May came in with a beautiful,sunshiny display. The temperatures are rising and it feels so nice to be dry and warm outside at the same time !
The warmer days of spring have been so good for Jerry. His thermometer in his body still doesn't quite work. Usually he is always cold, kinda like me. Usually he does not like the warmer weather, unlike me !
The cold seems to increase his spasms in his body, so having warm weather has been a blessing. It has encouraged him to get outside most days. Now, we just have to remind him to not overheat. His body doesnt't sweat, crazy nerves !!
He works in his shop and has been doing little projects around the house as well. He is walking more, I catch him wobbling to his shop when he doesn't want to use his cane. (Though he is getting so much better ) Seeking his independence !! I really need to find him a more personalized cane for his spry age. If you see something that would be fitting, let me know ;-)
He is still doing Physical and Occupational therapy two times a week. We have changed his days to Mon/Wed for the most part so he can come to the Y with us on Tues/Thurs eve. That keeps him pretty active with exercising 4 days a week and has helped keep him up and going most of the rest of the time as well. He is building up his strength on the bike and a few weeks ago he actually floated in the pool. Which seems like such a simple thing,but for some reason with his nerves his buoyancy has been off. Every new accomplishment is a huge victory ! I am so proud of him and how hard he has worked with therapy and not giving up. He still has lots of nerve weakness throughout his hands and lower body. We are hopeful that with time this will all return. Knowing that our timing is not God's timing is the key to all of this !
For those of you whom have not seen him in a while, he stopped shaving in Sept !! It was hard to hold a razor and I guess you could say he didn't trust me with the razor ??? I have a few pics....
In April we went back up to Seattle VA and he went through Driver's Rehab. He passed his cognitive and his drive test and is back behind the wheel, officially. He is mostly building up his endurance for it now. Between his meds and his back pain , those are the two things keeping him from any big excursions so far.He does the drive to Church now, and has been driving at least one way to therapy in Bremerton. It's been a lot easier budgeting gas for one vehicle anyways ;-)
Meanwhile, the rest of the family is staying busy and keeping Dad on the move.
In Feb, Jerry's daughter, Rhiannon, whom lives in Connecticut, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. The first Grandbaby... Miss Lena. It is lovely seeing Rhi as a mama.
A.J. Is in his last quarter of Running Start- a dual credit program for High School. After beginning this Homeschool journey 13 years ago,he will be graduating in June.
Katie is staying busy with her studies as a sophomore, getting into some photography, and making her paper flower bouquets...and she helps out so much with meal prep when I'm on the road.
Sarah is usually tucked away in a book and is on swim team this past year and loving it.
Isaia has really hit a spot in his speech therapy that had us looking for new ideas. This winter he was diagnosed with CAS- Childhood Apraxia of Speech. This has opened a whole new world to us with working with him and seeking new ways to help him communicate better. If you know him, he has lots of grand things to share. Our biggest desire now is that he doesn't get frustrated and stop talking when he is not understood.We just received word that he has been accepted into a camp this summer at WSU in Spokane just for kids with Apraxia. We are still learning all the details but are very excited for this opportunity.
New seasons mean changes, and for me that means something new too. I am going to go back to school. We have talked about it for years and have decided this is a perfect time. Jerry is going to do more of the homeschooling and I will be working on my pre-reqs this fall for applying to Nursing School at Olympic College. I am really excited and looking forward to whatever is ahead.I am sad to step away from homeschooling the kids but looking forward to being able to help the family out in a new way.
Jerry goes back in to the neurosurgeon mid May to discuss his lower back. It has been so hard watching him struggle with this back pain for so long. Not sure what is the best thing for treating him but praying for wisdom as we seek more info.Please pray for comfort from the pain, He is tired of taking meds and would love relief.
Mostly we just want to share progress and continued thankfulness to all of you for coming alongside of us during this past year and a half . Your love and prayers mean so much to us.
Blessings~Tammy,Jerry and family
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