Thursday, June 15, 2006

Mike continues to entertain the nurses, impress the staff and still has not lost the ability to push Matthew’s buttons. By saying in a whiny voice that his legs don’t work, he needs water, sympathy, etc., he somehow manages to tug at Matt’s heart strings! This won’t last long but in true Michael fashion, he will stretch it to the limit!

On the flip side, Mike continues to struggle with feeling nauseous while transferring and when doing physio. Today the physio-therapist said that this is the first time in 20 years that she has felt guilty about how hard a patient was working. (Mike threw up again during his work out.) Of course that brought a smile to Michael’s face – perhaps another button he could push….

The grafts seem to be healing nicely except for a few areas on the foot and between the toes. He will still have to keep his foot elevated until Sunday but even that should not delay his moving to Glenrose once there is a bed available.

In spite of the struggle to do even the most basic of things, Mike somehow manages to turn it into “fun”. When he was young, before he would go to bed, Neil would pray with him. Michael would ask God to give him a fun, fun, fun, fun, fun (you get the idea) day the next day. Though I don’t doubt his sincerity, it was also a delay tactic! One day, Neil’s Dad said that God sure answers Michael’s prayer because he always seems to have a “fun” day! We may not be having fun days every day but there never ceases to be fun moments.

Even on the lowest days, Michael knows how to melt my heart. One day, when Mike was still in ICU in traction, I was rubbing his arm. He told me how much he loved me. I told him that I loved him, too. He said, “No, Mom. You don’t understand. The words ‘I love you’ don’t come close to capturing how I really feel. There are no words big enough. If I knew the words, I could make a scads of money at Hallmark.”

I think I do understand what you mean, Mike. Any Mom understands when they look at their kids. I don’t think there are words “big” enough to describe how much we love our kids, all of them!

Mike and his dog Max

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

hey Mike,
Sounds like your making an amazing recovery! God answered all of our prayers and he continues to do great work like always!! In no time you'll be back home in Lac La Biche. Where everyone waits to see you.
Take care...
God Bless

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike,
I can see your smile and I remember the prayer for 'fun' the next day. Grandpa Dickau loves to tell that story too! (accompanied with a big belly laugh!) I am glad to hear that 'fun' is part of your day. It is sooo you. We are gathering with 'family' here this weekend for Thomas' grad party. We will be remembering you there.
And we will be praying for you together. Wishing you joy and laughter this weekend,
Peace,
Aunt Mary

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike,
I haven't posted on here yet but I just wanted you to know that you are always in my prayers. I know Matt a lot more than I know you but I have been so blessed by you and your family just through reading this. Your guys' love for each other is so evident and your faith in God through trying times is to be admired. I know that you've also been a special friend to Ashlee (I can't imagine why - seeing as from the sounds of it you two share, shall I say, "similar" qualities: Matt can vouch for me on this one). Keep on being who you are: pushing the limits, loving life, and driving people crazy ;). That's what makes you special. Anyways, Jesse is accusing me of writing a novel. You are in my prayers and thoughts. Stay strong and keep on believing. God has you in his hands and trust me...He's got REALLY big hands!!!
Sheleena Kent

Anonymous said...

Awww, Max came to visit? Cute!

Glad the fun side of life continues to pop up!

Can't help but laugh at the "fun, fun, fun, fun," tactic! Kids are experts at finding the best way to put off naptime or bedtime! Our best tactic included eating our yogurt before naptime by only taking a teeny weeny bit on the end of our spoon for each mouthful. It worked quite well! (And it became such a habit that I still can’t eat a whole spoonful of yogurt in one mouthful…has to be in little bits!)

Keep working hard, Michael. And enjoy those buttons while you have them!

We're praying for you.

~Lois

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike

Things sound good keep that up! It looks like from the picture that you dont have to wear the gowns anymore! Thats good considering you always got the junk ones from the nurses... some how??? take care!
God Bless
Jessica Gaberel

Anonymous said...

mike and family

hi every one i hope that you are all doing well and i am glad mike that you are getting better and still up to your same old tricks with the ladyies, still putting on your charm like you had with all the teachers exspecaily MRs.
Parsons lol. i am so happy that you are in great spirts. i hope you had a great bday and keep up the great healing process and dont forget to watch to game on sat. night lol you are always in my thoughts and prayers take care buddy have a great day and talk to ya latter

sherraz

Anonymous said...

