Good news! Jack is coming home tomorrow morning. I think he will be much more comfortable once he is home. If you notice that the emails are coming from CA via Jonathan, it is because I discovered through talking to various people that my email from yesterday was not received by anyone. I was annoyed. My technology skills are barely competent at times (even worse now because of my lack of wigit patience) so our whiz kid Jonathan said '"Mom, said the emails to me and I will manage them from here" - oh, what a relief it is. Jonathan's comment was - finally something useful to do with my skills (paraphrased).
Jack is slowing improving. The best way to describe him is that he appears as though he has had a stroke on his left side. He essentially has no function of this left hand and arm. He says that it is very exhausting to try anything with it. He seemed very tired to me today, more than yesterday. He hasn't lost his humor though.
Last evening I took him a yellow soft ball to use to exercise his hand as well as a little stick figure that can be twisted into any shape. The hands and feet of this figure are magnetic. The little figure comes in a tin can and can sit on the can easily due to the magnets. I could see Jack was using the magnets to test various things - his bed rails, the shelf by his bed; he put it on my head, etc. I said, you really don't have much metal in here. He corrected me by saying, I don't have metal with ferrous (iron) in it. I finally know why I majored in Chemistry. Of course, this brought a good laugh. I told him I was most encouraged that I did not have iron in my head. In short order, with his right hand, with a little help from his left hand, he twisted this figure into a shape so the ball could be balanced in the hands of the figure. The ball is tennis ball size and the figure is about 2 inches tall. Only Jack!!!
We met extensively with the Dr. this evening. Courtenay got to talk with him and look at the MRI images showing the tumor. Please pray for her. She is struggling the hardest with this difficulty. She said she felt so empty. She said that it is so hard. I told her that I agree. I told her that even though she feels empty, that she is not. That the Lord is supplying her with much grace and filling her void. Courtenay and Jack have had a very unique and special relationship with their Dad. He has been a constant to her over the years when so much in her life seemed so uncertain. I think as she ponders losing him possibly and seeing how different he is right now that she is facing the most difficult mountain to traverse. Pray that the Lord will sustain me so I can comfort her and that the Lord will comfort her in this hour for her.
Jack had a wonderful experience this morning with a nurse that helped him shower. Her name is Patience. So Jack asked her if her name was an indication of who she is. She answered him by saying " by the grace of God". This led to a wonderful conversation they had. They prayed and then she wrote out her prayer for him at his request. I share it with you.
Here it is:
Father, you are the Alpha and Omega, the I am and the I am, the Almighty God.
I thank you for the miracle of sleeping and waking up each day of my life.
Thank you for your provision, protection, and mercy.
Father, I kneel down under your throne of grace pleading for healing.
Father, you said by your stripes, we are healed. Father heal me.
Oh Lord, I pray that you send your angels from above to rub me with your Balm of Gilead.
Father, I thank you for answered prayer in Jesus name I pray, AMEN!!!
Blessings to all of you as your thoughts and prayers are breathed to our Lord for all of us.
love,
Carolyn
