Bear or Bull Market

Yesterday, I was asked how Paul was doing and the image of the stock market came to mind. Now that we are a year out, I can look back and see that it is the perfect example to give to explain his recovery so far. Ups and downs everyday, but generally trending upward! Later, I smiled as I thought about that example, because I remembered hearing once that it is easier on the nerves if you don't watch your stock everyday. Now that I can look back and see Paul's over all health trending up over this past 12 months, I need to follow that advice! I don't mean that I will quit looking at Paul each day (smile), but maybe it's time to move my 'magnifying glass' back a little bit and lighten up a little bit.

We saw a doctor on Monday who will be doing some of the surgery needed to fix Paul's eye. He is going to first put in a gold weight into the eyelid so we can dispense with the tape and eye patch. He will also tighten up the lower eyelid, as it is drooping due to the loss of muscle tone caused by the paralysis. We liked this doctor a lot because he seems to know how to 'color outside the lines' and said that while the greatest percentage of people recover from facial paralysis in the first 6 months, it does not mean that there is no possibility of recovery. He said that we have room for hope and that as far out as 2 years there can be recovery. While there is no way to gauge it, it is a possibility. He also told us that there are doctors who are performing nerve replacement surgery and told us a little bit about the ways it is being done. While he does not do that kind of surgery, he will help us get into the doctors who do so we can discuss it with them and see if it is a viable option for Paul. After the minor surgery on Paul's eyelid, he will look at the issue of repositioning the globe in the orbit. He stated that there is limited movement with Paul's left eye, which means that even once it is lined up correctly, there will be a problem of double vision, as the right and left eye would not move in unison. He said that the good thing about the 20/20 vision in Paul's left eye means that if anything did happen to Paul's right eye, his left eye would be able to be used fully. He said it was a miracle that Paul did not suffer permanent damage to his sight in that eye, given the amount of damage to the nerves and bones. So we will hold onto the hope of even more recovery and will take it as it comes.
We have to wait for the approval from insurance for the eyelid surgery, as some companies consider it cosmetic surgery. But they feel that it won't be an issue, given Paul's history. Please pray that this surgery can be done before Christmas, as Paul is so looking forward to no more tape. Me Too!

His headaches are continuing and we have our appointment in Charlotte NC next Tuesday. I keep praying that God will bring us to the doctor who will be able to figure out the problem of the enlarged ventricles and solve that. I can't help but think that is the main cause of his headaches. I mean, it seems like the obvious issue. But, that is just a guess on my part. We have heard that this doctor stays with it until he solves the problem. If not this doctor, then on to the next! Jesus, we trust in you.

Paul went swimming yesterday and swam on his own across the pool. He had not been in a few weeks and he tends to come up with a bunch of different reasons why he can't go. Yesterday, Jerry showed the tough love needed at times and told Paul he was going to go and he would see him when he got back. Paul asked him, "I will be left here alone?" Jerry said since he (Paul) was just lying in bed, he would be fine and Jerry would be back in about an hour. Paul told him to wait and he would go too. Jerry and I laugh about how we have to always find new and creative ways to get Paul into the mood of cooperating! I know that with the headaches, most times Paul doesn't feel like doing much. But there are ways to get him motivated and it does take constant creative thinking on our part! At the end of the days that Jerry gets Paul out and about, we sit and share all the funny things Paul said, or things he did. We also share what worked and what didn't. I am so blessed to have someone like Jerry and his mother helping me throughout the week. We all contribute to the effort of moving Paul forward and having them to share all this with helps me not become overwhelmed. God has blessed our family by bringing so many people to our doorstep that ordinarily we would have never known. Like the Hufford family. Paul and Mike love them a lot and it is not unusual to come home and see the message that they are over at the Huffords. Mike will stop in and visit with them on his way home, or Paul and Jerry will take Abby over there and stay for the evening. They have a dog named Emma and the 2 dogs get along really well. It is also not uncommon to come in the front door and be greeted by both dogs at our house! I know God realized we would not have been strong enough to get this far on our own and he has graced us with some very loving people along the way. Our neighbors Ron and Connie and Bob and Barb are always lending their support too. This incident helped us tap into the love our neighbors had to share and I would not trade all the graces received this past year away. God making good out of a sad situation. Awesome, awesome, awesome.

Paul goes to physcial training today and he really likes that. Thank goodness.....we don't have to do a song and dance routine to get him going! What a blessing this has been also. This blog has brought us into contact with so many people - God's mighty hand at work!

I have another story to tell you about something else that came about after my talk on Saturday, but it will have to wait until tomorrow. I am due at work and Paul has to get out the door to get to Mass...............we are late again!

Today is the feast of St. Albert the Great. That was my dad's middle name. James Albert Brown. St. Albert writes:

In all simplicity and confidence abandon yourself and whatever concerns you without reserve to God's unfailing providence, according to the teaching of Saint Peter;
"Cast all your anxieties on him, who can do all things". And again it is written; "Have no anxiety about anything"; "Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you."; "It is good for me to be near God"; "I keep the Lord always before me"; "I found him whom my soul loves."
This is the hidden and heavenly treasure, the precious pearl, which is to be preferred before all. This it is that we must seek with humble confidence and untiring effort, yet in silence and peace.
It must be sought with a brave heart, even though its price be the loss of bodily comfort, of esteem, and of honor. Saint Luke says: "the kingdom of God, that is Christ, is in the midst of you."

Truly it is.

Seek and you will find.
Love,
Jon and Rebecca