September already!

It amazes me that time is going by so quickly, when I'm not really doing much of anything! I just looked at the list of previous posts, and each month I post less and less. Sorry about that! It is not my intent to abandon this project, but there just doesn't seem to be enough time these days, which is no excuse, but there it is. At any rate, I am glad to be back home again after 12 days down at the coast. Here's a quick summary of what happened there:

- Completed the driver's rehab program, but was unable to do the road test due to the fact that Motor Vehicles decided that I needed prism glasses before I could drive. (Wish I had known that a week earlier!)
- Had an appointment (last minute!) with the orthoptics department and got the prism for my glasses! Booked the road test to be done here in PG on Sep. 29th.
- Saw the plastic surgeon, who will be sending in a medical/legal report to the lawyer. Looking to the possibility of surgery next spring sometime to repair the seat belt damage to my lower abdomen.
- Saw the vocal specialists, who informed me that my vocal chords are in fairly good shape, but might have some scarring on one side due to the intubation. I have some exercises to do which should help with the nerve damage, and I'm to see them again in December. The coolest part is that I got a video clip of my vocal chords as they were working with me!
- Saw the spine doctor, who told me that things are healing very well, and that I can expect to continue to increase my range of motion in my neck somewhat, but that there will always be limitation, which I expected. He checked over the nerve damage throughout my body, and was pleased with the improvement that continues. I won't need to see him again.
- Spent some quality time with Christopher, who is in Vancouver attending his 3rd year of apprentice school at BCIT. We had a fun afternoon with Jim & Ellie and Harold & Dorothy (my siblings and their spouses) at the PNE. I hadn't been there since high school!
- Took my mom to see a movie (Julie & Julia - highly recommend seeing it!) which was a ton of fun!
- Had a great time with family again, including a shower for my nephew and his wife who are expecting their first child!

In general, it was a very productive trip, but I'm glad to be home again. Now I really feel like I need to schedule my time wisely, and prioritize what needs to get done. While I was gone, Ben took Aaron to Edmonton to settle him in for school. He is happy in his home, and is so excited for the studies ahead. Jason has also started his courses at the university, so everyone around me is busy getting on with their lives. So I guess I have to, too!

One of the things that I want to continue working on is the compiling of the events of this past year into written format. Whether or not it will actually become a book is yet to be seen. For now I want to put as much of my thoughts and experiences into words so that I never forget what I've learned. Ben is sharing his testimony this Saturday morning at a men's breakfast, and I will be sharing this Sunday morning in church. We pray that the words that we speak will encourage and uplift, and that they will also give God the glory for what He has done in us and through us. I'll let you know how it goes!

Judy