Dear Carolyn,
I last wrote on Sept 3, when I was still very sedated and recovering from surgery I had on Aug 31. I had gone in that morning with a tentative diagnosis of ovarian cancer, and come home with the boring but welcome/annoying news it was recurrence of endometriosis (but extensive enough that I had to stay home much of the fall term, it is hard to bounce back when you get past 45...).This weekend was the first time I read the Howard family blog and learned the entire timeline, and that Aug 31 was such a fateful day for you and Jack.I cried through the whole blog. Doug and I have been thinking of you often and praying for you and Jack, and I wrote you a card this weekend, finally. What I am writing to say now is how vivid your voice comes through on the blog - an amazing indomitable force for faith in God. I had a tough fall/winter, absorbed in digging out of my own despairs. Finding your beautiful writings of hope and faith jolted me to another level of my connection to God. You are an amazing writer (and person).I am very happy to hear Jack is out at NanoC a bit, and hope to visit soon for just bit to bring some spring flowers or something out your way, even if it is when you are away recharging your batteries.
Affectionately yours,Linda-- Linda G. Griffith
S.E.T.I. Professor of Biological and Mechanical EngineeringDirector, Biotech/Pharma Engineering CenterMIT 16-42977 Massachusetts Ave.Cambridge, MA 02139617-253-0013fax 617-253-2400http://web.mit.edu/lgglab/index.html
I want to thank Linda and Doug for their faithful prayers for us. We also received a beautiful and encouraging card from Linda this week that expresses beautifully Jack's impact professionally and spiritually on her life.
As I have said to Jack, some people live as the Lord has enabled them to proclaim Him in their life's example and others proclaim it through words. By God's grace, our prayer is that as a team we have been gifted with both - as Jack has said, "I am the subject and you (Carolyn) are the voice". I can only thank our Lord and pray that He alone is exalted in our feeble ways. Our mighty God works in many and mysterious ways.
Carolyn
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
UPDATES March 28, 2008
UPDATE
March 28, 2008
Jack has had a very good last 2 weeks. After all of the anxiety and depression issues that he was experiencing, one of the important factors that the doctors told us was that Jack had to begin integrating back into the living. They also started him on a very low dose antidepressant (10 mg) of celexa. He has been on that for 2 weeks and it has seemed to brighten his spirits.
As most of you know by now, by the grace of God, we are determined types. So when the doctors said Jack needed to get marching – remember, we are “in the army now”! We got marching. Jack has a completely new schedule. He has begun going to “Peoplefit”, the health club that we mentioned last time. He was assessed by the physical therapist, Pat, who specializes in neurophysiology. He feels strongly that he can get Jack to a four pronged cane versus his hemi-walker that he has now. The cane would be much less cumbersome. Jack has been 2 times this week. He really enjoys it. He is using equipment that attaches his weak leg and arm so that he can exercise that part of his body as well. One of the most important parts of this experience is that Jack is with other people, many of whom are not infirmed, but some who are in worse condition than he is. Perspective is so important for all of us.
The other exciting event for Jack these last 2 weeks is that he has gone to Nano-C for a few hours one day each of these 2 weeks. Jack needs to demonstrate to himself that he has more of a brain left than he realizes. As we have mentioned previously, he has indicated that he is not sure that he has much of his brain left. The doctors told him that he has all of his brain left and that he has the ability to use more of his brain than most of us ever try to use. Now he can demonstrate that fact.
As you know from the last update, he insisted on moving up the MRI scan and doctor’s visit. He was very convinced that he was declining. Yesterday, Jack had his MRI scan and today we had the doctor’s visit. We have good news thankfully. The Lord has answered our pleas. Jack’s scan looks improved over January. By improved, the jagged margins where the tumor was treated and removed are still the same, except smaller. The margins are also more defined meaning not so broadly lighted. The best way to describe what it looked like is to use a marker versus a pencil in outlining the edges. In January, the margins looked outlined with a broad marker. Today, it was a pencil line. Dr. Cosgrove said that he believes that he has necrosis (tissue death) still occurring. He said he would not say there is no tumor inside the space that we view but it is not known from the scans. Scans at best are not perfect images. However, if the tumor were actively growing, the size would not be decreasing. We are most thankful for the news. It brightened our day as we contemplated the mercy that the Lord continues to extend to us.
As all of you know by now that our hope and prayer is that our Lord will be magnified in this, that His will is accomplished, and that regardless of the journey that we are on that we are submitted happily to Him, who alone is worthy.
We have had other wonderful events happening as well. Last Saturday evening, we resumed our Bible study with our dear friends, Harry and Carolee Howell, with a phone call from our now England residing other couple, Mike and Jo Domenica. We have gone to our favorite Italian coffee shop, Café Dolce in Winchester. Tonight we are planning on going to see “21”, a movie based on a true story of MIT students who beat Las Vagas for a long time by traveling on weekends with lots of money from rich Boston folks.
The Lord willing, I am dropping out of work and family for week, for a battery recharge beginning April 7. My sister, Suzanne, is coming from NC to help keep Jack marching along with Annette and William and of course, Courtenay, Jonathan, and Megan.
We continue to covet your prayers. Pray especially that we can be as the Psalmist David when he wrote Psalm 46:10 – 11
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted on the earth. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
Blessings,
Carolyn and family
March 28, 2008
Jack has had a very good last 2 weeks. After all of the anxiety and depression issues that he was experiencing, one of the important factors that the doctors told us was that Jack had to begin integrating back into the living. They also started him on a very low dose antidepressant (10 mg) of celexa. He has been on that for 2 weeks and it has seemed to brighten his spirits.
As most of you know by now, by the grace of God, we are determined types. So when the doctors said Jack needed to get marching – remember, we are “in the army now”! We got marching. Jack has a completely new schedule. He has begun going to “Peoplefit”, the health club that we mentioned last time. He was assessed by the physical therapist, Pat, who specializes in neurophysiology. He feels strongly that he can get Jack to a four pronged cane versus his hemi-walker that he has now. The cane would be much less cumbersome. Jack has been 2 times this week. He really enjoys it. He is using equipment that attaches his weak leg and arm so that he can exercise that part of his body as well. One of the most important parts of this experience is that Jack is with other people, many of whom are not infirmed, but some who are in worse condition than he is. Perspective is so important for all of us.
The other exciting event for Jack these last 2 weeks is that he has gone to Nano-C for a few hours one day each of these 2 weeks. Jack needs to demonstrate to himself that he has more of a brain left than he realizes. As we have mentioned previously, he has indicated that he is not sure that he has much of his brain left. The doctors told him that he has all of his brain left and that he has the ability to use more of his brain than most of us ever try to use. Now he can demonstrate that fact.
