It's good to hear again about the progress other people see in Ian. We hear about and observe the small changes happening in him, but we're seeing him every day or two. Because we see him so frequently the progress is often not as striking to us as it is for someone who hasn't seen him in a while.
Ian's Uncle Dan visited him yesterday and could see the change from a couple weeks ago. He said he looks right at you, he's gained some weight, and he really seems to try to talk to you. That is quite a change from a couple weeks ago.
Thanks for praying...
- Steve
Dec 31, 2006
God is in control of the middle part too
Thoughts from a friend:
Sometimes I have a hard time with the middle of stories. I get hooked on the gripping beginning of a story and I know the happy ending I am hoping for. But the middle of the story can seem long and slow moving, especially if it is very sad, scary, hard and painful. When that is the case I admit I am the type to sneak peaks at the end to assure myself that things are going to turn out OK. Or if the characters are having a really difficult time and I feel I just can't take anymore I will fast forward or skip the whole thing and go right to the end. I feel that way about Ian's saga now. I remember being gripped in the beginning of all this when we were waiting every second for any news. How every breath we took and every tear we cried was a plea to God to spare Ian's life. And He did spare Ian, He really did!! And I can practically see the happy ending. It's just this excruciating middle part where character is being built, where endurance is being tested, where faith is being tried. Faith in believing that the Author of this story really knows what is best. I wish with all my heart I could turn to the happy ending right now. But as Caleb wrote earlier this is where the Lord has us all now. In real life there is no skipping ahead.
My point is this: the middle of the story can be very hard but God is in control of this part of the story just as much as the surprise ending part. He is the best author there is with perfect timing and with the most surprising surprise endings. As believers we are currently involved in another long middle part of a story - the story that ends with Jesus coming back for his bride, the church. It has been a very long and very painful time of waiting. Some people have given up and left the faith. Some people who were sure the happy ending would happen in their lifetime died while still waiting. Every day we hold on to the promises of God that he is in control and will come again when his purposes are fulfilled. It's the same with Ian's story. We can't give up praying for Ian. Every day we hold on to the promises of God that his purposes are being fulfilled in Ian's life and in all of ours, too.
Don't give up. This is just the middle of the story. The surprise ending is coming. Remember what the angel Gabriel told Mary, "For nothing is impossible with God."
-Patty
Sometimes I have a hard time with the middle of stories. I get hooked on the gripping beginning of a story and I know the happy ending I am hoping for. But the middle of the story can seem long and slow moving, especially if it is very sad, scary, hard and painful. When that is the case I admit I am the type to sneak peaks at the end to assure myself that things are going to turn out OK. Or if the characters are having a really difficult time and I feel I just can't take anymore I will fast forward or skip the whole thing and go right to the end. I feel that way about Ian's saga now. I remember being gripped in the beginning of all this when we were waiting every second for any news. How every breath we took and every tear we cried was a plea to God to spare Ian's life. And He did spare Ian, He really did!! And I can practically see the happy ending. It's just this excruciating middle part where character is being built, where endurance is being tested, where faith is being tried. Faith in believing that the Author of this story really knows what is best. I wish with all my heart I could turn to the happy ending right now. But as Caleb wrote earlier this is where the Lord has us all now. In real life there is no skipping ahead.
My point is this: the middle of the story can be very hard but God is in control of this part of the story just as much as the surprise ending part. He is the best author there is with perfect timing and with the most surprising surprise endings. As believers we are currently involved in another long middle part of a story - the story that ends with Jesus coming back for his bride, the church. It has been a very long and very painful time of waiting. Some people have given up and left the faith. Some people who were sure the happy ending would happen in their lifetime died while still waiting. Every day we hold on to the promises of God that he is in control and will come again when his purposes are fulfilled. It's the same with Ian's story. We can't give up praying for Ian. Every day we hold on to the promises of God that his purposes are being fulfilled in Ian's life and in all of ours, too.
Don't give up. This is just the middle of the story. The surprise ending is coming. Remember what the angel Gabriel told Mary, "For nothing is impossible with God."
-Patty
Dec 29, 2006
A Day in the Life
Each day, Ian's therapy starts around 9:30 a.m., with a session each of speech, physical and occupational. Speech works on stimulating his face and his mouth and is geared toward teaching him to swallow food and to communicate with his voice. Occupational works on range of motion with his arms. Physical works on range of motion with his legs and on wound care.
