It's All Good

It is so exciting to see my Honey heal do to the power of prayer and by the grace of God. More and more we have conversations that ol' married couples have. It feels so good. I have my best friend back. Thank you Dear Lord. Thank you prayer warriors. I'm hopeful that we are seeing glimpses of lite at the end of this dark tunnel.
Bruce is showing good signs of healing from his last surgery. He still needs blood transfusions often because his count holds at 8 or so and should be at 15.
But, his mind continues to heal. With his progress, and a little function of his kidneys again, his dialysis will be cut back a little. We rest in Gods grace. I wish you could see what I'm witnessing, even the Dr's. are getting second wind. Thank you friends and family for all your support and prayers. Please keep them coming.
Love Ya all,
Bruce and Shelly

Thank you Prayer Warriors

Bruce had surgery Friday to close his 4+ pressure ulcer. It was so deep you could see his spine when you turned him over. Obviously we couldn't allow that to progress. Considering the weakness Bruce was in we were facing yet another hurdle of all the wurst results predicted. God is good and sees us through once again. His surgery was 2 hours instead of the predicted 3-4. It went well and now we're praying that the closure and tissue transfers take hold. Honey is strong and has good vitals but he is really swollen in the face and very tired. He sure wants to live and is giving it his best shot. Please continue praying. We love you all and thank you for your strength when we feel weak. We are at Butterworth through Monday and the hope to return to L-Tech.
Happy Fathers Day to all you Fathers
Love Shelly and Bruce

A Change For Shelly

Hi Friends and Family,
I have made progress and thought you would like an update. I have moved from the nursing home and have made a step up into assistant living. No more charting, threats of an alarm system if you choose to stand without permission and to have a cup of coffee without a protective bib. I'm free again. I live with respect again. I was thankful for the help at my previous place during my time of need but it truly was time to allow my progress to take effect. So much was lost physically, mentally, emotionally and life as Bruce and I knew it, respect was one area that I fought to hang on too. Often I was challenged and or miss understood. Anyhow, I live back in the country again. I'm at Lincoln Square. It is just beautiful here. They have been so kind to me as we get the details of the transfer and Insurance settled. My room is now an apartment. I have more space then furniture and my windows over look the woods and nature. I am so happy with this move. I can cook in my own room or go to the dinning room to be served my meals. Also, if I do get in trouble there are emergency cords in my apartment. This is a good test to see if I can live on my own. Next Monday I go to Mary Free Bed to get tested to see if I can drive again and what equipment I'll need to adapt our car to make this possible. Thank you for all your love, support and prayers. The family did the move for me in one day. This and that was gathered from each others homes to provide me with a home. We truly are blessed.

Bruce is talking more and more. My brother-in-law Mark and I had a 2 1/2 hour meeting discussing Bruce's future and care with Bruce's Dr. and case workers. Please allow me time to rest on this meeting then I will share with you. All that I know is, with God all things are possible. We're not giving up so please don't you either. Keep the faith and the prayers coming. Bruce and I are having some wonderful conversations now and that is progress and answer to our prayers.

We love you all
Bruce and ShellyRose

Our 10th Anniversary

Hi,
We started our day with breakfast and a routine check up. Then Posie and I were off to see Bruce. My sister Wendy took me shopping, out to dinner, at our traditional dinning spot for our anniversary, then up to be with my Bruce. We expressed our love to one another then placed our rings unto each others hand. I feel so blessed to have this moment. Of course we shared some tears. As I handed Bruce some new music to enjoy and flowers, he gave me another smooth line. Reaching for the flowers he said, "They're just beautiful and yet dull compared to your beauty." Take notes men. That's how you can make your woman's heart flutter.

Noticed my beautiful necklace that Marge and Audrey made me with love and sentiment. They used beads from our junkin' days, bead swaps, and different creative stitches. They also inserted beads that spelled, Bruce,Shelly, Love, and Hope. It really is special to me. I Love you guys!

Put your sunglasses on and notice my new wedding ring. Jensen's jeweler made a very painful moment as special as possible. They were kind, considerate, supportive and offered me chocolate as we dried each others tears. The owner even kept the store open to costume make the ring, size it and send it to me. Amy, the sales clerk, brought it to me to the nursing home that same night. Again we shared our lives with each other and 2 hours later we both received some healing just by taking time for one another. God meant us to get this ring there. It symbolizes love, support, hope, faith, blessings and friendship, along with 10 years with the love of my life and best friend. It has a past, present, and future diamond with 5 diamonds along the side that symbolizes our journey together. We had a wonderful 10th Anniversary Day.

