Sunday Evening
Tammy Says -
What's new today?
Jack is smiling at will, laughing when he wants, pointing to where he wants to go, and most helpful nodding his head up and down for yes and no. No more guessing as to what he wants!!!!
This week Jack will start a therapy called vitastim, they will put little patches on his throat that will stimulate his throat and muscles around there to swallow. He has 5 one hour therapy's this week, one a day. The therapist said he will be eating a little stuff each day during this therapy. Jack is ready to eat mentally, so I hope this works well, so he can eat with us. We have been eating outside his room, because it makes him sad to not eat when others do. It didn't seem to bother him seeing me eat a powerbar or soup in a can, but when it comes to real food it is a different story. Keep his swallowing in your prayers. Oh to be tube free!
Love, Tammy
5/15/2005 5:27 PM
What's new today?
Jack is smiling at will, laughing when he wants, pointing to where he wants to go, and most helpful nodding his head up and down for yes and no. No more guessing as to what he wants!!!!
This week Jack will start a therapy called vitastim, they will put little patches on his throat that will stimulate his throat and muscles around there to swallow. He has 5 one hour therapy's this week, one a day. The therapist said he will be eating a little stuff each day during this therapy. Jack is ready to eat mentally, so I hope this works well, so he can eat with us. We have been eating outside his room, because it makes him sad to not eat when others do. It didn't seem to bother him seeing me eat a powerbar or soup in a can, but when it comes to real food it is a different story. Keep his swallowing in your prayers. Oh to be tube free!
Love, Tammy
5/15/2005 5:27 PM
Comments
This is the Browns(Derek & Bertha)
Just want ya'll to know we have been praying for little Jack. If there is anything we can do just say the word. We Love you guys and you know God is with you and little Jack. Well see you for now.
Bro & Sis in Christ
Hang in there! You can be positive that we are all still praying for Jack as well as everyone taking care of him. It's great news to hear he is smiling and nodding to communicate with you. We will pray for strength for him as he endures all the therapy this week. Thanks again for helping us see the specific needs we can bring before our Father.
Love and Prayers.
Kristen Saltsman
Love,
Robin, Guy & Kati
May God continue to bless Jack with healing. And you with strength and courage.
Love,
Susan
Matt, myself and the Young Married Class at Broadway has been praying for each and everyone of you. It is so amazing to get on your blog and see the progress everyday. We know that the Lord will continue to work in wonderful ways.
Anna Hooper Ray
We prayed with you before Jack's diagnosis that this would be a "simple fix" and in our minds this is not exactly simple! But you know that God works EVERYTHING out for good! I got this email today that I'm sure you've seen before, but it's good to be reminded:
I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a by-product of tribulations;
it isn't granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares
and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own! ,
but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.
God is doing great things FOR and WITH your family!
I love you!
Carol
I left Abilene last wednesday morning. My heart truly aches. I miss my famiy so much. I wanted to stay and thank so many of you, my new friends, at church that night. I cannot express my gratitude enough. What amazing, Godly, serving people you are.
Karene Neil, thank you for picking up the kids in the morning, bringing us dinner, and making sure all of our needs were taken care of.
Karen and Michael Gilliland, thank you for bringing the kids home from school, making sure I knew about the progam and other school stuff, helping DJ break in when he was sick, taking us to Mcdonalds and driving the kids to Dallas. I miss seeing you every day. I wouldn't have made it without you.
Sug Springer, thank you for bringing us groceries and for checking up on us.
Tamara Frazier, thank you for bringing us snacks, taking DJ to pracitce and calling to see how we were doing.
Jessica, thank you for bringing us lunch from Mcdonlads that first day. And how nice to run into you on my last lunch. Tammy has wonderful friends and it was good to see you again.
Sean McNeil, thank you for fixing Rob and Tammy's plumbing and starting the a/c for us. What would we have done without you!
Kim Cooksey, thank you for organizing dinners, answering my questions, cheking in on us and offering your help.
Shawn Wheeler, thank you for also organizing meals, calling us and offering to help us with anything.
Darla, thank you for meeting us at Geoffrey's and taking us to Mcdonald's. It was great to visit with you, Shelby and Will. It was so nice to see you again. Thank you for calling to check on us.
Sarah Stirman, thank you for the blog, for all that you've done for the family and for sitting with DJ when he was sick. And you weren't feeling good yourself. What a woman!
Shellie Smyser, thank you for taking the kids to school, for bringing us a wonderful meal, and for sitting with my kids when I took Sophie to the Dr. I could count on you for anything.
Kim Henderson, thank you for delivering us a meal. It was so helpful and much appreciated.
Sara, the neighbor, thank you for coming by to visit and for bringing me chocolate strawberries on Mother's day. That was so sweet of you.
Allison, Aaron's mom, thank you for calling to check on us and for your encouragment and offering your help. You are so nice.
Dianne and Wayne Terrell, thank you for sitting with me at M&M, offering to clean, for mowing the lawns and for being such kind people. I enjoyed our time together.
David and Karise Gilliland, thank you for sending the kids stickers, thank you for my note pad and magnet and the beautiful cards. How thoughtful of you. I was touched. I love to read your words and prayers.
Amy and Scott Trabold, thank you for having me over for dinner, for taking me to church and bible study, for going to lunch with me, for sharing your mom and sending food on Mother's Day, for calling me and entertaining me. I love your wonderful kids. Amy, I've known you since 2nd grade and though we don't see eachother much, when we get together I feel like no time has passed. Thank you for making me laugh.
Dad, Daryl (my husband),Jo (my best friend), thank you for your daily calls that kept me going and sane and for a smile and laugh during such a painful time. Jo, thank you for letting me stay with you on my trip and for starting a huge prayer chain that covered at least 3 States. Daryl thank you for your understanding and willingness to be separated to help those we love. You anf Dad can no longer make any bad Texas jokes after meeting these wonderful people.
See, it really does take a community and what a lovely commmunity of God's people it is.
I look forward to seeing you all again soon.
May God bless all of you abundantly,
Aunt Tamara
Beverly McCallon
Jack had a good day Monday. He had a good speech therapy. He didn't like the electrode therapy too much, it doesn't hurt, just feels weird on his throat. The therapist distracted him and he was able to think about the blueberry sucker he had rather than the sensations on his neck. He had many good swallows with the vitastim on. He even said "yea" and "doo" as in scooby. The therapist said that the words were part of his healing not from the use of the vitastim. He had a bit of a meltdown in occupational therapy, didn't like the activity. It was stretching his neck muscles by having him on all fours throwing some stuffed toys into a basketball hoop looking thing. He had to lift his head for this. It still hurts quite a bit and is uncomfortable for him to move his neck because of the surgery. Physical therapy went well, throwing a ball, kicking a ball, and walking stairwells.
He is also laughing alot (not during therapies) now. His sense of humor is still with him. He is full of little jokes.
Hope to email soon with the newest progress.
Love, Tammy
Tammy