August Update

8-8-98

On Monday, we had an appointment with the doctor who saw Catherine routinely during her inpatient stay. It was our first followup visit to his office. The back office technician greeted us with, "So, this is the miracle we've all been hearing about from the doctor." We were able to ask some questions regarding concerns that Catherine has had. The doctor reiterated what he had already told us; that she had put his prognosis to shame, considering the extent of her injuries upon arrival. He said she would continue to progress, although medically, they don't know at what point the progress will stop. He suggested intermuscular shots that would block the nerves in an effort to get her left arm fully extended. He also said that her jerkiness and basic uncoordination is due to a lack of inhibitors which would normally smooth out the muscle function. We are believing that this too will improve so that Catherine will have better coordination all the way around.

We had Bible study at our house on Monday night and it was good to see Catherine participate and read out loud as her turn came around. Catherine's horse therapy was cancelled this week which was disappointing but she was able to make it to the aquatic therapy where she showed much improvement over the last session two weeks prior.

Catherine really pushes her therapists to let her do more, such as use the walker or crutches, etc., because she realizes it would be months before she would be doing those exercises if she didn't push so hard. Her physical therapist had told her that she might always have to walk with a walker. So, when she used just one crutch to walk in physical therapy again on Friday, she told him, "I'm not going to be stuck in this "dumb" walker forever!" He said, "Catherine, you continually amaze me!!"

While in occupatonal therapy, she was wondering why all this had to happen to her and her therapist told her that she will never know the lives that have been touched and changed as a direct result of seeing this miracle unfold. Later, seeing another patient's mom who was having a bad day, Catherine said she really felt sorry for her. I said to her that I wished there was something we could do to help and then posed it as a question,  "Is there anything you can think of that we could do to help?" Catherine said, "Pray". She said she also wants a prayer request turned in for them at church. We know from experience the power of prayer.

Catherine with her Uncle John  at her computer. 8-13-98

Uncle Dick and wife Paula, Catherine, Uncle John and wife Gayle.

Catherine had her normal schedule this week. She is doing better and better on the crutches in therapy and has begun bringing them home to use some, outside of the hospital setting. Her Uncle John and family are back for the week, visiting from Arkansas. It was nice to see them and have them see in person all the changes since his visit in April.  Friday morning, he spent time  watching her during therapy .

I drove Catherine 50 miles to Camp Verde to meet her sisters, Joy and Neta. We all had lunch together and the girls continued on to Phoenix for a night sleepover and day of shopping. It was a nice break and change of scenery for Catherine and fun to be with her sisters and sister-in-law.

Monday, there is to be a family/staff meeting at the hospital to see where Catherine is medically and what the plans should be for the near future. Catherine is scheduled for 3 days of evaluations in Phoenix at Barrow Neurological Institute on September 8, 9, and 10 to determine if she is ready for the "outpatient day hospital program" there. Please pray with us concerning these decisions and the details involved.

I appologize for the delay in getting this posted for those who check regularly. We have been assisting with tent meetings here in Flagstaff, and have been very busy. Cynthia Daulton said there has not been much of note happen this week either, and we would try to make up for it next week. The meeting with the doctor and hospital staff mentioned last week didn't materialize as usual, as the doctor was unable to attend. However, the therapists all agreed that her progress was steady if not real fast, and they should continue for the next month. Her father, Joe, asked that she be able to use a stationary bike some for added strength and coordination. Catherine and her family have been attending some of the tent meetings also. We're still trusting in God for 100% recovery!

Catherine at the hospital with her Speech therapist.

Relaxing after Speech Therapy   8-26-98

Steve and Joy Daulton bringing Catherine to her cousins wedding.   8-29-98

Brother Roger Collins, Catherine, and her dad Joe.   8-30-98

Catherine and Kathleen in her room.

Allison, Catherine's 4 year old niece, came and spent from Monday the 24th through the weekend with us. We wanted a little bounce around the house as we (dad and mom) get a little boring sometimes. She definitely added spice and a few laughs. On Wednesday when we went to the stables, a little autistic boy had ridden just before Catherine and the horse still had this little child size saddle on it. Allison isn't shy and asked if she could ride. What a nice treat for all of us. Catherine was delighted and so was Allison. Disappointingly, the battery on my video camera died right then, but it was great fun to watch the girls ride their horses together. Catherine's horse is named Joy (we have a lot of Joys around our household) which seems appropriate in many ways.

On Thursday, I left the house to run a couple of errands and told Allison she was to be Catherine's helper. Catherine tried to get out of her chair and fell. Allison got a pillow and put under her head and was her helper. Catherine has been thinking much about being well: planning on driving, walking and all the things she used to do. On Sunday she said her eyes were watering to the point they got her pillow wet. She hasn't been able to cry tears since the accident. She said she tried to think of something really sad to see if she could cry tears but couldn't think of anything. She told me that she thinks her eyes were watering because of the healing taking place, getting ready to be able to cry again. I keep thanking the Lord for healing her everyday as I help her. We're moving into that finished work.