Count your blessings and give God praise for the great and wonderful things He has done, for what He is doing right now and for the great things He has in store for you in the future.
Hey friends and family, lots to catch y’all up on, we have had a busy couple weeks. Working my way back, last week we left you off with the amazing "BLOG TAKEOVER" from my sister, Kristel, such an amazing post and updates from her, don't worry there will be more to come from her! I can't say it enough to and about her; but she really is an angel in both mine and Jared's life, she is largely the reason why I am standing to this day; whether she was having to beat the faith into me or just give me space to cry and wallow; her servant heart really is something to learn from and I pray for her everyday to keep her cup full so she can continue to pour out her goodness on all that are blessed to know her.
Taking things back to the week of August 29...On Monday, we got amazing news! We had filed another appeal after the 3 denials had come through, it was an external review, where a third party reviews our appeal to the insurance and reviews Jared's case and clinicals and they determine whether the insurance company is justified in their decision of denial of coverage or if it gets overturned...well WE WON! Another battle in the books where the Lord has seen us through and made Jared victorious. This was such a great way to kick off my birthday.
The next day was August 30th, it is usually my favorite day of the year, my birthday! And for those of you that follow me on social media, you may have seen my post on facebook and instagram about the beautiful day that it was. Normally, I celebrate my birthday all month long since I am at the end of the month, and I would always use it as leverage to get my way in the whiniest voice possible to Jared with the beautiful saying of "because it's my birthday," and because Jared is the wonderful husband that he is he would say okay and cave to me whining. Honestly, all month long I hadn't thought about my favorite day just because I am so busy between work and Jared, or I just didn't want to think about it because it wouldn't be like the years before...and it wasn't, IT WAS BETTER!
This year I woke up with so much to be grateful for, my morning prayers were so emotional due to the fact that I was blessed to have my husband with me for another year, that I had my family near me, that I had my health which allows me to better take care of my husband, I have met so many angels along Jared's journey and grown so many friendships in the last 10 months. I had so many things that have happened in the last year to be thankful for when I reflected on how different this day could have been if the Lord had made it so where Jared was not here on this earth with me. My sister decorated the house for me to wake up to in the morning as I headed out the door on my way to work at 5am, phone calls, text messages and posts on socials poured in with love, support and well wishes for my special day. At work, I had been prepared to treat it as just another "free flap" Tuesday just like normal, but my plastics nurses that I work with everyday, filled my day with hugs, love, bubbles and sweets, it was wonderful (considering I was at work).
To round out my already long day at work I headed the hour and fifteen minute drive I make everyday to see Jared. There I was greeted with happy birthdays from the staff and other patients in the house, and Krissy and Jared waiting for me with balloons, party hats and decorations! Jared had a great day in therapy, his PT and SPT sent me videos of him walking strong and one of him singing happy birthday to me, which instantly brought tears to my eyes when I watched it! It was an awesome day, and I could not have asked for more love on it!
Over the Labor Day weekend, my mom came up to Dallas for a quick visit, and it is always so sweet watching her with Jared, another beautiful relationship those two have. The ISH gals really are as amazing as they sound. Usually the weekends are for Jared to catch up on a bit of rest but over the holiday weekend, he was up early and eating breakfast in the dining room with the other members in the house, and although they were busy days for him, my mom and sister and I had so much with him! He was so active and on the go all the time. It is these little things that are so hard to portray to you all in writing as they are those "in the moment" kind of things. As he becomes more active and independent it is so much fun, and sometimes tiring to see him doing all the things. We did get some great photos from that weekend too!
