Dad's Update XIII - 12/20/09
Our days often start with a groan and/or a worry, but we reach for His Word and truths pop out at the right time. The following verses kept showing up over the past two weeks. They remind us that God has a plan, one far greater than we can see right now, and to take one day at a time…..
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-24)
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:7-9)
“Please excuse me, I’ve got to do some research,” said Bryce. He backed away from the table and rode out the front door of the atrium into the dark, cold night. The doors shut automatically as he wheeled around to face us through the doors, and just sat there. “What in the world is he doing,” I thought? Yet, I continued on with my discussion with Jennifer. After a few minutes, he suddenly appeared affirming, “the beers will be just fine” – the American micro beers his Mom had purchased in Luzern were chilling on his room porch! We laughed out loud, welcoming the thought that some of the old normal was coming back; I was chuckling to myself…..chip off the old block……..
Back to the USA
Bryce is returning to America soon! I had toured Craig in Denver and Shepherd in Atlanta on my way over to see Bryce in Switzerland last week and presented my findings to Bryce. Despite the SPZ’s “Top Gun” facilities, rehab program, and lots of recent progress, I supported Bryce’s decision to transfer to Craig Hospital in Denver for further rehabilitation. Friends at Colorado College and his yearning for U.S. culture drove his decision-making. A mid-January return is likely for an expected 90 day rehabilitation period.
Bryce
We met with the SPZ team last week in Switzerland to get a full update. Bryce is doing very well with good normalization of his skin, internal system workings, and psychological position. He has started eating by himself with his right hand and is beginning work on teeth brushing and writing. The left arm continues to improve in strength and wrist movement with full recovery expected similar to the right arm over the next 6-12 months. The neck collar just came off, which will allow more aggressive physical, occupational, and recreational therapies to begin. We also learned the exciting news that Bryce’s triceps are showing some action, a C7 accomplishment! This is a huge answer to prayer, giving us hope that perhaps his fingers might reactivate some day. Debate continues about whether to shift to full manual wheelchair (hard work without full use of both arms) or use an electric one; we’ll see where that goes over time. It is now highly probable that Bryce will be able to drive a specially equipped van in the future. His rehabilitative goals and expected outcomes include: independent transfer between bed and wheelchair, turning, sitting, and lying down in bed, and using a manual wheelchair. Despite these good expected outcomes, Bryce still will need home aid care for certain hygiene and dressing activities.
Please pray for his triceps and fingers to activate powerfully and for all of our Switzerland-US transportation planning pieces to fall into place.
Meg
Meg continues to improve physically from her blood clot surgeries and is gaining walking strength. Her surgeon confirmed that her clot has cleared from her navel to her groin. But from her groin to her left knee, the vein is thin, scarred, and remains partially clotted. She developed a parallel vein in her left leg to compensate for the clotted one. The whole process was quite scary; lingering worries pop in our thoughts from time to time, but the blood thinning therapy seems to be working well and doctor visits suggest everything is ok. We will know better the status of her clots after six months of coumadin treatment. We also realized she survived a pulmonary embolism last July, which we thought was Swine flu!
Please pray that Meg’s body will eradicate her clots over time so that no further complications arise. Many thanks to all who spent time with her while I was away in Switzerland.
Keefe
Great news on Keefer! While he did not get a Congressional nomination to The Naval Academy this year, he was accepted for deferred admission next year through their Foundation program (essentially a prep school PG year). The Navy crew coach will coordinate with Keefer as to which school, but it is likely to be a crew powerhouse. We are all very proud of Keefer’s accomplishment. He arranged his entire application process himself, weathered three Congressional interviews, and finished up his fall term senior year strongly at Taft, all while suffering through stresses related to Bryce.
Thanks for all the prayers for him through his process. It has been yet another answer to prayer and perhaps a better way to start with The Naval Academy.
Final thoughts
Needlesstosay, I am exhausted from keeping up with travels to Switzerland, fundraising and trust activities, Meg’s medical issues, and various networking meetings and job interviews. Yet, things are leveling out and we are expecting a more stable and predictable 2010. Fundraising activities will kick off in 2010. For those of you who would like to support Bryce in 2009, the attached sheet can be used for tax deductible 501c3 contributions. For other information, links to his blogspot and Facebook, and pictures, please use the link below:
May God bless you with a very Merry Christmas. Please know how thankful we are this Christmas for your friendship, support, and prayers. We have been astounded by the outpouring of love and caring from both friends and strangers and look forward to closer relationships with our new family of friends in the SCI (Spinal Cord Injury) extended network next year.
Amidst our suffering, anxieties, and frustrations, we continue to rely on His light and His promises………
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned………..For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. ?And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:2, 6-7)
In Him,
John
