Dad's Update XII - 11/28/09
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Having re-read some materials this week about the Pilgrim’s thanking God as the foundation for the original Thanksgiving, we thank Him and ALL OF YOU for your prayers and support during this very challenging time for our family. Friends and strangers, old and young, have come to support us from far and wide; what a blessing on this Thanksgiving for which we are deeply thankful.
Bryce continues to make slow, but steady progress. He can now sit up in his wheelchair without support and spend longer times in it as his body systems are normalizing. His left arm continues to strengthen, but has been inhibited by a pesky deltoid muscle that remains disengaged from the healing process. Please pray for all those left arm muscles to fall into line! The fingers remain quiet so far, but we continue to pray and hope for recovery there too. Bryce’s mind and confidence are strengthening with the physical improvements and with time in rehab. The International Church of Luzern supplied a wonderful turkey meal for Bryce, Jennifer, Aunt Leslie, and Cousin Emily at the SPZ, shared by his doctor and various other caregivers. What a special treat and a great exhibition of the family of Christ in action!
Meg is slowly getting back on her feet, improving day by day, and gradually returning from a rather patriotic blend of skin colors to a more normal Caucasian hue. Meg deflected my aggressive “boot-camp” exercise suggestions in favor of more “slow & steady” steps. Megan, a Physician Assistant from Norwalk Hospital, intervened nicely yesterday with balanced counsel. Another angel to the rescue! Meg had three surgeries in three days; surgery #2 involved angioplasty to open up a narrowed vein and insertion of a stent in the iliac kink (May Thurner Syndrome). A clot remains in her left leg down near the knee. We hope that six months of Coumadin blood thinner treatment will dissipate it. She is wearing what she calls her “Ruth Buzzi” stockings, as prescribed for the next year.
Keefer returned glowing from a second visit to the Naval Academy and continues through the Congressional nomination interview process; next interview is with Congressman Murphy. His thumb injury has healed and he has been cleared to play Varsity basketball. He spent Thanksgiving recovering from the extraction of all four wisdom teeth.
I will be traveling to Switzerland next Saturday, December 5th to Monday, December 14th (by way of Craig in Denver and Shepherd in Atlanta) to see Bryce and have final discussions with all parties to determine when and where Bryce will return to the U.S. Insurance company disagreements were rectified this past week, after much hassle over the last few months, paving the way for our decision-making. Meg’s surgeon has grounded her so she will remain home for safety reasons.
For updated pictures on the NTAF website and new details from Bryce’s blogspot, see link below which links to the blogspot.
We hope you all had a lovely and blessed Thanksgiving. We are eternally grateful for you and all your prayers.
In Him,
John
