Sorry everyone! It has been brought to my attention that I gave some incorrect information in my last post. I said that I have been allowed to walk independently, and I should have said that I have been allowed to walk independently with my walker. So yes, the wheelchair is gone, and I no longer need to have someone walking right beside me, but I still need the walker for stability. But I'm working on it! my balance is getting so much better, but it's still not good enough to be independent totally.
Again, I apologize for misleading anyone!
Judy
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
More Victories!
Hey, Happy Tuesday, everyone! I am very pleased to report that I just returned from this morning's physio session, and my physiotherapist told me that I am no longer required to use my wheelchair, and that I may walk unassisted in the facility here!!! I have been waiting for that for so long, and am so excited! This is a huge victory, and a major step in my rehab! I still have the power wheelchair if I want it for longer outings, or if I'm going outside unassisted. So YAY! She was waiting for me at the elevator with pom-poms in hand, which mom and I had made for her over the weekend - she always said that she would be my biggest cheerleader when I was finally ready to go independent - her way of saying to wait and be patient!
Yesterday was also a special day - my feeding tube was removed! It didn't even hurt much - just pulled a bit, and now I have a hole in my stomach! It will close soon, and then I'll be able to get into the pool for water therapy! More YAY! PTL for answers to prayer, and advances in my recovery!
Last post, I mentioned my new roommate, Claudia. I found out yesterday (it was really a great day!) that she was raised in a Christian home, and that her parents are strong believers! Both her dad and her step-mom took time to thank me and the Lord for putting Claudia in this room! She is really still struggling to accept what has happened. Usually they don't place people in this facility until they are emotionally ready to deal with the pressures of rehab. But she's here, and so I pray that I will be able to help her learn to cope. She knows that I have been where she is, and has expressed her appreciation for that. I am able to help in ways that others cannot. So again, I am so grateful to God for letting me be here. I am filled with such joy to know that I am right where He wants me to be! To be in the center of His will makes it so much easier to deal with the day to day requirements of therapy, and the occasional sleepless night due to the shoulder pain that is still there. It all pales in light of the privilege to serve my Lord!
Btw, the weekend with my mom was super again, but I had to go see the dietitian to get back on track with losing more weight! My family feeds me so well! We had such a fantastic Saturday - manicure and pedicure in the morning (strictly therapeutic, mind you!), and then a wonderful lunch with my sister (quiche and a nice light white wine!), and finally the afternoon in the sun on her deck, helping make hanging baskets for her railing (I helped by staying out of the way - I kill plants!). It's so good to be with my family, and sometimes hard to come back here Monday mornings, but it's all worth it in the end!
Keep praying for God to be glorified in all our lives, that I will be sensitive to the urgings of the Holy Spirit in my life, and that I will be a testimony to Claudia and her partner, Craig. They are really a special couple, and I know that God is already working in their hearts! I can hardly wait to see what He's going to do next!
With joy,
Judy
Yesterday was also a special day - my feeding tube was removed! It didn't even hurt much - just pulled a bit, and now I have a hole in my stomach! It will close soon, and then I'll be able to get into the pool for water therapy! More YAY! PTL for answers to prayer, and advances in my recovery!
Last post, I mentioned my new roommate, Claudia. I found out yesterday (it was really a great day!) that she was raised in a Christian home, and that her parents are strong believers! Both her dad and her step-mom took time to thank me and the Lord for putting Claudia in this room! She is really still struggling to accept what has happened. Usually they don't place people in this facility until they are emotionally ready to deal with the pressures of rehab. But she's here, and so I pray that I will be able to help her learn to cope. She knows that I have been where she is, and has expressed her appreciation for that. I am able to help in ways that others cannot. So again, I am so grateful to God for letting me be here. I am filled with such joy to know that I am right where He wants me to be! To be in the center of His will makes it so much easier to deal with the day to day requirements of therapy, and the occasional sleepless night due to the shoulder pain that is still there. It all pales in light of the privilege to serve my Lord!
Btw, the weekend with my mom was super again, but I had to go see the dietitian to get back on track with losing more weight! My family feeds me so well! We had such a fantastic Saturday - manicure and pedicure in the morning (strictly therapeutic, mind you!), and then a wonderful lunch with my sister (quiche and a nice light white wine!), and finally the afternoon in the sun on her deck, helping make hanging baskets for her railing (I helped by staying out of the way - I kill plants!). It's so good to be with my family, and sometimes hard to come back here Monday mornings, but it's all worth it in the end!
