Jodie Update and surgery details

I know it has been awhile since we have updated and for that I am sorry. Jennifer is so busy on Hiram’s campaign, as we all are, that she hasn’t had a minute to write. We even have Jodie out campaigning with us, she has a flag on her wheelchair that says Eastland for Senate. She loves getting out and rambling and everyone loves seeing her.

We took her to the Grove for the Ole Miss homecoming game and she seemed to enjoy being there - that was her first visit to the Grove for a football game since her accident. We've also taken her to several WCS football games this season and she's gotten to see many people she has not seen in a long time. She's even said "hey" to a few!

There is no way to describe how far she has come, especially in the last few months. She is verbalizing so much more and her speech therapists have been really excited about the changes. They recommended that Jodie see an ENT doctor (ear, nose & throat) because they felt there was a problem that was interfering with her ability to move enough air through her vocal cords and because she breathes so heavily when she is trying to talk and vocalize.

She saw Dr. Schweinfurth at UMC and he immediately saw a problem – she has a band of scar tissue that is interfering to some extent with her breathing. They cannot say that it will help her talk when this is removed but it will help her breath better. The speech therapists are so excited that this may be the break through we have been praying for.

Jodie will be having the surgery on Monday, November 20, 2006 at UMC in Jackson – it will be outpatient and the doctor said it will take about 30 – 45 minutes. He didn’t act like she would have much trouble after except for maybe a slight cough for a few days. Please pray for a successful surgery.

I have got to take a picture so that you all can see the changes – she is looking more like she did before the accident. Her personality is coming back more and more - she has her sassy, joking moments and loves to harass Geneva, her sitter. She reached up the other day like she wanted to hug her neck, and then when Geneva bent over, she pinched her! The sparkle is back – the smile. She loves holding the babies, but she has so much strength in her left hand and arm that she doesn’t realize how tight she holds. I am planning on getting her a little lap dog because all of a sudden she is trying to pet Cricket and Bonnie and they just won’t sit by her chair long enough. If anyone has any good ideas of a good small breed of lap dogs let me know – Oh, and they must like kids also because the little ones are around.

We can never thank everyone enough for your thoughts and prayers. If anyone ever tells you there is no such thing as a miracle, I hope you will send them to see Jodie because she is definitely one. The prayers that all of you have sent up for her have made the difference – the Lord is listening and I ask that you continue to pray for her healing. God has really blessed us with wonderful people who have given so much of their time in prayer and for that we are truly thankful.

God Bless each and every one of you,
Nancy