Christmas is Dorie's favorite time of the year....the decorations, the tree, the music, the snow(hopefully), the food, the presents, and of course the occasion...the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now that's something to celebrate! And we celebrate that she is able to celebrate too!

Some of you know that Dorie had her very own Christmas shop(Christmas Past) from 1990-95. She stocked decorations, collectibles, trees, specialty lights, stuffed animals, and more. But as the old saying goes, "we didn't make much money, but we had a lot of fun"! Somehow we ended up with lots of Christmas decorations after "Christmas Past" was a thing of the past.

Now we look forward to seeing grandchildren at Christmas time! Fun....we'll have to put up some pictures from Christmas Day. Have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thanksgiving!

Yes, well, it has been awhile since the last post! Dorie is doing well! Her eye has improved, though it's not 100% yet...still a very small spot where vision is not there. Her right foot still does not have all it's feeling back yet, either. We are praying for those things, especially.

She has been playing the piano, teaching James, doing housework, raking leaves...lots of normal things. And she'll be making pumpkin and apple-blueberry pies for our Thanksgiving dinner over at the Penney homestead in Eastport. We certainly have plenty for which to thank our Heavenly Father!

Thanks to the Lord and thanks to you all for praying for Dorie. Your prayers have been a great encouragement...please continue! And our prayer is that at this Thanksgiving season, we would all "praise God from Whom all blessings flow"!

Happy Birthday!

James and I took Dorie to NH for her birthday this past Wednesday. Went to the quaint little town of Exeter to shop and eat at the Loaf & Ladle. We stayed at a bed& breakfast in Strafford, Bow Lake Inn. Wednesday evening we went to the Lazy Lion in Deerfield for dinner with our friends, Ed & Sandy Cross and family.

On Thursday we went to the Deerfield Fair and did the fair things...watched the horse show, the woodsman competition, the pig scramble, and the Flying Wallendas. We also ate various fair-type junkfood. Met up with our good friends the Pinards, Jim & Joanne, and wandered around the Fair with them.

Friday we went back to Exeter to eat at the L&L again, and shop. On our way back to the Cross Sound Ferry, we stopped at Red's Shoe Barn(again... we stopped on the way up, but they didn't have something...it was coming in on Friday) in Plaistow, NH....great selection, prices and no tax! Cool! Next time we go we're hoping it will be more typical NH temperatures, instead of 90 degrees!

Dorie had a wonderful time with grandsons, Micah (left) and Sam (right), yesterday after church.

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, so here is the scoop:

Dorie is much stronger than a few weeks ago. She has much more stamina, she is walking better. Still has issues with her right foot, especially the heel not having full feeling. This makes her gait a little awkward, since she doesn't feel her foot touching the ground instantly. Amazing how we take such things for granted! We are still praying for full recovery of her peripheral vision, which she is convinced is improving.

Because she is feeling quite peppy, James and I are going to take her on a trip to NH for her birthday (9/26) and go to the Deerfield Fair. We've been there lots of times and it's fun. We'll take the Orient ferry to New London, CT, drive up to Bow Lake Inn, Strafford, NH, and spend Thursday at the fair. Speaking of traveling, Dorie will be going to the the next meeting of the Augustine Presbytery of the Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Churches, in Cary, NC, October 10-12. We will be driving down with Kris and Lavaida Smith (our son, Joel's in-laws, Sam's grandparents, and Christ Covenant Church's ruling elder[Kris, of course!]).

Thank you all for your continued prayers for Dorie! What a blessing and encouragement it is to see our Heavenly Father answer them!

Back to Normal...Almost!

Since a picture is worth a thousand words...or so, and since Vacation Bible School is next week (yikes!), I leave you with this photo of Dorie (doesn't she look great!?). I'll post after VBS is over.

The key to recovery....

...is the Hand of God as He answers our prayers, in accordance with His will. "Full recovery" for Dorie awaits the Day of Resurrection, just as it does for all of us who limp through life. Yet we expect and work toward a substantial recovery of all that she could do before her "brain incident". Her OT and PT sessions have gone very well, as have her home exercises. She starts her second week of therapy tomorrow. And we have seen some good progress: she can walk more steadily, she has more stamina (even doing some household chores, i.e. wash, vacuuming, making beds), her handwriting is improving, she is playing the piano better, her memory, and conversational skills are much improved. For all these we are thankful to our gracious Heavenly Father!

