many good bits of news

After a long, hard week I am quite pleased to bring you all some good bits of news.  Ellen phoned me about a hour ago...much to report.

 

1. Dad's condition/progress: 

Yesterday he sat up in his back brace for 59 minutes and physical therapy people had him doing somethings with balance, etc.  His broken ribs and broken scapula on the right side and lots of painful bruising on the left made this challenging.  However, you know my dad, takes on challenges :-) 

 

They did a lot of sensory tests on him and found that there is a bit of muscle twitching or flexing in his gluts and hip flexors.  WOHOO, that's great news!  Also, Ellen was there during the tests and when the therapist poked Dad in his left ankle he felt it, but thought it was in his left thigh.  Hey, we are extremely greatful for the tiniest bit of sensation, of hope!!!!  All in all, God is good, healing and progress are already taking place. 

 

Dad is still in ICU, but only because there are not any other rooms available.  He is not hooked up to any monitoring machines or IVs or anything.  He even put on his glasses yesterday and watched some History Channel.  Being in the ICU means he gets even better care than he would in a regular room, so I guess its fine that he is still there.

 

His attitude is good.  He is staying positive and working hard on the exercises that they give him.  This could be quite a long road, so pray that that positive, perseverance spirit remains! :-)

 

2. The Craig Rehab situation:

As I said in a previous email, this is quite a reputable place for spinal injury rehab AND it is right next door to the Swedish Medical Center where Dad is now.  Mom's working hard with the doctors and social worker to get Dad in there.  The hang up in the insurance right now.  They want him to be in a rehab center in Eau Claire or Marshfield, but hello people he is paralyzed in Denver and one of the coutnry's best spinal rehab centers is next door!!!  To me it seems like a no-brainer, but the insurance world is a bit more complex than that.  Ellen reported that the Craig doctors are going to talk with the insurance doctors and hopefully they will agree that it's fine for Dad to go to rehab there.  Pray that this goes smoothly and that insurance will allow for Dad to move next door to one of the best spinal rehab facilities.

 

God willing, he'll move to Craig on Tuesday. :-)

 

3. Sending things/visiting:

As you all email, even though I can't write back to everyone, I write Mom a summary of who said what and to pass the messages on to Dad.  Some asked what to send -- not flowers.  Luker reminded me today how Dad says that flowers just die and then their water starts to stink.  Maybe send a funny card and write a personal message.  I sent a Father's Day card in Akrikaans which he won't understand, but then I translated it to English and sent some photos.  You certainly don't have to send things, but I know that some asked about it so I thought that I would put this part in.

 

4. How's the family doing?

Mom is totally a trooper and you all know that.  She is getting things done.  Last time I talked to her she was going for greek food and visiting with some old friends from Medford who know live in the Denver area.  Sounds like she takes breaks from the hospital to get rest and is hanging in there.

 

Luke is going to have Q-doba (oh, I am jealous) for lunch and run nine miles later today.  Ellen has visited with friends from Medford who are randomly out there.  Both Luker and Ellie seem to be better than earlier this week and are taking care to get a little R&R as well.  I think that they fly back on Sunday.

 

Many have asked how I am.  Even though I am far away, I stay connected through email and phone calls.  Dear friends and my Namibian families have been AWESOME.  Many colleauges and other friends in Mariental and abroad have smsed and emailed that they are praying for my dad and family.  That means so much to me!!  People's kindness has been so overwelming that I sometimes cry because my heart is just so full.  In the beginning of the week it was scared and sad tears for my dad, now they are happy, I-cannot-believe-how-great-people-are, tears!  I will go home the end of July for a visit.