2010

Baby Announcement

I am quite pleased to announce the safe arrival of Grace Marie! She was born to Ryan and I on October 19th (exactly 9 months and two weeks after the wedding!) at 7:09pm. Gracie weighed in at 8 lbs. and was 21.5 inches long.

I am loving being a mom and all of my anxieties that I had when I first found out I was pregnant have been put to rest. Caring for her has not been a problem and I am continually amazed by Gods planning. I doubt that people would realize a baby is therapy, but it it is excellent therapy for me in many ways. Picture little snaps and buttons that work on fine- tuning motor skills. Or even singing to her as voice therapy (good thing no one else hears!) Or if I am holding her in my left hand, it forces me to do things with my right arm that I normally wouldn't have done without thinking. It has been neat to see. So not only am I blessed with a beautiful daughter, but God has seen fit to keep challenging me!

Thank you for all your prayers for me during pregnancy. I had a wonderful pregnancy and am now enjoying discovering how agile I am without a belly!

March Reception In Nebraska

"Thoughts On This Last Year" by Rachel

Today marks one year of knowing Ryan in person. That has got me thinking about how much my life has changed in the past 12 months. Just about every area is different except for my first name. I have learned a LOT, and I thought I would share some things.

1. God is good.

I truly believe that. I don't really understand why the events happened as they did, but thru it all the Lord has been there for me and though the road has seemed long - I don't have to talk to many people in the medical field to know that my being alive is a real miracle.

2. Love is Amazing

I am not sure where I would be without Ryan's constant love, encouragement, and help. I attribute a lot of my recovery to him. I know that it hasn't been easy for him but he has never once shown that. He got a lot more than he bargained for this last Fall, but not once did he make me feel like he only was there out of duty. I will always be indebted to him. Going thru all that I did, while still single, makes me cringe inside.

3. I am Loved by a Lot of People

Everyone's prayers, support, and encouragement has blown me away. I am so thankful that people were so quick to pray for me and have their churches pray too. Especially that first weekend - when my brain was not responding and they thought maybe I had serious brain damage. So THANK YOU!

4. We Take so Much for Granted

Learning to do all of the basics again was frustrating, humbling, and a real challenge. I never once appreciated talking, eating or walking - but when you suddenly can only dream about doing those things (and then it seems like a BIG dream) - you think about things differently. I had to learn to be completely reliant on others for literally everything. And that was a challenge because I am naturally a pretty independent person, but it is rather hard to be when you can't do a single thing for yourself. Not being able to talk for multiple weeks was very eye opening. You don't realize how much you communicate with facial expressions (or simply your eyes when I couldn't even make any expression). You can learn to respond fairly well, but if you ever wanted something initiated - well good luck. Thankfully, I had RuthAnne there a lot and she can read me pretty well. Mom too. And Ryan got the crash course!

5. It Isn't Over

I still need everyones continued prayers. Specifically for my right side. Fine motor skills with my right arm are still a challenge. When it comes to things like writing - well let's say it is improving but I have the handwriting of an old lady. I can walk pretty well but I would love to be able to run again.

6. I am Pregnant

Trying to stay out of the limelight hasn't been my strong point lately. PLEASE pray for me though! I know God is in control (that is something that keeps getting driven home - you can have a plan or idea about your life, but we really don't have a whole lot of say in the matter sometimes). I am due the first of November and would covet everyone's prayers for a complete recovery by then. I know that in the scope of where I have been to where I am at now, it is totally feasible.

Iowa Reception

Iowa Reception

-and Rachel's Birthday Party!!!

Come and eat some "grilled-on-the-spot" BBQ!

When: Sunday Afternoon, May 11, 2008 2-5pm
Where: The Garrison Farm 15496 250th Ave
Directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=15496+250th+Ave,+Centerville,+IA+52544,+USA&sa=X&oi=map&ct=image
NOTE: on this map, JR-J27 is labeled 450th Street on the street sign

RSVP: ph# 641-895-8112 or IowaReception@gmail.com
(call or email if you have any questions)

--Please share this information with anyone who doesn't have access to email.

