From: Teresa
Date: June 5, 2000
Dear Family & Friends,
I have just returned from a 4 day stay in San Antonio with Lynne. Lynne continues to make improvements (Praise God). Lynne would say, "Don't stop praying!" She is only 5 months into what doctors say will be a 12 month recovery time.
Thursday morning Russell took Lynne to work. She was there from about 9-12. She has been going to work on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings for the past few weeks.
When Lynne got home, Russell fixed us all lunch and then he and the boys left for Lubbock to see his mom and dad. Which meant, Lynne and I were on our own. (For Russell and Lynne to feel that Lynne was to the point that I could take care of her meant a lot to me.) Actually, as it turned out, Lynne is doing A LOT for herself!!!!! After the guys left, we sat around and talked a lot. Then, I offered to go to the store, but Lynne said, "Let me go with you." So, we loaded up the car and off we went to HEB. Lynne pedaled herself throughout the store. She did great! We rented a couple of movies, picked up a bite to eat and then returned home.
Friday is therapy day. I let Lynne out at the front doors, she went on up to therapy by herself, and then I met her there. She was doing bench presses, and then they had her do 40lbs on the leg curls (60 of them).
After that Carolyn asked Ann to evaluate Lynne's walking on the walker. Carolyn felt like Lynne could walk unassisted. So... Lynne took hold of the walker, stood up on her own, and took off walking with the walker. WOW!!!!! They walked beside her, but she was walking only with the assistance of the walker!! (Quite an emotional experience for me) They are looking into Lynne getting a walker at home to practice with.
After physical therapy we went to occupational therapy. Lynne did several arm pulls, and then Kathy told her it was time for her monthly evaluation. Lynne had improved in all areas!!!! Her grip of her fingers had increased. She could grip 9lbs in her right, and 11 lbs. in her left. On the peg board she has to take out little pegs and put them into slots, and then take them back out again. She had gone from 54 sec. amonth ago to 37 seconds this time with her right hand, and from 1min. a month ago to 43 seconds with her left hand. Way to go Lynne!!!
Well, once therapy was over, we went to Wendy's for lunch. Now, this wasn't just any Wendy's, it was the Wendy's by the hospital where Ruth and I had lunch together when Lynne was in ICU, and where I had gone and got Lynne a baked potato and frosties when she was tired of hospital food. At the time when Lynne was in the hospital I had helped her eat because her grip and range of motion were limited. Well, we sat down and ate our lunch and Lynne needed no assistance at all!!
Once lunch was over Lynne treated me to a haircut, so I got to meet Lynne's hairdresser, Mary. Mary is the lady who came to the the hospital 2 times to cut Lynne's hair. We enjoyed our visit.
Next, we went home and took a snooze. Later that evening we went shopping for 2 hours, and then went home and watched a movie, popped popcorn, and just chilled out.
Saturday morning we slept in a bit, and then got up and just visited awhile. (We did manage to play a game of Rumicube. My last two tiles were 11; 11). After lunch we went to see "My Dog Skip" at the movies, and then we went by the Christian Book Store and bought the CD "Without Condition" by Ginny Owens. A few weeks ago I heard the words to her song "If You Want Me To" (words are included at the bottom of this e-mail), and I had thought Lynne would enjoy it too. (she does) She had not heard the song before I got there. I heard it as I turned onto Stahl Road to go to their house and another 7 times while I was in San Antonio! We bought some blank cassettes so that I could have a copy, too. (Ginny Owens has a website www.GinnyOwens.com Ginny was newcomer of the year at the Dove Awards. Her song touched me even more when I realized that Ginny has been blind since age 2). Russell and the boys got home late Saturday night.
Sunday morning I took Lynne to praise team practice. (By the way, Lynne put on base make-up and blush by herself this morning for the first time. She also got her bowl and spoon out of the dishwasher, cereal, and milk down by herself and fixed her own breakfast). After practice we went to class, and then worship. I sat next to Lynne . When it was time for communion she asked me to help her. What a blessed experience. Then, during the closing song and prayer Lynne stood up holding the pew in front of her. (another moving experience) Many members afterwards told her"Way to go, and "Keep up the good work!"
Well, after a delicious lunch at Alamo Cafe, it was time to return home. We had a wonderful time. When I talked to Lynne to tell her I got home safely she said , "Who knows, maybe I can come to Lubbock before the summer is over." Keep praying!
Love,
Teresa
P.S. I called Lynne to read this update to her. She tied BOTH shoes this morning for the FIRST time. (I kept tying them double-tied. She said she had to start tying her own shoes because she didn't want them double-tied anymore)
Date: June 5, 2000
Dear Family & Friends,
I have just returned from a 4 day stay in San Antonio with Lynne. Lynne continues to make improvements (Praise God). Lynne would say, "Don't stop praying!" She is only 5 months into what doctors say will be a 12 month recovery time.
