It’s hard to believe that weeks have gone by without me writing much about our “new normal” life. I want to focus on the positive and give glory to God for all the ways He generously provides for us. But, if the Sermon on the Mount’s lesson that we shouldn’t worry and that God will give us what we need is true (and it is!), it teaches me that the extraordinary blessings we have received are a match for the otherwise-overwhelming challenges we face. In other words, this has been a very hard past few weeks in terms of my physical endurance, as evidenced by the many marvelous ways God has matched that and shown His love for us. Just when I think I can’t do one more transfer or rise to one more caregiving challenge, something unexpected and wonderful reminds me that God is there, helping me.
Dan is definitely improving. My mom always said that once you could get a kid to blow his own nose and tie his own shoes, he was “half raised.” I guess that makes Dan one-quarter raised, since he now can raise a tissue to his nose and blow! Yay! He has occupational therapy twice a week, and the therapist puts electrodes on his arm and hand muscles to stimulate them. He wears therapy gloves that force his hands into fists, and his physical therapist (who says, “I need to get your husband into bed” :) practically wrestles him into positions and postures that test his flexibility and endurance. We have a new bed (or maybe just new bedrails) on order so that Dan can begin to move himself around in bed a bit on his own.
A lot of people ask if he can stand. No, unfortunately, not yet. But we were GREATLY heartened when he visited his neurologist who told him that he believes he will walk again. So the time is coming, although slowly.
We’ve been to the emergency room three times this last month. Dan continues to have issues with his urinary tract and the equipment thereof. It’s very hard on him, but he is cheerful about it. Now a lot of people at the ER know him by name, and try to help him be comfortable during the long waiting room experiences, surrounded by blood and moans from other people.
He got his new wheelchair, which cost somebody (not us) over $25,000. It is a wonder – can spin around on a dime, and gives him many options to relieve pressure points. We are very grateful for it.
Our house is a great blessing. I have told many people quite truthfully that I don’t think I could have survived using a hoyer lift to transfer Dan. Although we have home health care help, my “job” of transferring and caring for him is sixteen hours a day right now, and I could not have done it without the wonderful track system and motorized lift in this house. Our van, graciously given to us by loving friends, allows Dan to go to church (where he led singing last Sunday for the first time since November of last year!) and to go on outings.
All around us, as I continue unpacking in this new house, are reminders of what the last year has been. For instance, Dan just last week went to my mom’s house to open the Christmas presents which have stood behind the piano until he was well enough to open them. (Well, pull tissue out of bags to open them.)
I will begin teaching at Oak Grove Classical Academy next week, three times a week, and am happy to help contribute to our household in that way. I also am thrilled to announce that the book I worked on while Dan was hospitalized is beginning to be publicized by Simon & Schuster. Amazingly, the Kindle edition is almost always on one of Amazon’s category best seller lists, even though the book won’t come out until April!
(I have dedicated that book to Mountainside Church of Christ. I’d be dead without their help. I didn’t put it that strongly in the Dedication page, but it’s the truth.)
And perhaps you might be interested in one of the articles I wrote while Dan was hospitalized (see page 62):
In the article I mention Chip Davis of Mannheim Steamroller. He was the one who so generously donated the Ambient Therapy iPod and earphones I put on Dan when he was “locked in.” Thanks be to God, our prayers have been answered regarding what Dan remembers of that horrible period of time. He has absolutely no memory of anything from the time he entered the ICU until sometime a few weeks after he was transferred to Specialty Hospital. It is as if that two months or so are a blank, which our son Ryan asked God to give him the gift of a kind of amnesia of that time.
You see why I have hesitated to write this update? There is so much to tell, I can’t do it all. I give glory to God and say again, that without the help of so many gracious people, Dan and I could never have come this far. Thanks be to God for all He is, does, and gives.
Latayne that’s so good to hear! Praising God along with you. He is so faithful. Love to you all.
I will continue to pray for Dan’s complete restoration to health and that God will continue to provide you with the strength, endurance and peace you need to get through each day.
When Celeste showed me that Dan could put his index finger and thumb together with the other three fingers extended, my first thought was, now he can say verse 3 when he is leading singing!!
All this is good news, and thanks for the update. Danny does seem to be making remarkable progress, and why shouldn’t he with such wonderful “in-house” assistance. :) Again, great news!!!
Pete
Thank you for sharing. The way the Lord works in the lives of your family is a hope to us all. A reminder that He is indeed here. I love what He is doing for you both during a truly “hard time”. Bend but not break. Thank you for keeping us up to date. Praying for you all and the path God has put you on and thankful for your blessings He is given you and the way they trickle down to us!
I really appreciate the updates, more now than ever. We miss you guys. Send our love to your whole family.
Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 4:10-11. Thank you so much for the update. You and Dan are in our thoughts and prayers continually! Rejoicing about the fact that he was able to lead singing and the report that the neurologist believes he will walk again. I am praying for that and that he will stand in front of the congregation and lead singing by the end of the year. To go be the glory!
Good afternoon! I am a long lost cousin of Dan’s – Barbara Baumgardner will be the name he rmembers. I got this websit from Eloise Baumgardner. I did not know about your condition until I talked with her in the late spring — don’t know if yu knew, but we lost my dad, Dwayne, on February 1 of this year. In the process of settling all the estate stuff, I had chance to visit with Johnie and Eloise. She gave me your information. I will be prayng for your continued heaing and keeping up wi
th the progress via this website. God bless!
i am grateful to have been given this website to keep up with dan’s progress. i am a ‘long lost’ cousin — Barbara Baumgardner….
Hi Dan and Latayne,
I found you site and appreciate the post comments. Sharon Riddle and I made a trip to Okla. to see our mothers the week before the Pres. election. Sharon told me about how you two met years ago.
I’m glad to hear that you are so well taken care of by God and your friends. May God bless you with a memorable thanksgiving this year. I’ll be praying for you both.
I’m familiar with a manual lift. I saw the nursing home caregivers use one to move my father-in-law from bed to a wheelchair after he had a stroke. It’s quite a back saving device.
My prayers are with you Dan. I wish for your fast recovery.