We still ask for prayer these things: that the peripheral vision in her right eye would improve, that the tingling and numbness in her right arm and leg would fade (these are supposed to be good signs that they are "waking up"...but not very comfortable), that she would walk more steadily and with a normal gait, and that her fine motor coordination in her hand would return.

Again we thank you all for your faithful prayers! We know that the Lord hears His people when they pray!

Grand day out....

Dorie and I had a nice time out yesterday. James went swimming and we went to see Ratatouille. Fun! One of the promo trailers had Remy's (the protagonist) brother Emil say, " If you can get past the gag reflex, a lot of food possibilities open up."...but it wasn't in the movie. It makes me wonder if that could be changed to, "If you can get past the strict regulative principle of worship (gag!), a lot of liturgical possibilities..." Oh, never mind,that discussion is for other blogs!

In a little while I'll be taking Dorie over for her first day of OT and PT. She's looking forward to it! She has been faithfully doing her homework (exercises) and now she'll be getting the real program. Head physical therapist, Marc Wahl, said at her evaluation last week that she is farther ahead than many who come there after traumatic brain injuries. His plan is to take an aggressive approach to build strength and coordination. She has a good foundation, by the grace of God, and they hope to get those weak right side muscles going to help rewire the brain. I find this all fascinating, when you consider how God has designed and created our amazing bodies! And , of course, it is only by His hand that men have come to know , even in a small way, how these amazing bodies of ours work. So it's Tuesdays and Thursdays for the next month, two hours each day. Our prayer is that this therapy program will bring Dorie back 100%...or even better!

OT & PT

On Tuesday Dorie had her occupational therapy evaluation. She did very well...of course, I can see quite a bit of improvement since she was released from Southside on the 18th. Her handwriting has improved tremendously (and Dorie had beautiful handwriting), for which she is thankful. The therapist will be working up a plan to help her regain fine motor coordination in her right hand and strength in her right arm.

Today is the physical therapy evaluation. The physical therapist will be helping Dorie with walking and building strength in her right leg. It doesn't take long for muscles to atrophy and strengthening those large muscles, as well as those in her foot, will help her walk with a more normal gait. Her endurance will be improved. She went through a number of tests to give them a baseline, and also we have some exercises to do at home. Dorie's schedule will be OT and PT Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am -12pm over the next month. Please keep praying that her progress would continue. Thanks!!

A blessed Lord's Day...

Dorie has been enjoying being home since last Wednesday. She can actually sleep without disturbance! You see, our bed doesn't inflate/deflate every 10 seconds, nor do we have strangers walking into our bedroom to check on her at all hours, and there isn't anyone polishing the hallway floor in the middle of the night with a machine that looks like a miniature Zamboni! Of course, being home can be frustrating when she wants to do all the things she used to do...not yet. Although we have seen the mighty hand of God on her in answer to our prayers, she recognizes that further improvement will take work, and patience in that work. This week she will have evaluations, occupational and physical, at North Fork Physical Therapy in Riverhead (about a 10 minute drive), in order to design therapy programs to help her along toward a fuller recovery. She is anxious to begin. Please continue to pray!

Yesterday was Dorie's first day back with her beloved brothers and sisters at Christ Covenant Church. She did very well, not becoming overly tired. After the worship service, we had a "welcome back Dorie" party...everyone was praising God for His kindness! Granny (Gladys) Pascucci was especially touched by how well Dorie looked and walked; having had her own physical trials (she uses a walker and knows the physical therapy routine), she could see how far Dorie has come. Granny is convinced that God will continue to help her...we're sure of it!

Home Again!

Praise the Lord for His goodness and grace, Dorie is safely home! James and I were a little concerned about getting to the hospital, since it poured rain about as hard as I've ever seen for the whole way there. There were a few places that could have been very dangerous within another hour, but the rain subsided, thankfully, as we arrived at Southside.

It took a little while for the paper work to be completed, so Dorie had another couple of sessions of therapy, lunch, packing up, and off we went. Even though Dorie was there only two weeks, the therapy ladies were very gracious and urged us to stop by sometime to say hello...they liked working with her!

We arrived home around three o'clock, and I dreaded looking in the basement...when it has rained that hard in the past we have gotten water in the basement, but the Lord was gracious, and there was only a little. Dorie began to get settled in right away, to see where she would need the walker, and where she could do without it. I think the walker will be history real soon!
Our beloved sister in Christ, Joanne Cuervo, brought supper around four o'clock, and so did my brother Jonathan and his wife Lillian, around five o'clock...wow!

