Progress......

Paula is doing GREAT!!!! We saw what we think is the last of her Doctors on June 24th and 25th. We saw Dr. Vendor on the 24th (the Neurosurgeon that told us the night after her accident that "it might take her a year to wake up....or she may never wake up"). When he walked in the room he said "Wow!!!.....Wow, Wow!!!! You look GREAT!!!!......then he turned and looked at Paula......!!!.....no, I'm just kidding....he said that when he saw Paula!!! She is doing wonderful...Praise God!!!!

She's started riding her bicycle again....but we DID buy her a new helment!

June 17. 2009

Suzanne and Ryan Burnes are GREAT friends of ours. Suzanne wanted to do a "Victory" picture of Paula to show what God has done for and thru her.......thanks Suzanne.

Suzanne's website link is on the left.

Great News....

Paula saw neuro-surgeon on the 26th of March, and he said that her brain looked normal, was in the proper position, and showed no signs of a clot or and bleeding. They took her off of all the "brain" medicine, and they will X-ray her leg where she had a clot very soon to see if they can ease her off of blood thinner......

She's still doing great at home.

Homelife......

It's SO great to have Paula at home!!! She's doing REALLY well. I still have to help her wash her back, wash & dry her hair, and some other minor things.......some things that Paula "needs" for me to help her with.......is a "put on"!!!! She could do "some" of those things.....but I think she's "riding" the situation......but that's O.K.......I enjoy pampering her.....

We've been to several Dr's in the last two weeks, and have appointments EVERY day next week.

She's doing well at home, and we're looking forward to her continued improvement.

Update....

Paula will be getting the feeding tube out in the morning. She's on blood thinner, so they had to regulate that before taking the tube out.

She's been doing VERY well at home.......doing chores, starting to do a little cooking. This morning, I went to church at 9:00 to practice the music, when I got home to pick her up, she had dressed completely, put on her make up, fixed her hair.....about the only thing I have to help her with is washing her back.

She has some lapses of memory, but overall its great.

Paula started working on a bible study by Beth Moore on the book of Ester that our ladies are doing this month.....she's enjoyed that.

God is good!

Joy....

We are OVER joyed for Paula to be at home for good!!!! God has richly blessed us with her speedy recovery.

On the evening of 12/17, Dr. Vendor told us that it may take Paula a year to wake up, or she may never wake up.....

Being at home is a MUCH, MUCH better atmosphere for Paula. She remembers where almost everything is.....or according to her, where they SHOULD be (I've tried to do a lot of "de-cluttering"), so Paula has scolded me a few times because things weren't where they were "suppose" to be.

She's giving herself shots twice a day, she fixed me grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch yesterday, she and I are fixing roast for Leigh, Chuck, Catherine Drew, and Judson to eat with us today after church, she's bathing herself, getting around VERY well......she's just doing GREAT!!!

I've only been to church twice since her accident, and today, we both will be going.

Paula will need to build up her endurance, her overall memory, and she REALLY needs to strengthen her hands.....she still doesn't have feeling in two of her right hand fingers......we will be working on all of those things at home and when she goes to therapy.

Rose.......

My cousin sent this to me today, and it was timely to say the least. It said to send it to 7 people, so I thought it was VERY approriate......and I wanted to share it with you.........


The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know.

I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with as mile that lit up her entire being. She said, 'Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can Igive you a hug?' I laughed and enthusiastically responded, 'Of course you may!' and she gave me a giant squeeze.

'Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?' I asked..She jokingly replied, 'I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids...''No seriously,' I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to betaking on this challenge at her age. 'I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one! 'she told me. After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake. We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this' time machine' as she shared her wisdom and experience with me. Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up...

At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her note cards on the floor. Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, 'I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know.' As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, ' We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing.

There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it! There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight.

Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets. The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets.' She concluded her speech by courageously singing 'The Rose.' She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives. At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago. One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.

Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be. These words have been passed along in loving memory of ROSE.

• REMEMBER, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY. GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL.
• We make a Living by what we get. We make a Life by what we give.
• God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
• If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Pass this message to 7 people except you and me. You will receive a miracle tomorrow ( if you don't think so...look out your window when you waken the morning and think about it )

If you choose not, then you refuse to bless someone else.'Good friends are like stars.........You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.'

Thanks for ALL of your prayers and support for the last 72 days.....God is GREAT!!!.....He does miracles........and my......MIRACLE.......IS coming home tomorrow!!!!!

PT.....

April W. posted a comment on the 25th.....April was Paula's young, beautiful, and VERY competent Physcial Therapist........it was almost worth the trip to the hospital to see April!!!! Really, April was very, very nice to Paula and me, and she did a fantastic job.

And April, Paula calls her cats "catalinas" like the old Pontiac Catalina (I know that car was before your time!)

Paula IS NOT a happy camper at Walton West.....the other patients at West that I saw aren't capable at this time to "help" with supper, cleaning, and other household chores. Paula said they had instant gravey and instant potatoes, and chicken for supper. She tried to help them "cook" these items, help serve, and help clean up......and the attendent told her "No, that's alright, I'll get that........."

Moved.....

We moved Paula today to Walton West. From Lincolnton, you go to Augusta on Washington Rd, go past I-20, turn left on the 2nd street, Bertram Rd (there is no road sign, it is just past Red Lobster and next to Wachovia), go to Center West Pkwy and you'll see Walton West). But Walton West is not condusive to visits because of the schedule.

From what I saw today, Paula is as close to normal more so than ANY of the other patients. And when she tried to help in the kitchen.....they wouldn't let her. I'm not really impressed with Walton West's ability to help people that are as advanced as Paula.

Tommorow, I will be in contact with the administrators/nurses at Walton West....and sorry to say....the insurance company......but Paula WILL learn and/or rehabilitate faster here at home than she will there......Paula IS doing GREAT.....and I think she is more advanced than their "plan" for her, so I'll probably bring her home on Friday.

Don't mistake this as a criticism of Walton West....it is NOT.....I just feel that Paula IS.....more advanced.....and we and the ladies of our church....and this community can help Paula more than they. At home....she can do meaningful things that REALLY mean something to her.

Again, I've made some changes to the blog, so if you haven't been able to post.....please try again. I know your comments will mean so much to Paula....and also, myself!

The days are numbered......

Paula is improving every day......even though she doesn't remember many things....she's remembering more everyday, and talking about past things that we haven't talked about in a long time.

She will be moving to Walton West, 2501 Center West Pky, in Augusta. From Washington Rd, go just past outback, turn onto Berkman, then Center West.It'son the same side of the road as Outback. I don't know what visitation will be, but I will let you know. There are several ways to get there, but the best way that I see from Lincolnton, would be to get on Riverwatch Pkwy toward Augusta, go past I-20, turn right on Alexander Drive, turn right on Washington Rd, turn right on Bertram Rd, left on Center West Pkwy. We don't know what the weekend will be like, so it would be better to check with us before you come to visit.

Walton West is a residential setting for patients. They concentrate on things that a person would normally do at home......cleaning, cooking, taking care of yourself. I REALLY don't think Paula will be there long......the days are numbered when she will be at home.......Thank God!!!!

Comments.....

Many seemed to have had problems posting a comment to the blog, so I adjusted the settings. Hopefully this will make it easier to comment

Doctor....

Paula had a good day yesterday. Her memory is great sometimes, then at other times it's not. It does seem to be improving overall.

