Joye's Update 9/28/08

Just checking in as I know it's been a while since I posted. All is going well . . . it's just hard for me to find the time to sit down at the computer these days. Andrew is still doing well; he's still able to move his arms in the same manner he was doing in the video. He exercises his arms all throughout the day and he is feeling a soreness in his arm muscles which is a good thing as this means there is definitely a message getting from his brain to those muscles that are below his level of injury. In other words . . . it's not just his shoulders doing all the work, and this is VERY encouraging. He has been having some more anxiety in the early morning hours again, so I ask that you please pray for him to get past these hours without having the bothersome anxiety attacks. They keep him awake and make him extremely uncomfortable. Also, please continue to pray for more arm movement. He is giving everything he has to bending his elbows. That kind of movement would be an unbelievable breakthrough . . . it would be a miracle from God and we still hold faith that the Lord will do this for him. Thank you all for your prayers; it means everything to us. Good Night and God Bless. Joye

Joye's Update 9/22/08

PRAISE GOD!!!! We have some arm movement. I was standing in front of Andrew tonight rubbing his hands and jokingly said, "give me a hug." He closed his eyes and tried as hard as he could and lifted his arms about 2 inches off the arm rests of his chair. I felt it because my hands were on his and I couldn't believe it. He said he could feel it, but when he tries to move . . . he always "feels" like he's doing it even when he's not. So, I video'd it with my phone so I could show him. God is AWESOME!!! I know He's healing Andrew . . . I can feel it. Please keep praying, it is the one thing that each one of us can do for Andrew. Good Night and God Bless you all, Joye. Here's the video, just click the arrow to play.

Joye's Update 9/21/08

It has been a good weekend. Andrew even got out last Friday for his first outing to the doctor for a check-up. He had a good check-up, but he was very tired by the time we made it back home. Other than that, we've just hung around the house with the kids. His care at home is going well; I think we've finally gotten the hang of it. We continue to pray for movement in his arms and we ask you to please continue praying as well. God is awesome and we have faith that He will heal Andrew. Good Night and God Bless. Joye

Joye's Update 9/16/08

It's been an okay couple of days. Andrew had some issues with his breathing yesterday, but he's doing better today. It was scary, but I'm very confident in the training I received from Craig and feel good about the fact that I can definitely keep him breathing until an ambulance arrives if necessary. We aren't sure what was going on, but everything seems to be fine now . . . and we're very thankful it didn't ever come close to the point of needing an ambulance. Andrew is sleeping much better in the early morning and seems to be getting over his anxiety during that time; we are thankful to God for that. Please continue to pray for arm movement (thank you). Good Night and God Bless. Joye

Joye's Update 9/14/08

Andrew had a pretty good weekend. We watched a lot of rented movies and just spent time together. I have just about everything scheduled for him that needs to be (like meds, therapies, meals, etc.) There are many medicines that can't be taken with food and a lot of foods that can't be eaten with certain medicines, so everything takes planning. The nights have gotten easier and we are very pleased with the CNA help that we have each morning. Andrew continues to pray and to concentrate on moving his arms . . . please pray with us for him to gain that ability. We know God will do this for him; our faith is our strength. Good Night and God Bless. Joye

Joye's Update 9/12/08

We have been doing pretty good the past couple of days. Andrew is strict with his routine . . . he really likes staying on schedule, and that's fine, it makes him feel more secure to know how his day is going to go. We are also really pleased with the CNA's that are helping us . . . they are very caring and have been completely open to learning Andrew's care the "Craig" way. Andrew is sleeping well with exception to a little bit of anxiety he experiences early in the morning. It usually happens about 4:00 am which is the time he used to get up for work. I think he'd like it if I got him up at that time, but I'm just not (and have never been) able to function at that hour. For those of you who are early risers, please pray for Andrew during that time and ask God to calm him down and take the anxiety away (thank you). We continue to pray for arm movement and Andrew concentrates very hard throughout the day to make this happen. Good day and God Bless. Joye

