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Hi Everyone,
Bruce is coming back! Praise God. His whispers are still hard for me to hear yet through others' ears he has said allot this week end.
"Hi _____" as they entered the room and "Bye_____" as they leave.
"This food needs salt and pepper"
"My leg hurts"
"How's Andy?"
"I don't want Shelly driving in this weather."
"Tell her I Love her"
"Yes," he remembers Steelcase and MI and the accident. Earlier he couldn't remember the accident.
"No", he doesn't remember any thing about AZ, yet when my sister tried to jar his memory she reminded him about the casino's and how Shelly and he would enjoy their car rides and casino stops. Then Val said, as she turned to her husband, Mark, "what was the name of the one that they would go too?" "Gila something. Gila_____, Oh Gila____? and Bruce spoke out and said River. Yes that's right, Gila River!"
Then he asked to drink his juice and tried to hold his own cup. He attempted to feed himself. He pointed at his body parts as the nurse asked for their location. Nose, Mouth, etc.......
They removed his trach Thursday and he is holding his own oxygen level between 92%-98%. Now in time Bruce and I can become roommates!!!!!!!!!
You see with the trach in and with dialysis both the only choice I had to choose for Bruce's recovery was Detroit or Chicago which would separate us until recovery by a 3-4 hour drive one way. That would have stopped our visits to each other and totally unbearable. Praise God for an answer to prayer and allowing us to remain together. Thank you my dear, dear, prayer warriors.
Oh ya one more thing, It's snowing Here.....
We love and miss you all.
Love
Shelly
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Happy Valentines Day!
Hi family and friends,
I have some news to share. Bruce has had a rough two weeks, but is on the mend again. He ran some fevers and through testing, they found a blood infection and urine infection. Honey didn't look so good. He seemed so weak I said it would be OK if he wanted to go but I would miss him with all my heart. That was the hardest conversation I ever needed to do. Yet when I began crying he reached for me and wanted to fix my pain. This man of mine has always shown me unconditional love, pure love and flawless support. They removed all lines from him thinking one of the ports got infected . That was a hospital outing. Two days later he went back in for a more permanent port. Then the next day he went in again placing a pick line in that wouldn't interfere with his dialysis catheter. Then two days from that on Friday he saw his ortho surgeon.
My brother went with Bruce. What an intense week for Honey. Well, the good news is, the Dr. was very happy with the healing of his bones. He took the cast off Bruce's arm and wrist, then removed the staples that had been in since Dec 12th. It looked wonderful yet I was surprised with the length of the injury. He is lifting his arm very well considering how long he hasn't used it. He also had his leg cast removed. That has to be more comfortable for him. His femur bone that was shattered is showing great progress in healing. The foot is coming along. The knee might still need some help.
I, too saw my ortho surgeon that same day and my Mom went with me. My right ankle had great color. He lifted my toes and he was pleasantly surprised I had motion in my ankle with little discomfort. He said he has only seen two other cases of ankle breaks in his career that has been as bad as mine and mine was the worst he has ever seen. The ankle broke free from the foot and was totally exposed. At one time he felt 99% sure the bone would dye. Friday he seemed relieved with me that we are seeing a healing that truly beat the odds. My left femur bone had six breaks, two com pond fractures and a three inch area that was crushed above the knee. The Dr. said he was very pleased with the healing and amazed with my motion and flex ability I've maintained. I told him I'm hiking superstition mt. 20 mins. a day in my mind and in bed and when I'm done with that I do my swim to trim routine, and for my wrist I slip the cast off as I play the piano for the residents through my closed doors. If I hit a key wrong and twist my wrist wrong I've noticed I can hit a higher pitch vocally then what was normal. It truly helps playing the piano when your listeners can't hear to well. Then he told me no wait bearing for another 6 weeks. So I made it beyond the half way point.
Any how I saw Honey today and tomorrow on the 15th is the anniversary date that Bruce purposed to me 10 years ago. I'm so glad I said Yes. We had a wonderful 10 years together and we have 20 years to go. I Told Bruce, yes but I wanted 30 years at least with him and he said OK.
