Joye's Update 8/13/08

Andrew had some struggles today. His blood pressure is dropping at times (mostly while sitting upright) which is causing a lot of dizziness and discomfort. They are trying to figure out what's going on, and until then Andrew will have to remain in bed. They have some ideas, so hopefully this won't last too long. Please pray with me for a better tomorrow. Good Night and God Bless. Joye

Joye's Update 8/12/08

It was a good day today. Andrew did all of his therapies and classes and had a pretty good day. Coco is continuing with her training and I think will have about 2 years worth of information given to her in this one week by the time she goes back home. It's a lot to learn, but she's taking it in stride. Please continue to pray for Andrew and most specifically, please pray for him to get use of his arms. We thank you for that. Good Nigh and God Bless. Joye

Joye's Update 8/11/08

It was a pretty good day today. Coco is continuing with her training and Andrew and I feel so blessed that she is here, willing to learn, and will be at home waiting for us when we get there. Coco will be living with us and will be there nights to help with getting Andrew back to bed and some of his night care. That has been a huge relief to me as you all know that Andrew is a big guy (still weighing about 240 lbs.) and although it can be done . . . it's very difficult for one person to transfer him from chair to bed and vice versa. I am also aware that our home is pretty much complete and ready for us. We are truly blessed to have the friends and family we do that have done so much to prepare for our homecoming. Andrew and I continue to pray for full healing and specifically for him to get use of his arms next. We believe God will grant him this miracle in His time and we are already thankful for that healing. Good Night and God Bless. Joye

Coco's Update 8/10/08

Andrew was up early for church, after church he and Joye came to the apartment to see me, as I slept in today. We all sat here and watched a movie together, and after I helped with lunch. Andrew did have a Twinkie... I asked him how long had it been since he ate one to those and he looks at me and says "Friggen Years" I laughed as I broke up the twinkie to feed him. After our movie we all went back to his room and it was time to get a haircut and shave and a shower. I have never seen Andrew with hair on his head and there was alot. He went to bed early tonight and Joye and I gave him kisses and let him watch tv.
Tomorrow, I will start with classes and go to his therapies with him. This is going to be a busy week as we continue to get him ready to go home...

Coco's update 8/9/08

Hello this is Coco aka Christine. I am a close friend of the family.I have worked in the health care field for 18yrs focusing on elderly but occasionally someone younger to. I was asked to join in the care for Andrew by him and Joye, and was very touched when I was the one Andrew wanted!!!


Well, I arrived here in Colorado last night, for a week long training session, for those of you who don't know I am going to be moving in with Joye and Andrew to help with Andrew's care. Today was an uneventful day for Andrew, as he didn't want to get out of bed until early afternoon. Seeing him up in his chair was like looking at the Andrew we all know and love. It really was a moving day for me and quite humbling as well. Kinda funny how much we take breathing for granted, and when you see him breath, well you almost feel guilty for it being so easy. He has worked so hard and talking to the nurses and techs that work with him they all agree that it truly is a miracle for him to be breathing on his own.
I had some training today, learning how to suction his trach and doing trach care was the first thing on the list. Its awesome to see him cough to help move secretions out of his lungs. As the week goes on I will attend my own traing classes along with his physical therapy and occupational therapy, learning how to move his body and we all know its a big one...lol ... will prove to be the most important thing. He is very excited to be going home soon and living his life as normal as possible.

Joye's Update 8/8/08

It was a good day today. We had our monthly conference and Andrew is still on schedule to be discharged in September. It was reported that he is doing well in his therapies and his classes, and as we all know he has far exceeded their hope for coming off the vent. We cannot thank you all enough for all your prayers. We know Andrew would not have come so far if not for that. Good Night and God bless you all. Joye

Joye's Update 8/7/08

It was a very similar day today as the past few. Andrew is still breathing perfectly, he's doing okay with his driving, and he's in really good spirits. We still pray together each day for God to heal him and we do so in great faith. We ask that you please continue to pray for this as well. I received a Daily Devotional, as I do nearly every day, from Barry and Marie Nicholson of Passion Christian Church in Yuma and it really spoke to me about how much we must persist in our prayers and always give thanks to God. I hope it's okay with Bary and Marie, but I'm going to provide some of what they sent to me, and I hope it speaks to you as it did me. It refers to Colossians 4-2 Be persistent in prayer, and keep alert as your pray, giving thanks to God. It also refers to Luke 18:1-8 The Parable of the Persistent Widow 1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' 4 "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' " 6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" Because of the woman's constant requests, the judge finally agreed to hear the case. Jesus illustrated that we should continually bring our needs before God in prayer. We should never give up; please keep praying to God for Andrew's healing. Good Night and God Bless you all. Joye