Marriage Certificate

The Vows

Rachel and Ryan saying their vows at the Garrison Farm, Friday night (Jan. 4th). Make sure to respond to the post below if you want an invite to the receptions in March/April!

Mandatory Reading For All

Ryan and I have decided to get married now rather than later. This will avoid the stress of trying to figure out what date I will be better, when the photographer is available, the caterer too, etc. I realized that I am so tired of waiting and having it all so up in the air. I know people will be disappointed, but I hope they will understand.

We will have a reception later in both Centerville and in Johnson when we know for sure that I can relax and enjoy it and also the weather will be a lot nicer. We'll still have the photographer come to the reception so that we'll have good family pictures and an album.

So, this is the plan. If you would like to attend one of the receptions, please send an email to rrbaltz@gmail.com and when we have all the info, like dates, specific locations (one in Iowa and one in Nebraska) we will send you an 'official' email invitation. EVERYONE is welcome, but you will just need to let us know if you want to come.

So that's the latest news. This will be quite the week for us between this and the birth of Titus! (RuthAnne and Josh's new baby)

We are forever grateful for all your prayers (and continued prayers) and support. This will be the final update to this blog. Thank you all who have walked this incredible journey with us. We are truly grateful.

- Love,

The Baltenspergers, Garrisons, Fusons, And All Others With HealRachel.com.

Merry Christmas!

Ryan and Rachel

-opening one of many gifts-

Good evening!

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! It was such a blessing to spend the day with Rachel and Ryan and to celebrate SO much. We have much to be thankful for.

Rachel had Physical Therapy today, here in Centerville. After PT, they headed back to Nebraska for a family dinner and then off to Kansas City tomorrow for her HBOT seesion. Then tomorrow afternoon they will come back to Centerville for the weekend. She has gotten alot of road time with Ryan in his truck...she has definitely enjoyed the week off that Ryan has taken to spend the holiday with her.

Rachel hasn't used her cane or wheelchair in several days. She continually show progress. I would venture to say we see something different, new, improved...everyday. Rachel's speech is also continuing to improve. She starts singing lessons next week! We have heard that singing lessons is an excellent form of speech therapy. Probably because of the amount of vocal control it takes to sing. This will be a new adventure for her.

Thank you for all the prayers!
RuthAnne

Nebraska!

Rachel and Nancy Baltensperger

Yummy!
Rachel, Emily and Anna

Rachel has been enjoying herself in Johnson with her future in-laws. Anna (Ryan's sister) write:

Note from Anna Baltensperger,

"This is the first weekend to have Rachel at our home since the first of September!!! We are delighted to see her continued progress and for her to be here this weekend! With Allyn & Emily also home, we feel very blessed to spend time together with family.

Yesterday, while the boys occupied themselves with outdoor projects, we girls were busy in the kitchen making "fastnachtchuchli". This is a holiday tradition for the Baltenspergers originating from our Swiss heritage. We spent hours rolling walnut-sized dough balls into paper-thin pastry and then frying the delicacies. (The rolling pin was part of Rachel's Friday therapy!) Though the fastnachtchuchli's take lot longer to make than to consume, the taste is worth it!"

Going To Nebraska

Rachel is excited today. She is on her way to Nebraska to celebrate Christmas with Ryan's family this weekend. She has a HBOT session this morning and then she will head to NE. Ryan and Rachel will come back on Christmas Eve day and be here in Iowa to spend Christmas with us. I am SO thankful Rachel is home and able to have Christmas with all of us. What a blessing!

There has been some wedding talk...but no plans or dates set yet. They will wait till the first of the year to decide when to make this BIG day. They will check dates with the photographer and the church...we will definitely keep you informed as to when, where, and how to RSVP, etc.