Thursday morning Russell took Lynne to work. She was there from about 9-12. She has been going to work on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings for the past few weeks.
When Lynne got home, Russell fixed us all lunch and then he and the boys left for Lubbock to see his mom and dad. Which meant, Lynne and I were on our own. (For Russell and Lynne to feel that Lynne was to the point that I could take care of her meant a lot to me.) Actually, as it turned out, Lynne is doing A LOT for herself!!!!! After the guys left, we sat around and talked a lot. Then, I offered to go to the store, but Lynne said, "Let me go with you." So, we loaded up the car and off we went to HEB. Lynne pedaled herself throughout the store. She did great! We rented a couple of movies, picked up a bite to eat and then returned home.
Friday is therapy day. I let Lynne out at the front doors, she went on up to therapy by herself, and then I met her there. She was doing bench presses, and then they had her do 40lbs on the leg curls (60 of them).
After that Carolyn asked Ann to evaluate Lynne's walking on the walker. Carolyn felt like Lynne could walk unassisted. So... Lynne took hold of the walker, stood up on her own, and took off walking with the walker. WOW!!!!! They walked beside her, but she was walking only with the assistance of the walker!! (Quite an emotional experience for me) They are looking into Lynne getting a walker at home to practice with.
After physical therapy we went to occupational therapy. Lynne did several arm pulls, and then Kathy told her it was time for her monthly evaluation. Lynne had improved in all areas!!!! Her grip of her fingers had increased. She could grip 9lbs in her right, and 11 lbs. in her left. On the peg board she has to take out little pegs and put them into slots, and then take them back out again. She had gone from 54 sec. amonth ago to 37 seconds this time with her right hand, and from 1min. a month ago to 43 seconds with her left hand. Way to go Lynne!!!
Well, once therapy was over, we went to Wendy's for lunch. Now, this wasn't just any Wendy's, it was the Wendy's by the hospital where Ruth and I had lunch together when Lynne was in ICU, and where I had gone and got Lynne a baked potato and frosties when she was tired of hospital food. At the time when Lynne was in the hospital I had helped her eat because her grip and range of motion were limited. Well, we sat down and ate our lunch and Lynne needed no assistance at all!!
Once lunch was over Lynne treated me to a haircut, so I got to meet Lynne's hairdresser, Mary. Mary is the lady who came to the the hospital 2 times to cut Lynne's hair. We enjoyed our visit.
Next, we went home and took a snooze. Later that evening we went shopping for 2 hours, and then went home and watched a movie, popped popcorn, and just chilled out.
Saturday morning we slept in a bit, and then got up and just visited awhile. (We did manage to play a game of Rumicube. My last two tiles were 11; 11). After lunch we went to see "My Dog Skip" at the movies, and then we went by the Christian Book Store and bought the CD "Without Condition" by Ginny Owens. A few weeks ago I heard the words to her song "If You Want Me To" (words are included at the bottom of this e-mail), and I had thought Lynne would enjoy it too. (she does) She had not heard the song before I got there. I heard it as I turned onto Stahl Road to go to their house and another 7 times while I was in San Antonio! We bought some blank cassettes so that I could have a copy, too. (Ginny Owens has a website www.GinnyOwens.com Ginny was newcomer of the year at the Dove Awards. Her song touched me even more when I realized that Ginny has been blind since age 2). Russell and the boys got home late Saturday night.
Sunday morning I took Lynne to praise team practice. (By the way, Lynne put on base make-up and blush by herself this morning for the first time. She also got her bowl and spoon out of the dishwasher, cereal, and milk down by herself and fixed her own breakfast). After practice we went to class, and then worship. I sat next to Lynne . When it was time for communion she asked me to help her. What a blessed experience. Then, during the closing song and prayer Lynne stood up holding the pew in front of her. (another moving experience) Many members afterwards told her"Way to go, and "Keep up the good work!"
Well, after a delicious lunch at Alamo Cafe, it was time to return home. We had a wonderful time. When I talked to Lynne to tell her I got home safely she said , "Who knows, maybe I can come to Lubbock before the summer is over." Keep praying!
Love,
Teresa
P.S. I called Lynne to read this update to her. She tied BOTH shoes this morning for the FIRST time. (I kept tying them double-tied. She said she had to start tying her own shoes because she didn't want them double-tied anymore)
IF YOU WANT ME TO The pathway is broken And the signs are unclear And I don't know the reason why you brought me here But just because you love me the way that you do I'm gonna walk through the valley If you want me to Cause I'm not who I was When I took my first step And I'm clinging to the promise you're not through with me yet So if all of these trials bring me closer to you Then I will go through the fire If you want me to It may not be the way I would have chosen When you lead me through a world that's not my home But you never said it would be easy You only said I'll never go alone So when the whole world turns against me And I'm all by myself And I can't hear you answer my cries for help I'll remember the suffering your love put you through And I will go through the valley If you want me to