Last few days...

Oh the last few days...they have been interesting!
I blogged a bit about Wed and how Ben got his milkshake! He loved it and will be getting more soon! Also on Wed Ben was put on a long table that he could do squats on. Ask any guy he knows how Ben has such massive thighs it would be from squats and road biking! Ben did good for his first time...had to have help getting bending his knees and then some to straighten his legs. You could see his muscles working and his face was very intense!
Wednesday we were invited by our "new neighbors" two doors down from Ben to have a pre-Thanksgiving meal. I have been following their updates online and they came to Shepherds last week! Ty was out riding his road bike early Aug and got hit from behind by a car. Little did we know until we met that he was in the ICU when Ben and and I were there! Ty and Karen (his wife) only live about 30 min from our home, they have 3 adorable little boys and are a strong Christian family! So, we got Ben out of bed and we headed down to a room where Ty's family had set up a feast! They invited us in with open arms. Ben was looking all around and watching the little kids as they were moving around. It has been a huge blessing to have them in our lives. Please keep Ty and Karen in your prayers as they are dealing with Ty's brain injury too. I know one day Ty and Ben will get on their road bikes and ride for miles together...what a ministry they could have! Brain injury bikers...survivors due to the healing of Jesus!!
Thursday..Thanksgiving brought turkey bingo in the rehab room and a turkey hunt! Ben missed out on all the fun and slept through the whole thing! I think he planned it because he thought it was cheesy and would rather play football! It is hilarious because that is the only time that he slept that day! We watched a bit of the Macy's day parade, hung out and I snuggled with him. In the afternoon I bundled Ben up in a blanket and took him outside! It was a perfect fall day...sunny and crisp air! Ty, Karen and their family was out so after taking Ben around the garden a few times we chatted with them for a bit. Ben's eyes were huge watching the kids play football. His eyes followed them everywhere!
Thursday afternoon was not the best for me. I think once all the activity settled down and Ben was resting it hit me that it was Thanksgiving...our first one while on this journey and prayerfully our last. I of course snuggled in bed with my man and cryed on his shoulder. After I was done I thought I would try and help Ben to give me a hug...that just made me laugh. Ben was probably thinking I was a crazy lady! I got up from where I was sitting to go to the other side of the bed...when I did he raised his arm so I went to sit on the other side to see what he wanted. He reached out and grabbed the vest I was wearing and pulled me close to his face! He just layed there, holding my jacket and staring into my eyes. Of course I started bawling againg and told him I loved him and that everything was ok! When I went to stand up he gripped harder on my jacket so I sat with my man for awhile and held tight onto his hand! He melted my heart and the Lord knew just what I needed in that moment!
Friday we were back into the swing of things and back to all 3 of his therapies! Ben did great in speech and tried to mouth a few words. He also had some more juice which he slurped down. In OT he got a cast to his right arm. He has been keeping it in a bent position and do they are casting it in a straight position for a few days to loosen it up a bit. Ben was put back on the squating table and this time he did alot better on it. He needed a little help bending his knees but he did an amazing job pushing back up! I came back that afternoon to rest and get refreshed for another week!
This next week I plan on working on a quilt I have started and start decorating Ben's room for Christmas...it is our new living room!!
Love you all!!

Prayer points:
1. Still need to see consistancy in yes/no answers, following commands and use of objects.
2. Seizures to remain under control and that his meds would not sedate him
3. Ben would show that he could do rehab for 3 hours a day
4. Strengthed torso, neck, arms and legs
5. Prayers for Ty and Karen and their family
6. 100% healing!

If you are going to send Christmas cards please send them to the house and not to Shepherds! There will be a ton of mail coming through and I don't want anything to get lost! Also I love your comments, e-mails, and cards of prayers and encouragement...keep em coming...they help me to move forward!
Address:
229 Lee Road 2140
Phenix City, AL 36870
benandkatierye@hotmail.com

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our family and friends!
Ben and I have so much to be thankful for and it does
not stop after today! Our thankfulness to the Lord will
go on for many days! Jesus has saved our lives in a
physical and spiritual way!
We love you all!!

