Update

We would like to thank you for your continued prayers.

Emma started her Level 5 Diploma in Teaching Literacy at The University of Worcester last week. The qualification is important to her work teaching adults and also gives something  different for her to focus on. Praise God for how understanding her employer has been in allowing her to remain employed on a very, very part time basis, which gives her the necessary teaching experience to be able to do the course.

We had an important meeting to discuss Andy's continued therapy today. Andy was given 16 weeks rehabilitation by the Birmingham Neuro Rehab Team after having been discharged. Various things were discussed and we are considering our choices in light of this. Please pray for us in this.

Andy has had a couple of choking incidents which have been very unnerving over the last couple of weeks. On the first instance Andy was back in hospital for two days as his oxygen was low. We are hoping that the Baclofen pump will cause Andy's swallow to be less delayed because the amount of Baclofen means that all of his muscles are relaxed and so his swallow reflex is also slowed down. Andy has the test dose for his Baclofen pump on the 28th February and then the operation will be booked, however, the consultant is seeing whether there is any way that this can be brought forward because of the effects on the swallow and his intense fatigue.

We are planning on having a lift fitted as well as a ceiling track hoist upstairs so that Andy can sleep upstairs and we can share a bedroom. We are in the process of getting quotes from companies.

A scripture that has encouraged us greatly is Psalm 18:
 

³² It is God who arms me with strength
    and keeps my way secure.
³³ He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
    he causes me to stand on the heights.
³⁴ He trains my hands for battle;
    my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
³⁶ You provide a broad path for my feet,
    so that my ankles do not turn.

⁴⁹ Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing the praises of your name.

 

All of the things mentioned in this Psalm are very significant to Andy's recovery and so we are praying into these verses and would really appreciate for you to stand with us in declaring these verses over Andy's life.

Happy New Year

Christmas Day 2012 at home.

Wishing you all richest blessings in new year; praying that you will know God's peace and strength in your lives in the coming months especially as many of you, we know, are facing uncertain days ahead with health, employment and family problems. We think of you all.
Thank you also for the cards and good wishes sent to Andy, Emma and all the family.
We  (Andy's Mum and Dad) were so happy to be able to spend Christmas in Bournville with Andy and Emma in their own home. We were joined by Emma's parents Pam and David, her brother Richard and friends Norma and Joan. It was a very special day of celebration, so good to be able to be together at home; so different from the previous year when Andy was in hospital, very poorly. So much to celebrate and to be thankful for. 
New Year was spent in Burscough with Andy's family; his sister Tina and her husband Keith, brother Paul and his new wife Katie, not forgetting nephews Luke and Jake; again a special time for us all to be together. We thank God for Andy's on-going recovery and the many blessings of the past year. 
It was really good for Andy to be part of all the preparations for Christmas, shopping for gifts and organising the food. Andy enjoyed all the festive meals able to chew and swallow (with care) every type of food including meat and party snacks.  
Looking forward, Andy now has his new saeboflex 'gloves' thanks to the great generosity of Castle View Dental Practice staff and patients who sponsored Stracy in her run for Andy. He has begun OT using the saeboflex to enable him to use his hands and fingers and retrain the muscles to work voluntarily. 
Andy has been having problems associated with the drug Baclofen used to reduce muscular spasms and is looking into the possibility of having a pump fitted to deliver the drug directly to the skeletal muscles thus avoiding the unpleasant side effects of taking Baclofen orally. Fitting the pump will involve a stay in hospital which is rather daunting - please pray for this.
Andy has made tremendous progress over the past year and is now much stronger physically, with speech and swallowing doing particularly well. He is exercising shoulders, arms and legs to enable him to sit and transfer from bed to chair and chair to car seat. His long term goal is to be able to sit in a new car but there are many short term goals to achieve first - being able to sit with less support, to push up on his arms and to get his feet flat on the floor. Please pray for Andy - for the faith, courage and strength to achieve these goals - to remain positive and motivated through the months ahead. 

'God is my strength and power; and he makes my way perfect.' 
(2 Samuel 22:33) 

'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'  (Philippians 4:13)

'For with God nothing shall be impossible'  (Luke 1:17)

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the continued prayer, love and support you have shown Andy, Emma and all the family over the past 14 months; your faith and dedication have sustained us and we thank the Lord for you all. 
God bless you.