May 31 2011 Current Prayer Need

Dear Family,

I just spoke with the director of occupational and physical therapy at Big Springs. They think that Mom/Miriam has plateaued in terms of physical and occupational therapy. She is recommending maintenance therapy to be transferred over to nursing. That is not what I wanted to hear. I have asked Physiatrist to evaluate Miriam and get his opinion. Physiatrist will see her Monday next week and I will then discuss this over with him, her therapists and the director of nursing care. I am afraid that maintenance therapy by nursing care  will not be adequate for Miriam's needs. We need God's help and intervention.

Please do not give up praying for Mom/Miriam.

In His Time,

Dad/Alex

Tuesday May 24, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

I have been receiving cards about how excited everyone is that Miriam is awake. I am sorry to disappoint everyone. I didn't realize my excitement was disproportional to her very short period of waking up. Miriam remains in coma most of the time. She briefly woke up for a few minutes, saw mom and her sisters, tried to say something and move but couldn't. She began crying. It gave me a window of opportunity to explain to her what had happened to her, how long it has been, where she has been, what was done and being done and where she is now and why. She went back to sleeping a lot again. A friend who has been praying for us mentioned in her email that she wished she could fast forward her recovery but that is not possible.

I am pleased and thankful to the Lord for every little progress He gives. Yes, she does open her right eye a lot more than she used to but they are usually non-purposeful. She would look at pictures of the family and she would track. That is very good. She gets tired easily and goes back to sleeping again. She grinds her teeth a lot and remains unable to move her extremities. She is unable to follow any commands. I have had mixed positive responses from her. She would blink her right eye twice when asked to but is unable to follow any other commands. Please pray for functional recovery. I will let all of you know when she become fully awake, alert, oriented and able to follow commands. Her neuropharmacological stimulation continues along with her physical therapy and occupational therapy. She is far from there.

Howie graduated from High School this past Thursday evening and he dropped by to see his Mom shortly thereafter. It was an emotional evening since Howie was thanking  Miriam for teaching him,for her wisdom and doing her best to meet all of his needs. 

Miriam's sisters were in town for 5 weeks. Her brothers and brothers-in-laws have been here too. They talked to her, sang to her and prayed with her everyday. The love they have for each other is so deep and I am always moved to tears when I see them love and care for their youngest sister. I have always assumed that God will always protect the widow and her children. Somehow, God seemed to "forget" that Miriam lost her dad when she was only 4 years old. Miriam has always been a faithful servant of our Lord. She was born with a happy gene. She smiled from sunrise to sunset. She always made people happy. Somehow when she was around, everything was going to be great and wonderful. She always knew how to make things right and yet never boastful. You always felt good when you are around her.  Didn't the Lord know that? 

Yes, the pain remains quite deep and fresh. I love her so much and it is quite easy to be impatient. Please do not give up praying for her.

In His Time,

Alex

 

Friday at Big Springs

Good evening to  Miriams' prayer team! 

Your prayers are so much appreciated.....thank you!

First, I must explain that the blogsite had a crash early this morning and the most recent posting( when Miriam woke up!) was temporarily removed. It has since been restored, but unfortunately all comments were lost for that day! So, I apologize to those of you who who sent praises and rejoicings following Miriams "Big Day"!
here is the latest from Alex:

Dear Family and Friends,

Mom/Miriam is slowly recovering. She is back sleeping a lot. The recent event when she woke up crying was a painful reality for her. Miriam wanted to verbalize and move but couldn't. I told her that this is our moment to glorify God. There is no turning back. We will trust Him and believe His will for our family. I reminded her of Joshua 1:9 " Do not be afraid, Do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

We miss her so much.  The other night, Howie dreamt of our family with happy and healthy Miriam having a great time in Disneyland. He woke up and realized that it was just a dream. Howie cried. The pain is hard to describe but God saved her and He has a reason. We continue to rest and wait upon the Lord.

 In His Time,

Dad/Alex

 

Give thanks to the Lord,call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.

Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.

Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord  rejoice.

Look to the Lord and his strength;

seek his face always.  

Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,O descendants of Israel his servant, O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones.

I Chronicles 16 : 8-13

Praise The Lord !! Miriam Woke Up!!!

Dear Family and Friends,

Miriam woke up in her wheelchair this afternoon! Praise the Lord!!! I have seen her right eye open several times but this was the first time I have seen Miriam crying and tried very hard to say something but couldn't. She looked at me in the eye as I explained to her what happened to her, why it happened, the surgery that was done to save her life, where she was in January and February and what her treatment plans are. I told her that she is now in Big Springs, a skilled nursing facility because she needs 24/7 of nursing care. Howie updated her about his school and his upcoming graduation. I also updated her about Warren. Then our sweet neighbor Laura walked into the room. Miriam heard her voice and she looked at her in the eye. She is responding slowly but surely.

She has gone back to sleep again but she did it again when she was transferred back to her bed. She is slowly improving and she will get better. 

Mom and her sisters were crying and I am reminded of the scene in Jesus's empty tomb. John 20:11-13 " But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping, she stooped and looked in to the tomb; 12 and saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus been lying. 13" and they said to her" Woman, why are you weeping?" 

Please do not give up praying for her. She is getting better!!!

In His Time,

Dad / Alex

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Dear Mom,

Happy Mother’s Day!

I love you so much. I treasure all the wonderful moments we’ve shared. I cherish our laughs, our cries, and our long conversations. You have  taught me and Howie many valuable life lessons. No matter what obstacles we face, we have to trust God and remember His faithfulness. I praise God for my loving family and thank Him so much for blessing me with a God-fearing, God-loving mother who loves her husband and children with all her heart. You are the mother described in Proverbs 31:28, “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”

Love you always.

Your son,

Warren

4 Months Since January 4th Stroke

Dear Family and Friends,

It has been 4 months since Miriam's catastrophic stroke event. This fierce storm remains unrelenting but we continue to live by faith and not by sight. There has been some progress. Miriam has attempted to open both eyes when her dear friend Vilma came by to bring her some fresh flowers. She perked up and turned her head towards Vilma. She opened both eyes and stared at the beautiful flowers and her dear friend.

Last Wednesday, Alabama was hit by multiple successive tornadoes. Tornado warnings one after another. God spared us. Grace, Joyce, Mom and I were at Big Springs Specialty Care Center from 1 pm - 8pm. It was too risky to leave. Then Huntsville had a city wide blackout. That has never happened before. Miriam and all the other patients were moved to the crowded hallways. Miriam was starting to sweat a lot and the kind SNF administrator offered a small air conditioned dining room as her temporary bedroom for two days until a second generator was brought in from Nashville, TN. That was a gift from God.  We got our power back 5 days later. 

Everyday, I look forward to seeing my dearest wife and sweetheart.  She continues to bless me even though she is unable to carry out a conversation or respond. I know she continues to unselfishly pray for me, our children, her family and her friends. Every visit is a special day for me. I am grateful to God for making it possible for me to see her and thank her everyday. 

Miriam has firmly planted her seeds of unconditional love to me, our children, her family and friends. Those of you who have been blessed by her and get to see her, please talk to her and get her updated with your life. She loves all of you very much and I know she continues to pray for everyone.  Her memory is impeccable and she remembers all of your prayer needs. She trusts God and has always been faithful to Him. 

"When you walk through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior.." Isaiah 43:2,3.

In His Time,

Alex