I especially, and publicly want to thank Jon & Lillian for their gracious hospitality (James & I ate with them almost every night for more than a month, and they expanded James' food horizons big-time! ); they kept James busy ( he learned to swim in their pool this Summer!) while I traveled to North Shore in Manhasset; their sons, Chris & Phil, spent time with James when they could; they gave much counsel, encouragement and prayer support; and overall gave James & I a place of refuge when we most needed it. I have been preaching through the First Epistle of John at Christ Covenant Church, and we have been studying together Christ's commandments on "brotherly love"; how fitting...I could keep my mouth shut and just point to all that they have done for Dorie, James and I! Thank you!

Now, I don't want to miss thanking everyone, but not with a blanket "thanks everybody", so please, if you have been following along and praying for Dorie, email me at blp22@optonline.net or give a call (631) 594-1377 and let us say thanks to you and your church!

Speaking of praying...Dorie still has sight issues (loss of some peripheral vision in her right eye), reading comprehension issues, and strength and coordination issues with her right hand, arm, and leg. Although she is home, there is still much work to be done...like the wash. Yikes! Gotta go!

The time approacheth....

...when Dorie comes home. James and I will be going to pick her up later this morning. She has been longing for the day, and now it's finally here! We had a very good day yesterday; the therapist ladies went over a whole bunch of things for us to practice at home, everyday things that most of us take no notice of, but which require Dorie's full concentration: getting in and out of the tub, working in the kitchen, going up and down stairs, stepping off a curb, etc. We'll have some work to do on reading, writing, math...things that will take some time to come back.

Over the six weeks that Dorie has been in the hospital, we have been very appreciative of all your prayers, cards, flowers, and calls... thank you! I have a further request...we know that folks from many different churches have been praying for Dorie, but in order to more personally thank you, would you do this: email me at blp22@optonline.net and tell us what church you represent including the address or email, and the same if you are an individual. Dorie and I truly believe in "one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church", and the true unity of the Body of Christ no matter what group or denomination. We have been impressed with the unity through prayer, and "brotherly kindness" in our time of need...and this is the true Christian Faith as described in the words of our Lord in the Gospels, and in the epistles of His Apostles. Thanks again! We'll continue to update Dorie's progress on the homefront.

Music to my ears...

The folks in Recreation Therapy gave Dorie a little keyboard to practice her piano skills the other day and she had a ball! Her right hand is coming along nicely, but the first day she practiced so much that when it was time to do her writing in Speech Therapy, her hand was too tired. I brought her a Psalter Hymnal so she could play some of her favorites...like Lord Hear My Prayer (Psalm 102~ tune by J. Michael Hayden).

On Friday, there was a special treat...she got to go outside for a walk A little walking on the sidewalk, and in the grass...fresh air! And, of course, she is counting down the days for her homecoming. Monday she will finally have the gastric tube removed...they were concerned about her caloric intake and so left it in. Knowing this, she has been doing her best to eat plenty. Tuesday, I will go through a release-to-home orientation with her, and Wednesday she should be released by early afternoon....she can't wait!

After a very busy morning yesterday, when James and I visited, we found her at the keyboard playing scales with her right hand. Cool! She was very upbeat, but tired. It seems that Friday night was the night to clean and polish the floors in the hallway, and even with her door closed she had trouble going back to sleep. Joel, Grace, and Sam came by around supper time...that was fun. Sam loves to investigate everything and he thought we needed more cooling, so he turned on the A/C unit...oops!

Well, it's the Lord's Day. May the Lord bless you all as you gather for worship. Please continue in your prayers for Dorie, and we thank you!

Even a young child can read...

But Dorie was having trouble focusing and comprehending. Yesterday, as soon as James and I walked in she told us the good news..."I can read!". She said it was like a switch in her head was flipped and the letters on the page made sense. Another answer to prayer! Although she is not seeing double now, she still has some deficit in peripheral vision in her right eye. Hopefully, that will clear up as well.

Although Dorie wants to be home, her stay at Southside has been good, especially because the nurses and therapists have been patient, kind, and attentive. It also helps to be interacting with more people and having a regular, purposeful schedule. That was not the situation at North Shore, where she felt quite isolated...all day long.

Well, James and I better get going...we have a lot to do to get ready for next Wednesday when Dorie can come home!