Joye's Update 9/10/08

It's been another good couple of days. Andrew is getting more comfortable being home and he's becoming more secure as well. Our Pastor (Barry Nicholson) and his wife (Marie) came by last night to visit and pray with us. It was a great visit and Andrew is really feeling positive and a strengthened faith in that God will heal him. Please continue to pray with us for that healing; God is hearing us and He will provide. Good Day and God Bless. Joye

Joye's Update 9/8/08

Andrew had another pretty good night. We are still adjusting to our schedule, but it's coming along. Our CNA help is very good and is a huge help to me in the mornings. We are able to have the help for up to 4 hours each morning. We continue to pray together and keep our faith in God to provide for us. Good Day and God Bless. Joye

Joye's Update 9/7/08

We have had another pretty good day/night. We are really trying hard to get into a routine and it's coming along okay so far. Andrew is becoming more comfortable being away from the security of Craig and I too am becoming more comfortable without that security as well. Andrew has also told me he is ready to begin accepting visitors. We are only asking that you please call before-hand to make sure that he's feeling up to a visit and (most importantly) that I have enough time to get out of my pajamas (ha ha) . . . that has been a most difficult task for me lately :) Our home number is 342-7535. If I'm unable to get to the phone, please feel free to leave a message and I will get back to you asap as a lot of the time I'm tied up with Andrew's needs. Please continue to pray for Andrew . . . most specifically, we are concentrating on him getting movement in his arms. God is awesome and me and Andrew both have complete faith that The Lord Jesus will provide for him. Good Day and God Bless you all. Joye

Joye's Update 9/6/08

Well, as you can see I was unable to post last night. I'm going to have to start doing so during the day when I have a little "down" time. Nights are pretty busy for me and it should work better this way. Andrew is doing much better as he is becoming accustomed to the new schedule, new climate and new surroundings. He is sleeping well, eating well and so far no medical problems. It's been an adjustment and continues to be, but we're getting better at it every day. Please continue to pray for Andrew, it's all I can ask at this time and I'm so thankful for that. Good DAY, and God Bless. Joye

Joye's Update 9/4/08

Well, it has been a pretty long 24+ hours. Last night was "so so" as Andrew's body is adjusting to a different altitude and climate. His body temperature is sort of going a little crazy right now with him either being very, very cold or very, very hot . . . this is due to his autonomic system being out of wack due to his spinal chord injury. When this happens, it causes his heart rate to increase and I was up a good portion of the night trying to cool him down with ice and washing him down with cold water. It's pretty normal, although the Craig nurse (who had to leave today) did say Andrew's autonomic "problems" do tend to be worse than most spinal chord injured people. We are doing better (so far) tonight, so let's pray he has a better night tonight. Thank you all for your prayers, words of encouragement and welcomes home. Good Night and God Bless. Joye

Joye's Update 9/3/08

More answered prayers. Andrew made it home safely with no problems. He was very happy to get home and see the kids and the house. His nurse from Craig is staying with us tonight to help get us oriented and we are very thankful for that. She also provided a training to those who will and may be helping with his care. It's is a comforting feeling for me that so many will know how to help if need be. I'm very, very tired and anticipate a long night, so I'll close for now. Thank you again for all your prayers . . . please continue to pray for Andrew . . . God will provide. Good Night and God Bless. Joye

Joye's Update 9/2/08

Well, I think I'm just about ready for Andrew to get here. I have unpacked my unbelievable amount of accumulated items from Colorado, the bed is set up and ready, and the medical supplies are put away. I spoke to Andrew this evening and he's ready for his trip. He's had a good couple of days and he's anxious to get here to see the kids and to see how the house looks. Please pray with me that God will see Andrew here safely. Good Night and God Bless. Joye

Joye's Update 9/1/08

Well it has been 5 months (to the day) that I've been away from our home in Yuma, but I finally made it here today. The modifications look great and I'm feeling so blessed that so many people helped with making that happen for Andrew. I have a lot to do tomorrow to prepare for Andrew's arrival on Wednesday, but it will be worth it to have everything perfect for him. As many of you may know, Andrew is a very visual person and he like his space to be "just so." I'm going to make sure it's to his liking to make him as comfortable and to feel "at home" as much as possible. I'm so excited for him to get home. Please pray for him to have a safe flight and an easy transition once here. Good Night and God Bless. Joye