THE JOURNEY REALLY IS CONTINUING April 3, 2014

Wow! It has been almost a month since Amy made the last post on this blog ... sorry there has been such a long silence.  There's been a lot happening, so let us bring you up-to-date...

John is doing really well.  He continues in physical, occupational and speech therapy twice a week and is making progress.  We get in 1-2 days a week together at the SpoFit Center gym where John works on strength and flexibility and Jackie walks the indoor track. 

But the BIG NEWS:
John has his first prosthetic leg! 

He has been able to walk in therapy using either the parallel bars or a walker with two therapists alongside.  In fact, he wears the leg 6-8 hours a day in the wheelchair and when he is working out at the fitness center.  Everyday he can do something new and gains more independence in self-care although he is not walking outside therapy sessions.  His speech and eating have improved and he will probably finish with the speech therapist next week. 

















Our meeting with the neuro-ophthalmologist was helpful.  His concern was protecting the cornea since the eyes were remaining open most of the time and a minor surgery was scheduled to "bring up" the bottom eyelid.  However, since John's eyes have really been improving and he closes them now when sleeping, we  postponed that procedure indefinitely.

At the heart of the matter for Jackie ... I feel pretty good!  Certainly much better than when I went into the hospital.  The new diet is working well for us.  It is like the first year we were married - I am learning to cook all over again.  It is a drag not to eat out when we are on the run. (Watch that sodium in packaged and canned foods - and at restaurants!)  Since I've lost so much weight, I went shopping with Elisa and no longer look like I am in borrowed clothing.  We look forward to seeing the cardiologist soon and learning more about "what's next?"  Hopefully I can begin a bit more cardiac exercise at SpoFit  I try to walk every day and enjoy the indoor track where I can do 1.2 miles at a pretty good clip. I have returned to loading the wheelchair and driving.

Paul and John at Riparian Preserve

 
Paul was here for three days and that was fun.  He got some fix-ups done for us and we enjoyed a morning's outing at the Riparian Preserve just 15 miles from here.  It was a  long walk around the ponds and lake, so I was glad to have Paul do the pushing. 

 

Together we attended a local chapter meeting of Guillain-Barre/CIDP Foundation International at the Phoenix Public Library. There was a neurologist speaking and it was very informational.  We learned that although John had a very severe case of GBS, he is making a good recovery compared to many in the room who are continuing to suffer severe pain and disability
3-6 years later.  Here we are in our GBS/CIDP Foundation hats! 




Three days after Paul went home, Elisa and her family came from Utah for spring break.  Those kids are really growing fast!  Little Braxton was walking everywhere - and getting into everything! He is so bright and inquisitive just like his older siblings.   The weather was perfect and they all loved being outdoors since it was snowing at home.  Stephen, Ava and I had a good time planting flowers in the backyard which we will enjoy from the patio.  John and Stephen even fished some in the lake at nearby Desert Breeze Park. 
 



We had a great day at the Phoenix Zoo along with my niece, Amber Spirlong, and her two kids and Terry and Julie.  John rolled all over the 2+ acres in a rented scooter, but I got in some good walking!


Jackie and Ava at the Phoenix Zoo

 This week John and I attended a meeting of "Lively Limbs," an amputee support group.  Along with six other amputees, we learned a lot about the public transportation system which is available to people with disabilities.  We are eager to try it out.  A doctor who specializes in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and provides a free clinic to amputees once a month, was also available.  It was most exciting to see men about John's age walking so well with their prosthetic legs and not even a cane.  We can imagine John's future!

Because you are all good prayer partners, here is a picture of my parents, Ardean and Verda Mae Cottington, at a family gathering in my sister's backyard.  Hospice has been a help in so many ways.  They adjusted my father's medications and got him on a regular schedule with correct dosages and at correct times.  Weekly physical care has been great for him.  He is eating again and gaining weight as well as energy.  My mother's severe back pain is being helped by proper medication as well.  It is amazing to see the change in both of them.

Please pray for Amy's family - Joshua's father, Chuck Sutherlun, had surgery this week for a cerebral bleed.  We think the prognosis is good, but wait for more word.  This is more stress for Amy and Joshua with three of four parents seriously ill the past year.  We are grateful they live so close to his parents. 




We continue to be lifted by your prayers and the notes of love and encouragement. Dear family, friends and other readers, may the Lord bless your days with good health and the peace of his presence.  We'll write again soon, I promise!

John and great-nephew, Hayden - it's a great life!