THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Here it is November first and we have not written for a while. Bob continues to make improvement in his vision, although slight double vision remains out of the far corner of his left eye. Dr. Whitaker, whom we saw last week, still expects a full recovery of Bob’s vision. Dr. Arkin, the neurologist who treated Bob upon arrival at St. Lukes, June 1, expects healing to occur for up to one year. The stem of the brain stroke affects the eyesight and the left side of the brain affects Bob’s memory. Dr. Arkin will see Bob again in December and Dr. Whitaker in six months.
The fatigue factor is that which most frustrates Bob. He really just began to understand what happened to him when we saw Dr. Arkin last month and he asked questions about himself. He can work long days in the yard and not tire as he does after 8 hours in class each Monday during his training for the chaplaincy at St. Joseph Hospital, Carondelet. Brain stem strokes cause fatigue.
Bob has attended 4 days of classes, written pages of verbatims and sermons. Today he actually went to work at the hospital ministering to two stroke victims and their families. This was a sobering and humbling experience! Was it a coincidence that his first patients were stroke victims? This Saturday he will spend his first night “on call” in the hospital and later this month deliver his first sermon in the hospital chapel which is televised to the patients.
We recently spent a fun couple of days in Boonville, Arrow Rock, Rocheport and Blackwater, MO. We walked on the Katy Trail and took the above symbolic picture. I believe that we are truly seeing the light at the end of the tunnel of our stroke journey. Our lives are forever changed, albeit enriched with your continuous love and support (a reminder of how important friendships are) Bob’s evolving career influenced by the strokes, and our love for each other forever cherished now moment by moment.
We don’t know what lies ahead, but we do know that our Lord and God is in charge of everything and that we can trust Him in that. We thank you for sharing our journey and loving us.
For by him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether they are kings, lords, rulers, or powers. All things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Cor. 12:9

--
Cammie

Update on Bob

Several of you have asked about Bob and his progress. Thank you!!!
His vision has improved greatly; he has not worn the prism lens for several days and is seeing monocular now!!!! Hasn't our God created an amazing human body that heals in its own time with the touch of His hand? He will see the neuro-opthamologist late Oct.
Bob has been able to do lots of things around the house and in the yard. His tasks are still limited until he sees the cardiologist, early next month. They will run tests that day, a bubble test and echocardiogram to check the seal on the previous PFO. We are excited to learn more about those results, although we have no reason for concern.
Bob applied and was accepted into the Carondelet St. Joesph Hospital Chaplain Program. He begins his classes in October-May and then will have his residency hours before he becomes certificated. Bob has always been excited to learn new things and take upon himself new challenges. It is a goose bump feeling for me to know how his strokes and the PFO procedure, brought him at retirement time to this new place in his life. It is obviously another witness to how God is moving in Bob's life. We are both very eager for him to begin this new chapter in his life.
We attended a wedding this past Saturday, the first wedding we have witnessed together since Bob's strokes. I struggled with emotion throughout the ceremony as I once again realized what a miracle it is to have Bob in our lives, and to have him whole once again. Remembering our vows from almost 32 years ago,.... "for better or for worse, in sickness and in health," rang throughout my soul. Thank you, God, oh, thank you, God.
We continue to cherish your cards, prayers and emails and remembering us the past four months. Thank you, oh, thank you!!!!

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning; great is they faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

Bob fishing and driving

Bob and I made a last minute decision, with the cardiologist's permission, to travel to Colorado for 5 days of vacation by plane. We were to spend a night in Denver for Bob's heart to acclimate before driving into the mountains, (that would be me driving, and that is very scary, like the blind leading the blind as I have never driven in the mountains before) so much of our trip was a true leap of faith. But what was new about that for us? Leaps of faith are so easy now. And the mountains, with their beautiful placid peacefulness,the smells of pine,the sounds of rushing mountain rivers, and quite honestly, their cool breezes, beckoned us.
I promise to defer from turning this blog about Bob and his progress into a travelogue. However, each day included what we find now to be an essential part of our day, our walks together. We were challenged by the elevation, however the gorgeous surroundings took our minds off that. Bob fished in the rain with a guide and caught several trout about 16 inches each; he was elated!!!!
We enjoyed the warmth, reflection and support of high school and college friends we visited while there. Was it Longfellow who mentioned how wonderful is the warmth of a friend's hand? And Roxie is quoted as how wonderful the warmth of hugs!!!!! Friends, now, too, are more special than ever before. What a divine blessing we have in friends. Thank you, all of you friends, for the ways you continue to show us your love and care. Bob plans to read his cards and notes again and again. And, Mystery Person, you are still very mysterious!!!!! We daily feel the strength of your prayers. For those of you in our VHHS family with whom we had lunch yesterday,that was truly like coming back home to our own family after what felt like being gone a very long time. Thank you so much for including and welcoming us.
As for Bob, he is now DRIVING. He is free of his chauffeur and her imposed classical music for healing. He does still find the need to wear his prismatic lens over his right eye and will continue to do so as long as needed. He has lost over 30 pounds and continues with his weight loss program.
Bob has restrictions on lifting heavy weights and strenuous activities for a few more months.
As for the next few months, Bob will be following up with several doctors on a continuing basis and he will have heart tests in October, an echocardiogram and bubble test to check on the Amplatazer. His eyes will still be carefully followed. He tells people that so far he has no regrets about retirement. He will be helping out at the VHHS gates at the games. Bob is looking into the Chaplaincy Program at St. Luke's Hospital so he can give back to the place that helped saved his life with God's healing love and through the skilled doctors' and nurses' hands and so many there who blessed our lives forever.

