It was Thursday, February 28, 2008. I was awakened this morning at 3:30 a.m. and decided to go down to the playroom to join Dale. I fell asleep on the sofa while Patty, a dear woman who stays with us at night, took care of Dale. When I awoke, Patty had slipped out and I saw Dale just waking with a smile on his face.
Our routine is to let the dog out, feed him, put on the pot of coffee, give Dale his 2 cans of Pulmocare, letting him relax a little while I have cheerios and bananas and a big cup of coffee of course. After our stomachs are satisfied, we start our routine of meds, nebulizer treatment and cleaning the trach. Rest again. Dale is extremely weak and doesn't take much to tired him, so our pauses come frequently. He is such a sweet man and love's being read to, so I try to do so as much as I can.
We had a few visitors today. Lora came by to "check on us" before they (Bobby and Lora) go on an adventure to the far cold, snowy, north. David and Rachel have been so faithful in being here helping out in every way. We have a few laughs and a few scary moments in helping Dale do the simple things in life. You see, he has trouble moving his head, legs and arms. Great effort goes into his typing on the blog. So I thought I would help him today.
Our last thing to do before bed time is reading a chapter from a book. Tonight the book was "When I Lay My Isaac Down" by Carol Kent. I was struck by a paragragh on community. I feel compelled to share it with you all. This is during a difficult trial in her, Carol Kent's, family's life:
"I never understood what the power of community could do. It's people in the body of Christ working like a family to sit and cry with you. Holding you, caring for your needs. Carrying your burden for a day. Creatively solving problems. Gathering resources. Opening doors of hope. Writing notes of encouragement. Fighting a cause on your behalf. Finding a way when there is no way. Listening. Waiting with you as long as it takes. It's people being "Jesus" to you."
What a great understanding of community. Dale and I have experienced that community here in Ruston, LA and throughout the world....prayers, cards, food, visits and just being there to fill those needs, as Carol Kent says "being 'Jesus'" to us. How humbled we are for the outpouring of love and concern.
These are those we will spend eternity with. This life is the practice field for eternity. "WOW" as Dale says, "Heaven looks good."
Thank you dear dear people who are helping share this burden with us. It brings sunshine into the darkness to know we are not alone on this journey.
Helen
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Believe
Believe.
Lovingly.
On.
God..
As I lay here I have lots of time to think. Of course I am aware of things going on around me. The tv is on. Wesley is watching a program about the Presidents. Aaron is on the computer. Rachel, bless her, has spent her days here helping with everything. David is working. And Helen is masterminding the whole.
For those who are interested, I’ll try to describe my status. I have a tracheostomy and am connected to a breathing machine. Without that I would not be here. I also have a tube in my stomach thru which I get feedings three times a day plus occasional Tylenol. I’m in a hospital bed and Helen can raise and lower my head and feet. I am not able to turn my head, or turn in the bed. I use my fingers to move my arms. I can move my left leg none, and only minimal with my right.
This is different from when Judy and Dick were here a few weeks ago. Then Dick could lift me out of bed and into a wheelchair . I could do without oxygen for five or ten minutes - long enough for him to wheel me downstairs and be transferred into a recliner in the family room. I could eat. I had control over my body functions.`
You wonder why I’m so graphic about my status. I thought it would help you to know . It gives me ample time to look forward to meeting God.. Happy day. Moses will reach down and grab one hand while Abraham takes the other. As they raise me up I see the face of God. No matter which way I turn, He is right in front of me. My body glows, and so do all the others around me. I easily recognize many; Dad, Mom, Rev Teed, etc. Wow, what a place. And each day the fun is just as great and maybe greater. My singing voice is great. Wow. Hope to see you there one day.
Dale
On.
God..
As I lay here I have lots of time to think. Of course I am aware of things going on around me. The tv is on. Wesley is watching a program about the Presidents. Aaron is on the computer. Rachel, bless her, has spent her days here helping with everything. David is working. And Helen is masterminding the whole.
