UPDATE May 24-27, 2008

UPDATE
May 24, 2008

The good news is that Jack continues to remain stable as does Carolyn and family. We are always thankful for what now has become our routine. The Lord continues to supply our every need for which we can only give praise to Him, our King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

After my week off for “oxygen” in April, my trip to CA for business, and then to New Orleans for business and pleasure, I am most grateful to be safely home and back into the comforts of home.
New Orleans was a remarkable experience. Jack’s sister, Myra, and I survived the week together or should I better say that New Orleans survived the week with us together. Myra and I were roommates in college and certainly picked up where we left off some 42 or 43 years ago –sometime last century to be sure. Myra was very encouraged to see downtown New Orleans, including the French Quarters and the American district known as the Garden District looking like she remembered it when attending Tulane graduate school. Only about 30% of the population has returned to New Orleans. Slowly, businesses are recovering. The outlying regions are still tragically abandoned and desolate in many places. Beautiful neighborhoods have 2 out 3 houses abandoned. It will take years for full recovery, if ever. One of the most fascinating things we learned was that the American Indians told the French never to build within 4 miles of Lake Ponchatrain (2nd largest lake in the US). The flood waters stopped exactly at the 4 mile mark in the Katrina hurricane that the Indians had designated to the French centuries ago. Somehow, we just don’t listen well. The city is alive and recovering and is a wonderful vacation destination with delicious food and a remarkable history. One important fact we learned was that black women were the primary land owners (80%) in New Orleans. Also, the reason that the music evolved in New Orleans, the black people were only servants by day but were free to go home and live their lives at night – ie – play and sing their music. Women were voting there as early as the early 1800’s. That area went in reverse for many years after we purchased it from Spain who had bought it from the French.

Back to Jack – thanks to Jack’s brother, Keith, spending about 5 days with Jack while I was in New Orleans, Jack managed to surprise me with putting Spring in our garden with bringing out the bird baths, cleaning out the bubbling tiny pond, and keeping Jack busy with many activities. Jack took Keith to Peoplefit and to Nano-C. All of this activity made the time pass more quickly as well as more comfortable for Jack while I was away. Thank you Keith for all of your help and companionship. We have been so blessed with many family members, neighbors, and friends extending so much to us in the prayers, thoughts, and visits.

Jack continues to gain more stamina physically and mentally. He will likely begin going to Nano-C two days/week for a few hours each day. He stayed 3 hours recently and came home with a big smile on his face.

We have had some caregiver changes. Annette decided she wanted day hours instead of live-in hours. We made a change last week but we are back to the drawing board. This week we have had another Ugandan woman who is attending law school here. It is not a good fit for us as a live-in situation. I am interviewing another woman today. These issues are part of our normal life now. We were blessed to have Annette with us as long as possible. We wish her the best. William is still with us and to our knowledge will continue to be part of the caregiver team. Since I wrote this over the weekend, we have now hired Donna, a local Italian woman who has been caregiving for 12 years with much live-in experience. Hopefully, she will work out. One of the most difficult challenges of our situation is dealing with the all of these people in our home. They all have big hearts but they each bring their own personalities and challenges.

Jack was evaluated for this fancy new “blue tooth” electronic equipment that could act as his brain when it comes to walking. He will be fitted with the Bioness leg equipment in a week. He will wear a leg band that has a computer chip in it. When he walks, a little sensor that will be under his heel and attached to the side of his shoe will trigger his nerves and muscles to work in his leg. When Jack went for his evaluation, we saw a woman who had a paralyzed arm and leg similar to Jack who was walking almost normally with a little assistance from a regular cane. It was very impressive and encouraging. If you would like to more about it, you can log into www.bioness.com. The leg equipment is very light weight and can be worn all of his waking hours. The arm equipment can only be used about 3 hours/day for more specialized situations. One of the things we are doing now is stretching Jack’s calf muscles and achilles tendon. These areas have become somewhat rigid as a result of wearing the rigid foot drop brace. When we walk, our toes come up automatically when we put pressure on our heels. Jack’s toes drop causing him to trip and stumble which necessitates the brace or Bioness equipment to help him. We are very excited about it. Jack is in a special splint a few hours/day to help stretch and relax his left leg. Pray that Jack’s mobility may be enhanced with this modern technology.

Our hearts go out to the Kennedy family as they are beginning their journey into this challenging world of brain tumors. This disease is devastating in so many ways. It is very painful to watch our loved ones have so much physical struggle. The best part of the struggles we have is to know that these experiences are opportunities to be reminded of our dependence on our Lord. It is also His opportunity to remind us of His love and grace toward us. It brings to mind a special passage in Isaiah 41:9-10 – “I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, You are my servant, I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand.
Vs. 13-14 – For I am the Lord, your God. Who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you. Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.”

Thanks be to God for His tender mercies in all matters of our lives. Continue to pray that the Lord will be honored regardless of what is ahead and that we will continue to rejoice and be glad in each day because it is a day that the Lord has made.

Blessings,
Carolyn and family