Back in Florida

What a joy it was Sunday morning to fly from frozen East Central Illinois to moderate, sunny central Florida!

Steve has had several appointments with Dr. Hammesfahr already this week. He was pleased with the improvements he has observed in Steve, and is very hopeful that this is only the beginning of more changes to come for Steve.

Steve has also had some additional diagnostic tests done while we've been here. He begun 2 new prescriptions, and he can feel a difference already after beginning one medication today.

Steve has also had several chiropractic adjustments with Dr. Harris this week. This is part of Steve's treatment in another significant way. By keeping Steve's neck (brain stem area) loose and flexible, more blood is able to flow up to the brain. Dr. Harris accomplishes this with lots of stretching along with adjustments.

Apart from the doctor visits we have managed to revisit some of our favorite restaurants as well as discover some new favorites. Steve has had fun sampling many desserts this week. We have enjoyed the pool at the hotel this week, even if it is a bit cool for Florida standards. Another fun thing Randy & Steve did was check out the classic car lots in the Clearwater area.

We have one more appointment with Dr. Hammesfahr and with Dr. Harris. We will return late Friday night to sub-zero weather back home...but with the warmth of renewed hope as we continue this Journey of Hope!

Thanksgiving

Psalm 100
A Psalm for Thanksgiving.

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth.

Serve the LORD with gladness;

Come before Him with joyful singing.

Know that the LORD Himself is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving

And His courts with praise

Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

For the LORD is good;

His lovingkindness is everlasting

And His faithfulness to all generations.

We indeed have so very much to be thankful for! Most of all, we give thanks for God's lovingkindness and faithfulness in the midst of all of the situations of life.

Today we will be honored by the presence of Randy's father and my parents at our Thanksgiving table. The turkey is in the oven and the side dishes are ready to go as well, so it seemed fitting to pause, and express our thanks to everyone who has become a part of our Journey of Hope. Thank you for your love, prayers, and continued support for Steve as we daily live out the joys and challenges of lives changed by Traumatic Brain Injury.

We give thanks for the improvements Steve continues to experience. We also are anticipating our return trip to Florida in less than 2 weeks. We give thanks for the many health care providers who have either been part of the journey in the past or our new providers who have taken Steve's case on and continue to inspire hope in us all.

God bless each one as you celebrate Thanksgiving and then prepare for the season of Christmas!

Harvest 2006

We have been home for almost a month from Florida, and in that time we continue to see small, but significant improvements in Steve. We are in the midst of bringing in the harvest, which means Randy and Steve are working long, productive days.

Randy is noticing improvements in how Steve is able to use his right hand more than before, as well as improved abilities to work with the equipment...which is very significant. Steve loves working in the field, whether it be in the auger cart (above) or running the plow after the crop is harvested.

We are so encouraged, as step by step we see changes in Steve that up until now we had ceased to see. The hope of continued improvements and future improvements is on our minds and in our thoughts continuously. We pray that as Steve continues to improve, his potential for living out a future full of unlimited possibilities will be realized.

Our participation with 'Project Ignition' continues into this school year. Even though the group at school has began its 2006-2007 emphasis (Drunk Driving) the 2005-06 project which featured Greg and Steve's story continues to attract attention. Last week 10 area High School representatives attended a half day workshop in which our Project Ignition team presented last year's project (including the 'Steer Clear' video of us telling our story), with the hope that these 10 schools will go back and develop their own student led safe driving projects (thanks to a grant from Illinois Department of Transportation). It was an emotional morning to be part of as I was able to speak to the whole group, then talk with some of the school groups individually. I do believe that lives will be saved by these students going back and using some of the same ideas used at GCMS to effectively encourage their peers to drive smart.

Next week, a news crew from CLTV (an all news station from Chicago) will spend a day at the school, community, hospital, and the farm to tell the story by way of a 'special report' in the midst of their news casts. The following week, our Project Ignition team will again present to several schools, only it will be Chicago area schools, and the venue will be the Tribune offices in Oak Brook. It will be quite an honor to present and promote such a worthy program in the Chicago area, too.

Through it all, God remains ever faithful. The harvest is bountiful, and so far, safe. He is working out continued progress in Steve's journey, and He provides grace as we retell our story of January 17th, 2003. Even through our tears of remembrance and 'homesickness' for Greg, our Lord comforts through His promises in His Word, His people, and the many times we see Him so vividly...especially in the beauty of the autumn skies and the glorious sunsets at the end of these long productive days. "...Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." Acts 14:17 NIV

Back Home...