Love to All
Bruce and ShellyRose

He's Back!

Tuesday, Bruce and I had a wonderful visit. We talked to each other as if we were sitting pool side. It truley was a blessing. Thankyou for all the prayers. He was having such a great day that he even told a joke. I couldn't believe my ears and began laughing. He tried holding back his laughter so much he snorted. Well, then we both lost it. It sure was a great day.

He has gone 48 hours without fevers, the blood count is up to 10 and the speech is really good now. So, he is moving forward and today, Thursday, he's returning to L tech. The move is scheduled for noon, so I'm going to help settle him in. He will stay there for about 4 weeks then he will advance once again.

Each day is a new day. Some we have been told are fatial and others we set new goals to achieve. That is the world of medicine. I'm so glad God is the same yesterday, today, and tommorrow. I draw peace from His comfort and truth.

God Bless us All,
Bruce and ShellyRose

He's Back!

I just wanted to say Hi!

Bruce's surgery was successful, but it did take 4 days for his body to adapt. He has run fevers for almost 2 weeks straight. His speech is hard to hear at times yet I am thankful it is there. He has good days and lives in the past often. I'm trying everything to bring him peace and comfort as he discovers things over and over for the first time again and again. I love my Bruce and it has been a hard journey but I cherish each moment we get to share. Only God knows the ending to this but the hospital is purdicting 1-2 more months is all Bruce's body can endure this.
Here is a very privite moment I will share with you all because it so reflicts my Bruce. I walked into his room to greet him with a smile, kiss and lots of hugs as usual. Then he said this,"Give me your hand and place it on my Heart." So I did.
He said, "Can you feel my heart beat?...Now feel it as if you can hear it." "OK Honey," I said as I watched his face of seriousness along with a joy that today he had clear speech. "Do you feel that" he asked. "Yes I do....Why?", I asked. "Because it is going to stop soon and when it does, I want you to remeber my heart beat, how it feels and take that with you and remember where ever you go Know I am with you and my heart will always beat for you from afar."
That is my Honey. Love to you all.
Bruce and Shelly

PRAISE AND PRAYERS

Here is the latest update. I walked about 120 feet today. I got into my sisters' buick, then mom,s reviara, my brother's van and my brother's big van (I know it's navy.) I sat and stood from 3 different chairs. Cool. It truly is work but welcomed freedom. Thank you Lord!

Bruce is running fevers so his speech is weak again. While alone, he pulled his dialays port out thinking he was retrieving his glasses from his shirt pocket, now he gets to wear mittens, but we are in MI. He also got 2 more units of blood. Keep your prayers coming please

Love
Bruce and Shelly

Cloud 9 is a place to be, come join us and PRAISE GOD

The last 3 days Bruce has gained full speech back. It has been wonderful to share our journey together. To hear the times of confusion and what Bruce was trying to say to the times and things and places that Bruce wanted understanding on. It truly has been a gift. This is the strongest Bruce has been in this 5 month journey. A real answer to prayer.

Well, Monday morning we had a wonderful morning. Bruce was talking. We set some goals and I told him mine. I want to see out this journey, I want my 10th Anniversary on May 22, I want a wedding ring with a past, present, and future diamond on it because mine was lost at the accident, I want to take him to see MT. Rushmore because he never saw it and we had plans to see it on our return, and we talked about Hawaii for our Anniversary . I took a breath and told him my list was longer so if it's not all about me he better speak up. He said he wanted a 1970 Elcameno red exterior with a black interior. He wants a mountain dew, a beer, breakfast with eggs, potatoes, bacon or maybe to even start with just water. I told him, so see we got so much to do yet and Thank God we are about to watch a healing and then we have goals to achieve. I stood and kissed my honey and off he went.

The Surgery was 4 hours. Dr. Sandman started with the colostomy. When she opened Bruce, she found an infection sack that was unknown prior to the surgery. That alone could have been a source to these infections. It was right by the incision. Do you think that was a coincident? I don't that was the power of prayer. The surgery went well and so because the vitals were still strong, part B of the surgery began. Bruce has a level 4+ pressure wound. She removed all dead tissue,and or infectious tissue along with bone scrapping for samples and testing so the appropriate meds can be applied. Once that was achieved part C of the surgery began. She put a sponge vac packing for healing of Bruces' bottom.

Praise God, all that was planned was achieved and now its time to heal and reach our goals. Thank you all for your prayers, concerns, love, and support. God's blessing has fallen upon us. He will have plastic surgery for closure then we're done. The previous post has a picture of us prior to surgery.
Love
Shelly and Bruce

Amen,Amen we have been blessed again

We are great! I just wanted you all to know and I'll write you all the details as soon as possible. We love you all and thank you so much for all the prayers!
Love
Shelly and Bruce

Pray Warriors We need You!!!!

