June 10, 2012

email update from Mrs. Doug:

"Well, let's see where do we begin since the last update.  Dale's walking is getting better and better each week.  They are now using a one pound weight on his right leg to exercise it before he walks and a three pound weight on the left leg.  You can tell his right leg is getting stronger by how far he can kick it up.  The exercise with the weights before walking helps his steps to be smoother.  We are going to work on side steps so he can step into the pews at church and soon be able to walk in.
In OT he is still working on dressing skills.  He has this mental block about putting on his shirt right now and just get bent out of shape over getting it on.  The problem is how to get the right arm through the sleeve.  I had tried to help him and he let me know he didn't need my help so I left him with it.  A little while later I went back and the shirt was almost in a knot.  So, I helped him and told him that the gate belt we use around his middle, I was going to move it up about 12 in. and use around his neck if he didn't get over the shirt thing.  He laughed which is the way we usually end most of our disputes.  Even though he can't say a lot of words right now, he sure gets his message across.
In speech he is doing great.  I don't go see what he needs or answer him now until he says my name.  You'll hear him trying to think of it or trying to get it out.  It's just going to take this kind of persistence to help him learn all over again how to talk again.  The ST has stopped counting the number of words he can say now.  We re starting on two word phrases the days of the week and counting.  I have a hard time getting him to work with me sometimes but I just leave it awhile and go back later.

I don't know if all of you know it or not but I have been diagnosed with stage 2breast cancer.  I will have surgery on June 18.  After the surgery I will have to under go five weeks of radiation. I will go for 5 weeks 5 days a week.  I found the lump myself so it has not been there long and from all the test results has not spread anywhere else.  We covet your prayers as we weather this storm.  God promises us that  His grace is sufficient for us.  After I found out what the test results were Dale &i had a very emotional day.  We prayed together a lot that and cried together a lot that day. Through all of the emotions my biggest question was "what will I do about or with Dale".  The Lord pointed me to scripture after scripture about His care & love.  I hope one day to share our journey through the stroke and now the cancer.  I know God has a testimony in it.  It's just not quite ready to be shared.  Keep us in your prayers.
We have have had a great visit with our grandson Andrew for a few days.  We're have really enjoyed him being here.  We've fished, swam & everything you can imagine.
We love each of you & thank you for you prayers & support.
Doug & Dale"

"I know that my Redeemer lives,
    and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
²⁶ And after my skin has been destroyed,
    yet in my flesh I will see God;
²⁷ I myself will see him
    with my own eyes —I, and not another.
    How my heart yearns within me!"  Job 19:25-27


We look forward to the testimony of how the two of you see God through the trials you are facing and we pray for you to have sufficient strength, faith, and hope.  We are lifting you up in prayers and love you both dearly!