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April 23, 2004
Day 337
Psa. 127:1 "Unless the LORD builds the
house, They labor in vain who build it…"
As usual, we have been either too busy or too tired
to update. Please forgive us. A lot has happened.
David is progressing every day. His doctor and therapists
have many goals for him and plans for meeting these goals. In some muscles
we are seeing a little relaxation of the tone. He finally got a headrest
for his wheelchair that can really support his head. His speech and occupational
therapists are working with a system to allow him to write and to see what
he writes. The communication computer they tried didn’t work because his
right hand doesn’t work within his field of vision of his left eye. A major
problem is the spasticity of his muscles. On Wednesday of this week, surgeons
implanted a catheter in his spine which uses a pump (like an IV) to administer
Baclofen (muscle relaxant) directly into his spinal fluid. This should combat
the drowsiness that comes with taking Baclofen orally. He hasn’t fully recovered
from the procedure itself…general anesthesia. Hopefully next week we will
know if this is effective and possibly get a permanent pump implanted under
the skin. Our hope and prayer is that this medication will relax his muscles
to allow more purposeful movement.
Huge progress on David’s room: Today the sheet rock was
hung. Robert, Rebekah, and I and 2 very helpful young men were working well
past 1 am last night to get ready. It took 2 professionals all day to hang
the walls. They should be back tomorrow to “tape and mud.” It is really
looking like a room now!
Robert also bought a van on ebay last night. We have to
drive to Charleston to pick it up and then take it to a place in Charlotte
for the conversion to make it wheelchair accessible.
Update from Saturday, April 24:
We were greatly encourage today as a group from Warren Baptist church in
Augusta, GA, journeyed to help us and encourage us. Mike and Joan Nelson
have been friends for over 25 years and they brought several members of their
Sunday school class - New friends and long-time friends!! We were also encouraged
last Saturday when a large group from our sister church here in the Greenville
area, Woodruff Road PCA, came and helped us on a variety of project. We really
appreciate these efforts of love and affection. We hope to have the sheetrock
ready to paint by Thursday and hope to begin laying tile on Saturday. Thanks
again for your prayer support, notes and calls, gifts and encouragement!
Isaiah 40:28-31 Do you not
know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of
the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding
is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might
He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young
men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
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