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

Joye's Update 8/31/08

It has been a long trip (so far), but we (me, my sister, and my brother-in-law) made it to Wickenburg tonight. It rained on us most of the way here and it was pretty windy too. We were hauling a U-haul trailer as we brought back Andrew's chair and a lot of other supplies in it, so that made our trip a little slower. We will be in Yuma sometime tomorrow, and I can't tell you how excited I am to see the kids and the dog! I'm also very anxious to see the modifications done to the house. It will be a very busy couple of days as I have a laundry-list of things to do before Andrew arrives on Wednesday. I spoke with him tonight and all is going well. He said he just "chilled" in his room today and hung out with Tony a little too. He won't have therapies or classes tomorrow as it's a holiday, so he wasn't really looking forward to another boring day. He will have his final therapies on Tuesday and will leave Craig on Wednesday at 9am to be ambulanced to the airport. He will then be air-ambulanced to Yuma, and then ambulanced to our house. Depending on how all that goes with his skin will determine whether he can be put in his chair once home or if he will have to spend some time in bed to get pressure off his skin. They are unable to do weight shifts while in flight, so that can cause some problems with pressure sores . . . please pray for NO SKIN ISSUES. For those who don't receive the Yuma Sun, Andrew's story was published in today's (Sunday) paper under the Life section (B). I am looking forward to reading it to him when he returns. He has mixed emotions about all of this public attention, but I know he is very touched and thankful for everyone who is praying and encouraging him. We cannot thank you enough for all of that! God is good and He will take care of Andrew and we have faith that He will heal him. Good Night and God Bless. Joye

Joye's Update 8/29/08

Well, for those of you who don't know . . . I am leaving Denver tomorrow. I have to drive back to Yuma as I will need to arrive a couple of days before Andrew gets there to make sure everything is ready for his arrival. I plan to be in Yuma by Monday, and Andrew will be there on Wednesday afternoon. I will miss Andrew terribly in our time apart, but there's no way around it. It will be a crazy week next week getting Andrew settled, getting everything switched over to different doctors, and finding a new routine. We definitely have our work cut out for us, but it will be worth it to be home with our kids, in our own home. I am not sure if I will be able to post on the blog while I'm on the road due to Internet access, but I will do my best. For now, I ask that you all join me in prayer that Andrew stays safe and does well in the days before he returns home. Good Night and God Bless. Joye

Joye's Update 8/28/08

Andrew had a really good day today. They have been working very hard this week at getting him fitted (correctly) to his new chair as well as to get some devices put on the chair that will help him to be more independent. They put his cell phone on it as well as well as a camel-back (type) drinking system so that he can always keep hydrated and won't need assistance with getting a drink. His phone is set up to receive voice commands along with a blue tooth device that he can click on and off up against a thing near the side of his head, and he can also push the buttons on the phone with a mouth stick if necessary. We are also planning on getting a home system that will allow him to operate the TV, DVD, VCR, etc., as well as to turn on lights and unlock and open doors. He can also operate a computer with a laser light (mouse) system, but he said he's never had an interest in computers so at this time he doesn't want that device. We are so thankful to God for this place. They have really brought Andrew a long ways in a short amount of time. I just can't believe the difference in him from when we first got here. Although our life will be very different when we return home . . . we are both so happy to be able to get back there to begin our much different life together in our newly modified home with our kids, family and friends. Andrew has told me that he feels very fortunate that he made it through all of this and that he'd much rather be alive and with us . . . even if in a chair, than the alternative of not being here to enjoy his life and his family. He's been so strong and I've never been so proud of him. His will and determination have proven doctors wrong, his faith in God is what keeps him going, and your prayers and encouragement have made all the difference . . . we cannot thank you enough for that. This has all been to God's glory and delight and it has restored some peoples faith and strengthened others in the Lord, and that has touched me in a way that I don't think I could describe. God is awesome and He has seen us through this, that's for sure. Good Night and God Bless you all. Joye

Joye's Update 8/27/08

Well, we began the day today thinking Andrew was going to get rid of one tube (feeding tube) and it turns out that he got rid of two. His lung doc decided he no longer needs the oxygen he was taking from the nose cannula. One less tube is always a good thing, two less is great! I also have to tell you of another prayer answered. I have literally been losing sleep as I've been highly stressed over finding the right doctors to take care of Andrew once we're home. We were pointed in one direction, and it was just not sitting right with me for many reasons; it was keeping me up nights. So, I began to pray about it and hand it over to God. A few days later I received an email with a great suggestion that has basically led us to a great doctor who it appears may be able to take Andrew's case, and very importantly, it feels right in my gut and my heart. God (once again) has answered this prayer and led us in the right direction. And I really want to thank Carrie and Dr. Scheetz for EVERYTHING! I know I'll sleep much better tonight, so thank you for that. God has put the right people in our life at just the right moment. Good Night and God Bless. Joye

Joye's Update 8/26/08

Andrew had another good day today. We found out that he is supposed to get his feeding tube out tomorrow, which is another huge milestone as they were first thinking he'd go home with it due to his jaw problems. The jaw is feeling much better, therefore, he's eating much better . . . so, the tube comes out. God is awesome and he answers prayers . . . so please continue to pray for Andrew. Prayer has made the difference in Andrew's recovery and prayer is the answer to his healing. Good Night and God Bless. Joye