As you know from the last update, he insisted on moving up the MRI scan and doctor’s visit. He was very convinced that he was declining. Yesterday, Jack had his MRI scan and today we had the doctor’s visit. We have good news thankfully. The Lord has answered our pleas. Jack’s scan looks improved over January. By improved, the jagged margins where the tumor was treated and removed are still the same, except smaller. The margins are also more defined meaning not so broadly lighted. The best way to describe what it looked like is to use a marker versus a pencil in outlining the edges. In January, the margins looked outlined with a broad marker. Today, it was a pencil line. Dr. Cosgrove said that he believes that he has necrosis (tissue death) still occurring. He said he would not say there is no tumor inside the space that we view but it is not known from the scans. Scans at best are not perfect images. However, if the tumor were actively growing, the size would not be decreasing. We are most thankful for the news. It brightened our day as we contemplated the mercy that the Lord continues to extend to us.
As all of you know by now that our hope and prayer is that our Lord will be magnified in this, that His will is accomplished, and that regardless of the journey that we are on that we are submitted happily to Him, who alone is worthy.
We have had other wonderful events happening as well. Last Saturday evening, we resumed our Bible study with our dear friends, Harry and Carolee Howell, with a phone call from our now England residing other couple, Mike and Jo Domenica. We have gone to our favorite Italian coffee shop, Café Dolce in Winchester. Tonight we are planning on going to see “21”, a movie based on a true story of MIT students who beat Las Vagas for a long time by traveling on weekends with lots of money from rich Boston folks.
The Lord willing, I am dropping out of work and family for week, for a battery recharge beginning April 7. My sister, Suzanne, is coming from NC to help keep Jack marching along with Annette and William and of course, Courtenay, Jonathan, and Megan.
We continue to covet your prayers. Pray especially that we can be as the Psalmist David when he wrote Psalm 46:10 – 11
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted on the earth. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
Blessings,
Carolyn and family
Monday, March 17, 2008
UPDATES March 17, 2008
UPDATE
March 17, 2008
Life has created a certain routine now that is somewhat predictable. Jack continues to be challenged with his lack of ability to move as he has been so used to for all of his life. One of our good engineering feats is to find ways to navigate that provides the greatest opportunity for Jack with the most safety.
One of the more acute recent changes has been that Jack has begun having a lot of apprehension as he calls it. I prefer to call it panic like attacks that can be very debilitating even for those with no other issues. Jack says that when I am around that they either do not exist or they are lessened. One of the charming and funny things he did this week was with his calendar. I got him a day by day calendar so that he can know each day and date. It also has a Bible verse on it to help him focus his mind. I encourage him to memorize these verses as a way to keep his mind active. Jack has always had a great ability for memorization. Last Tuesday, he decided he would remove all of the pages to Saturday/Sunday. He knows that I am around most of those two days and he decided to fast forward the week. We all chuckled at his creativity and strong ingenuity. Unfortunately, it didn’t work.
We visited three of his medical team this last week per Jack’s request. We saw his primary care Dr. Diamond as well as his neuro-oncologist, Dr. Alderson, and neuro-surgeon, Dr.Cosgrove. Everyone has agreed on several things. The most important one is that Jack needs to get out of the house more doing things of interest, even going to his company an afternoon a week for now and increasing it as he feels like it. We also are about to be discharged from physical therapy coming to the house, so creating an outpatient program will be important. There is a company near us called “PeopleFit” that is owned by 2 brothers who are physical therapists. They specialize in working with individuals who have incapacity in some regard. Thankfully, in Boston, we have wonderful transportation options for handicapped individuals. One is sponsored by public transportation called “The Ride”. Jack was approved for this service last fall. We schedule a pickup at both destinations, and they come with a chair car and deliver him where he wants to go. It allows for independence which is most important psychologically. Annette would go with him for any assistance he might need. The other things his oncology team decided to do was to give him an anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medication to help his overall spirits. Some of the medications that he takes such as the steroids and anti-seizure medication can cause some of the anxiety. I also suspect that Jack is very sensitive to all of these drugs since he has never been one to take anything, not even an aspirin unless he was told to do it.
Jack’s next MRI scan is in mid-April. We are trying to reschedule this for an earlier time to satisfy Jack’s anxiety and questions that he has. As you can see, we are challenged at all levels. By the grace of our Lord, we are given the necessary grace each day as needed.
It would be very easy, given how difficult each task has become, to sit around and do nothing. This mode of operation is not part of what Jack and I have ever done so it is not what we are planning to do now, by God’s grace. On Saturday evening, Jack, Courtenay, and I went to our little local Italian coffee house. It was already evening, so with a porch light, Jack was able with assistance to get to the sidewalk. From there, we got him into his wheelchair and wheeled him to the car which he can get into with help. He later admitted that he would not have done this activity but that it was a very good one and was glad that we had the determination to make it happen. Needless to say, he slept very well.
The Lord certainly knows how to keep me distracted. Last Friday, a week ago, Bloomberg Finance, was in my office filming a special with a client of ours and myself on “Managing a Financial Windfall”. I was the feature Financial Planner. It will be aired sometime this Spring on cable channels, in 750,000 hotels around the country, and assorted other places as an “On Demand” program. So the “reality TV” thing keeps happening. My company was recently named as one of Boston’s Top 10 investment advisors among women owned companies here as well. We are always thankful for the press since our hope is that it may bring hope and value to someone that may need it. Also, Jonathan edited a History Channel program called “Journey to 10,000 BC” that was aired on March 9, 2008. Megan was one of the actors in it. Jonathan is now working on a program series for the History Channel about battles of the Old Testament. I will keep you posted when that will be aired. Given the scope of the project, I will guess it will be aired late this year or early next year. It is an eight part series.
Our wonderful friends and neighbors continue to bring us wonderful food and comfort. Our neighbors, Mary and J.P. Barger and our dear friends, Judy and Josh Morris brought us food in the last two weeks. Another dear MIT friend, Jane Cohen, brought us a delicious dinner last Friday. Just when I think I cannot think anymore about what to cook, the Lord provides us with these delicious meals. Our dear German friend, Benno Wersborg, came through Boston on Saturday and had lunch with us. It is always such a pleasure to see him. You may recall, he was Jack’s first PhD student. We also want to thank Prof. Bob Dibble, from ME UC Berkeley and Prof. Greg Macrae, from MIT for their recent emails and blog comments.
