Ben has been doing AMAZING! God is continually up to something good in his life and healing! He has been proving himself to his doctor, nurses, rehab people and us! He improves everyday and I get to see God's healing at work! It is such a good thing to see and I wish you could all see it for yourselves!!
Yesterday he had all three therapies in a row so by the time he was done he was worn out! His therapists were very happy with what he was doing. When the told me to give him a kiss on his cheek I did and then I asked him for one on my cheek and he slightly puckered his lips and he gave me one!! He did this for me three times!! I could have kissed him over and over just for that!! The rest of his day went really well! He took a good nap after his therapies and then got a haircut!!! He looks more like Ben now! Nothing like a good haircut to make someone look so much better and refreshed!
This morning I was able to sit in on his physical therapy and he did really well! They had him sit on the large mats and supported him from behind. he held his head up the whole time and pretty much followed every instruction. Some are more delayed then others but he does them! he took a lil snooze and then he was in for a good surprise! About 15 work buddies came to see him! At first he was sleeping in his chair but as they started talking he started waking up and looking at them! He scanned the room to see them all! We talked a bit and Ben sat there turning his head to their voices! Before they left they hung up a huge Ranger Creed sign on the wall right in front of his bed. They all stood around his chair with the creed in front of him and recited it in the Ranger way! Ben stared at the creed the whole time and raised his right arm half-way and pointed to the wall. It was so good to hear and see and of course I got teary eyed! One of his bosses asked Ben for a hand shake so ben opened his hand and reached out and gave him one! They also brought a few awesome pictures to hang in his room...of course it is all Ranger because Rangers Lead the Way!!
They plugged his trach today and he has tolerated it all day! Still has a powerful cough but it is sgood to get the junk out! The continue to monitor his respiratory status daily and so far he has been doing awesome!
He also showed me that he still knows how to give lip kisses! I asked for a kiss, put my lips on his and even with his puckering he gave me the kiss noise!! It melts my heart! He better not try that with anyone else....he saves them for me! I love commanding him to give me kisses!!
The Lord is doing His healing in Ben and like I said earlier it is so amazing to see and be apart of this miracle!
Keep the prayers and fasting coming because we are seeing the results are being seen right in front of us!!
**Prayer requests**
~ Continues to follow commands consistantly....they are going to try and get more detailed with him
~Continues to localize and track....the whole scope of the area
~Muscles would relax so they can work more with his stability and build his strength
~Lungs to continually clear so he no longer needs the trach
~Pray he starts to talk....no limit to what God can do!
~Doctors will have wisdom on his treatment and what meds to introduce
~Mom goes home Sat am....so assurance for her that I am going to be okay and that I have the strength do be here....I do have many people here to help!!
~Ben's complete healing!!! We are all believing for it!
One day, like my dad told us, we are going to be able to make a video of our miraculous story and show it on our churches (both here and home) saying thank you not only to our Healer but to all of you who have prayed and been apart of our miracle!
A few things I have read the past few days....
~As for God; His way is PERFECT, the Word of the Lord is PROVEN; He is a shield to all who TRUST in Him!! 2 Sam. 22:31
~Note from a healing book I am reading and this part is talking about God's word being our medicine! We need it for healing! "Remember that it takes time for medicine to work. Most people give natural medicine alot of time, money and patience to work. They take the prescriptions back for refills time and time again. They are diligent about it! They don't just take one dose and expect a miracle! Keep taking God's medicine (His Word), give it time to work!
~And for Ben's miracles that are taking place,"The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust in Him with all my heart, He helps me! My heart is filled with joy! I burst out with songs of thanksgiving!! Ps 28:7
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
One more thing...
In all of my excitement in the last blog I failed to mention another awesome miracle!! When Physical therapy was putting on his new casts (no pink this time) she told me to hold his arm and ask him to give me a thumbs up. So I did and slowly but surely he did!! We all laughed with joy and thankfulness! I was so happy and blessed!!
Our Jesus is AMAZING and FAITHFUL!!!