For those who are interested, I’ll try to describe my status. I have a tracheostomy and am connected to a breathing machine. Without that I would not be here. I also have a tube in my stomach thru which I get feedings three times a day plus occasional Tylenol. I’m in a hospital bed and Helen can raise and lower my head and feet. I am not able to turn my head, or turn in the bed. I use my fingers to move my arms. I can move my left leg none, and only minimal with my right.
This is different from when Judy and Dick were here a few weeks ago. Then Dick could lift me out of bed and into a wheelchair . I could do without oxygen for five or ten minutes - long enough for him to wheel me downstairs and be transferred into a recliner in the family room. I could eat. I had control over my body functions.`
You wonder why I’m so graphic about my status. I thought it would help you to know . It gives me ample time to look forward to meeting God.. Happy day. Moses will reach down and grab one hand while Abraham takes the other. As they raise me up I see the face of God. No matter which way I turn, He is right in front of me. My body glows, and so do all the others around me. I easily recognize many; Dad, Mom, Rev Teed, etc. Wow, what a place. And each day the fun is just as great and maybe greater. My singing voice is great. Wow. Hope to see you there one day.
Dale
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Doctor Dale Posting His Own Words
Believe..
Letters.
Over.
Gossip.
Valentine’s has come and gone. It surprised me the flowers that showed up. Some yellow, some white,, some pink. People are very generous.
David helped me and got a box of chocolates for Helen. She shared them widely.
I wish you could see my setup. I am in a hospital bed in our playroom.. On the bed is a table on which is a keyboard.. I have a 10 inch stick held by both hands with which I punch the keys. I have lost the ability to move my arms away from my body so there is an elastic band from each wrist to assist in reaching the keys.
Helen is taking superb care of me. She has help from 11 to 7 five days a week . But even then she’s overworked. Rachel has been here everyday, and so is David when he’s not working.
Write often.
Dale
Letters.
Over.
Gossip.
Valentine’s has come and gone. It surprised me the flowers that showed up. Some yellow, some white,, some pink. People are very generous.
David helped me and got a box of chocolates for Helen. She shared them widely.
I wish you could see my setup. I am in a hospital bed in our playroom.. On the bed is a table on which is a keyboard.. I have a 10 inch stick held by both hands with which I punch the keys. I have lost the ability to move my arms away from my body so there is an elastic band from each wrist to assist in reaching the keys.
Helen is taking superb care of me. She has help from 11 to 7 five days a week . But even then she’s overworked. Rachel has been here everyday, and so is David when he’s not working.
Write often.
Dale
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
As the day so is our strength.
It has been several days since we have let everyone know what is happening here at 903
Dogwood. God is faithful each day to get us thru with everything being taken care of at the end of the day. Dale is resting well today. As always he is never one to compalin just thankful. Loves all the visitors and especially those who will read to him. I know he gets tired of Fox Newsand the weather station. We had some bad weather predicted today so we prepared to be without electricity for a period of time. Well thankfully we did not experience said prediction.
As I commented before I am watching the Church at work takeing care of us with such gentle and caring hands. what would we do without them. My heart is overwhelmed with the love everyone is covering us with. Dale as you know can not talk now and has a board that he spells out letter by letter what he wants to say. I keep having him to repeat spelling cause I am a sow reader.
Dogwood. God is faithful each day to get us thru with everything being taken care of at the end of the day. Dale is resting well today. As always he is never one to compalin just thankful. Loves all the visitors and especially those who will read to him. I know he gets tired of Fox Newsand the weather station. We had some bad weather predicted today so we prepared to be without electricity for a period of time. Well thankfully we did not experience said prediction.
