My Dr Visit Results

Hi good People,
Well It's official, I have a screw loose. Well not just that, I broke one. About three weeks ago I jumped up to help Bruce and I heard and felt a snap. I have had a lot of pain and swelling ever since, because we all know I'm truly a size 3.
The first plan was to strengthen my femur bone by placing hip bone, from my hip, into the four inch area of femur bone that has died. Recover over a 2 month period, wait one year for it to strengthen, add a rod through the femur and do a knee revision. Well that no longer is the goal. We both think it will probably won't take, plus I would be weakening a good hip bone. So after realizing the snap I heard and felt was the femur bone breaking and snapping the screw in half, the Dr is trying to get me in as soon as possible. The plan now is to replace the knee using an extension shaft and cutting up the femur bone to a good bone area, about 4 inches above the knee.
In case this leg becomes shorter, I've already figured out a solution so I don't end up walking in circles. I plan to weigh done the opposite leg pocket with winnings from nickle jackpot or with the casino winnings. So here we go . Please pray for my recovery. I prayed for a break so the good news is our prayers truly are heard. But we must always remember to pray specifically and with detail. We serve a loving God, that can take a joke, and is use to me. So sorry if my humor shocks you. I'll keep you posted if you still want to hear of this journey. I truly feel it is coming together and there is joy within our sorrows if you choose to see it. I'm running around, I mean I'm rolling around in my new 2008 town and country van. Bruce told me to get a Chrysler because they take the best impact. When the time came to look for a car, Brother Ed did his home work with love and time once again. Then when we saw this on the Craig's list, it only had 17,000 miles on it and had a power chair lift in it too. Two days later I took my first drive in 9 months. (Sept 17th I went through a drivers road test to see if it was possible for me to drive again with my new limitations. I past and I can go Junkin' again).
Oh, I thought you might like to know, I decided what to do with the gift money sent to me from the funeral. I took this love gift and went to the jeweler. I am having my band of my previous wedding ring welded into Bruce's and then having a cross welded over the two rings and putting a loop on the top so I can wear it as a pendent on a chain. The three of us made a wonderful marriage. God, Bruce and Myself. I will hold that time of my life dearly forever in my heart. Thank you for the gift that will symbolize that.
Love, Hugs and Kisses
Shellyrose

A Note to Clear up some Confusion

Hi Dear Friends and Family,
During the recovery of this stay, I have become a Michigander again. I'm living in an assistant living home that is like an apartment. What I like about it is there is in house therapy, house keeping and emergency pull cords for help in each room. Which by the way do trigger off with bad cooking, or burnished cooking. I'm forced to stay here at least until I get through my surgeries. My next one is in the second week of Oct. If the Dr. has success on bone transfer, I still need to wait 1-1 1/2 years for the femur bone to strengthen for the next surgery of double knee revision. That is a 4 month recovery for each knee. After this first surgery in Oct. I will have a 2 month recovery time. So I was thinking 2 months and 1 day, I should visit my AZ family. I have no idea for how long and if I can even face it with out my Honey. I do have a peace that he is at rest and even feel his heartbeat from afar, but who am I without my Honey? I know I'm one of God's children, therefore I know I'm loved, watched over and protected. God loves me yesterday, today, and tomorrow, but I do need to take a deep breath and re plan my goals as an individual serving God rather than a partner to a better half.
I'm forced to live here for now do to this accident and recovery and to be with the Dr.'s I know. But I love AZ and my family there too so in time I will do more of what I want instead of the life this accident has forced me to live. But the good news is, when God is in your heart and therefore you're never alone, it doesn't really matter what four walls you're asked to stare at. Her is may temporary new address:
Shelly Steegstra
Lincoln Square #135
3121 Lake Mi Dr. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Love Ya All,
Shelly

A Note From Me, Shellyrose

Thankyou so much for all the support and lovely cards. The outreach of love is so so kind. I'm so glad Bruce and I had his last month of life together 24/7. We had some wonderful talks and many of laughs, I don't regret staying with him. But, now I'm home alone, no Bruce and no more visits. It is hitting me hard now that I know I'm left with memories only and yet I'm so glad I have some wonderful memories to forever hold on to.
Did you know if you go on the enternet and type in: mlive.com then grand rapids MI then obitauaries then Bruce Steegstra then search, it will bring you to our personal guest book. I would love it if you took the time to write a story of Bruce and or something that you experienced by reading our story on the blog. This sure will help fill the void of my alone time. I am trying to get creative on how to keep busy. Writting our story in book form, crafts, and taking my motorized wheel chair out and about garage saleing. On a good day I can make 18 miles. But it is a challange when the bags pile up on your lap to when the uncoming traffic thinks of you as a mound of bags sitting curb side waiting for trash day. Oh the looks you get when you supprise them when the pile of trash moves. Hey thats life for now until I get one again.
Love ya
Shellyrose

The Other Story

For some time now, all the posts have updated you about Bruce. Of course, Shelly's story is not complete. We will update you soon on some of the things she has postponed since Bruce took a turn for the worse. But she still needs our prayers and she still has an incredibly inspiring story.