Last Friday I was cleaning out one of the kitchen cabinets and found two large bags of M & M's, Kisses, and.....two bags of Ghirardelli chocolate squares that Paula had "hidden" away. So, thinking that we were going to have company on Saturday, I put the candy on the table so our guest could have some.......after seeing Chuck get one of the Ghirardelli chocolate squares and say how good it was......Paula promptly put those two bags back in the cabinet......back in HER hiding place. Paula is a VERY loving and caring woman......except when it comes to HER Cheezits and HER chocolate squares.......well.....I guess all of us have our "sacred cows!" But she did remember quickly....that those were her's, and also where she had hidden them. On the other hand, she has trouble remembering how to work the TV's in her room, play a DVD on the laptop, and how to play a DVD/CD on the portable DVD player.

I'll be talking to the Dr. today about Paula's eyesite again, her blood thinner, her feeding tube, and near term plans for coming home and/or further rehabilitation. They've mentioned sending her to "Walton West," which is kind of like a halfway house between Walton Rehabilitation Hospital and going home. The only thing that they've told me that they could do with Paula at Walton West is "teach" her how to make out a grocery list and go grocery shopping. Paula is well past that stage of rehabilitation, so if things like that is all they will do, she'll be better off at home. I'm sure I'm probably over simplifying the things that they do at Walton West.....we'll see.

Bored stiff......

First, let me tell you that this is NOT about Lanis's sermons (Ha! Ha!)......no,.... miraculous things are happening at our church, the Spirit of God is REALLY moving, and that He is now moving is really a misnomer, He's been moving ALL along....we're just NOW.....accepting HIS power....Praise God!

Paula has been REALLY....bored for the last week. That's great, but it presents other.....good....problems for the family that we have to deal with....but that's O.K.!

Having Paula at home yesterday was GREAT!!!!! Even so, it was a very stressful day for me......I haven't slept well for appx 2 weeks, and Friday night, I got into bed at around 10:30, worke up at 4:00 A.M., I finally got out of bed at 6:00. It was again around 10:30 before I got back into bed, so physcially it was a tough day. It's been a long....69 days. But again....that's O.K......God IS healing Paula.

Paula has very little feeling in the first two fingers of her right hand.....she can move them....but she has little feeling. Also, her vision is not what it was before the accident. I've ask the Dr to get someone to check this out.

I told Paula tonight to concentrate on her walking this coming week. She gets up, and immediately starts walking, then has trouble stopping. I told her to stand up, stop and gain complete balance, then start walking. She said she would practice this.

I don't feel that it's going to be long before she comes home!!!!

Home sweet home.....

Paula came home yesterday and REALLY enjoyed being there. The only "problem" that she had was stumping her toe one time on her cat scratching pole. She enjoyed one of her cats, Smarty, but Marigold had left in the morning, and did not show up until last night.

We had a lot of company and Paula enjoyed seeing everyone.....thanks!

I don't know when Paula will get home, but it's not going to be long.

Thank God for her healing, and thank you for your continued support.

Home at last!!!!

Paula is really doing great.....she will come home for a visit tomorrow, and she is REALLY happy about that.......I may need to call on several strong men when I try to take her back though!!!

Please feel free to visit....I'm sorry that I do have to ask you to make it between 1-3:00 PM.

Plans....

Paula called me at 6:00 this morning....and several times since....she told me that she wanted me to start arrainging things so that I could come get her this evening and carry her home and she could come back in the morning to eat breakfast......I told her that she could come home for a few hours on Saturday......I told Alvin that I may need his help when I get ready on Sat to bring her back to the hospital.....maybe some more people also, to get her in the van!!!

I hope that will not be a problem, but Paula IS....ready to come home for good.....she's bored stiff at the hospital....which really shows her mental state is well enough to realize what her situation is.

On her first 3 fingers of her right hand, Paula says she has no feeling, although she CAN write. Also, she shows that she's having some problems with her left eye....but she is reading some things.

Leigh is with her this afternoon, and I'll be going down this evening

Good days.......

I went to MCG the last week for some insurance matters...and told some of Paula's nurses about her progress....and I saw Dr. David Wang (a great guy!). Dr. Wang operated on Paula's head/brain when she was admitted, and continued to see her. He said that he knew we were having some good days, then backed up some, then good days. I told him, "NO......everyday has been a good day....nothing but progress!!!!" He was glad to hear it and wished us well.

Since Friday, I've seen Paula do, and say so many things that indicated rapid progress......she's talked in detail about things that have happened over the last year....that we haven't even discussed prior to her making statements about it.

Her coordination is improving daily.....although it still needs to improve....but today was even SO much better than last Friday.

Paula ate a great breakfast and lunch......and only a few bites for supper. But they will take her feeding tube out as soon as the Dr. can schedule it.

She's been pleading for me to take her home. I went down there yesterday, and to calm her, I spent the night, got home at 9:30 this morning. By 12:00 she had called me 4 times wanting to know when I was going to get there. I got back down there at 3 and stayed 'till around 6. I don't know what I will need to do tomorrow, but keep me in your prayers for strength......and also, my partner, Alvin, as he handles most all of our business. I am trying to help as I can.

Paula will get one of her most immediate wishes......she will come home for a visit on Sat. This will be part of her therapy, I don't know how long she will stay, or if we will have time for visists. I'll have to look at the situation when I find out the times, and determine if visists are appropriate.......

All of you have been such a great support to us during this time, and we appreciate it SO much....I and Paula would REALLY like for you all to come visit......but we will have to look at the fact.....Are visits at this time really what Paula needs.

As I find out more info, I'll keep you informed.

Paula....the comedian!

Paula's laughter normally matches her "glow!" When Paula laughs, she LAUGHS!!!!

So far, she's only called me once today......insisting that I come get her and take her home......I told her no....we can't bring you home now, you've got to get better. She said I will go CRAZY if I have to spend another night here....PLEASE! Take me home! I told her I would be there after lunch, and I would spend the night with her......she said, "Do you promise?".......

Yesterday, she called me 4 times before noon....the last time, she called me, she wanted me to bring:

• some loose fitting pants
• some tops
• a jacket
• a clock.....I said why do you need another clock....there's one on the wall. She said she couldn't see that one at night (which is true, it is not a lighted clock), and she needed to know her schedule and what time they were doing therapy. I said where are you going to put the clock......she said on my pillow behind my head......I said do you have eyes in the back of your head....she said YES!
• and.....a pair of scissors.....I said scissors???? Why do you need scissors? She said to get me OUT of this place!!!!! (she was referring to cutting herself out of the net surround that they've got around her bed)

She told me that she passed her "swallow" test, so she'll be going on a regular diet.

If there is any other substantial news, I'll post again this evening.

Thanks again for your emotional, physical, and financial support....but especially for your prayers.

Healed......

Paula had a good day today.....but she has REALLY gotten fixated on coming home. They will do another swallow test on Paula, and the Speech Therapist said she felt sure Paula would pass it and be able to go on a normal diet. The "thickened" liquids that they're giving her are NOT quenching her thirst. They will also take out her feeding tube VERY soon. Also, they may let Paula come home for a 6-8 Hr visit in the near future......and I think this will be good for her rehabilitation. She told me yesterday that she didn't remember her cats or our house, so I took pictures this AM, printed them out and showed her this afternoon....and she DID remember our house.

