Thursday, March 22, 2012

Thank you

I would just like to stop and say a BIG thank you for the way that you have all shown SUCH love and care for us since Andy first had his stroke. We really have been so overwhelmed by the way that people have supported us in so, so many ways. Your love and support really have kept us going and we have felt so encouraged to know that so many are standing with us in prayer for Andy's full recovery. The ways that people have been supporting by visiting and in other practical things have really helped sustain us. The words of encouragement have been invaluable and have been read to Andy to spur him on. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Andy has been standing this week during therapy with support from the standing frame. Andy is able to pronounce more sounds and he has particularly been working on the 's' sound and this has improved this week.

Andy is coming for his first home visit on Saturday. Please pray that this will be a relaxed time and that Andy will be able to cope with this.

Please continue to pray for movement in Andy's legs and fingers. Please also pray specifically for Andy's frustration and also that Andy's tone in his arms would reduce and that he wouldnt have spasms in them.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Four and a half months on

My apologies for the delay in writing. Life has been hectic. My last post was regarding a call to pray for Andy's speech and I am delighted to tell you that Andy's speech has dramatically improved now and is really intelligible. His p,b, c and d sounds are much clearer and he is mastering friends' and family names: Paul, Tina, dad, mum, Keith, dan, Harry etc. Praise God.

Since my last post locked in syndrome has been in the news quite a lot with the guy who is wanting the law changed for assisted dying. When Andy was diagnosed with this we were given no hope of any recovery and so everything that he is now doing is truly miraculous and we have to keep reminding ourselves.

Andy is starting to have some gross voluntary movement in his arms. He needs to be aided with this and hasn't got full range of movement but it is really coming on. Please continue to pray for full range of movement.

This week Andy had orthotic splints made to make up for his feet not being able to reach the right position for standing. With these made, the therapists would like for him to try standing. Please pray that Andy is kept safe during this as he has spasms and it wold be awful if this were to happen whilst he is standing and cause him to fall and injure himself. Please pray that Andy can stand as this is the next step to him walking!!!

As you are aware, Andy was denied funding to go to Hunter's Moor. I now realise that Moseley Hall is the best place for him at the moment as the therapy has been excellent and it is right for his needs at this time. Nevertheless Andy is only given 60 days' funding at Moseley and then he will have to move on. He has now already been there for three weeks. Please pray that the PCT will accept the application for him to go to Hunters Moor as his next stage of rehab.


Andy's mood has improved in the last week.

There is lots to be thankful for but we would urge you to KEEP praying. Andy is still very vulnerable and as yet can't do anything for himself as he has no functional movement apart from the movement in his thumb which he uses to operate a mouth. For all of his other needs he relies on others. We STILL need a breakthrough and I urge you to continue praying fervently for Andy's full recovery.

Friday, March 02, 2012

Goals Achieved

We are having a further goal setting meeting on Monday. Looking back over the previous short term goals it is encouraging to know that Andy has achieved all of them apart from speech, although this has improved.

Andy is still struggling to communicate and this is a major frustration for him. Please specifically pray for the ability to move his tongue such that he can produce the correct sounds. Andy needs to talk!!!! Please make this a priority for your prayers.

We had a great time of prayer at church tonight. The specific scripture which stood out was Jeremiah 29:11.