Good Afternoon!!

Happy Valentines Day! What an amazing day to share our love with each other!

Jimmy is in great spirits about receiving a Pacemaker! Thank you so much for all your prayers and visits. Jimmy seems so much happier seeing his friends and family during this time.  This means so much to him, that everyone is behind him and is very supportive.  He has been singing, playing balloon volleyball, laughing at many silly stories and joke. The nurses love making him smile. Jimmy is still receiving some Physical therapy and Occupational Therapy at Abbot. He was able to wash his own hands and put his deodorant on by himself. He continues to feed himself with some assistance and really enjoys slow dancing in his wheel chair.

Jimmy had many test and blood cultures to see if he had anymore infections in his system.  All of the test came back negative and the Doctor said he is doing a lot better. Jimmy agreed in having the pacemaker with the Doctor and they were very excited with his choice. They will be planning on performing the surgery sometime this week. He is currently at Abbot Heart Hospital and will plan to return back at the Courage Center after he is healed from the procedure. Continue to pray for a great recovery and that his recovery progresses even faster after this procedure. 

May God bless you this week!

Prayers contiune for direction and wisdom...

What an adventure.. but God is still shining strong onto a bright future!!

This past Tuesday afternoon, Jimmy was admitted into Abbot Northwest Hospital to help with a few different things with his heart and white blood count. They were worried about possible Heart Failure, but then come to find out he has C-Diff infection in his intestines from a reaction to antibiotics. They said it is very common for patients in long-term care facilities. He is being treated for the C-Diff and they have switched a few of his heart medications to help with the fluttering with his heart rate. They have been debating weather to put in a Pacemaker to help Jimmy's heart contract at a normal rate. As of now he is doing good and seems to be in great spirits about things. He really misses his friends and family and visiting is recommended by the doctor and more social intervcation to help keep him positive about his recovery!

Please contiune to pray for wisdom, knowledge and understanding and for God's healing power to touch Jimmy in a mighty mighty way. The doctors said he has so much more potential and would have a chance to walk again, building up his muscle strength with the Pacemaker.

Thank you for all your wonderful love and support and great things are still to come after this bump in the road! Praise God for our faith and his shoulder to always lean on!!

God bless!

Blessed Beyond Belief

The amazing miracles contiune...

Jimmy wants to thank all of his family and friends for being so supportive and encouraging during his recovery. He is so blessed to have so many people that care for him and his recovery has progressed rapidly because of all your prayers, visits and love you bring to him everyday.

Occupational therapy progresses! Jimmy continues to help staff during his AM routines, shaving, showering and brushing his teeth. He is able to assist them in putting him in bed, by using a standing lift, from his wheel chair to bed and vise versa. One evening as we were eating dinner, Jimmy did not care for his meal, so I walked over to the cafeteria area to grab him a sandwich. Before I left the table I put the spoon in his hand and his bowl of peaches in front of him. As I looked back at the table to see how he was doing, he started to feed himself his peaches, using his spoon in a scooping motion and repeating it 3-4 times without assistance. He looked so proud of himself holding that spoon with a big smile as I walked back to the table.

Physical Therapy, getting stronger and stronger. Jimmy really enjoys dancing now. He is able to move his upper body more on his own, and is able to balance himself sitting in his wheelchair with out the table tray or arm rests. The evening of the Super Bowl, Jimmy was raising his arms up and down cheering on the Giants and fist pumping with his friend Brad. He has been lifting his legs more and able to scoot his whole body over in bed to assist nursing staff with small tasks. He still continues with the standing board during PT therapy and is currently at 80 degrees for 20 mins with two sitting breaks (90 standing straight up).

Speech Therapy, talking and singing. This past week Jimmy has really gotten his voice back, clearer and loader. Last weekend he sang, "Sweet Caroline, Sheri, Beachboys and Walking in Memphis". He enjoys singing Karaoke in the computer room with YouTube putting the lyrics on the computer screen and holding a spoon for the microphone, smiling from ear to ear while singing. He is able to communicate more with short sentences and is able to read jokes and short paragraphs.

There is no medical understanding as to why miracles happen, but as we all now know, Miracles DO Happen! We can't thank God enough everyday for the gift of life and the amazing future that we all have in store. I know in my heart Jimmy will walk someday, play basketball and become teacher of the year. Remember if we believe in the things God have placed on our hearts, they will come true.

LET YOUR FAITH BE BIGGER THAN YOUR FEARS!!

May God bless you!

What an amazing New Year!!

 Praise God for the many Miracles this New Year!

The past month has been filled with exciting strides of improvement. Jimmy is in great spirits and really enjoys smiling and laughing with family and friends. The nursing staff has truly been a great blessing and have been pushing Jimmy to do his best in all his therapies. The Courage Center continues to meet all his needs and is a great facility for his recovery.

During his Physical Therapy (PT), the therapist have Jimmy doing many different movements and activities to help build his muscle strength. They have him up on a standing board for 30 min sessions with two sitting breaks. The standing board in currently at a 75 degree angle and the final goal being 90 degrees, standing straight up. They are very impressed with his determination and effort. He also participates in a few balancing techniques, using a stability ball, almost like a wall sit, having two therapist holding him up for balance. Jimmy is still confined to a wheel chair, but attempts many times to push the wheels himself. He may be able to get a powered chair in the near future, allowing him a better quality of independence for movement in the Courage Center.