My visit went well. I gave him his drink from lunch. Played his favorite CD as we listened together I saw him singing the words. I heard him say I Love You. We through each other a Kiss (until I can stand and give him one.) It was so good seeing him response again. It has been 2 weeks.
Thanks again everyone. Keep the prayers coming. Happy Valentines Day to you all! Spread the Love with your loved ones.
Love,
Shelly and Bruce
I have some news to share. Bruce has had a rough two weeks, but is on the mend again. He ran some fevers and through testing, they found a blood infection and urine infection. Honey didn't look so good. He seemed so weak I said it would be OK if he wanted to go but I would miss him with all my heart. That was the hardest conversation I ever needed to do. Yet when I began crying he reached for me and wanted to fix my pain. This man of mine has always shown me unconditional love, pure love and flawless support. They removed all lines from him thinking one of the ports got infected . That was a hospital outing. Two days later he went back in for a more permanent port. Then the next day he went in again placing a pick line in that wouldn't interfere with his dialysis catheter. Then two days from that on Friday he saw his ortho surgeon.
My brother went with Bruce. What an intense week for Honey. Well, the good news is, the Dr. was very happy with the healing of his bones. He took the cast off Bruce's arm and wrist, then removed the staples that had been in since Dec 12th. It looked wonderful yet I was surprised with the length of the injury. He is lifting his arm very well considering how long he hasn't used it. He also had his leg cast removed. That has to be more comfortable for him. His femur bone that was shattered is showing great progress in healing. The foot is coming along. The knee might still need some help.
I, too saw my ortho surgeon that same day and my Mom went with me. My right ankle had great color. He lifted my toes and he was pleasantly surprised I had motion in my ankle with little discomfort. He said he has only seen two other cases of ankle breaks in his career that has been as bad as mine and mine was the worst he has ever seen. The ankle broke free from the foot and was totally exposed. At one time he felt 99% sure the bone would dye. Friday he seemed relieved with me that we are seeing a healing that truly beat the odds. My left femur bone had six breaks, two com pond fractures and a three inch area that was crushed above the knee. The Dr. said he was very pleased with the healing and amazed with my motion and flex ability I've maintained. I told him I'm hiking superstition mt. 20 mins. a day in my mind and in bed and when I'm done with that I do my swim to trim routine, and for my wrist I slip the cast off as I play the piano for the residents through my closed doors. If I hit a key wrong and twist my wrist wrong I've noticed I can hit a higher pitch vocally then what was normal. It truly helps playing the piano when your listeners can't hear to well. Then he told me no wait bearing for another 6 weeks. So I made it beyond the half way point.
Any how I saw Honey today and tomorrow on the 15th is the anniversary date that Bruce purposed to me 10 years ago. I'm so glad I said Yes. We had a wonderful 10 years together and we have 20 years to go. I Told Bruce, yes but I wanted 30 years at least with him and he said OK.
My visit went well. I gave him his drink from lunch. Played his favorite CD as we listened together I saw him singing the words. I heard him say I Love You. We through each other a Kiss (until I can stand and give him one.) It was so good seeing him response again. It has been 2 weeks.
Thanks again everyone. Keep the prayers coming. Happy Valentines Day to you all! Spread the Love with your loved ones.
Love,
Shelly and Bruce
Monday, February 2, 2009
Hello from Shelly
Hi.
This is my first attempt at this, yet long over do. I appreciate so much all the support, love, concerns, cards and all your wonderful prayers.
As I went to the Dr. in Jan. he reminded me that amputation of my foot might still be a possibility. When he took the cast off my leg, we all noticed how dark it was. We got word out and the prayers began. Each day more and more color seems to be there. I see another sign of our prayers being heard. Thank you. I saw Bruce for the first time then I went home to my nursing home, pulled up my covers, squeezed a picture, I had of honey, and cried for 3 days. I didn't loose faith I just needed to grieve. There was no sign of my honey, not even in his eyes. That weakened me. At times like this I'm glad we are believers. There is nothing better then saying, hold me, pray with me, be my strength until I heal from the shock of our new journey. We will do whatever God asks of us even without understanding because we have the knowledge that our lives are designed to fulfill His purpose not ours. Someday this journey will become clearer to us but for now we draw our strength from our loving Heavenly Father, and our hugs from our family and friends, and warmth through the many cards and well wishes we are receiving.
