Sunday, September 11, 2005

¿Que Paso?

Hello all—

Yesterday was probably Kari’s most successful day at Craig yet.  Although she still had a lot of shoulder pain, she was able to wean for 7hrs and 20min and was also in her wheelchair for over 6 hrs.  This was both her longest wean and the longest she has ever been able to stay up.  It seems that she’s really turned the corner with her stomach pain and infections too.  Her secretions are less, and she only needed suctioning about every hour, down from about every 20-30 minutes the last 3-4 weeks.  She is now done with the antibiotics for her lung infection, and has a few more days to go on the ones for her stomach.  

We also went outside and drove around the patios at Craig.  Kari couldn’t drive herself because the OT made some bad adjustments to her wheelchair, but hopefully we’ll be able to get it right tomorrow.  It was nice to be outside again—we went and saw a little fish pond (that was very dirty) and saw a turtle too.  It’s always hard to go do stuff, though, as it reminds us of how different life will be.  Lying down in the hospital feels temporary, like you’re going to get better, but being out and about is more of a glimpse of reality.  Still, though, I was thankful for what we were able to do.

Last night, Kari and I also talked a little about the accident.  It was by far the most she’d been able to talk about it since she’s really been conscious.  It still made her panic, but as we talked more, she seemed to be able to handle it.  We went back and read through all the emails that were sent to her in the days following the accident. She was still on all the different church groups’ mailing lists, so she got all the emails that were basically updates on her condition and what had happened.  It was good to go back and read them.  It allowed us to see how much she has improved over time and how right after the accident what our immediate concerns were and how many of them have already been taken care of.  The major requests (other than miraculous healing) that were circling around on the email chains were that Kari would be able to breathe on her own someday, that the insurance would come through for us, that we’d find a good rehab place and that my work would let me stay with her during that time, and that people would keep praying for us and remember us for a long time.  It seems that all those things have happened.  Kari’s website has over 18,000 hits at the moment, and even though it’s slowed down a bit, we still get about 200 hits a day and around 5-10 emails.  Knowing that makes us feel more comfortable about the long term stuff.  Still, I hope that Kari will be physically healed; I can’t imagine anything better than that.

Aaron.  

***Remember NYC, DC, #93***

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's so great that you have been able to discuss the accident and all the blessings that have flowed since that time just after it happened. Truly, miracles are happening every day when we take time to look for them. Too many times we take them for granted. You both continue to be in so many prayers, prayer chains, prayer lists...prayers each and every day and I know we are talking thousands and thousands. Isn't that awesome!!! I know you have felt strength and comfort from them, and they will not stop. Kari, you keep getting stronger and more daring. Aaron, you continue to be the wind beneath her wings. Together, and along with God's promise of never giving us more than we can handle, you two will make it. You both ROCK!!!

Anonymous said...

I love the new photos. That quilt looks like someone spent some quality TLC all over it!

Heard this song again today and was reminded of you and how you've kept praising God... despite your significantly crummy circumstances. It is by Tree 63:

Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Oh, There's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to stay
Well Blessed be your name

Anonymous said...

Thanks Aaron for the encouraging news. You guys are an inspiration for all of us. Keep up the good work and know that every day, more and more people are praying for you.

Anonymous said...

Dear Kari and Aaron,

Prayers have been going for you all along. I noticed Melissa needed prayer, and will pick that one up, too. I don't know if I am on the right page, but was responding to the good day you had.

Due to circumstances I know you understand, I haven't been active here though the prayers have been with you all. Once I know how this works, it will be easier for me.

(I got this on the wrong page... You know me...)

Love/Peace/Strength,

Charlie +