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Our family wants to thank you for your faithful prayers! The patient, Benjamin, continues to improve. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday he goes to outpatient rehabilitation locally. We know the physical therapist and feel like our guy is heading in the right direction. On his "off" days, he works from home, doing everything he's learned to do to continue to get better. He's not load-bearing on his right leg until November 14th, but he IS able to stand on his walker and walk (sort of hop) around on his left leg. Several times a day he gets out of his wheelchair and makes several laps around the den. He sits out on the patio in the sunshine for an hour or so in the afternoon to get some Vitamin D. We are loading him up with protein, fruit juices and a plethora of supplements to aid in healing.
His right foot, through hard work, has finally gotten to the 90 degree angle. That will be beneficial when load-bearing and able to begin trying to walk. He was fitted out with a new apparatus that he wears 2 hours a day. It is a vest that somehow electrically stimulates bone growth to speed fusion/healing in his spine.
It has been about a week since he has had any kind of sleeping pill to assist in sleep. It has been weeks and weeks since he's had any pain medication. He is still on neurontin (gabapentin) for nerve pain. If he tries to get off of that, he has lots of nerve pain in his right leg and foot. Strength in his right (dominant) hand is half that of his left hand and there is still numbness/tingling in his right foot, thigh, right fingers up to his elbow and left forearm. All those are prayer concerns, without a doubt.
His employment is another. Benjamin talked to his boss. She has gotten approval from HR for him to begin part time work whenever he is released by his doctor. Originally, the doctor had said RTW was sometime after the first of the year. With the news from his boss, he called his doctor and the doctor will be flexible. Benjamin's goal is to continue to work hard. He has an appointment with his neurosurgeon and another with his orthopedic surgeon in early December. Benjamin has proposed to his boss that he could try to return to work on December 6th, but has not heard back from her yet. That is a good goal to work toward.
As I survey where we are today versus where we were seven and a half weeks ago, well, I get a little choked up thinking about it. God is indeed our refuge and strength. The third verse in the old hymn, "Great is Thy Faithfulness" says it best. No matter what besets us, He gives us strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow:
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow—
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see:
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
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