Let me start out with a little that went on for us last night! Our church here arranged a time of prayer for Ben and I last night and it was amazing! We started out with some worship music and had a few quite moments with the Lord. Specific prayer points were put up on power point for us and the things the docs needed to see out of him! It was a powerful, amazing and uplifting time! A few things that I wrote down....
*From a song...pour it out Lord, come Holy Spirit fall afresh on me, I am crying out Lord, pour it out Lord!
*Psalm 91 (this one keeps coming to us by so many which I love)..hold onto Jesus for dear life, God kept me!
*When Ben comes out of this fire (like Shad, Rad and Bad) he will not even smell like smoke!! The man who is with him in this fire will not allow him to be burned!
*When it comes to the healing of his lungs....JESUS IS HIS BREATH OF LIFE! He is more than enough!
*He will be a new and improved Ben, a warrior, a champion! Ben will stand up as a vast army...God will wake up his dryness and give him life!
When I awoke this morning I was refreshed, rejuvinated and ready to start this week with my Ben no matter what he did or didn't do!
I walked in this morning with my mom and said, "hi baby, i am back" and to that he opened his eyes and looked at me! As I walked around his room, to test him of course, he followed me with his eyes and even slightly turned his head! I then went on to tickle his feet and he looked right at them which he has never done when I have tickled them before! The nurse came in and said that he has been following and tracking with the staff a lot more these past few days! Thank you Jesus! I ran into his doctor in the wall when coming back to Ben's room later and he said, "did you hear?" I told him I had but he confirmed what I heard! When Dr. Kailin asked Ben to give him a thumbs up Ben gave it to him with his right hand! When he asked Ben to hold up 2 fingers he did it!! Dr. Kailin was very excited and you could see it on his face! I went back into Ben's room with a huge smile and a very grateful heart thanking our Healer!
I started shaving off his horrid looking mustache when Respiratory therapy came in to work with him. After she was done we were talking to his right side and while he was laying in bed he turned his eyes and head to follow our noise! He wanted in on our conversation!
So, today has been a good day full of miracles and surprises! Our God is a good God and our healer!
Prayer points -
~Ben would continue to respond, track things/people in the room consistantly, localize items
~Lungs - secretions to dry up so they can plug his trach (he cannot talk until it is plugged)
~Muscles to relax and not spasm (this is much better but it lingers)
~His body physically strengthen and he will be able to support himself
~He would continually respond to the meds as they increase doses!
~COMPLETE HEALING....I don't care how long it takes! Faster would be nice but I cac wait knowing he will be healed 100%
Oh....one more thing! He is pretty much holding his head up by himself! This has improved since the last time I was here!! Praise Jesus!
I am sure you all get on here daily to see if I have posted! I would love post more often but this one-hand typing doesn't allow me to go so fast! Once I get this cast off (2 wks!!) it will be good therapy for my fingers!!
Love you all and we appreciate all your prayers, encouragement and support!!
*From a song...pour it out Lord, come Holy Spirit fall afresh on me, I am crying out Lord, pour it out Lord!
*Psalm 91 (this one keeps coming to us by so many which I love)..hold onto Jesus for dear life, God kept me!
*When Ben comes out of this fire (like Shad, Rad and Bad) he will not even smell like smoke!! The man who is with him in this fire will not allow him to be burned!
*When it comes to the healing of his lungs....JESUS IS HIS BREATH OF LIFE! He is more than enough!
*He will be a new and improved Ben, a warrior, a champion! Ben will stand up as a vast army...God will wake up his dryness and give him life!
When I awoke this morning I was refreshed, rejuvinated and ready to start this week with my Ben no matter what he did or didn't do!
