Let the redeemed of the Lord say.....YES I SAID SAY!

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the LORD say.......

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love

and his wonderful deeds for men..... Ps 107:1-2,8

November 3, 2008

There is a sign above Chance's bed dated 10/17/08 that reads "Communication by hand squeezing only" It struck me the other day (10/30/08) as I was TALKING with Chance that a few weeks ago when he arrived at Rehab Hospital of the Pacific that was his way answering questions. I read the sign to Chance and asked him how he communicates now....his response "T-A-A-A-L-L-L-K." He is answering questions with yes, no and not yet! His speech is still slurred but understandable for he most part. He and I had a good laugh about all that God is doing and has done over his stay at Rehab Hospital.

Chance has a FULL daily schedule. Up at 7:30 to get dressed and get ready for PT, following Physical Therapy (PT) is Speech Therapy (ST), and then Occupational Therapy (OT). In the middle of the day he is ushered in to the shower and then has some times of resting in bed in between all the therapies. He is progressing daily and you can really see his personality shining through it all. In OT the other day they lay Chance on his stomach to work on his neck muscles and lifting his head. He does have a strong neck and can keep his head held up for longer and longer stints. While he was on his stomach we held up shapes, letters and numbers. Chance was able to identify each item and give a VERBAL RESPONSE correctly. He sat up for a while and was asked to follow a green balloon around the room with his eyes and move his head accordingly. HE DID...then he was asked to touch the green balloon...it took a few tries BUT HE DID (see picture above). In PT he is standing up with assistance to put load on to his muscles. His muscles tend to spasm at times and putting weight through his arms and legs helps to reduce the spasms. He has a long day which wraps up at around 4:00pm. A few nights ago, Tanya asked Chance to sing to me....he started singing his A, B, C's then he continued the song by counting to 10! I joke with Chance about being in the "24 Hours Fitness" Hospital....he gets a work out all day long.

In the previous post, it mentioned that Chance remembered his mom and his dad's phone numbers and would repeat them when asked to do so. He also remembered his friend's J.R.'s phone number so his mom could call him to speak to Chance. Last Thursday, Randy asked Chance to recite John 3:16......Chance said "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. "I heard it with my own ears!

This Wednesday the hospital is trying to arrange to have the Barium swallow done at Kuakini Hospital (they need the CT Scan). It is our prayer that everything will go smoothly so Chance will be able to begin eating by mouth. The other night he had a little taste of Shrimp Poke....of course he chewed it right up (ssshhh, don't tell). When the Speech Therapist asked him what he wanted to eat he said "PIZZA!" I promised him as soon as they said it was okay I would bring him some pizza. When you asked him what he ate for the day--he said "Milk" that is what is being fed with through the G-Tube.

Chance has great therapists, nurses and doctors taking care of him at Rehab Hospital of the Pacific.

Pray for:

1. The Barium Swallow test to take place this week so Chance can eat by mouth again


2. Continued progress and healing...a requirement for Rehab Hospital is seeing improvement weekly.


3. For the "marathon" of healing that is taking place and the endurance to carry all of the family though this time.


4. For Chance to continue to improve with his speech
   

Mahalo nui loa for all the prayers, love and support you have all shown Chance. The God of the universe is hearing and responding to your prayers. He is charming all with his laugh and his smile.