September 20 Update

Well, this is my second attempt at this email - my laptop just erased the other I had spent an hour composing so I'll try and retype with the same enthusiasm as my fingers are typing so fast....

In this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33

This has been sort of my "verse" and refuge for the past week or so. I keep relying on it and referring to it often and it's most appropriate for what my family has been through the past few months, but it speaks to each of us in all our lives. God tells us in His word that we will have trials but He sent His son to overcome it all for us - and He assures us in His word that through our trials and tribulations, He will never leave us. What comfort! Thank God for His comforting words in such times as these we face. When my brother-in-law was in his final stages of his losing battle with cancer, Paul Azinger (the PGA golfer of which had won a fight with cancer) called Jeff to give him these words, "it's not what we accomplish in life that matters, it's what we overcome". Even in losing that wonderful man, those words have been etched in my mind for so many years and only now have I really been able to understand what they mean. I believe it's the "overcoming" that is truly the measure of man and brings everything into perspective. I thank God for His teachings in my life and for our precious Jodie, who teaches me and shows me new blessings every day, and for what she has already overcome, is a true legacy and hero.

We have so much to thank God for what he has done over the past week. His healing hand continues to lay upon Jodie and so please keep praying!
Jodie has been at Methodist rehab since last Friday. Her surgery last week to put in a new shunt went well, and Jodie has been doing good since. She had a "slow Saturday" (she slept a lot and didn't interact with us much) but she must have been resting up for what all she's been doing today!

She started her rehab therapy today and has a wonderful group of therapists. She also got to meet and interact with "Fair" the golden retriever therapy dog. She has therapy from 9am to 3pm with some breaks and a break for lunch, so needless to say, Jodie is being "worked". All worth it - the prize is worth all the pain and hard work!

Last Thursday, Jodie ate "real food" for the first time since her accident. Not thickened, but actual real food (or as real as hospital food can be!). Her first meal we fed her was chopped BBQ chicken with cheesy scalloped potatoes, green beans and strawberry shortcake, along with milk and tea! She ate every bite we offered her - it must have worn her out because she feel asleep while eating! She has had many more different foods since then and has really seemed to enjoy it. Jodie has always loved to eat and I know she was just so ready to get to this point. Beth made her lasagna this weekend and brought it to her. Hiram said that he's sure she's ready to eat some of my grandmother's good cookin'. Of course, most of what she eats is chopped or puree' to make it easier for her to chew and swallow but it's all "real"! How awesome to have food for the first time all over again!!

Also, another "first" occurred tonight as Hiram, Mary Allyn and I arrived to visit and tell her good-night! She has had only the best nurses and when we rounded the corner tonight, nurse Jean said that Jodie had just had a shower. Of course, at first I thought she meant one of those "spit baths or cat baths" that she'd been getting but after I said 4 times "you mean a real shower", she finally told me to just go down and see for myself! I swear Jodie has not looked (or smelled) so good in over 5 months! Not to say that she hasn't been getting bathed or good bed baths but there's nothing like a real shower to make you feel better! Mama assisted Jean while they showered her - I think Beth was crying over the phone when we told her the good news. I never realized how much rejoicing one shower could be!

Another "first" is that we saw the first signs of real emotion, when Jodie cried today. Mama said around lunch, after her morning therapy, she was streaming tears - we don't know why - but as sad as it sounds, it's really "good news" that she felt an emotion (or pain) that upset her or touched her. Jodie's like the rest of us and has always been an emotional person, so to see that come out in her again was a blessing. She even had tears and seemed to cry again when we left her tonight. It's amazing the blessings that God gives to us, even in our tears!
Please pray that she continues to progress and that God's healing will continue over her body. I pray that I continue to have good news to report to you on her progress at rehab. Of course, I realize that with all things, Jodie may still and most likely will encounter bad days and our roller coaster will continue to go up and down and even spin us around at times, but it's all for God's ultimate plan -
God shows us miracles every day - even if you don't get to experience them firsthand here with Jodie, we all rejoice the same. I pray for God's miracles to each of you this week and to come.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace. Romans 15:13