The Physical Therapist today was amazed at the difference in Paula since last Friday.....she told Paula, "You have improved SO much since Friday.....what happened over the weekend to make this BIG difference?" Paula replied, "I was healed."!!!!!!!!

God IS good!!!!

Experiment.....

Paula had another good day.....she has been a lot more coherent the last two days than before......but as she told me, "I've got a lot to catch up on." And she does despite the progress of the last 4 weeks.

Every day when I get there, she says "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" When I leave, she says, "Please don't leave!" When I tell her that I'm going to feed the "catilinas"....she's O.K. until I start to put the net enclosure around her....then she says, "No, NO!!!, please don't....." Tonight, I talked to Paula about why it was SO important that she not get out of bed by herself (although she is doing GREAT!) She promised if I didn't put the net up, she would not get out of bed and would push the red button to call a nurse. I talked to the nurse and he said it would be O.K., so we experimented with having only once side of the net up. I ask the nurse to watch her closely. I'd been home about 5 minutes, when Paula called, and ask me to call her at the hospital.....I said, "Paula, I'm talking to you now...." I heard the nurse in the background, and Paula said, "Let me let you talk to the nurse." The nurse said she had gotten out of bed twice, and that when he went to put her in the bed, with the net closed.....she really got upset and VERY loud and insisted on calling me. I told him that was the only choice we had.....so I'm sure I'm on her "No good" list again......oh well!!!!!

Paula pushed ME around the hospital appx 4 times today in the wheelchair and used the stationary bike in between. Big John, the nurse, laughed as he saw us coming down the hall. He said a week ago, he walked Paula around the hospital, and he had to rest her 5-6 times!!!

She ate better today than she ever has.....I believe they will put her on regular liquids and diet tomorrow or Tuesday.

Happy Valentines Day, and may God richly bless you.

"Hey!......Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey!!!!".....the comedian

Paula's improving everyday. We've realized that when Paula wants to say something, and can't remember the word she wants to use, she inserts the word "Glucose," or "CBC" (complete blood count), and other words that she used as a Med Tech.



She started eating better yesterday, and ate all of her breakfast this morning.



Yesterday morning, she told me that I would have to fill her in on things, that she knew she had a lot of catching up to do and I would have to help her......which, this was GREAT for her to realize this.



She wanted to talk to Terry and Joy (Terry is one of our pastors), from what I could hear, she carried on a very meaningful conversation about the church, chior, her flute......she told Terry she was anxious to get back and see everyone.....she told him and they would have to help her and show her what to do.



Terry, Joy, Lanis, and Terry were so impressed by their conversation, that they came down yesterday afternoon to see Paula in person.



Amy and Vilas came Friday, and we were sitting here talking with Paula, and Paula said last night was "strange." She said she needed a "number" to get out of her net cage that is around the bed.....and when the nurses would go by she would holler at them "Hey!.....Hey!.......Hey, Hey, Hey!!!!" She said they came in and pointed their finger at her and told her that she needed to go to sleep, that she was the ONLY one in the whole hospital that was awake.....Paula said she just needed a number to get out of bed! When Paula told us about the "Hey, Hey, Hey," she laughed and laughed. We talked about it several times yesterday, and all of us would laugh, but especially Paula.



Paula talked constantly yesterday, and she looked like she wanted to go to sleep, but kept talking.....I told her if she was going to sleep, she would have to keep quiet......she said we'd have to put some tape over her mouth, and then she laughed!

We talked and laughed about the "Hey" and "tape" many times yesterday....Paula was SO funny!

Paula wrote appx. a 1/2 page apology to the night nurses saying "I am sorry that I got so upset to "Name"...." I couldn't ready much of the remainder except for occasional words.....so last night, Paula wanted to go to the nurses station and give them that apology. The nurses just "gushed" over how sweet that was of Paula.

No good.......

Eddie and Lily T. came to see Paula yesterday, and Paula was really glad to see them. Marty Sliker came in to stay with Paula a while yesterday around 5:00. As soon as Marty walked thru the door, Paula said, "Marty!!!!!....I'm so glad to see you!" She got up and hugged Andy and Beth as they got ready to leave today. Then as soon as Amy and Vilas walked thru the door, Paula got out of bed, and hugged both of them and told them how glad she was to see them. So she is definetely recognizing and remembering people.

She had another good day today, except for eating.....she's just not eating much, so they're still having to feed her thru the feeding tubes. The Physical Therapist said she did really well. I've seen such a great improvement in Paula's coordination over the last 4-5 days!

At supper, she was so interested in talking about Glucose to Amy and Vilas, that they had to leave the room so as not to "distract" her, but after they left, she refused to eat anything. They came back in the room, and I promised her a "special" Pepsi if she would eat her supper. She didn't touch her meat, noodles, or peaches......she only ate her ice cream, then declared she was thru so I could bring her her Pepsi. Well....a stong disagreement ensued.....she said, "You promised, you promised, you promised!".....she then got in bed and turned her back to us. I covered her up.....then, in a few minutes, she said, "You promised....you're NO good!!!!"

While "eating" her supper, I left the room to wash some of her clothes.....Vilas and Amy said as I walked out the door, Paula followed me with her eyes and at the same time was putting her spoon full of food back on her plate.....all the while, giving me a "dirty" look, then she said something to the effect of "are we going to have to go thru this every night?????"

I lost my patience with Paula when she refused to eat.....I had to ask God for forgiveness....because He has given her TREMENDOUS progress in the last 4 weeks!!!! I just need to be patient, because she IS doing great.......

I've been told that brain injury patients "won't remember any of this....." Well, I hope so.....because I.....MAY be "NO GOOD"......but I certainly don't want Paula to remember that!!!!

Improvements.....

Paula had a good day. She ate a good breakfast and a good supper, hardly anything at lunch. All her liquids have to be thickened because of her slow swallowing.....she had improved on that so I hope next week she can start drinking regular liquids.......she was REALLY thirsty today, and I feel that the "thickened" liquids don't satisfy her thirst like regular liquids would.



She walked up 16 steps pretty easily today, even though she was very tired. She threw a ball back and forth to another patient, and she and I bounced a ball back and forth. Her coordination has really improved over the last week.

Paula is doing great in most respects.....her short term attention span is lacking, even though she can read pretty good, tell me what time it is after looking at a clock. But, she's had SO much improvement over the last 4 weeks. She's very active now, wanting to walk a lot....but it's REALLY keeping me busy......4 weeks ago, I could take a nap every now an then....but NO more!

They did another analysis of Paula yesterday, and said "when" she left Walton, she would need 24/7 supervision plus some more rehabilitation. Walton has another place, but it doesn't seem suited to Paula's needs. The other place is Restore in Roswell.......but she also said it would depend somewhat on the insurance company.

Paula's eating is improving....but needs more improvement to get her feeding tube out. And although she can follow a LOT of commands/request, she is not carrying on a meaningful conversation......but I am SO happy and thankful for her improvement!

Home.....

Paula did great today and yesterday. The PT said Paula walked up 12 steps and out of the blue, Paula told her that she had an accident on her bike and hurt her head.

Yesterday and today when I got there, Paula said "I SO needed you to come.....thank you, thank you!" They've got a net enclosure around Paula's bed so that she won't fall out of bed at night, and won't wander around the hospital by herself and she HATES it. She really pressed me today to go home. To try to satisfy her, I brought in the suitcase and let her packed it....when she got thru...she said "O.K. lets go....." "Why can't I go home?" I said "you've got to eat, get the feeding tube out, and go to the bathroom by yourself." She said "if you get me home I promise you I will eat.....let's go!"

