Day 83, Saturday Nov 14

Day 83, Saturday Nov 14

Today's update will be brief. The morning routine went well and Annette spent most of the day at the hospital. Overall it's been a pretty good week. Much better than the previous three, according to Jeff. 

A frustration we have for this week is that no one has mentioned anything about the CT results. No doctors have come to talk about it or anything. No news is good news? We certainly hope so. 

Jeff worked hard in therapy today. They did car transfers, balance activities, and strength training. These are all things that are necessary for him to go home. 

Bonnie came and stayed with Jeff while Annette went with Cherie and Blake for a few hours. We are so grateful to her for all of her time and help! 

This week closes with hopes for the coming week to be filled with progress and learning. We are praying that things will remain on track so Jeff will be discharged on the 24th, just in time for Thanksgiving! There's a lot of stress surrounding this date, but also gratitude and excitement. 

The odds have been against Jeff from the beginning it seems. He is paralyzed from the chest (nipple line) down, including the bottom half of his arms. The use of his fingers is very limited, and there has not been any improvement in sensation or movement since the accident. And yet he remains optimistic, faithful, and full of gratitude. 

Annette has stepped way outside her comfort zone to learn how to care for Jeff including toileting, showering, feeding, dressing, transferring, and medicating him. She does it willingly and without complaint. She feels his suffering as her own and has infinite compassion and love toward him. This trial has certainly strengthened their marriage. 

The message they are teaching us through their example is to keep the faith. There is always light, even on the darkest of days. Don't give up. The only way to fail is to stop trying. 

The trial the Lord sends you might knock you down on your butt, but that just means the only way left to go is upward. When you are trying to find a hand to grasp for an extra lift up, try reaching for the love of Jesus Christ. It's there. He feels every pain and every sorrow and He's there for you to lean on. 

This is how Jeff and Annette live each day in this new way of life and still manage to smile. We are so grateful for their strength and example. Even on the bad days they keep pressing forward.