a good, long nap each day and his energy is holding up pretty well. There have been a couple "wipe out" days.
John's eating is improving and he eats most things now. His facial muscles continue to improve slowly, but he looks more like himself and has a nice smile now! The eyes are still a problem although he is able to do more reading now. We are eager for the appointment with the neuro-ophthalmologist tomorrow morning. If John works real hard, he can blink and even close his eyes - well, mostly the right eye.
Elisa was here for three days last weekend. It was a lot of fun and she was such a help to both of us. We got the last project done in the bathroom. Of course, Elisa and Mom got a bit of shopping in, too. We all had a great outing to a nearby city park with a lake where we met three men who regularly sail their radio operated sailboats there. They were generous with information and giving John a chance to try it out. What a great hobby! On Sunday we worshipped at Horizon Presbyterian Church where our friend Ron Hawkins in the pastor. It is also our closest Presbyterian Church and my brother, Terry, and his wife, Julie, are charter members.
Here are a few photos of the nice times we had together.
Yesterday was a big day. John's physical therapist took us to the Sports and Fitness Center for Persons with Disabilities, a state-of-the-art facility right on our side of town. Wow! It was just amazing and is a certified center for training for paralympics with gyms, pools, and exercise rooms and classes for people with all kinds of disabilities. St. Joseph's Hospital has a grant program and John is qualifying for a one year membership for both of us. We hope to get him 1-2 days of extra workouts to supplement his therapies in the Outpatient Rehab. He is so determined to get stronger!
Last week, John finally saw the surgeon for his post-op follow-up for the leg amputation. Good news: Dr. Motzkin was very pleased with the healing process and said he is ready for "weight bearing". So, yesterday afternoon John had his first casting to begin making his first temporary prosthesis. It was such a moving experience to realize after all these months, this process is finally underway. Of course, he has a lot of strength-building to do before he is walking, but this is real progress.We are just so grateful to be home together. We love to sit on our back patio each evening and we look forward to sitting in the front courtyard when we have some mornings at home. We have a great view of the mountains just down the street. When you remember us in your prayers, please ask the Lord to continue to grant us the energy and endurance we need. We are home and meeting each day's challenges.
Home, sweet home. Jackie thank you for posting! These words, actions, and pictures are blessings for all us readers. We will keep praying - Cheryl Carmichael
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThere are certainly a lot of good things to be thankful for. But in all of these, John’s progress is the most important. And I hope it will continue to be that way, so that he becomes 100% healed in no time. Well, it’s not difficult to achieve, because he has good physical therapists, doctors, and you on his side. Stay strong!
ReplyDeleteMadalyn Oconnell @ Steadman Hawkins Clinic