Good evening all,
Time for a Karla update.
Karla moves incrementally forward daily. Pam is home for now and we call Shepherd Center every other day. We had the opportunity to speak with Karla on Friday and she sounded great! Her voice is becoming stronger and her speech is more clear. She still speaks in sentences of 3 or 4 words but she is able to follow the conversation. Her processing time is slow but getting better. She is eating finely chopped food rather than that puree crap so she is eating better. That's the good. Here's the other.
Still no movement on her left side. Her right leg developed a large calcium build up at the break causing extreme pain when she tries to stand. The bottom line is that she has no legs, and no left arm......yet. So she is not able to assist getting on to a toilet or into a car. It is impossible for us to accomplish either of those tasks with out her help. So.......she is wearing depends and we have transportation issues.
Karla is scheduled to be released to out patient treatment IN ATLANTA on 9May and will be there 6-8 weeks. We have secured Pam and Karla a place to stay so at least that part is handled.
BUT............ I spoke with Shepherd Center in Atlanta this past Wednesday. During that call we were hit with a number of new financial challenges, one big one with a very narrow window of response. We have to have a wheel chair accessible van in place prior to 4 May, 2012. I mailed a deposit check for one Friday. We'll see if the bank thinks I can afford it. Originally Shepherd Center was going to provide us a van to use while Karla is in out patient treatment. That is no longer the case. I checked into renting one for the 2 months that Pam and Karla are in Atlanta. Wheelchair van rental is $250.00 per day. That is not a typo, $250.00 each day. I'm in the wrong business. So renting one is not part of our contingency plan. Wait, do we have a contingency plan? What, take all the fun out of this? Heck No! Let's just wing it!
We also have a number of home modifications to accomplish in a relatively short period of time. Yesterday a church group built a wheel chair ramp for us AT NO COST! That saved us around $1,500.00. Thank you Lutherans!! Friday evening I met with a contractor with whom I have a relationship. He is working up a cost and promises to work for expences only provided that I don't help. I think there's a slap there but I am not sure.
Boys and Girls, for the past 3 months we have been hemorrhaging cash. To be blunt, we are now flat broke. As I don't buy lottery tickets and therefore have zero chance of winning, I have no option but to go back to the weekend medical courier service to generate a second income. I hate it. I am not eager to go back to a 7 day work week, but to quote the Duke "A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do".
So here is your home work. Pray specifically for:
Karla's legs to work
Or
If not both legs, then at least one so she can go potty by herself and we can get her into the Ford Escape.
Or
If neither of those, then that we find a benefactor with deep pockets, a kind heart, and no short term memory.
I understand that everything happens for a reason but I'll be dipped in chocolate if I know what it is. Pam and I are exhausted physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We are very discouraged but will continue to press on. What choice is there? Please pray for us to find some relief. Or Valium. Either Or.
Latest News
Pam and I returned last evening from Atlanta where we have spent the past week in "family training".
We bring her home on 12 June. Give us a chance to settle her in and she will start having visitors.
Still no movement on her left side. Her right leg developed a large calcium build up at the break causing extreme pain when she tries to stand. The bottom line is that she has no legs, and no left arm......yet. So she is not able to assist getting on to a toilet or into a car. It is impossible for us to accomplish either of those tasks with out her help. So.......she is wearing depends and we have transportation issues. Karla is scheduled to be released to out patient treatment IN ATLANTA on 9May and will be there 6-8 weeks. We have secured Pam and Karla a place to stay so at least that part is handled.
BUT............ I spoke with Shepherd Center in Atlanta this past Wednesday. During that call we were hit with a number of new financial challenges, one big one with a very narrow window of response. We have to have a wheel chair accessible van in place prior to 4 May, 2012. I mailed a deposit check for one Friday. We'll see if the bank thinks I can afford it. Originally Shepherd Center was going to provide us a van to use while Karla is in out patient treatment. That is no longer the case. I checked into renting one for the 2 months that Pam and Karla are in Atlanta. Wheelchair van rental is $250.00 per day. That is not a typo, $250.00 each day. I'm in the wrong business. So renting one is not part of our contingency plan. Wait, do we have a contingency plan? What, take all the fun out of this? Heck No! Let's just wing it!
We also have a number of home modifications to accomplish in a relatively short period of time. Yesterday a church group built a wheel chair ramp for us AT NO COST! That saved us around $1,500.00. Thank you Lutherans!! Friday evening I met with a contractor with whom I have a relationship. He is working up a cost and promises to work for expences only provided that I don't help. I think there's a slap there but I am not sure.
Boys and Girls, for the past 3 months we have been hemorrhaging cash. To be blunt, we are now flat broke. As I don't buy lottery tickets and therefore have zero chance of winning, I have no option but to go back to the weekend medical courier service to generate a second income. I hate it. I am not eager to go back to a 7 day work week, but to quote the Duke "A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do".
So here is your home work. Pray specifically for:
Karla's legs to work Or If not both legs, then at least one so she can go potty by herself and we can get her into the Ford Escape. Or If neither of those, then that we find a benefactor with deep pockets, a kind heart, and no short term memory.
I understand that everything happens for a reason but I'll be dipped in chocolate if I know what it is. Pam and I are exhausted physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We are very discouraged but will continue to press on. What choice is there? Please pray for us to find some relief. Or Valium. Either Or.