Dad's Update VII - 9/20/09
"God engineered circumstances. He used them to prove Himself as well as my loyalty. Not everyone had this privilege. I felt there were only a few people God cared for in such a special way that He would trust them with this kind of experience. This understanding left me relaxed and comfortable as I relied on His love, exercising newly learned trust. I saw that my injury was not a tragedy but a gift God was using to help me conform to the image of Christ, something that would mean my ultimate satisfaction, happiness - even joy." (From "Joni" by Joni Eareckson Tada)
"For it had been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for Him," (Philippians 2:11).
"And we rejoice in the Hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has freely given us." (Romans 5:2-5.)
I read the quotes above over the past two weeks as we have suffered through the challenges with Bryce. They gave me hope. The words of Jesus in the gospel of John have given Bryce hope. Jennifer, his mom, has remained by his side giving him comfort and Jay and Nancy Adams from Black Forest Academy near Basel have swooped in like angels to help each of us in so many ways. We continue to be comforted by all your love and support; your prayers are working and substantially appreciated.
Bryce emerged successfully from surgery last week and has been sedated now for several days. He will continue like this until midweek to avoid any complications from infection. Rest is key and the pneumonia cleared up finally, but the doctors are not taking any chances. They added a new brace on the back of his neck to help stabilize it; the front brace had healed pretty well and two screws were re-stabilized into firmer bone. It appears that the neck is now very strong and will not be a problem again. Once he is fully awakened later this week, he will gradually shift off the trachea hole ventilator until breathing fully on his own. If successful with that, the trachea hole will no longer be needed and be closed up. Sounds like he will remain in the ICU for another week or two until that process is complete. There is a little swelling in his lymph nodes related to the surgery and some temperature, but other systems are working ok and his skin remains in good condition from frequent rolling.
I am still working down my list of research to-dos and phone calls that include:
- Special Needs Trust for fundraising
- Supplemental Security Income
- Various Rehab facilities, including Kessler (NJ), Burke (NY), Gaylord (CT), Spaulding (Boston), Shepherd (Atlanta), and Craig (Denver)
- Perspective and resources from various Foundations (i.e. Christopher Reeves, Miami Project, others)
- Other CT and MA government programs
- Further conversations with new quadriplegic friends and families that have been recommended to us
Insurance coverage appears to be fine for now, whether we decide to leave him at the Swiss Paraplegics Center or bring him back home to another U.S. rehab facility. We will have a decision point once he is out of ICU and capable of travel, perhaps in a month. There are strengths and weaknesses on both sides to review and assess and Bryce has to be educated on the options and must opine for himself. This will be a collaborative process with the insurance companies and carefully thought through.
Please recognize that following up on all the phone calls, recommendations, visits, and research takes time even in more normal, non-emotional situations. We are so touched by your emails and will answer all of them along with phone calls in due course. Meg and I have communications occurring 2x/day via Skype with Jennifer (and Bryce when awake) to keep abreast of how he is doing. With Bryce in forced sedation, things have quieted down a bit this weekend. Apparently, Bryce was able to move his left arm up today (in a brief communication moment with Jennifer) so that is encouraging. I think he is approaching physical therapy like a double diamond ski trail to be conquered and is biting at the bit to launch down the slope. Let's keep praying that the opportunity comes sooner without other complications and that his mental attitude remains good.
Visitation by others will depend on how he comes out of this sedation process and moves back to normal breathing and talking on his own. We would hope that could be later this week, but it may drag another week, perhaps two. We will just have to see how he progresses.
Will update again later in the week.
In Him,
John
