Hope

Please pray that Andy's hope is renewed. It is so important that Andy continues to have hope :Hope deferred makes the heart sick Prov 13:12

We continue to trust and believe ,as from the beginning, that God will fully heal Andy and he will go onto make a full recovery.

These were the scriptures that stood out to us at the very beginning when Andy first had the stroke and the prognosis of Locked in Syndrome:

Romans 4: Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations... His faith did not weaken when he thought about his own body... In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.

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. Isaiah 40:31

We need a supernatural sense of hope for Andy.

Eight Months On

Progress

Andy has increased control of his torso and is now able to sit on the edge of the bed for 11 minutes. When Andy first started hydrotherapy, the therapist needed to hold his head above the water. Over the sessions Andy has needed less support and now only needs support from his hips and below.


 Andy continues to use the standing frame to assist in standing and continues to be hoisted using an overhead hoist, needing two people. Please pray into this.

Andy is very dependent on others for all of his needs. Please pray that Andy will be able to reposition himself in bed and give himself a drink.

Andy's speech continues to improve.He is still on a mashable diet and needs thickened fluids because of his involuntary swallow and inability to control his tongue, however this is improving.

It was our anniversary last Wednesday and we went to the cinema to watch Spiderman. This was lovely to be able to do something normal and we both really enjoyed this. On Saturday Andy coped with going to Lewis' wedding as well as the reception in Bristol. With the long journey and the wedding, Andy was in his chair for 11 hours and so he coped amazingly!

Please pray for increased movement in Andy's hands, arms, shoulders and legs. 

We thank God that Andy's hydrotherapist commented that she couldn't believe the difference in Andy from when she saw him on the Saturday and then again on the Thursday. She said that she felt he had turned a corner and that they were doing new things in the session that she didn't feel could have been done in the session before. Andy was prayed for at the Renewal Tuesday meeting that week and so we can definitely see prayers being answered here.

We are still waiting on a decision from the PCT regarding funding for when he comes home. Please pray that this is successful.


I am personally aware of the suffering of many others who are recovering from brain injury including Santino and Mifta who I have mentioned in previous posts. Please pray for these young men. Mifta is due to have his trache out after 11 months of being dependent on this. Please pray that this goes smoothly.

God continues to sustain us. We are very much in the valley at the moment but our comfort is that we need not fear because God is with us. He is our shepherd. I pray that I am able to show HIS love to those around us who are suffering as well. Sometimes people just need to know that God still cares and for this we are His hands and feet.

Clarification

Just to clarify that there are no definites about Any coming home as yet. This week we will be looking at care packages and this will then be put to the funding panel. Having the right carer is essential. Please pray for favour and for wisdom for those who assess Andy's needs.

Coming home

The discharge meeting went well and we are happy to announce that Andy is coming home!!! We will be having support with his care and his rehabilitation will continue. We are both really excited by this. Please pray that we are granted favour in the amount of therapy that is provided at home. Andy will have a standing frame at home and this will enable him to stand more often (at the moment he only manages to get into this three to four times a week). Please pray that the Continuing Health Care agrees to fund the standing frame. Andy is suffering from muscle tightness and increased spasms and this is possibly because his med's have been reduced for this. Please pray that his spasms reduce. We thank God that Andy is getting more movement in his right hand and is able to clench and release his fingers. His speech is noticeably better and, when lying flat, he can speak in sentences. This is just incredible. Thank you for your prayers.