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Wednesday, September 7, 2011

rough, tough, and plain ol' hard.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. -2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Two exciting things happened yesterday! Last night we were having a really good time and I didn’t want to spend it all on the computer.

First, Cale put his watch on!! He has been trying this for so long and has never been able to do it, but he finally was able yesterday! It was backwards, but at least it was on!

Second, a couple weeks ago we walked to McDonalds in PT from our house. This was a long walk for him and by the time we made it, he was putting a ton of weight on his cane and then the rest on me. I wasn’t sure how we were going to get him home! He ended up making it, but he was SO tired! Last night for PT we walked from our house all the way to Dairy Queen!!!! If you know how far it is from our house to Dairy Queen, please comment in agreement!! This was crazy-CRAZY!!!! Praise God! I would say he was more tired when we had walked to Mickey D’s then he was to walk even farther to Dairy Queen. His legs are getting stronger!!! His endurance is building!!! Wooooohooo!!! So cool!

Such excitingness (my word) going on around here!

On another note…

It has been rough. Really rough. Right after OT today, Cale went straight to our bedroom to lie down and I spent a short time crying and getting everything out and then hopped on the elliptical for a really long time. It felt good and was just what I needed! By the end my legs were noodles.

Cale’s days are getting more frustrating by the hour. This of course makes things really hard…for both of us. I’m soaking up and basking in the moments when Cale is in a good mood. It doesn’t come often lately, which breaks my heart all over the place. I try to remind myself that it’s all good. More awareness=more frustration.

I hate that things are so hard for him. I hate that he’s so miserable. I hate that he is so confused. I hate that he hardly enjoys anything. I hate that I can’t do anything to make it better. I hate that he has to walk this journey out. I hate that his brain was severely injured. I hate that there’s nothing to make it easier. I hate that…

Oh yes. My list could go on and on, but rather than keep going about it and bore you to death, I would just ask for prayer.

I seem to do that a lot.

I’m so thankful I can know that when I’m having a really tough day week that there are people all over the world praying. I’m thankful that even when day after day can be so hard sometimes, that the Lord blesses me with moments with my husband that fill my heart with hope. I’m thankful for how God is using us to encourage and bless others…it blows my socks off! I’m thankful for the wonderful people in our lives that are always there to lift us up.

I’m so thankful for you joining our journey!


I love him on the easy days & the hard days!

8 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for your thankfulness! I have used your story several times as an example to my kids of how there are always two ways of looking at things. We can just look for the bad, because it is always there; or we can look for the good, and by doing so we are looking for God! You have done this once again, even through difficult times! I know that it's by God's grace alone, but I thank you for allowing God to use you! My prayers are always with you and Cale.
    Sharon

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  2. Oh, Kathleen... I'm so sorry to hear that you've had a rough week.

    There are two verses I like to remember when I'm feeling really discouraged by the whole rehab process. The first one is my life verse, Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV):

    For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

    The second one is Philippians 1:6 (NIV):

    Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

    =========================

    Please know that you both are in my thoughts & prayers. You know how you get to "know" people in the hospital, in rehab, at PT, etc.? It's fast because you have the common thread of your injury/disease. Although we have never met, I feel like I have gotten to "know" you through following your blog. Your strength and courage are incredible.

    When people ask me how I do it, I tell them that there really isn't any other option. But honestly, there is. There is the option of quitting. It's not an option for me, and it sounds as though it's not for y'all either.

    Keep it up! :-)

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  3. I haven't missed a post in over a year now and pray for you guys continually. Don't lose heart or listen to the enemies lies - GOD IS FAITHFUL AND IS WORKING A MIRACLE IN YOUR LIVES!

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  4. Kathy Beckett9/8/11, 6:56 AM

    I'm sorry you two are in this phase right now. I am praying for those moments of blessing and improved abilities and loving interactions to keep coming to encourage you through the rough times that are a part of the healing brain! Love to you both.

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  5. I don't know you personally, I found your blog through Vicky, but I want you to know that I pray for you daily.

    Michele in Oklahoma

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  6. Thank you SO much for all the prayers!! It's such a blessing to read through and feel the encouragement getting poured on us!

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  7. No, I don't know how far DQ is from your house, BUT, Father does, and He is so proud of Cale. Kathleen, you know there are different grades of sandpaper. The coarser is to get the rough stuff off. As it gets finer, the object becomes more finished, until all that's needed is for the object to buffed up for an unreal shine. I don't know what Father is doing, or why He is using the seemingly coarse sandpaper on your lives right now, BUT I DO KNOW Father is using these hurtful, not nice momments to make the Kathleen jewel, and the Caleb jewel into something so spectacular, the rest of us are just going to stand around in awe. You are a precious, precious friend, and I don't tell you anything you don't know twice as well as I do. I would be sorry you are in this stage, except I KNOW the Kathleen and Caleb jewels wouldn't be what they were meant to be but for these very things happening. THEREFORE, I rejoice with you for the work that Father is doing. I love you, and love you....Father loves you MORE!! Marion

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  8. I love you guys and I am praying for you!
    Kimerly

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