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!