Granny Update

Granny has made some progress this week. This afternoon Granny initiated a mouthed conversation with Mom. This is the first time that she has wanted to talk for a extended period of time. There was no sound because she didn't have her talking tracheotomy in, but Mom was able to understand everything that she mouthed. Please pray that Granny will be encouraged this week. She has been a bit in the dumps the past few days. She is also in a lot of pain since she has begun to move more and do her rehab exercises. Please pray that the pain would relent and Granny would be able to endure the pain that will come along with the healing of her body.

Granny Update

Today when Mom came into Granny's room she initiated a conversation for the first time. She didn't have a talking tracheotomy in, but she was able to whisper to Mom that her back hurt. Of course we aren't happy that Granny's back hurt, but we are excited that she initiated the conversation.
The speech therapist has been using electrodes on Granny's neck to strengthen her swallowing and speaking muscles. It is really important that these muscles develop so Granny can progress. She is doing better each day. Please pray that her muscles would get stronger so she is able to speak more clearly and swallow food. Thank you for your prayers!

Granny Update

Today I brought Anne by to see Great Granny for the first time. Anne really enjoyed seeing Granny, looking at all the buttons on her bed, and seeing her flowers. Of course we also brought along baby Abigail. Granny was able to swallow orange juice today and spent TWO HOURS in her rehab chair. When Granny had her talking tracheotomy in today she asked Mom when she would be able to leave the hospital and when she could return home. She is very motivated to get better and get home! That's all the news for now. Granny is getting better. Please continue to pray for her complete recovery!

Granny Update

Yesterday the speech therapist came by and Granny spoke for the first time since the accident! She was able to say "uhuh" and "unuh" (Translation: yes and no.)She was also able to swallow some water, the first swallow of water she has had since the accident, and soon they will begin to give Granny things like soup and jello. Her doctor is predicting that she will be able to begin aggressive rehab in a little less than two weeks, the beginning of March. Granny has been sitting up in her special chair more and more and can even adjust her body position a little on her own. These are all phenomenal things. She has made such progress. Please continue to pray her muscles will increase in strength and ability, that she will feel encouraged by her progress, and of course for her complete recovery! Thank you in advance for all your prayers and thoughts. We truly covet your prayers!

Granny Update

Granny is doing better. Today they put in a smaller tracheotomy tube in Granny, which means that Granny is doing more and more of her breathing on her own! Later this week they hope to put in a talking tracheotomy, which like it sounds, will allow Granny to talk! For the past three days Granny has been sitting up in a special chair made for people with Granny's injuries. Mom describes it as being similar to a recliner. The chair is helping Granny build up her muscles. She has also begun physical therapy. Mom helps her do her exercises each day. It's hard work, but its building those muscles back up. The neurologist came in and spoke with mom today and said that as far as he can tell there will be no permanent damage to Granny's brain! Praise God! Please continue to pray for a complete recovery, encouragement for Granny as she works hard to rebuild her strength, and perseverance. Please pray for sustaining strength for Mom and Dad as they continue to care for Granny. Please also join me in thanking God for our wonderful baby girl who eats and sleeps like a champ! God has truly blessed us!

Granny Update

Granny is here in Tyler! Wahoo! She has her own room with a TV, window, and bathroom. She also has her own doctor now! Praise the Lord. He his wonderful and very positive. She is doing pretty well and was very alert today. She no longer has any tubes in her nose or mouth. She is much more comfortable. She still has a tracheotomy in her throat and a feeding tube in her stomach. Granny's test all look good. Recovery will just take time. Scott, Abigail, and I were able to go and see Granny on Friday while Anne was at school. It was nice to see her and hold her hand and know that the people who are caring for Granny are compassionate and loving. Please pray that her brain will soke up the rest of the blood in there so she will be able to gain back some cognitive abilities. Please pray that she will remain free of infection, germs, and pain. Please pray that the Lord would continue to provide sustaining energy to my mom as she spends time caring for Granny. Praise God for Granny's new room, doctor, and friends that have done so much for she and my mother. We see God's grace the most in times like this and has surely been truly gracious! Thank you for your continued pray!

Granny Moves to Tyler

Granny has made the move from Longview to Tyler. She is at Trinity Mother Francis now and we are so thankful to have her so close. Please thank the Lord for taking care of all the details and bringing the right people together so that Granny could make this move. We are thankful for the care provided by Good Shepherd, but are glad Mom will no longer have to travel to Longview and back each day. Tomorrow is Granny's birthday! We are planning to visit her in her new room, which is private with a window, to celebrate! She is alert and able to communicate through hand squeezing, but hasn't been able to speak yet. The doctor at Good Shepherd restated again that it is going to be a long healing process. Please pray that Granny would continue to improve physically and that the Lord would keep her spirits up.

Granny Update

Granny is doing well. She is still not able to talk, but she can communicate with mom through hand squeezes. It looks like sometime Wednesday or Thursday Granny will be able to come to Tyler for more care. This will be a major answer to prayer. Granny will be closer to us and that means that she will be out of intensive care. I will let you know when she has actually made the move to Tyler. Please continue to pray for her recovery and safe transition to a new care facility.

Abigail Amanda Luhrs

Abigail was born Saturday, January 31st, at 4:20pm. She weighs 6lbs 13oz and is 20 inches long. She has been doing great and is a super eater already. Mom feels good as well. I will post more pics when i get a chance.

Granny Update

Granny is more alert than she was on Friday. The doctors put the ventilator back in on Saturday and it seemed to make Granny more alert. In fact she recognized everyone that came to see her on Saturday and when Martha held the phone up to Granny's ear so mom could tell here that her third great granddaughter, Abigail Amanda, was born she understood everything. Today she is having a tracheotomy put in instead of a ventilator. This will keep her airway clear and when she is able she will be able to speak. Please continue to pray for her complete recovery, the healing of her broken ribs, and that she would continue to become more alert and aware.