Good Morning,
This week was a really good week again. Every day there is obvious progress!
Ryan's Grandma Foss visits weekly and is always so surprised at how much more she is doing.
Now for specifics:
SPEECH
This week, in answer to prayer, she is able to speak more clearly.
Her lip, cheek, tongue, neck muscles have relaxed and come more up to speed. When she tries to tell us something, she first tries to say it and then uses her Lightwriter DECtalk tool if we cannot 'get it'.
WALKING
Yesterday, Friday, she was able to walk 40 steps 3 x's = 120 steps in one session. At the end of 40 steps she would sit in the wheelchair for 3 or 4 minutes and then go again. Her right leg was able to lift some enough to take each step. You know, if one leg drags heavy, kinda hard to walk.
SITTING
When situated, Rachel is able to sit by herself; her balance is good.
PERSONAL CARE
No catheter, no trach. no diaper,and no accidents!
100 % dependant on others for her needs - she can brush her own teeth and blow her nose!
Her goal this week is get the stomach feed tube out.
ATTITUDE
She is known as the happiest patient that a lot of the nurses have ever seen. Rachel still has some tears (of course) but she is quick to smile and laugh. At the beginning of the week I asked her if at any time during this event she had wished she had died. This question took courage on my part to ask because of the unknown answer. Rachel adamantly shook her head 'no' and said 'no'.
The Family
Some may wonder if our home is mayhem with me being with Rachel in
On arriving home each week, I am greeted with smiles, the house is in order, and I am ready for a cup of coffee. Family is a blessing! We just watch and wait each week to see how God is working to heal Rachel and through this touch lives! Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.
Rachel wants you to feel blessed if you are able to eat without a bib!!
WHAT TO PRAY FOR SPECIFICALLY
Her speech and swallow! Wednesday she has a swallow test. If she passes this endoscope through the nostril test, she will get to graduate from pureed food to something appealing to the eye....yeah. Oh for the simple things in life!
With love,
P.S. I am not overwhelmed with emails in my inbox.....if you feel compelled to email me, please do! Would love to hear from you whether I know you or not. (email is listed with the addresses on the right)
3 comments:
I'm in the midst of reading Walking from East to Westbr/>> - autobiography of Ravi Zacharias.
He quoted Leonard Ravenhill quoting Saint Chrysostom regarding prayer:
"The potency of prayer hath subdued the strength of fire; it hath bridled the rage of lions, hushed anarchy to rest, extinguished wars, appeased the elements, exeplled demons, burst the chains of death, expanded the gates of heaven, assuaged diseases, repelled frauds, rescued cities from destruction, stayed the sun it its course, and arrested the progress of the thunderbolt. Prayer is an all-sufficient panoply, a treasure undiminished, a mine which is never exhaused, a sky unobscured by the clouds, a heaven unruffled by the storm. It is the root, the fountain, the mother of a thousand blessings."
He also quoted E.M Bounds: "No erudition, no purity of diction, no width of mental outlook, no flower of eloquence, no grace of person can atone for the lack of fire. Prayer ascend by fire. Flame gives prayer access as well as wings, acceptance as well as energy. there is no incense without fire; no prayer without flame."
This made me think of you Crystal and our conversations. I'm exploring heretofore unplumbed depths of prayer.
My heart still grieves for my friend ... yet the sense of hope and assurance I felt when I crumpled to the floor in my little apartment when Julia delivered those striking words full of empty hope has never ceased.
I don't want to forget subtle thing like when we were all praying the tube from the breathing machines would be taken out one morning. We were all engaged in whatever activities we had, and word came that they decided to leave it in. For hours were were all under this impression and I just remember thinking, that I felt so sure that this was what was supposed to happen It was a strange feeling in my soul. Confidence smashed. Though I'm not sure what that confidence was all about. Anyway, the joy that came to my soul when I saw Rachel and realized there was one less artificial thing attached to her was amazing. They made the decision to remove it anyway.
Ravi talks much about the path the Lord directed before him. Seeing God in the shadows of his life, and realizing that God is weaving a beautiful tapestry despite the pain, confusion, and self doubt at times. I can easily relate.
From Psalm 37
Commit everything you do to the Lord, Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. ...
The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord, He delights in every detail of their lives. They they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
I've always thought "fall" meant a spiritual slip, but in the context of this Psalm regarding the wicked seemingly "winning" while the "godly" do not prosper ... well, it actually seems to apply to this situation quite nicely.
May the Good Shepherd and Guardian of your souls hold you the hand!b
Praise the Lord for the progress! It is encouraging to see how He is answering our prayers in your life, Rachel! Keep pressing on! I will be praying for the feeding tube to come out soon. Press on!
Your friend in Nebraska, Emily
Rachel (and family): Thank you so much for the frequent updates! You have been much on my mind lately and it sounds like the Lord is really blessing your efforts! Will be praying for your tomorrows. With love, Faith Alterton
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