Stroke

This is Kathy writing this week's blog . . . Just a little over 2 months ago we received the shocking news of my sister's massive brain stem stroke.  As we flew out to California to be with her and the family we had very little hope for her survival. On the flight I felt the peace of God as I cried and prayed knowing that her life was in His hands.  I know that God would still be good if he had chosen to take her home to heaven but I am thrilled beyond measure to watch (from afar) her recovery! (See pic below)

In the last post Tim mentioned that Pam had taken 7 steps during physical therapy.  These were assisted steps with bars and the therapist steadying her, now she has walked 30 feet, still with some support but she is getting stronger every day!  She is now eating regular food (feeding herself) and although she still has a tube in her stomach she is eating enough on her own that they will be able to remove it soon. She is talking more and more, as a matter of fact she made our mom's day yesterday when she answered the phone and heard Pam say 'Hi Mom'!

One of my favorite stories from one of Pam's friends, happened shortly after she had the trache tube removed so that she was able to speak.  Her friend was reading Isaiah 40:31 and Pam mouthed the words right along with her so she stopped reading it and Pam completed the verse aloud on her own! "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Pam is working very hard in her recovery and although she still has a long way to go we are praying for and expecting a full recovery! 

In this picture, our son Mark is with Pam in her rehab room in Redding, CA - about a 2 hour drive from home.  The next step will be for Pam to move to a facility in Chico, CA - about 25 minutes away, and finally back to her own home!  The move to Chico could come within the next couple of weeks. 

In the waiting room at Mercy hospital is (L to R) Steve Long (Kathy's brother), Mark Laughlin (our second son), Shirley Jager (Kathy's Mum) and Kathy.  We have spent lots of time in this room as well as in Pam's ICU room as we wait to see how things are going to go.

The past two days have been very encouraging as Pam is now more and more 'self contained' and free from heavy duty drugs that were needed to control blood pressure, from tubes draining fluids and relieving pressure, and many other things.  Pam is still in a coma, but does respond from time to time.  She has opened her eyes, moved both arms, both legs and moved her head up and down as well as side to side in response to questions.  All of this gives us hope that Pam is beginning to recover from this massive brain stem stroke.

We currently believe this recovery will go on for a long period of time, but we don't know yet how much of a recovery to expect.  We are so thankful for so many of you praying for a full recovery, as nothing is too hard for our God!  

As things stand today, we plan to fly out of San Francisco early on the 24th and arrive back in Dublin on the 25th.  We are looking forward to getting home as we miss all our Dublin friends and family.  Kathy and I want to thank everyone for such a tremendous outpouring of love and prayer support!