She read a small business card and clearly wrote both of our names......she's doing GREAT! Thank God!

Med Tech at heart.....

Paula is a Med Tech.....so over the last week....she's been focused on glucose......she's been calling out numbers, and said several times that she didn't understand why the glucose levels were not going down......today she also mentioned CBC.....I ask the nurse what that meant and she said that is a Lab test.

Later, Paula was again saying 187 Glucose.....I ask her, "What about the CBC?" She said it was good, so I ask her what does CBC mean? Immediately she said "Complete Blood Count." So even though she's focused right now on her Med Tech experience and not the immediate things around her....her mind is as sharp as a tack!

She walked appx 300 ft. today with minimal assistance, the PT said she did GREAT! She ate appx 20% of her breakfast, nothing for lunch, and appx 10% of supper. The nurse said yesterday that her taste buds just need to "wake up."

Leigh got Paula a "scripture box" that has small cards with a scripture on each side. The PT also told me that on Friday, she picked up the box and read some to Paula.....she asked Paula where the verses came from in the Bible, and on one from Psalms, Paula told her the book, chapter, and verse!

I walked in yesterday and put my Auburn hat on the bed.....Paula was sitting appx 2' away. After talking with her a while, I went out to talk to a nurse, and when I came back in, Paula had put on the Auburn hat, with the bill cocked about 3/4 toward the back.....I almost fell over backward laughing.....I went out again, and when I came back, she had it on straight, with the bill toward the front!

She seems to be improving every day....praise God!

We accept it!

Paula had a good day today....she was busy all day today working with her "customers" about their glucose levels!!!!



She ate very little....the nurse said it sometimes takes a while to get the taste buds working again.



They gave her a shower and washed her hair, and they put on some Valentine pajamas that I got for her.



She went to the bathroom twice by herself, cleaned herself, then pulled her pants back up. After the first time, she said she needed to wash her hands. Leigh has made posters of scripture and put them up all over the room....and on the mirror in front of Paula was Psalms 30:5. I ask Paula to read it and she read appx 1/2 of it, I helped her with the rest. She then went back to the bathroom and turned the light off.

After the second time, when she was coming out of the bathroom....she said, "I love you Jesus!"

Sometime this afternoon, she told me she loved me and thanked me for taking care of her. I got her up and took her to some more scripture, and she read a lot of it herself, and I helped her with the rest.

When I got ready to leave this evening, I said, "Paula, I've got to go home....sweet dreams tonight, I love you." She said, "I love you too....a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck!" I said, "Paula, before I go, I want to pray for you...." Paula was quiet for the first time today....as I said....she had been working with her "customers" about their glucose problems, but when I told her I was going to pray for her.....she became silent.....I was praying, thanking God for his healing of Paula.....Paula spoke up and said, "We accept it....we accept that healing."


So, as far as I'm concerned......Paula's healing IS.....COMPLETE.....IT....IS......FINISHED!!!!! Now, the only task we have right now is to wait at the station for that train (healing) to get here!!!

I told some on Christmas day, that God had put a present under our tree (Paula's healing).....but he hasn't let us open it yet.....I don't think it's going to be very long before He let's us open that present!!!

Show off......

Paula REALLY showed off this morning!!!!

• She got dressed with minimal help



• While standing, she folded numerous towels and wash rags......she would shake them first, then fold them.....the folding was a "little" off, but it was great. She reached down several times, picked up her cup, drank some water, then put the cup back down to continue folding



• Using 4 different colored cones, she place the ones that the therapist ask her to on top of another



• The therapist held up a picture of a cat and dog, the therapist pointed to each and ask Paula what it was, and she told her

Paula got really tired, so I brought her back to the room, and told her to stand up so we could get her in the bed....she said "No."

I said, "Why not."

She said, "Because I don't want to."

I said, "OK"

After about 5 minutes, she quickly stood up, walked about 4 steps to the bed, and got in. That was appx 11:30, she didn't go to sleep and they came at 12 to get her up to go to the dining room, the nurse said she ate appx 25% of her meal. Then they came to get Paula to do some more therapy.....and Paula was tired and was not interested in more therapy......she was thinking about her lab work as a Med Tech.....she kept saying "Glucose 187, get me some glucose.....please, I'm desperate....glucose 187.....PH level....." So we brought her back to the room where she was resting, but not sleeping.

Marty and Gene Sliker came and Marty started talking to her about Upward this morning and mentioned the the Jenkins twins....Dalton.....(Marty could not remember the name of the other one, so she ask Paula) Paula said "Ethan." Marty then talked to Paula about all the kids in the nursery, and Paula was saying all their names.

This afternoon, Paula sat up in the bed close to the night stand, she reached over and got her brush, adjusted in her hand, and then started brushing her hair.

Just a minute ago, Paula reached over and made several adjustments to her bed by pushing various buttons, when she was satisfied, she layed down.

At one point, she ask me what was happening at MCG and were they going to do surgery.

God has given us another great day.

Our "M.A.P.S." team left for Peru this evening. They will be building a church. Please pray for their safety and their success.

Some more progress.....

Paula had a busy day of therapy from appx 1:30-3:45. When I got there around 4:30, she was sleeping....she woke up a little later, then had supper. They couldn't get her to open her mouth for lunch....and they are still feeding her thru her feeding tube.

At supper, her chewing, swallowing, and drinking were all good. She ate a bite or two or sweet potato pie yesterday, but tonight she actually chewed her food.

The kisses that I'm getting now are actually "puckering" kisses.....prior, she would place her lips to mine...but not pucker.

Paula calls her cats, Smarty Jones and Marigold, her "catalinas,".....when I told her tonight that her "catalinas" missed her very much.....she got the biggest/widest grin you can imagine.

I told her that I missed her and wanted her to come home......and I really think it's going to be soon!

Praise God from whom ALL....blessing flow!

Good day.....

Paula had another good day. They did a swallowing test on her, and she did very good. They fed her some sweet potato pie at lunch, and were going to feed her a meal tonight (Marty Sliker stayed with her this evening, so I don't know yet how that went).

Paula walked 90 ft. today, 30 ft. with the walker, and 60 ft. without the walker.....she actually did better without the walker.

Lanis and Terry (B) came in and talked to Paula, they then said they would like to pray for her......she immediately got on her hands and knees in the bed, and put her head on the bed. I told them that was the first time she'd done that, and they both said it looked like Paula was praying......and that's probably right, because after they finished, she laid back down.

She didn't talk much today, but she did talk some....to the nurse, to me.....I laid my head on the bed next to her arm, and she reached over and put her hand on my neck and patted it.....

A good day!

Ummm.......

Thru all of this.....I've failed to mention a VERY, VERY, VERY important part of my support.......my friend, my brother in Christ,.......my partner......Alvin Scott. I know a lot of fine Christian men.......a lot may equal Alvin....but I don't know ANY that surpass him.......I've been able to carry on BECAUSE...... of Alvin.....from the bottom of my heart....Thanks Alvin!

Paula had a good day today. She said hello to the speech therapist, she ate some apple sauce, all the therapist seemed pleased at Paula's state. She pulled her cath tube out last night, and they decided not to put it back in and work with Paula's bathroom habits as part of the therapy.