Keep praying for God to be glorified in all our lives, that I will be sensitive to the urgings of the Holy Spirit in my life, and that I will be a testimony to Claudia and her partner, Craig. They are really a special couple, and I know that God is already working in their hearts! I can hardly wait to see what He's going to do next!
With joy,
Judy
Friday, May 22, 2009
Aaron here
Hey, I was informed that people are still interested in how I'm doing, so here is an update on the status of my recovery. So far, I'm back to work, however I'm only able to do 4 hours at a time as walking and standing that much makes me very sore, so far, no noticeable improvement over 2 weeks. In general though, I can lift bigger and better things now, up to 10 kg! (5kg from floor to waste); I still cant run, or jump, or do anything abrupt with my legs like kicking or dropping as it makes my knees hurt quite badly, kneeling and bending over are alright, I just have to go slow, and I prefer to avoid it if i can.
I have a roommate!
Good morning, everyone! It finally happened - yesterday morning a stretcher was wheeled into my room, and Claudia moved in. She is a lovely woman with injuries similar to mine, but her accident (a biking accident) was only 16 days ago. She is finding the limitations difficult to cope with, as she was a nurse and an avid outdoor enthusiast and very fit! Claudia has movement and feeling in her legs, but her arms and hands are still numb and tingly. She has younger children (13 and 16) whom she is finding it very difficult to be away from. But she has a good support system (her mom and stepmom are also nurses!), and I really hope to make her feel comfortable and more hopeful for the future. It was so cool last night - I actually listened and obeyed the prompting of the Lord, and prayed out loud for her before we went to sleep last night. That was a victory for me, because that is something that I would not have done before! I am really looking forward to being a light and testimony to her, and so far, we seem to get along well, so pray with me that she will be receptive to the hope that only Jesus can give!
I'll be going home to my mom's for the weekend again, and so I will report in again after then...OH MY! The doctor just came in and told me that on Monday morning I will be getting the feeding tube TAKEN OUT! YAY!!! One more victory! What a blessing for the day! PTL!!!
I pray for a good day and weekend for all of you, and may you feel as blessed as I do each day!
Judy
I'll be going home to my mom's for the weekend again, and so I will report in again after then...OH MY! The doctor just came in and told me that on Monday morning I will be getting the feeding tube TAKEN OUT! YAY!!! One more victory! What a blessing for the day! PTL!!!
I pray for a good day and weekend for all of you, and may you feel as blessed as I do each day!
Judy
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Another great weekend!
Greetings again, friends and followers of the Wiebe saga!
I
had a wonderful weekend at my mom's and my sister's places, with Ben and Chris coming down to celebrate Ben's birthday. Another achievement for me: climbing the stairs to the upstairs room in my sister's house! I made sure there was someone right behind me, but the climb was no problem! I had practiced on a small flight of 4 stairs in the gym here, but wasn't sure if I could manage a whole flight. So Ben didn't know that I would be there when they arrived at 2 in the morning - the look on his face was priceless! Surprises are always fun! My sister and I also did some shopping, which was a lot of fun, and we also enjoyed a salmon dinner with my whole family on Saturday night. Most special was the time of prayer that we shared together, as we have learned to appreciate each other and support each others needs in this way. All of us have our own burdens, and it was so cool to lift each other up and be renewed as we came before our Lord as a family. Ben and Chris returned safely home on Sunday, and I slept most of Monday away at my mom's!
Back at GFS, life goes on, and the focus continues to strengthen limbs and improve balance. Each day is a challenge, but exciting. I am especially excited about the work that is happening with my speech therapist. I will be going to see the ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist next week, and then there might be a possibility to meet with a voice specialist! In the past, I have said (and still mean it!) that if my voice is the only thing that I lose in this whole process, then I have lost very little. But if there is possibility to restore at least some of my normal vocal quality, even for my speaking voice, then I am very interested in doing what I can to pursue that. I had my speech therapist call my voicemail on my cell just to hear what my voice used to sound like - she was floored at the difference! Right now my voice is very nasal and flat sounding, so I would really like to get it somewhat more pleasing to the ear.
Ben is doing fairly well, and is working toward spending the first two weeks of June here in Vancouver, doing a couple of files in the area. We are also planning on going to my cousin's daughter's wedding in the Seattle area the last weekend in May, another exciting prospect and goal to work toward. Aaron is back to work for a few hours a week, and is starting to look forward to college in the fall, but I'll let him post more about that if he wants to!
A prayer request above and beyond the ones that we continue to have - that I can be a testimony to my neighbour here, Doreen. She is leaving here in 2 weeks, and is fearful of going home alone. At 78, she is frail and overly cautious, and isn't sure how she will manage on her own. She has a belief in God, but does not have a personal relationship with Him. Pray that I will be able to show her Jesus, who can be her comfort and give her confidence as she learns to rest in His presence.