But those who wait on the Lord...

Shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

One more week and Dorie will be coming home! Wednesday is the day. We're all pleased with her progress....wow, yesterday she walked down the hallway unassisted... no walker, no cane! Not with great speed, but with lot's of determination.

Next Tuesday, I'll get to sit in on her whole therapy routine from 9am-3pm. This is so I can not only see what she can do as an orientation for taking her home, but also to show me some of the things that we can do to continue strengthening her mind and body.

Special thanks to our beloved friends at Christ Covenant Church for the beautiful flowers sent yesterday...for Judy's foot massaging expertise...for Lavaida's hair styling skill...for Grace & Sam visiting. Dorie had a very encouraging day!

The latest news....

Dorie thoroughly enjoyed seeing Joel, Grace, Sam, Ian, Rebekah and Ariana this past Saturday. We were kinda crowded in her room with James and I, as well. The Colorado Penneys returned home Sunday afternoon, but hope to visit this way again for Thanksgiving. Hopefully Jared, Kelly, and Micah can join in the fun. By then we expect, by God's grace, that Dorie will be fully recovered!

She is making very good progress with therapy....day by day shows improvement in fine motor coordination in her right hand , strength in her right arm and leg, her memory of things recent and past, and choosing words in conversation. She is determined to make the best of being "in school", but is ready to be done with hospital and be home.

Yesterday, when James and I visited, we walked into the "beauty parlor"...Lavaida Smith(Grace's mom and Dorie's dear friend) was just finishing Dorie's hair cut. She was so grateful! James brought his new toy/school tool (actually used) Mac power book to show Mom. He had some pictures to show(like the one above) and some music that Dorie likes...classical guitar. Now that's real therapy!

Again, thank you one and all for your continued, faithful prayers...we know that our Heavenly Father loves His children...He loves Dorie, and is showing His grace to her throughout her whole ordeal. Please pray that her right eye would focus better, that the doctors would SOON remove the gastric feeding tube(why it's still there is unclear), that her time at Southside would be over SOON. A note of praise...the small blood clot in her right leg is gone! The Lord is gracious and kind!

P.S. Some of you may have tried calling Dorie and had no success...she's such a busy lady with"school", she's not in her room much of the day. However, if you call during visiting hours (4-8pm), you might catch her or visitor who can reach the phone. Thanks!

Good things....

We had a very nice belated 1year birthday party for Ariana(June 24th) last night, since she was so kind in dragging her parents back East for a week! And Uncle Jon and Aunt Lillian's neighbor put on the most amazing fireworks display ever seen in these parts...it just went on and on!

Dorie hated to miss the festivities, but she is happy that Ariana loves her present from Grandma...a little lamb jack-in-the-box and the books. And Dorie is happy that good things are happening at Southside. She was able to get dressed in normal clothes and put on sneakers, which she tied all by herself. A tribute to God's gracious answer to prayer....the dexterity is greatly improved in her right hand. So here's her schedule: occupational therapy 9am-10am, speech therapy 11am-12pm, lunch, and physical therapy 2pm-3pm. Visiting hours are 4pm-8pm, Monday through Friday, and 11am-9pm Saturday and Sunday. She would love to have visitors to keep her mind engaged, and help her memory improve.

Yesterday, she was considering what her Heavenly Father had in mind for her, and for others who have been touched by her plight. Her concern was for friends and family that the Lord would use her troubles to point to God's faithfulness to His children in answering their prayers, His healing power, His love for those who have wandered from the Father like a prodigal son....Dorie was wondering, for she knows that it isn't all about her.

Shall we dance?

Dorie is now at Southside Hospital in Bay Shore for rehab. She had a nice ride from North Shore Hospital...it was good to get out after a month! Ian, James, and I met her at Southside at around 7:30pm and accompanied to her room. She wondered where Rebekah and Ariana were....bed-time for baby sweetness! Her room is #2414 and the phone is (631) 675-4870

Her doctor came in and checked her hand, arm, leg strength, and coordination; her reflexes; her eyes; her memory. She probably won't get the whole program today since it's a holiday, but tomorrow it will be the full complement of physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

A couple of glitches: someone at North Shore forgot to record that Dorie is able to eat regular food and drink normal liquids....she hates baby-mush and thickened liquids! Southside can't give her normal stuff until they confirm the switch. Also , they did not remove the stomach gastric tube yet. Not sure why , since she is on a regular diet. Now she'll have to have that procedure done, hmm.

