Thursday Morning July 31
31 July 08 - 06:40
Sorry I have not updated since Monday. I am sick with a cold that is now moving into my chest & I have not had the energy to write.
Jim's trach was pulled on Monday & he is doing fine. He looks great with just a little bandage on his throat. No trach, no IV's! Prtaise God! He says it is easier to swallow now & his voice is stronger, too.
He has a new chair that he likes much better than the other one. This one was donated, so it is his! It is controlled with a chin joystick & he adapted to it quickly & does better with it also.
The ramps will be built free of cost to me, in concrete. The man who will be building them, Ben, says he builds all his houses handicapped accessible & people appreciate that. It does mean we will have to pull up the carpet in the Family Room, but that needed to be done anyway. The Hoyer lift does not move well on carpet of any kind, and it is tricky on linoleum or concrete, so we do not want to add any degree of difficulty.
Mike, Judy & I went yesterday morning for Hoyer transfer & lifting training (Lynn goes today). What they have done is trained Jim so he can direct his own care. He did great! It was a bit of an ordeal for the first time, but I am sure it will become just something you do. It will take two people at first, but I know as I learn I will be able to do it alone. One thing that will help is when the spasms ease off or go away. They are so intense & so strong, affecting his whole body.
Tomorrow I go see a bed & other items with Miles. I had gotten some conflicting information & was not sure what to do. "Suddenly" I remembered a man we have done business with for as long as I have worked with Dr T. I called him, he cleared my confusion, made recommendations AND knows the man who has the beds & equipment! He called him, told me to go see him & that I could depend on him. He called him & told him to give me a smokin deal AND A WARRANTY! Isn't God good? It was no fluke that I suddenly thought of David & called him - that was God at work.
I have decided to buy an electric Hoyer. Though hydraulic ones are reaily available, I don't think in the long run it will be good on my back. Pray I am making the right decision about this.
Please continue to pray for us. There is much still to be accomplished but the plan isin place. Pray for Jim to continue to show improvement. Pray for just the right Van to become available. If I have to have Jim brought home by ambulance, it will cost us an enormous amount. The insurance refused to pay for the transfer by ambulance to Good Sam so I know they will not pay for the ride home and home is 4 times further. If we find a Van I can drive him home myself. John Stugan and Judy & Mike Hosler are looking hard for us but I know they would not mind everyone local looking also. We would like one $10,000 or under, but not too old.This is a priority!
God has not forsaken us, ever! He knows our needs & knows just how to meet them, we just need to pray.
In Him Who First Loved Us, our Savior, Jesus
Marilyn
