Tuesday, December 18, 2007

First Day of Therapy

Today was the first day of therapy for Kate at the Rehab Hospital. As providence would have it, her occupational therapist (OT) is the daughter of a co-worker and friend of Kate's mom (Gram). She grew up in the same area as Kate and attended the same high school. She is a believer and is actively involved in YoungLife. Kate and I attended a recent YoungLife fundraiser about 2-3 weeks ago and her OT indicated she was there as well. I'm sensing "God prints" here!

Kate was pretty tired after all of the therapy sessions but did a great job and is making gradual improvement. I noticed she moved her left arm a little more today, though still no movement with her left hand. This is not surprising since your gross motor skills probably need to return before your fine motor skills.

Kate saw her neurologist/physiatrist today and he is putting her on some additional medication for the nerve pain she is feeling behind her right eye. It is not a pain killer but something that will specifically target her nerves. Please pray that it works. Also, it was determined that she has a slight bladder infection, likely from the catheter that she previously had, so she is on some antibiotics as well. Please pray that this heals soon.

Kate is now allowed to sleep horizontally on her bed, though not on her left side. Ever since she got out of surgery she has been sleeping with the top half of the bed at a 45 degree angle. Not exactly the most comfortable position for an extended period of time.

One of the nice things about the rehab hospital is that you eat meals in the cafeteria instead of your room. Room service was nice at the previous place but it gets old after awhile. The food here is much better, even I am enjoying it!

One of Kate's friends dropped in for a visit last night and decorated her room with a Christmas tree, wreath, and a small decorative sleigh. She also brought over a CD player and some Christmas music CD's. It looks and sounds very festive in there!

Some of you may be wondering about my back pain. I visited my chiropractor and he said in addition to being out of alignment, it appears to be strained. I tried icing it and took some Aleve when I got home, despite all this it is still pretty sore. I guess my back didn't like sleeping in contorted positions off-and-on for the past 6 nights and doing awkward lifting during the day. It finally said, enough is enough! At least Kate's room has a lounge chair that converts to a somewhat comfortable flat bed.

Several people have asked how I am doing with all of this, saying that I appear to be really calm about it. Believe it or not, I'm handling it surprisingly well. I have a real peace about the situation, knowing that the Lord has allowed it to happen and it is out of my control. His purposes are higher than my purposes and His ways are higher than my ways. I'm just trying to be patient, encouraging, and helpful to my wife. Your wise comments and the Scriptures you have shared have been a tremendous source of comfort and hope.

Hopefully Kate will be able to get a good night's rest tonight, she has another full day tomorrow. Thank you, as always, for remembering us in your prayers and following our story. May the Lord bless you all!

Dave

21 comments:

OKGardners said...

God bless you and your family. We will be praying for everyone involved.

Keep the good attitude and watch God do His miracles.

Betty in Oklahoma

Anonymous said...

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:15-16

Bill and I are praying for you and your family- the body of Christ is an amazing thing- I am thankful- for all the help you are recieving, your daily strength and most of all for Jesus- In Him, Jen Peskorse

Anonymous said...

By way of a little birdie, I understand that several from Kate graduating class at WHS are following the blog. Don't hesitate to blog on and say hello. Dave reads her all the messages. She enjoys hearing from people she went to school with or camp etc. You can imagine that it helps to divert one's mind for a short period of time. And is a great encouragement.
Doing well on the home front. Gram

Elizabeth said...

You all--Kate, Dave, Gram, everyone--are a marvelous testament to God's peace and provision. Praying...

Anonymous said...

"There's within my heart a melody, Jesus whispers sweet and low; Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still; In all of life's ebb and flow. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Sweetest Name I know, Fills my every longing, keeps me singing as I go." Dear Lord, I pray that you will fill Kate's heart with song and provide the movement in her arm and hands that she desires. Please, Lord, ease Dave's back pain and fill him with strength. Bless those sweet boys with contentment during these days we pray. God, I pray that you will provide extra hands of goodness to help Gram and Aunt Dee Dee care for these boys. We ask all of this in your precious Name. Amen

Anonymous said...

Kate and Dave - we are following your blog and praying daily that God would continue to give strength to you both, and that He would bring healing to Kate. (a message from your CBS stitching friend!) Kathy

Anonymous said...

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."

Thank you, Kate and Dave, for being willing servants of the LORD, for His glory. We are holding you up in prayer.

Anonymous said...

Pop Pop here:
Kate, the project manager for the Louisiana project I'm working on wanted me to share this story with you. He shared it with the project team yesterday when he told everyone that you were in his thoughts and prayers.

His daughter was really big into softball and was a pitcher for her high school team. At age 16 she had a brain aneurism that left her partially paralyzed on her right side (she is right-handed). She toughed-out the PT because she wanted to get back in the game. If the therapist said give me 20 reps she would do 30. It took a while but she gained full use of her right-side. The first ball game after her recovery she pitched a no hitter!

I know how driven you are and I know getting back in the game for you is to be back home taking care of your family. With God's help you'll be pitching no hitters in no time!

Love,
XXXOOO

Pop Pop

Anonymous said...

Here at the homefront, Grams has a half day off, while she takes care of necessary business at the second homefront. So what happens when the auntie is on the clock: the usual domestic misadventures. I wasn't even out of the shower when the phone rang, the calller ID said school and I thought "oh no, what now?" Colester was sick with a fever.

With wet hair, I bundled up Stu, and then we were off. Driving a minivan through suburbia to pick up a sick kid, with the toddler in the back requesting a snack and song, I realize just how one week can change everything, how strangely domesticated I have become.

