“Waiting at my doorposts”
Proverbs 8: 34 “ Blessed is the person who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts”
As I’ve said before, at the very beginning of this journey, our Aunt Glenda shared with me a profound insight: sometimes God wants us to wait patiently. And often during that waiting period, it feels as if nothing is happening… at least nothing that we can visibly see or understand.
The last several days have truly felt like a waiting game. Some days I notice subtle progress, while other days it seems as though no progress occurs at all. Since last week, Ricky has crossed his feet, rubbed them together, said simple words like “Yes” and “Yeah” to his nurse, and even managed to raise his right arm and leg. He’s also had quiet days dedicated mostly to resting.
There have also been days when the hospital was scheduled to provide therapy, but no one showed up. Just last Friday, at the therapy department’s request, I went to attend a session with him, but again, no one appeared. On Saturday, a small miracle, but a miracle none the less occurred, Ricky’s secretions were remarkably thin and easy for him to clear on his own, which was encouraging to see. Looking ahead, the doctors will begin trach capping trials at some point, and we are incredibly hopeful and excited about this important next step. Each day brings us that much closer to the moment he can finally come home. Ricky’s awareness of his surroundings is growing more and more each day, which is such a wonderful and uplifting feeling. With this increased awareness, however, comes a bit more anxiety. At times during over stimulation, he is biting his lip and his tongue . Please continue to pray for God’s peace to calm and comfort him during these times.
If seeing and reading his story hasn’t proven God is still in the miracle making business, I have another story.
This morning, my anxiety was over the top. Erik spent two nights at the hospital waiting for therapy services to come, they didn’t. I was irritated, aggravated, all of those things that the devil causes me to feel, sometimes on a daily basis. I received a call from the case worker at UAB who informed me that Jacksonsville Health and Rehab accepted Ricky. Not the news I really wanted to hear. Jacksonville is almost the same distance as Birmingham and doesn’t make this easier for us. I paced, prayed and paced some more.
A few hours later, Erik calls and tells me, “ Some man just came in here. He was an attorney and was from Rehab Select.” My heart dropped. Rehab Select was one of the first places I advocated for Ricky to go to back in late May when my case worker got mad at me. Anyway, this man watched as Ricky’s doctor told him to do some things, AND for the first time ever in the history of my stubborn brother, he did what the doctors told him !!! The man told Erik that Ricky should be eligible for Guntersville or Albertville’s facility. Our hope is still for Highlands but if Rehab Select is the first stop and it’s closer to home, we’ll take it.
I will forever fight for my brother, for his health, for the care and the therapy he deserves. I will forever be thankful for the miracles we continue to see daily. I will forever praise God for allowing us to both go through this and for smacking us all in the face to remind us who He is.
Tonight I am asking you to pray for these things:
Ricky’s mental health. Ricky’s anxiety in particular.
Ricky’s secretion burden.
Ricky to be placed in a facility as close as possible to us, where God wants him to be.
Ricky’s speech and movement to continue improving.
I can’t wait for him to walk up out of this place.. in the meantime, we’ll wait for Him.
Thank you all for your prayers and support !
