Weekly Update (by Nancy)

Thanks for checking back in. It has been a busy, great week with visits from California family and Milwaukee friends back to back! Tim was also here for two days during that time and got to see his “adopted” Milwaukee family, Margo and Dave Hoffman. Steve’s Uncle John, Aunt Norma, and cousin Heather Hoel stopped by for a couple of days on a trip through the Midwest. See side pictures which show Steve sitting outside for the second time with his family. 

Steve continues to mostly use the laser pointer to communicate and also is able to use his voice occasionally as he is still learning the breathing process that is required to use the speech canula inserted into his trach. He is quite articulate. He gave his Uncle John detailed directions for the BB King Jazz Parlor ribs joint in Memphis (their next stop after Cincy). 

Steve’s arms and hands are much calmed down from the numerous sensations that caused extreme restlessness in him. Dr. Krause has adjusted the medicines and his mind is now calmer and more “mellow” as this has diminished. She suggested that he might like to share his “engineer mind” in a meeting with her and unit directors Pat and Brenda to offer his thoughts on how the unit could serve patients even better. He readily agreed and the meeting is set for Thursday. He joked that he has no business clothes for it and this will be the first time he has worn a catheter to a meeting. 

When he told me he will have a swallowing test again this week, he said it will be here in his room, calling it “party central.” His sense of humor is returning. Steve has a new bed, offered when he just couldn't get comfortable on the old one. I guess after lying on your back for five months you need a change! Steve’s breathing goal is to continue weaning on a low setting with only some support until he is stronger to go on to the trach collar with no support. He has hit 12 hours and expects to hit 16 very soon. The goal is to hit 24. Right now, they set it to full support at night.

At the invitation of our friend Margo and her cousin Janie, I attended a Sunday service at Heritage Assembly of God where they were having a healing service and a guest preacher from South Africa. His name is Willhem Nel and he had had a severe case of GBS in 2009. I was very inspired by his message and of course seeing him preach and move fluently around the stage, since they said he would never preach again. Also, he flatlined for 25 minutes during his early days of GBS and has a near-death story woven into his testimony. He came and held my hands, making sure to touch the wedding ring, as he prayed for Steve by name. It was so powerful and moved me and many others to tears. Janie bought me his book which I have devoured. It reminded me that we need to hold on to the Bible as we never have before and commit specific scripture verses to memory. Then we always have them with us if, perchance, we are unable to move our hands or open our eyes one day.

Speaking of that, as you may remember, I have seen numerous examples of Isaiah 65:24, which says “before they call I will answer!” Here’s the latest and it concerns Charlie, our dog. You’ll maybe recall that for a month the Ziebro family kept him for us when Steve was in the critical stage. Before they offered I didn't even know them. Several friends have kept him overnight during this time.  Well, I needed help to walk him when I couldn't get home in time from the hospital so I decided I needed to make flyers and put them in mailboxes. (I didn't stop and ask God for help.) As I was walking him down the street, thinking of what to put on the flyer, I saw a young girl and her dog on the corner near my house. Our dogs met and we talked and I asked her if she knew of a young girl in the neighborhood whom I could hire for Charlie. She, Emily, immediately responded, “I would love to!” The next day she came to learn where everything was and while here asked about Steve. (I had told her a bit the night before). She asked if she could pray for us right then. Emily held my hands and prayed the heartfelt prayer of one who knows God personally and is convinced He hears. She has helped with Charlie several times since, and more, has become a new Christian friend in the neighborhood.

And wait there is more……my friend, Sandy, along with Flora’s sister, Kristy, have found and are researching a computer application with smart board that translates laser pointing to use the computer and spell words easily. Seems we could rent it by the month. This was just yesterday so we are in the learning curve as to whether to get it, but it could be a real answer to so many things as we wait for Steve’s hands and voice to come back online.

Wow, that’s a lot to type and for you to wade through, but again, thanks for caring and praying us through this journey.

Love, 
Nancy and Steve