Ian was awake for me for about two hours tonight, and I could tell he was there with me the whole time. He was tracking pictures with his eyes when I held them in front of him and he was moving his left arm a lot, picking it up, and grabbing his gown. It was a really nice time just reading scripture to him and worshiping with him.
Weekends and evenings after 5:00 are really great times to visit Ian; especially if you haven’t seen him lately, it would be really encouraging to go. The staff have asked us to limit it to 2 people at a time, or 3 at the most. Also, when you are with Ian just have one person talking at a time- it makes it easier for him. Please call the Murphy’s if you want to visit because you need a special code to get in.
Thank you for all of your prayers. He’s come a long way already.
It’s hard to put into an email message the impressions we’ve had from the staff at the Children’s Institute. Hopeful or enthusiastic might be the best summary. People here are trained to see the signs that Ian is really there, and they work with what they see with enthusiasm. We’re amazed to see what they see and hear their expectancy for progress.
They really work him hard and work hard for him. They have him on a schedule where every morning he’s up and dressed and into something. He has three hours of therapy every day (speech, occupational and physical) with naps into between and a shower at night. The people in each respective field really seem to know what to look for, and each has very clear goals for him. What’s surprising, too, is that so many of them know something about the other disciplines including the nurses. With expectation and a surprising amount of knowledge, they can tell us what each different therapist looks for. The specialists are designing special splints for his hands and a special wheelchair just for his situation. It just seems like everyone is working so hard on him.
They have so many success stories here, too, that it’s hard not to get our hopes sky high. It’s amazing to us that he’s even in this facility and is receiving such good care. We thank God for his kindness in bringing him here. He definitely has a long way to go, though. Your prayers for Ian are very significant to us. Thank you.
Someone asked exactly where Ian is. He’s at the Children’s Institute in the Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh. Again, if you’re interested in visiting him, please call us at home. Visiting hours are 9am to 9pm when he’s not in therapy, but you need a special code to get to see him. Thanks.
We’ve been through two full days with Ian at the Children’s Institute, and here’s what’s happened:
He got a shower – first one in 9 weeks. His hair and his head look noticeably cleaner.
He’s wearing real clothes instead of a hospital gown – first time in 9 weeks.
He was sitting in a chair for an hour; I’m not sure if that was a special hospital chair or just a regular wheelchair.
He’s been to speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy twice. He’s scheduled for every day. He hasn’t had that pace up to this point.
The doctor at Children’s talked with the orthopedic surgeon who originally operated on his knee, and they’re planning further surgery that hopefully will allow him to bear his weight. Talks begin December 27. Ian’s doctor told the surgeon, “he’s waking up.”
Just to be clear, Ian hasn’t emerged from the coma. Medical people use various methods to describe the various stages a patient goes through in a coma, and Ian is at about a stage III on the Ranchos scale. He is still in a coma, but we’re encouraged by his progress. Please continue to pray that he wakes up and recovers completely.
Yesterday, we asked you to pray because the doctors at Children’s Institute couldn’t get Ian’s trach out to replace it with a new one (he moved to a rehab center on Wednesday). They said that if they couldn’t get it out, they would have to send him back to the hospital so they could replace it.
They tried again this morning, and (thank God!) they got it out! This is God answering another prayer! Now Ian won’t have to move again; thank you for praying.
It’s a huge answer to prayer that Ian is even where he is. We really like this new rehab center because they treat Ian very aggressively; they give him three hours of rehab a day. Pray that the rehab would be effective, and pray that his right leg would heal – it’ll need surgery at some point.
Here’s some helpful, short thoughts on prayer. Check it out here.
Ian and I started dating a year ago today. When I look back at all God has done for us in a year, I am amazed. I’m amazed by all of the ways that He has used us in each other’s lives. I’m amazed by His love for us and compassion toward us. He has taught us so much in our young lives in a way that gives me excitement for the future. I am amazed by how He is using our lives now. I can’t wait to tell Ian what God has taught me and I’m looking forward even more to hearing how Ian has experienced God since the accident.
I have been so comforted lately thinking of the care that God has poured out especially on Ian’s life in the past two months, even in the seemingly small things. Holding his hand the other night, his skin was soft and healthy- I remember just weeks ago when it was dry and had pieces of glass in it. Every day he looks more like himself and it’s only by God’s kindness that he is still with us. What a unique experience to see God’s healing hand move through Ian’s body and to see His mighty hand direct hearts to Himself.
God is so good. Even if He were to stop healing Ian today, our hope in Christ would remain, and I would await the day to laugh with Ian in heaven! Times of trial on this earth are just a blink compared to the wonder that is waiting for us in heaven.
“I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.”Psalm 34:1
Ian was transferred to Children’s Institute this afternoon- praise God! He’s now in his own clothes and tonight he’ll be getting his first shower- yay!
Ian’s new doctor said that he looks really great. However, we have a need for prayer. His trach needs to be replaced and when his doctor tried today, she couldn’t get it out. She will try again tomorrow, Thursday, but if she still can’t get it he will need to see an ear, nose and throat doctor, which would require him going back to an ER and hospital room to have the surgery done. Please pray that the doctor at Children’s would be able to remove his trach tomorrow so that he doesn’t have to be transported again.
Ian was supposed to go to the Children’s Institute this morning, but it didn’t happen. Yesterday, everything was all arranged. Today, we learned he had a slightly elevated reading very early this morning, and that was enough to put the brakes on for another day. Readings that followed were normal. We’re supposed to show up at Children’s tomorrow morning to receive him.
There’s a sovereign, good God who rules even over slightly elevated sodium levels. I don’t understand what God is up to, but I have to keep my focus on His character.
“It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.” (Psalm 119:71)
Ian’s coma is good thing. Ian’s wreck was a good thing. The difficulty that we are going through is a good thing. Anything that points us to Christ can only be a benefit. It may not seem like it, but we can confidently declare with the Psalmist, “it is good that I am afflicted, that I may know you better!”
We’ve seen God in ways we never would have imagined. We’ve been given the amazing opportunity to learn to rely on and trust in God’s character like we couldn’t have otherwise. We have a greater reason to pray more fervently. We’ve gained a greater appreciation for Christ’s church. We’ve seen God’s care for us. We’ve seen several thousand (literally!) people pray to our God. Through this very trying time, we’ve come to know God to a greater degree.
Although we don’t always see it, we know that God is working this for our good. We have a great Savior who shows himself greater through hard times. Keep praying to this God of surpassing worth!
“If He were to deal with us always as He does sometimes, we should faint outright and go down hopelessly to the gates of death… Bear up, for the Lord will bear you up and bear you through. He who made you knows how frail you are and how little you can bear. He will handle tenderly that which He has fashioned so delicately. Therefore, be not afraid because of the painful present, for it hastens to a happy future.”
– Charles Spurgeon
Spurgeon captured what God is like. He doesn’t always deal with us as he does sometimes. He knows we couldn’t handle it. Spurgeon titled this devotional “What is Painful Will End.” I know Ian can hear us; he was responding today to Mary reading long portions of Scripture by moving a lot. Don’t be “afraid [Ian] because of the painful present, for it hastens to a happy future.”
We’re not sure about the move tomorrow. They’re still working on stabilizing some things. Keep praying for Ian…