Thanksgiving in a Nursing Home

Thanksgiving in a Nursing Home is a new experience for me. I am not allowed to go out, so here I stayed. People came to visit me!

First, the newlyweds, Andrea and Tyler came. They are so happy and eager about the future, in which Tyler will be getting his MBA. Later, Ruth and Naomi came, while the guys were watching the game and before dinner. Sandy cooked her first turkey and everyone said it was delicious. At 5:00 p.m., nine family members and two friends came here to Sherman West Court. The wonderful people here had set up the Conference Room with a TV and prepared the table for desert. Wonderful pies were eaten—looked yummy—but that’s all I can do—look! Maybe someday I’ll be able to eat again and taste food again. It would be nice, but not essential.

We did our traditional thing—everyone saying what he/she was thankful for. How precious to hear them as they all thanked the Lord for His blessings, especially in regard to my health. We then watched Ratatouille, a funny cartoon. I was a party pooper and had to go to bed before it was done. They had to finish watching it at Mark’s house. Anyway, it was so good to be with them. I can only imagine how much planning and sacrifice went into getting this to happen.

I’m getting stronger every day. Sleeping better at night, walking better, working very hard on Speech Therapy, especially my almost locked in jaw. God has been good—He’s here, right in this very room, and I am thankful.

Alice

Still Here at Sherman West...

Dear Ones:

Yes, I am still here at Sherman West Court. My walking has improved, but I strained a muscle in my right knee on Friday afternoon. Hope it gets better soon. The therapists are thorough professionals and very kind. Many are from the Philippines—so we talk about Ed’s and my four-month missionary time there. God is still in control, and I’m trying my best to be a good patient and a PATIENT patient. Thank you all for your prayers, cards, visits. They are much appreciated.

Love, Mom, Grandma, Alice

Through November...

Hello Everyone,

Mom (Alice, Grandma, Aunt) is continuing to improve at Sherman West Nursing/Rehab.

Her face and skin are much more "normal" looking right now. The swelling has subsided considerably. Other positives: the pick line is now out, the stomach feeding pump is gone (feeding done now through the peg and gravity), and Mom's physical, occupational and speech therapy is going very well.

She was hoping to be home by Thanksgiving, but the doctors and staff agreed that she should stay at the rehab facility until December 4th. Our family will make sure that she has plenty of attention on Thanksgiving Day including a special family gathering at Sherman West in the evening.

Weekly visits to the UC will continue each Tuesday. During the next visit, the ENT staff will work on her trache, which has become a problem again. On November 27th, Mom will have a CT scan done to begin the process of assessing the results of the past two months of therapy. The knowledge that we are in God's hands is a comfort to all of us. We will "wait upon the Lord."

As always, please continue your prayers and emails. They are greatly appreciated.

Sincerely, JT:)

A time to become stronger...

It's been about a week since my last update on our Mom (Alice, Aunt, Grandma). I've been holding off posting the update until I had some news from yesterday's checkup at the UC. Thankfully, Dr. Seiwert of the UC Oncology department said that Mom is beginning to heal after months of treatment like they hoped for. In a week or so, she will really start to feel better and, hopefully, gain back some of her normal physical activity. But this is going to require a lot of hard work on her part and rigorous physical therapy. Of particular concern is Mom's ability to open and close her mouth. Evidently, because of the radiation of the past two months, her mouth will permanently freeze up unless an immediate exercise program is followed. We are hoping that she will be upbeat enough to push herself with these upcoming programs.

So please continue to pray for our Mom's recovery at this time. She knows that people are praying for her and that the Lord has responded by allowing her to survive the re-irradiation treatment. She is so grateful for friends and family that she has. She is always grateful for the Lord and the comfort of knowing that she is "in His hands." Please continue your emails and cards as well. She may not be able to respond to you right away, but as she gets stronger she will. Hopefully, the next update will come directly from her.

JT:)