Spring Has Sprong

Happy Easter everyone,
Being that there is a time difference between the Midwest and the west, I feel I still can wish everyone a Happy Easter. I took a transport to Mom's on Saturday where the family gathered and had pizza, cake and the annual egg coloring contest. Thanks Mom, it sure was great to see different 4 walls. I lost, so did Posie, but my 11 year old niece, Lexi, proudly won. Good job Lexi.
I spent Easter with Bruce. I did his nails, trimmed his mustache, gave him a muscle message and went through some photo's of our life together. Bruce thinks it is 2000. So we got some catching up to do. He made me laugh though. As I trimmed his mustache and dusted it off I reminded him of our niece Annie. When she was about 4 she asked Uncle Bruce what was on his face. Well he told her and invited her to touch it. Well as she did, Bruce got a twinkle in his eye and nipped at her finger. As she jumped he burst out laughing and so did she and that little routine was their greeting to each other for years. Bruce smiled as he also remembered it. Then I went back to trimming his mustache. I missed his twinkle in his eye and as I dusted his trimmings from his mustache, he nipped at me, I jumped almost to a standing position and began laughing. Bruce rested in his new found victory. If he could smile, I'm sure it would have reached ear to ear.
I cherish those kind of moments. we're going to make it. I stood over Bruce for the first time and gave him a kiss. Of course he wanted another one. Good times, good times.
We love you all and thank you for all the prayers. Keep them coming as Bruce is going to have another surgery soon. When the new fevers stop he is going to have a colostomy bag put in and a new flap put on his back side for his level 4+ pressure sore. I will keep you posted.
Love
Shelly and Bruce

The Latest Scoop

Well there is never a dull moment. Bruce had a wound team come in and address his bed sore with a Plastic surgeon. They concluded it is at a level 4 wound. The results after another cat scan shows the infection isn't in the bone. Thank you Dear Lord! Bruce does have the early stages of ammonia, c-diff, and a newly found infection. Today an infectious diagnostic team is looking at Honey. He is very weak yet memory and quiet whispers are coming back. His pulse remains around 120-150 and has held a fever of 100-104.5 for almost 4 weeks now. Keep the prayers coming please.
I saw my Dr. this week and my Talus bone in my ankle has died. Not the best news is it. Now we can pray that it strengthens and makes a good filler for the space it takes up. It is a wait and see game for it's strength, arthritis, and mobility. I now begin wait bearing to see. I'm to apply 25 lbs. of pressure for 4 days and if that goes well, I'm to add another 25lbs. every 4th day until I'm at full weight bearing. If my math is right and better then my spelling it will be a while before I'm walking but the journey begins. I'm Letting Go and Letting God.
Pray this prayer with me for (Honey) Bruce and Me Please:

Father, we come to you just as we are, struggling to cope with the trails of life. We're grateful tat you never turn your back on us. You promise to give us the wisdom and strength we need to face each day. Continue to test us until our character shines and brings glory to you. This is all for thee my God give us strength through this journey and may our actions make you proud.
Love Shelly and Bruce

Hi to all,

I got a call on Monday with the news that Bruce is doing better and is getting prepared for a move. He still needs allot of medical attention so we still can't be in the same nursing home. Then, 20 minutes later I got a call and I was informed he began running fevers again so they will keep him for a while longer for more test. Tuesday he ran 104 on and off. Today, Wednesday, I was with him 9:30- 3:00. His fever was 103 and by the time I left it was 100 degrees. Bruce has c-diff, but they also are going to test him this evening. He is going to have a cat scan of his stomach. They want to check for healing from his surgery and make sure there aren't any complications or leaks. He too is being scanned for amonia. He is coughing all the time and has a rattle to his breathing. Pray with me that he keeps his strength to keep his airway clear. I was sadden again by our visit. My Bruce truly is trying yet how much can he struggle and endure before his body gives up from fighting? I do believe in the power of prayer, healing, and faith to watch this journey through. I feel the presence of God with us answering even the littlest things. I've seen God give me the strength when I grow weak, the hope when man announces the limits of this journey and the blessings of renewal through people I know and are meeting. God uses even a stranger at times to give you that sign that He is in control and has it under control. All that is asked of me is to believe that. God knows all and runs the show. I know through His word left for me to read that with God all things are possible and we are not given more then what we can't handle. Here is a warm fuzzy God sent me: I told Bruce he looked alert today and that I'm sorry if my question will make him mad but I told him I was going to ask it anyway and it went something like this: Honey some days you remember things and for a long time you seem to have forgotten our time together. Do you remember me? He answered, "I remember you from day one. I remember your my Shelly Rose and I love you very, very Much and I'm sorry for all the Bull shit I'm putting you through lately. I want to go home, I miss our home and time together." Thank you God! I really needed that moment. I told Bruce none of this is Bull Shit. I cherish our time together, moments like this and the hope of growing through this and returning to our new life together. That's all for now until I know more.
Love,
Bruce's ShellyRose