They closed the curtain tonight to do something with Paula, Marty Sliker and myself were standing on the outside of the curtain....and I don't know what the nurse did....but Paula said loudly, "Colddddddd!"

One of the administrators at Walton told me today that it is very seldom that they (insurance companies) allow people to stay at Walton more than 3 weeks.....so....we'll see..... Alvin told me that we would just be believing that it's not going to take that long!

Paula's had a GREAT 3 1/2 weeks, so I CANNOT be disappointed......it's GREAT that Paula is in God's hands and not mine......but.....ummm, then why was I a LITTLE......deflated.... today? Paula was a LITTLE less alert that she was yesterday, and she didn't talk much today. But again, how can I be disappointed......God IS good!!!!

Talk....

Paula talked a good bit today....she talked to her Mother, April, Vilas, Catherine Drew, Chuck....hopefully she'll be able to talk to Scott, Amy, and Jonathan tomorrow, maybe she can talk to Luchi soon.

She was moved to Walton Rehabilitation Hospital on 13th St. The best way to go is take Riverwatch which turns into Reynolds St., turn right on 13th. Paula is in room 124 B. The Doctor told me the best time to visit will be from 3:00-9:00 P.M.

When the nurse came in for the first time, she said "Paula, how are you today?" Paula replied "O.K., how are you?"

This evening, she was sitting on the side of the bed, and then stood up completely by herself.

Amen....Amen......

Leigh started reading scripture to Paula this morning, and Paula said "I love you." Leigh ask Paula if she wanted to read some of the books she had, and Paula said "No....I'm ready to get out of here!" Leigh said Paula had her eyes closed,and she didn't know what God was saying to Paula.....but Paula said "Amen......Amen.......Amen." I talked to Paula on the speaker phone and told her I loved her and missed her and she told me she loved me too!

Not Satisfied!!!!

Apparently, Paula was NOT satisfied with the speed at which the doctors were moving, so she took things in her own hands (literally!) and pulled her trach out.....

When I got there this morning, she was alert, and still focusing on everything......following me with her eyes around the room, etc., etc., etc........she rolled over in the bed toward me, and I started stroking her head, and she went sound asleep.

Appx 10 min. later, the Physcial Therapists came in and had a hard time waking her up....but they finally got her awake, put her in a wheel chair, and moved her to the hall. They made her stand up to a walker, and she walked 76', supporting herself fully....they sat her down to rest for a few minutes with the idea of letting her walk some more.....she went to sleep when she sat down, and we could not get her to walk anymore......

This afternoon, they removed her 6mm trach, and put in a 4mm trach, her O2 levels remained high......but she continuously was trying to mess with the trach.....I ask the Respiratory nurse if everything was alright with the trach....because Paula had not messed with the other one much.....I was holding her hands, and said "Paula, Paula"....and she said "What...." which is unusual for someone with a trach that is uncapped to actually speak!!! The Speech Therapist capped the trach off and her O2 levels remmained high.....the ST then got a cup of water, and Paula drank quite a bit thru a straw.....Paula's best friend from when she worked at MCG, Ann Arnette, came around 2:15 to stay with Paula for a while.....I had left, and Ann text me that Paula had taken her trach out, so I called Ann and ask if they were going to put it back in, and the Dr's said no....she doesn't need it!

Ann called me back in a few minutes and told me that they were going to move Paula in the morning to Walton Rehabilitation Hospital, probably before 11 in the morning.

I've told Paula several times, that I and her MOST important companions.....Smart and Marigold (her cats) were ready for her to come home......I think Paula IS....and WILL BE speeding up the process.

"Bless the Wonderful Name Of Jesus!!!!"

5:56 P.M.
Paula's O2 levels are still high and within the normal rate

10:50 P.M.
Paula's O2 levels are are 98%

Blank stare......

With brain injuries.....you have some progress.....then most likely setbacks....then more progress, and so on, and so on. You have a little conciousness, the quiet sleep.......you have a lot of blank stares, then a little bit of focus.

Over the last 21 days, we've had NO setbacks. We've had a lot of blank stares, and a few times when Paula focused.....but mostly, when she was "awake," she had her eyes closed.....even though she had meaningful, purposeful movements and even responded to our voices and request.

So.....I have no idea where the "blank stares" went today......they CERTAINLY were not in Paula's room!!!! From the time I got there, until I left this evening.....Paula was AWAKE, ALERT, FOCUSING on everything in the room, and every person that entered and spoke to her! I am SO thankful to our GRACIOUS Heavenly Father!!!! "Praise God from whom ALL.....ALL blessings flow!!!!!

The humidity tube was in the way of Paula moving her arm where she wanted it......so she pulled the humidity cup about 6" away from her trach......moved her arm, the placed the cup perfectly back on her trach.

But best of all......she pulled me close and placed her lips against mine.......it DOESN'T get any more sensuous than this!!!!!! Hollywood AIN'T got nothing on us!!!!!

I don't have a date in my mind.....but I don't believe it's going to be long before Paula is at home.....I'm anxious to see her walk tomorrow.

Again....thanks for your support and prayers!

Tommy

Two good days....

Yesterday and today have been good. Paula has rested some, was active at times, sitting up on the side of the bed, and standing. Tonight, she sat on the side of the bed by herself.....I ask for a hug and she didn't give me one, so I told her I was going to hug her. After I did, then I ask her for a kiss, and she leaned her face toward mine, and put her lips on mine (mushy stuff....but GREAT stuff!). I ask her to sit up straight, and she did. After a while, she propped on one arm, so I sat next to her and pulled her to me, so she layed her head on my shoulder and went to sleep.

When she had her eyes open today, she seemed very alert. It looks like she's becoming more focused and more alert each day......GREAT STUFF!!!!

Progress, progress,......progress!

Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
Job 2:6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.

I believe if God allowed us to see ALL the evil that surrounds us.....we would ALL immediately die of a heart attack! Satan is ALL around us.....and wants to destroy us at every turn!......but God......

On Dec. 16th.....Paula could have easily died right there....but God!!!!! He has something for her/us......I'm anxious to see what that is.

As Scott said earlier this evening, Paula has made "exponential" progress over the last 18 days!

Ventilator removal, O2 removal, standing up by herself, sitting on the side of the bed, communicating, focusing, responding, walking.......

Today, she walked appx 25 ft with the aide of a contraption that helped hold her up....but she actually supported herself, she later wanted to sit on the side of the bed, then she wanted to stand up. I was there by myself, and was reluctant to let her....but she insisted, so I told her she would have to help me, so she did. I stood there with her.....holding her, but she supported herself. Also, she pulled my hand to her lips and kissed it!

Even with all the exercise, she was VERY active in the bed. The Dr. said that quickly, they will remove her trach....and they are planning on moving her to Walton Rehabilitation Hospital sometimes next week, so I know they will give her plenty of excercise.

Amazing progress.......but it really should not be amazing....."Now faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for, the EVIDENCE of things not seen...."

Moving????

They took Paula to the physical therapy room yesterday, and worked with her a good while in there.....they had been doing the therapy in the hospital room until then. The main Dr over therapy said that she was ready to go to a rehabilitation hospital.

At one point in her room, they had her sitting in a regular chair with restraints on, she stook up by herself lifting chair and all!