Week number two, I saw Bruce. God blessed us with answers to prayers. Bruce gave me a glimpse that in our stare I saw Honey. Thank you God.
Week number three of our visit, he cried when he saw me. My Bruce knew me!!!!!! I wheeled up to him as he struggled to lift his hand to hold mine. Placing my hand into his and feeling his touch, warmth and recognition, I told him this was the best place in the whole world. Then we both cried. After that moment I handed him Posie, dressed in a Dr.'s outfit. He smiled and reached to hold her as memories began to flood his mind. Then I saw him get spoon fed, and sip from a cup. Please praise the Lord with me for this great progress. Bruce not only showed signs of improvement and facial expressions, he whispered to me. I couldn't stand to put my ear to his mouth, I couldn't lip read because Bruce has very little muscle control anywhere, yet after 5 tries I heard his first words to me.
"YOU SMELL NICE"
I cried and said, "Steegstra, are you flirting with me? I love you too!!!!!"
Everyone thank you for all your prayers and as we take this journey together remember through God all things are possible. My Honey is coming back. Thank you prayer warriors. Tomorrow I'm visiting Bruce again. He ran a fever today and test are showing he has an infection in his blood. They are working on this and removing lines that might have created this. By Wednesday they are hoping to replace his lines with new ones and start dialysis again.
Love,
Shelly
This is my first attempt at this, yet long over do. I appreciate so much all the support, love, concerns, cards and all your wonderful prayers.
As I went to the Dr. in Jan. he reminded me that amputation of my foot might still be a possibility. When he took the cast off my leg, we all noticed how dark it was. We got word out and the prayers began. Each day more and more color seems to be there. I see another sign of our prayers being heard. Thank you. I saw Bruce for the first time then I went home to my nursing home, pulled up my covers, squeezed a picture, I had of honey, and cried for 3 days. I didn't loose faith I just needed to grieve. There was no sign of my honey, not even in his eyes. That weakened me. At times like this I'm glad we are believers. There is nothing better then saying, hold me, pray with me, be my strength until I heal from the shock of our new journey. We will do whatever God asks of us even without understanding because we have the knowledge that our lives are designed to fulfill His purpose not ours. Someday this journey will become clearer to us but for now we draw our strength from our loving Heavenly Father, and our hugs from our family and friends, and warmth through the many cards and well wishes we are receiving.
Week number two, I saw Bruce. God blessed us with answers to prayers. Bruce gave me a glimpse that in our stare I saw Honey. Thank you God.
Week number three of our visit, he cried when he saw me. My Bruce knew me!!!!!! I wheeled up to him as he struggled to lift his hand to hold mine. Placing my hand into his and feeling his touch, warmth and recognition, I told him this was the best place in the whole world. Then we both cried. After that moment I handed him Posie, dressed in a Dr.'s outfit. He smiled and reached to hold her as memories began to flood his mind. Then I saw him get spoon fed, and sip from a cup. Please praise the Lord with me for this great progress. Bruce not only showed signs of improvement and facial expressions, he whispered to me. I couldn't stand to put my ear to his mouth, I couldn't lip read because Bruce has very little muscle control anywhere, yet after 5 tries I heard his first words to me.
"YOU SMELL NICE"
I cried and said, "Steegstra, are you flirting with me? I love you too!!!!!"
Everyone thank you for all your prayers and as we take this journey together remember through God all things are possible. My Honey is coming back. Thank you prayer warriors. Tomorrow I'm visiting Bruce again. He ran a fever today and test are showing he has an infection in his blood. They are working on this and removing lines that might have created this. By Wednesday they are hoping to replace his lines with new ones and start dialysis again.
Love,
Shelly
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