In the afternoon, Ian spends at least two hours in his chair, as well as three sessions of therapy again. Physical and occupational work together in the afternoon and sit him on what they call the mat, which is basically a big, hard bed. They sit him on the edge of the bed where he is gaining strength in holding his head up and is just getting used to the feel of sitting. Since the good news on his knee, physical therapy is working toward putting him in a standing box.
We continue to be surrounded by a very encouraging staff who keep telling us that they know Ian is in there. They often say how good he looks and that his face seems to be filling out. They are all working to hard to help Ian. We are reminded every time we go into Children's of how underserving we are to be in a facility like that. God is so kind to us.
Thank you for your prayers.
-Larissa
In the afternoon, Ian spends at least two hours in his chair, as well as three sessions of therapy again. Physical and occupational work together in the afternoon and sit him on what they call the mat, which is basically a big, hard bed. They sit him on the edge of the bed where he is gaining strength in holding his head up and is just getting used to the feel of sitting. Since the good news on his knee, physical therapy is working toward putting him in a standing box.
We continue to be surrounded by a very encouraging staff who keep telling us that they know Ian is in there. They often say how good he looks and that his face seems to be filling out. They are all working to hard to help Ian. We are reminded every time we go into Children's of how underserving we are to be in a facility like that. God is so kind to us.
Thank you for your prayers.
-Larissa
Dec 28, 2006
Applesauce
We watched the speech therapist work on Ian yesterday. She's good at what she does. She moves a vibrating thingy all over his face to stimulate the nerves in his face and irritate him. She gets a reaction from him, too. Yesterday he groaned when she was doing it. She had said to him, "I'll stop if you tell me to, Ian." So, he did...by groaning.
Several people have asked us about how he did with the applesauce. When we talked to the speech yesterday, she said she tried it on him. She fed him some applesauce (a very small amount) to see if he would swallow it. He didn't swallow it right away, so she held off giving him any more. She was going to keep trying it every day, though.
Thanks for praying.....
Steve
Several people have asked us about how he did with the applesauce. When we talked to the speech yesterday, she said she tried it on him. She fed him some applesauce (a very small amount) to see if he would swallow it. He didn't swallow it right away, so she held off giving him any more. She was going to keep trying it every day, though.
Thanks for praying.....
Steve
Gravity...
Here are two Charles Spurgeon quotes that really encouraged me to keep on praying:
"My own soul's conviction is that prayer is the grandest power in the entire universe, that it has a more omnipotent force than electricity, attraction, gravitation, or any other of those secret forces which men have called by name, but which they do not understand."
"Prayer is the master-weapon. We should be greatly wise if we used it more, and did so with a more specific purpose."
What is more certain than gravity? Cast a stone in the air and it will surely fall to the ground. Prayer is just as certain than gravity, more certain. For our loving God has said, "Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you." Cast a single prayer before our Father and blessings will surely fall. They must. God has said it and His promises never fail.
Thanks so much for your prayers.
David
"My own soul's conviction is that prayer is the grandest power in the entire universe, that it has a more omnipotent force than electricity, attraction, gravitation, or any other of those secret forces which men have called by name, but which they do not understand."
"Prayer is the master-weapon. We should be greatly wise if we used it more, and did so with a more specific purpose."
What is more certain than gravity? Cast a stone in the air and it will surely fall to the ground. Prayer is just as certain than gravity, more certain. For our loving God has said, "Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you." Cast a single prayer before our Father and blessings will surely fall. They must. God has said it and His promises never fail.
Thanks so much for your prayers.
David
Dec 27, 2006
God is So Kind
One less huge surgery that Ian has to go through. The orthopedic surgeon today chuckled when he looked at the x-rays of Ian's knee. Ian's bone has fused itself in such a way that he does not need the extensive surgery and he can start weight-bearing therapy on it. The surgery that they were thinking of doing was just another form of fusing his knee so that it is stable- but God did that in His own way. This opens up a whole new realm of therapy that Ian can begin. Further surgeries could be a possibility somewhere in Ian's future, but he's fine for now. Praise God.
Ian's doctor at Children's also said that the wound on his back is definitely healing and getting smaller. Also, his body is responding to hydration in the way that it should.
God is so kind to give us these mercies. It amazes me that even while Ian's nutrition was low, God still allowed his bones to do miraculous things. Let's keep praying for more miracles.
