Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Survival!

Mike survived the first two days of “work”! Sadly, he threw up at each therapy session except today’s OT. He carries on with a smile and simply tells the girls that he’s “breaking them in” but I know how tired he is of feeling nauseous. He was doing so well. The good news is that he isn’t feeling as light-headed when he gets in the chair so we’re hopeful that this is a good sign.

Other highlights:
- Mike is getting better at doing transfers.
- We hope to try out a new wheelchair tomorrow.
- Mike is thrilled that he hasn’t had to eat many hospital meals since I bring in sandwiches, veggies and dip, fruit and something to heat up for supper. I’ve almost exhausted my supply of “meals” so I’ll have to start being more organized and creative!
- Mike was able to do some things in OT today that he was unable to do at the University Hospital. (Mary and Kerstin, you must tell Helena that Mike was able to put the little metal rods into the board, while he was being timed, no less! No doubt she’ll be as excited as I was!)
- Steve is coming tomorrow to spend the weekend. We can hardly wait. The last time Steve was here was just after the accident while Mike was in ICU. Mike is a little more alert these days and the boys will be able to spend lots of time together on the weekend.
- Mike’s “hand” sessions have been postponed so he’s been able to get a little snooze in the afternoon. Who knew that sleeping would be such a highlight!

Mom

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

really cool. look at those accomplishment! :):):) praise God for everything!
love.
God Bless

Anonymous said...

Hi Brenda and Michael!
After computer meltdown a few weeks ago, I just caught up with you guys while doing some middle of the night e-mails.
It's great that you made it to Glenrose, where there are so many fantastic staff members. I know you'll both make alot of new friends there very quickly.
My cousin Trish Sala is an OT(part-time with 2 little boys at home) there, and if you get to work with her, I know you will love her (and it will be mutual, I'm sure).
I'm so proud of you, Mike, even though I know we've never met. You're on my mind often, and in my prayers every time I think of you. Brenda, I'm really proud of you, too! Keep up the good work, both of you.
Lots of love, Linda Funk

Anonymous said...

Mike,
It is great to see how you are progressing. Have a great time with Steve and I will continue to pray for you and your family.
Love,
Juli

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike, I'm sooooo proud of you! Keep up the grrrrrreat work in physio! If the Froot Loops don't work their charm anymore you can always try Frosted Flakes and be on Tony the Tiger's team! Hahaha! I hope you have an awesome weekend with Steven, I'm sure you'll have a blast! He has a way of lifting one's spirit!

Brenda, you must be so proud to have raised 3 wonderful and handsome young men. They are all so inspiring.

Wishing you a fun, fun, fun weekend, and sending you all my strength. You're always in my prayers!

Anonymous said...

barkers ... i took an extended long weekend getaway where the mosquitoes aren't as bad as they say, but access to civilized things (like web browsing) aren't possible ... that said, I've missed checking in regularly and seeing how y'all are doing. mike am thrilled for you with this move and change of pace and am proud to be hearing of your strength and courage.

brenda, a friend of mine visits the blog regularly but i've not ever noted that she has written ... perhaps she has. she asked that I let you know specifically that she is praying for you. she prays for God’s strength, encouragement and blessings for YOU, and sees that your family is blessed to have you. hmmm....i wholeheartedly agree.

still praying and sending tonnes of love,
noreen

Anonymous said...

Everyday there is sometheing new to celebrate! Have a good one M-Dawg and Barker family.

Leanne

Anonymous said...

it's totally cool that you're doing better at Glenrose and I'm still praying. 'Be Strong and Courageous.'

Britney H

Exodus 15:2
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.

Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Anonymous said...

Hey Barker Beauties - all of you!!!

We just read in the LLB Post (which we still get) about Mike. We had no idea and were shocked to hear about the difficult times you are going through! Just want you to know that we will be praying for you & trusting that the Lord will sustain you and give you all the grace & courage you need for every day. We'll keep this blog in our "favorites" & feel like we can keep in touch that way.

Grace & Mercy on you all,

George & Linette Stanton

Anonymous said...

mike i am so gald to hear that you are not ad nauseous anymore and that you are getting better and transfering keep ip the good work buddy and take care see ya soon

sherraz

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike and Brenda!

Glad to hear you've survived the first few days....now if only you could manage to keep your lunch down! You worked so hard on that with us, I thought you had mastered the technique! It's awesome to hear about the progress you're making...that's fantastic! And even better that you've been able to do it all while still making time for those afternoon naps. We all miss you and look forward to hearing more about your progress.

Hope you enjoy your weekend!

