SANDY - WED. DEC. 10TH

I don't have many details but...
* Sandy was out of surgery last night and "OK"
* There is some confusion about how well the thumb will heal
* The biggest concern is her cognitive ability-
some days are better than others,
but the overall trend is that she is less able to
think,process and communicate than
she was right after the accident.

Obviously this is very concerning to the family...
But...we serve a big God and he knows best.

Please pray that Sandy will get the best
and appropriate care for her specific needs.

SANDY'S CONDITION UPDATE Sun. 12/7

Sunday- what a difference a day makes!! Sandy woke up with a TO DO List for Tasha! They got lots done today before Tasha headed back to Chicago tonight.

Surgery is postponed until Tuesday or Wednesday. Pray for Sandy and the girls as they won't be together for a while!!

Saturday was a tough day for Sandy and Tasha. She did not recognize Tasha and only knew who Carol was after some coaxing. She was running a fever around 102 and was very confused when talking.

Monday is a critical day. Sandy is supposed to have surgery on her thumb but with a fever, Tasha was not sure what would happen. Going under anesthesia is risky for someone with brain injury. The doctor warned the girls that the days following surgery will be difficult. Sandy may be even more confused and difficult to wake up than when the accident first happened.

The girls see God's care in little ways every day. Kind words from an aide or an attentive nurse that takes action when it is needed, mean so much.

It is clear that the road to recovery will be long and hard for Sandy. She is beginning to understand that fact. On Friday Sandy prayed that God would give her JOY in the midst of all her struggles. What a great example to all of us!! I pray that we would all find the faith to ask for JOY each day in the midst of whatever mess we find ourselves!!!

We give thanks for the Hospitality House. They are offering a place to rest and be safe for the girls. I cried when I watched the video. I am glad they care so much!!

Hospitality House

SANDY'S CONDITION UPDATE

On Thanksgiving,
my sister Sandy was hit by a car.
She has a significant brain injury,
bleeding in her brain,
fractured skull, broken thumb
and severe bruising.
It has been a roller coaster ride
since then. Initially things did not look good,
she was not alert. Then she surprised even the
doctors by being totally alert and
communicating well.
Today we are in a down sweep of the roller
coaster. She is once again confused and
not communicating well. There will be
another CT scan today.
We are praying for a miracle!


Please God ~ another miracle for Sandy...

You can read about Sandy's history at Tasha's blog.
Suburban Momma
This is the picture she mentions.
It is Sandy holding Tasha before she goes into surgery
that will alter her life forever.

When I look at the picture above
it makes me think
of the picture below.

Tasha holding d.

Tasha mentions Sandy in a scarf to cover her scar.
Tasha is not in the picture because
Aunt Pam cared for her the first year of her life.

Depending on God,
Sandy had the strength and stubbornness
to persevere and create an independent life.

33 years ago God gave Sandy a miracle
and saved her life.
She now lays in a hospital bed
needing another miracle.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

LIFE CHANGES IN A HEARTBEAT

***Update Saturday Night 11:00pm Nov.29th
After quite a good day Sandy has had a significant setback. Stacy and Heather have decided to spend the night at the hospital. I don't know the details, just that everyone is very concerned.
I do know that God is in control and that recovery
is often a rollercoaster ride. Please pray for a miracle for Sandy!
See Sundays update- Click "Sandy's Condition Update" on right.




My sister Sandy went for a walk after
Thanksgiving dinner.
The bright sun
blinded the eyes of the woman
driving toward her.
In an instant she was hit by a car,
the impact leaving her motionless and still.

She regained consciousness and was
able to communicate.
Once in the hospital,
she became confused and
no longer was able to communicate normally.
The CT scan revealed she is bleeding internally,
the blood is putting pressure on her brain.

This would be a serious situation
for any one of us.
For Sandy it is doubly so.
At the age of 33, pregnant with Tasha,
Sandy suffered a stroke due to an aneurysm.
It took many surgeries to save her life,
including one to remove part of her brain.

Right now we are just waiting to hear.
I wonder if I should be be packing to
make a quick trip to Virginia tomorrow.
I pray for her girls and the
medical people taking care of her.
I wonder if she feels alone, and
I pray she is unaware of the situation and
is in a deep peaceful sleep.

It is amazing how life changes in a heartbeat.
Suddenly the unimportant falls away.
Heading to Kohls at 3:30am with a
shopping list and coffee to fight for
a parking spot has been crossed off
my list. "Black Friday" will have to
survive without me.

I am also so thankful for the days we spent
together this summer. After years of being apart,
we spent 6 fun, silly days together.
I pray that God's hand will be on Sandy.
He is the one who knows and loves her best.

I don't know what the tomorrow will bring
but as the song says,
I know who holds tomorrow.


I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
Ira Stanphill
I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from it's sunshine,
For it's skies may turn to gray.
I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said,
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Refrain
Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.

*** Update 1- Saturday, Nov. 29
Sandy is doing better. The doctor said the accident may have been fatal if she had not had the earlier surgeries. The blood pooled in the space where part of her brain had been removed. That open space saved her life!

She was coherent yesterday and ate a bit of jello and ice cream. That was the first she had eaten. Stacy and Heather are with her and Tahsa is arriving on Tuesday. Please pray for all of them for emotional, physical and spiritual strength.

SAYING GOODBYE

Gratitude & Simplicity

Sometimes we don't recognize the gifts we have until we stop to ponder...












~majestic wind turbines, works of art in the sky














~the cold tickle of waves on toes
~a heart-once stopped -now beating again














~sand, smiles, silliness and sun













~our own private beach, others chased away by raindrops

Who knows what tomorrow will bring...
~~~today I am blessed with the treasures I find in God's sandbox.

Miracles in the Little Things

Miracles in the Little Things...

Sometimes change comes slowly and painfully

sometimes change comes with a force that rivals Niagara Falls

but sometimes change comes gently

with laughter and silliness and love.