Fire Conference

We have just come back from the Fire Conference at the LG arena, led by Reinhard Bonke and Daniel Koleda. It was encouraging to hear some of the amazing ways that God is moving in Africa, the gospel is being preached and people are coming to know Christ by the millions. I personally felt encouraged to keep on trusting God for Andy's complete healing. My faith has been renewed even though we are still waiting to see the complete fulfilment of Andy's total healing. Below is a picture of one of the meetings led by Reinhard in Africa:

This week Andy has has a couple of hurdles to overcome: the main one being that he had a fall from a seated position when we were putting him into his standing frame and hit his head. Thank God that he is ok: we did have to go through the ordeal of going to A and E and having a CT scan done though and so it was very unsettling.

We continue to see improvement. Various people have commented that they think Andy's speech is more intelligible. The occupational therapist commented that when she was moving his right index finger, Andy was able to join in. Andy is continuing to try new things in hydrotherapy.

Please pray for Andy's own sense of well being, that his hope will be renewed and that he will know God's perfect love casting out all fear.

Fundraising from Castleview

It seems like a while since we have added a new post. The 1st of November, and the days leading up to it, were extremely difficult for Andy and so last week I asked Andy's mum to update the blog as we were both feeling quite emotionally roar.

Today Andy went to the practice where he used to work in Dudley where he was presented with a cheque for the sum of £1800 to buy two Saeboflex gloves. We are so thankful to Stracey, Andy's colleague, who ran the half marathon in October to raise the money, as well as all the staff and patients who contributed so generously. I have mentioned the gloves in previous posts that these gloves enable Andy to grip and release his hands by using a spring mechanism. We hope that Andy will be able to relearn the function of holding a cup and eventually being able to give himself a drink. We have a meeting on Saturday so that Andy can be fitted for the gloves.

Andy is now able to eat some solid foods. This is just brilliant and is a big step forward from the soft, mashable diet that he has been so used to. He can now chew foods like sandwiches at the front of his mouth and has been particularly enjoying Macdonald cheeseburgers!!!  Please pray for his tongue that he will be able to move the food inside the mouth so that he can chew with his back teeth.

Our timetable is very busy: each week Andy has two physio sessions, one to two occupational therapy sessions, two speech and language sessions and three sessions of privately funded hydrotherapy. In addition to this, Andy does a lot of daily rehab with myself and/or his carer, Tina or Gyorgey, including going in his standing frame, arm and leg exercises and functional electric stimulation.

When in his wheelchair, Andy's speech  seems to be getting a bit better and is more intelligible; Andy has always struggled to have the right breath support in his chair.

Andy would still particularly like prayer for increased movement in his arms.

One Year On

It is 1st November 2012 - exactly one year since Andy’s devastating brainstem stroke which left him with ‘Locked in syndrome’ Something, which at the time, we had never heard of and didn’t understand.

This is the desperate e-mail sent out three days later.....

‘The doctors can give us no assurance of any hope for even a partial recovery.

But Andy is awake, he can see us and hear us, and understands what is happening. We have this blessed assurance that Andy is held safely and securely in God’s loving hands and that Jesus lives in his heart.

Please, however tiny your faith, please pray. Don’t hold back.  Please pray for Andy, for his full recovery.

We hold on to the promise of Jesus, ‘Humanly, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. 

Please pray in whatever way you can that God will heal Andy and that our precious son will be restored to us, your prayers are so important to us. 

Since that cry for help went out 1000s around the world have prayed continually for Andy’s healing and recovery. Many have visited him and encouraged him with their friendship and love. Others have helped in practical ways, given advice and raised money to help Andy and other stroke  survivors. One year on Andy is living at home, he is no longer ‘locked in’ but regaining use of muscles, learning to move and talk again. Surely all those prayers are being answered. 

On Monday 29th October 2012 Andy’s brother Paul married Katie and Andy was Best Man. With great courage, determination and the loving support of Emma he was there for his brother. Andy had composed and pre-recorded his best man’s speech which was very funny and very poignant - we are all so proud of Andy and Emma.

By the grace of God and the loving prayers of others our son has been restored  to us; for that we are eternally grateful. Looking forward there is long road ahead with many more ‘mountains’ to climb as Andy strives to achieve functional use of his hands and arms, to stand to walk and talk again. 

Please, if you can, pray for Andy and Emma that they will have God’s peace and the endurance and patience to face the days to come......

‘The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.’ (Deuteronomy 31:8)

‘Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall:

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: 30 -31)

Andy turns 34!!!

It was Andy's birthday on Thursday and so we have been celebrating.  We enjoyed Thai food with Harry, Pete, Dan and Beth (as well as lots of cake). On Friday we went to the cinema and then out for a meal (this is the first time Andy has eaten in a restaurant since the stroke).

Some of you will have noticed that Andy is now back on Facebook as he has finally managed to get his computer setup sorted. Andy uses his head to control the mouse as well as a a clicker built into his right splint.  Once the computer has been setup, he can do everything that he would normally do on the computer for e.g. go on Facebook, browse the web, watch something on the I-Player or use Skype.

The standing frame has now been delivered and Andy goes in this daily. When using the standing frame whilst in hospital, splints with a large platform had to be worn because his ankles had become turned-in and the soles of his feet very arched.  Since using the standing frame at home, Andy can now wear his trainers rather than the splints because  he is able to get his feet flatter against the floor.  On Friday he managed to stand for a whole forty minutes in his trainers.