The therapy section at Doctor's Hospital would not accept Paula, so they're going to get Walton Rehabilitation Hospital and Sheperd Rehabilitation Hospital in Atlanta to evaluate Paula. Walton would be more convient.....but after looking at their website, Sheperd really looks good

Speaking of......

Paula was a little active last night. They had the trach valve that helps to facilitate speech/eating/drinking in from 6:30 to 10:00. Her O2 levels held steady. Several times when I would talk to Paula, she would make noises as if responding to me. I said "Paula" several times.....and she would make one sound each time....then when I told her I loved her, she made quite a few sounds.

They changed her trach out, reducing the size from either an 8 or 10mm to a 6mm......she did well during the procedure.

The nurse said that one time during late Monday night or early Tuesday morning, they walked by Paula's bed and although she was restrained.....she was siting on the side of the bed. The nurse assured me that Paula could not have fallen out of the bed by the way she was restrained. Paula has always excercised a lot, and the way she's been acting the last few days, I think she is READY to get out of that bed.....I'm praying for Paula's continued healing and safety

Caution.......

With brain injuries, it's sometimes hard to tell if the person's actions are purposeful......or if they are just actions. I've tried to be realistic and CAUTIOUS, about my observations of Paula, so as not to have or give out false hope....

We were going to leave around 6:30-7:00, because April has to fly back to L.A. tomorrow....but Paula, woke up and started moving around quite a bit.....around 8:00, she scooted herself to the edge of the bed, put her feet off, then sat up by herself. She hugged me and April several times, sometimes on her own, sometimes when we ask her to. Once, when April and I were close together and to Paula, Paula reached one arm around me and the other around April, and pulled us close. It DEFINETELY looked like Paula tried to kiss me!!!! She then started trying to stand up, so I helped her......I held her for a while, then sat her down. She was on the very edge of the bed, and we couldn't get her back.....then we ask her to help....and she tried.....we ended up having to get the nurses to help.......what a BLESSING...... from our Heavenly Father!!!!!

I didn't post yesterday, because Paula slept all day.....so when there is ANY news.....I will post....
Thanks for ALL of your SUPPORT, LOVE,......and especially you PRAYERS!!!!!!

Even little things are GREAT!!!!

We all want Paula to come home.....NOW!!!! And it might happen.....but God is blessing us with small signs.......but in His hands.....they are not small.....they are GREAT signs!!!!

Amy and Vilas are here, and Amy got Paula to shake her head "No" on two occassions. Paula started droolling, and Amy reached up an wiped it, and Paula wiped it right behind Amy. Paula sat in a chair for 4.5 hrs, while in the chair, I put some lotion on Paula's face, and got some more and told Paula I wanted to put some on her neck under her chin.....and she stretched her neck upward so I could......even though I didn't need to put more on......I told her again that I was going to put some more lotion on her neck....and she stretched her neck upward again.

A Great day already!!!!

The physical therapist worked with Paula for about an hr, they sat her on the side of the bed, then they stood her up! They praised Paula for what a great job she did, and Paula seemed real happy that they praised her and she tried to talk!

Rest.....

Yesterday and today, Paula has been sleeping. The nurse told me that Paula had been awake most of the last two nights.....and also, that the sedation medicine may need to be given in a lower dose.

They've told us that we can expect times that Paula will be alert.....and periods where she will sleep a lot.....anyway, we've had 11 days great progress......with no setbacks.....Praise God!!!

The Dr. felt that all of Paula's vital signs were good enough that they took all the monitors off of her, and they monitor her manually every few hours.

Uneventful....

Paula has had a good day...basically uneventful. She's been resting most of the day. With a brain injury, there is a fine line between stimulating them......and letting them rest. Both need to be done.....so I've been following Paula's lead, I (We) try to stimulate her when she's awake, then let her rest when she's asleep.....

Inaguration Day.....

I did not support Barack Obama.....he had less experience than Sarah Palin.....but.....he IS.....our president.....I have prayed today for God to give he and his family protection, to give him success in the areas that he aligns himself to God's word, to give him failures when he does not align himself with God's word......to give him Godly wisdom, Godly guidance.....in all matters.

Please look at these two websites:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE73OoC-njM&feature=related

Hurray for Paul Broun......

I couldn't post it.....but listen to Rick Warren's prayer at the inaguration......."In Jesus Name!!!"

Headache......

Paula had a good day today. This morning when I got there, she looked more alert, more peaceful, and better than she has since the accident.

The Physical Therapist sat her on the side of the bed, and worked with her. They would lean her forward, and tell her to sit up straight, and she would.....then shift her to one side and tell her to sit up straight, sometimes she did, sometimes she didn't.....but she WAS trying.

Her bed quit working properly, so they had to change it out. They had already planned on putting her on an "incline" chair/bed, so they did. After a little while, she started rubbing her head with the left hand, then the right.....and so forth. While she wasn't rubbing her head, I had my hands there so she could hold them.....then I noticed that REALLY rubbed her head a lot with her left hand, then returned it to my hand, then started back again......I said, "Paula, if your head is hurting, squeeze my hand." She wasted no time at all, returning her hand to mine and squeezing it!!!!!

I cannot, and do not believe that there is anything "wrong" with Paula, that God is not healing day by day......."Faith is the substance....... of things not seen, the evidence.......of things not seen!" Hebrews 11:1

Discouragement.....and.... Joy!

One of the nurses told me Thursday night, that she could tell that Paula was a loved woman, thank you for the love you've shown.

I was discouraged as I was going to the hospital this morning because of the restless day Paula had yesterday and her lack of responses.

This morning when I got their, I pulled off her booties, and rubbed her feet, legs, arms, and face with lotion, and massaged her feet and legs. She was a little restless....but not bad, so I took off some of her leg/hand restraints, and she seemed to relax more. She still had a mitten on her left hand, so she wouldn't grab any tubes. They took her off of oxygen around 6 this morning, and her O2 saturation levels remained between 90-96% all day.

Scott called and said they were on the way, so I ask him to bring my toe nail clippers. We went to lunch when they got there, and I cut her toe nails after we got back around 1:30.....she wanted to roll on her side, so Scott and I helped her and put pillows behind her back, and she seemed to like it, still unrestrained for the most part.

Not much was happening, Paula was resting pretty well, she woke up around 3, she had her eyes open, so I got close to her face and started telling her how much progress she had made this week and how great she was doing and everything was going to be fine.....I told her the things that I had done for her today........AND low and behold.....she moved her left hand/arm appx 18" and touched my face....then drew it away!!!! I said, "Paula, Thank you, I sure did like that......would you do it again?" So she DID!!!! I told her thank you again. I said, "thank You Jesus, thank You Jesus, thank You Jesus," and Paula reached up and touched my face again!!!! I then took her mitten off, and held her hand and said, "Paula, would you squeeze my hand?" She did! I thanked her for it. I said, "Paula, that was GREAT!!!! Would you do it again?" And she did again...... so I thanked her again.

Our God IS GREAT.....He still does miracles!!!!

Restless....

Paula was restless last night and throughout the day, except that she rested between 1-5:00. They will give her something to help her rest tonight. Other than that, the day was uneventful....no ups or downs.

I guess for me....is was a down day. Yesterday, she smiled at the mention of my name, so I guess today I expected her to smile at me. But instead, I didn't get much meaningful response at all....

In the bible, many times in dior situations.........the bible says....."But God......" He IS in control. Selah

Smile.....