I walked in this morning with my mom and said, "hi baby, i am back" and to that he opened his eyes and looked at me! As I walked around his room, to test him of course, he followed me with his eyes and even slightly turned his head! I then went on to tickle his feet and he looked right at them which he has never done when I have tickled them before! The nurse came in and said that he has been following and tracking with the staff a lot more these past few days! Thank you Jesus! I ran into his doctor in the wall when coming back to Ben's room later and he said, "did you hear?" I told him I had but he confirmed what I heard! When Dr. Kailin asked Ben to give him a thumbs up Ben gave it to him with his right hand! When he asked Ben to hold up 2 fingers he did it!! Dr. Kailin was very excited and you could see it on his face! I went back into Ben's room with a huge smile and a very grateful heart thanking our Healer!
I started shaving off his horrid looking mustache when Respiratory therapy came in to work with him. After she was done we were talking to his right side and while he was laying in bed he turned his eyes and head to follow our noise! He wanted in on our conversation!
So, today has been a good day full of miracles and surprises! Our God is a good God and our healer!
Prayer points -
~Ben would continue to respond, track things/people in the room consistantly, localize items
~Lungs - secretions to dry up so they can plug his trach (he cannot talk until it is plugged)
~Muscles to relax and not spasm (this is much better but it lingers)
~His body physically strengthen and he will be able to support himself
~He would continually respond to the meds as they increase doses!
~COMPLETE HEALING....I don't care how long it takes! Faster would be nice but I cac wait knowing he will be healed 100%
Oh....one more thing! He is pretty much holding his head up by himself! This has improved since the last time I was here!! Praise Jesus!
I am sure you all get on here daily to see if I have posted! I would love post more often but this one-hand typing doesn't allow me to go so fast! Once I get this cast off (2 wks!!) it will be good therapy for my fingers!!
Love you all and we appreciate all your prayers, encouragement and support!!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
I think the last time I blogged was Tuesday so it is due time for an update!
Wednesday was a good day and not to eventful. I was able to sit in on some of Ben's rehab sessions and see what they do. The therapy team that he has is awesome! We are blessed to have them. It is so good just to be able to sit in Ben's room and read, watch TV, put my feet on his bed and take a nap or just sit there and look at him!
Thursday I woke up after a rough night of sleep. I have not been taking pain meds during the day and minimally at night to wean myself off them. Well I did not take any on Wed night which made for an uncomfortable night and rough morning. After I got comfortable we went to Ben's room and then to the conference with the doc and case manager. He went over the assessments that were done by the medics on the scene, what took place in the hospital when he got there, treatments during his 2 week stay and what they have been doing with him at Shepherds so far. Right now his point level on a scale is 5. They want to see him raise that level by at least 5-6 points so that he can move to the next rehab level. Of course I asked Dr. Kailin the question that everyone would..."knowing tgat you cannot put Ben on a time line or compare him to any other patient because each brain injury is so different what do you see his outcome being?" He generally stated that if he said Ben would never get further he would be a fool because people are always succeeding. On the other hand he cannot specifically say that he will be %100 like he was due to his injury. He did go on to say that they have a 60-70% rate at the hospital for patients to recover and be able to at least take care of themselves and some able to go back to some degree of work. Also stated that Ben is strong and healthy and could not say that for some of the patients he has. So, it was a good meeting but also disheartening at the same time! I didn't really know what to think. Ben had more therapy that afternoon but mom and I decided we needed a lil therapy of our own so we went on an adventure to find the mall! We had alot of fun and by the time we got home we were pooped! I went up to be with ben for a few hours and of course stared at his hansomeness (despite the mustashe he is sporting...bringibg his razor nxt visit) and read the word with him.
Friday we started packing up our room to check out and then I went back to be with Ben for a bit. We had a good visit with one of his guys from work and the had the opportunity to meet his buddy Jeremy (who was on his way back to NC) from way back in his Army years. I guess they were connected at the hip for a good amount of years!
Next week rehab plans to get aggressive with him, irritate him, and do things he prob won't like and hopefully he will respond to them.
Mom and I ended up gettin home around 6:30 and we rested for a bit and then played cards until midnight! Of course I won!
Prayer points!