Andy still cannot use his arms for any functional task and his movement in his shoulders is very limited. Please pray for increased movement in his shoulders.

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

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.

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.

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.

We Did It!!!!!!

 Start of walk at Snow Hill Station.

THE FINISH! 4.2 miles later at CLC, Selly Oak. Mission accomplished in a non tiltspace chair with no headrest.  £2,293 raised for Hope for Justice and donations still coming in. Well done Andy.

Sponsored Walk

Andy has been doing so well in his training in the non tilt space wheelchair.

Thank you to all those who have sponsored him already. We've raised a whopping £1,968 for Hope for Justice. 1.2 million children are trafficked every year, two every minute generating 9.5 billion dollars every year. The majority are taken for sexual exploitation. Hope for Justice exists to rescue and rehabilitate these victims.

Please sponsor Andy to do a 3 mile route in a non tilt space chair on Monday 27th August.

http://www.justgiving.com/Andrew-Davies 

Finding a Carer

Hi all. Andy was due to be coming home on Friday however now this is looking unlikely due to there not being an appropriate carer as yet. Please pray for Andy as he is particularly down at the moment because he is desperate to get home having been in hospital for nearly ten months. Please pray that we find appropriate carers (they normally work on a two week on, two week off). Please pray that the carer is able to understand Andy and that we get on with them. Please pray for Emma as well that she too copes with this change.

We have been praying fervently about this and so we believe that God has his hand on the situation.

Future

Sadly we found out today that Marianne couldn't commit to being Andy's carer. Andrew is bitterly disappointed and afraid of what the future holds. Please pray for Marianne that she gets a job in a lab as this is her passion and for Andrew that he won't be so afraid and we get an appropriate carer.

'Coincidences'

Andrew and I have been reflecting over the last nine months. Together we found that although Andrew isn't well yet, there have been many ( coincidences). We both felt it right to share them with you:

Our house wasn't wheelchair friendly but due to alterations started two months before Andy's stroke and finished in time for his first visit home, it is now perfect. Andrew  was project managing the build until he was unwell but our friend and architect stepped in to help and, by Andrew's own admission, did a better job!

Andrew took life insurance and hand income protection so we are financially ok. We only took out life cover around nine months before Andy's stroke.

Andrew's grandad, who was very ill, sadly passed away after ninety years just one month before Andrew's stroke. Andy's grandma said that he wouldn't have coped with the situation had he been alive.

Emma has had health problems herself, which she has been treated for with medication for the past 10 years. It would have been expected that the stress of the situation would have caused the illness to flare up but this hasn't happened and she has been able to support Andy throughout the last nine months.

Andrew's official date for him to finish his postgraduate degree to teach medical education was in Novemeber, however he completed all the necessary work just a few weeks before he had his stroke. He has now received his PGCE and we believe that this will give him the opportunity to return to work at some point should he wish to do so.

Andy has been attending hydrotherapy at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital and we are seeing real improvements through this. To our knowledge, this is the only place that offers hydro in the West Midlands and people travel from all around. It just so happens to be about a mile from our house.

We couldn't see a way forward with how Andy would be able to come home from Hospital and not
go into nursing care. It was suggested that we apply for funding to have a live in carer. Emma mentioned jokingly to Andrew how wonderful it would be to have Marianne to be this person (she has always been Andy's favourite carer and the two have become friends). We audaciously asked Marianne and she agreed! The care agency said that they would employ her and she has now given in in her notice to Moseley Hall. 

Just when we were considering changing our car so that Andy could come home and be taken to
hydrotherapy, that same week Emma found by accident a car dealership in Kidderminster about 100 metres form where she was working that day, which specialised in wheelchair accessible vehicles.   The dealership was much cheaper than any Emma had been looking at on the internet. That was midweek and by the Saturday we had bought our now vehicle and sold Emma's old car for just £900 cheaper than we paid for it 3 years' earlier under the scrapage deal. We actually made a profit on the swap even though the two cars are both the same age and make!

Andy's mum felt that she should share a scripture with Andy on the day before he had his stroke because she knew that Andy had been having headaches, although none of us knew the journey we were in for. The scripture was Isaiah 40:29-31 which says that even youths grow tired and faint but those that hope in the Lord shall renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary and they will walk and not faint. Since then we have had ths scripture confirmed many times by people Facebook messaging it us, writing it in a card, through podcasts, 
encouraging texts or at prayer meetings(not knowing its significance to us). 

Please Sponsor Andy

Andy is doing a 3 mile route in his wheelchair to raise money for Hope for Justice. Please sponsor him.

http://www.justgiving.com/Andrew-Davies

 

  

Chilling at Home

Andy came home overnight this weekend. I just had to post this pic to show you all how well he is looking!!!! Whenever he is at home he is always so much more relaxed; Andy usually sits in this comfy armchair: here he is showing  his good head control and posture. This week he will be trialing a normal wheelchair as he no longer is so dependent on his head support in the tilt space chair. Please pray that Andy can cope with being in a normal wheelchair. We have a discharge meeting on Friday and we will discuss what package of therapy will be offered. Please pray for favour for this. Thanks for your continued prayers;they are being answered.  Have a blessed week.

Coming home

Just a quick note to let you all know that we got the funding for the live in carer as well as the standing frame. Once the equipment has been ordered and delivered, Andy can come home. We are over the moon. We have also had favour with being able to choose who the live in carer is and this has been so important to both of us. Thank you for your prayers.

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.