A Smile For Alex

Dear Family,

I went to see Mom/Miriam after work yesterday afternoon. Her friend Anna was in the room talking to her. Anna was so excited to see me. She wanted to share  exciting news about Miriam. She told Miriam that her husband Alex loves her and cares for her so much. Mom/Miriam responded with a big smile:-)  I asked Anna if she was absolutely certain that it was a smile. She said yes.  I asked Miriam to smile again but she was unable to, but I look forward to seeing her beautiful smile.

When Mom/Miriam was in Atlanta's Shepherd Center, a few nurses and therapists have witnessed her open both eyes. I was never able to see her do that until we came back home. This is a very good baby step and hopefully her smile will increase in frequency. 

PTL.

In His Time,

Dad/Alex

July 25, 2011

Dear Family,

Progress has been very slow and very little to report. Mom/Miriam loves getting a full bath. After each bath, she just falls asleep. So, the weekend has been very quiet and restful for her.  I thank God for that. 

I have asked her to repeat the word "hello" but no success. However, she seems to make more frequent feeble sounds. 

We continue to wait patiently upon the Lord. Hebrews 11:27 " By faith he ( Moses) left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen." The world says that "seeing is believing," but God wants us to believe in order to see. 

Please continue to uphold mom/Miriam in your daily prayers.

In His Time,

Dad/Alex

How Wonderful!

Dear Prayer Warriors,

It is not easy to go on each day seeing very little change , but every now and then God gives us proof that He is still there, He cares very much and He loves Miriam!

Last night as the nurse was feeding Miriam, she clearly heard her say, "Hello!"   PTL!

Miriam has not repeated this since but it is one more step forward and we Praise God for this. Although she has not said an actual word since last night, she is trying to make sounds.....we are so grateful for each baby step forward!

Thank you for praying!
God Bless
Love, Sally

July 4th----Six Month Mark

Dear Warren, Howie, Family & Friends,

Mom/Miriam remains wakeful several times in a day and remains unable to follow commands. She also sleeps a lot but being more wakeful several times in a day is fantastic. Yesterday, a friend who has been visiting her told Miriam how much her husband and family love her. Miriam responded by crying.  This dear friend has been giving her massages (acupressure) in her eyebrows and ears. She responds by becoming more relaxed. As always, I  visit her late in the day, after my work hours.   I talk to her a lot and pray with her everyday....a special time for us.  

She has had some  mild infection in her bladder due to presence of indwelling catheter. She is, however, asymptomatic and will not require antibiotic treatment.Per recommendation from her Urologist,  I am now irrigating her bladder once a week.Whatever I can do to care for her.

Overall, Mom/Miriam is still stable. Thank you for your love and prayers. Please do not give up praying for her.

In His Time,

Alex

June,22 .....Wednesday

Dear Family,

Mom/Miriam had an uneventful Botox injection of her calf muscles. It will take 7-10 days to see the full effect. Please pray that she will have a good response. Her special orthopedic shoes also arrived yesterday and they fit perfectly for her. This will help minimize club foot deformity. 

Mom/Miriam continues to slowly recover in baby steps. She remains in coma but is more wakeful for longer periods of time. Yesterday, I asked her to blink her eyes twice if she recognized me and her Physiatrist. She did and he was able to witness her do that. PTL. 

Please do not give up praying for Mom/Miriam.

In His Time,

Dad/Alex

Monday June 13

Dear Family,

Mom/Miriam is scheduled for Botox injection to her calf muscles on June 20, Monday 8:30am. That is my day off and is the only day I can take her there. Thank the Lord that they are willing to adjust to my schedule. Her herbal meds are on going. I leave in the morning around 9am  and 1 or 2pm from work to give her herbal meds. It takes me 20 minutes to do everything (walking to the physician's parking garage, drive to big springs, give her herbal meds and drive back to work). Very close and convenient.

Mom/Miriam got startled by nurse when she was going to feed her lunch at 1pm. According to nurse, she moved her both arms forward and her chest/head forward as reflex reactions. She has never seen that before. I personally think that she has had mixed responses. When she is awake, she is much more awake but at the same time she seems sleepier at times.  I still think we are moving in the right direction. Pray for functional recovery since she remains unable to follow any commands. Pray for successful Botox injections without any side effects or complications. 

I will be looking into the possibility of further accupuncture treatments, and ask that you would also pray about this therapy.

Thank you for your continued prayers for Miriam.....she is taking baby steps forward.

Dad/Alex

Five Months since Jan 4th

Dear Family,

Physiatrist has evaluated Miriam and recommended continuation of her physical therapy and occupational therapy. PTL.This is an answer to our prayers!   He also recommended Botox injections of her calf muscles towards the end of the month. Miriam had a visit from a local Acupuncturist. He evaluated her and treated her once with acupuncture and recommended some trial herbal medicine for one week. I will start her this weekend so I can observe her. I do not know how these herbs will interact with her neuropharmacological stimulants. Pray for no untoward side effects and above all pray for functional recovery.

Miriam has been more wakeful. When she is not sleeping, her right eye is usually wide open and the left eye would open slightly. She would look at me and her visitors. She definitely tracks but remains unable to follow commands. I personally think that she is improving but they are clearly baby steps.  Her vital signs have been stable and that is good.

Please do not give up praying for her.

In His Time,

Dad/Alex