Good and not-so good to report this week:
Good
- Appetite has definitely increased! Ron is now eating full size portions at mealtimes and often asking for seconds! It was music to my ears to hear him say "I'm hungry"!
- Tremoring has definitely decreased.
- Sleep cycle is much improved.
- Has had no pain meds in two weeks!!!
- Reflux and regurgitation has greatly improved...only puking about once or twice a week!
Not so good
- still having great difficulty with weakness & lethargy, energy, strength, stamina
- very down and lacking in motivation
- continued "brain fog" (you know when you have the flu and you just feel like you can't concentrate or focus on anything)
There are days that his actions remind me of how I felt for so long as I was in the acute stages of my illness; hardly able to drag myself from bed to chair, extremely tired after a simple shower, neglecting to eat because it just takes too much energy to deal with; it's been a rough week for him. It's especially hard for me to see him this way and to have to go to work each day; I so want to be home with him to help him through this rough time. But we have to trust that God knows what's going on; and I definitely have to work...gotta have that paycheck and insurance!
Then, there are times I almost feel guilty that I get to go off to work, escape all of this and feel like life is normal. Other days I just want to pack it all up, get on a plane and head to some beach, some where! Of course, in this state of delusion, Ron is with me and we are able to enjoy a carefree life with no restrictions; just relax, hang out, live off our love and the land! HA!! But then, back to the fact he can't ever escape reality.
Dr. A had wanted Ron to start physical therapy last week but he was adamant we could not afford it and that we would get Ryan and Stacee to set him up a plan after they returned from their honeymoon. I felt it would be great to have him have to be accountable to someone else and that might motivate him a little more but definitely agree with the wisdom of not having to pay for it.
So tonight, we had a house call from newlywed Dr.'s Ryan and Stacee Nordell! It was so fun to watch them in action! They did a PT evaluation and have set him up on a daily therapy schedule. It will be very hard on him at first, his body is not used to the physical activity and he'll be doing "two a days" to help develop endurance and stamina; working on building strength and stretching out those muscles that have become so deconditioned, as well as breaking up scar tissue that has hardened and "scarred down". I'm sure he'll be napping more as his body adjusts to all this physical activity.
We've also begun looking into the process of seeing if Ron qualifies for Social Security disability benefits...so far, it does not look very promising but we'll continue to search to see if there is a way.
No one is willing to guess at any kind of timeline as to when he will once again be employable; however, we do know that he will not be able to return to the physical labor side of the business we own. Right now the business is struggling along--able to cover most of the cost of running it along with paying our one employee but not able to afford us a paycheck. We know God will continue to provide for our every need; but we struggle to keep our thoughts from becoming anxious.
Over the past couple of weeks we've surprassed the year mark of many memorable dates : November 4 being given a very grim prognosis and praying the boys would make it home in time to see their Dad one last time. November 6 miraculously Ron pulled through and survived then underwent another surgery with a high mortality rate to contain bleeding and do damage control. November 17, another "dying spell" and urgent phone call to Ryan in Florida to catch the next flight home. Through it all, God has remained our Rock, our Strength, our Hope, our ever present Help in times of need, as well as our Song.
As we look back on this last year we have so very much to be thankful for; including you, our faithful prayer warriors! Thank you, for standing in the gap, faithfully bringing our needs to the Father as well as providing for us physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially. We are very blessed because of you! And thanks for being willing listeners as you indulge me as I use these ramblings as my therapy session!
Life is often hard; but God is ALWAYS GOOD!
Christie
The following song has been on my heart and in my head for the last couple of weeks. And then, we sang it in church this morning. These lyrics are very fitting and really speak to me.
Blessed be Your name; In the land that is plentiful; Where the streams of abundance flow; Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name; When I'm found in the desert place; Though I walk through the wilderness; Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out, I turn back to praise; When the darkness closes in, Lord; Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord; Blessed be Your name; Blessed be the name of the Lord; Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name; When the sun's shining down on me; When the world's all as it should be; Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name; On the road marked with suffering; Though there's pain in the offering; Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out, I turn back to praise; When the darkness closes in, Lord; Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord; Blessed be Your name; Blessed be the name of the Lord; Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away; You give and take away; My heart will choose to say; Lord, Blessed be Your name
1 comment:
Please know that we are continuing to pray for ya'll and praise with ya'll. I pray you will get to enjoy this beautiful weather with healing sunshine to lift your spirits. You are loved even by people you hardly know.
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