Think and Do!
I spent about an hour with Kat Friday night. I hadn’t seen her since Wednesday evening so it was a great reunion! She continues to get tired and has some restless nights. In fact, Thursday night into Friday morning was extremely rough for her. She needed to go to the bathroom but just couldn’t locate her call bell for the nurses. She desperately sought for the button … prayed … thought of using the phone to call … and refrained from shouting out as she didn’t want to frighten her roomate, Wilemina (a petite dutch woman who recently had heart surgery). By the time the nurse came in Kathy told her of the need and it was cared for.
So with the lack of a good sleep and the daily routine of intense Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT), Dr visits, Speech Therapists, etc. she easily gets tired. So I left at around 9:30 so she could do her routine for bed. Interestingly, As I was driving down Pleasant St. my phone rang and it was Tim and Pete lost in the parking lot. So I went back to try and find them. After finding the guys we tried to call Kat’s room and the nurses station so they could visit their Mom but noone answered. So we took off to get a bite which didn’t work as only the drive through was opened. Then we hit a 1/2 mile backup on 93 North due to a motorcycle accident. I got home about 11:30.
While Kathy explained her day, I noticed she was no longer in her hospital garb! Up to know she had a Johnny top and scrub bottoms. Today she had a grey long sleeved pullover, black athletic pants long leggin’ stockings and her sneakers. I watched her maneuver herself in the chair with her feet. She told me of some of the things she was able to do. Then she did it! She said look and I watched her lift her left leg and move her foot foward! WOW! The PTist, Dr. and others were very pleased with her progress. Well, yeah! She is training her mind to think and do! Her damaged brain cells are either being taken over by new ones or her other brain cells are being relearned to take over! God’s design for the human body is amazing, don’t you think. So moving her once unmovable leg wasn’t a one-time occurance, she did it a couple of times. I scratched the back of her calf and she said she sensed me tickeling her leg. I touched her left upper arm and she said she felt me touching her shoulder. I squeezed below her elbow but she had no real sensation there. Her Dr. told her that the “comeback” usually begins at the farthest point (like the leg). So he was encouraged with what was happening. The PTist told Kat her smile was more pronouced. Her left upper lip was lifting more and it looked more like the beautiful smile she always had. Up to this point her smiling looked more like she was growling at you! (Don’t tell her I said that)
So it was a great reunion! Progress! Encouragement! She is anxious for things to start happening and it is … slow but sure! Keep praying for her recovery. The PT & OT will be getting more intense in the days ahead. Also, pray for her tomorrow on Mom’s Day. I believe her own mother is coming for a visit today. I will be taking Sunday off to spend with her and get much needed rest. We rejoice in what God is doing in her both physically and spiritually. She shared much from her heart last night that showed a sensitive, caring and loving lady. Much of it was very personal. This time of being laid aside has caused the Holy Spirit to move in our hearts like never before. It is amazing.
So the journey is in low gear on the upward climb — but moving ahead! She is progressing day by day. To God be the glory! Keep hooked up, there’s more coming …
