We're Still Here!

Hope we haven't lost...

...too many dear friends with our lack of posting!

The move was.... very drawn out, and A MOVE. The last few weeks were running up to get things from the condo that we still needed at the old house, missing things that were packed in the PODS, [Does anyone know what box, the black leather booklet that was in the business closet, was packed? It has our passports and car titles in it.] and only living out of 2 rooms in a very empty house. We don't know how people move every few years. Biggest thanks for those who helped out with the 4 different "moves", especially the cleaners.

How's Dan, you say?

Well, things are progressing slowly with him. He hasn't been up much because of his not feeling well. [Another UTI we think] We did make it to church last Sunday with Matt and Emily for Addy and Gabri's baby dedication. That was huge since it was Dan's first time back to a church service since his accident. We even went out to eat and drove past our new house site. But he couldn't wait to get home to rest.

It is always good to see Dan using his computer. Besides checking email, he was investigating online college classes last night. It can be an time consuming process of speaking commands and using the mouth mouse or "Jouse". Also, when he is up, he is able to power himself about in his chair. Those little things are bits of encouragement in this slow process.

Prayer requests:

*Dan has some pressure sores that need healing. He's had these before and they come from any surface that presses again bone areas i.e. his heels, ankles, hips, elbows, palms, shoulder blades, - all at risk. It can happen from his air mattress. The best long term cures have been vitamin E, sheep skin under the points, and constant vigilance of those pressure areas.
*His pacing is good, as he's on it 80% of the time, but it still does not have strong enough air flow to cap his trach or sit up very far. It's the next big step in the pacing process.
*Overall health -- that he would feel strong enough to get up each day and become more independent. -- that he would feel like eating more.

*We need some consistent help with Dan -- a personal assistant/caregiver type person. An RN is not necessary, but this assistant person should be willing to get familiar with some medical care. Exercising, vent and trach care, personal care, attending to his physical needs hour by hour. This is a paid position. [FYI for someone who asked - Dan will sleep well between 11pm and 3 am, but it is his usual routine to wake one of us up 3-6 times per night, between 11 pm and 6 am, for water, suctioning, turning him, etc.]

*We could use someone to help with the mounds of paperwork involved with Dan's care. The daily insurance issues, Medicaid, and the various state agencies, to help with getting what Dan needs for his day to day care. [Dan's bed was recently taken back (insurance issue), and we had to scramble to find a replacement.] There's always some issue going on.

We just want to take these needs to God's people
and trust you to join us in praying for God's perfect provision.

(We have both found ourselves getting to the place where we would rather not see people because they'll ask how we are, and since things are not better, it surely must sound like we are complaining. We WANT to say that all is going well, but that is not reality. We have an extremely heavy load, and our answers are simply fact. We do eagerly await God's provision for our needs, but it can seem like we're here just watching time pass. I, Deb, keep going back to a verse I shared earlier this year: Isaiah 64:4 Neither has the eye seen a God besides Thee, who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him. Our prayer is that we will continue to trust as we wait for the Lord to bring us relief. He will not give us more than we can bear! THAT He promised!)