I have included in this blog, a story from one of Jack’s cousins about Jack’s growing up years. Here it is:
I visited with mom yesterday and she wants to send her a card. Evans was also there. Tell Jack that Evans had just been to Joe Billy Bowman's to get his hair cut. They were both recalling - and laughing about how our families did not allow us to have comic books but Hugh and Opal did....so everyone loved coming to their house and "slipping upstairs" to read their comics.....those comics were probably the inspiration of Jack's great intelligence - and the creativity that Jonathan now has! (Just think of the value of those books if anyone still had them!!)Rosalie (Jack’s 1st cousin on his Dad’s side)
“Her” refers to Jack’s Mom, Opal, who will be 96 on March 18. She is in remarkably good physical condition but not strong mentally anymore for memory issues. She does not know about Jack. If we told her, she has no capacity to remember it so we have decided she will not know about him.
Evans, is Rosalie’s brother and Joe Billy Bowman is another cousin. You can tell they had a good time remembering childhood.
As the journey continues, we cling to the verse in Isaiah 58:11 which says:
“The Lord will guide you continually….and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.” Regardless of our weaknesses and failings, we are trusting with great confidence in Him, that our Lord never fails. We rest in the shadow of His wings.
Blessings,
Carolyn
March 17, 2008
Life has created a certain routine now that is somewhat predictable. Jack continues to be challenged with his lack of ability to move as he has been so used to for all of his life. One of our good engineering feats is to find ways to navigate that provides the greatest opportunity for Jack with the most safety.
One of the more acute recent changes has been that Jack has begun having a lot of apprehension as he calls it. I prefer to call it panic like attacks that can be very debilitating even for those with no other issues. Jack says that when I am around that they either do not exist or they are lessened. One of the charming and funny things he did this week was with his calendar. I got him a day by day calendar so that he can know each day and date. It also has a Bible verse on it to help him focus his mind. I encourage him to memorize these verses as a way to keep his mind active. Jack has always had a great ability for memorization. Last Tuesday, he decided he would remove all of the pages to Saturday/Sunday. He knows that I am around most of those two days and he decided to fast forward the week. We all chuckled at his creativity and strong ingenuity. Unfortunately, it didn’t work.
We visited three of his medical team this last week per Jack’s request. We saw his primary care Dr. Diamond as well as his neuro-oncologist, Dr. Alderson, and neuro-surgeon, Dr.Cosgrove. Everyone has agreed on several things. The most important one is that Jack needs to get out of the house more doing things of interest, even going to his company an afternoon a week for now and increasing it as he feels like it. We also are about to be discharged from physical therapy coming to the house, so creating an outpatient program will be important. There is a company near us called “PeopleFit” that is owned by 2 brothers who are physical therapists. They specialize in working with individuals who have incapacity in some regard. Thankfully, in Boston, we have wonderful transportation options for handicapped individuals. One is sponsored by public transportation called “The Ride”. Jack was approved for this service last fall. We schedule a pickup at both destinations, and they come with a chair car and deliver him where he wants to go. It allows for independence which is most important psychologically. Annette would go with him for any assistance he might need. The other things his oncology team decided to do was to give him an anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medication to help his overall spirits. Some of the medications that he takes such as the steroids and anti-seizure medication can cause some of the anxiety. I also suspect that Jack is very sensitive to all of these drugs since he has never been one to take anything, not even an aspirin unless he was told to do it.
Jack’s next MRI scan is in mid-April. We are trying to reschedule this for an earlier time to satisfy Jack’s anxiety and questions that he has. As you can see, we are challenged at all levels. By the grace of our Lord, we are given the necessary grace each day as needed.
It would be very easy, given how difficult each task has become, to sit around and do nothing. This mode of operation is not part of what Jack and I have ever done so it is not what we are planning to do now, by God’s grace. On Saturday evening, Jack, Courtenay, and I went to our little local Italian coffee house. It was already evening, so with a porch light, Jack was able with assistance to get to the sidewalk. From there, we got him into his wheelchair and wheeled him to the car which he can get into with help. He later admitted that he would not have done this activity but that it was a very good one and was glad that we had the determination to make it happen. Needless to say, he slept very well.
The Lord certainly knows how to keep me distracted. Last Friday, a week ago, Bloomberg Finance, was in my office filming a special with a client of ours and myself on “Managing a Financial Windfall”. I was the feature Financial Planner. It will be aired sometime this Spring on cable channels, in 750,000 hotels around the country, and assorted other places as an “On Demand” program. So the “reality TV” thing keeps happening. My company was recently named as one of Boston’s Top 10 investment advisors among women owned companies here as well. We are always thankful for the press since our hope is that it may bring hope and value to someone that may need it. Also, Jonathan edited a History Channel program called “Journey to 10,000 BC” that was aired on March 9, 2008. Megan was one of the actors in it. Jonathan is now working on a program series for the History Channel about battles of the Old Testament. I will keep you posted when that will be aired. Given the scope of the project, I will guess it will be aired late this year or early next year. It is an eight part series.
Our wonderful friends and neighbors continue to bring us wonderful food and comfort. Our neighbors, Mary and J.P. Barger and our dear friends, Judy and Josh Morris brought us food in the last two weeks. Another dear MIT friend, Jane Cohen, brought us a delicious dinner last Friday. Just when I think I cannot think anymore about what to cook, the Lord provides us with these delicious meals. Our dear German friend, Benno Wersborg, came through Boston on Saturday and had lunch with us. It is always such a pleasure to see him. You may recall, he was Jack’s first PhD student. We also want to thank Prof. Bob Dibble, from ME UC Berkeley and Prof. Greg Macrae, from MIT for their recent emails and blog comments.
I have included in this blog, a story from one of Jack’s cousins about Jack’s growing up years. Here it is:
I visited with mom yesterday and she wants to send her a card. Evans was also there. Tell Jack that Evans had just been to Joe Billy Bowman's to get his hair cut. They were both recalling - and laughing about how our families did not allow us to have comic books but Hugh and Opal did....so everyone loved coming to their house and "slipping upstairs" to read their comics.....those comics were probably the inspiration of Jack's great intelligence - and the creativity that Jonathan now has! (Just think of the value of those books if anyone still had them!!)Rosalie (Jack’s 1st cousin on his Dad’s side)
“Her” refers to Jack’s Mom, Opal, who will be 96 on March 18. She is in remarkably good physical condition but not strong mentally anymore for memory issues. She does not know about Jack. If we told her, she has no capacity to remember it so we have decided she will not know about him.
Evans, is Rosalie’s brother and Joe Billy Bowman is another cousin. You can tell they had a good time remembering childhood.
