It’s Saturday morning and I had promised Carolyn I would update the blog this weekend, especially in order to convey our current prayers requests to you. The Wanberg family, minus Kaitlin, left for Chicago on Thursday for a memorial service for Tom’s mom, Grandma Jeanne. They’ll be returning to Denver tomorrow afternoon.
Kaitlin is spending the day with Mark. Believe it or not, they’re going on a hunting excursion in Bennett, Colorado for the day. It’s a Craig Hospital recreational outing and Kaitlin jumped at the chance to go. Of course, she will probably be the only ‘girl’ on the outing!
She is doing well and is scheduled to leave Craig on November 14th. She went to the local mall with Megan, Carolyn and her occupational therapist last week. They had fun power shopping for an hour or two. Kaitlin is now allowed to ‘transfer’ completely by herself without calling a nurses aide to assist her. She is also learning how to drive with steering wheel controls and hopes to become certified in driving before she leaves Craig in two weeks. We’re still trying to figure out a car situation for her. Originally we thought that she could use her Honda Civic for solo driving but now her physical therapist is saying she may not be strong enough to take her wheelchair apart and hoist it into the car. Therefore, she may need a van with a side lift for solo driving. Her schedule remains extremely busy leaving her quite exhausted each night. Last week she actually learned how to get in and out of airline seats!
Kaitlin’s health continues to be pretty good. She had a minor setback earlier this week with pain in her esophagus and a scope procedure revealed ulcerations which were probably caused by all of the medications she’s on. The doctors believe her esophagus will heal if she is careful taking her meds one at a time and in an upright position. She is already feeling improvement but it will take 10 days or so to fully heal.
All of the renovations on the house are moving along and are on schedule to be completed by the end of November. We are so thankful to Frank, our head contractor, and to the crew of subcontractors who are working so diligently to make Kaitlin and John’s house a ‘home’ that will be functional and easy to live in. These men are emotionally invested in the job and we’re so grateful for their tender hearts and sincere efforts to make it the best home it can be. Frank is one of Mark’s old fraternity brothers. There will be a two week stretch of time when Kaitlin and John will either stay with Carolyn and Daniel in their new home or live in a handicapped accessible hotel room.
We continue to be eternally grateful for all of the prayers, calls, meals, letters, cards, donations, visits, errands run, and TLC you have lavished on us these past two long months. Your love has been truly astounding and an inspiration to all. You’ve been jewels along a rugged path.
When something of this magnitude happens in your life, it requires great faith. In the case of a ‘complete’ spinal cord injury, Kaitlin’s healing is totally dependent on God’s healing power. Unlike cancer or other illnesses where a physician might present a plan of treatment, spinal cord injuries have no specific treatment besides waiting to see if movement/feeling are restored as the cord heals during the next six to nine months. The patient can work to become more independent and self sufficient, but there is no ‘cure’ for the spinal injury. If Kaitlin is to be healed it will be by the sheer, magnificent power of God. We hope to one day celebrate His provisioning and her healing by giving ALL of the glory to Him. But one thing we know for certain, even if Kaitlin never walks again, God will give her a beautiful life. She is still ‘our girl’ and her value, remarkable beauty, incredible faith, sweet disposition, and fierce independence and tenacity are not dependent upon legs. They never were! She has been one of the most precious blessings in my life….my first born child! The one who endured all of my mothering mistakes with such grace. And who has continually inspired me to be a better person. I have always been incredibly proud of her, but never perhaps to the extent that I have during the past two months. I love you, Kaitlin.
The depth of John and Kaitlin’s trust and hope in the Lord has been apparent each and every day. I have thought much about this and many people have commented to me about it, even insinuating that this was perhaps something Mark and I and Anita and Tom did ‘well’ in raising our children. I personally will take no credit for their level of faith. I believe that it happened because of a whole army of faithful, selfless servants who took the time and made the effort to teach and mentor and minister to our kids along the way. It took a Christian community of believers to prepare them for this day. I am thankful for all of those people who have been involved in the spiritual development of Kaitlin and John throughout their lives. You all know who you are. From preschool/elementary school Sunday school teachers, to pastors, junior and senior high youth group leaders, small group leaders, camp counsellors, and parent volunteers. Each of you has invested in their lives from infancy to young adulthood to help them come to know the Lord Jesus Christ in a real and personal way. It is you who have prepared them to meet this challenge with the Lord and we are truly grateful. I hope you will walk into your classrooms with greater vision on the lives you are undoubtedly impacting each and every day. Thank you.
Train a child up in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6
PRAYER REQUESTS FOR THIS WEEK:
- Total healing of Kaitlin’s spinal cord
- Restoration of abdominal muscles
- Healing of the ulcerations in Kaitlin’s esophagus.
- Physical, spiritual and emotional strength for all of us
- A positive and gentle transition from Craig Hospital for both Kaitlin and John
- Protection from the enemy
- Continued protection from colds and flu
- Travel safety for the Wanberg family as they return to Denver tomorrow
- Comfort for the Wanberg family as they grieve the loss of Tom’s mother, Jeanne
- Safety for construction crew members as they work on home renovations
- That the Fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self control) would rain down on us all
With love and appreciation, Sue
GOD IS MOST GLORIFIED WHEN WE ARE MOST SATISFIED IN HIM.
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