Psalm 95:3-5 (New International Version)
"For the LORD is the great God,the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth,and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it,and his hands formed the dry land."

Proverbs 17:17
"A friend loveth at all times."

Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sight

We are once again amazed by God's bountiful grace upon us and the wonderful very exciting news we received yesterday at the KU Eye Center from Dr. Wittaker, Neuro- Opthamologist.
First of all let me tell you that God led us to a very special doctor, once again. He has been trained as an engineer, a lawyer, and now works in this field. Obviously, he is brilliant. Yet, he took all the time in the world with us, patiently answered out questions, and repeatedly asked Bob if he truly realized how blessed by God he was?
In a nutshell, Dr. Whittaker, told us, that Bob eyes will heal on their own within 6 months from the day of the strokes. He said that all the work in the world on "trying" to resolve the problem ourselves with optical exercises and gimmicks was not going to help. Only time to heal will work. He did insist on prismatic lenses to be "stuck" on Bob's left eye glass lense as the structure, for a few weeks to take the stress off Bob's eyes working so hard.
Now, are you ready for even bigger news? In about 2 weeks, after Bob acclimates to the prisms, or rips them off, because he no longer needs them, (whichever comes first) BOB CAN DRIVE.
WATCH OUT FOR A 1995 CHAMPAGNE COLORED HONDA ACCORD driving the streets of Independence, especially in the Van Horn area!!!!!!! There will be no motorcycle riding for at least a year, Dr. Whittaker says, and he rides one himself. Dr. Wittaker told us to cancel the Driving School Lessons for which Bob was enrolled. He said with Bob's excellent field of vision and depth of field, he is "good to go". I can't explain our joy and excitement.
As we awaited our time with Dr. Whittaker in the waiting room my prayer, scribbled on a notepad had been," Lord, give us patience, courage, and joy with whatever we hear in a few minutes from the doctor."
We don't know how to continue to say thank you intensely enough. To think how many of you still remember us almost 8 weeks after the strokes overwhelms and humbles us. Your continued cards, emails, prayers, and jokes mean so much, truly.
To the mystery person out there who has sent scripture, and jokes, thank you. We would love to know who you are some day!!!!!

"I am the Lord, the God of every person on the earth. Nothing is impossible for me."
Jeremiah 32:27
"The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." Deuteronomy 33:27

From Japan to garage sales

Bob's personal physician, Dr VerDught, could not stop beaming last Thursday when he saw Bob in his office. Bob's blood work, BP, and weight loss are terrific. The doctor knew Bob standing in front of him was a miracle. Bob has been walking about 4 miles a day.
Bob received a gorgeous bouquet of flowers from 3 of our 6 Japanese daughters. What a fun surprise and time to reflect on our love for them and desire to visit them and our Japanese grandchildren, too!!!!!
This week was filled with OT appointments,rest,walking,and preparation for a three day neighborhood garage sale in which we had planned to participate for 6 months. Our one and only motive was to de-clutter the house. We had been working toward that goal for weeks before Bob's surgery. It was not the wisest thing we have done, but Kate and Chris helped us, and we said goodbye to "stuff" that was really just clutter in our lives.
This week has more OT, dentist, haircut appointments, and our 4 week awaited appointment with Dr. Whittaker, eye specialist at KU Medical Center. We will definitely have more to tell you after that appointment!
Bob and I have been full of tears this week. It has been as though our robotic moves during the past almost 7 weeks have become humanized. I think God has us shrouded in numbness to get through that with which we had to deal, and we did. Now, we realize all that has really happened and feel even more blessed than before.
Your continued cards and notes of support and prayers mean so very much to us. Thank you, thank you.
"Whoever has the gift of encouraging should encourage." Romans 12:8