As the journey continues, we cling to the verse in Isaiah 58:11 which says:
“The Lord will guide you continually….and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.” Regardless of our weaknesses and failings, we are trusting with great confidence in Him, that our Lord never fails. We rest in the shadow of His wings.
Blessings,
Carolyn
Sunday, March 2, 2008
UPDATE March 2, 2008
UPDATE
March 2, 2008
Our life is becoming more normalized with a routine. Jack has stabilized and has continued to gain endurance and strength. He has has a long way to go in the healing process but each day brings a little more hope. It has been sooooo good to have him home. We see each other and interact more often since he is in the mainstream of our daily lives.
Our week begins on Sunday when the children and I take over as caregivers since Annette actually takes a day off which she is entitled to take. It is very pleasant to have the house to ourselves and enjoy a quiet day somewhat like it used to be – even though life will never be like before. William who comes on at 11:30 PM when Annette and I are well into sleep, has not taken a night off since he started, thank goodness. It occurred to us the other night that we have been blessed with these other cultures in our lives in the most remarkable way. To give you an insight into how our amazing Lord provides for us, I will let you know how Annette and William have become part of our Christian armor.
Last Sunday I went to church prior to Annette leaving us for her day off. She chose to stay longer that morning so I could go to church. She pointed out to me how important it was for me to sit under the Word of God. She is certainly preaching to the choir here but it was such an encouragement that she was sacrificing for my benefit.
The other days of the week are comprised of me working each day, coming home preparing dinner (some nights) with Annette making a deal with me that if I cook, then she will clean the kitchen. I will make that deal every day. Thankfully, our daughter, Courtenay, does one meal/week; our daughter-in-law, Megan, does a meal/week, a neighbor, Judy Morris, provides dinner each Thursday evening, and occasionally someone else calls with soup or a meal. It is a great comfort to know that Jack is cared for, that we are provided for, and that we can have a routine. We are most thankful for these abundant blessings.
Recently, Jack was thanking William for helping him have such a good night’s sleep. William quickly pointed out that Jack needed to thank the good Lord for that because it was only the Lord that provides that to us. Jack began to weep. “The Lord knows our frame and earnestly remembers that we are dust.” Ps 103:14. These lovely people make me also think of Proverbs 25:25 – “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country”. As believers, it is an awesome thing to see what work the Lord has done in bringing Annette and William from a far country to care for us during our time of need.
We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses even in our care providers.
Jack’s physical therapist has used our outside entrance to help Jack gain confidence in using steps. Our main entrance steps are not very high and they are also very deep coupled with rails on each side for him to hold as he descends and ascends. His physical therapist told him in going to down to use his weak leg followed by his strong leg and the reverse in going up. Going up is so much easier for him. Going down the stairs is much more challenging and dangerous. He and I tackled 3 steps inside the house today. Coming down the 3 steps was so difficult in navigating that I had him sit down and come down one step on his bottom before he could stand up using his walker. It is much safer. One of Jack’s goals is to do these stairs in the same way that he was prior to all of the setbacks he has had.
When we did the stairs outside, he then walked down the sidewalk to the street walk and walked to our driveway. I had the wheelchair behind him in the event he became tired. He is always thinking about conserving energy (now you know why he has been such an energy guru). After we got to the driveway, he decided he better ride back to the steps so he would have enough energy to get up the stairs. This gives you some idea as to how far he has to go before he regains his strength.
Some of the other encouraging signs of improvement have been his desire to read and write again. He has certainly been more alert since he began the radiation antedote. We are so thankful that all of our strength is not measured in our human strength. Jack and I both would be on our faces during this great challenge. One of the empowering things that we need constant reminders of is from Psalm 18:30-36.
“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless.
He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.
For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights.
He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great.
You broaden the path beneath me, so that ankles do not turn.”
We are so cognizant of so many aspects of our Lord’s provision. The experience to witness the Lord’s hand so close to us in all aspects of this illness has been one of the truly amazing joys in the midst of the human sorrow in watching one of us so disabled physically.
We so appreciate the calls. When I do not update the blog, people start calling wondering what is going on. We received one of those calls yesterday from one of Jack’s former colleagues at MIT and Nano-C, Tony Modestino who is wintering in Florida with his lovely wife, Sherry. Tony, thank you for that call. It warmed our hearts as it always does with the cards, letters, and emails that we also continue to receive from so many of you.
We hope with March bringing longer days and Spring, at least on the calendar, that we will be renewed in our care for each other.
Love,
Carolyn and family
March 2, 2008
Our life is becoming more normalized with a routine. Jack has stabilized and has continued to gain endurance and strength. He has has a long way to go in the healing process but each day brings a little more hope. It has been sooooo good to have him home. We see each other and interact more often since he is in the mainstream of our daily lives.
Our week begins on Sunday when the children and I take over as caregivers since Annette actually takes a day off which she is entitled to take. It is very pleasant to have the house to ourselves and enjoy a quiet day somewhat like it used to be – even though life will never be like before. William who comes on at 11:30 PM when Annette and I are well into sleep, has not taken a night off since he started, thank goodness. It occurred to us the other night that we have been blessed with these other cultures in our lives in the most remarkable way. To give you an insight into how our amazing Lord provides for us, I will let you know how Annette and William have become part of our Christian armor.
Last Sunday I went to church prior to Annette leaving us for her day off. She chose to stay longer that morning so I could go to church. She pointed out to me how important it was for me to sit under the Word of God. She is certainly preaching to the choir here but it was such an encouragement that she was sacrificing for my benefit.
The other days of the week are comprised of me working each day, coming home preparing dinner (some nights) with Annette making a deal with me that if I cook, then she will clean the kitchen. I will make that deal every day. Thankfully, our daughter, Courtenay, does one meal/week; our daughter-in-law, Megan, does a meal/week, a neighbor, Judy Morris, provides dinner each Thursday evening, and occasionally someone else calls with soup or a meal. It is a great comfort to know that Jack is cared for, that we are provided for, and that we can have a routine. We are most thankful for these abundant blessings.
Recently, Jack was thanking William for helping him have such a good night’s sleep. William quickly pointed out that Jack needed to thank the good Lord for that because it was only the Lord that provides that to us. Jack began to weep. “The Lord knows our frame and earnestly remembers that we are dust.” Ps 103:14. These lovely people make me also think of Proverbs 25:25 – “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country”. As believers, it is an awesome thing to see what work the Lord has done in bringing Annette and William from a far country to care for us during our time of need.
We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses even in our care providers.
