March 4, 2006

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    Michael here in Stephenville .  We tried to talk to Lorena today, but, upon calling and reaching Lupita in the factory, we learned that Lorena and her father were on a drive.  As disappointing as it is not to be able to talk to her when we want, it is still heart- warming and astoundingly miraculous for her to be able to be taken out on excursions.  She lived so long staring at the ceiling or the same walls, hour after hour after hour, depending on how she was turned because she could not move her head.  I know how wonderfully liberating these drives are for her, and I rejoice with her and for her.  We will simply try calling again later.


    Several new folks have stopped by the blog here and asked about Lorena , so I will recap our situation a bit.  On 9 March 2004, she had a massive brainstem stroke and was initially Locked In (i.e. could use only her eyes with no other movement.)  The cognitive portion of her brain is completely unaffected, she simply could not get her body to do anything.  Completely unable to voluntarily move anything but her eyes, she was fed by PEG tube and breathed through a tracheotomy.  She was given no hope of recovery here in the States, so we flew her to a hospital in Mexico where she has made fantastic improvement.  She is still quadriplegic, but her stomach feeding tube has been removed and she is swallowing all her own food, her tracheotomy has been closed, and she is slowly regaining some other muscular use and control.  The vast majority of brainstem stroke victims expire quickly, so she is a living miracle at this stage, but we are working and praying for a complete recovery; hopefully, that is in God's plan.  We simply beg for your prayers for her.  We need Mommy back.  Rainey (18), Stephi (16), and Lya (13), and Dad (aged beyond measure...)


    Julie Thomas called this morning.  She passed her comps for her Masters of Nursing degree that she took earlier this week, so her feet are probably not even touching the ground today with that load of stress removed.  She is Lorena's age, so, understandably, she said that Lorena has been weighing heavily on her mind lately.  ( Lorena , of course, had just finished her MBA before she had her stroke.)   


    I had to run to Wal-Mart awhile ago, where, as usual, it took me a long time to do a little shopping because of being greeted by so many friends.  Sheila Johnson was handing out Hersey candy bar and Hersey's Kisses samples (of which she pressed upon me and incredible amount.)  I elicited a phenomenal blush from her by telling her that I was going to post on here that she gave me a bunch of Kisses in Wal-Mart (which, of course, is perfectly true!!!)  Those of you who know Sheila, please don't forget to ask her about this...  Ola Mae Brock had two reports for me.  Her granddaughter, Kimberly, daughter of Duane and Lynn Brock is getting married in Lampassas tonight, but she and Jake are not going to be able to go.  Jake fell yesterday, and, although it appears that nothing is broken, he is not able to be up because of being battered and bruised.  Everyone, of course, wanted to know how you were, Lorena.  You need to tell them (and reassure them) yourself.  Hurry up and get well!!!


    I have to share a Lynn Brock story here.  Lorena and I had many laughs over it.  Shortly after Duane and Lynn moved to Lampassas, we were passing through, so we stopped to call them up to see about coming by to visit with them.  Our call was answered by Lynn yelling, "Turn that light out and get in bed right now!!!  I am going to tell you again!!!  Go to sleep!!!"  I was taken aback for a moment until I realized that it was a recording.  I had to call them back to let Lorena hear their "greeting", and we left a message telling them to check their answering machine message.  An embarrassed Lynn called us up the next day and explained that a few days before she had had a really hard time getting the boys to go to bed, so she had exploded and given them the ultimatum.  She had not realized that they had been playing with the answering machine when she did it, and apparently it had caught her threat perfectly.


    Lorena will be back.  We have faith that she will be restored.  Her miracle continues.  To God be the glory.  Thank you all for your prayers and support.