Hi everyone,
I know a number of you have been concerned for Michelle, and we have heard you are looking frequently for updates on how she is doing. I don’t have a tremendous amount to report, but I wanted to be sure to get something out at least today. It would be easier to send reports more frequently if it did not require finding an internet café in this new area of town where the hospital is and where the hotel is that I am staying now. We had been staying in the middle of the city, but I have found a room right around the corner of the hospital to cut down on the time and expense of getting rides back and forth.
Michelle had a fine night here in the hospital last night. She is in a room with three other patients (pretty talkative ones) and has not been able to sleep very well. That noise, combined with the nagging pain she has been experiencing in her left shoulder blade area have resulted in her feeling pretty tired and restless. Michelle had a CT scan on her chest area at 9 AM just to confirm that she did not have any issues with a blood clot in her lung. We have not seen the neurologist today to officially give us the results, but some other medical staff here have said that it came back clear. This afternoon, Michelle had a visit from a physical therapist, which was quite encouraging. She felt that the strength in Michelle’s legs and arms appear to be just as strong as her right side and that it is the sensations that she is having trouble with. They plan to bring her down to their gym in the hospital tomorrow to see if they can help with the spasms and pain she is having in her left shoulder blade area and to show her some exercises she could be doing to work on rehabilitating for her vision loss and tingling feelings on the left side. What was so encouraging was the optimism the therapist had about Michelle being able to get back much of what she has lost in her vision and feelings on the left side. Of course, they do not give any guarantees, but they have worked with other stroke sufferers that have had good results in the first month or two after their strokes. It is amazing how God has made our bodies with its ability to adapt and make up for what is lacking in other areas!
It has been pretty slow since the therapist left. The last major test Michelle has scheduled is a transesophogial echocardiogram (sp?), which is a test the doctor is using to ensure Michelle does not have a hole in her heart. Apparently, it has been found that some people that have problems with hemiplegic migraines and have had a stroke have had it result from a hole in their heart that has caused a clot. Michelle is not looking forward to the test, as it involves having an ultrasound being sent down your throat to look at your heart from the back side. Unfortunately, they have not been able to get that test scheduled yet, and they have suggested it may not be until Friday. We will talk to the doctor tonight, as we have had thoughts of going back to PNG still on Friday. We, of course, will do whatever the doctor feels is necessary for Michelle. If that test waits until Friday, that will leave us with just the physical therapist visit and an appointment with an ophthalmologist tomorrow.
Especially at the times Michelle is experiencing more discomfort and emotions, she really just wants to hold our kids. We know our friends in PNG are taking amazing care of them, and we get a daily report from one of the ladies doing the care. That has really been nice. We still are looking forward to when we know things are alright to get back home to the kids, and we hope that is Friday.
Thanks to the many, many of you that have sent encouraging notes and assurances of your prayers. Michelle was able to read through several of them today and was really touched.
Love to you all!
Lyle
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