We received an encouraging email today with this quote and as we read it, the words rang true in our ears.
"All of our difficulties are only platforms for the manifestations of God’s grace, power and love in our life".
To be honest, most of the time it's hard to keep track of what day it is. We do know it’s day #3 at the hospital with Mom. We know God is with us in this time. Jess has asked me to make a guest appearance on her blog. I (Courtney) am taking my turn to fill you in on Mom's progress today. I want to share that although this time is difficult we have been able to see God answer our prayers and yours through the progress Mom is making. However, we still long to hear her voice and to know what she is thinking.
Yesterday, the doctor stressed the importance of mom increasing her daily food intake, either that, or a feeding tube will be ordered. When we met with the doctor again this morning he said applesause will not due and she needs to be eating full meals. At breakfast she only had 2 spoonfuls of oatmeal; a slow start to the day. We knew the rest of the day was crucial. When lunch came around she ate 3 spoonfuls of potatoes and ground beef. After shaking her head "no" to the 4th bite she did have 3 spoonfuls of pudding... already an improvement. From there she had an afternoon snack of a few bites of yogurt before the next real test of dinner. Dinner came and after moving Mom to the chair (a new instruction from the Physical Therapist) we sat her up and Jess prepared to feed her. Dad and I watched and counted; bite #1, #2...#3 and were pleased as she went on to eat 2 more big bites! She then finished with a few sips of a protein shake. DEFINITE improvement. While she still needs to eat more, we count today as a big step forward!
Another step forward was taken as mom worked with the Physical Therapist, Danielle. She completed the exercises she did yesterday with improved ease and confidence. Then continued to play catch with Jess and to do walking/weaving exercises with Danielle. Her therapy also included picking up the cones she weaved in and out of off of the floor and we were floored to watch her do so. Once she was done, Danielle told us how well Mom was continuing to improve with her movement as well as responding to commands.
Of course there is the flip side, too. She still hasn't spoken and leaves us guessing as to how much she really does comprehend and understand. But we are praying for patience and continued health, as we know her brain is swelling right now, and some functions will take longer than others to return.
One last note for the day; Mom had an ultra sound on her legs last night to look for any blood clots. We found out today that she does in fact have a large clot in her lower left leg. This confirms the cause of her stroke. A piece of this clot broke off and traveled through her body, through the PFO and then into her brain. The doctor did put her on a very mild blood thinner in order to prevent further clotting.
After another day, we realize again what a long road we are on, and how God is using this time to teach us about His grace. He is showing us in a whole new way that He is in control. A friend shared with me this verse today:
"... we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope" and hope is found in Christ. - Romans 5: 3-4
AND SO WE PRESS ON and can not continue to thank you all enough for your continued love, support and prayer.
Gordy, Courtney and Jessica
Where have you seen God’s grace in our life today?
"All of our difficulties are only platforms for the manifestations of God’s grace, power and love in our life".
To be honest, most of the time it's hard to keep track of what day it is. We do know it’s day #3 at the hospital with Mom. We know God is with us in this time. Jess has asked me to make a guest appearance on her blog. I (Courtney) am taking my turn to fill you in on Mom's progress today. I want to share that although this time is difficult we have been able to see God answer our prayers and yours through the progress Mom is making. However, we still long to hear her voice and to know what she is thinking.
Yesterday, the doctor stressed the importance of mom increasing her daily food intake, either that, or a feeding tube will be ordered. When we met with the doctor again this morning he said applesause will not due and she needs to be eating full meals. At breakfast she only had 2 spoonfuls of oatmeal; a slow start to the day. We knew the rest of the day was crucial. When lunch came around she ate 3 spoonfuls of potatoes and ground beef. After shaking her head "no" to the 4th bite she did have 3 spoonfuls of pudding... already an improvement. From there she had an afternoon snack of a few bites of yogurt before the next real test of dinner. Dinner came and after moving Mom to the chair (a new instruction from the Physical Therapist) we sat her up and Jess prepared to feed her. Dad and I watched and counted; bite #1, #2...#3 and were pleased as she went on to eat 2 more big bites! She then finished with a few sips of a protein shake. DEFINITE improvement. While she still needs to eat more, we count today as a big step forward!
Another step forward was taken as mom worked with the Physical Therapist, Danielle. She completed the exercises she did yesterday with improved ease and confidence. Then continued to play catch with Jess and to do walking/weaving exercises with Danielle. Her therapy also included picking up the cones she weaved in and out of off of the floor and we were floored to watch her do so. Once she was done, Danielle told us how well Mom was continuing to improve with her movement as well as responding to commands.
Of course there is the flip side, too. She still hasn't spoken and leaves us guessing as to how much she really does comprehend and understand. But we are praying for patience and continued health, as we know her brain is swelling right now, and some functions will take longer than others to return.
One last note for the day; Mom had an ultra sound on her legs last night to look for any blood clots. We found out today that she does in fact have a large clot in her lower left leg. This confirms the cause of her stroke. A piece of this clot broke off and traveled through her body, through the PFO and then into her brain. The doctor did put her on a very mild blood thinner in order to prevent further clotting.
After another day, we realize again what a long road we are on, and how God is using this time to teach us about His grace. He is showing us in a whole new way that He is in control. A friend shared with me this verse today:
"... we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope" and hope is found in Christ. - Romans 5: 3-4
AND SO WE PRESS ON and can not continue to thank you all enough for your continued love, support and prayer.
Gordy, Courtney and Jessica
Where have you seen God’s grace in our life today?