Tuesday, May 13, 2014

 

PROGRESS AND ENJOYMENT IN OUR DAYS

 

Hello again! We are well. Finally keeping my promise to keep this blog updated. Our days seem to be full and although we are speeding towards the hot days in Phoenix, our weather has been beautifully cool and perfect for being outdoors.  We take every chance we get to be on the patio - continually grateful for the days God has granted us to be together at home.  We have enjoyed our patio gardening in the midst of the rocks.  Here are a few pictures to give you an idea.

 

 

John finally received his own new wheelchair! 
It is beautiful blue and very comfortable. 

John is wearing his prosthetic leg all day and making good progress at the rehab center - and working in our kitchen!
He has been discharged from speech therapy and will finish occupational therapy this week.  Physical therapy will continue through May until Medicare coverage discontinues.  Our hope is that John will be using the walker much of the time in place of the wheelchair.  He will need to increase his vigorous exercise at the SpoFit gym at least three times a week as well as at home.  There have been many visits to the prosthetist for alterations and repairs.  There is some difficulty with small wounds on the scar tissue at the end of his stump which are being carefully treated and monitored by therapists and the surgeon. Pressure sores are a normal concern and affect the wearing of the prosthetic leg. 
(We would appreciate prayers for this specific issue.)



Jackie is feeling really well!  She wore the heart monitor for two weeks and the results showed "no significant disruptions" in the rhythm.  Her weight and heart rate are staying steady indicating that the edema is under control.  The blood pressure is pretty constant, but still too low to make it possible to take more medication to strengthen the heart itself.  Her energy is good and she does most things that she wants to do including more walking.  She loves the chance to walk outdoors and goes further than walking in the gym. The cardiologist gave permission for added exercise at the gym.  Next month he will do another echocardiogram and see if there is improvement in function. 
(We would appreciate prayers for improvement.)

We certainly enjoyed a glorious Easter service at Horizon Presbyterian.  The Lord was worshipped and praised!  Jackie's family gathered in the afternoon at Dee Ann and Tom Underwood's home for a delicious dinner and rousing games of dart baseball.  Their large backyard is like a private park - green and lush with flowers which is such a treat in our desert surroundings.

We have enjoyed company! Dale and Mary Ann Bates, good friends from our church in Surprise and now living near Austin, Texas came to town.  We thoroughly enjoyed their two days with us - talking, eating and walking in the park. 

 The next day Robert and Janet McPherson came to visit and we enjoyed sitting on our screened back porch.









 


Another great visit to The Desert Botanical Gardens
with the Chihuly Glass Exhibit

We had a marvelous second visit at The Desert Botanical Garden to enjoy the Chihuly Glass art exhibit scattered among the desert plants.  This time we were awed by its beauty lit up at night! Jackie's sister and husband and her brother and wife went with us making it a fun evening.  Then we went to Applebee's for a late dinner and had our first experience of karaoke in a bar! Wild surprise! (We hope you enjoy the Chihuly pictures below.)

Thanks for the continuing prayers and notes of encouragement.  Thanks for reading this blog.  Everyday is a treasure to us as we recall the serious health issues of the past six months.  There are still uncertainties ahead, but we are making our way along this new path with faith and trust in a gracious God.