Charlene Padget, a dear friend from our church, is staying with Paula today. And we have SO many dear friends in our church and community. I called Charlene around 10 A.M. to check on Paula....then we hung up. Charlene called me back in a few minutes and said when we hung up the first time, that she leaned over close to Paula, and told her that she had just been talking to Tommy on the phone, and when she told Paula that, she got a big smile on her face!

Jerry Stone and myself always "pick" at each other.....and there's sort of a standing joke between us.....everytime Jerry sees me and Paula, he tells me that "I don't see how in the world you were able to marry such a beautiful woman.....she's always smiling, always happy....." I tell him......"Jerry, the reason she's smiling and always happy is because she's married to me!!!!" So we ALWAYS get a kick out of that!

God is blessing us with great confirmations of Paula's healing!!!!!!

Unusual day.....

Unusual in the sense that Paula rested all night and most of the day. She got a little restless around 6:00A.M. and they gave her some pain medicine. I'm wondering if some of her pain is subsiding......?

She opened her eyes some...the speech therapist said that Paula "tracked" with her eyes to the sound of the therapist's voice. The speech people also "capped" off Paula's trach to test her for 10 minutes.....Paula breathed fine thru her nose/mouth.

Dr. Sprague also told me today that Paula DEFINETELY focused her eyes on Dr. Sprague last night.

The gastro Dr. told me that when being fed with the liquids that Paula is getting, that sometimes the stomach tightens. So they're been giving her medicine 4 times a day to relax her stomach...but he also said that that medicine can cause a lack of response in other areas, so he's going to cut that medicine down to two times a day.

Overall....another good day!

Mark 2:12.....

Paula had her eyes open all the time today when she was not sleeping. She was blinking but was not focusing, but when I would talk to her, she would raise her eyebrows. The physical therapist were working with her and I couldn't see her face, but when I spoke, the therapist said "she sure recognizes that voice."

The physical therapist sat Paula up on the side of the bed, and she supported herself in the sitting position.

3 nights this week, Chuck woke up at 2:12 A.M., so he prayed for Paula. Today at a prayer time at Eddie T's, they were discussing if there was some possible significance of that. Chuck started reading from the Psalms, then he turned to Mark, then to Chapter 2, verse 12......which is where Jesus had told the paraplegic man "I say unto thee, arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house." Within 20 minutes of him reading that chapter and verse, I sent him and the rest of our kids a text about Paula sitting on the side of the bed!!!

A Great Day....

Paula had a very good night.....she has been off the respirator for 48 hrs, they've reduced her O2 intake from 60% to 30% and may take that completely off today or tomorrow. Her O2 saturation levels remain between 95-99%. But the best of all......Leigh said when she started talking to Paula this morning, Paula opened her eyes for between 5-10 minutes, blinking them, and she appeared to look at Leigh.....this is the 1st time Paula has done that. Before, she would just open them for 5-10 seconds and close them.....she would not blink. Tonight, she had another 10 minutes of eyes open/blinking.....and trying to look around

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!!

Also, the link to our church, First Assembly of God, has been down, but it's up and running now.

Another good day.....

Paula has been off the ventilator since 11:50 A.M. yesterday....she's still doing great. They've reduced her oxygen level from 60% down to 35% and her saturation is still 96-99%. All her vitals are good. They're reducing her sedation levels and she has been active and resting all day long.....but her activity was far less "aggressive" than it's been in the past. They're going to bring a Dr. in that is suppose to be good at "waking" people up. They're doing Physical Therapy and will start Speech Therapy later in the week.

Marty Sliker, a SWEET lady from our church stayed with Paula yesterday so that I could go to church. She came back tonight, after a full day's work, and brought lotions, etc. and rubbed Paula's feet and legs, put lotion on her face, and she and the nurse Beverly, washed Paula's hair and conditioned it using "dry" shampoo and conditioner, we could tell Paula liked it.

Marty and Gene, our "church" family, our friends, and our whole community are reminding me of James 2:15-18.......ALL of them are SHOWING their WORKS in our time of trouble!!!!

A good day......

Yesterday was a tough day, both physcially and emotionally.......today has been good! They took Paula off of the ventilator completely.....her O2 levels remained high all day.....and she did great! She was just a little restless as times.....but nothing compared to what it was like even early this week....but she also rested a lot

Good & sad.....

Look at the Lord's Prayer Movie and the Station......VERY GOOD!!!!! Paula's had a good day....all her vitals/blood gases are good, she's been resting well today. They've adjusted her ventilator to start taking her off the ventilator.



I'm going to church in the morning...the first time since 12.14.08....I miss our church/church family...they are GREAT.....they and our community have held us UP!!!!!



That was the good....this is the sad.....Scott had been in Argentina since the 14th.....two days before the accident. We had not told him about the accident because he had not seen his Fiancee for a year....there was nothing he could do except pray....and I told him that I would have coveted his prayers......but there was nothing he could do, so I didn't want to ruin his visit. A night or two before he left Argentina, Scott said he woke up and had a strong, strong feeling that he just wanted to hug me......

Scott took it VERY hard!....we all had about 30 hours to absorb the events.....with Scott.....one minute we were talking about how he was glad to be home....but sad that he had to leave Luchi......what a wonderful time they had together.....THEN.....like a bolt of lighting.....I had to tell him about Paula. There was no GOOD way to tell him....

We ate breakfast and spent some time together....then we had to leave. Scott was fine when we left.....but he was troubled because he VERY much wanted to do something to help me and Paula.....but there is really nothing anyone can do at this point except rely on the statement that I told two other families at MCG......"we have to be patient, and wait on God's PERFECT work!!!!" Mat 8:25-34

Thanks for your love, support, and prayers......Tommy

Moving......again!

They moved Paula to Select around 11:30 this A.M. The move went well. Paula was restless when she got there, so they put a pain medicine patch on her which would take a while to take effect. Sedation doesn't seem to help Paula much.....pain medicine does....so she IS in some pain. But they got her neck collar off, no tubes in her nose/throat, she still has a lot of bruising.....so we're looking for good things soon!

Leigh and I are going to leave around 3:00 A.M. to pick up Scott at 6:45 in the morning....I didn't want to tell him about Paula while he was with his....."LOVE" (Luchi) in Argentina. There wasn't anything he could do.....and I didn't want to tell him over the phone.....so I chose to pick him up in the morning and tell him face to face.

I was looking thru my Daytimer book today, trying to organize all the medical/insurance stuff and I found a sheet that I had put in there some time ago that had Deutoronomy 28:2-8 on it....it's very fitting for Paula

MRI

They are doing the MRI on Paula's neck now......she will go to Select sometime tomorrow. She's having a decent day......some restlessness and some rest.

Shock Trauma Unit

Paula is still in the shock trauma unit just for observation. They were so busy today that they didn't do her MRI so as to try to get her neck collar off.....so I don't know how that will affect her moving back to Select.

She had a good day except for some "house cleaning" matters....if you know what I mean!!!

Neck Collar.....

Paula was restless last night, so they gave her some pain medicine, and a small dose of sedatives so she's resting well. When I've gone in today, she hasn't opened her eyes, but I've seen more eye movements than ever when I talked to her, touched her forhead, temples, and feet.

They have never felt like Paula had injuries to her neck, but they weren't sure, so they've left a hard collar on her neck. They're going to do an MRI on her neck today, and if they don't see any damage, they'll take the collar off. They feel like that might be contibuting to the trach's coming out, in addition to her movements.

