I went in a little later today and saw the pulmonologist, the infectious disease doc, and the family practice doc who all said that there is slow steady progress upward. I asked the Family Practice doc what the chances would be that TJ could do rehab right at United Hospital on the floor run by the Sister Kenny Institute, and he said, "about 100%." Yeah!
The highlight of the day was when four very close friends visited and showed TJ a photo album of black and white pictures he had taken as a kid in Hong Kong and another picture book of Hong Kong. The bed was in the Lazy-Boy sort of position and he focused on all the pictures and reacted non verbally to each picture and the comments of our friends who have been to Hong Kong with us. I am hoping he decides to be as interactive with the speech therapist tomorrow! He was very tired after that exertion.
I have printed off a sheet of Winston Churchill, one of TJ's heroes, quotes to start reading to him. Someone asked about reading to him. I have been assuming that he has heard everything and talk to him every day about the date, the news, and what God is doing, and how he is doing. We have been reading scripture and try to vary the stimulation with CNN, CD's, and talking to him. Thank you for the suggestions -- it is helpful and encourages us to do what needs to be done.
The evening nurse commented on what a strong person he must be because "he surprised us all". I think she meant by surviving. I told her about this blog the thousands praying (and that he is the most self defined person most of us know!).
The specific prayer requests would be for continued progress with general physical strength and healing, and increasing mental clarity. Second for our family as we all have had that "hit by a mack truck" feeling the past couple of days. We are amazed about stories we are hearing about how God is using this whole situation in other people's lives. I am amazed when I think about what He is doing in my life and my faith in Him alone (being in a hospital that I know and trust is huge, too!). The verse that came to mind today is 2 Corinthians 12:9, " "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." Amen!
This will be the last update for tonight.
Blessings and gratitude,
Mary Ann
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Sunday Evening
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Greetings from Knoxville, TN! We continue to pray for TJ at 2RC. I am reminded of Psalm 127:2, "The Lord gives to His beloved, even in his sleep." I trust this will be the experience for TJ, Mary Ann and the boys. God bless you all!
Dear TJ, Mary Ann, and family,
The experience of these days has to have been beyond exhausting. I am praying for renewed strength like the eagles for you all. But more than that, these times of wholly relying on God for the very next breath of those we love, it is so humbling as we lean on Jesus' bosom as John of old. For me at such times, and more than once, having also been at the point of death, Psalm 131: 2,3 has ministered its attitude of a childlike spirit to me. I quote it to myself so often. The same words I give to you all as you head for better and better days, even if progress is at times slow. "I have calmed and quieted myself like a weaned child with its mother. I am like a little child...Put your hope in the Lord, both now and forever." Loving all of you and rejoicing in this awesome update.
Pastor Rich Carlson, Supt. IWD
Greeting from Ogden, Utah - I only know of your situation through my sister's request from Marseille, France (Smith - EFCA missionaries there) to hold all of you before the throne in prayer this month. So we have done just that. You remind me of Jesus words about faith the size of a mustard seed - so small, yet when placed in God's hands, has multiplied to meet the incredible circumstance, the same way His grace & mercy has been multiplied to you. And what beats all is that in your weakest hour, you have been part of bringing glory to God as you have trusted Him so completely. How God will use your faith through all of this in the lives of others will be another amazing unfolding.
"And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself RESTORE you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast." I Peter 5:10
Blessings,
Jan
Greetings from Twain Harte, CA...
Our family had a month-long hospital experience that straddled Christmas and New Year's in 2004/2005. So Mary Ann, especially, my heart aches with you as you sit by TJ's bedside, humbled by your lack of ability to do much, by those who pray that don't even know you, and by the power of our Lord as He reveals Himself.
I sang many praise choruses during my 24/7 watch by my son's hospital bed(s), both for strength as well as my expression to God and my feeble attempts to glorify Him through everything that transpired.
Today we sang "Blessed Be Your Name" in church and I sang through tears thinking of you. I'm sure you know it, but for those who don't, I post the words:
Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
And blessed be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name
[Chorus:]
Every blessing You pour out I'll
Turn back to praise
And 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 You name
And blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
[Chorus:]
Every blessing You pour out I'll
Turn back to praise
And 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
I will bless Your name
[Chorus:]
Every blessing You pour out I'll
Turn back to praise
And 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 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
[2x]
Three years ago this night, I was on a fixed-wing ambulance airplane with my son in the back transferring him from Redding to Oakland, with the hope of saving his life. While I am certain that the surgeon on call that night was part of God's plan to heal Matt, his actual healing was sudden and miraculous 8 days later, occurring after he called the elders of our church to pray over him.
This is not to say that the recovery was easy -- it was another week before he was well enough to come home, 2 months more until he returned to school, and a full 2 years before he regained his former weight and strength. But if I ever doubted that God still performed miracles today, God removed all doubt on that day!
Our family continues to pray for TJ's healing, for rest for Mary Ann and your family, and that God would be glorified in everything.
Blessed be the name of the Lord!
I am praying that tomorrow morning all of you guys will wake up feeling "surprisingly" rested!!! I BELIEVE that God can and will do this in your lives!! HE will give you strength!!!!!!!!!! I am still battling, even for the "little" things that happen in the day (even though little is really big). You guys are my hero!!!! Seriously! Still praying many times through the night. Funny enough...last night it was at 5 am. Think God is working?? :)
MA,
I thought of you this morning in church when we were in worship. Here are the words that resonated so well with me:
Hungry, I come to You for I know You satisfy.
I am weary but I know Your love does not run dry.
So I wait for You.
So I wait for You.
I'm falling on my knees
offering all of me.
Jesus you're all this heart is living for.
Broken, I come to You for Your arms are open wide.
I am empty but I know Your love restores my life.
So I wait for you.
So I wait for you.
I'm falling on my knees
offering all of me.
Jesus you're all this heart is living for.
MA, press on. We admire your faithfulness to Tim and to God through this. Feel peace and comfort today.
Lindsay N
Just reading the song blessed be your name that was posted moved me to tears as I thought of how well your family has fulfilled the very words of this song. What a testimony to me, to the staff and to the world! Still praying!
Mary Ann,
This morning I can only echo your word: "Amen . . . and amen!"
Tom and I are continuing to stand with you all in our prayers.
Sue Kimber
Dear TJ, MA, and sons,
We check the blog multiple times a day to see if there is more news of TJ's condition and recovery. Your Postings and the responses from the intercessory team are a great encouragement to us. Muriel and I are blessed by your entries and the lessons all of us are learning about prayer.
Your friends, brother and sister, and fellow servants.
Continue to pray for complete restoration of health for TJ.
ABOUT SWALLOWING.
When a relative was recovering from cervical spinal fusion surgery, he was choking every time he was drinking fluids, milk, juices, water,etc and he developed inhalation pneumonia. Caregiver had forgotton about instructions to thicken fluids for easier swallowing. Thickened fluids indeed made it easier for him to swallow. Just passing this info along. Your care team and Mary Ann would know when and what to do with this aspect. Certainly appreciate the difficulty as a result of long period of ET and non-use of muscles with swallowing.
May God continue to envelop you all with His love and comfort.
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