I'm truly sorry. I really wish I could post just the good news or only the jokes because I too know how heavy this journey is and how it can take a good day and leave you with a heavy heart. But I, as a believer, need all believers to take our petition to our heavenly Father. We are in deep weeds again.

Bruce is loosing the battle with his bed sore. He went to the hospital Wednesday to have yet another cat scan to check if it is in the bone. During the test his blood pressure dropped dangerously low. Realizing he couldn't be re turned to the nursing home in such fragile condition he was moved to the holding area. During his recovery his blood pressure went dangerously high. That put him in the ICU unit. After more test, prayers, New Dr.'s, and new approach of a different hospital, conclusions were made.

This is what I was told Thursday. Bruce is loosing the battle of his bed sore. Without doing anything I was told he might live another 1-2 months with many more fevers and infections or we can give him surgery Monday to put in a colostomy bag and complete wound scrapping that will give him a chance to heal from these ongoing fevers, wounds, and bone infection, BUT a very very high chance of not even making it through the surgery. The risk is so high the Dr. wonders if the hospital will even approve this approach, but it truly is his only shot of living.

I cry my dear family and friends. Our journey will probably end Monday according to the odds. Yet it will end in 1-2 more months of this and allot of pain too. That is the earthly facts.

Pray warriors we have heard of burning bushes, Mountains moved, Red sea divided, the dead raised etc. Those were all examples so that none believers could have the scales removed from their eyes. The good news is we are believers and as God's children He knows our needs and loves us and hears our request. So, I wait to see God's hand in this. I wait to see His plan. It isn't about what we want. It is about being who He needs us to be. Friends I pray with you for comfort, strength and courage and a healing. The surgery is 12:45 MI time and 9:45 AZ time. Please start the prayer chains and church connections starting now and hopefully post a note to let others see the power of prayer and to not have one hour go without lifting my Honey up in prayer. I truly hope to see a 24 hour prayer chain go without a break longer than one hour. This is our discipline as believers to believe, have faith and to pray pacifically. And that is all we can do. Then let go and let God and hand in hand we will share in watching His will being full filled.

I truly have been blessed to know such pain. I've laughed with Bruce, we cried together, we survived our deaths of our two children together, we saw the world together, saw how others didn't understand us yet had great piece in thinking we made perfect sense. We were together 24-7 and know what true love is. I want more time with Honey, yet I cherish what we had. We need you!

Love Bruce and his ShellyRose

Just a Note

Hi 2 all,
Thursday we shared some fun during a mustache trim. It was wonderful and hopeful to shut out everything and share a laugh with each other. Sunday, Bruce stepped backwards a little and we were concerned again. His potassium was 5.5 and shouldn't be over 4 at the most. Therefore he was given 3 bottles of a potassium flush to get his electrolytes back into balance. They think his liquid food feedings had to much fiber in it so they our changing up his diet. He also was running fevers of 100-101.9 so they are doing blood culture's once again. While testing his blood they found his count to be at 7. They like to keep you between 12-15. At the count of 10 they begin giving you units of blood. So during Dialays on Monday , Bruce was given two units of blood for starters. His blood pressure was 95 over 49 and a plaus of 94. He was extremely tired and not feeling well. But it was nice to be with each other for 4 hours. Monday, he had his Dialays, blood units and more anti biotic. He plugged the lines during Dialays so it took longer then usual. Then my sister Val and her husband Mark gave him an evening visit. Val asked him if he knew them and his answer with a smile was, "unfortunately.....yes." Well, Val and Mark burst out laughing and Bruce proudly smiled. He's Back!!!!
Tuesday, I saw him again with mom and his coloring looked good. He looked so relaxed as the cna's shampooed his hair and shaved his face. I stood to kiss him and the ladies clapped for me as they lived this journey with us. Bruce is running 102 fever today so his struggles are still with us. I am beginning to walk again and it is very painful, hard work but when I take the time to invite God into my journey and draw from His strength, it truly is a piece of cake. I'm ahead of schedule on my walking and the distance I am achieving. I insist on walking down the hall and each day I make myself go one room further. Today I walked 50 feet. I'm sure they measured the distant by using one of Bruce's size 14 shoes. Any how, like sands in the hour glass so are the days of our lives. With God all things our possible. So Happy trails to you until we meet again and don't forget to stop and enjoy one of those beautiful sunsets for us. We love and miss you all!
Bruce and ShellyRose