***Big ones***
1. Ben needs to start following commands consistantly!! (like...give me a thumbs up, squeeze my hand, lift your arm, look at my face)
2. Needs to localize things in the room (follow moving people, look to the noise, follow with his eyes and respond)
By doing these things he puts points on his score board! Please pray specifically for this!
~Lungs to clear
~Would respond well to weaning him off the trach
~He would remain strong
~Continued healing for me
~Strength for mom and I each day!
Each one of my family members and I have taken a day of the week to fast and pray specifically for Ben. If you want to join in on that it would be awesome!
Love you all and everything you have done for us!! You are truly a blessing!
Wednesday was a good day and not to eventful. I was able to sit in on some of Ben's rehab sessions and see what they do. The therapy team that he has is awesome! We are blessed to have them. It is so good just to be able to sit in Ben's room and read, watch TV, put my feet on his bed and take a nap or just sit there and look at him!
Thursday I woke up after a rough night of sleep. I have not been taking pain meds during the day and minimally at night to wean myself off them. Well I did not take any on Wed night which made for an uncomfortable night and rough morning. After I got comfortable we went to Ben's room and then to the conference with the doc and case manager. He went over the assessments that were done by the medics on the scene, what took place in the hospital when he got there, treatments during his 2 week stay and what they have been doing with him at Shepherds so far. Right now his point level on a scale is 5. They want to see him raise that level by at least 5-6 points so that he can move to the next rehab level. Of course I asked Dr. Kailin the question that everyone would..."knowing tgat you cannot put Ben on a time line or compare him to any other patient because each brain injury is so different what do you see his outcome being?" He generally stated that if he said Ben would never get further he would be a fool because people are always succeeding. On the other hand he cannot specifically say that he will be %100 like he was due to his injury. He did go on to say that they have a 60-70% rate at the hospital for patients to recover and be able to at least take care of themselves and some able to go back to some degree of work. Also stated that Ben is strong and healthy and could not say that for some of the patients he has. So, it was a good meeting but also disheartening at the same time! I didn't really know what to think. Ben had more therapy that afternoon but mom and I decided we needed a lil therapy of our own so we went on an adventure to find the mall! We had alot of fun and by the time we got home we were pooped! I went up to be with ben for a few hours and of course stared at his hansomeness (despite the mustashe he is sporting...bringibg his razor nxt visit) and read the word with him.
Friday we started packing up our room to check out and then I went back to be with Ben for a bit. We had a good visit with one of his guys from work and the had the opportunity to meet his buddy Jeremy (who was on his way back to NC) from way back in his Army years. I guess they were connected at the hip for a good amount of years!
Next week rehab plans to get aggressive with him, irritate him, and do things he prob won't like and hopefully he will respond to them.
Mom and I ended up gettin home around 6:30 and we rested for a bit and then played cards until midnight! Of course I won!
Prayer points!
***Big ones***
1. Ben needs to start following commands consistantly!! (like...give me a thumbs up, squeeze my hand, lift your arm, look at my face)
2. Needs to localize things in the room (follow moving people, look to the noise, follow with his eyes and respond)
By doing these things he puts points on his score board! Please pray specifically for this!
~Lungs to clear
~Would respond well to weaning him off the trach
~He would remain strong
~Continued healing for me
~Strength for mom and I each day!
Each one of my family members and I have taken a day of the week to fast and pray specifically for Ben. If you want to join in on that it would be awesome!
Love you all and everything you have done for us!! You are truly a blessing!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Little miracles!!
Yesterday (Mon) I posted on my Facebook that I was going to see Ben on Tuesday and I was praying for good things this week. I called up to Shepherds in Atlanta for an update on Ben and this is what the nurse gave me:
*when asked to turn his head to the right he did it...only once but I will take it!
*he followed the nurse with his eyes when she put her finger in front for him to track!
*Eyes are more open!
*Spasms under control!
The nurse said he was having a good day and also said, "girl, we are going to wake this boy up!"