Just a note on the side - I met Rick Hanson just outside my door this afternoon! He was very personable, and not at all pretentious, unlike some celebrities that I have met! Here, we are all the same as we deal with our disabilities together. That was a cool highlight for the day!
Judy
I
had a wonderful weekend at my mom's and my sister's places, with Ben and Chris coming down to celebrate Ben's birthday. Another achievement for me: climbing the stairs to the upstairs room in my sister's house! I made sure there was someone right behind me, but the climb was no problem! I had practiced on a small flight of 4 stairs in the gym here, but wasn't sure if I could manage a whole flight. So Ben didn't know that I would be there when they arrived at 2 in the morning - the look on his face was priceless! Surprises are always fun! My sister and I also did some shopping, which was a lot of fun, and we also enjoyed a salmon dinner with my whole family on Saturday night. Most special was the time of prayer that we shared together, as we have learned to appreciate each other and support each others needs in this way. All of us have our own burdens, and it was so cool to lift each other up and be renewed as we came before our Lord as a family. Ben and Chris returned safely home on Sunday, and I slept most of Monday away at my mom's!
Back at GFS, life goes on, and the focus continues to strengthen limbs and improve balance. Each day is a challenge, but exciting. I am especially excited about the work that is happening with my speech therapist. I will be going to see the ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist next week, and then there might be a possibility to meet with a voice specialist! In the past, I have said (and still mean it!) that if my voice is the only thing that I lose in this whole process, then I have lost very little. But if there is possibility to restore at least some of my normal vocal quality, even for my speaking voice, then I am very interested in doing what I can to pursue that. I had my speech therapist call my voicemail on my cell just to hear what my voice used to sound like - she was floored at the difference! Right now my voice is very nasal and flat sounding, so I would really like to get it somewhat more pleasing to the ear.
Ben is doing fairly well, and is working toward spending the first two weeks of June here in Vancouver, doing a couple of files in the area. We are also planning on going to my cousin's daughter's wedding in the Seattle area the last weekend in May, another exciting prospect and goal to work toward. Aaron is back to work for a few hours a week, and is starting to look forward to college in the fall, but I'll let him post more about that if he wants to!
A prayer request above and beyond the ones that we continue to have - that I can be a testimony to my neighbour here, Doreen. She is leaving here in 2 weeks, and is fearful of going home alone. At 78, she is frail and overly cautious, and isn't sure how she will manage on her own. She has a belief in God, but does not have a personal relationship with Him. Pray that I will be able to show her Jesus, who can be her comfort and give her confidence as she learns to rest in His presence.
Just a note on the side - I met Rick Hanson just outside my door this afternoon! He was very personable, and not at all pretentious, unlike some celebrities that I have met! Here, we are all the same as we deal with our disabilities together. That was a cool highlight for the day!
Judy
Friday, May 15, 2009
Sorry!
Wow, time has passed quickly this week! I am so sorry for not having posted sooner. And this will have to be a quick one - I'm on my way out of here shortly to spend the weekend at my mom's again. And even better, Ben and Chris are coming down! So I know I'm going to have another great weekend!
Things are continuing to progress well, and God continues to pour strength into my muscles and veins every day. I am amazed at His goodness and mercy each new day, and am able to work hard to do what the physiotherapist demands of me. She is trying to get me up on my hands and knees - sounds easy, but when you have limited movement and little strength in your arms, it's pretty difficult! Balance exercises are also a big part of my time, and it is slowly improving. Oh, and minced food is way better than puréed!
I'll try to drop a note over the weekend, but I won't promise anything! I trust you will all have a safe and blessed long weekend as well.
Judy
Things are continuing to progress well, and God continues to pour strength into my muscles and veins every day. I am amazed at His goodness and mercy each new day, and am able to work hard to do what the physiotherapist demands of me. She is trying to get me up on my hands and knees - sounds easy, but when you have limited movement and little strength in your arms, it's pretty difficult! Balance exercises are also a big part of my time, and it is slowly improving. Oh, and minced food is way better than puréed!
I'll try to drop a note over the weekend, but I won't promise anything! I trust you will all have a safe and blessed long weekend as well.
Judy
Monday, May 11, 2009
What a great weekend!