Jack’s physical therapist has used our outside entrance to help Jack gain confidence in using steps. Our main entrance steps are not very high and they are also very deep coupled with rails on each side for him to hold as he descends and ascends. His physical therapist told him in going to down to use his weak leg followed by his strong leg and the reverse in going up. Going up is so much easier for him. Going down the stairs is much more challenging and dangerous. He and I tackled 3 steps inside the house today. Coming down the 3 steps was so difficult in navigating that I had him sit down and come down one step on his bottom before he could stand up using his walker. It is much safer. One of Jack’s goals is to do these stairs in the same way that he was prior to all of the setbacks he has had.
When we did the stairs outside, he then walked down the sidewalk to the street walk and walked to our driveway. I had the wheelchair behind him in the event he became tired. He is always thinking about conserving energy (now you know why he has been such an energy guru). After we got to the driveway, he decided he better ride back to the steps so he would have enough energy to get up the stairs. This gives you some idea as to how far he has to go before he regains his strength.
Some of the other encouraging signs of improvement have been his desire to read and write again. He has certainly been more alert since he began the radiation antedote. We are so thankful that all of our strength is not measured in our human strength. Jack and I both would be on our faces during this great challenge. One of the empowering things that we need constant reminders of is from Psalm 18:30-36.
“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless.
He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.
For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights.
He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great.
You broaden the path beneath me, so that ankles do not turn.”
We are so cognizant of so many aspects of our Lord’s provision. The experience to witness the Lord’s hand so close to us in all aspects of this illness has been one of the truly amazing joys in the midst of the human sorrow in watching one of us so disabled physically.
We so appreciate the calls. When I do not update the blog, people start calling wondering what is going on. We received one of those calls yesterday from one of Jack’s former colleagues at MIT and Nano-C, Tony Modestino who is wintering in Florida with his lovely wife, Sherry. Tony, thank you for that call. It warmed our hearts as it always does with the cards, letters, and emails that we also continue to receive from so many of you.
We hope with March bringing longer days and Spring, at least on the calendar, that we will be renewed in our care for each other.
Love,
Carolyn and family
Monday, February 18, 2008
Email from a dear brother in Christ who is part of our Bible Study
From Mike Domenica who is part of our small group Bible Study
I so appreciated his words of encouragement that I decided to post it on the blog.
Mike and his dear wife are in the process of moving to London for 3 years for his work. He called yesterday to check on Jack and me. This email was a response to our call.
Safe travels and haven in London Mike and Jo.
love,
Jack and Carolyn
Carolyn, After we talked yesterday, I was sorry to have to leave. I know the burden on you is heavy. It gets heavier as the months wear on after the initial shock and the initial flight to the Lord provides the support we need. But he knows the purposes and end. I thought about Jack and you most of the night. I kept thinking about Matthew 11:28, "Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly and will give rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Your burden is heavy, but he will take all you cannot carry and it will become light. I know you and it is hard to let go of burdens. You're like me....a doer...nothing is too heavy. But he shows us the weight of the world for our good so that we will turn to him with abandon, leave it to him.
You know one of my/our favorite hymns:
"How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in his excellent word.What more can he say than to you he hath said; to you who to Jesus for refuge have fled.
Fear not I am with thee, O be not dismayed, for I am thy God and will still give thee aid; I'll strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand, upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand;
When through the deep waters I call thee to go, the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;For I will be near thee thy troubles to bless, and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to his foes;That soul, that all hell shall endeavor to shake, I'll never, no never, no never forsake."
I'll be praying for you all day today.
In Him,
Mike
I so appreciated his words of encouragement that I decided to post it on the blog.
Mike and his dear wife are in the process of moving to London for 3 years for his work. He called yesterday to check on Jack and me. This email was a response to our call.
Safe travels and haven in London Mike and Jo.
love,
Jack and Carolyn
Carolyn, After we talked yesterday, I was sorry to have to leave. I know the burden on you is heavy. It gets heavier as the months wear on after the initial shock and the initial flight to the Lord provides the support we need. But he knows the purposes and end. I thought about Jack and you most of the night. I kept thinking about Matthew 11:28, "Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly and will give rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Your burden is heavy, but he will take all you cannot carry and it will become light. I know you and it is hard to let go of burdens. You're like me....a doer...nothing is too heavy. But he shows us the weight of the world for our good so that we will turn to him with abandon, leave it to him.
You know one of my/our favorite hymns:
"How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in his excellent word.What more can he say than to you he hath said; to you who to Jesus for refuge have fled.
Fear not I am with thee, O be not dismayed, for I am thy God and will still give thee aid; I'll strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand, upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand;
When through the deep waters I call thee to go, the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;For I will be near thee thy troubles to bless, and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to his foes;That soul, that all hell shall endeavor to shake, I'll never, no never, no never forsake."
I'll be praying for you all day today.
In Him,
Mike
Sunday, February 17, 2008
UPDATE February 17, 2008
UPDATE
Februrary 17, 2008
“We are in the army now;
We are in the army now;
Not behind the plow;
You never get rich,
Digging a ditch;
We are in the army now”.
Jack is home now with an army of people caring for him and us. He arrived safely home on Wednesday, February 6. We converted our downstairs family room into a bedroom since we have a bathroom attached to this room. Jonathan and Megan were in charge of the hospital bed delivery and moving the furniture out of that room. Jack’s room now consist of the hospital bed; a recliner that tilts up as needed to boost him to his walker as well as help elevate his legs when he is not walking, and a bedside table.
The first night home brought flash backs of bringing newborn babies home from the hospital. Since Jack has grown accustomed to nurses, aides, and anyone else available at his beck and call, he thought Annette and I should also be as accessible. Annette has settled in very nicely living with us and caring for Jack during the normal day hours. She is allowed to get up and help him briefly during the night but after a few nights of the two of us taking turns, I decided we had to get a night nurse for Jack so we could sleep. Jack would likely be the last one around with the two of us collapsing from exhaustion!
You may remember that Jack was very fond of William at the last rehab facility. William works at another rehab full time from 3:00-11:00 PM five days a week. He arrives around 11:30 PM. He gives Jack a massage and bed bath, tucks him in and cares for Jack as needed during the night. William’s comment to us when I told him how much we appreciated his care for Jack, he immediately replied – “Mr. Jack is my friend, I am very happy to be helping him.” So are we. We feel enormously blessed to have Annette and William caring for Jack. Each night, I go to my bedroom, close the door and go to sleep with no worries as does Annette. The Lord has so graciously provided so abundantly for our needs. Jack is beginning to feel relaxed and comfortable trusting that his needs are provided for.