Tuesday (today) mom and I drove up again this time driving Ben's beasty truck! She did a great job but it just took a tad longer! We had to be aware of the roads because of all the flooding but thankfully the area we are in was not affected!
We got to Ben's room and respiratory therapy was in his room and they were putting a plug in his trach to see how he would do breathing without it. He did well for awhile and then his oxygen levels went down a bit. They are going to try again tomorrow and then hopefully have the trach out by the end of the week! At that point he will be doing all his breathing and have nothing assisting him! This is a huge step to get this out!
Mom and I left after that to go put things in our room and get some lunch. When we came back to his room he was not in there! Come to find out he was in the big rehab room for the first time! I went to the rehab room to check him out! They had him sitting up with support and they were impressed with how he was holding his head up. He holds it up for a bit and instead of it quickly falling down he gently lowers it. Of course his one hour of rehab pooped him out so he was pretty tired the rest of the evening. He did get his pink cast off and now he has 2 matching white casts.
Our pastor also came for a visit and it was so good to have him! We shared some good laughs and prayers! He is a blessing to us and so grateful he took the time to come see us!
Jesus has been healing me too! I don't take any pain meds during the day and every once in awhile at night! I walked to the Fresh Market tonight with my mom and like Ben that was a good workout for me and tonight I am pooped! I went back to Ben's room tonight to read the Word over him. I always read Psalm 91 and the full armor of God! I also was able to read a few more scriptures that came to me....I love these times! I got tears in my eyes knowing all the things God has done in his body this week.....and it is only Tuesday! I love this man that Jesus gave to me and I am asking Jesus to give him back to me %100!!
Although I have not responded to the comments left on here I do read them and so appreciate them! They keep me trusting, believing and hoping in Jesus!
*when asked to turn his head to the right he did it...only once but I will take it!
*he followed the nurse with his eyes when she put her finger in front for him to track!
*Eyes are more open!
*Spasms under control!
The nurse said he was having a good day and also said, "girl, we are going to wake this boy up!"
Tuesday (today) mom and I drove up again this time driving Ben's beasty truck! She did a great job but it just took a tad longer! We had to be aware of the roads because of all the flooding but thankfully the area we are in was not affected!
We got to Ben's room and respiratory therapy was in his room and they were putting a plug in his trach to see how he would do breathing without it. He did well for awhile and then his oxygen levels went down a bit. They are going to try again tomorrow and then hopefully have the trach out by the end of the week! At that point he will be doing all his breathing and have nothing assisting him! This is a huge step to get this out!
Mom and I left after that to go put things in our room and get some lunch. When we came back to his room he was not in there! Come to find out he was in the big rehab room for the first time! I went to the rehab room to check him out! They had him sitting up with support and they were impressed with how he was holding his head up. He holds it up for a bit and instead of it quickly falling down he gently lowers it. Of course his one hour of rehab pooped him out so he was pretty tired the rest of the evening. He did get his pink cast off and now he has 2 matching white casts.
Our pastor also came for a visit and it was so good to have him! We shared some good laughs and prayers! He is a blessing to us and so grateful he took the time to come see us!
Jesus has been healing me too! I don't take any pain meds during the day and every once in awhile at night! I walked to the Fresh Market tonight with my mom and like Ben that was a good workout for me and tonight I am pooped! I went back to Ben's room tonight to read the Word over him. I always read Psalm 91 and the full armor of God! I also was able to read a few more scriptures that came to me....I love these times! I got tears in my eyes knowing all the things God has done in his body this week.....and it is only Tuesday! I love this man that Jesus gave to me and I am asking Jesus to give him back to me %100!!
Although I have not responded to the comments left on here I do read them and so appreciate them! They keep me trusting, believing and hoping in Jesus!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Address...
People have been asking for our address.....
229 Lee Road 2140
Phenix City, Al 36870
(2140 is not an apartment number but county number...no need to put # before it!)
229 Lee Road 2140
Phenix City, Al 36870
(2140 is not an apartment number but county number...no need to put # before it!)
My one hand typing seems to improve everyday!