Again, we want to thank you for your faithful prayers for Dorie...she is doing well, and we expect by God's grace she'll be dancing soon!

Upon review and good counsel....

Dorie will be going to Southside Hospital for a week of in-patient rehab sometime later this afternoon. We will see how she does to determine if she needs the second week before she comes home. Of course she is disappointed that she'll have to be away for more time...we are too, but we want her to get the best possible care. The extra week will help us get ready for her arrival, and maybe plan a little party!

We are making arrangements for out-patient therapy in Riverhead(just a few miles from home), and we are gathering the equipment she'll need: walker, wheelchair, and chair for the shower.

So, friends, give praise to God for He is good!

Praise the Lord, O You Servants of our God ~ Psalm 113

Praise the Lord, O praise Him;
Praise, you servants, praise His Name.
Blessed be the name of God;
From this time, forevermore.
From the rising of the sun unto its going down;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord;
O you servants of our God.

High above all nations;
Glory in the highest heavens;
Who is like the Lord our God,
In His dwelling place on high?
Who is this Who humbles Himself to behold,
Things in heaven, things on earth;
Who is like the Lord our God?

Out of dust and ashes,
He exalts the lowly ones;
Seats them with the princes;
Princes of God’s people.
Like a joyful mother,
Who no longer childless shall be ~
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord;
O you servants of our God.

Lyrics: Rev. Brian L. Penney
Tune: Mooz Tsur (an ancient Hebrew melody)

A Bit of a Hill to Climb...

It was an exciting Lord's Day yesterday....we had a number of guests worship with us at Christ Covenant Church. Some folks were staying over from the wedding of Alexis Smith (our beloved church pianist) and Nathan Stevenson, which glorious event happened on Saturday afternoon. Other guests were attending the baptisms of Christina & Christopher Farrier, and the reception of the Farriers (Tony, Chloe, and Ashley by profession of faith) into membership at CCC. Another glorious occasion!

Both of these events Dorie hated to miss! The Colorado Penneys, James and I headed over to the hospital after the fellowship meal(celebrating the Farriers becoming members) which followed worship. We were all surprised and pleased to see how much progress Dorie has made, even in the past few days. Her speaking and memory are much more clear; people's names come more quickly; she is much more steady on her feet; she has more control of her right hand. And although she still has a bit of a hill to climb, the Lord in His mercy, appears to be giving her strength to do it! We are confidant that her being home(this week!?) will help tremendously. Please pray toward that end!

What makes Dorie smile??

To hear that Dr. Katz thinks she'll be able to go home soon, instead of going to in-patient rehab at Southside Hospital! She is more than ready to get out of the hospital(any hospital) and be in her familiar suroundings...and thanks to the gracious hand of God and your prayers, her body is cooperating. She is doing much more with her right hand and leg. We'll keep you posted on this...I'll know more Monday.
Ian, Rebekah, and Ariana flew in from Grand Junction, CO yesterday afternoon. They stopped to see Dorie on the way out to Hampton Bays and had a very nice visit. Grandma was so pleased to see Ariana! It would be wonderful if Dorie could be released while the Colorado Penneys are here...a big help...they're here until the 8th of July.

Thank you all for your faithful prayers....please pray specifically that our Heavenly Father would restore memory and clarity of thinking...we have seen some nice improvement over the last few days!

All is well...

Well, we had a scare yesterday....Dorie collapsed after being helped from the bathroom. The nurse's aid was able to get her onto the bed, but it was unclear whether she merely fainted or it was a seizure. She did respond to the nurse after we had gotten her in the bed, but she was very sleepy(sometimes a bad sign). I left her sleeping peacefully a little after 12 noon. Later in the afternoon I got a call from good friend, Cal Wortman, who stopped by to visit Dorie, but he said she was sound asleep. I called the hospital to request info on Dorie and they put me through to her phone....I was surprised when she answered! And all was well, for which we are thankful to our Heavenly Father! In fact she was much more lucid than she had been the past few days. They are gradually switching over to a different anti-seizure medication, since we're thinking the first one was causing some out-of-character behavior.

It looks like Dorie will be moved to Southside Hospital in Bayshore soon for rehabilitation. I'll let y'all know when that happens. In the meantime, you may now call her....(516) 562-0100, press #2 when prompted for patient information, ask for Dorothy Penney, Cohen-4th floor.

Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.
Psalm43:5

Unto the Hills, I Lift My Eyes

(Psalm 121)

Unto the hills, I lift my eyes--
From whence shall help arise?
My help comes from the Lord alone;
Maker of earth and skies.

He will not let your foot be moved;
He watches over those beloved.
Behold, He guards His chosen ones;
By sleepfulness, unmoved.

The Lord’s your keeper, night and day;
At your right hand, come what may.
Not sun, nor moon will cause you harm;
The Lord’s your rock and stay.

He shall preserve from evils sore;
Preserves you o’er and o’er.
Your going out, your coming in;
From now, and forevermore.

Rev. Brian L. Penney ~ 2007
(sung to This Endris Nyght ~ traditional English Carol )

The angiogram taken Monday was good, no sign of trouble. Dorie will not need the "coiling" procedure. We are now in the process of getting her to another hospital for rehab....probably Southside Hospital in Bayshore. That will be a blessing, since North Shore is not an easy ride!

Dorie continues to make good progress with her right leg and right arm, for which we are very thankful. However, she still has problems remembering people. More troubling is her conversation sometimes (especially when she is tired) can be very confused and confusing. Both doctors and nurses have asked me if she has had any mental or emotional problems in the past...which she has not...and I have told them that this does not sound at all like her. I asked Doctor Katz whether it could be the anti-seizure medication she is receiving, and he admitted that it is possible. They are going to switch to another and see how she does. Please keep this in prayer!

Where she wants to be...

Well, let's catch up....Dorie has been moved to the stroke unit of the hospital, another step in her progress. She is getting "normal food" instead of mush, can drink "normal water" instead of the special liquids thickened to the consistency of honey, and has a room with a view (well, the tops of trees and the sky anyway). They have been getting her up to do physical therapy, and what a joy it is for her to sit in a chair, instead of being stuck in bed!

Many thanks to Monique Pascucci and Judy Murphy for helping Dorie look more like herself yesterday after church....new pajamas and they were able to fix her hair (which has been a fright ever since she arrived at North Shore). Beautiful! And we had a crowd, besides the two beauticians...Kris & Lavaida Smith, Michael Pascucci, Joel, Grace & Sam, Alexis Smith(almost Stevenson), James and yours truly. Dorie was so pleased and thankful...she wanted to know where the cake and ice cream were...get the party rolling! Well, after all that excitement she was worn out and asked to get back in her bed. She was almost asleep when James & I left. It was a very good day for her...much better than Saturday, when she was feeling quite low.

Had a talk with her doctors yesterday, and today will find Dorie having another angiogram to see how well things look. I told her what Monday would bring, and her response was a two-fisted "yes"!! She knows that she is making progress and her release from North Shore (probably to St Charles for rehab) is just ahead. Please pray that her angiogram would go well this morning. Thank you all for remembering her before our gracious Heavenly Father.

Not running down the hallway...yet!

Next week we look forward to Ian, Rebekah, and Ariana visiting. They'll be flying in to La Guardia on the 29th and staying until July 8th. Of course, Dorie is excited about the prospect! Ariana will have turned the big ONE by then (on the 24th), joining cousins Sam & Micah. And we are very grateful to our Heavenly Father that Dorie is awake, alert and ready to enjoy the Colorado Penneys!

Praise the Lord, each day brings some improvements! Yesterday, Marge & Jerry Exizian, members of our church, visited Dorie and helped her with her lunch! Yes, she had some real food, chewable and drinkable, but still has some Ensure through a gastric tube! Of course that meant that the doctors were sure her swallow reflex was working well enough to allow her to eat. Good thing, Dorie was complaining on Tuesday of being hungry and thirsty, "Brian, couldn't you PLEASE, ask them if I could have something to eat, I'm starved!"

Today, sister-in-law, Lillian Penney and her mom, Elma Beccaria, joined James and I as we visited Dorie. We were pleased to hear that she is eating more, and that they had gotten her up yesterday morning! The PT team came in while we were there and Dorie was able to use the walker ( with a goodly dose of assistance) to walk out of the room, into the hallway, turn around and back into the room. And that was quite a work-out for someone who has been through what she has! She really enjoyed her little jaunt, and it's encouraging to her to realize that muscles that weren't obeying her mind are now beginning to do so. Praise the Lord, for He is good!