I am sure I will have several pictures for you all. Anna, Ryan's sister is really good about taking pictures. And then we'll have pictures from the 25th.

Merry Christmas to you all!
RuthAnne

More Winter

GOOD AFTERNOON!

We apologize if these updates are not timely as the weather has interfered this week.

• It is snowing and snowing!!! Frosting all the ice with white. Winter wonderland if prepared.
  
• We had no electricity from Tuesday to Thursday evening. Some are still without electricity within 5 miles of us! We had fun with kerosene lamps, cooking on our wood cook stove and plenty of hot water with gas hot water heater.
  
• Rachel indeed is home. She begins her third week home today.
• She is focused on continued improvement.
  
• Her body keeps responding to her desire to be 100% recovered.
• In this process of communicating to you how well she is doing, we ponder what words will give a true picture of her progress, her challenges and her limitations at the moment.
• She DESIRES and is THANKFUL for your prayers! So thankful!

HOW TO PRAY?

1. For her speech to return to normal. She does speak clearly, her voice is low with minimu, sounding like she is recovering from a cold. Listening closely to her for understanding her exact words or we break into laughter at what we 'think' she said and then find she was saying nothing of the sort. We are finding that in general, we humans have preconceived ideas about what someone is going to say before they finish their thoughts.
   
2. For her right arm to return to full function. Her left hand's fingers can manage the piano and computer keyboard keys. Her right fingers are bumble-some and frustrating, but functioning individually (improvement as of the last couple days!)
   
3. Walking to be normal. She walks with a cane by herself in the house or to the car. -She does need someone there to steady if she gets off balance or mis-steps. No wheel chair in the house. We only use the wheelchair to go to Kansas City for the HBOT (hyperbaric oxygen therapy) twice a week or shopping.
4. For her coughing to completely stop when she drinks. It happens enough that it is frustrating to her.... it makes a mess and if you are in the line of fire when she spews and coughs at the same time...it's embarrassing for her. This frustrates her but she handles it well with laughter. But then she doesn't want others to think that she doesn't care that she does this, but what can she do? Cry? or Laugh? She chooses to laugh! It is easier on all of us and we know that this is something that will disappear soon.
   

WHEELCHAIR, CANE, WALKING WITH HELP?
Last night we had an interesting discussion about walking vs. wheelchair and the response that others give her. Her goal is to walk by herself, of course. Rachel's goal is to walk and do so without a cane or help from others.........well, when walking alone, she looks like the drunken friend or family member, so she should use the cane as the 'sign' to others of weakness....without a cane, well, she is perceived as having a substance abuse problem.

When in a wheelchair she is treated very well. People make concessions for her.

So it is just interesting. She is not opposed to the wheelchair but then must practice walking at home, using the wheelchair in public. This now answers the question for me why people who look like they don't need a wheelchair use one because it is better culturally to use the wheelchair than trying to be strong in standing but looking too weak or unstable to stand and too strong to sit in the wheelchair. So, our thinking is....she can walk into a public place with help. Since she is unsteady on her balance sometimes and sways, the looks she gets are not that of mercy (and previous to this I would have been no different in my thoughts either); but when in the wheelchair, accommodations are made for her. Walking with a cane is getting better, but she still needs one person to assist.

HBOT therapy is going well. Since she has come home her lung capacity measured by the inspirometer has gone from 500 to to 2000 regularly and 3000 when really trying. Our lungs, they say, hold 5,000. Healthy people can get the meter to read 3500-5000. Most people do not use more than 500 which is called shallow breathing. She has pushed the meter up to 3500 once or twice.

Ryan comes here to visit every weekend. He is the best therapy for Rachel!

We appreciate your prayers. We pray you will give thanks for all you are able to do and for all that Rachel has achieved since September 6. She is a walking miracle.

To GOD be the GLORY GREAT things HE hath DONE!