My mom and I are back at my house for the weekend. We plan on heading back up to Atlanta on Tuesday and prob stay until Friday.
I loved seeing Ben! I missed him after not seeing him for those few days! His condition is still about the same but thankfully he has not slid backwards! I have to remind myself that it has only been 3 weeks since the accident and for that amount of time he is doing ok. He still continues to open his eyes (alot more now that he is on the stimulant drugs) but we are still unsure of what he is aware of. He has had some muscle spasms that they call storming that they are trying to control. They say that this is not uncommon for people in this stage. Its mainly something that the wiring in his brain is causing and usually goes away. They have been getting him up, dressed, and in a support chair for a few hours a day which after laying in a hospital bed for 2 weeks this is good! He remains off the vent and is doing well with his trach. they have had to do some casting for supporton his ankles. This helps against foot drop and toning so when he is able to stand up he stands on his feet and not toes. Of course they ran out of good colors for a man and he got stuck with one pink cast and one black one! Real Rangers wear pink right!?!
I am doing well. Each day I get a bit stronger but still have to remind myself to go slow and let people do things for me! I rarely use pain meds and my incision on my stomach is healing nicely. My appetite is still coming along....not as fast as my mom would like but it is there! I would love to go to a spin class to vent and unload some stress but I don't think I would last 5 min! I do have permission from my doc to ride a stationary bike! Just imagine me pedaling with feet, holding my stomach with my right hand for support, my left arm in a cast, my body on vicodin just pedaling away! Oh my I can just see the disaster waiting to happen! Can def say that I can ride my bike with no handle bars...stationary bike that is!
Prayer requests:
1. Ben's complete healing!! Still believing for it!
2. Control of spasms and casts would work on ankles
3. Wisdom for doctors on how to treat him (they know their stuff so well)
4. Patience for me....it is still in the early process but it feels like it has been months!
5. Strength for my mom as she continues to be by my side
6. Choice of new car (not used to making these decisions without Ben)
7. Waiting for our miracle!!
I loved seeing Ben! I missed him after not seeing him for those few days! His condition is still about the same but thankfully he has not slid backwards! I have to remind myself that it has only been 3 weeks since the accident and for that amount of time he is doing ok. He still continues to open his eyes (alot more now that he is on the stimulant drugs) but we are still unsure of what he is aware of. He has had some muscle spasms that they call storming that they are trying to control. They say that this is not uncommon for people in this stage. Its mainly something that the wiring in his brain is causing and usually goes away. They have been getting him up, dressed, and in a support chair for a few hours a day which after laying in a hospital bed for 2 weeks this is good! He remains off the vent and is doing well with his trach. they have had to do some casting for supporton his ankles. This helps against foot drop and toning so when he is able to stand up he stands on his feet and not toes. Of course they ran out of good colors for a man and he got stuck with one pink cast and one black one! Real Rangers wear pink right!?!
I am doing well. Each day I get a bit stronger but still have to remind myself to go slow and let people do things for me! I rarely use pain meds and my incision on my stomach is healing nicely. My appetite is still coming along....not as fast as my mom would like but it is there! I would love to go to a spin class to vent and unload some stress but I don't think I would last 5 min! I do have permission from my doc to ride a stationary bike! Just imagine me pedaling with feet, holding my stomach with my right hand for support, my left arm in a cast, my body on vicodin just pedaling away! Oh my I can just see the disaster waiting to happen! Can def say that I can ride my bike with no handle bars...stationary bike that is!
Prayer requests:
1. Ben's complete healing!! Still believing for it!
2. Control of spasms and casts would work on ankles
3. Wisdom for doctors on how to treat him (they know their stuff so well)
4. Patience for me....it is still in the early process but it feels like it has been months!
5. Strength for my mom as she continues to be by my side
6. Choice of new car (not used to making these decisions without Ben)
7. Waiting for our miracle!!
(Ben pink cast)
(My arm, his leg)
(Tummy incision...will post improved look later)
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