PS...I was looking for a good laugh and found it in
these cartoons! Enjoy!!

Our God is an AWESOME God...

Yesterday I left for Atlanta a bit earlier then normal and so I was a lil drowsy for the ride! I don't usually listen to gospel music but I had a CD in Ben's truck that someone had given to us. I decided to listen to it all the way through. It was good for my spirit and soul. I was shouting praises, raising my hands and giving glory to God. I am sure that I looked pretty crazy to those driving around me but I was having a liberating and joyful time with the Lord in Ben's huge truck!

I got to the hospital and one of Ben's neuro psychologist was in the hallway on his floor. When she saw me she told me that Ben had a very good day on Monday! Ben's seizure test came back NEGATIVE for seizure activity and he was much more responsive! I was able to be in his Speech Therapy session and he was answering some yes/no questions by using his fingers! Ben was also following more commands and just looked more alert then he had been in some time! I was overjoyed and tears were coming to my eyes! God is so good!
So, I talked to his doc today and he is going to reduce his seizure medication from 3doses a day to one dose at night! He also my increase one of his stimulant meds next week as well! He will get another seizure test early next week to make sure that we are still moving forward! Ben's doc was very happy with what Ben is and his hoping that Ben will continually progress now that his seizures are controlled!
Ben got to have some vanilla milkshake today! He slurped about 5 bites down and then was pretty much done! He usually takes a little time to swallow things but with the milkshake he wasted no time in swallowing it! He has some leftover so I plan on giving him more throughout the day!
I am so proud of Ben! He is working so hard to come out of this...you can see it in his face and muscles that he is working! The Lord continues to amaze me and I thank Him everyday (good and bad) for His mighty hand that is on our lives! God is good!

Prayer points:
~Ben would still continue to follow commands consistantly!
~He would continue to give yes/no answers consistantly!
~Seizure will remain controlled and stopped!
~His muscles in his arms, legs, and neck would continue to relax and loosen so that Ben can use them in the way that he needs to.
~100% healing!!! Believing for it even if it takes longer then we want!
~That I would have the strength and courage to endure
~People would come to know Jesus through our journey!

Love you all!!
Katie

benandkatierye@hotmail.com

Ben salutes...

(4th of July with our neighbors and their adorable dogs!)

