Day 183 to 189, Feb. 29- Mar. 6

Day 183 to 189, Feb. 29- Mar. 6

It was a pretty good week despite the bad news Jeff received about his neck. He's making the best of it and trying to find other ways to stay active besides therapy. 

Monday was spent relaxing. Jeff is still in more pain than we'd like and he tires easily. They called twice to find out the results of the CT scan and no one called back. 

Tuesday they finally got the call. In a nutshell Jeff broke not one, but two bones above the hardware in his neck. The nub you can feel was broken off the back of the C3. It's still attached to the muscle so it's just floating there. The doctor doesn't seem to think surgery to pin it back in place would be worth it so it will just be in limbo from now on. He also cracked the front of the C4. 

This means 5 more weeks in the neck brace and another x-ray after to make sure it's healing properly. As far as therapy goes, none this week and then he can go back with limitations. Nothing that involves the neck, obviously, and nothing that uses the stomach muscles. A frustrating delay. 

Tuesday was also Tylee's first birthday! Annette went with Julee in the morning to choose out Tylee's birthday present and Jeff was left home alone. Before they left he was set up with his laptop, phone, and tv remote. 

Annette mentioned him several times and worried over him being alone even though they were only gone a couple of hours. Her love and dedication to Jeff truly is incredible! She hates to leave him, especially with no one there with him. The "what if's" plague her. 

They brought back lunch to find Jeff had spent over an hour on the phone with his good friend Steve Fredrickson who is out of the country right now in Dubai! He really enjoyed their conversation and was uplifted by it, not quite as down as when they left him earlier. 

The rest of the day was pretty busy. Annette showered Jeff and then did his wound care, a process that seems to take forever. Afterward they went outside and around the neighborhood, Annette walking behind the manual wheelchair. By the evening Jeff was worn out. Cherie, Blake, and Aliyah went to Tylee's little party while Jeff and Annette called it a night early.

Brandi's family wasn't on the mend yet and so they went to the doctor and discovered that Zach has Influenza B and Sierra has an ear infection. We are praying they get well soon and Brandi stays healthy for both her and their baby girl! 

On Wednesday Annette and Jeff went to pick up Annette's new glasses. The first time they got them after they were ordered the distance between the lenses was incorrect and it gave her headaches. We are grateful they are finally right. 

They then went to the shop and Ron cut out the plastic for the bed of the truck. It will be helpful when they start taking the manual wheelchair and ramp places. 

The wheelchair rep, Brian, also came today to fit new wheely bars on the manual wheelchair. While it will be difficult for any of us to ever trust them again, it will be good to know they were fitted, tested, and proven safe. In the afternoon Jeff went on another ride around the neighborhood with Annette.

On Thursday Clifton and Joyce spent time with Jeff and Annette. They made chili and sandwiches. Jeff went around the neighborhood again, soaking up the sun. 

On Friday Peggy came to stay with Jeff while Annette went to work. She brought Jeff Jimmy John's for lunch. We are grateful for the time she sacrifices to be with him when needed!

On Saturday Jeff went to the car show with Ryan, Jaxon, Talon, Zach, and Blake. Jeff pushed himself in the manual wheelchair and said, "I enjoyed it because it was even, smooth concrete and the wheelchair went effortlessly with the power assist. I could go where I wanted and do what I wanted."

Unfortunately the only pictures they took were of cars. Julee was sleeping after a night shift and didn't get the chance to harass them about it. Haha

That night Jeff and Annette went to the adult session of their Stake Conference. We are grateful they had the opportunity and Jeff felt well enough to attend. 

Sunday was a relaxing day. The whole family came in the afternoon and had spaghetti dinner. After 4 days of being wiped out Zach is finally feeling better! After dinner everyone got cozy and watched The Good Dinosaur. 

Joyce and Clifton came to help celebrate Tylee's birthday with the family. Brownies and ice cream were served. 

We are so grateful for all the prayers said on behalf of our dad and family. We feel them working each and every day! 

The delay in Jeff's progress is still frustrating and we wish he hadn't broken bones, but we are grateful he doesn't need surgery again and will get back to therapy next week. The little triumphs are where our focus is right now.