May 18

I've been needing to make this entry for several days now. For shame, for shame, for shame on me.

Barbara has been doing great! I think the biggest improvement I've seen is her emotional state. She has been so much more positive and upbeat. Late last week she and I were trained on "transfers" - moving her from wheel chair to, uh, regular chair. Next week we'll work on getting her into our vehicle. We will be doing so with a special belt designed by none other than Martha Stewart. Or maybe not.

Now for the really good news. The road has been cleared for Barbara to return to Miller's after the wedding. They have worked out a means by which this can happen and Medidontcare will actually pay. But wouldn't it be better news for her to come home? We both certainly long for that day, but her care and rehab needs still exceed my capacities as a provider. Barbara believes this to be a good thing; she has become quite upbeat about all this.

Please continue to pray that this will be the week that she walks,

Keep Jackie and Peter in your prayers for their impending nuptials,

Pray that the journey there will be paved with daisies and, I don't know. It's late. Make up your own metaphor.

May 14 - A Thousand More Words

Once again, I apologize for the length between entries. I never was a good one at keeping journals, and I now find myself busier than before.

First up, I want to share with you a pic from Mother's Day. We were blessed to have our beautiful daughter with us. Jackie will be graduating from Asbury Theological Seminary next weekend with her masters in counseling. Then, the next weekend, it's the big day. Her wedding to Peter. Barb's mother was also with us, and this picture is a 3 generation shot taken at Miller's. Hope you enjoy it.

Barbara continues to make miraculous improvement, albeit slow. I continually pray that this will be the week that she walks. Thank you for helping us carry this prayer burden.

Barbara is able to stand more and stand longer, with assistance, everyday. She is also gaining strength in lifting herself up. She is also making progress in her ability to transfer from chair to chair (with assistance). Her appetite has been good, too. These are all such wonderful blessings. Still, we realize things will be difficult getting her to Lexington for the wedding. Please keep us in your prayers... we will really need it!

Barbara was so excited to have Jackie come and visit. She looked forward to having Jackie see how well she's doing. It's always wonderful to have her here. But the irony is that you raise a child to one day be independent, get married, have a family of their own and realize their dreams and goals. But... when they actually begin on that part of their life, it's quite sad. Go figure.

As you pray, please continue to remember to pray big - that Barbara will walk this week,

Pray that she will make outstanding progress in these weeks before the wedding,

Pray for our financial state,

Pray for me that I'll stay strong (a combo of sinus headaches, allergies, and yet another ear infection are really dragging me down these days).

One problem forthcoming is that once Barbara leaves the nursing home to go to the wedding, medicare and insurance will not pay for her return (they believe that if she is well enough to leave even for a day, she no longer needs nursing home care). That means, as of the end of the month, she will be home and in my care. That is quite a daunting prospect. While we'll be glad that she's home, we're very concerned about her care and therapy. Pray that the Medicaid waiver goes through unusually fast - that would be a serious blessing, allowing for much more extensive care.