Today was quite a treat, as some of our dearest friends, who were our next door neighbors for many years dropped in for a visit, and the whole family came! We were blessed not only with their company today but beautiful patio weather where we were able to sit outside and enjoy catching up, reminiscing, talking about Jared's therapy and the bright future and testimony he has ahead of him. Preston and Erinn knew Jared before I met him, and these neighbors were unlike any other neighbors any one has ever had; we were family, truly the best kind, not the kind you are forced to with blood, but the kind you want to be around, who are always there! For many years we shared every weekend, every big moment, and all kinds of random and amazing memories in-between. We grew our families together, we mourned losses together, and even though they moved away a few years ago, they have been ride or dies! Jared and Preston would ride their motorcycles together, and I truly think some of the most memorable times are hanging with these guys in out backyards or in our garages!
Then...
Now...
THERAPY UPDATES
Physical Therapy: ALL THE WALKING! every day Jared is walking, he does anywhere from 200-400ft, using different types of equipment, sometimes the EVA walker (has an elbow rest), and more recently the Nimbo walker which is low profile walker just a little taller (this one is all him, nothing to lean on). They are also working with him in a low profile wheel chair where he is forced to hold his head and neck up and teaching him how to self propel him self using both bands on the wheels. Working on static holds of him standing and sitting up on his own. He has leveled up a couple times on the NUStep (hand and foot bike). Now that Jared is moving his body more, PT is capitalizing on it, having him reach for things on the floor and on other sides of the mat which force him to engage his core and reach across his body. Working on weight shifting both sitting and standing, this we are learning is very important and he is getting stronger and better at this, One of the big praises I want to share here is the work PT has been doing with Jared getting in and out of a car! This week Jared got to go for a ride in his Jeep for the first time in over 10 months. His PT said he stepped right in the van the first time she tried it with him, she was shocked at how high and quickly he stepped into the van and once he got in he was adjusting the a/c vents and did not want to get out. So this week my sister, Jared and I went for a drive around Anna in the countryside!
Occupational Therapy: This one is a difficult one, and this one for me is one that I struggle with seeing the progress. His OT does a lot of stretching and range of motion on his right arm and hand, as this side is weaker and still has a lot of tone. They are battling with Jared wanting to participate in activities during their sessions or having to try to keep him alert. He sees OT for his first session at 9am, and right after his lunch break, so he has a hard time staying alert in these sessions. This upcoming week we are hoping that his OT gets up to Jared's house in the morning to work on ADLs (activities of daily living) with him, such as brushing his teeth, grooming, and hygiene.
Speech Therapy: Lots of things being worked on here. Tongue strengthening exercises, breathing into a spirometer to exercise his lungs, speaking words and phrases. We are praying for the voice to continue getting stronger, he talks when he wants to and to who he wants to, it is usually at a quiet volume, but he is doing it. Speech is working with Jared during lunchtime on his swallowing as we trial different foods to see what he likes and will eat. He is dong great as he is eating more and more each week, this past weekend he had such a great outcome with his meals where almost all of them he ate 50% or more where he was not required to have a tube feeding. His SPT is trialing Jared on thin liquids to he can move from drinking nectar think liquids to regular fluids.
On Friday Jared had a couple appointments, he went to an Otolaryngologist to check out his vocal cords to make sure everything was in tact and damage free. As he has started to speak a little more and more, it has been at a very low volume so we just wanted to be sure he is able to project his voice. We were assured that everything is ok with his vocal cords and as everything else it will just take time, and as his swallow gets stronger. So as I continue to learn my lesson in patience, we asked for continued prayers for Jared to find his voice.
Coming up:
More Botox! Jared is needing another round of botox to help with the tone on his right side.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
We are praying and believing that Jared will continue meeting (and exceeding) his therapy goals, specifically in OT-- that he progress from max/mod assist to minimal assist, and Speech --that he speak more words and his volume be LOUDER!! He continue to get stronger at walking and standing balance in his PT sessions.
Bathroom renovations can begin and be done in the most cost effective way but also the safest way for Jared to come home.
For those family members and friends who had given up on Jared or chose to "mourn" him early on in the journey, please pray that they will come around and see that he is very much alive, thriving, and get on board with Jared kicking butt and doing his best to return home!
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