Crystal

Ice Storm

Fun times in Southern Iowa. We have had enough ice to last us the winter. Some people got power yesterday and some didn't get any until today. The storm hit here Monday during the night. It's nice that Dad and Mom (where Rachel lives ;-) have a generator and wood heat! Josh and I stayed with them on the farm Tuesday night instead of staying in our cold apartment.

Rachel is doing well. The ice has been a challenge, one that she has taken on with courage. Walking on all the ice has been interesting, but she has done well with it. Today was Physical Therapy, he worked her hard for the full hour.

Rachel and I spent time this afternoon, when the power came back on, doing some last minute Christmas shopping online. I noticed that Rachel is able to type with her left hand and use a couple fingers with her right hand on the keyboard. I bet typing is still very frustrating since she was very quick at it before.

Tomorrow (Friday) Rachel goes to Kansas City for another HBOT. She missed Monday and Wednesday because of the storms that moved in. So, I'm sure she is ready to have another treatment, so she can finish up her 20 sessions, sooner than later. -they say it takes about 20 times to see a real improvement.

Thanks for understanding the delay in the update.
RuthAnne

A Week Home

Good evening,

I just realized that it was Saturday, time for another update. Ryan is here for the weekend, he got in last night and will stay till Sunday evening. They both really look forward to the weekends together.

Rachel's week was good. She had her HBOT twice on Wednesday and Friday and will go 3 days next week as well. We had our first snow storm on Thursday, so she didn't make it into town for her PT session. It seems to be emotional on Rachel to be home. I know that she really enjoys being home and being in a familiar environment and surrounded by lots of people who deeply care for her. But, being home must be hard because it is a constant reminder of all the things that Rachel can't do, yet. Like walking through the kitchen, but not being able to make a meal for the family like she used to. Rachel said that it was hard to just sit there after a meal is over and not help clean up afterwards.

Rachel's right hand is still improving, she noticed yesterday that she is starting to regain control over her ring finger. Before, she couldn't move it.

Continue to pray for Rachel's spirits, we know that disposition one of the keys to health.

Thank You!
RuthAnne

HBOT

HBOT stands for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

We are excited to be able to use this therapy for Rachel. She will be going 3 days a week to have 2 treatments done each of those three days. If you 'google'. HBOT, you find neat information on how is has helped many people with several different types of problems. Here in the US, it is most commonly used for divers and burn victims. In other countries, they use it for stroke rehab and get great results. The closest place we found to do this is 2 1/2 hours away - northern Kansas City area. Anyway, today is Rachel's second day using this therapy and we are looking forward to seeing results. After her session on Monday, her breathing capacity increased and her speech became even more understandable. The experts say that it takes up to 20 treatments to see super significant changes, so give us a couple weeks and we will all be curious to the results.

Rachel's time home has been good. She gets to shower as often as she wants, choose when she wants to do therapy, and have great food to eat. Madonna's food was decent, but there is nothing that replaces food from home and smelling it cook. Rachel had her first Physical Therapy session with a PT in town, yesterday. It went well. He is really impressed with Rachel's progress in the couple months and has been following the story even before he knew he would be her Physical Therapist here at home. Rachel was proud of her bodies ability to do whatever the PT asked her to do. Her right arm was able to perform well and even was able to give some resistance with it. Yeah! She'll have 'official' PT twice a week. But Rachel is very motivated and does alot on her own at home.

I am thinking that soon Rachel will be able to update her own blog :-) and share with you all her thoughts, prayer requests and achievements.

Let's pray for quick results with this HBOT!

~RuthAnne

HOME!

Ah, the day has arrived. Rachel is home. Everyone is all smiles and enjoying having her in Iowa with us. The trip went well, an uneventful, 4 hour car ride from Lincoln to Centerville.

There were several tears from the staff at Madonna as they told Rachel goodbye. Her smile will be missed in the hallways and gym.

