Wednesday, November 14, 2007

6 Weeks in Nebraska

Good afternoon,

6 weeks ago Rachel left the hospital in Iowa City. Rachel couldn't talk or move anything but her head and right arm (barely).

I have only been gone for two days and there has been improvement. So fun. Josh and I left Sunday night and I got here this morning around 10am. It's the little things I notice. Rachel can scoot forward in her chair by herself, which takes a good amount of trunk control. When she stands, most of the time she does 98% of the standing herself. Rachel's right arm is continually improving, just slow. But when I left on Sunday, she could not lock and unlock her wheel chair (a cam action) with her right hand/arm. Today, it looks like it's not a big deal, she does it easily. Rachel also did an arm exercise that she had done two weeks ago and got to see huge improvements with her right arm. What was really neat is that Rachel commented that she could see the big improvement. She doesn't usually get to see the big changes like we do because she lives with herself everyday.

As far as we know, Rachel's release date is November 30th. It was originally today, but they extended it. A good thing. 2 1/2 more weeks of therapy in her favor before leaving. A couple of us got okayed to do transfers with Rachel. Transfers are where someone assists in getting Rachel from the bed to the wheelchair or from the wheelchair to the car. Now we can take Rachel out for a couple hours when she has some free time. Yeah! -Starbucks, here we come :-)

Rachel's right leg is also getting stronger. The shaking is still there, but it seems be getting more manageable. She is walking a bit faster and with less effort.
Oh, and when the nurse turned her back on Rachel, she sat up in bed by herself! She used her left hand on her bed railing to help assist. This is definitely a first!

Watching a miracle,
RuthAnne

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Rachel,

Sandy and I have been following your story online. We are challenged by your determination and perseverance, and so encouraged by your progress! You have come a long way - be encouraged!

These long days are but a blink in light of eternity. You are growing in Him, and many are seeing Him because of you - we will never know the extent to which God is working - but He is!

We praise you God, and ask for your supernatural healing for Rachel's body. Please touch her right side and stop the shaking. Pour your strength and peace into her spirit, and enable her to persevere in this trial. Continually encourage her with Your presence as you walk through these trials with her day by day. Amen.

We love you lots,
Elizabeth, Sandy, Abigail and Naomi Grace Pumphrey
Naperville, IL

Sara N. Smith said...

Oh, praise the Lord! I'm sure November 30th can't come soon enough! What a blessing and answer to prayer!
May the Lord continue to give you the strength you need to heal completely.
The Lord has such wonderful, mighty, awesome plans for you Rachel! You are precious in His sight and a rare, priceless jewel!
Blessings!

Robert M Willis said...

Rachel

You were used in my life before and you continue to be even with so many miles between us!! Your perserverance and positive attitude are so encouraging! Hey you should try the pumpkin spice latte at Starbuck's..:) Wish we were closer to visit.

Robert and Amanda (Satterfield)Willis of NC

Anonymous said...

Hey Rachel...its Lisa and Ericka from UIHC. We are sitting here at 2am working but also thinking about you and wondering how you are doing. So we logged onto the blog to check out your progress and we cannot express how thrilled we are by your progress. We wish you the best as you continue to move forward. We will continue to pray for you and can't wait for you to walk thru the SICU and show us how far you have come. God bless you all...we miss your smiling face.

Anonymous said...

I've have been watching your miracle. Sometimes we forget that God still does BIG miracles and he is doing one in your life and your family's.

Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits and all of them were healed. Acts 4: 16.

My commentary says that God used miracles in the "Bible days" to attract new believers. I think your miracle is and will use your miracle to attract new believers as well. So everybody wins.

God Bless You
Cindy
Centerville