Great Quote!

“The problem of reconciling human suffering with the existence of a God who loves, is only insoluble so long as we attach a trivial meaning to the word “love”, and look on things as if man were the center of them. Man is not the center. God does not exist for the sake of man. Man does not exist for his own sake. “Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” We were made not primarily that we may love God (though we were made for that too) but that God may love us, that we may become objects in which the divine love may rest “well pleased”.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

I found this quote on Lil Blue Boo, one of my favorite websites.  She went through cancer two years ago and really impressed me with her attitude throughout  the long, arduous process.  What a great reminder if I think about me all the time---I'm totally missing the point!  I hope God is well pleased right now with our interactions with all these ICU nurses!  Pray that we can be a great testimony.

First Words

Up unto this point Matt hasn't said anything.  Sometimes you could tell he was trying, but the brain still wasn't making the connection.  Today he was trying to communicate what he wanted, when the words "I want..." spilled out. (never did figure out exactly what he wanted!!)  He also seems to be having more feeling in his right side--sometimes he didn't even feel when the nurse was touching him.

Why write down all these "little things?"  I have a feeling that there will come some mighty discouraging days.  It will be good to look back and remember how far we've come.  Be encouraged!

Recovery Phase Begun!

I'm sitting here with Matt--it's amazing how alert he is AND he has no pain!  He had a scan this morning at the ungodly hour of 4:30 am (mostly I think because the technicians had nothing better to do!).  It showed the brain ventricles had gone back to a more "normal" position.  This alone shows that some pressure has been relieved.  The doctors left a significant portion of the clot in his head as it went deep into the brain.  It should break up and be absorbed on it's own.

You can pray that his blood pressure lowers a little bit more--it's running slightly higher than they want.  Pray also that he gets rested up--the physical therapists are ready to go!

Surgery Is Done

No complications. Will have more scans tomorrow to confirm. Praise God. More tomorrow when better Internet is available. 

Praying!

Specific Ways To Pray

1. Pray that the clot removes from the brain tissue easily.
2. Pray for the two neurosurgeons Dr. Hall and Sloan.
3.  Pray that any bleeding is quickly stopped.
4.  Pray that much of the clot can be removed so that pressure is relieved.
5. Pray for rehab. And recovery.  It will be a lot of hard work on Matt's part.
6.  Pray for good health for the rest of us--we're running low on sleep.
7. Pray for the return of speech in good time. He made his first sound today!!

It's No Coincidence

that the neighbor is a Christian and was home when the blood vessels burst.  She took care of our kids until family could get there.  She also contacted many people to pray.

that the hospital we were brought to specializes in brain surgeries (and the surgery will be performed right here).

that our occupational therapist is the mother of an employee at Shepherd (where I work).

that this chain of hospitals has a brand new rehab. center about 20 minutes from here.

that this occurred in the States and not in China--we NEEDED to be in the States.

We're so glad that God goes before us and places in the perfect spot.

Update 7

Our physical therapist is a little feisty Filipino guy.  He got Matt up early today, gave him strategies
for walking, and set him loose in the hall way.  So three days after therapy started, Matt took four or five baby steps.  He also rolled himself around in the wheelchair.  Jerome is planning to be back tomorrow morning (before surgery) to get him up and moving!

                                         

The Unexpected

Life is full of the UNEXPECTED.  Sometimes it turns out to be pleasant.  Today we stumbled upon the free Christmas lunch in the cafeteria (complete with harp players and peanut butter chocolate pie).  This afternoon a stupendous nurse UNEXPECTEDLY brought up a recovered stroke patient to encourage me.

Other times the UNEXPECTED involves crushing choices--like giving up the career you saw yourself in forever.  Sometimes the UNEXPECTED is jolting-it knocks your socks off.  

In my recent experience I have found the key with the UNEXPECTED is my own attitude.  Am I seeing the POSITIVE? (there is always POSITIVE!!) Do I REJOICE in the small things?  Am I CELEBRATING what I have?

When I first saw my husband after his stroke, he couldn't hold his head up, couldn't speak, and had very little life in his eyes--a mind numbing experience.  The UNEXPECTED has taught me that my plans aren't always God's--He's moving me in a different direction for the next few months.  I'm going along with God, choosing to be JOYFUL in the process, and looking for what He's trying to teach me.  

More Progress!!

Today in physical and occupational therapy Matt made exciting progress.  He stood and sat with very little assistance.  There was also some movement in his right arm.  He is trying hard.  Pray with us for speech--we've found his 80's rock :)  Music is supposed to develop the pathways in the brain.