The other part of the army is made up of visiting nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and others as needed. Thankfully, all of these people are here to help. For the most part, I am at work when the soldiers are marching through Jack’s days.
It has taken Jack over a week to adjust to a very different life than he had in rehab and the hospital. It is a big one for all of us but we feel confident that he is so much better off with us since it creates a more normal environment than going to all of these different facilities. We also have more contact with him and we know he is getting better food.
On Friday February 8th, we looked like Reality TV on steroids. I do not work in my office on Fridays, so I had gone to the health club to workout. I arrived home around noon to meet the visiting nurse and discuss Jack’s care plan. Shortly after her arrival, the physical therapist arrived along with the occupational therapist. While the door was revolving with these people, the plumber arrived to install a new high-line toilet in the bathroom used by Jack as well as the woman who provides Jack’s care givers. While all of this activity was occurring, I received a call from my office manager saying that I had been contacted by one of the major local television stations wanting to interview me for the evening news. The interview was in regard to how to spend the money that some of us are getting from the Bush stimulus package. I agreed to do the interview, immediately changed clothes. I arrived in my office where my office manager was having a heart attack because she had dressed in sweats for the day. She asked her daughter to quickly bring a change of clothes for her; her daughter had a minor car accident on the way to the office. I told you it was reality TV on steroids – I am not finished yet! I completed the interview, left the office, and picked up a friend at the train station who was arriving from Vermont. I brought her to the house to visit with us and then took her to her hotel. While I was taking her to her hotel, Jack thought he could walk to the kitchen without telling anyone and he fell. Thankfully, he was not hurt but he did scrape his elbow and knee slightly. We are hoping he has learned that he cannot do these things anymore. We all slept very well after this crazy day.
The weekend was uneventful. At this point, we had not brought William on for the night shift. Jack awoke on Sunday evening announcing at 1:00 AM that he wanted his breakfast. I think his greatest fear is missing breakfast. It must go back to the days on the farm when a “day’s” work was completed before breakfast was eaten. He still talks about how he would feel faint by the time he got to eat. Annette cooked his breakfast while I tried to convince him it was the middle of the night. It was after this event, that I decided I was going to end up in a worse condition that Jack.
Jack has seemed and even has expressed his apprehension for the days ahead. Courtenay very beautifully told him “Dad, we cannot think about the days ahead, we need to enjoy and find joy in today.” He told her that he knew it but that it was hard when he is in the house all the time with very little to do.
There is so much that goes on each week but one of the things I continue to do is look at what some of our options might be. I met last week with a Dr. Belanger from Lexington, MA who is a Naturapathic Doctor. These people work with MDs but take a more natural approach. Dr. Belanger has specialized in working with cancer patients and brain cancer patients in particular. If any of you is interested in learning more about his work, his website is http://www.lexingtonnaturalhealth.com/. Dr. Belanger has had much success with brain cancer patients. We consulted our Vermont Dr. friend about his work. Our Dr. friend from Vermont, Lynne, has been involved in creating some of Jack’s supplements that we believe helped throughout his traditional treatment. If you are interested in her work which is a nutritional approach, her website is http://www.healthequations.com/. All of these options provide similar things that the Lahey Clinic team is suggesting except the supplements are natural with no side effects compared with the more standard pharmaceutical ones that can have devastating side effects. Stay tuned as this great group of people create a plan of medical care for Jack. I told him we may not beat this disease, but by God’s grace, we will go down fighting. We believe that we have a dream team of professionals interested in Jack’s care as well as the family’s wellbeing.
One of the observations that Lynne made when she saw Jack last week was that she felt that he had been over-radiated in the fall. She described him as looking like he had come out of a war zone. Jack had an appointment on Friday, February 15, 2008 with his neuro-oncologist, Dr. Alderson. We raised all of the questions that we had. We were very satisfied with the answers. The team at Lahey Clinic does not believe that Jack has cancer growing currently. They also admitted that 5% of patients are highly sensitive to the initial treatment and that Jack was in that group (MA General Hospital was responsible for the radiation and chemotherapy). Dr. Alderson did say that patients that have Jack’s level of sensitivity usually have better outcomes from the treatment. We discussed the alternative treatment plans that we have been exploring. Dr. Alderson was familiar with some of this work. He supports whatever we choose to do as does Jack’s primary care physician, Dr. Diamond at MIT. Jack began to cry at the appointment. He said he was so happy that everyone was on the same page. Everyone agrees that Jack is in a healing phase and should do whatever he feels like doing. Dr. Alderson does not want to see him again for an appointment until mid April. Jack said that it was the best appointment that we have had to date. Jack has a day by day calendar with Bible verses. The Friday, February 15 quote from I Chronicles 17:20 best expresses our joy –
“O Lord, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.”
Our lovely neighbors, the Morris’s brought us a Valentine Day’s dinner. We continue to receive wonderful contacts in all forms from our friends, family, and colleagues. We need all of you to stand on either side of us and continue to hold us up through this breath-taking journey. We pray that the Lord will bless you in the coming days as we wait patiently on our Lord’s direction and Jack’s healing.
Today is my sister's birthday, Happy Birthday Suzanne.
Also, in case you are wondering what I suggested for the extra checks some of us will receive, I said:
1. If you don't need the money, give it to your favorite qualified charity and receive a tax deduction.
2. If you don't need it but are short on retirement savings, save it in a retirement account and save on taxes.
3. Create a "rainy day" fund if you do not have one.
4. Pay down credit card or other debt.
5. Purchase a necessity that you could not afford.
Be thankful for all of our gifts.
Love,
Carolyn and family
Februrary 17, 2008
“We are in the army now;
We are in the army now;
Not behind the plow;
You never get rich,
Digging a ditch;
We are in the army now”.
Jack is home now with an army of people caring for him and us. He arrived safely home on Wednesday, February 6. We converted our downstairs family room into a bedroom since we have a bathroom attached to this room. Jonathan and Megan were in charge of the hospital bed delivery and moving the furniture out of that room. Jack’s room now consist of the hospital bed; a recliner that tilts up as needed to boost him to his walker as well as help elevate his legs when he is not walking, and a bedside table.
The first night home brought flash backs of bringing newborn babies home from the hospital. Since Jack has grown accustomed to nurses, aides, and anyone else available at his beck and call, he thought Annette and I should also be as accessible. Annette has settled in very nicely living with us and caring for Jack during the normal day hours. She is allowed to get up and help him briefly during the night but after a few nights of the two of us taking turns, I decided we had to get a night nurse for Jack so we could sleep. Jack would likely be the last one around with the two of us collapsing from exhaustion!
