Monday Morning, July 28
28 July 08 - 07:16
I can tell from the recent comments that many of you do not know the injury Jim has to his spinal cord. His cord was not severed, it was bruised. When I first heard this, I thought it would heal as any bruise, but learned differently. Bruising of the spinal cord can be as permanent an injury as a severance; but I have heard many stories of people who did regain some functions after this happened. In Jim's case, which was a severe injury, the surgeon did not expect him to regain his hands, but perhaps his legs. And the surgery itself to stabilize his neck, caused further swelling, but had to be done. It will take a year or longer to know what he might regain if anything. It seems to me the doctor had it backwards as he has sensation in his hands but nothing below the nipple line on his trunk. If you want to learn more, just Google Spinal Cord Injury.
I have what some may think an unusual prayer request! It is for bugs. About three weeks ago I had an infestation of bugs. They covered everything - the pool deck, the house, the road, the garage, etc. They would come in at night if they sensed a light. I contacted the "Bug Dept." at UofA & found out they are seed-eating bugs that we have an abundance of this year due to the rains & the blooming all over the mountain. They disappeared for a week & are now back worse than ever. Now these present are the offspring of the fist batch & much smaller, some as tiny as a pin head. They coat my front door, they get in through any tiny opening or openings I can't even see! They are not interested in food or humans, just a nuisance. But, I can't stand them & can't stand the idea they might crawl on Jim when he comes home! Lynn spent Saturday helping me with trying to seal openings, but they are persistent. I bought bug spray, but it only seems to work if it hits them wet - the residual doesn't affect them. I have to sweep them off the front door, & I vacuum all the time. I will be contacting a company today - pray I can get rid of them for good.
Jim was OK yesterday. He was coughing up a lot of "stuff" from his lungs. This still concerns me in regards to removing the trach today. Pray he will continue to be able to bring up whatever is there. I have to help him cough - called Quad cough or cough assist - as he cannot cough deeply on his own. He is eating, but admitted to me Friday it takes a lot of effort to eat. He has to drink a lot of fluids to get everything down & tires easily. He is not eating much meat, so pray about the protein he needs. Even cheese, if melted, is also hard for him to swallow, but he does OK with eggs.
I had a phone call -thanks, Crystal -about a potential care-giver. PRAY ABOUT THIS! I have three people who have volunteered to help out some, thank God for that. Jim is concerned about just laying in the bed & not getting any therapy. They have cheat sheets I will bring home to show what needs to be done, but it must be consistent. I cannot do his legs as the weight is too much for me; I can do his hands & arms. We could certainly use some more volunteers to do the rangs of motion exercises. They are not hard to do at all.
Still no word about the bed, the lift, or a chair. I will be contacting other resources this week. Pray about these needs & also our need for a van. No takers yet on the piano or Jim's truck.
We have so many needs, but God is our Supplier and He knows each need & even the needs I haven't thought about or haven't learned about yet. Remember when Jesus "saw" Nathaniel under the tree? Jesus "sees" not just the now, but the forever. I must rest in that, you must rest in that. Our God does not live in time & space as we do, but sees the beginning & the end in it's entirety. All my years of taking care of my daughter, Kristy, and all the years of medical training have served to prepare me for taking care of Jim. God knows my limitations, but there are no limitations with Him. Praise Him !
Matt 17:20 So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
Mark 10:27 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible , but not with God; for with God all things are possible."
Luke 18:27 But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."
Titus 3:14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs , that they may not be unfruitful.
2 Cor 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs , in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Marilyn
two comments:
Hi Marilyn,
Might it be possible for me to stop in and see Jim about 1pm? I’d like to say hi and pray over him. Please just send me an e-mail as listed (it will come to my Blackberry) and I will stop through on my way from work.
Blessings,
Wayne
Wayne Mihailov () - 28 07 08 - 10:56
Marilyn,
We have been praying for you both regularly. Your thoughts and insights are absolutely God given, and a blessing to me. I continue to be amazed about Jim’s attitude through this time in his life. When I first moved here and needed much insight about the move to this desert, God used you mightly in my life. During this time, if I can help you I would be so honored. Your note about you and Jim going out again together seems impossible, but I know that you know with God all things are possible. How people could read this blog regularly and not see that I do not know. Thanks for keeping us informed. We love you guys and are willing to help with whatever you and Jim need. There are also others at church who feel the same way. We will be praying for your “bug” situation. Isn’t God awesome that he cares about us so much that what others consider nuisance if its important to us it is to HIM also.
Blessings for you both,
Karla and Derek
Pastor Derek and Karla () - 28 07 08 - 16:35
