Sunday, September 30, 2012

Holiday in Burscough




This weekend we are up in Burscough for a well deserved break. Andy and I slept in until 10:30 this morning so we must have been tired but it proves that Andy is relaxing!!! We have been enjoying some family time and Paul and Katie have been with us. Those who have managed to pop round whilst we're here have all commented on how well Andy looks.

In hydrotherapy Andy has been standing much more. In the 30 minute last session he managed to stand three times. This was the first time that this was attempted with just one therapist supporting Andy and so this shows real improvement.

Andy sat on the edge of the bed for fifteen minutes this week and so his core strength is improving.

Andy has now written his speech for Paul's wedding and so a lot of his speech therapy will be geared towards getting this perfected. Paul gets married to Katie on October 29th.

Please continue to pray for Andy's arms that he is able reach forward.  Andy would also like prayer for his right ankle which is still quite turned in.

Andy is listening to the bible on CD and was encouraged by a scripture, which he listened to this week:

You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn. 2 Samuel 22:37







Friday, September 21, 2012

Third week at home

Andy continues to be much more content at home. We are very pleased with the carers who have worked with us so far, Gyorgey and Tina. They are very competent and caring and Andy feels safe with them. We have asked both of them to come back to us and they have agreed. There will be a rotation between the two of them for the foreseeable future. Thank you for your prayers as this was causing Andy a lot of anxiety.

We still enjoy a degree of normality: on Saturday night we went to see the Michael McIntyre concert at the NIA with some friends; he was hilarious!!! We also both enjoy going on walks around Bournville.

We have chosen to take communion as a couple each night to remind us daily of what Christ did for us at the cross: his body was broken so that we could be whole and his blood was shed so that we can be forgiven and be in relationship with God. We are both finding this a good discipline.

Andy continues to enjoy himself and show improvement at hydrotherapy, which he attends three times a week.Andy is learning Russian from his Belarussian hydro therapist, Rosa! At home Andy daily does his arm and leg exercises. We are waiting on the standing frame to be delivered and when this comes Andy will be using this daily. 

Andy was due to be having a prosthetic pallate made as his pallate wasn't working causing a lot of air to escape through his nose when speaking. Last Thursday we went to the QE so that they could take a mould of his pallate but on inspection they said that Andy's pallate is now working and so they didn't need to do this. Praise God for these steady improvements week by week.

Andy has asked for prayer for his arms and shoulders that he would be able to reach forward as currently he is only able to move his arms in an up down movement, which doesn't allow him to do anything functional.

Sunday, September 09, 2012

Andy's First Week Home

Andy's first week at home has been incredible and the change has noticeably affected Andy immensely.
Since coming home Andy has improved in the following areas:
Andy is now able to manage thinner fluids
Andy's hydro therapist said that there is a noted improvement in terms of voluntary movement in his right arm. (Andy has been doing his arm exercises each day)

The BIGGIE, however, is that, as you know,we asked in the last post for prayer for Andy's right ankle as he was yet to put weight through it and it was particularly inturned. Well, on Saturday morning at hydro he was able to put weight through both feet for the first time!!!!  He stood for a whole minute.  Praise the Lord. I don't believe that this is a coincidence as I know that this has been the focus of people's prayers this week. Andy partially uses spasm movement to be able to get into a standing position. Please pray that Andy is voluntarily able to straighten his legs to be able to stand.

Andy's whole demeanour has notably changed since being at home and we have really enjoyed doing more normal things like going to Sainsburys, visiting a garden centre and visiting Selly Manor. We have also been blessed individually as well as a church by attending evening meetings as part of the week of prayer at CLC. We both really experienced God's peace that passes understanding 'Philipians  4:7'. We are so thankful for our hope in Christ which is unchanging and steadfast and keeps us secure in the midst of trial.





Monday, September 03, 2012

Andy is Home

Andy officially came home yesterday (Sunday 2nd Sept). It was a massive milestone with Andy having spent 10 months in hospital. We had some friends over to celebrate and Andy really enjoyed himself. Thank you for praying for the carer situation. We are happy so far with the setup. The carer, Gyorgy, moved in on Saturday evening. He will be with us until Monday 10th September when another carer from the agency will take over. Please continue to pray into this and that we reach some stability, having the right carers working on a more permanent rotation.

Andy has now raised about £3500 (including gift aid) for Hope for Justice. We wanted to say a BIG, BIG thankyou to all who have sponsored Andy. It has meant so much to him and is going to such a good cause. As always we are overwhelmed by people's love and kindness towards us.

Andy continues to make steady progress. Andy was able to get his left ankle flat on the floor for the first time in hydrotherapy last week and this was a milestone because the therapist had said that it was the position of his ankles which were preventing him from fully weight bearing and moving on in what he can achieve. Please pray for his right ankle to follow and that he is able to start standing in hydro.

As mentioned in the last blog Andy held his head for the whole 4.2 miles of the sponsored walk. This is great progress. Andy now only uses the non tilt space chair which is much less supportive with it not being able to tilt back.

After his legs have been properly stretched, Andy is able to select a knee and bend and straighten each knee about three times before he tires. This is really encouraging improvement.

Andy now comes to church each week and it is great for him to connect with others in a faith filled atmosphere.