We write from the other side of Christmas and hope yours was full of hope and blessings.
What a difference from last year, which Steve doesn't even remember! From the struggle to breathe on his own and once in a while sit in a wheelchair to being able to attend church on Christmas Eve this year! Though he came in his wheelchair, it seemed like a miracle to sit beside him again at Lakeside Christian Church.
We had Dave Giegler help us get him into the multi-lift and the car, along with stationing the wheelchair on the trailer hitch. We have found that, at least for now, we need two people to help this happen. I could not help (more on that later), so one of our therapists, Christy, offered to meet us at Rosedale and go to our church with us, bringing along her family. She was there with Dave for loading, unloading, loading, unloading. Amazing!! Thank you for making this happen for us, Christy and Dave! It means so much.
After church, Sue and Dave G. brought over a Christmas dinner to Rosedale. We ate downstairs by the tree and Sue served us prime rib and fixings! I brought sweet potato casserole and a pumpkin pie that suffered from riding around in the car to church, etc. before it "set." These friends made a Christmas Eve one we will remember fondly always.
This last month has been eventful.....both celebratory and stressful. I'll bet you can relate. Two groups of friends came to sing carols and bring goodies to the residents in our wing. It was heartwarming to see people sing that looked like they were going back in time and others who could barely speak mouth the words.
Thank you, dear friends!
Also this past month, we had our trials with the multi-lift for the car. We had just received it back from the manufacturer (made an adaptation) the day before we had an MRI appointment at the nearby hospital. We confidently (Steve) and uncertainly (me) put it into the car, loaded and swung Steve into it and loaded the wheelchair into the trailer hitch. 35 minute operation. Here's where I believe God stepped in, knowing we were in over our heads. My friend, Sandy, called that morning and said she wanted to come to meet us at the hospital, saying she felt a "nudge" to offer. I said "thanks and do come if you wish but you probably won't
have anything to do." Wrong.
When we arrived at the hospital, Sandy got another wheelchair as I couldn't dislodge ours from the hitch. Then she held it while I swung Steve out and....the multi-lift came off the door hinge and he dropped! Half into the wheelchair and the rest suspended between chair and door. While I held his legs and tried to stop his slide out of the chair, Sandy summoned help and three men helped get him enough into the chair to make it to the MRI station. You can imagine the helplessness of Steve (who stayed calm) and me (who didn't).
Once he was in the MRI, I began worrying about how to get him back to Rosedale. I wasn't about to use the lift again and the local handicapped bus, RAMP, has told me they weren't available for us that day. I called Rosedale and no one could come. I decided to try again (5 times) to at least get his wheelchair off the hitch and finally succeeded. The angle I have to be at and the force to pull the lever was too much. So I got his chair to MRI in time for him to get off the table onto it instead of the loaned one. Then, God sent a bus! You may or may not believe this is possible, but we know He can and does. I looked out the hospital window and saw a RAMP bus. They don't just park all over Northern Kentucky. They were there to pick up another person. I ran out and asked if Steve could ride also. After some calls, they said yes! The lady that was being picked up was late showing up and Steve appeared just as she did. I was so relieved. Thank you, God! You knew in advance that we needed help.
"Before they call, I will answer." -Isaiah 65:24
We are looking forward to 2016 and Steve coming home ..... date TBA.
Happy New Year!
Love,
Steve and Nancy