Still Not Good

Bruce's galbladder was bad. So bad, that what should have been a 45 minutes surgery took 3 hours. So bad, that they are pretty sure he must have had unknown galbladder problems before the accident that got a lot worse in the accident. We're glad its gone! The problem is that all the symptoms Bruce had to make them think he had a galbladder problem haven't changed since the surgery!
He still has fevers ranging between 100 and 103 - all the time - for a week now. They have litterally been packing him in ice at the hospital to try to keep it under control - and they still don't know why it's happenning. His heart rate hasn't dropped below 100 for very long in that same time. In fact, he has spent a lot of this week between 130-180. That would be hard on a young healthy person.
On top of all that, they had to take him off his blood thinners for surgery. Between thickining blood and excessive heart rates, he has gone 4 days in a row of having to stop his dialysis short (sometimes after barely starting). So while he should have had two full "cleanings" by now and he has only had the equivelant of one - but thats not as good as actually having "one."
Those are the internal symptoms. He has a bunch of external ones too. He is in isolation now, but the ones who have seen him have seen a loss of a lot of progress in his "alertness." He's not talking much. The blank stare is often back. He doesn't seem to remember names. At first his arms were irradically moving, but they are back under control. In fact, he tried to kiss Shelly's hand at the last visit!
As optimistic as we all want to be, and will be, we also want you to know the situation: It's serious. Pray hard. It's not over. All this is beatable. But every fight makes the next one harder. He needs prayers - for whatever God's will may be.

Shelly needs your prayers too.

My Dear Family and Friends

Bruce is in need of our support and prayers. Pray for comfort please. Bruce had surgery Sunday which left us hopeful that he would win his fight against his fevers and infections. Due to high potassium count he also had dialysis Sunday evening. Monday he needed dialysis again but his heart rate went dangerously high while having it so they had to stop it immediately. Then he ran 103.5 fever most of Monday.

Bruce isn't very well. He has lost a lot of memory that we can only pray on being restored after these fevers end. He has lost 160 pounds. He still fights to live. Please join me in praying for his comfort and peace during this tremendous journey. I'll take a prayer or two too. My heart is breaking over my honey.

I/We Love you all!!!
Shelly and Bruce

Gallbladder

Bruce is still in the hospital and is still struggling with infection. While the doctors still aren't sure of the cause, the current "best theory" is that it is a problem with his gallbladder. So they plan to remove it tomorrow. Compared to what Bruce has been through in the past 3 months, this is a pretty routine proceedure. But because of what he has been through in the past 3 months, nothing is routine. We all would appreciate your extra prayers for Bruce. They are "squeezing him in" to the normal surgery schedule tomorrow, so we don't have a specific time. Currently we are planning on mid-afternoon. I'll keep you posted. Let's pray together:

• Loving Father, we entrust Bruce to your care. Guide with wisdom and skill the minds and hands of the medical professionals who will minister in your Name, and grant that every cause of illness and infection be removed. Into your hands, we commend the body and soul of Bruce and ask that You restore him to soundness of health in both body and spirit. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Checkin' In

Bruce is doing much better, but is in the hospital for a couple of days for monitoring. His lungs are fine, but his respiration rate is still a little high. He also has a urinary tract infection they want to treat. Thanks for the prayers! Thank you God for the help.

Better News

Bruce's fever worked all the way up to 104, but the hospital has it back down to just over 100 and the immediate danger has passed. They haven't officially identified a cause, but his bed sore is infected.

Please Pray

There is something going on with Bruce. His respiration is up, he has a fever, and Shelly does not like how he looks, so he is going to the hospital for evaluation. Shelly is very concerned. Please pray for them both.

The latest Answer to Prayer

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

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

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