What a fantastic opportunity I had this weekend to spend the time at my mother's place! Aaron (whose 19th birthday was on Saturday), Jason and his girlfriend (I love being able to say that!) Dani made it down for Mother's Day, a very special treat! The whole weekend was wonderful, including being able to attend church at Central Heights (my mom's church) and share God's blessings and praise Him as they gave me an opportunity to share in her Sunday School class. And in the worship service, it felt like the pastor was preaching from the last 3 months of my life as he taught from Psalm 40, telling how God brings us out of the pits of despair and sets our feet firmly on solid ground. We've experienced some deep pits, but God has really given us stability and security in His love and grace as He's carried us through. All glory is His!
Today it was back to GFS, and back to the routine. Today was also the swallowing test under X-ray, which went okay - I have been upgraded to minced, which is a very good thing, but I still had some trouble with some textures, not being able to swallow properly. There is still some food particles that are getting into my esophagus, which of course is not good, so I passed, but only partially. It's still a praise item, and I am thankful for the small step forward. The test will be repeated in about a month, and so solid food will have to wait for awhile longer.
Ben and Aaron continue in their healing process as well, although Ben has had some more swelling in his foot. Pray that he will be patient and allow his foot the time to heal that it needs. He is planning on being able to work on 2 files down here the first 2 weeks of June, and I am so looking forward to that! Aaron still suffers from back pain and fatigue, too, but is back to work for 4 hour shifts a few days per week. With him turning 19 this weekend, it seems he is suddenly all grown up! It was certainly a pleasure to share this weekend with him!
As usual, I want to thank all of you who faithfully follow this site, and uphold us as we continue on this journey. I love reading your comments and thank you all for your support, in whatever form it is given. God is good...all the time!
Judy
Today it was back to GFS, and back to the routine. Today was also the swallowing test under X-ray, which went okay - I have been upgraded to minced, which is a very good thing, but I still had some trouble with some textures, not being able to swallow properly. There is still some food particles that are getting into my esophagus, which of course is not good, so I passed, but only partially. It's still a praise item, and I am thankful for the small step forward. The test will be repeated in about a month, and so solid food will have to wait for awhile longer.
Ben and Aaron continue in their healing process as well, although Ben has had some more swelling in his foot. Pray that he will be patient and allow his foot the time to heal that it needs. He is planning on being able to work on 2 files down here the first 2 weeks of June, and I am so looking forward to that! Aaron still suffers from back pain and fatigue, too, but is back to work for 4 hour shifts a few days per week. With him turning 19 this weekend, it seems he is suddenly all grown up! It was certainly a pleasure to share this weekend with him!
As usual, I want to thank all of you who faithfully follow this site, and uphold us as we continue on this journey. I love reading your comments and thank you all for your support, in whatever form it is given. God is good...all the time!
Judy
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Just a quick note...
A very thoughtful and generous cousin of mine recently visited me and left me 10 gifts that I could open when I achieved goals that I had to set. So far I have been able to open 4 of the gifts - the first one for walking around the gym (without too much assistance!) more than 4 times, the second for completing a successful car transfer (which means that I may ride in a car, not just the wheelchair taxi!), the third for being able to take off my TED's (disgustingly tight white tights that are used to prevent blood clots by compression), and the most recent for being able to not wear my collar anymore!!! The x-ray done on Tuesday showed that the surgery site has healed well, so I am no longer required to wear the uncomfortable thing! YEAH! And this weekend I get to go to my Mom's place, which I am very excited about.
I truly have so much to be thankful for, and every day new achievements are being made, if not physically, then sometimes mentally, emotionally or spiritually - and I know that I have so much more learning to do! So thank you for your continued prayers and praise to our great God as our family learns what we need to learn during this time. We thank God for all of you daily!
In His arms of love,
Judy
I truly have so much to be thankful for, and every day new achievements are being made, if not physically, then sometimes mentally, emotionally or spiritually - and I know that I have so much more learning to do! So thank you for your continued prayers and praise to our great God as our family learns what we need to learn during this time. We thank God for all of you daily!
In His arms of love,
Judy
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Great Weekend!
It was so good to be back together with my hubby again, just hanging out, walking (well, he sort of walks with his crutches, and I power along in my wheelchair!), talking, and just sharing joy in being with each other! It went far too fast, but it was good all the same! Ben plans on coming down again for the last week of May and the first week of June. It can't come too soon!
As for an update as to how things are coming along for me...as I've said before, it's all good! I continue to gain strength in my legs, and mobility in my arms. It has been determined that there is damage to the tendons in both shoulders, and a tear in one of them in the right arm. They are considering treatment with shots to freeze the tendon, and if that goes well, possibly cortisone shots. In the meantime, I continue to work on strengthening and stretching as much as I can.
