Thursday, April 24, 2008

♥ Happy Birthday Oma!! ♥

She would have been 85. I pray she is having a glorious birthday in the presence of Jesus!

We love and miss you Oma!!!

Mom and Oma 2005 I think...

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Things are never what you expect...

OK this one is going to be REALLY long: ☺

Took Matt to the ortho doc for the pain in his elbow and shoulders from using the w/c and we needed forms filled out to get the state to pay for the power chair etc etc etc. So Matt DOES have tendinitis of his elbow and shoulders, he has to wear this steroid patch with an electrode attached to the elbow and a brace to the elbow to help with pain. HOWEVER if he does not stop doing the repetitious motion causing the inflammation, he will eventually need surgery to correct the tendon in the shoulder. That said, he needs a power w/c over a manual and the MD is writing the letter to the state to get that taken care of. OK that is the good news we may get the power chair yet! YAY

The bad news: while we were there we had him look at Matt's feet. He has HORRID bunions b/c of the spacticity in the muscles of his feet. So his big toe is literally pulled all the way under his pointer toe. Now its on both feet but rt is worse then lt. Normally not a big issue, except the bunion has doubled in size in less then a month, is red, has an abrasion, and very swollen. bleh. Not only that the muscles in his feet are so spastic they are literally pulling his foot outward, like walking on the outer sides of your feet? so when he puts his braces on, it is pulling so vigorously on his legs to align them its causing increased spasm and pain. (He had the increased pain, but we didn't know why. Now we do)

The MD is very concerned and states we need to repair the bunion and foot abnormalities ASAP b/c the bunion is close to rupturing through the skin. IF THAT HAPPENS all the skin will be gone from that part of the bone and he will have exposed bone, susceptible to infection and possible amputation. OBVIOUSLY don't want that to happen....So he actually needs THREE surgeries to his foot/achilles heel and bunion. but the MD will do them all at the same time. OK here is some TMI: The other surgeries are easy but the bunion surgery requires removal of the big toe (yes removal) filing down the joint, repositioning the foot, and fusing the toe to the foot. Lots of breaking and ouchie for Matt!!!! The other surgeries (heel cord release and muscle lengthening) Matt has had before and they hurt, but not horrible and will be very beneficial in the end.

He can only have ONE FOOT done at a time b/c he needs to have an OK foot to be able to transfer and hobble to the potty and shower, so we will have to repeat this NEXT year as well! ACK!...But we HAVE to get this done in the next 6-8 weeks. So we are scheduling it for the week after school gets out in June. EEK...He will be in the hospital about 3-4 days and out of work 2-4 weeks. He will be casted for 12 weeks. Luckily b/c he is in the w/c anyway, it won't effect his "walking ability" b/c there really isn't any. HOWEVER , unless I find a job, or a FLEXIBLE job we are going to be WITHOUT a pay check for a month from either of us, but now I'm going to need to be available for him and his care b/c he will be quite dependent at first until the bone starts to heal. He will not be allowed to bare weight on the foot for 6 weeks, and him walking w/ crutches with only ONE working foot is not only difficult but dangerous (probably a bit funny to watch too! Hee hee).

I have NO IDEA what we are going to do with a month w/o pay! Maybe I’ll get a job doing the home visit stuff and that will bring on some pay. WHO KNOWS! I know our God is in control and all will be OK. This truly will be for the best!!!

Sorry so long winded. We go in to get forms for a w/c, and come out needing surgery on both feet. ICK. my poor guy, he's so bummed and frustrated at his body and is really not thrilled with all this (do ya blame him? Bleh). This will be surgery #10 for him and #3 just in our marriage alone! Well this summer should be interesting. Did I bore you to death yet with all the rambling?? ☺

Please keep us in your prayers and future weeks in prayer. We will keep you posted on dates and times and such. Have a blessed day in the Lord! ♥

Friday, April 18, 2008

Please Pray for Matt...

Matt was denied coverage from Vocational Rehab for a new power wheelchair. Long story short, they are saying his physical pain from the joints and repetitive stress injuries are "not their problem" and that he should just collect disability. Which is retarded b/c the whole goal of VR is to get disabled people working and functioning in society. Here look at there mission statement:

Vocational Rehab Mission Statement

Obtain and keep employment my tushy!!! they actually TOLD Matt to give up and go on disability? WHAT??? SO dumb!

Anyway, we appealed the denial from March and have the appeal meeting today at 2 in the main office. The district supervisor comes and sees if the case is able to be reopened or if the case is permanently to be closed. So this could make or break us!!! YIKES! We're nervous b/c the chair is over $20,000 for the BARE MINIMUM one that he needs and obviously we don't have that kind of cash. Not only that, to repair the one he is sitting in, we need a minimum $3000. YIKES! So pray for Gods direction in all this. We did apply for a grant from an organization to see if they will pay for a chair, but we don't' know for sure and won't hear about that for several months.

We're hoping for a miracle! And our God is definitely a God of miracles! he has never left us with unfulfilled needs before, and we are believing he will provide now! Please keep us and the process in prayer!

Have a blessed day in the Lord!

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Saturday, April 12, 2008

We're HOME!

Did you miss us?? We got home today and the trip was FABULOUS!!! It was so awesome and such a blessing. Came out with $80 in our pocket too of Princess money!!!!! The room was huge, the balcony was awesome, everything was accessible. And for the first time in over 3 1/2 years Matt was able to go ON THE BEACH and into the Ocean! We've not been able to since the wheelchair and it was missed. Him in the water...That is him looking thrilled to be in it finally!

So i'm gonna make this short and sweet b/c I'm tired and still moving like i'm on the ship! HA!!! I made a little slide show of some of the pics including me getting corn row braids in my hair! hee hee...The next post will be the slide show. ENJOY!!!!

Talk to you more soon! have a blessed day in the Lord!

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Bon Voyage!!!

Well cruise day has FINALLY arrived! I'm so excited! We will leave here around noon to drive to Ft. Lauderdale. Then we will float away on our cruise ship! Ahhh, sweet relaxation! We'll be gone for a week, but promise to come back with lots of stories and pictures! Pray for us and safe journeys...

Have a blessed day in the Lord!!!

Thursday, April 3, 2008

HOLY COW! Can we say UPGRADE???

Oh my goodness HOLY MOLY! Our travel agent called yesterday, they told Matt that Princess over booked our cruise... (grr) HOWEVER

They are offering us a deal if we go from THIS Sat to Sat instead of THIS Sun to Sun: ARE YOU READY FOR THIS???

An upgrade to a balcony suite that is accessible

PLUS

$700 cash credit to spend on whatever we want on the boat including, spa, drinks, excursions, gambling, WHATEVER!!!! We spent the majority of our spending money on Joy and her butt after getting run over!

HOLY COW! And instead of going to St. Thomas, and St. Maartan, and their Bahamas private island, it goes to Grand Cayman, Ochos Rios Jamaica, Cozumel, and then their Bahamas private island! I SO WANTED to go to Jamaica, but $$ wise it was cheaper to do Eastern Caribbean, who knew it would work out!!! It's a $1200 upgrade JUST for the room plus the extra cash!!!

EEEK!!! I started packing last night b/c I was going to pack on Saturday! BUT NOT NOW! :) I can't wait! It is SUCH a blessing from God and we are so excited!!!!

OH and I just have to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!!!! She is um, older today! ;) She'd kill me if said, but it is a VERY special birthday!!!! I LOVE YOU MOMMY!

OK back to work, I have to stop daydreaming about our cruise! EEK! Have a blessed day in the Lord!