Well, friends and family, Ben and I have been at this for 12 weeks! I have seen frustration, anger, heartbreak, joy, love, bad days, blessings, miracles, good days, worry, saddness, growth and most of all peace. We never thought we would be here nor did I think that anything like this could happen to us. Obviously God had other plans. I can sit around and ask why...and I have many times but I have found that does not really get us anywhere. I have asked how much longer and that one always seems to get answered IN My TIME, TRUST IN ME, I AM IN CONTROL! It is sometimes so hard to believe and trust in at times but when I do life is much more peaceful! So everyday is the Lords, He is going to have His way!
I read the other day..."God's timing is not ours to command! If we do not start the fire with the first strike of our match we must try again! God does hear our prayer, but He may not answer it at the precise time we have appointed in our own minds. Instead He will reveal Himself to our seeking hearts, though not necessarily when and where we may expect. Therefore we have a need for perseverance and steadfast determination in our life of prayer!"
Oh there have been many times when I have commanded God's timing! I want Ben's healing now and I want to continue living out the desires God has put in Ben and my heart. But in the times that I command God's healing is when spot light turns to me and my selfish desires and I take my eyes off Jesus. I don't want that! I want my eyes to be on Jesus and what He has for Ben and I! The Lord hears me when I cry out to Ben, He sees my broken heart that is crumbled in a heap on His lap, He feels my pain and most of all He responds to my prayers. No, not always when I pray them but He has already sent an answer to them but at times it just takes a little longer to get to us! I press on, I persevere and I am determined in my heart to keep praying for the healing in Ben's body!
When Ben was in speech therapy yesterday we were asking him to do a few things. I was trying to think of things that he does on a regular basis and saluting came to mind. I asked Ben if he would show me how he salutes. He took his fingers and straightened them and slowly but surely began to raise his right arm. He got about half-way to his head and then let his arm down. I was proud of his effort and so I moved on and asked him to do something else. Ben was not ready to move on yet! He again straightened his fingers and raised his arm even higher then the last time. He was determined to get that arm up and salute fully! He got stuck about 3/4 of the way up and I helped raise his arm the rest of the way!! This is one thing that he know way to well to ever forget! Of course he was saluting to me but he will know one day how proud of him I am for finishing strong in that task. He is also making all his Ranger buddies and Army guys proud!!
He has been able to have more drinks of juice and I think this next week we are going to try him on a milkshake! I am sure that will be his best Thanksgiving gift ever!!
I have been a bit down the past few days because of all the seizure stuff that is taking place but his hospital team is determined to stop these seizures! Ben got 2 doses of an IV seizure med to hopefully stop the seizures. This med can be sedating and so that is why I was frustrated because it would get in the way of what he is to be doing. Once they get the seizures under control they can find the right medication that will keep them away and hopefully not interfere with his cognative abilities. Right now the seizures and meds are kind of holding him back from what he needs to be doing. Ben was doing amazing and taking big steps before they were detected. The docs goal is to get these under control and then get Ben on track where he was before!
I am praying for leaps and bounds of improvement for Ben and know that in God's timing He will heal His Ben!!
I am so blessed to have you all praying for my man! Your prayers do not go unheard!
Love you all!!

And Ben gets juice...

Tomorrow (Thursday) will mark 12 weeks since our accident! Amazing how much has happened! It was a good day for Ben today because he got to have some grape juice and applesauce today! He tried sucking out of a straw and got it up about half-way. We then used a spoon and he was slurping it down! I am sure that that was the best thing he had tasted in years! He also got a few bites of applesauce! Ben doesn't normally eat it but I think at this point any flavor in his mouth he will take! We were concerned that he might cough and choke on it but with every sip and bite he swallowed very well! We will be trying this again soon!
He was able to put some weight on his feet today by standing with a harness. He still needed alot of help but he took some small steps. We also took him outside again and he soaked in some sun and fresh air! Ahhh to get out of his room and the gym!
PLEASE PRAY! Ben is still having seizures showing up on all his tests. They were hoping on his test that they would have decreased with his seizure med but they have not at this point. His resident doc came in and told us that they were considering putting him on another seizure med. Seizure meds tend to sedate people and not awake people which is the opposite of what we need Ben to do! Please pray that God put His hand upon Ben's mind and brain and this issue will be settled! Ben needs things that will keep moving forward...Jesus' healing in His time!
More updates to come soon!
Love you all!!

Moving forward in faith...

