The plan is in place

Posted on June 29, 2010 by Sean

Update from Mike:

Steve has been stable and resting in his bed in the trauma unit. He had been very very sleepy over the last 24 hours, and has probably slept more in the last day than he has the previous 12 days combined. Steve’s anxiety has decreased greatly and we know that rest brings healing, which we are so thankful for. An acupuncturist doctor came in for a treatment today, along with a holistic nurse who spent a great deal of time massage Steve’s hands. Michelle spent the night again at Steve’s side and he slept very well, awaking only to the continual visitation from nurses checking vital signs.

There was a flurry of coordination details yesterday pertaining to Steve’s transfer to rehab. I am thankful to say that the plan has been finalized. Tomorrow morning, June 30th, at 8:00 a.m. Steve will be transported via ambulance to the airport in Asheville, NC. He will be transferred to a jet designed for medical transport, and attended by a qualified critical care nurse. The plane will need to make one re-fueling stop in either Colorado, or Nebraska – then continue straight to Seattle. Once landed, Steve will be transported via ambulance to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, WA where he will be taken directly to the room in rehab that will be waiting for him. Steve should arrive in Seattle around 1:00 p.m. PST. The glorious part of the medical transport is that Michelle will be part of the journey and will be able to be with Steve as he travels bedside to bedside. So tomorrow he goes … CEO style.

The plan seems easy enough on its surface, but i assure you there were many close calls and pitfalls in the details that seemed insurmountable to resolve – so again we thank you for your prayers that have opened doors for Steve that at many times were seeming to shut in our face. Harborview is one of the best spinal cord injury rehab centers in the world, and given Steve’s roots in Seattle, and his wishes to be treated there – it was an easy decision for the family to make.

So today for me will be spent attending to final discharge details, hanging out with my brother, feeding him, and massaging his hands and feet while we watch the World Cup. This will be the last day (for a while) that I am honored to be at his side.

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  • http://www.crosscurrentsinstitute.org Bill and Marina Shaw

    Hello Dear Friends,

    We know Steve from many years ago when he lived in Kettering and through our son, Theron Shaw. We have been following the long saga each day via internet and we have held you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. We look forward to the day when we will meet in Seattle or somewhere else on this planet! Your good Spirit and energy and faith will give you strength and good health. Have a good trip on the jet tomorrow—as an aside, seems that you sort of went to “extremes” to have a trip on a lovely little bizjet!

    Love to you and to all of your family,
    Bill and Marina

  • Rockprod98

    I know Steve is a great guy and he is very fortunate to have such a loving, self-sacrificing family. Bless you all. 'Now to Him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen' Eph. 3:20-21 BOY ISN'T THAT THE TRUTH!! Linda Muench

  • sandra

    That is AWESOME news! Everything from Steve getting some sleep last night…to his transfer to Seattle! I hope SOME day to give Michelle and Steve a hug! God is so Good…Praise Him!

  • john dettoni

    God speed, to Steve and Michelle.

  • Sean Sheridan

    Mike–what a poignant entry. I am proud of you and Steve. You are good brothers. Go get em!

    -Sean Sheridan

  • Bryan Wilson

    Thank you Mike for this update and praise the Lord for how he has worked in and through this.
    May the peace of Christ be with you and the family.

    Bryan Wilson

  • Jaci Smith

    Your journey's path will be carpeted with prayer, Steve & Michelle – door to door.

  • liz and dale whitney

    “Gracious God, thank you for your Presence among us. Thank you for details and for grace under pressure. Thank you for hearts that see You.” In some of our darker times, we could hear Earl's pearls, “Don't doubt in the dark, what you knew in the light.”

    His Peace be with you.

  • Joseph & May Uy

    Hi Michelle and Pastor Steve,

    Looking forward to see in Seattle. We have been praying for you all the time. Let us know when will be the best time to see you. Take care and God Speed to Seattle…

  • Carol M. Dettoni

    We will be praying for each one of you, and the chlidren, too, as they transition. And we pray that God will give you peace and joy together as you make this huge transition! We'll be traveling through Seattle tomorrow on our way to N. Vancouver Island –we'll be out of touch for several days with no internet connectivity, but you'll be constantly in our hearts and minds.

  • Nate Bunting

    We're praising God, with you, as things start coming into place! We'll pray that the travel in the plane will be enjoyable.

  • Claire Skeggs

    It's such a big comfort to hear that all details had been clinched perfectly. Only our God our ever loving Father can clinch such a perfection! As I await news from you, every day here for me seems to be taking a slow inch of movement in time, but hey, they're proceeding so very very well, like going through the eye of the needle — in absolute preciseness & accuracy!!! Ms. Jaci in one of the comments below, said, every inch of your journey's path will be carpeted with prayer, yes, from all of us. Yes, go, Pastor Steve, and begin the rehab quick! We want you moving and starting “all the work you're plannng to do”, and we shall pray pray pray some more! Praying here in wide-eyed anticipation….Claire & Andrew Skeggs

  • Noemi Laguna

    Safe trip to Pastor Steve and Michelle and the rest of the crew, you are all in our prayers.Much love, The Laguna's

  • Darrenlgustafson

    Mike

    It's great that you get the day with Steve. We are there with you. It's nice to know you're watching FIFA, both since we know how much Steve will enjoy it and since it's something we can do with you from he other side of the world. Everything these days reminds us of Steve and his condition. I broke my leg yesterday (playing soccer), and my reduced mobility is a built-in reminder to pray for Steve's. I almost enjoy the stabs of pain when I pray for feeling in his limbs. Thank God, too, that Michelle will be able to be with him in transport. Blessings.

  • Rebeccalwin

    Dear Mike, Steve, & Michelle,

    So glad to know that the plans are in place! I am praying even now that everything will go according to the plan! I'm so thankful that Michelle gets to be there by Steve's bedside the whole time. What a blessing that is. My prayers are ever with you.

    Rebecca Lwin, UCM