Special thanks to Monique Pascucci, who suggested I call her dad, Dr. Guy Abbate. What a wealth of knowledge and encouragement this dear Christian brother is! He gave me some things to think about and to ask the doctors. Really, if you don't know what questions to ask, you end up walking around in the dark! Thanks Dr. Abbate! Although, I have mentioned before, Dorie's aneurysm "fixed itself", there is the possibility of a re-bleed. That being so, the question becomes, "what course will be taken to prevent that from happening?" I asked Dr. Le Doux, and the answer is that now is the time to monitor and promote stability, get her stronger, and then a "coil" will most likely be called for. This seems reasonable. So right now we pray for improving strength and safety from any complications.

Curious Sam....

wondered why Grandma was in that strange bed when he saw her this past Sunday afternoon....and so does she! Dorie is getting anxious to get up, start eating and drinking, take a shower, wash her hair, do physical therapy, and play with her grandchildren!

She was pretty tired yesterday when Pastor John Fleischmann (Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, East Moriches, NY) and I visited. It seems they check her frequently during the night and so she doen't always get a good rest. I introduced Pastor John, whom Dorie hadn't met before, but has heard a lot about. (a little background....Pastor Fleischmann and I met at a pastor's luncheon more than a year ago and have been meeting for fellowship and discussion. One area that we are both interested in is worship and worship music..."traditional and historic", as oppossed to "contemporary". We are in the beginning stages of planning a minstry that would promote such things. We plan to have a website with worship resources, a place to showcase new psalm & hymn selections, midi files to practice psalms & hymns in four part harmony, articles on liturgy, and a speakers bureau. We hope to develop a choir, seminars on worship, and study materials. As I say, we are just beginning, but you can take a look at the blog Heart & Voice listed under my profile to see a couple of new songs.)

Well, our visit was shorter than it would have been, but good. Dorie seems to be at a plateau with her short-term memory, which is frustrating to her; however, she is moving her right leg and arm more purposefully all the time. We're hoping PT can start soon! Dorie doesn't have a regular room yet(still in neurosurgery care unit), so no phone. But visitors are welcome...thank you!!

Just a note: thanks to all those who have visited this site, and to those who have posted. Please forgive me if I don't respond, but please know that your kind words and prayers are deeply appreciated!

The doctor says....

Dorie is making good progress...but there are things to watch very carefully. They removed the drain (hurray!) that keeps the pressure in the skull at a reasonable level. Any fluid that might build up around the brain should be reabsorbed, but that is what they will be watching closely. So far so good, the next few days will tell. Also of concern is a small clot in her right leg. Of course, they cannot give her blood-thinners because of the way the aneurysm sealed itself, so they must watch (with ultra-sound) that it doesn't start travelling. If it does, they will put a filter in the main vein in the leg to catch it. Another area of concern: her short-term memory. Dorie did not remember the two-hour visit with her brothers from upstate, Carlton & David, from Sunday evening. Hopefully, there will be improvement there.

They may be getting Dorie up for physical therapy sometime this week...that is a great encouragement to her. And she is looking forward to the arrival of Ian, Rebekah, and Ariana from Grand Junction, CO on the 29th. She loves her grandchildren (that's Micah with grandma a few months ago)! She was delighted to see Sam this past Sunday...even though she didn't remember it yesterday.

Although Dorie will get some physical therapy at North Shore, we're hoping to get her closer to home soon....and that prospect looks very good! Thank you all for your prayers, calls, cards, and visits!

This blessed Lord's Day...

After worship yesterday we went to visit Dorie, and again were amazed at her improvement! She is speaking more clearly and initiating conversation, she is able to move her right arm and leg more...the Lord is answering our prayers in a wonderful way!

Dorie happily received visitors from Christ Covenant Church: Joanne, Rosa, andChloe. She was especially excited to see Joel, Grace & Sam. #1 grandson, Sam, was fascinated to see Grandma in the hospital bed. James and I then spent some time with Joel, Grace & Sam (Father's Day) after we left the hospital. While we were relaxing in Amityville, I got a call from Dorie's eldest brother, Carlton. He and other brother, David, had driven down from upstate and spent about two hours with Dorie. Of course, they were very pleased with her progress!