Kerstin

Anonymous said...

micheal,

you are one of a kind.you continue to amaze people all over the province. never forget to trust in God through this tough time. my family and i are going through some hard times and i have realized that the more you pray the easier it will be. some things will still go wrong but just keep going and break through the darkness, you will soon see the sunshine. God can get you through anything if it is meant to be. don't ever forget that. he has saved people from some of the worst events imaginable and i think he could bring you through this without so much as a second thought. help your parents to remember that you are still the same person inside. your heart will always stay the same.people everywhere still love you (including one of my friends who will probably drool all over you next time she sees you). the church members are all praying for you night and day.we all miss you.

love, stephanie anderson

p.s.(brenda and neil) my grandma and grandpa anderson want you to know that they are praying for you. they hope that you know that God is watching over you! they say hi!

p.s.s: you can see the lime green stickers on a lot of vehicles in town. it shows just how much people really care.

Love, Stephanie Anderson

Anonymous said...

hey hottie,

Why are you so hot? I just can't get enough of you. can't wait to visit you in the hospital again, then i can look at your face again in person. Hope i don't drool!!!!!
i'll try to keep my mouth shut.

see you soon hottie.
your on fire.

Anonymous said...

Brenda,

how's it going? i miss you so much. piano lesswons won't be as fun next year as they were this year. you make it really interesting, i think that's why i've come so far.
i just wanted you to know that i love you and still consider you my second mom. i can talk to you about anythihng. even though you are moving to edmonton we will stay friends. i'll come visit you and you'll come visit me.
i think we're going to come visit you again soon. i can't wait, i haven't seen you in such a long time (like a whole month).

Love, Stephanie

P.S: sorry i missed that piano recital. i sucked at Be Thou My Vision and i was really busy. otherwise i would have come:). my mom found a new spot to cut off the song. instead of ending it on the 4th page we stopped on the end of the 3rd page. my added some sort of weird chord thingy.it sounds good though. i'll play it for you next time i see you and we're near a piano. i learned a whople bunch of new sacred peices. i'm also playin an offertory sometime in september and i also asked Joanne if i could play the prelude sometime in November or December. i play every day so that i won't forget how (just kidding).

i love you and miss you.

Love Stephanie

Anonymous said...

You Bum!!
I'm a bit mad that you left before July 7th! We miss you here at the hotel U of A! Hope all is well...and probably see you soon!

Your U of A Aunts

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike,

still praying!! Awesome accomplishments, too! : ) : ) : )

In Christ,
Britney h

Colossians 1:3-17
Psalms 139:1-12
James 5:7-20

Anonymous said...

Started working in town a week ago...good grief, that makes life busy! Hardly know what the computer looks like anymore!

But it's good to hear you're making progress in the Glenrose, Michael. Have fun with Steve this weekend!

Brenda, I agree with the second Stephanie -- you made piano interesting! You pushed me hard (really hard -- you didn't know that, did you?! Don’t worry, though; it was good for m!) and you took me a long way that first year. Thank-you for teaching me so much about music.

~Lois

Anonymous said...

hey barkers,

now that Steve's there, you can compare short hair styles (of course, that's if the wonder hair isn't back to it's usual length!!) Still praying like crazy, and looking forward to all these updates.

Soaking up the sun,
Britney h

Anonymous said...

Glad you are doing so well. Keep on smiling, you will make it through.
Have a fun weekend with Steven.
Sounds like your days are quite full, so enjoy any extra time off that you can get.
Praying for you all!!
Keep up the great work!
Susan

Anonymous said...

Mike & Family
Just a note to let you know that you are always in our thoughts and prayers. Sounds like they are keeping you very busy. Remember to get your beauty sleep!! Its nice to see the comments from the staff at the U of A. I told you they were lucky to have met you. Have a great weekend, enjoy Steve's company, & Brenda and Neil good luck with House Hunting

God Bless
Brenda

Anonymous said...

awesome progress mike..so, now a lot of girls get to tell you how they feel about you now eh? or has it always been like this for you. lucky guy. peace

Anonymous said...

Stephanie mentioned green stickers. ????? Do I need one!?
Hope you hade lots of time to enjoy Steve being home and that Mom and Dads house hunting is going well.

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike and Family,

It's great to hear of your progress. Yay for the pegboard thing, and Yay for your accomplishments so far. Keep it up.

I have a question though? Green Stickers? Where does one find such stickers?

Cheers,
Lana

Anonymous said...

Hey Barkers,

Thought I'd write in again. You all are probably the strongest family I've ever 'met'/seen/heard of. You've faced this accident head on and put in God's hands. It's so amazing to see God working.

Prayers,
Britney h

PS- I have more scriptures again, since I only heard 15 min. of the service today (why, why, why are there so many babies at Grace Church???)
Romans 15:7
*Psalms 5:11-12*
Proverbs 3:5, 25&26
Proverbs 8:22