In Occupational Therapy (OT) they have regularly been working on an AM routine schedule every morning, giving Jimmy an opportunity to assist them in grooming and brushing his teeth. He has the ability to lift his arms and is starting to work more with fine motor skills, including pushing buttons and grabbing for small objects. Jimmy is getting better at using his spoon during meal times and feeds himself about 10 bites each meal, with some assistance. He is able to eat more solid foods now and really enjoys cookies.

The Speech Therapist enjoying making Jimmy laugh. Everyday they share jokes to break into therapy and it has been helping Jimmy talk a little more. He whispers many words and a few short sentences. They have been working on getting him to use his voice. He can read different jokes or short sentences/stories you put in front of him and has even taught us a few things about the English Language, including what nouns and adjectives are (being an English teacher). Jimmy has quickly answered simple addition and multiplication problems and can tell time on the hand clock. The brain is such a complex organ, but Jimmy seems to be answering small brain teasers correctly.

Jimmy's personality and sense of humor truly seem to be coming back more and more everyday. From the small smirks, laughs, eyes rolling, hand gestures and movements, all his characteristics are the same as usual. Everyday his recovery seems to progress and impress the staff, family and friends around him. He is able to give hugs, hold your hand and give you the biggest smile ever! Very soon everyone will be able to visit and continue to help Jimmy grow mentally and emotionally with all your hugs, story telling and unconditional love.

We have such a gracious God that can heal the sick and bring miracles into our lives. Jimmy continues to be that strong testimony shining for God's glory and he smiles every time you talk about it.

Praise God for it all and may you have a blessed New Year!!





Merry Christmas....

We can't thank God enough for the continued miracles and gifts this Hoilday season!

Jimmy continues to shine bright the true meaning for the season. He had a wonderful Christmas, getting the opportunity to open gifts on his own (pulling almost all the wrapping off by himself), singing Christmas songs and even eating Christmas cookies. He thanks all the friends and families for the Christmas cards and cant wait for everyone to celebrate with him soon.

While having dinner Christmas eve (stuffing and gravy), Jimmy fed himself a few bites, slowly moving his arm up to his mouth. He also grabbed his orange juice (with some help) and lifted it to his lips. He is starting to preform small takes and helps assist the nurses when moving him to and from his wheelchair. He communicates more with the nursing staff, letting them know how he feels and what he wants, by nodding and whispering words. Still working on strengthening his arms and legs, but will soon start water therapy in a heated pool to build those muscles. His speech is still improving every day and he is working on using his vocal cords, but whispers many words and a few sentences. Jimmy really enjoys laughing and always has the biggest smile on his face when you walk into his room. The Courage Center has a computer room and we have shown Jimmy his Facebook messages from friends and family. He is able to read and loves looking at pictures and watching videos.

We could not ask for a better Christmas present than the gift of life and sharing it with our loved ones. Soon enough we will all be together, celebrating the amazing miracles God has given us all.

Thank you for all the prayers, love and support for Jimmy!

God bless you during this Holiday season!

Happy Holidays.... Praise God for the many gifts we have been given!

Jimmy continues to be a shining light for God's kingdom! Many more amazing miracles everyday!

This past week, Jimmy (James) was moved to the Courage Center in Golden Valley! Praise God! The Courage Center is an empowering facility that will help with extra physical therapy, along with speech and fine motor activities. Jimmy will also be given the opportunity to participate in water therapy, helping him build more strength in his muscles. More info....  www.couragecenter.org

Jimmy is getting strong everyday, physically and mentally. He now remembers almost all memories up until a few weeks before his accident. We have shown many pictures to him of friends and family and he remembers every ones names. He has been laughing at goofy memories and shows many more emotions. His speech is growing and can say few words more clear and short sentences. He is starting to make small decisions on his own, including what he wants to eat and how he is feeling. His smile always continues to shine and his eyes can just tell you stories. Jimmy is eating more solid foods, including mashed potatoes, veggies and stews, with assistance.  Jimmy's strong faith and determination continues to bring awe to his nurses and doctors. He has been given so many incredible miracles and we cant thank everyone enough for your prayers, faith and love.

Please keep Jimmy in your prayers during the Holidays and know that we will all be together again very soon!

God bless!

Jimmy contiunes to shine with miracles...

This past week, Jimmy continues to progress in his recovery daily. He is able to be wheeled around the hospital more, involving in more activities with other patients, including movie watching, physical therapy and going to the small hospital chapel for church. The therapists are very impressed with his continued progression. Physical therapy has been standing him up a little to help build his leg muscles and working with his arms for more movement. Jimmy is now starting to eat some soft foods, including peaches, ice cream, mashed potatoes and drinking milk from a glass with assistance. He is still working on strengthening his arms and needs help being fed, but Praise God for eating some foods now. His voice is still coming back and he whisperers several words and a few sentences. He remembers all his family and friends by name and now remembers almost all memories up until the end of June this past summer. The miracles continue to progress and continue to thank and praise God for the many more to come!

The impossible is just a word for others not to try and with God alone all things are possible! Jimmy has shown us all that the impossible is possible if you believe!

Praise and Thank you God for the many miracles!

God bless  :)