Wednesday, Rachel walked 250 feet without stopping and then another 100+ feet all in one session. Because her activity level has increased, the doctor said she can go off of blood thinner. She is now medication free!!!

Thursday she did her last set of therapies. Mom and I went to lunch with Rachel and 3 of her therapists. It was considered 'therapy' (or maybe just a good reason to hang out together one last time). Emily (Ryan's sister) was there Thursday and Friday to see Rachel off.

Carol -PT, Rachel, Katie -Speech, and Stacy -OT

Friday we packed up her room and were checked out by 10am. Joyous! Rachel walked out the door of Madonna. Go girl. 8 weeks ago, they asked Dad and Mom what our goals for Rachel were upon her dismissal. Dad said he wanted Rachel to be talking and walking by that time. The case worker looked at him in disbelief and kept her comments to herself. Clearly she thought our expectations were too high.

Rachel and RuthAnne -(due in 4 weeks!)

Leaving Madonna!

We got home mid-afternoon. Did some therapy, hung out as a family and Amy and Jonas (Rachel's brother and wife) brought over supper. It has been a long time since we have eaten together as a family. Ryan was able to come last night as well, he is so faithful to be with Rachel. I think they will be counting the hours each week, waiting for the weekends to come around. Rachel will get alot of good speech therapy talking on the phone to Ryan each night. ;-)

Esther-11, Emily -13, MaryAnne -5 and Rachel

Thank you for all your continued prayers! It is amazing to watch them be answered.

~RuthAnne

Going Home!

Yeah! Rachel gets to go home on Friday. She is looking forward to being home with the family and doing more 'normal' type activities as her therapy - day in and day out. She will be doing some Physical Therapy with a therapist in town. We have exercises from Occupational Therapy to do at home. Speech Therapy will be all day, every day ;-) and Recreational Therapy will be game time with the family.

Monday, Rachel made brownies in therapy and is washing the dishes in the above picture.

I called Rachel on Monday night (I came to Lincoln on Tuesday). We talked for 30 minutes and she was completely understandable. We had a great chat. Yesterday, Rachel signed her name with her right hand! Two weeks ago, she had almost no control over her right hand fingers. And she did a grip strength test today. With her right hand she only registered 1 or 2 pounds ten days ago. Today, the little tester registered 25 pounds of grip strength!!! Huge improvement. Today in PT, Rachel walked 250 feet without stopping. On Monday, they thought it would be a week or more before she could go 250 feet without stopping. Two days later, she masters the challenge. She also was able to stand up from her wheelchair with zero assistance.

We are having all the nurses and therapist sign Rachel's quilt that she got from Naomi. They all feel honored that we ask them to sign. Several of them have stopped us in the hall and are saying they are sad to see Rachel leave, that they enjoy her being around.

We will still be doing the updates when Rachel is at home. Thanks for checking in.

~RuthAnne

A Truly Happy Thanksgiving

Rachel had a good Thanksgiving. She spent the day with Ryan's family at the house we are renting. They had turkey, all the food that goes with it and a fun game of Scrabble. Anna, Ryan's sister, sent a couple pictures from the day and a note that I will include at the bottom. Ryan is with Rachel this weekend, Nancy (his mom) will be with Rachel on Monday and Mom and I will be with Rachel from Tuesday - Friday. She comes home on Friday!

This is how Rachel and Ryan do it: No handicap parking, no ramps, and riding in a BIG diesal truck (Ryan's). This was Rachel's first ride in the truck since being in the hospital. I know they both loved the challenge.

Nancy, Rachel, Ryan coming into the house were Thanksgiving was celebrated. David is behind with the wheelchair, 'just in case'.

David/Nancy Baltensperger, Rachel and Ryan, G'ma Fass, Emily and Allyn Weddle

-playing scrabble.

From Anna,

"Rachel never used the wheelchair at the house. Ryan encouraged her to just walk from the truck to the chair inside the living...and did fine! Dad just had the wheelchair behind her in case she did need it or something.