"Difficulties and obstacles are God's challanges to our faith. When we are confronted with the hinderances that block our path or service, we are to recognize them as vessels for faith and then to fill them with the fullness and complete sufficiency of Jesus. As we move FORWARD in FAITH, simply and fully TRUSTING Him, we may be tested. Sometimes we have to wait and realize that "perseverance must finish it's work" (James 1:4). But ultimately we will surely find "the stone rolled away" (Luke 24:2) and the Lord Himself waiting to bestow a double blessing on us for our time of testing!"
I would consider this accident to be a difficulty and obstacle in our lives for sure and yes it has been a challange to my faith. It has hindered my life as we were living it but it has not hindered GOD'S plan for our lives. He knows what He is doing way more then I could ever grasp on to. Do I like where He has us...hmmmm that one I have to think long and hard on. Of course I do not like what has happened to Ben and I have asked and wrestled with the Lord in this area alot. But when reading the above last night in my devotion time with Him I am slowly seeing what Jesus would have me do despite where Ben and I are in our life right now. He is testing my faith, not that I didn't have it before, but now to see what I am going to do with that faith. Am I going to let go and put my reliance and faith in myself? Am I going to fill this vessell with me? NO, I am going to put my sufficiantcy and faith in Jesus. He is going to fill my vessel with His faith, love, and reliance in Him! I must push on into Jesus' arms, let Him finish His work and healing in Ben's life and body! Do I want healing for my Ben now...you bet I do!! I have to understand that Jesus is taking His time with Ben...working on his body from the inside out! There will be a time, in His perfect time, when Jesus will roll Ben's "stone" away and give us that double blessing that He wants to reward us with.
When I got home from WA I got to spend a few days with Ben before I went back to our home. Thursday and Friday he looked very alert and handsome as always. He usually has 3 therapies (PT, OT, SP) Monday-Friday and then one therapy on Sat. This past Sat he had Speech Therapy. He did not have his usual therapist so I was interested to see how he would respond. He did well! She gave him different items to look at and then she would give them to him and ask him how to use them. She first gave him scissors and he was able to show her how to cut paper, a screw driver came next and Ben took it in his hand and started turning it in his hand as if he were going to use it, next she gave him a spoon and he brought it to his mouth! Poor guy was probably thinking...don't give me a darn spoon with nothing on it!! Lastly she gave him a pencil and asked him to write his name...it was a lil scribbly but you could definetely see a decent B and an attempt at an E. Instead of his usual wiggling of his fingers to say goodbye to his therapist he moved his hand from left to right to wave...he has not done it this way before!!
I took him outside for a bit following therapy and he loved it! Well, it seemed that way! We played toss with a ball and then I took his shoes off and made him (I do make him do things...I am sure I will get in trouble when he "wakes up" completely) put his feet on the ball and move it around! He did pretty well!

Things they still need to see in Ben:
~Following commands within 10 sec with 85% accuracy
~Yes/No answers within 10 sec and 85% accuracy
These are the biggest things right now for him to EMERGE!! Please pray for these things in him! I know it is in there but it is like he is trapped inside of his body!
His mom is in town which will be good for him and I think his dad should be joining soon. Ben will love this I am sure! I head back up to see him tomorrow and of course like always I am so excited to see him...he is the love of my life!!

I know some of you cannot comment on here so if you would like to send an e-mail to us directly you can do so at benandkatierye@hotmail.com
I love hearing from people and all your encouragement helps get me through the day! I also read them to Ben so he is included in all the things the Lord and ya'll are saying!!
Love you all and thank you for your prayers and support!!

Ladies don't be jealous...

Yes, you see my title ladies (and maybe a few guys too) so don't get jealous when I share what Ben will be getting! Ben's doc came in this morning to put a little needle into some different muscles in Ben's neck and shoulders. He did this because Ben had been holding his neck and head high and sticking it out. This really effects how he swallows, is positioned in bed and how he responds to different therapies. When the doc put the needle (not very painful for Ben) in some of Ben's muscles he was looking to see how much those muscles were firing and how stimulated they were at a resting position. Doc saw that there were a few that needed some attention. There is a way to help relax these muscles and that way is Botox!! Yes, ladies my man is getting some Botox injections into his muscles and just to let you know I have FIRST DIBS ON THE LEFTOVERS!!! That is why I say don't be jealous! Ben's doctor has found that this way of treatment has been very benefitial with alot of patients. The Botox should relax Ben's muscles more so that his neck, shoulders, head and some fingers will relax and be worked back into their normal position. Ben will either get it today or Monday depending on when pharmacy gets it. I am praying that this treatment works!!
Ben continues to do well in his therapies but we are still needing a huge amount of prayer to get him over this hump of his injury! We need to see him respond and EMERGE!!
I will be driving back to our home tomorrow mid-morning. I of course will not like being away from my Ben but do look forward to sleeping in my own bed that I have not been in for almost 2 weeks!
Please pray that we are continually strengthend and that I feel the presence of the Lord with me!
Love you all!!

