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To make a long story, well, still long... |
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Dear all,
This week's update will be relatively short; one, to compensate for the lengthy epistle of last week, and two, because a week ago Sunday I managed to cut my hand while grabbing for a red water glass which Else found particularly intriguing. A trip to the ER and six stitches later, I am realizing how much one depends upon the lower portion of the thumb. But, again not determined to let darkness win the day, I reminded myself that at least it meant that I got out of Thanksgiving dishes.
So a mixed bag from last week. We started with Karl's EEG and follow-up conversation with his neurologist on Monday. If you remember, Karl vomited in the car en route for the originally scheduled meeting, and so this time we avoided preceding twirly/spinny therapies all together. Karl's EEG has not improved, and may indeed be demonstrating signs for a predisposition for epilepsy, not uncommon after severe head injuries. Apparently, the EEG is like an MRI insofar that it does not predict anything, but rather says what may be happening inside the brain.
However, the neurologist said that she was seeing Karl make "amazing progress" within the last month, and I'll take that. That, she seemed to suggest, is "realer" than the EEG. I think Karl is doing well too, but it is always helpful, and actually necessary, for me to hear it from those who haven't seen him for a while. No one doubts that Karl can recall and do pretty much what he did before (albeit remarkably slower), but rather the test now, she said, is whether he can learn from this point on.
The next day, we had a team meeting with his rehab doctor and his speech, occupational, and physical therapists. They were all pleased. Dr. Julie Johnson agreed that she is terrifically satisfied with Karl's advances. While I said that I am most concerned about his cognitive abilities, she said that she is most concerned with his physical abilities, but sees that he is coming well along there too.
That is my life these days, people. Good news, bad news. It is difficult, sometimes, being a committed Lutheran in life, as one who professes the presence off the "already/not yet," the reality of constant ambiguity. I like 'already' more than 'not yet,' when it comes to God's reign, and my prayer more than any other is "Come Lord Jesus, bring on the already."
But we are seeing glimpses of God's reign in Karl's healing, which, in the past week, particularly when it comes to Karl's physical strength, is noteworthy. Karl was able to stand by himself for about 10-15 seconds, with just tender touches on his side. I should mention that on Tuesday Karl also received botox in his legs, not for the beauty it would bestow, but rather for the flexibility it would stimulate. This added treatment will, hopefully, aid in his ability to stand and walk again. He is able to sit, more or less, by himself with minimal support, which makes him so proud.
Regarding his speech, Karl is now willing to try more than one word at a time. For that matter, he is willing to try any word we throw at him, and we think he is making initiatives to voice his opinions or needs. Did he say "mall," when we asked him where we should go today? He certainly told me that his ball fell in the car the other day, and was able to isolate and order letters of the alphabet using refrigerator magnets. I think he may have been able to read a bit from a book we looked at all the time, a book that we were using to teach him to do just that.
Karl is demonstrating a lower level of frustration these days, a good sign, I remind myself, as I leave the room to save my sanity every now and then when he begins to whine and scream.
He is also willing to engage Else more and more, even if it is in the form of a jealous spat. This has been a great source of joy for me, as Else, who had adored Karl before the accident, has grown accustomed to working around him. Mom and I cried when Else ran to Karl, who was standing on his own with only my gentle support, and embraced him. It was the first time that she had seen him "free" since the accident.
There I saw God's mercy and grace.
God is also seen in the gathering of my family. Mom arrived a week ago Friday (just in time for the thumb-incident), and will stay indefinitely; Dad arrived on Tuesday, to stay at least through Christmas; my sister Else arrived on Wednesday, to be joined by her husband Jon and son Noah on Tuesday. Else and Jon (the duo responsible for the web site, God bless them) will be here until the fifth.
I continue to have prayer requests.
For Karl, that his healing continue, blossom, and that we see Karl back, Karl as God intends him to be.
For Else, that she continue to shower us with her feisty and colorful spirit, her glee, and her ability to motivate Karl, utterly unbeknownst to her.
(Please see November 27 continued)
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