I am glad to hear you are doing well Mike. I will continue to pray for all of you.

And Matt...I know how you feel. I think it is the middle child syndrome.

Love, Juli

Anonymous said...

Mike
Belated birthday greetings. I was reminded of your birthday when I went to a community meeting and a woman whom I barely know said to me, "I wanted you to know that I am praying for your nephew." Checking this blog and taking count of the number of people in Vancouver who are praying for you, I would say that you are one of the more well-prayed for people in the world these days.
I was wondering if you endured a fair bit of teasing from your mother on your birthday, as I have a fair bit of experience in that sort of trauma.
We watched a movie the other night called "murderball". It is a documentary about the wheelchair rugby championship team. It's kind of raunchy but very interesting, and hopeful.
We are looking forward to seeing you in person but in the meantime, it is very good to have the blog to read to give us just a glimpse of how things are going. I'm sure that there is much more going on for you and within you. My prayer for you is that when there is much going on for you-- or within you -- that you would be able to turn to God and share all the emotions you are feeling. There is rarely any way around pain, but there is a path of hope through it.
Talk to you soon. Tim

Anonymous said...

I want a three legged Pomeranian!

The one's I've seen only come in the four-legged variety. Max really is a wonder dog. And I like your shirt, Mike. I guess this was a somewhat useless post, but it was a fun fun fun fun fun way for me to put off going to bed, though I should, because it's 11:22.

:) Keep on pushing those buttons!

-Jill

Anonymous said...

I want a three legged Pomeranian!

The one's I've seen only come in the four-legged variety. Max really is a wonder dog. And I like your shirt, Mike. I guess this was a somewhat useless post, but it was a fun fun fun fun fun way for me to put off going to bed, though I should, because it's 11:22.

:) Keep on pushing those buttons!

-Jill

Anonymous said...

(at 11:22 I become tired and double post...)

Anonymous said...

Hi Brenda,
Thanks for another great update. Since I don't know Mike from "real life" it's fun, fun, fun, to get to know him through your posts. You're doing a wonderful service to all of us by letting us get a glimpse into Mike's personality and be a little part of his cheering section. Great picture, too---a couple of real cuties! Have a truly blessed day.

Anonymous said...

Brenda and Mike,
You really touched me in the place that I live with your writing Brenda, as I'm sure all of us felt.
Mike, your a good son.
Still praying,
Lawrence Wanda and Dezi

Anonymous said...

M Dawg,

(sorry if this is a repeat, I think though that I posted it in the wrong place)

I have heard of a computer program that types for you, copying what you speak. I will have to look more into it.

Glad your birthday was saturated in the faces & company of those dearest to you.

Love your outlook,

Leanne

Anonymous said...

Mike,

You have the cutest furball of a dog ever!! It's great to see and hear about how far you have come in such a short time! I added a bunch of interesting things I found God saying in His Word today.

Matthew 17:20, “…I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Job 9:8, “He [God] alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.”

Matthew 21:21, Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.

Mark 11:23, "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.

Luke 17:6, He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.

Job 10:12You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love. My life was preserved by your care.

Philippians 1:6
And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.

Philippians 3:12-15
Pressing toward the Goal
12I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. 13No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.

In Christ,
Britz

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike...so good to see your smile, it kind of looks like Max is smiling too...(grin) keep using your incredible spirit and charm to face each challenge, it's working.

Thankyou Brenda and family, the updates and anecdotes are much appreciated. Our prayers continue.
Cindy P.

Anonymous said...

Love the Picture. Keep being the amazing young man that you are. Terry Hannan

Anonymous said...

Keep on keeping on Mike, God has an AWESOME plan for you.
God Bless.
Shanice
Proverbs 3:5-6
Romans 8:28

Anonymous said...

Great photo. The puppy is real cute :) ;)
Thanks for the update. Mike is doing so well- all the love and attention is good stuff. I hope the rest of you are looking after yourselves too. Hugs

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike,

It was so good to get to spend a few days with you. I miss you already but I hear you are doing better everyday. And I know mom is taking good care of you. I love you.

your sis,
Lori

Anonymous said...

Admit it, you liked the gowns.

Oh, and happy birthday. You know how people send e-cards and e-flowers and e-hugs? Here's an e-tequila shot. You can save it for future redemption for the real thing. (or wait, don't you owe me already?)

Devin