In one of the pictures you'll notice us hovered around a game - Scrabble. I caught Rachel and Ryan laughing gleefully after having racked-up a bunch of points in the word they had placed on the board. (We played in pairs) Infact, Rachel and Ryan creamed the rest of us in that game! Not fair that Ryan had the smartest person on his team!!!! (Rachel provided alot of the spelling/placement ideas on their team, as pictured of her pointing with her finger in one of the pictures.)

Even though it was a "different" thanksgiving (in that we were spending it at a random apartment in Lincoln versus at home on the farm), it was a memorable and encouraging just to know that Rachel has come a long ways and is continuing still at the same speed or perhaps faster!"

Smiles,
Anna Baltensperger

The Double Date

Ryan, Rachel, RuthAnne & Josh We had a great time Saturday night.

Joy

Today marks her 77 days since the stroke and the 50th day at Madonna. I just reviewed the posts from the beginning of her journey and am amazed how Rachel is recovering.

DISCHARGE DATE: NOVEMBER 30

LAUGHTER and JOY

From the beginning, when all looked bleak for Rachel's recovery, we held on to "The Joy of the Lord is your Strength!" These were the first words Rachel heard when she came out of sedation. These words are put to song but what about putting them to life? If you would observe Rachel day in and day out in her room, in therapy or at mealtimes....she is happy and laughing. She is the only patient who smiles and laughs . This makes it so easy for Ryan, the family, the therapists, and the nurses. She is just s delight! Honestly, I have not seen her feel sorry for herself during her time of challenge.
Her tears have been all about WHEN.....WHEN will she be back to normal. When will she be married.

Yesterday we talked about getting married. She wants to be able to walk down the isle and to be able to care or herself first. A noble goal. In light of that, she isn't planning on getting good at the wheel chair or trying to learn to be independent by depending on handicapped facilities. Another noble, thought-out goal of her own. She would rather be assisted or go slow until which time she can do things easily on her own. She wants to mentally work with her body to get it back to full function instead of accommodating its weaknesses. Go girl!

Now for her progress report.

RIGHT ARM

She has much more strength in it......raises it above her head and is eating with it which is amazing! When she grabs something, her fingers now will release when she wants. This is new this week. Before she could grab but not let go....how frustrating!

RIGHT LEG

The shaking in the right leg comes now only when it is very fatigued from therapy. If it starts, she has figured out how to help it stop. She is able to lift her right leg to take normal steps vs. dragging it into the correct position.

WALKING

Yesterday she walked with one therapist and a cane that she barely uses. She is able to walk farther and farther in her 30 minute sessions. She also maneuvered the steps for the 3rd time. Each time she does the steps, she does better than the time before. Her right leg did not shake much during this process.

BATHROOM

She has full function and good control (meaning she can hold it or release it when she goes). Think about how this simple, taken-for-granted function is wonderful when it works and so limiting when it doesn't. PLUS, she doesn't have to spend a lot of mental time trying to coordinate when she drinks liquids, has therapy and will have to go to the bathroom. She is sitting on a regular stool and able to get out of the wheelchair, stand up, turn and sit without assistance....just someone there to 'spot' her in the event of imbalance.

SPEECH

She is speaking much but would like to speak with more volume and definitely wants to sound normal. Currently her voice is low and labored. When her lungs get to full function, this will continue to improve. She talks on the phone to Ryan. The nurses understand her pretty easily although we still must pay close attention when she is talking.

Continue to pray for her knees so they do not lock back when she walks, more strength and pray for planning the date of her wedding.

With Thanksgiving tomorrow, I leave you with this verse:

Nehemiah 8:10 And Nehemiah continued, "GO and CELEBRATE with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the JOY of the LORD is YOUR STRENGTH."

HAPPY THANKS GIVING!

Bless you all who hold Rachel in your heart and prayers,

Crystal