We had our first team/family meeting on Monday morning. Present were the doctor, a nurse, my physiotherapist, my speech pathologist, a rep from ICBC, the liaison for ICBC, my social worker, my occupational therapist, and then my family - Ben, my mom, my sister and my sister-in-law! It was quite the roomful! We also had our lawyer and his team on conference call! It went very well, and as each member of the GFS team made a report as to my progress, several of them mentioned my faith as something that has helped me have a good attitude and make the progress that I have! PRAISE GOD that it is coming through me and they know it! That meant so much to me to know that God is being recognized in my life by people who may not even acknowledge His existence! Keep praying that my witness will be strong and focused on giving Him all the glory for what He has done and will do in my life!
For your information, my tentative discharge date is July 2nd, but we hope that it will be bumped up to sometime in mid-June. It all depends on how quickly I progress, and how far they think they can take me.
Upcoming appointments include the neuro-ophtamologist this Friday, another swallowing assessment done with xray on Monday, a follow-up appointment with the spine doctor to go over the results of today's xray (which will determine when I lose the collar!), and an appointment with an ENT (ear, nose and throat specialist) to determine if there is any permanent damage to my vocal chords. I am especially excited about that one! He will be using a camera to go into my vocal chords (which I'm sure won't be fun!) and seeing how they are doing - I've actually always wanted to do that! I also have added speech therapy to my list of classes, and today she told me that she has some exercises for me to do (once we have clearance that my vocal chords are okay) that should help with the nasality of my voice. I've frequently said that if all I lose through this accident is my singing ability, I have lost very little. But now with this new hope of regaining at least my speaking voice and perhaps some vocal tone and range, I am very excited! She also determined that my soft palate only lifts on one side, also adding to the change in my tone, which again she has exercises for! So I am very pleased to add this all to my schedule! Unfortunately, my music therapist is taking the rest of May off, so I won't be able to work with her for now. But with my keyboard in my room, I'll keep practising until she gets back!
Thank you as ever for all your prayers for our family. They are a treasure and a solace for all of us. God is working in us and through us, and it is such a privilege!
Because He Lives!
Judy
As for an update as to how things are coming along for me...as I've said before, it's all good! I continue to gain strength in my legs, and mobility in my arms. It has been determined that there is damage to the tendons in both shoulders, and a tear in one of them in the right arm. They are considering treatment with shots to freeze the tendon, and if that goes well, possibly cortisone shots. In the meantime, I continue to work on strengthening and stretching as much as I can.
We had our first team/family meeting on Monday morning. Present were the doctor, a nurse, my physiotherapist, my speech pathologist, a rep from ICBC, the liaison for ICBC, my social worker, my occupational therapist, and then my family - Ben, my mom, my sister and my sister-in-law! It was quite the roomful! We also had our lawyer and his team on conference call! It went very well, and as each member of the GFS team made a report as to my progress, several of them mentioned my faith as something that has helped me have a good attitude and make the progress that I have! PRAISE GOD that it is coming through me and they know it! That meant so much to me to know that God is being recognized in my life by people who may not even acknowledge His existence! Keep praying that my witness will be strong and focused on giving Him all the glory for what He has done and will do in my life!
For your information, my tentative discharge date is July 2nd, but we hope that it will be bumped up to sometime in mid-June. It all depends on how quickly I progress, and how far they think they can take me.
Upcoming appointments include the neuro-ophtamologist this Friday, another swallowing assessment done with xray on Monday, a follow-up appointment with the spine doctor to go over the results of today's xray (which will determine when I lose the collar!), and an appointment with an ENT (ear, nose and throat specialist) to determine if there is any permanent damage to my vocal chords. I am especially excited about that one! He will be using a camera to go into my vocal chords (which I'm sure won't be fun!) and seeing how they are doing - I've actually always wanted to do that! I also have added speech therapy to my list of classes, and today she told me that she has some exercises for me to do (once we have clearance that my vocal chords are okay) that should help with the nasality of my voice. I've frequently said that if all I lose through this accident is my singing ability, I have lost very little. But now with this new hope of regaining at least my speaking voice and perhaps some vocal tone and range, I am very excited! She also determined that my soft palate only lifts on one side, also adding to the change in my tone, which again she has exercises for! So I am very pleased to add this all to my schedule! Unfortunately, my music therapist is taking the rest of May off, so I won't be able to work with her for now. But with my keyboard in my room, I'll keep practising until she gets back!
Thank you as ever for all your prayers for our family. They are a treasure and a solace for all of us. God is working in us and through us, and it is such a privilege!
Because He Lives!
Judy
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