We arrived home from our 2 weeks in Florida yesterday afternoon. It was hard to say 'good-bye' to our new doctors and new friends. Our experiences at both Dr. Hammesfahr's and Dr. Harris' offices were beyond all expectations. Not only has Steve begun new life changing treatments, but we have all learned so much about brain injury and how these new treatments provide hope for the many people who suffer from the after effects of brain injuries, strokes, autism, migranes and ADD.

We had to detour from the regular schedule of Steve's medications yesterday because of the restrictions on what can be carried on during air travel (no creams or liquids). However, once we arrived in Indianapolis, we were able to once again get on track. Steve did not have any side effects from the lack of medication...only improvements when he was able to begin back on them.

We will keep close watch of Steve and his medications, along with some supplements. We look forward to working with our local doctor as he will monitor Steve and communicate back with Dr. Hammesfahr.

"... Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. " Lamentations 3:21-23. We thank God for His faithfulness to us each and every day of this Journey of Hope. We have been and continue to be sustained daily by the ways He shows Himself compassionate and faithful through every twist and turn in the journey - in the joyful times and in the heartbreaking times as well.

Florida - Day 10

Wow, what a day! This morning we met both Dr. Hammesfahr and Dr. Harris at the office along with the editor of a local Tampa area magazine, IMAGO Magazine http://www.imagomagazine.com/ It was an incredible experience for us. Steve was talking when Dr. Hammesfahr suggested another dose of medication. Within minutes, Steve's speech was more fluent! Steve was thrilled to be able to express his thoughts without all the struggle it has been to speak.

It was also incredible to listen to the doctors each detail the how and why of treatment for brain injury, stroke, and migrane headaches. We felt very privileged to be part of the lofty, yet informative discussion...but our ultimate hope and prayer is that others will be helped that have previously thought there was no further hope available.

Steve then had 2 apts. today. The first was a time of discussing the medications, the scheduling and getting a new prescription. Steve's second appt. was a chiropractic adjustment. It was amazing the improvement he has had in a week's time.

We rejoice and are so thankful to the Lord for His work in Steve and our lives!

Florida - Day 9

It was another day of checking medications, comparing notes, and introducing a new medication for Steve. Dr. Hammesfahr has told us to watch for the subtle changes as well as obvious clues to determine not only the effectiveness of the medication, but to gauge what the next step will be. Tonight we were excited by the fact that Steve's right hand continues to improve in dexterity. Since the accident, Steve has had to re-learn to do everything in his daily life with his left hand. The right hand (the entire right side) was more affected by the injury with spastisity. Tonight he was able to move his fingers and flex his hand in a significantly improved way.

The doctor told us to watch specifically when the medication either seemed to lose strength or seemed the most helpful. Clearly, tonight was one of those moments we were able to observe the differences. Step by step, this is all helpful in planning the next step for Steve.

Tomorrow will be a very busy day with 2 doctor apts. We are encouraged and hopeful trusting that God will remain, as always faithful in the midst of all things. But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. Psalm 71:14

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:23-25

Thanks to the wonder of the internet we were able to join with our home congregation (Gibson City Bible) during the morning worship service. What an encouragement it was to listen in to the worship in music,testimony time, special music and the challenging sermon.

Steve continues to tolerate the medication well. We are greatly encouraged by the changes that Steve has experienced since the beginning of his treatment, and we look ahead with much hope for the journey we continue on this week.

Florida - Day 5

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge Psalm 19: 1-2

Tonight the evening skies were splashed with glorious color as the sun set and the moon appeared above our heads. Florida has some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world!

It was a fitting end to a day in which hope was evident in many ways. Steve has tolerated the new medicine well. The subtle yet encouraging changes continue. At one point Steve remarked that it was easier for him to process more complex concepts...like planning when and how to market next year's crop. It is those subtle yet significant changes that fill all 3 of us with hope.

Steve's next appointment will be Tuesday morning. We look forward to a restful weekend, and then another week of checking dosing in preparation for our return home.

Florida - Day Four

Today was a day of monitoring Steve on his new medicine...as well as introducing the next step of his treatment...another med. So far, Steve has tolerated both equally well. His spirits remain high and his appetite has not suffered any either!

Tomorrow Steve will have 2 apts. to keep. The first will be an appointment with Dr. Hammesfahr to monitor the medications. Then onto another apt. with a doctor in Clearwater who was referred to us by Dr. Hammesfahr. We are finding that there are many aspects to the healing process and all are equally important.

