Saturday March 7
07 March 09 - 09:29
Hello to everyone from the Hersey home!
I continue to have those who ask for updates, so here goes...........
Jim started therapy & has had 5 visits so far. It is really interesting what they are doing. The PT is to keep his joints from becoming stiff & tight. He does remain very mobile except in his fingers. We are considering getting compression gloves for his hands, He is able to feel some in his arms & hands, but not as much as a few months ago,& the swelling & the tightness contribute to that.
It is the OT that is so interesting. They attach electrodes to Jims legs & butt, strap to a recumbant bike & fire the electrodes. He "rides" the bike from the firing. The first time they tried his leg muscles only fired for 60 seconds, but now he is in the minutes. The purpose of this is to give him a cardiac workout & keep muscle toone in what muscles are left in his legs. The second thing they do is put him in a standing frame. They put a strap seat under his behind as he sits on the edge of the elevated mat. They attach a blood pressure cuff to his arm, a therapist is behind him to support his upper body & they begin to crank him up from a sitting position. The first time they did this he lost consciousnness from dropping blood pressure. His blood pressure drops into the 50's over 30's. Yesterday when I was there for this the first time, he was able to maintain his pressure the longest yet. He can tell when his pressure drops because the lights become very bright to him. They also sit him opn the edge of the mat, put his arms out to each side to balance him & have him use his shoulder muscles to push first one side, then the other. His OT, Dwayne, was surprised at how strong his shoulder muscles are; I told him he had no idea how strong Jim was before the accident. Jim's Dad used to say Jim was the strongest person he had ever known.
The plan is to give him medication to raise his blood pressure thirty minutes before starting therapy. The only down side to the therapy is it has made his spasms worse. There are days, particularly in the mornings when I cannot bend his arms or legs. Whan he has been up in his chair & I put him to bed the spasms are horrific, affecting his whole body. It is hard to see him like that, knowing there is nothing I can do to help him.
We are having our struggles. It is difficult to pray for our hearts feel so selfish, desiring healing for Jim, answers to when & where to move, when to put the house on the market, how we will be able to meet all our obligations on my salary, continued strength for me.... get the picture? It's all about us & that seems incredibly selfish. We know that our life is not about us, it is about our loving Heavenly Father & the Lord Jesus. A dear frind from out of state spent a long time with us last night & we were able to talk with her about this. Her wisdom has always been a source of comfort & our visit was no exception. Another couple whoi are long time friends are also going to spend some time with us about this difficulty. Please pray for us in this matter.
Jim has his days when he is really down. We have decided we cannot both have our days at the same time becauase we "feed" off of each other. His biggest concern is that he can live as he is for many years, but as we age I will not be able to care for him & we will be separarted if he goes into an assisted living or group type home. Please pry that Jim will leave the future IN the future & not worry about that now.
I had a "melt-down" a few weeks ago - started crying & could not seem to quit. I immediately went to my doctor - I was on my way to work - & he saw me right away. My problem at that time was anxiety. I was finding it extremely stressful to try to get everything done - which I could not do - and living under the clock; Rushing to work as soon as the caregiver - Estella - got to the house, trying to catch up on all that was building on my desk, do I take a lunch or eat at my desk so I'll have another hour of work, rushing home so I am not late, needing to go to the grocery or drugstore but that means another lost hour of work, well I could go on & on. My kind doc put me on Cymbalta. It has really helped. I am no longer anxious & it helped a lot of the aches & pains I was having in my hands, upper back, etc. I am able to look at things from a clear perspective now & not push myself into that type of situation.
EVBC (East Valley Bible Church) has been bringing us meals again & this has been a tremendous help. They also came a couple of weekends ago & did a major yard clean-up. Everything was trimmed way back & we have our view of the valley again. We had a really good time & Jim was able to spend the day outside, too. There are picutures online on their website. My brother, Jimmy & his frind Willard came from Alabama this past week & replaced the roof over the patio which was leaking really bad. It was so good to have Jimmy here & to see Willard again & spend time with them. The roof is done, they have gone camping in Utah & will be back here next Friday.
God continues to meet all our needs in various ways. As I look back over the past ten months I am so humbled by all He has done for us and continues to do. Miles & Tracey have become so very dear to us. Miles still comes regularly to get Jim in his chair & Tracey's joy is a source of on-going encouragement. I frequently call Lynn & she never says no to whatever I need. She helps Jim with the business "stuff" that still has to be done. Even though Jim & I are not able to attend church except occasionally, the Body of Christ, the Church continues to minister to us. Praise God for all His blessinfgs to us!
Now, prayer needs: Pray that Jim will continue to show progress in therapy so the insurance will continue to approve visits; Pray for the spasms; Pray that our "down" days will be few & far between; Pray for guidance for us in all the decisions ahead of us; Pray for our attorney as he negotiates with Scottsdale Osborn over the other parties insurance & that they will realize what that money would mean for us; Pray for more energy for me.
I thank God for those who recognize I am essentially without a husband around the house and are there to help me. Pray I can find the time to have a long-distance Bible Study with my friend - I really need this. Pray for Josh & Monika as they are expecting their first baby in September & are far from home & most family.
In Him Who First Loved Us, Marilyn
seven comments:
Thanks for your update, Marilyn. I appreciate knowing how both of you are doing. You will continue to be in my prayers. God bless you both.
ElaineCook () - 07 03 09 - 23:19
So glad to hear from you, Marilyn. I check each day to see if there is more news about Jim. Praise God for the medical knowledge and assistance available today. I’ll continue to pray for both of you.
Martha Collins (Sue and Jeff’s aunt)
Martha Collins - 09 03 09 - 07:46
I just found out about the accident and I was so sorry to read of all you are both going through. The last two years before Anne passed away she was unable to walk and lost the use of one hand as well. Just reading your blog brought back a lot of memories. I’m sorry I did not keep in touch, Anne and I both so loved Arizona and enjoyed meeting up with you both. You are in my prayers. After I read your entry I called my mom to tell her what was going on and she said you both have been added to their prayer list. Tell Jim that Phil said hello. Phillipians 4:13
phil gilliland () - 11 03 09 - 20:45
I was so glad to hear an update from you. Sherry had told me that Jim and Willard were going to be visiting you and doing some work abound the house. I know you both enjoyed their company and the fruit of their labor. I talked to Sherry this morning and she said Jim will be back home today.
I continue to pray for you both and will pray for your specific needs.
love,chris
chris daigle () - 14 03 09 - 07:39
I was so glad to finally read an update. I continue
to pray for you bpth, and when I know specific prayer
needs, I request prayer at my church.
I’m sending love to you both and I pray SO much for
improvement through therapy.
Please take care.
Love,
Barbara Gardner
Barbara Gardner () - 19 03 09 - 16:53
Marilyn,
Both of us think of you both often and wish there was something physically we could do to help you. Hang in there and know that we care about both you and Jim and will continue to keep praying for you both. We love you and we know the LORD cares for you.
With love,
Bob & Joy
Bob & Joy Wilson () - 30 06 09 - 21:02
Marilyn and Jim,
My Mom is here with me and we both send our love and prayers. We think of you often and love you guys so much!
Susie Pontious Wellborn
Susie Wellborn () - 05 08 09 - 13:40
