THE STORM RAGES

Marvin comes home tomorrow from Voc Rehab to stay. His time there has been helpful and we hope to find more therapy here as that is the only way we will see progress. The storm has blown water in the hole that should be his bathroom but that is another story. I meet with someone tomorrow who may be the answer to prayers for a new helper/caregiver. She has been helping her father recover from a car crash and has him back up and walking/driving. Perhaps this will be a great fit for us both. I have been his only caregiver since the last service stopped showing up in July.
A wonderful person at the West Ashley pool has called to say she will help us get Marvin in the pool!! That has excited him as he has been sad to leave the pool in Columbia as it gives him such a sense of hope when he walks in the water. I have been working his arms to get back some of the movement he lost while in the hosp.
Thank you to all of you for the cards and prayers after the death of his mother. Batesy was 96 and beginning to fail fast but the death of one's mother is always hard. To know Marvin is not forgotten has been one of the most uplifting things about this very sad time.
I am hoping to find a new contractor to finsih this room. Anyone who feels like being a carpenter, electrician, painter, porch builder just let me know. Got to get this bathroom done before I get even nuttier!!
God Bless you and Keep you Safe
Cathie and Marvin

Home and feeling better

I brought Marvin home from Columbia yesterday abd he is so happy to be home. He is finally in his power chair and enjoying the view of the back yard. If all goes well, he will be back at Voc. Rehab. to continue his therapy. We are hoping to continue the great improvement he was seeing from the program at Voc. Rehab. We cane home to find the house wonderfully cleaned by Ann, Sannie,and Donna. No Katie the dog hairs for a few days!!What a gift!!
This week is filled with apointments and visits. Thank you for the cards of condolence about Marvin's mother. We are going to the grave site today.
God has blessed us with friends and opportunities during this illness.
Blessings
Cathie and Marvin

Marvin is to come home

Sunday we buried Marvin's mom (Batesy) and he was not able to attend. He is having a hard time with this and with the spasms that have kept him in the hospital. He called today to tell me that he thought the doctors would let him come home tomorrow afternoon. I will drive up to get him so that we can get him strong enough to go back to Voc Rehab to continue the progress that he has been making. We both feel he needs to get his body moving again to help the spasms and stiffness that have plagued him since this infection. He is also bored witless in this hospital!! It will be wonderful to read the cards so many have sent to him and see a few friends to raise his spirits. Our church has been our strength and they continue to lift us up daily.
Thank you to all who have called and written. It means a great deal to us. Marvin hopes to start back on the road to better health right away!
God Bless you for your support of us through this struggle,
Cathie

Another Bump in the Road and Sad News

Spoke to Cathie and Marvin this afternoon and Marvin's Nausea has returned. He was in Columbia at the Vocational Rehab Center having a great time in the thearpy pool when it came on. They transfered him to the VA in Columbia and have begun treating him for an intestional infection. His spirits are still good but we need to pray for a speedy return to better health. Then this afternoon he found out that his Mom had passed away in Charlotte. There are no details to pass along about the funeral except that it will probably be in Charleston. Marvin is doing his best to get well enough to be able to get back to Charleston for the funeral. Of course Cathie is with him and that is a great comfort in this time of illness and mourning. I will post more details as soon as they are available. Bill Moore

A small bump in the road

Marvin has been in the Columbia Voc. Rehab. Center for two weeks. He calls it summer camp and has made progress. He has some more movement in his hands but the real break thru has been in the pool! He is still so excited about being upright and able to walk a few steps in the pool with a floatation device. They have great therapists with him and he feels safe and just plain great.
After I left him this Sunday he was fine until about 2AM. Then the nausea started and continued until there was nothing left. I found out when I called on Monday to say hello and the great staff worked with him thru the night. By Tuesday he felt like he needed to be admitted to the hosp. As per VA policy he couldn't come home but had to go to the Dorn Hosp in Columbia. He has been there much of the day but he is now being allowed to go back to the Voc. Rehab Center. Praises be!! He has been given three bags of fluid and a med or two and it coming back from the "pit of despair". Thru the help of some great staff I was able to talk with him and hear the news that he feels human again and on the mend. Sunday we stopped to get gas and picked up a sandwich for him as he had missed supper. It may have been food poisoning so they think.
We are so grateful for your prayers as it lifts our spirit and prayer changes things for those who believe! I see him getting better and know God is at work!
Blessings
Cathie