First day of rehab

Posted on July 2, 2010 by Sean

The following is from Sean.

First things first: Please pray for Steve’s fever.  It continues.  It’s not an extreme fever, but it continues to create discomfort. We’re awaiting lab tests to try to narrow down the source.

Transitioning to a new hospital, with so many new faces and an entirely new rhythm, is also a challenge.  It’s also still a continuing challenge to dial in a new pain management cocktail.

Sleep is also an issue, and of course all of this in inter-related… the pain, fever, and difficulty sleeping all combine to create a background context of ongoing discomfort.

Steve has also had a really good day; loving the fact that all three of his nurses  were Filipina.  He spoke to each of them in tagalog.

The daily regimen is intense.  It’s clear this is a place not only to heal, but also to work.  In addition to both physical and occupational therapy sessions, Steve had a first weekly consult with the entire rehab team; including the chair of the department.  They discussed tangible goals, ways to measure progress, and answered good questions from both Steve and Michelle.

And more progress:  Steve brushed his teeth and ate two entire meals by himself.  The OT put a small strap around his hand with an insert to hold either a fork or toothbrush, and with that simple set-up Steve was able to, in his words “feel human again.”

Also, after a few brief experiments with visitors today, it has become clear that Steve really needs to conserve every ounce of his strength.  It’s simply going to take  time to establish a rhythm and regain strength.

We’ll see how he feels as we go, but for now Steve has asked that he simply be given a week before receiving visitors.

The reality remains: it has  been a mere two weeks since the accident… two major surgeries… an air ambulance flight across the country… and now a first day of rehab.  Let’s give him time, knowing that being able to see and enjoy visitors is actually a good goal to reach for and look forward to.

And… all that said… Steve had a really good day.  He’s going for it.

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  • Shana

    Thanks for the update. Loved hearing that Steve is speaking Tagalog with his Filipina nurses. Ang galing!

  • riezl

    Go Pastor Steve! Go!!!!…. all of us are cheering for you and rooting for you alongside you….

    riezl and anne

  • Julie

    may you turn your eyes upon Jesus, look into His wonderful face, and may the things of this earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and Grace… LET THE RACE BEGIN!!

  • Jineric2004

    Praise God!! We continue to pray without ceasing!!

    Eric & Jin Babao
    UCM

  • Joanna Smith

    Awesome! Go, Steve, go! We're cheering for you daily from the other side of the world. Will continue to pray for pain management and sleep!
    love, thoughts, prayers and hugs from Joanna & Nigel.

  • Heather_kilgour

    Wonderful recovery in less than two weeks! So happy with you for the sensation in your feet and ability to “brush your teeth” and “feed yourself”. You'll get king size treatment from that Tagalog with your Filipina nurses too, I'm sure.

    Michelle, you and all your wider family members and friends are doing a super job. You encourage us all by your faith.

    Love and prayers,

    Heather Kilgour

  • Deborahannegustafson

    Continuing to pray for sleep, pain relief and healing for the cause of the fever. It is wonderful that wherever in the world you go the Philippines is still with you. We love you and glad to know that three Filipina nurses will be our reps.
    In order to work rest is also in order. I know Steve will work hard towards the goal of having visitors.

    love,
    deborah

  • Ckcc_chung

    Go Pastor Steve !!!

  • Elizabeth

    Dear Pastor Steve, I pray that God will continue to heal you, that He will give you strength and ease your discomfort and pain. I pray that you will have a good night sleep. Jesus said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” I praise God that several times in my life God has shown His mercies and heard my prayers when I prayed for my family members during critical conditions so will I pray in the name of Jesus for you Pastor Steve that God will heal you and show the same mercies upon you. Jesus, you are our greatest Physician. Amen

  • Joy Virata

    My daily prayers and thanksgiving are added to the hundreds from your home across the sea. Joy.

  • Jeri

    Three Filipina nurses! How like God! I smile. You all remain continual in our thoughts and prayers. My biggest fear during Dennis' extended illness eight years ago was that, as things wore on and were no longer in crisis mode, that people's prayers would drop away. That didn't happen, but I do understand the fear of losing that and the deep, deep, on-going reliance on the prayers of others that do hold you up. They are vital.

    Sara and I are in the Raleigh, NC area visiting more tlc families and will be with Mary on Tuesday in West Virginia as we prepare for her wedding. Then we will move westward.

    We will be on the West Coast by the end of August and early into September so are praying we can see you all then before we leave out for the Philippines from Portland.

    Cheering you on!

    Carpe Diem!

    Jeri

  • Larry Cannon

    I am the Lord who heals you. Exodus 15:26

  • Naomi Diaz

    “feel human again”, that says it all…we are THANKFUL and GLORIFY God in all the miracles. We will continue praying for you and the family. Thank you for keeping us posted.

  • David and Kathy Smith

    We continue to read your daily updates as you are constantly on our minds. We pray for you often through out the day as God brings you into our minds. It has been so awesome to see how God has gone ahead of you has help you and as He promises to never leave you. We pray for continued strength, good sleep , relief from pain and complete healing.
    As we went thru our health struggles with our son God taught us to live one day at a time. What a precious gift that was. The future was too overwhelming and often fearful, but we knew we could handle the day at hand. We pray that for you as well.
    Isaiah 40:28-31 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
    Love,
    David and Kathy

  • sandra

    I completely understand where Steve is coming from. When I had my stroke and being paralyzed on my left side, of course my situation is nothing in comparison to what Steve is going through by any means, but the therapists here in Seattle mean SERIOUS business. Not only is re-hab exhausting physically, but mentally and emotionally it is strenuous work. For me, I had a difficult time talking on the phone with loved ones because I was so “spent” at the end of the routines. I was at Harborview for the first week, then transferred to the UW Medical Center where I stayed at for 3 months to regain full mobility again. During my stay at both hospitals, I didn't have the energy or drive to talk to anyone or for visitors, other than my husband Mark.

    So, I can honestly say, “I know what you mean” without it being “generic”…does that make sense?

    We'll keep you strong in our prayers!

    Sandra

  • Olive Hafenstein

    Being a Filipina myself, it thrills me that 3 Filipina nurses were part of God's welcoming committee for Pastor Steve. We at Townsville Central City Mission in North Qld Australia continue to uphold you in our prayers. Thank you for continuing to allow us to be part of your faith journey.
    Every blessing.