There are some lifestyle changes we all will go home with including a commitment to drinking the right amount of water daily as well as moderation on our caffeine input. We want to support Steve by being a team with all the changes he will need to implement to help the entire process along.

Most of all...we are so filled with hope and the promise of more improvements on the journey of continued healing for Steve.

Florida - Day Three

Unbelievable would be the first word that comes to my mind to describe the events of this morning's doctor appointment! Dr. Hammesfahr showed us the results of yesterday's scans as the first order of business. What would look like interesting pictures of a brain to us suddenly became "a road map to treatment" (Dr. Hammesfahr's words). He patiently described the scans' results which confirmed what we knew (traumatic brain injury) but which also detailed the specific areas affected and the severity of injury.

The next step was beginning treatment for Steve. Minutes after the first dose of medication we began to see subtle, yet significant changes in Steve. Some of those were: a more symmetrical smile, better balance, ease of walking, more fluent speech. Steve said he felt "more together". The changes fade after the medicine fades in his system...thus the need for monitoring closely timing and changes. Because of this, we will be staying on another week so more medications can be added and monitored before we leave for home.

We remained at the office all morning before being released with dosing instructions and our appointment time for tomorrow. Steve, of course, was very hungry after the morning and wanted to stop at Arby's for lunch. While we ate together Randy & I noticed that Steve was eating without the difficulty of choking and coughing frequently. So, we rejoiced over yet another improvement in Steve's condition.

Rejoice in the LORD always; again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4 Today is indeed a day of much rejoicing for us. We ultimately know that it is by God's sovereign hand that we are here today. We stand amazed at the possibility of more Hope that is before us on this journey.

Florida - Day 2

We are at the end of a significant day here in Clearwater. Steve did not have an actual doctor apt. but rather a MRI and PET/CT scan.

The folks at the radiology place were so wonderful and helpful. Steve got along great with both tests. One neat thing that happened was the MRI tech invited me into her observation room to ask me background details about Steve and the treatments and surgeries he has previously had. I was amazed to see on screen the images of Steve's brain. I kept thinking about Psalm 139:13-15: "I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well."

I completed reading the book, "Peeling the Onion: Reversing the Ravages of Stroke" by Robin Robinson. Ms. Robinson details her experience in traveling to Dr. Hammesfahr's Institute with her father who had suffered from a stroke and the effects that continued to linger after his 'recovery'. Although the book was over 200 pages long, I could not put it down. It not only detailed her father's marked improvements under Dr. Hammesfahr's care, but also talked about the method itself.
Tonight after the tests, we enjoyed a local favorite sea food restaurant...see above photo. It was a real treat and actually located right on Clearwater beach. The sky was cloudy as we ate, but we were able to enjoy a beautiful sunset before the storm hits. Randy told me that approaching stormy weather can make for the most beautiful sunsets. He should know, as year round he is constantly observing the sky as any prudent farmer normally does. The Lord truly blessed us with a day of rest as well as a time of important tests to determine the 'next thing'. Our next apt. is tomorrow at 8:50 a.m. We do go to bed with a prayer on our hearts for a weakening storm through the night.

Florida - Day One

We arrived safe and sound in the Tampa/Clearwater area last evening after an on-time flight from Indianapolis. We were even offered the exit row seats which gave the 3 of us more leg room than would have been normal! It was a blessing from God to us and a wonderful way to begin the trip!

As we drank our morning coffee in the hotel lobby we picked up the Monday USA Today newspaper. We were amazed to see an article about our very own school's Project Ignition http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/yourhealth/2006-08-27-teens-driving_x.htm How amazing that we would start the day reading about the project and the reason we are here...Greg & Steve's car crash.

Today we dropped off paper work at Dr. Hammesfahr's office on our way to explore Clearwater Beach while the sun still shone in Florida. You would never guess a storm was on the way and the water and beach were stunning in their beauty. Steve & Randy had a chance to jump in the Gulf (much too warm according to Steve).

Early afternoon we met Dr. Hammesfahr where he did a brief neurological exam of Steve as well as describing upcoming tests and treatment for Steve. We left the office encouraged and full of hope. Tomorrow will be full of many scans for Steve. We will update more as we know more.

Then to now...

Steve has made miraculous improvements since the fall of 2003! He has taken several college courses and has decided to farm full time with Randy & his uncle. Steve has always wanted to be a farmer, so his decision was not too hard to make. Steve was able to rebuild a 1950's Farmall tractor that he had begun working on before the car crash. He has driven it in local 4th of July parades with much pride.

