June 9 Update - Day 67

O my soul, don't be discouraged. Don't be upset. Expect God to act! For I know that I shall again have plenty of reason to praise Him for all that He will do. He is my help! He is my God! Psalm 41:11

I just love that verse. Read those words again and let it sink in - God is telling us right there that we will have plenty of reasons the be thankful and He's reminding us to "be positive". No matter what happens in my life, I'm still amazed at the ways in which He choses to speak to my heart. The verse above was sent to my mom, Beth and I by a dear friend last week and I have found such deep comfort in it over the past week. I have written it on several cards that I've mailed to Jodie this week. The words just leap off the page to me!
The benefit that was held for Jodie last weekend was absolutely unbelievable. I cannot even begin to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for everyone who participated in any way in making the event so special and incredibly successful. The last rough estimate that I was told by Mac was they raised almost $20,000 that night. Praise God! God has blessed us with so many miracles lately, and that just adds to it. We will surely be able to provide for Jodie the earthly things that she will need to accommodate her in the months to come during her recovery. Again, words alone could never exemplify our thanks to all of you who contributed to the success of the benefit. I know that God will shower you all with blessings for your gracious kindness.

Now, on to the updates on Jodie. Okay, ya'll, I'm going to warn you, if after reading this you don't feel the desire to lift your hands or jump up in thanks and praise to our healing Father, God Almighty, then just slap me down. As I was driving home last night, I have this Christian worship CD that is my favorite and has the most uplifting songs on it - well, let me tell you, I was so thankful to God and singing those songs at the top of my lungs, I just wanted to pull over and have a worship service right there on the side of the road!
In the past week our girl has been showing out and putting on a show! In Mama's words, she calls it a "complete turnaround" that started Saturday (just think - that's the day of the benefit and we were all praying so much that day - God's working in our lives)! When I just talked to Mama, you could just feel the excitement coming through the phone. Mama said she is more alert than she has been - probably even since before the accident! She said her eyes are just wide open and bright - Mama said that she can sense that Jodie is focusing her eyes more on things and that it's more like she's actually looking at you and not just through you (NOT a blank stare). Mama said she reacts well to familiar voices - the other day they had Jodie in the hall in her chair and Mama walked up and started talking to someone and Jodie was turning her head toward Mama's voice to look for her. Mama even says that when Jodie hears someone call her name, that she'll turn her head to you in response! Her therapists and doctors have been commenting a lot on her alertness and progress.
They pushed her date back again - now it's June 24. This is good - remember, we take it one day at a time and God is in control of the speed!!!

Jodie is following commands more - at least about 75% of the time - sometimes more and sometimes less, but overall she's been responding well. Which is perhaps a little unusual of Jodie - as hard headed as we all know her to be !!!
Yesterday, Dr. Leslie brought his daughter by to visit Jodie. (I told ya'll, they just love her around there - but do you blame them?) Anyway, when she left, she asked Jodie to squeeze her hand and Jodie did and when she told Jodie "bye" Jodie lifted her arm (which is in a heavy cast) and wiggled her fingers!!! Mama said she has been doing that to visitors a lot the past couple of days. Our brother (Bubby) went over this weekend, and when he left, Jodie waved lifted her arm and wiggled her fingers to him.

Mama said she's moving her right arm well, somedays moreso than others - she takes it in spells with that arm! Mama also says that she fits great in her new chair, which by the way is Yellow - Jodie's favorite color. I can't wait to see it - I'm sure Mama has "jodie-fied" it up (or made it goofy looking if I know Mama - Beth and I will have to inspect and redecorate if necessary). They put straps on her legs when she's in the chair to help control her movements and Mama says that Jodie has been pulling her right leg out of the straps and giving Mama fits! (again, typical Jodie).

Jodie will have surgery in the morning on her feet. It's called a "tendon release" procedure. The doctors will go in and make small incisions into the backs of her heels (so small they don't require stitches). This will help get her feet in a normal position where they have somewhat "dropped" due to inactivity with them. They will put Jodie under anesthesia. This procedure is to take place at 6:30am CST in the morning (7:30 eastern time) so please remember Jodie and her doctors in special prayer at that time in the morning. I believe her doctors name is Dr. Wallace that will perform the surgery (just pray for him - God will know who you're talking about)! They will then cast her feet for 4 weeks. Jodie's PT, Margaret, already plans to have Jodie UP on Friday! This is wonderful. Of course, Jodie is not steady/stable enough to sit or stand by herself, but with the help and assistance of her therapists, they're going to start working with her on standing.

In her speech therapy today, they offered Jodie several different choices of soft foods, and Jodie pointed to apple sauce. Jennifer (her SP) helped her feed herself and Jodie did a good job of swallowing and Mama said she kept reacting to want more. Then they asked her if she wanted chocolate pudding and Jodie pointed to the "yes" sign they have taped on her tray (on her chair)! They plan on doing a "swallow Xray" on her next week, and if that goes well, they will be able to offer her a larger variety of foods - maybe even some with harder consistencies.

They ask her a variety of questions to stimulate responses from Jodie. Jennifer asked her if she had been a Tri-Delt (sorority) and Jodie pointed to the "NO" sign. Jennifer wrote OLE MISS and MISS. STATE on a sheet of paper and asked Jodie to point to the school that she goes to - Jodie pointed to OLE MISS! (well, hotty toddy to that one)! They also wrote "Margaritaville" and "Fireman" on a piece of paper and asked Jodie which one George Strait sings, being the avid fan that she is, she pointed to George! (she has a picture of him on her wall in her room at Shepherd that she took at his concert before her accident). Now, tell me that's not improvement!!!

BUT all this good news does not mean that we are to slack up on our prayers - I actually think He's telling us to intensify our reqeusts to Him. I absolutely believe and have complete faith that we are all praying Jodie back to herself and with our hard work and steadfast praying, God is healing her precious body and brain. Please continue to pray for Jodie. Now I know a lot of people are saying, "well, isn't this progres enough?" and YES it's wonderful but we have to continue to pray that she will respond and follow commands EVERY TIME - more consistently - that's the medical staff's goal for Jodie - for her to communicate consistently with them - so, prayer warriors, that's our prayer. Also, remember Jodie in her surgery in the morning.

Thank you all so much for your continued thoughts, support and prayers. Feel free to call Mama or send her an email - lots of you are asking about her and how she's holding up - and honestly, I think she does better than the rest of us! She's such a strong person, but please pray for her while she's there with Jodie and for the rest of our family who don't get to be there all the time and for everyone's travel back and forth.

May God bless you and keep you as you go through this week. May he wrap his arms around you with His love and peace. Keep your eyes upward!!!!