You may remember that Jack was very fond of William at the last rehab facility. William works at another rehab full time from 3:00-11:00 PM five days a week. He arrives around 11:30 PM. He gives Jack a massage and bed bath, tucks him in and cares for Jack as needed during the night. William’s comment to us when I told him how much we appreciated his care for Jack, he immediately replied – “Mr. Jack is my friend, I am very happy to be helping him.” So are we. We feel enormously blessed to have Annette and William caring for Jack. Each night, I go to my bedroom, close the door and go to sleep with no worries as does Annette. The Lord has so graciously provided so abundantly for our needs. Jack is beginning to feel relaxed and comfortable trusting that his needs are provided for.
The other part of the army is made up of visiting nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and others as needed. Thankfully, all of these people are here to help. For the most part, I am at work when the soldiers are marching through Jack’s days.
It has taken Jack over a week to adjust to a very different life than he had in rehab and the hospital. It is a big one for all of us but we feel confident that he is so much better off with us since it creates a more normal environment than going to all of these different facilities. We also have more contact with him and we know he is getting better food.
On Friday February 8th, we looked like Reality TV on steroids. I do not work in my office on Fridays, so I had gone to the health club to workout. I arrived home around noon to meet the visiting nurse and discuss Jack’s care plan. Shortly after her arrival, the physical therapist arrived along with the occupational therapist. While the door was revolving with these people, the plumber arrived to install a new high-line toilet in the bathroom used by Jack as well as the woman who provides Jack’s care givers. While all of this activity was occurring, I received a call from my office manager saying that I had been contacted by one of the major local television stations wanting to interview me for the evening news. The interview was in regard to how to spend the money that some of us are getting from the Bush stimulus package. I agreed to do the interview, immediately changed clothes. I arrived in my office where my office manager was having a heart attack because she had dressed in sweats for the day. She asked her daughter to quickly bring a change of clothes for her; her daughter had a minor car accident on the way to the office. I told you it was reality TV on steroids – I am not finished yet! I completed the interview, left the office, and picked up a friend at the train station who was arriving from Vermont. I brought her to the house to visit with us and then took her to her hotel. While I was taking her to her hotel, Jack thought he could walk to the kitchen without telling anyone and he fell. Thankfully, he was not hurt but he did scrape his elbow and knee slightly. We are hoping he has learned that he cannot do these things anymore. We all slept very well after this crazy day.
The weekend was uneventful. At this point, we had not brought William on for the night shift. Jack awoke on Sunday evening announcing at 1:00 AM that he wanted his breakfast. I think his greatest fear is missing breakfast. It must go back to the days on the farm when a “day’s” work was completed before breakfast was eaten. He still talks about how he would feel faint by the time he got to eat. Annette cooked his breakfast while I tried to convince him it was the middle of the night. It was after this event, that I decided I was going to end up in a worse condition that Jack.
Jack has seemed and even has expressed his apprehension for the days ahead. Courtenay very beautifully told him “Dad, we cannot think about the days ahead, we need to enjoy and find joy in today.” He told her that he knew it but that it was hard when he is in the house all the time with very little to do.
There is so much that goes on each week but one of the things I continue to do is look at what some of our options might be. I met last week with a Dr. Belanger from Lexington, MA who is a Naturapathic Doctor. These people work with MDs but take a more natural approach. Dr. Belanger has specialized in working with cancer patients and brain cancer patients in particular. If any of you is interested in learning more about his work, his website is http://www.lexingtonnaturalhealth.com/. Dr. Belanger has had much success with brain cancer patients. We consulted our Vermont Dr. friend about his work. Our Dr. friend from Vermont, Lynne, has been involved in creating some of Jack’s supplements that we believe helped throughout his traditional treatment. If you are interested in her work which is a nutritional approach, her website is http://www.healthequations.com/. All of these options provide similar things that the Lahey Clinic team is suggesting except the supplements are natural with no side effects compared with the more standard pharmaceutical ones that can have devastating side effects. Stay tuned as this great group of people create a plan of medical care for Jack. I told him we may not beat this disease, but by God’s grace, we will go down fighting. We believe that we have a dream team of professionals interested in Jack’s care as well as the family’s wellbeing.
One of the observations that Lynne made when she saw Jack last week was that she felt that he had been over-radiated in the fall. She described him as looking like he had come out of a war zone. Jack had an appointment on Friday, February 15, 2008 with his neuro-oncologist, Dr. Alderson. We raised all of the questions that we had. We were very satisfied with the answers. The team at Lahey Clinic does not believe that Jack has cancer growing currently. They also admitted that 5% of patients are highly sensitive to the initial treatment and that Jack was in that group (MA General Hospital was responsible for the radiation and chemotherapy). Dr. Alderson did say that patients that have Jack’s level of sensitivity usually have better outcomes from the treatment. We discussed the alternative treatment plans that we have been exploring. Dr. Alderson was familiar with some of this work. He supports whatever we choose to do as does Jack’s primary care physician, Dr. Diamond at MIT. Jack began to cry at the appointment. He said he was so happy that everyone was on the same page. Everyone agrees that Jack is in a healing phase and should do whatever he feels like doing. Dr. Alderson does not want to see him again for an appointment until mid April. Jack said that it was the best appointment that we have had to date. Jack has a day by day calendar with Bible verses. The Friday, February 15 quote from I Chronicles 17:20 best expresses our joy –
“O Lord, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.”
Our lovely neighbors, the Morris’s brought us a Valentine Day’s dinner. We continue to receive wonderful contacts in all forms from our friends, family, and colleagues. We need all of you to stand on either side of us and continue to hold us up through this breath-taking journey. We pray that the Lord will bless you in the coming days as we wait patiently on our Lord’s direction and Jack’s healing.
Today is my sister's birthday, Happy Birthday Suzanne.
Also, in case you are wondering what I suggested for the extra checks some of us will receive, I said:
1. If you don't need the money, give it to your favorite qualified charity and receive a tax deduction.
2. If you don't need it but are short on retirement savings, save it in a retirement account and save on taxes.
3. Create a "rainy day" fund if you do not have one.
4. Pay down credit card or other debt.
5. Purchase a necessity that you could not afford.
Be thankful for all of our gifts.
Love,
Carolyn and family
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
UPDATE February 6, 2008
UPDATE
February 6, 2008
We are most joyful today. The Lord works in wonderful and mysterious ways. All of you know that our hope and prayer has been that Jack might become strong enough to come home. He hasn’t been home since November 14, 2007 due to all of the issues that have been previously described. We had been contemplating his homecoming. He has made an amazing rebound in his walking with assistance as well as his endurance since he was discharged last week from Lahey Clinic.