So to pump her up for the comeback, and to remind us all of what we are praying for, please enjoy this video:

Funeral Recap

For those of you who couldn't join us, Bruce's funeral was a fitting tribute to a wonderful man. Pastor Lee from the Hospice celebrated the occasion to a packed room at the funeral home. One of Bruce's nurses, Virginia, shared 4 songs a capella she used to sing for Bruce at his bedside, including his favorite, In the Garden. Wow! What an amazing voice. After the funeral, guests enjoyed a luncheon and continued sharing stories for about 2 hours.

Bruce was laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery. The Air Force honored Bruce's service in Vietnam by providing an Honor Guard detail for the burial service. Shelly was presented with the flag at a touching and beautiful ceremony.

Shelly did very well. She wants to thank everyone for their time, cards, flowers and most especially their prayers.

Funeral Details

Bruce's funeral and visitation will be at:

Stroo Funeral Home

1095 68th St. SE

Grand Rapids, MI 49508

616-455-9280

View Larger Map

Thursday September 3

Visitation 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Visitation 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Friday September 4

Visitation 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Visitation 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Saturday September 5

Funeral 10:30 am

Luncheon Immediately Following

Burial Service 2:00 pm at

Resurrection Cemetery

4100 Clyde Park Ave.

Wyoming, MI 49509

Click for Map

God Took Bruce by the Hand Today

Bruce Andrew Steegstra

1946-2009

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful

and endures through every circumstance.

1 Cor. 13:7

Today, September 2, 2009 at 6:00 am, God called Honey's name and he answered. Bruce fought to hang on and tried to survive with all his might. His love for me was obvious - he tried so hard to extend our journey.

Rest now my love. You have shown great strength and love for the Lord, your friends, your family and me. Now rest in his peace until our journey picks up once again.

Here is a poem I wrote and shared with Bruce recently:

My Honey, My Love

I love you enough to let you go,

But before I say goodbye let me

tell you how I love you so.

You held my hand as we walked,

And you wrapped your arms around me until we became one.

That is the safest place in my world.

You brushed my hair from my eyes

as you pronounced your forever love for me.

You gave me value as you restored me.

We joked and kidded around from sunrise to sunset

Often realizing we were the only ones still awake.
You leave joy in my heart.

We heard each other snort because we couldn't hold back the laughter any more.

And we took turns drying each other's eyes as the tears flooded from our hearts.
I will never forget your touch.

I ran from the car stroking the casino slots hoping for the big win before you could park the car.
But you are greater than any Grand Prize.
You made my life rich.

As I limped for years trying to find recovery with these knees,
You escorted me to any sale, bargain or craft item rejoicing with me when the hunt was a success
You were my strength when I was weak.

We traveled many roads, hand in hand, seeing God's country.
We applauded God viewing his scenery, storms, waters, and lands with praise and worship -
The three of us intertwined together making the perfect marriage.

I won't allow this final chapter
to cloud our journey, memories and love toward one another.
The refining fire of life has purified us, my love.

God has blessed us through this journey - hasn't he, Honey.
He restored our minds and speech when everything else was broken.
Through his love and grace we shared our hearts, memories and goodbyes.

As my lips give you that last kiss and our hands leave that last touch,
I close my eyes and feel and hear your heart beat in my hand
and will always remember how you said it will beat with love for me from afar.

Now as I . . . . . . . . . . . . .love you
enough to let you . . . . . . . . go , know this :
You will always be my husband, my best friend,
and great lover. We have survived many storms of life
together throughout these 11 years. Hand in hand,
heart to heart, through the happy times and tears.
No matter where life leads us my dearest
Bruce, know it's true, I will spend a
lifetime of tomorrows loving
you. Sweet dreams my
love until we meet
again with all
my love
Dear,
Your
Shelly Rose

Thank you my dear, dear friends, family and prayer warriors for all your support. We will post funeral information here this afternoon.

Love,

Shelly