Currently, Colester has a fever of 100.2 and has lost his voice. I suspect also that he misses his mom, but he wouldn't tell us that even if he had his voice. It's not his style. So I gave him some pain reliever and some juice and now he's vegging out. Hopefully he will feel better by tomorrow, because he has a piano recital at a retirement home where he is to play "Jolly Old St. Nicholas," among other seasonal tunes.

On another note (no pun intended), I spoke with Kate briefly this morning. Already I'm noticing a diffence in her voice: she sounded much more upbeat. I told her this, and she responded that it was her speech therapy.

p.s. thank you to the Dyess family for the yummy spinach salad the other night. It's usually a challange to get the boys to eat their greens, but they seemed to enjoy this salad a lot.

Anonymous said...

Dave and Kate,

". . . The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathon. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 41:27-31

Continually praying for you!

Judy K.

Anonymous said...

Thinking about you right now, Kate, and praying that you have the strength and energy you need!

Erika

Hilary said...

I recently was forwarded your blog address from a friend of yours. I just wanted you to know that I am praying for Kate, your entire family, and her physicians. There was a time in my life that I was very sick with a neurological disorder. I was 21 and on the road to my career. God blessed me & my family through many miracles and gifts. I never thought I was going to make it through that rough time, but 7 years later I look back and realize that God was there the entire time and he made my entire family stronger. He is with all of you at this time and he will give you strength. May Kate feel his soft touch and healing today. God bless your family. You are in my prayers, Hilary Austin Missouri

Jeremy and Lindsay said...

I have known Kate and Dave for a mere 45 minutes now, yet I have a strong sense of my own life being blessed by their presence. You both have a greatness about you. Have a great week, work hard, and I'll see you on Monday!

Lindsay, your OT.

Ramona Wicht said...

Kate, every time I see you, you're stronger and brighter! I'm so proud of you for your great attitude and perseverance. And what a cushy room & fascinating techs/nurses! You're definitely moving up in the world.

Dave, your peace and faithfulness never cease to amaze me. I'm so thankful for your presence in Kate's life. Dave the dynamo, yes indeed!

Gram & Jean, you have been (and continue to be) a godsend. It's amazing to see God working through so many people during this trial.

Praying and sending lots of love!

Anonymous said...

Kate: Thinking of you today. It's 12:30 at lunch and I hope you are having a break from your therapy. I was mulling over memories in my mind of days of old -- the Christmas BSF party a million years ago where you and Dave ate blue candy canes and stuck your stained blue tongues out at everybody... the Hawaiian theme party for the singles group where you and Dave had your picture taken by about a dozen people in your flower leis... Memories of this last year seem NOT to be so whimsical, huh: diagnosis of a brain tumor, initial surgery, radiation, second surgery...but what I DO see is a whole passel of faithful family and friends rallying behind you in a silent and praying mob, as well as an active and servant-hearted mob (helping w/ the kids, cleaning, errand-running, shopping, preparing meals). I see a wonderful husband who is devoted to you in every way. I see Soccer Gram, Aunt Dee Dee, and Pop-Pop holding down the fort and loving your boys. In my minds eye, I picture you there at the rehab center. I see the "tylish" headband replaced by a terry-cloth-so-you-can-sweat-in-it headband, a kicky workout suit (color coordinated), leg warmers on both legs, and you working hard and giving it your all. In the background, music from Olivia Newton John, "Let's Get Physical" is alternating with the theme from "Flashdance" (which is also kind of a "work out" song...). Those things are probably NOT happening in reality, but our minds tend to wander sometimes, don't they...and mine wanders "oft" in the direction of you...Love you. Laura Joback and family

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear about the OT, better food and better rest for both of you, Dave & Kate.

Dave, I know what you mean about peace when the Lord allows things to happen. Sometimes it is easier when things are out of my control. I fret more about things when I can make a difference - or think I can.

I thought about Kate yesterday when reciting Romans 8:39. "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height or depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

OK, Kate, I did blog. Ignore what I wrote in the card you'll probably get tomorrow.

I enjoy Laura Joback's entries. I guessed the wild imagination today was her before I got to the bottom!

Nancy V.

Anonymous said...

Praise the Lord for your progress Kate. We continue to pray for your strength on your left side and pain relief behind your eye.
May God continue to use you in mighty ways as you persevere through your OT.
Praying,
Barth, Catherine and Sabrina

Heather said...

Dave, I will be praying for your back as I know you will need stregnth to help care for Kate. I hope the boys are much better today and I am glad to hear Kate is enjoyong the food. Food is very important for all the rehab she has ahead of her. Praying for 100% back in her left hand.

Anonymous said...

Hi you two!
Call me a crybaby, if you wish, but once again I'm sniffling back the tears after reading--specifically about your boys ("Colester"),knowing how they must miss their mom (and dad too); and also the comment from Lindsay, your OT.

I'm checking into a cool program I read an article about at work called "Cleaning for a Reason" and will get the info to you, hopefully tomorrow. Basically, it's a national program that will provide free housecleaning services to any woman undergoing treatment for cancer. I'm going to make a follow-up phone call tomorrow and will let you know.

Continuing to lift you up in prayer throughout each day!
Tiffani G

Anonymous said...

Hope all is well tonight-Wednesday. Still praying and will continue.

God bless you all with a good night's rest!

One in the Body~ Pearl

Anonymous said...

Hi Kate & Dave:
God Bless all of You:I'm praying for a complete recovery Kate. Your doing a great job! Keep up the good work.Your all in my prayers throughout every day. Praise God.

God Bless:
Sue Meyer (CBS)