Back in Atlanta with my man...

After a week of fun, tears, adventures, rest and a massive turkey dinner with my family I headed back to Atlanta! I left yesterday (Wed) and got back to my room at 0130 in the am! I did all carry-on this trip and on the way it was just fine but on the way back my bag didn't get on the flight! Yes, it was a carry-on suitcase but my flight to Denver was on a tiny plane so it didn't fit! They said they would check it for me. Well, I guess they checked it but it never made it on the plane! How that happens I have no idea. Thank goodness I had my glasses and contact case with me for the night! I went to sleep about 3am and then woke up at 10! I surprised myself sleeping that late!
I saw my Ben this morning and he looks as handsome as ever! He was in getting some adjustments on his chair and a new headrest. I of course gave him many, many kisses and he was a good man and kissed me back many times! I just rubbed his arms, talked to him and let him know that I was back from my trip! I know when you are away from the man that you love your heart grows fonder and mine did but it was also put back together because when I went back home it felt like most of my heart was still with Ben in Atlanta!
I will blog more about my trip home but I wanted to post something really quick for you all and let you know I made it back safely!!
Love you all!!

At home in WA I be...

I made it safely home to everyone in WA on Thursday evening. I had an uneventful flight and was hit by the coldness the minute I stepped off the plane! Never would I think I would be asking for GA fall weather but I have been wanting it because it is coldy here! I have been able to see most of my family so far and will see the rest today as we have an early Thanksgiving dinner! I am so excited to eat some good food and see the rest of my family! Whoohoo!!
I have been calling everyday to check on Ben and the nurses say that he is doing well. They put the phone up to his ear so that he can hear my voice! I miss him so much that I could go back today just to be at his side but at the same time I know spending time with my family is good for me! I cannot wait to be with him again though and see how much he has improved and see the miracles that Jesus has worked in Ben since I have been gone! Our God is awesome!!
Went back to my home church this morning and was loved on by many. Pastor Terry prayed over Ben also and it was a very fervant and amazing prayer!
Thank you again for all your love, support, and prayers for Ben and I! We appreciate them, they have been a blessing and please keep them coming! Our journey is before us and I don't know how long or short it will be. I continue to glorify the Lord in it all and give Him all the credit for what He has done and is continuing to do in both Ben and I!!
Love you all!!

EMERGE...

Emerge is the big word that they are using for Ben these days! What they mean by that is that they want him to come further out of the state that he is in! So prayer warriors....pray for the EMERGING of Ben's healing, his spirit to be lifted and he would love forward!
Ben is having a good week so far. He is making improvements after his seizure activity and the docs switching up his medications last week. They are still seeing seizure activity and has had multiple MRI's and EEG's for follow-up. They are waiting on adding another seizure med at this time to see if the initial one will build up in his system.
Ben is making some progress in his therapies. He still has limited range of motion in his arms and legs due to his muscles being so tight. He was able to lightly kick a ball with his legs today and slightly hit a balloon with a racket. Ben continues to move forward but some days are slower then others!
All in all Ben is doing well! He is a strong man and trying so hard to get himself out of his trapped body!
God has his hand upon Ben's life and I know He is with Ben and I every step of the way! Thank you Jesus for that!
You all know I am going home to WA tomorrow...I am super excited but it will be hard to leave my man...I might be a bit emotional tomorrow! Please pray for strength and peace for both of us.
Love you all and see some of ya'll sooo soon!!

Come One...Come All...

Many of you all know that I am going to WA to visit with my family and friends! We wanted to put together a lil gathering for people who wanted to see me and also pray for Ben. Here is the info..

Please join us to love on Katie,
eat yummy food, get a few updates
and a prayer time!!

November 9, 2009
7-9 pm
Mike and Mary Stuarts home
2730 Lindell Road NE
Olympia, WA 98506

*please comment if you are able to come or Facebook me!!