As I commented before I am watching the Church at work takeing care of us with such gentle and caring hands. what would we do without them. My heart is overwhelmed with the love everyone is covering us with. Dale as you know can not talk now and has a board that he spells out letter by letter what he wants to say. I keep having him to repeat spelling cause I am a sow reader.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Boersma Like Online Gab
This thing is called a.l.s.. It stands for amyotropic lateral sclerosis.. Sclerosis of course is hardening lateral refers to the side of the brain. So I’m getting hard headed . The other word has to be broken down. Trophic is medical jargon for change. Myo refers to muscle. The ‘a’ means not. So this is not a muscle disease primarily, but the result of changes in the sides of the brain. Now you know as much as I do.
I began a year ago mowing the lawn . I could make a couple of passes and have to stop . I checked my pulse and it was 150. . Five minutes of rest and I could mow some more. I thought I was getting old. By June I was having trouble stretching up to do eye exams in the office. One day Helen came to the office and saw my problem. ‘You are coming home’ she said. I have not been back.. At present I am bed confined . Cant turn over. . I had a feeding tube put in three weeks ago and helen is doing a great job keeping me well fed. I also had a tracheostomy hooked to a machine which breathes for me..
Prayer is the only treatment so talk to the Lord.
Frankly, medical science has no answers. I’d be glad to talk with you anytime about heaven.
Keep in touch,
Dale
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Contest
Dad asked that I post on his behalf.
Short post but important.
He would like to hold a contest for all those within driving distance.
The contest will be judged by Doctor alone.
The Skill: Back Scratching
Thus far, I have been told that I am in the lead.
Style points may be awarded.
Short post but important.
He would like to hold a contest for all those within driving distance.
The contest will be judged by Doctor alone.
The Skill: Back Scratching
Thus far, I have been told that I am in the lead.
Style points may be awarded.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
He is just a-tapping now
Hey there!
We are not sure what has happened with this blog so we'll give it another go and try again.
Dr. Dale is settling in to his daily routine of trach care, meals, breathing treatments, etc. I think we all are. We are becoming more comfortable every day.
Dr. Dale is getting quite good at the pointing of letters, the spelling of words. We are getting good at reading lips but sometimes we just don't quite it. David asked Doctor what was the one thing if he could do, what did he want to do. Dr. Dale said "type of my computer". The challenge was on!
The first attempt to make the laptop accessible for Dr. Dale did not work out too well. We soon figured out we needed a wireless keyboard. Off to purchase the keyboard we went. We got the keyboard hooked up and the lap top within eye sight. We put Dr's glasses on and off we went....lot of adjusting, pillow propping, pencil, pointers, dowl rods, grips....well we finally achieved success. Dr. was able to type on his computer.
Dr. has been compiling stories for his grandchildren. He was obviously in the middle of composing one of these. David found that story and off to tapping Dr. Dale went. It was quite challenging for him to do this but after a couple of hours, he was exhausted. He did ask David to proof read it for him once he was finished. Dr. Dale was smiling.
So he is just a tapping away now.
Rachel
We are not sure what has happened with this blog so we'll give it another go and try again.
Dr. Dale is settling in to his daily routine of trach care, meals, breathing treatments, etc. I think we all are. We are becoming more comfortable every day.
Dr. Dale is getting quite good at the pointing of letters, the spelling of words. We are getting good at reading lips but sometimes we just don't quite it. David asked Doctor what was the one thing if he could do, what did he want to do. Dr. Dale said "type of my computer". The challenge was on!
The first attempt to make the laptop accessible for Dr. Dale did not work out too well. We soon figured out we needed a wireless keyboard. Off to purchase the keyboard we went. We got the keyboard hooked up and the lap top within eye sight. We put Dr's glasses on and off we went....lot of adjusting, pillow propping, pencil, pointers, dowl rods, grips....well we finally achieved success. Dr. was able to type on his computer.
Dr. has been compiling stories for his grandchildren. He was obviously in the middle of composing one of these. David found that story and off to tapping Dr. Dale went. It was quite challenging for him to do this but after a couple of hours, he was exhausted. He did ask David to proof read it for him once he was finished. Dr. Dale was smiling.
So he is just a tapping away now.
Rachel
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