The last 10 days have been important ones for Sherrie. With the good news received on the 2nd of October, we are heading to another visit with Infectious Disease doctors on Tuesday. If we have confirmatory results, we will head to a surgery date on the 23rd of this month. Our prayers have been focused on her body being strong and healthy so there would be no effect on vital organs as she continued on the regimen of antibiotics. Our prayers have once again been answered and we are closer to the surgery we thought would be completed almost 4 weeks ago.
It is difficult having Sherrie at RIC Chicago as an inpatient, but we feel very blessed with the therapy she is receiving. She has been more alert and responsive and will most likely stay at RIC until her surgery date. Each day we focus on things like getting dressed, brushing teeth, developing swallowing reflex, communication and walking. All can be very exhausting, but she is making good progress. She will begin as early as 7:30a and can finish her last session at 4p. By the time the day is finished she is a very tired girl. I continue to be amazed at her courage and drive.
I continue to see her ability to communicate increase each day. She is very good at responding to a question or command and this week I have heard her try to engage in conversation. Sometimes I know what she is saying and other times I just have to apologize telling her I don't understand. I know she is trying.
The other day I told her I felt blessed to be married to her for time and eternity. I asked her if she knew how long eternity was and was very pleased to hear her say "forever". I hope she said it as a blessing and not a burden! I had meetings all day Monday and did not make it down to RIC. When I came Tuesday, I said hello. She turned her head and in a pretty discernible way said, "where have you been?". During a PT session, she was working very hard and wanted to stop. She turned to me and said, "help me please". I just wanted to cry.
We are approaching five months since this journey began. We continue to be grateful for many blessings sent our way. We know who is in charge and remain thankful my sweetheart is known by her Father In Heaven.
President Labrum,
ReplyDeleteYou are "helping" Sherrie with your constant encouragement, support and love. We all know that you are doing everything humanly possible to "help" her. . .and so does she. It sounds like she is having very long days, which would frustrate anyone and cause them to cry out "help me please"!
You and your entire family have been such wonderful examples of strength for everyone that knows and loves Sherrie. Your messages on this blog "help" all of us, because we miss seeing Sherrie's beautiful, smiling face.
This has been a long, hard journey. Please know that all of us are on this journey with you constantly asking the Lord to continue sending your family blessings. Give Sherrie a hug for all of us! Not a day passes that we do not think about her.
Love,
Delray and Kent Palmer
So glad to hear that Sherrie is tolerating the antibiotics well. We will fine tune our prayers and focus in on the surgery date this month. Hours and hours of therapy each day are no doubt exhausting but how great that she is able to be at ric & not battling motion sickness every time she has to be driven to therapy! Our prayers continue to flow very freely in the direction of your family:)
ReplyDeleteAlthough we are now miles away, our hearts are with you and we think of and pray for you. May the Lord continue to give both you and Sherrie and your family strength - this is a huge battle, but one that you are standing strong in together! Thank you for your example to us. All our Love, Kent and JoLyn
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