A Good Pain

Gerry has recently begun to feel pain in the areas of his face that have been paralyzed since the surgery. Though it's uncomfortable, the fact that he's feeling anything is a good sign.
The feeling comes and goes, but is lingering longer each time.
Gerry is getting out and about, and moving without the aid of a walker.
The family is dealing with (yet another) vehicle breakdown, but Debbie is hopeful that it can be at least partially repaired soon.

Here's Lookin' at You, Kid

Due to partial facial paralysis doctors say is temporary, Gerry is experiencing lots of pain in his right eye. He can close it if he focuses and works hard, but otherwise he relies on Debbie to administer eye drops to ease the discomfort.

Doctors say it's normal to have some form of temporary paralysis after brain surgery. Before Gerry went in, they said they expected that his optic nerve would be bruised. We think this is stil the case, and it will probably be some time before his eye is fully functional.

Other than that, Gerry is getting some cabin fever. Due to his eye, it's uncomfortable to read, so his entertainment forms at home are limited. He's visited some neighbors and has gone out for scenic drives. The good news is that he's moving about without the aid of a walker.

There are improvements every day. Your prayers do make a difference!

Overnight Improvements!

Last night, Gerry noticed some extra swelling at the back of his head, on and around the wound created by last month's brain surgery. If it didn't go down by this morning, Debbie was planning to take him back to the hospital - not a pleasant option, considering the many days Gerry spent there last month.
Debbie propped Gerry up overnight, and this morning saw that the swelling had subsided.
Gerry also had increased pain last night and was worried that he might need stronger pain medication. This morning, the pain was all but gone. As of 10:30 a.m., he hadn't taken any pain medication at all.
It's just one more step along the way to recovery, but we're pleased that another hospital visit isn't in the cards, at least right now.

Little by Little (and a prayer request)

For more than week, Gerry has been resting at home.
By Easter, he was able to make it to Sunday morning services, where he was thrilled and encouraged to see so many supportive friends. Once he arrived home he slept most of the rest of the day, and has been sleeping quite a bit each day.
But every day, he sleeps a little less and is a little more awake. Slowly but surely, he is recovering.
Now, he's moving about without his walker. He's able to write his name, and is more alert now than ever before.
Daughter Sara, however, complains that some things never change: he still inadvertantly steals the serving utensils at dinner each night. She is jokingly frustrated, but admits that it's (in a strange way) a comfort.
Today, Gerry noticed some swelling on the back of his head. Debbie immediately called doctors. They decided together that Gerry should stay home tonight and see whether the swelling subsides by morning.
If it doesn't, he'll most likely be headed back to the hospital to get a permanent shunt placed in his brain to handle drainage.
Please pray tonight that the swelling goes down and that Gerry's pain will be eased.
Thank you for your continued support.

Rest at Home

Gerry has been home since Monday, when Debbie received a surprise phone call asking for a ride.
Since then, he's slept - a lot. He's gone out for ice cream and a drive around the lake. Today, he plans to visit Forest Grove High School to watch Paul's 1500m run. There have been visitors and quiet times, and he's enjoyed both.
He is slowly recovering full use of his face, and his voice is returning to normal. Doctors initially predicted a 4-6 week at-home recovery period, so he's right on track.
Thanks for your continued prayers!

"Can you come pick me up?"

It's a question Debbie usually hears from Paul or Sara, when they call her from school or youth group or track practice or snowboarding . . . but on Monday morning, it was Gerry calling instead.
He was moved from ICU to a regular hospital room on Sunday afternoon - a welcome change. By 10 a.m. on Monday, doctors told him he could go home.
More details to come soon!