For some odd reason......I feel like a YO-YO

Paula was VERY restless ALL day yesterday with one exception.......for appx. 45 minutes after Peggy Saggus and Myrtle Belangia prayed over her she was calm...then they came in and started some physical therapy on her.....and she was restless again.......so her trach came out twice so they had to bring her back to MCG. So this is the third time......Paula is being a BAD girl!!!!! Her 0xygen saturation level was 89 when she got to MCG, but went back up immediately when they got her on some O2.

Everything went well with the surgery. I just went in to see her and she is doing fine. The Dr. said that she wanted to keep her in Shock Trauma ICU so they could watch her closely overnight.

Waning.....

I don't very often....EXPOSE.....myself. It doesn't bother me to show my emotions.....I never fail to kiss my children/step children, and Paula....and tell them that I love them.....even in public. I do this, because I know that it may be the last time I ever see them......and I don't like the word "step" in reference to my children.....Leigh & Chuck, Scott & Luchi, Vilas & Amy, and April & Jonathan......ARE my children.....I told Leigh the other day that I am a BLESSED man.....a wonderful wife, children, church, church family, friends, a wonderful business partner.....I am blessed and we have such wonderful children!!!. And.....I don't want people to feel sorry for me because I am....... so blessed! GOD IS GOOD!!! But when talking to Leigh a while ago.....I broke down......I told her my strength was waning......I have tried to stay strong for our children and for Paula's mother, Mrs Sanford (Laverne), so please pray that our God in heaven, the Maker and Controller of the universe.....will strenthen me....so that I will be the physical strength that Paula needs.......when she comes home. Thank you for your continued support. Tommy

Today....

Paula had a good....and a bad day. The bad was, was that she was restless all day. The good: No fever, her breathing is excellent. They may take her completely off of the respirator tomorrow.....they told me she was "breathing on her own" since 11:00 A.M. yesterday, which wasn't completely true....they told me today that she had a "jump start" from the respirator which she had to initiate.....which she's been doing great. This afternoon they told me that they turned the respirator down to it's lowest level, and that they may take her completely off of it tomorrow. Even at the lowest level of respiratory help....her oxygen levels are 95% which is good.

Ann Arnette came to see Paula again today. Ann was and is Paula's best friend from when Paula worked at MCG. They have remained close since Paula left in 1987. Ann told me they were praying for her at Ann's church. Ann also made the statement that there are probably battles going on that we cannot see......I didn't think too much about it at the time......but later, the thought came to me that our church had called for a day of fasting and prayer today for Paula.....and I know many of you have joined in also.....so.....I wonder if the "battles" that are being fought......are the reasons for her restlessness today????? I wonder if she's being pulled by both sides of this battle......? But we KNOW.....that Jesus has already paid the price......the VICTORY is His....and it is finished......but the evil one is still struggling with Paula......GOD IS GOOD!!!!

Slow but sure.....

The hospital does not have wireless, so I'll post to the blog as often as I can. Paula has been breathing on her own since 11:00 A.M. this morning and she's doing great! Her oxygen levels have been 95-100% all day, she's off of sedatives. The nurse ask me this evening if I thought Paula was in pain because of the way she was skirming and the wrinkles on her forhead and I told her I thought so, so she gave her some pain medicine and Paula settled down. Her fever was around 99-100 all day, so that was better.

The staff at Select have been very good.....they respond to Paula's needs and my concerns VERY quickly.....so I am very pleased thus far.

Paula's mother Laverne, her brother Kenny, his wife Betsy, and their daughter Katherine came to see Paula yesterday. Laverne is 92 and she didn't want to see Paula until she could talk to her....they normally talked every day. Mrs. Sanford (Laverne) cried, but she did real well. I hope and believe that it did Mrs. Sanford good to see Paula rather than wondering......

Tonight, before leaving, I was talking to Paula, and she didn't open her eyes......but when I started talking to her, she was "blinking" more and faster that I have seen......I really believe she was responding to my voice!!!

Our church is having a day of fasting and prayer tomorrow for Paula, if you would like to join in.....we would greatly appreciate it.....for God will......and IS.....answering prayers and supplications!!!!

Her complete healing and restoration IS coming!!!!!

Select....

Paula seems to be doing well. She's breathing completely on her own and will continue to do so until she gets tired. She's still running a fever, so she's on a cooling blanket.

Move......

They moved Paula to Select Specialty Hospital today around 4:30. She's in room 243. To get to Select, get on Riverwatch, turn right on 15th, right on Walton Way, and it's just a little ways up on the right. Visting hrs from 9-9. The only restrictions are: 1) children less than 12 have to remain in the lobby 2) if you're sick....don't come......otherwise, feel free to visit.

Paula took the move well, but.....she's completely off of sedatives (good).....her breathing is very rapid (not good...but normal) They said it would take several days for her to get acclamated to not being on sedatives.

Bless you all for your prayers and support. Tommy

Fever....

Paula's moving day MAY be posponed because of a high fever

Tubes.....

They took the feeding tube out of her nose and inserted one in her abdomen.....they said it would be better for Paula via better feeding methods and less discomfort....she has no tubes in her mouth/nose...it went well, and she looks good. They will be moving her to Select Specialty Hospital tomorrow. The nurse she has at the moment, the one tonight, and the one tomorrow are GREAT with Paula, so I'll be going home tonight for some R&R and to do some task. I'll come back down here in the morning.....thanks for all of your prayers and support. Tommy

Moving Day????

Paula had a good night. Her temperature is good. They are going to try to put the feeding tube in today, and may move her after that......

Breathing.....

Paula has been breathing completely on her own since appx 1:00 this afternoon and she's doing well...her oxygen saturation right now is 100%.....and you can't get any better than that!

Mrs. Sanford/Auburn

Paula, Vilas & Amy, Benny, and Kenny (her brothers), and Vilas & April's father ALL graduated from Auburn. Paula's Mother, Laverne, is so nervous about Auburn, that she WILL NOT watch a game live.....! A few minutes before Mr. Sanford died, I was with him, and went out in the hall and told Mrs. Sanford it was close to the end.....she did not want to come in.....

I've put my phone on speaker phone several times, and she's talked to Paula. Of course, it did more good for Mrs. Sanford than it did for Paula. Mrs. Sanford is 92, her mind is as "sharp as a tack!"

That's funny...because one of the nurses was talking to us the other day....and she made a statement....."that's like white on rice....!!!!" I told her....I KNOW.....you're from the South (Hur Rah!!!)

Mrs. Sanford has wanted to come...but was hesitant....she wanted to come when she could talk to Paula....but she IS coming Saturday with Kenny. Paula looks good...so I think it will do Mrs. Sanford good to see her>

I talked to Mrs. Sanford a few minutes ago....and I could tell she was excited...so that's good!

Breathing....

They have been letting Paula breath on her on for appx 45 minutes now....she's doing GREAT! Oxygen levels are at 96% (which is great!)

New Year's Day

Paula had a good night....but again this morning around 7:00 her fever started again and peaked @ 8:20 @ 103. At about 7:30, I started putting ice water on her legs, arms, shoulders, and head, and also an ice cold rag on her head. At 8:15 they gave her some Motrin. It's 9:13 now, and her fever is almost normal @ 98.9.......keep us in your prayers. Thanks