Another exciting time for Steve was earlier this summer as his first crop was harvested. He is making plans already for the crop that will be planted next Spring, and he enjoys the marketing part of farming as well as driving tractor and other chores around the farm.

The journey to wholeness has been a hard and long one for Steve and for us as parents. We have had much to rejoice over...and we have all had times of great sorrow resulting from the effects of traumatic brain injury.

A New Chapter....

A year ago, we agreed to allow a group of students at our local school to use the story of Greg & Steve in a safe driving initiative called, Project Ignition funded in part by State Farm Insurance Company. (A link is provided at the right...) In the course of the year, many assemblies were held. As the project gained momentum and eventually became the National Champion for 2005-2006, news coverage increased. What once was a local story found its way onto the front page of the Chicago Tribune July 2nd edition. One result of that article was a contact from a writer in Chicago who had information about a Neurologist in Florida who has a new treatment for stroke and brain injury patients...Dr. William Hammesfahr www.hnionline.com . We leave tomorrow a.m. for Tampa, Florida where Steve will have a week of appointments with Dr. Hammesfahr. We ask for your prayers that this indeed may be another part of the Journey of Hope we have been on for the past 3 1/2 years. We will attempt to keep you all posted by way of this blog.

Recovery begins...

Steve was a patient at RIC for 3 months. While there he remained in semi-coma state with inconsistent responsiveness. One thing that happens at RIC is many hours of therapy (Physical, Occupational, and Speech) as well as training of family and loved ones on how to care for one who is 'total assist'.

During those 3 months I lived at the bedside of Steve, and Chicago became my unofficial new address. Randy would come and stay with us on the weekends, but would then go home and farm during the week. I was blessed to be able to attend and become a part of The Moody Church during those long, bleak weeks and months that I was not able to worship at our home church.

The Moody Church and our church, Gibson City Bible Church demonstrated what the church or 'The Body of Christ' is to be to those who are hurting or in need. They prayed for Steve and with us; they opened up their hearts and their homes; they wept with us; and they celebrated with us as Steve began to improve. Galatians 6:10 says: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

By August 2003 we returned to Maranatha for our annual family vacation...however, this time we returned without Greg. Romans 12:15 admonishes us to..."Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." That week many did weep with us, however as the week progressed they also rejoiced at the daily improvements Steve was experiencing. By late fall, 2003, Steve was taking a college class and beginning to walk. All this while he was also busy with out-patient therapies to aid his recovery.

The Story Behind the Story...

. Our Family on vacation at Maranatha - 2001.

This is one of my favorite pictures of all of us...before January 17, 2003. The picture says so much about us and about what matters most to us individually and as a family.

Maranatha Bible and Missionary Conference Center in Muskegon Michigan is a favorite place of ours to go to each year. It is a wonderful place to relax, refocus and reconnect with God and with each other in the midst of great Bible teaching, challenging missionary projects, and fellowship with other believers.

Photo from left: Bonnie, Greg, Randy & Steve

By summer 2002, Greg & Steve posed for their Senior pictures in preparation of their Senior year of High School. Both Greg & Steve decided to be part of the school Co-op program. Greg worked 4 hours each morning at the local John Deere store in maintenance/parts while Steve worked at a repair shop for ATV's. They would then complete each school day with class in the afternoon. They also were co-captains of the High School Varsity Golf team their senior year.

The boys were members of the high school youth group at our church as well as another local church. At school, they were members of the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) huddle. Greg was able to attend FCA Leadership Camp the summer of 2001. We are so thankful for the teaching and fellowship these groups provided as well as the faithful preaching in our own church.

Shattered Dreams...

January 17, 2003 many of our dreams for the future of Greg and Steve were shattered in an instant as the result of a car crash when the car Greg was driving went out of control and slammed into a utility pole. Little did we know that as we said our 'good-byes' that morning we would be speaking to Greg for the last time here on earth. Nor, did we realize the painful journey that Steve would begin. We had to drive by the crash scene on our way to the hospital. As we slowly drove by we were shocked, stunned and devastated. Yet, we knew that our sons were in the loving hands of our God...Whether they were home with Him in heaven or they were still here on earth. As we found out later, Greg died at the hospital and Steve was in critical condition. Steve was transferred to a local trauma hospital where he remained for almost a month in a coma state. When he was stable, he was transferred to Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC).