Dad's Update XIV - 1/15/10

Dear friends and family-

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. (Psalm 27:14)

Bryce had a big setback this week as much of the recovery he has gained in his left arm dissipated abruptly for no known reason. Even after a week, the doctors are still having trouble figuring out what happened. We all are upset by this development, particularly Bryce who has worked so hard over the past several months and experienced too many significant setbacks. So we have to wait, AGAIN, and maintain our faith……

Back to the USA:
Bryce is returning to the U.S. on Monday, January 18th (Lufthanza Flight 446, Frankfurt-Denver, arriving at 3:45pm). I fly over to Switzerland this evening and return with Bryce directly to Denver where he will enter Craig Hospital for a few months of additional rehabilitation. I will spend the first week with him, then fly to Miami for the annual Private Placement convention, returning home late on the 27th. Bryce is looking forward to coming home to the U.S. and being near his Colorado College classmates (45 minutes away in Colorado Springs.) Once Bryce is state side, communications directly with him will improve dramatically; he is learning to use his new voice activated computer software.

Bryce:
Nigel, a wonderful new friend from the International Church of Luzern (“ICL”) recently brought bagels, cream cheese, and a TOASTER to Bryce. Bryce devoured them, claiming that the Swiss had never heard of them, then proceeded to “proselytize” and “spread the good cheese” to others at the SPZ, converting many young nurses. Nigel also brought movies on DVD and potato chips. A few women from ICL brought maple syrup and mac & cheese which energized Bryce for the final two week rehabilitation stretch. Thank you so much dear brothers and sisters in Christ!

Bryce swam for the first time in SPZ’s indoor pool, practicing elementary backstroke, floating, turning upside down, and generally enjoying the experience. This was a big success as he did not have any panic or negative psychological reactions being in the water. His neck brace was removed before Christmas, giving Bryce much more flexibility for intensive therapies and clearing the way for a Lake Luzern cruise trip with Mom and Keefe as well as a visit to the top of Mt. Pilatus (see NTAF webpage or Facebook for pictures). Bryce will leave Switzerland in a new manual wheelchair, (which looks much better compared to an electric wheelchair, but will require some hard work to move as he is early on in advanced physical therapies.)

We all have new perspectives since the accident. Bryce recently told us what we have already been experiencing as well – that he now sees the person before the wheelchair. Before the accident, we all saw the wheelchair before the person; a subtle, but powerful change in perspective. We now make eye contact, smile, and reach out to people in wheelchairs. We can’t go anywhere anymore without noticing what is wheelchair accessible and what is not.

Back at the Ranch:
Meg and I had a tough Christmas season, missing both boys who were over in Switzerland, and experienced a few challenging intercontinental communication glitches. However, we weathered through them and have improved communications now that Bryce’s Mom, Jennifer, is back in the U.S. In fact, we just crossed a new milestone – having a pleasant dinner with Jennifer at her home. We look forward to more friendly interactions and cooperation going forward. Meg’s recovery from her blood clot surgeries continues to go well.

Meanwhile, The Naval Academy is sponsoring Keefe for a postgraduate year at The Kent School in Kent, CT, a perennial crew powerhouse. We are all very excited about this new opportunity for him to attend Kent, Plebe summer of 2011, and ultimately serve his country.

Bryce’s first fundraiser of 2010 gets off the ground on January 30th. A couple of my former fraternity brothers are sponsoring a beer-pong tournament at Trinity College in Bryce’s honor. Openings are still available – flyer attached.

Prayer:
Please pray for traveling safety, for continued good health, and for the transition to go well. Also, please pray for Bryce’s doctors in Switzerland and Colorado to determine what the left arm issues are and that it stabilizes and recovers strength and sensitivity again. While we recently saw some triceps activity, it remains sporadic and inconsistent. Pray that Bryce will maintain a positive and hopeful attitude and wait on the Lord’s timing.

Thank you so much for your continued interest, prayers, encouragement, and love.

In Him,

John

P.S. If you have missed an update or would like to view pictures, please visit Bryce’s NTAF webpage. It also has links to his blogspot and Facebook.

Bryce’s NTAF webpage:
http://www.ntafund.org/find-a-patient/profile/index.cfm/patient/815E84D4-9B4D-12A9-3B8B55A769EC3F1C