Christopher started the day feeling unwell due to the GI bug, and he has now developed a UTI. Even with all of this going on he did well in speech therapy responding to multiple commands and looking at items the therapist pointed to around his room. This does not sound like much but is huge and something he has not been able to do to this level until today. In OT we had a specialist come to look at his left wrist as it has been swollen and painful, unfortunately she thinks he has a dislocation causing nerve pain that due to the tone in his arm we cannot reduce. We can only hope that when the Baclofen pump is inserted his tone in his left arm will lessen and we can help to relieve his pain. In PT today he was able to walk with the assistance of the zero gravity machine. The machine suspends Christopher in a harness similar to a rock climbing harness from the ceiling that supports some of his weight. Christopher did amazing for his first time and surprised all the therapists and me.
I am
constantly amazed at his strength and drive after all he has been through. He
pushes his poor thin broken and twisted body to do the best he can and he is
such an inspiration to so many people. Our boy is amazing and we love him so
much, it makes my heart ache and I have to ask why him?, he is such a good son;
but maybe God thought because of who he is he knew he had the strength to handle
it. I just wish as his mother I could have the same strength because as I sit
here watching him sleep I feel like my heart is breaking. This is the hardest
thing I have ever had to do and hope no other parent ever has to endure this
pain. He does not deserve this.
As time marches on from the accident I pray for strength for Randy and I to continue to be by his side to help carry him to full recovery. Please keep praying for Christopher daily, we all believe in the power of prayer.
Randy, Debbie and Davis,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your heartfelt and detailed updates. I read them nearly each day and very impressed with Chris’ progress and confident he will heal. But, I do worry about you. Today’s post prompted me to respond.
I do not know the emotions that you are feeling. But, with Ann’s two bouts with cancer, I do know the uncertainty, frustration and full range of emotions of trying to maintain a family, business and give the best care to a loved one.
Through Ann’s ordeal, we were asked many times about how we are changed and how God intervened. Though we both knew that only through His intervention did she survive, we also had no answers… Both being Christians were confused with the notion that ‘Ann gets a second chance on life but we are miserable and our family seems to be falling apart’. Only after many months of counseling and five years from the start can we finally answer the questions from our experience.
1. The power of prayer is limitless but God puts people in our lives to help us heal physically and emotionally. With my bridge consulting work, I have worked with some of the Shepherd family. They have turned a tragic surfing accident, many years ago, to an opportunity to provide so many Georgians a second chance on life. What a blessing to have the Shepherd Center as well as Grady Hospital in our community.
2. The long duration of our ordeal was exhausting and took its toll on nearly all of our relationships as well as us physically. Continuing the thought above, I believe God put two excellent counselors in our life to help us heal. The kids eased back into their activities, Ann healed physically and went back to work but I was angry… very angry. The difficult part was, ‘We got our lives back, at who and why was I angry?’… Several weeks ago, I texted Randy the name and number to a very good family Christian counselor. Their extensive knowledge of the medical/mental aspects of our life’s coupled with the Christian background helped us work through it. We would like to offer to pay for a couple of visits for you, Randy and Davis. If you are interested, please text or call me at 404-664-6383. I hope you can find the time to meet with them or another.
3. In the middle of the ordeal, life can become very short term. I can remember days when thinking about tomorrow or next week seemed like a lifetime away. You will one day again plan and host a movie night or cookout with your friends and family. What a great day that will be.
4. We may never get all the answers but there is comfort in knowing that God is preparing us for great work in the future. Christopher has so much life ahead of him. This experience however, painful in so many ways, is preparing him in a way that no college or other experience can.
We continue to pray for you and your family’s comfort, peace and healing.
Take Care,
Tim Schmitz
Debbie, Randy, Davis, and Chris,
ReplyDeleteWe are sending our loving thoughts to you. We continue to lift you up in prayer and we pray that God will sustain each of you in the dark, hard times. We pray for progress for Chris and we are thankful for his fighting spirit! A favorite passage of mine is Psalms 103. I hope reading it will bring you inspiration and hope.
Much love,
Steve and Gail
No one deserves this and Christopher and your family are constantly in my prayers. I have a son Christopher's age and have constantly thought about what if it had been my child! I don't know you but am uplifted reading your heartfelt posts. Your community is out here supporting with prayer even if it may seem like you are forgotten or that this will never end! We will not stop praying throughout this ordeal. That's all I have to offer but I hope it helps to be reminded that many of us are praying for you. God Bless you!
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