On to Tampa Tomorrow

The pool is here and the water therapy is helping Melody.  The first time she tried it she really hurt afterward and was nervous.  But, the next day she felt a bit better.  She has been doing it every day and seems to be making progress.  She does have pain.  I suggested that when people ask how she is feeling she answer like our friend Don Mutter does.  When people ask how he is feeling Don says, "Better than I deserve."  Good answer for all of us!     

Tomorrow we go to Tampa for a quick trip and evaluation with Dr. Kirkpatrick.  This is the one month post coma visit where Dr. Kirkpatrick pokes on Melody with the "pain-o-meter"--my term for the little device that measures her pain levels by indicating how much pressure she can take on one point before it starts to hurt.  Please pray for smooth travel and a good visit.  Pray for the visit not to cause too much prolonged pain.  And, pray for the children to have a good time with our friends who are taking care of them.  We will be back on Saturday afternoon.   

The Latest

I've not posted many updates recently, largely because I was feeling redundant in my updates.  Habit is a wonderful thing, however, and once I let the updates go a week went by before I knew it. 

Melody is doing much better.  Her voice is nearly back to normal.  Her strength is increasing.  She feels different (in a good way) but not near 100%.  As you know by now, the doctors encourage you not to discuss pain too much because there is a desensitization process that needs to take place as the body learns to feel normal again.  We see very positive signs so we are encouraged.  The therapy pool is supposed to arrive tomorrow, and the water therapy will help a lot.  Hopefully it will be operational by Tuesday.

The family routine is still quite a challenge.  I am not sure whether I can sustain it.  So far we have been getting by, but I am feeling the weariness of doing everything.  I may explore some options for help just to see what is there.  Consistency and the right kind of person are key.

So, the gist of it is that we are thankful for what we do see and hopeful for the future.  We try not to talk much about pain.  I am very busy with trying the keep the household running, and Melody is already doing all that she should do under the circumstances.  Please pray for our family management as we continue to juggle it all.  Pray for the water therapy to help too.   

Melody and Mary Faith at La Tolnateca

Mary Faith wanted tacos, so we went to our local authentic Mexican
restaurant. It was authentic--so much so that it brought back
memories of the hospital for Melody. Melody continues to take only
Motrin for pain related to the coma itself. I am so encouraged at the
differences that I see in her even amidst the recent problems. Please
continue to pray for our plans to manage the family routine.

Melody at the Symphony

The Kiev Symphony Orchestra and Choir (the orchestra founded by Music Mission Kiev) visited our church last night (9/14/2010).  I was to welcome the crowd (about 450 came to hear them) and pray.  Melody said that she wanted to go.  So, we arranged to have a transport chair for her and she, Tabitha and Jacob joined me.  One of our elders and his wife was gracious enough to stay with the girls while we went. We only stayed for an hour, but Melody was glad to get out.  We left early, and caught one of the conductors (far right) with two of the players.  The young man on the far left played the bass drum.  Jacob loved the volume (we were on the front row) so we stopped and got a picture with these three men. 

Melody is trying to strike the balance between not doing too much and doing enough this first month.  The therapy pool is to be installed on the 27th of the month.  Near perfect timing (one month post coma) for her to begin with the water exercises.  There is some basic work to be done to the garage to make the space suitable for the higher humidity created by the water.  Also we have to move the electrical panel out of the garage. Somewhat unanticipated work, but things have fallen into place well.  Please pray for this work to be done well and quickly so that we can move forward with the pool with no problems.  This water therapy is very important.  Melody has tried it (5 minutes) and it already was a help to her. 

Busy Busy Day

We managed to get Tabith and Mary Faith off to school and there on time.  We all road together, which Melody enjoyed.  Tiring, but surviving.  I'm looking forward to preaching again.  And, I think the rest of the family is looking forward to that as well.  Melody's mom Phyllis is coming back this weekend, so it will be nice to see her again.  Lastly, we are working toward getting a therapy pool installed for Melody.  We are so thankful for this provision.  This is a major answer to prayer as water therapy is deemed essential to full recover by Dr. Kirkpatric and Dr. Cantu.  Thanks to all of you who continue to pray for us and follow Melody's progress.  

Great to be in Worship Today

We all went to church today. Wiped Melody out but she was glad that she went. It was good to lead the service and our Assistant Pastor Joshua Knott preached an edifying message from Isaiah 29:13 "And the Lord said: "Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men."  Melody is quite tired from attending, but is glad that she went.  Mary Faith asked last night, "Daddy, when are you going to preach again?"  Encouraging coming from a five year old...I didn't really know she noticed enough to miss it.  Answer: This coming Sunday.  Please pray for our continued efforts to run the household as Melody recovers.  We don't want anything falling to her too soon.  So far so good, so please keep praying.  We feel it! 

ENT Visit Went Well

He said there were no abnormalities and that things are improving.
Good report. Melody is talking more and eating more which is great.
Please pray for the transition now that Melody's folks are leaving on
Saturday. We will miss them.

Tough Nite

Melody's throat is not getting better. Onto another ENT on Friday.
The spasms return with any eating at all, no matter how soft the food
is.

Sent from my iPhone

Regaining Strength

Melody is regaining strength slowly but surely.  Dr. Cantu said that it would take a month.  She is still not able to eat solid food and had to get refills on her medication for her throat because it is still causing problems.  She is still able to sleep on her side though, which is a major encouragement every time I see it.   

Home

Arrived at the house about 1:00AM Sunday morning. Currently enjoying
large lunch with Marsha's pot pie and potatoes and Cathy's
applesauce. Melody is weak but getting better.

Sent from my iPhone

Hurry Up And Wait 9/3/2010 3:13PM

I'm postponing thinking about taking all these carry-ons PLUS our checked bags through customs in Houston. Yikes!

This Will Soon Be Us!

Heading to the airport at noon. Glad to be going home, thankful for the fine folks who took care of us here in Monterrey--a great city.

Eager To Return Home (9/2/2010)

Melody did some walking today. Throat is improving.  Her strength is improving.  We are happy about all this.  Jacob and Rob went to the water park with Priscila. Pray for a smooth trip on Saturday.  I am not sure I will have time to get the pictures together by Sunday morning, but we will find a time for that soon enough.   

Melody Saw and ENT Doctor Today

Melody saw an ENT doctor today. He looked in her throat and said it was terribly swollen through and through, most likely from a combination of factors. However, he said the crushed medication on top of the intubation probably played a major role in the irritation. He gave three medications to help her, a specific plan for eating and drinking, and an estimation of when it should go away. It is good to know that something was not damaged. As a former speech pathologist, Melody was glad to be able to peak in there via video and see for herself what was happening. The doctor also said he completely understood her complaints after looking at how bad her throat. He said that that much swelling would definitely make you feel like you couldn't breath well. Good to have someone put together an explanation and a plan for all this.