Friends, if you would like to visit Dorie, you may. They only ask that visitors are quiet and two at a time. Children under 12 are not allowed at this time. No phone service yet. Here is how to get there:

North Shore University Hospital
300 Community Drive
Manhasset, NY11030
(516) 562-0100

Take exit 33 off of the LI Expressway -495. Turn right at hospital entrance #3, make a right at the light to enter the praking garage. When you enter the main entrance continue down the main hallway to the "Tower Elevators". Go to the 4th floor and look for the purple wall and the signs for the Neurosurgery Care Unit (NSCU). Simply follow the purple wall around to the entrance. Ask for Dorie (Dorothy Penney) at the nurses station. There is a small waiting room back down the hall should you need to wait to visit.

We are not sure at this time how long Dorie will be at North Shore; we're hoping that she can be moved closer for rehab...maybe St. Charles in Port Jefferson. We'll keep you posted. The Penney family is thankful for all our brothers & sisters in Christ who continue to uphold Dorie in prayer. We cannot help but marvel at the grace of God!

More than we expected...

Behold the mighty hand of God on this one whom He loves...I was amazed to get a call from sister-in-law, Lillian Penney, yesterday morning. She was at the hospital with Pa & Pat...when they walked into her room they found her without the breathing tube, breathing on her own, smiling at them, and responding with understanding. I hadn't planned on going to the hospital yesterday, because James was feeling miserable from his allergies and I thought I'd stay home with him. When I heard Lillian's news, I hurried to the hospital, dropping James off with my brother, Jonathan. When I walked into the room Dorie smiled, and when I asked how she was doing, she mouthed the words, "I want to go home...now!". She said this a number of times during the visit. Well, she has always been pretty feisty! Although she is, of course, not fully up to speed, this was an amazing answer to our prayers.

Her three doctors came while I was in the room, and they were pleased with her progress...but even they were astonished when I told them that she was conversing (in a whisper, because her throat was sore from the breathing tube)! I pray that her progress is seen by all as the love of God the Father, through the grace of His Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Please continue your "effectual prayers"!

Dorie's progress ~ June 15th

When I visited Dorie yesterday, she no longer had the naso-gastric feeding tube, but one that enters the stomach through the abdomen. We hope to see the breathing tube moved soon to the trachea, so she will be more comfortable. The sedation was lowered quite a bit, so she was awake. She was responding to my voice and was squeezing my hand. She still has trouble with the breathing tube and fights against it.

Another very hopeful sign was she was moving her right arm! Now we pray that her right leg becomes as active as the left! Also, the nurse who checks her each day with ultrasound to test for spasms of the blood vessels in the brain has seen none. Encouraging!

Thank you for praying!

P.S. The picture is from a recent trip upstate. The farm shown here is right across the street from her cousin's home and her grandparents former farm in Candor, NY. She's gone country!

What happened to Dorie?

Dear friends & family, in order to keep you updated on Dorie's condition, we've created this blog. You are free to post comments or ask questions, of course, but be patient with me in expecting a speedy reply. For those who are not aware of her situation here is an overview of what has happened:

On Wednesday evening, June 6th, as we sat down to dinner, Dorie complained of numbness and tingling in her right leg and arm. She tried lying down for just a moment, but was convinced there was something serious going on. She urged me to call the ambulance, which arrived within minutes. After checking her, it was thought best to airlift her to Stony Brook University Hospital. James and I met her in the emergency room after they had done a cat scan and an MRI They found what they concluded was a brain aneurysm. The doctors there told us that they would do a procedure to seal off the aneurysm on Thursday. All this time Dorie was awake and alert with only minor discomfort.

Thursday, June 7th gave us a surprise, because when I called, we found that she had been flown to North Shore University Hospital. It was explained that North Shore was better equipped to take care of her. However, very soon after arriving there, she experienced a very severe headache and suffered a seizure (the aneurysm had burst). It was a blessing that it happened there, rather than in transport, since they were able to place a drain in her skull to relieve pressure right away. She was put under heavy sedation, placed on the ventilator, and hooked up to various monitors.

Friday, June 7th the neurosurgeons expected to do the coiling procedure or brain surgery first this in the morning, but tests showed that, as the doctor said, "she fixed herself". The aneurysm had sealed itself and invasive procedures are not needed at this time.

So for now they are letting her rest, but the next step is to switch from the breathing tube in the mouth to one in the trachea. They will be doing that sometime within a week. They will also begin reducing the sedation so she can wake up. Then we will know her condition a little better.

Please continue to pray for Dorie! James & I thank you for your prayers and your kindness to us at this time.

P.S. that's Dorie with our granddaughter, Ariana...aren't they beautiful!?