As you know, we face many challenges. We never know from where they will come. The challenge this week was in Lexington Healthcare Center, the rehabilitation facility where Jack has been off and on since December. The Center had a sewage pipe break in Jack’s wing. All residents had to be transferred to another part of the Center. There are public health rules that have to be followed in an environment like this one. Jack had been in a private room. When he was transferred, he was put in a room with another lovely man, Sal. There is one problem with Sal, he is being treated for pneumonia. We have been assured that he is not contagious. Also, Jack has had the pneumonia vaccine. None the less, there is much coughing.
We were advised yesterday that if the pipe break was not resolved by today that the residents who had been in Jack’s wing would be transferred to another facility. The children and I went into high gear. I cancelled appointments at work. Jonathan has this week off from work – another amazing, gracious, and providential work of our Lord. Unless there is a glitch in hospital bed delivery as well as the other equipment that will be delivered today, Jack may sleep at home tonight. We are most thankful that he is able to come home as well as the providence of the Lord in that sewage pipe speeding up the process.
Last evening, we visited many of our friends that we have made in the Center. Remember Ann. When we told her Jack was leaving, she immediately wanted to know if we were having a party. I told her that we would celebrate at home with her there in spirit. It is very touching to see Jack’s emotional side as he tearfully squeezed Ann’s hand in a goodbye. We promised to stay in touch with her by phone and cards. Jack then wanted to walk to the nurse’s station and hug the nurses who have so faithfully cared for him in all ways. He has told everyone that the hard part of leaving was saying goodbye to those who have so graciously cared for him. We are thankful for the many caregivers who have such hard work at very low pay with little gratitude. We encourage all of you as well as us to remember to pray for these faithful hands wherever they may be.
Jack’s personal nurse’s assistant, Rita, decided to go back to school to study mechanical engineering at Northeastern (we wish her much success – Jack told her he would be happy to tutor her if she needed any help). The agency that provides our services has found another wonderful lady, Annette, another providential care of our Lord. Annette is able to live with us which will provide excellent continuity for us. We will have to give her time off each week but we hope to use another excellent care provider that we met at the Center. I connected William and the agency and he passed all of the reviews. Another important thing that I have learned in this journey is that if anyone ever needs care, it is important to work through an approved agency. If there are issues with the provider, the agency handles them. If you need replacements, they do the work. They have thoroughly examined backgrounds and credentials for these individuals.
As we celebrate our prayers as well as the legions of prayers going up around the world for us and Jack being answered, it brings to mind the hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is our God”. This hymn was penned using Psalm 46 as the inspiration. I will quote from several of the verses.
Vs. 1 – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.
Vs. 2 - Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
Vs. 3 - though the waters roar and foam (literally this week) and the mountains quake with their surging,
Vs. 4 – There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the most High dwells.
Vs. 7 – The Lord Almighy is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Vs.10 – Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Vs.11 – The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
By God’s wonderful and marvelous grace, we can proclaim this Psalm.
Stay tuned as our Jack returns home. We are encouraged and excited for him and us.
Please continue to pray for us as the Lord leads.
Blessings,
Carolyn and family
February 6, 2008
We are most joyful today. The Lord works in wonderful and mysterious ways. All of you know that our hope and prayer has been that Jack might become strong enough to come home. He hasn’t been home since November 14, 2007 due to all of the issues that have been previously described. We had been contemplating his homecoming. He has made an amazing rebound in his walking with assistance as well as his endurance since he was discharged last week from Lahey Clinic.
As you know, we face many challenges. We never know from where they will come. The challenge this week was in Lexington Healthcare Center, the rehabilitation facility where Jack has been off and on since December. The Center had a sewage pipe break in Jack’s wing. All residents had to be transferred to another part of the Center. There are public health rules that have to be followed in an environment like this one. Jack had been in a private room. When he was transferred, he was put in a room with another lovely man, Sal. There is one problem with Sal, he is being treated for pneumonia. We have been assured that he is not contagious. Also, Jack has had the pneumonia vaccine. None the less, there is much coughing.
We were advised yesterday that if the pipe break was not resolved by today that the residents who had been in Jack’s wing would be transferred to another facility. The children and I went into high gear. I cancelled appointments at work. Jonathan has this week off from work – another amazing, gracious, and providential work of our Lord. Unless there is a glitch in hospital bed delivery as well as the other equipment that will be delivered today, Jack may sleep at home tonight. We are most thankful that he is able to come home as well as the providence of the Lord in that sewage pipe speeding up the process.
Last evening, we visited many of our friends that we have made in the Center. Remember Ann. When we told her Jack was leaving, she immediately wanted to know if we were having a party. I told her that we would celebrate at home with her there in spirit. It is very touching to see Jack’s emotional side as he tearfully squeezed Ann’s hand in a goodbye. We promised to stay in touch with her by phone and cards. Jack then wanted to walk to the nurse’s station and hug the nurses who have so faithfully cared for him in all ways. He has told everyone that the hard part of leaving was saying goodbye to those who have so graciously cared for him. We are thankful for the many caregivers who have such hard work at very low pay with little gratitude. We encourage all of you as well as us to remember to pray for these faithful hands wherever they may be.
Jack’s personal nurse’s assistant, Rita, decided to go back to school to study mechanical engineering at Northeastern (we wish her much success – Jack told her he would be happy to tutor her if she needed any help). The agency that provides our services has found another wonderful lady, Annette, another providential care of our Lord. Annette is able to live with us which will provide excellent continuity for us. We will have to give her time off each week but we hope to use another excellent care provider that we met at the Center. I connected William and the agency and he passed all of the reviews. Another important thing that I have learned in this journey is that if anyone ever needs care, it is important to work through an approved agency. If there are issues with the provider, the agency handles them. If you need replacements, they do the work. They have thoroughly examined backgrounds and credentials for these individuals.
As we celebrate our prayers as well as the legions of prayers going up around the world for us and Jack being answered, it brings to mind the hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is our God”. This hymn was penned using Psalm 46 as the inspiration. I will quote from several of the verses.
Vs. 1 – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.
Vs. 2 - Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
Vs. 3 - though the waters roar and foam (literally this week) and the mountains quake with their surging,
Vs. 4 – There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the most High dwells.
Vs. 7 – The Lord Almighy is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Vs.10 – Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Vs.11 – The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
By God’s wonderful and marvelous grace, we can proclaim this Psalm.
Stay tuned as our Jack returns home. We are encouraged and excited for him and us.
Please continue to pray for us as the Lord leads.
Blessings,
Carolyn and family
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