Blessed...

Uhhggg....time change means I am up at 0630! Oh my goodness it is early for me these days!! So bloggin here I come!
My last few days up in Atlanta last week with Ben were good. He started to perk up a little bit more and get a grasp on his med changes. He still continues to have seizure activity. Dr. Kailin explained to me that he was not having generalized seizures (shaking, eyes rolling back, losing control) but Ben's are focal. Focal seizures mess with you on a cognitive level so everything that Ben has been trying so hard to do is being inturupted by the seizures. Ben's doc boosted his seizure med and said that if he did not respond to it by Monday (today) that he was going to add another med. I am hoping not because it may cause Ben to become more drowsy again. Seizures in traumatic brain injury patients are not uncommon sometimes can trigger the brain for the good! I am praying that it triggers Ben's brain for the good and also that he won't need anymore added medications! By Friday Ben was started to get back to what he was doing. He was following commands very well, mouthing a few words that we gave him and moving his legs and arms more than normal.

On Thursday I had the priviledge and honor to meet with an amazing woman! The military flew her up from Tampa for the day to meet me and be an encouragement. Her husband was in a helicopter accident 2.5 years ago overseas. She has stood by his side and been through all the emotions that one could go through in a time like this. She came into Ben's room and looked at him and was very positive to him! Ben you look awesome, you look strong, Rangers are fighters and you keep fighting! She talked to him as if she had known him for years! She was able to encourage me, hear my heart, answer my questions, share my tears and most of all share what Jesus was doing in her life. She is an amazing and strong woman and I highly look up to her!

I started my first Occupational therapy on Friday...can I say ouch! I can straighten my elbow fully but pronating (twisting to a normal position) is still stiff and somewhat painful. My therapist took some measurments on how much I could move it and then put some heat to it. I knew that when she put the heat to it that pain was coming! Oh yes, she twisted and streched my arm in ways that it has not gone in a bit! It was good for my arm but it was a bit tender all weekend! I am so looking forward to my appointment with her on Wed...haha!

This weekend for me was a decent one...not my best but I made it. I love being with Ben and it tears me up inside when I have to leave him. I don't have to leave him but it is good for me to take a few days to get things done and be at our home. There are a few times when tears just came to my eyes. I was getting ready for church on Sunday and just started bawling when a worship song came on. It was Hillsongs Lead Me to the Cross....heard it a bunch of the times but today it got to me. The chorus...
Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross...I had to stop putting on my make-up and kneel at the end of my bed (have not done in awhile) and just pray and sing this song out loud. I had to pour my heart and emotions out before the Lord...I had cooped them up for a bit too long!Jesus is faithful to me! Gives me what I need and opens my heart to learn things from Him.

Today (Monday) I am on my way to Atl to see my BEN!! I am so excited to see him, love on him and give him many kisses! He deserves them! I will of course get some cuddle time in bed with him as well! His closeness makes me feel so much better!!
This Thursday will be bittersweet! I am flying home to WA! I am going to take a few days and see some family and friends. It will be good for me but so hard at the same time. This means I have to leave Ben for a few days. Please pray for me during this time!

Prayer requests:
1. No more added seizure meds today for Ben!
2. Ben would QUICKLY follow commands and ANSWER yes/no questions
3. Physically his body would be strengthened....sit up, move his arms and legs more
4. He would hold his head correctly and his muscles in that area would loosen!
5. Peace for both of us while I am gone!
6. 100% healing in Ben's body!!

IN JESUS NAME!!!!

I continue to worship...

Even though her situation is not ours it still hits my heart in the same way. There is nothing like worshiping the Lord in our hard times. Yes, it is hard to put myself and my wants and desires aside at times but when I do and worship my Jesus I am renewed! I have a reason to sing! I have a reason to worship...Ben and I are still living and breathing! Jesus saved us for something big! We have a reason to live and I choose for Ben and I to live life to its fullest and not just survive! We will continue to worship Jesus!