-Larissa
Come With Big Expectations
Listen to the words of Charles Spurgeon:
"We do not come in prayer, as it were, only to God's poorhouse where He dispenses His favors to the poor, nor do we come to the back door of the house of mercy to receive the broken scraps, though that would be more than we deserve; to eat the crumbs that fall from the Master's table is more than we could claim. But, when we pray, we are standing in the palace on the glittering floor of the great King's own reception room, and thus we are placed upon vantage ground. In prayer we stand where angels bow with veiled faces. There, even there, the cherubim and seraphim adore before that selfsame throne to which our prayers ascend. And should we come there with stunted requests and narrow constricted faith? No, it does not become a King to be giving away pennies and nickels; He distributes pieces of gold."
Oh what a generous God we serve! Let us not come to Him with small, timid requests. These types of requests aren't fitting for the great, lavish, generous God we serve. Hasn't He already answered some huge prayers! Ian is alive. Ian is a graduate. Ian is recovering. Ian is in a wonderful treatment facility. God has already lavished His mercy upon Ian and I don't believe He intends to stop now. Let's come to God with big requests, full of faith that He wants to grant those requests. For His glory alone...
-Stephen A
"We do not come in prayer, as it were, only to God's poorhouse where He dispenses His favors to the poor, nor do we come to the back door of the house of mercy to receive the broken scraps, though that would be more than we deserve; to eat the crumbs that fall from the Master's table is more than we could claim. But, when we pray, we are standing in the palace on the glittering floor of the great King's own reception room, and thus we are placed upon vantage ground. In prayer we stand where angels bow with veiled faces. There, even there, the cherubim and seraphim adore before that selfsame throne to which our prayers ascend. And should we come there with stunted requests and narrow constricted faith? No, it does not become a King to be giving away pennies and nickels; He distributes pieces of gold."
Oh what a generous God we serve! Let us not come to Him with small, timid requests. These types of requests aren't fitting for the great, lavish, generous God we serve. Hasn't He already answered some huge prayers! Ian is alive. Ian is a graduate. Ian is recovering. Ian is in a wonderful treatment facility. God has already lavished His mercy upon Ian and I don't believe He intends to stop now. Let's come to God with big requests, full of faith that He wants to grant those requests. For His glory alone...
-Stephen A
Dec 26, 2006
Ian's trying really hard
You can just tell he's trying really hard. Ian's cousins, the Bergers, visited Ian tonight. This is one of the families we've vacationed with since Ian was one year old, so he knows them well. They noticed how hard he was trying to communicate. He followed them with his eyes and was moving a good bit as though he was trying to say something. I know how meaningful it will be to him that they all came to visit from such a distance, especially his cousin, Daniel, who is closest in age, who took off work and who took a long flight and a long car ride to get here.
More and more we're noticing small things that show progress. It's hard to watch, but he winces in pain to his eye drops. He flinches when he sees the nurse coming with the drops. He blinks in reaction to anything that might come close to his eyes. He pulls away when something is uncomfortable. He groaned yesterday when he wanted to get out of his chair and into his bed; as soon as they put him in his bed he fell right asleep.
It's as though he just can't put everything together and say what he wants to say. I'm looking forward to the day when he can.
The appointment with the surgeon is Wednesday morning (tomorrow). This is the surgeon who did the surgery on his knee originally. He'll be deciding whether Ian is at an appropriate place to do the rest of what needs to be done to his knee. The question is whether this is the best time to do more surgery to repair his knee. We're praying that it would happen soon, so that Ian can get on with getting better in that part of his body, too.
Thank you for praying...
Steve
More and more we're noticing small things that show progress. It's hard to watch, but he winces in pain to his eye drops. He flinches when he sees the nurse coming with the drops. He blinks in reaction to anything that might come close to his eyes. He pulls away when something is uncomfortable. He groaned yesterday when he wanted to get out of his chair and into his bed; as soon as they put him in his bed he fell right asleep.
It's as though he just can't put everything together and say what he wants to say. I'm looking forward to the day when he can.
The appointment with the surgeon is Wednesday morning (tomorrow). This is the surgeon who did the surgery on his knee originally. He'll be deciding whether Ian is at an appropriate place to do the rest of what needs to be done to his knee. The question is whether this is the best time to do more surgery to repair his knee. We're praying that it would happen soon, so that Ian can get on with getting better in that part of his body, too.
Thank you for praying...
Steve
Dec 25, 2006
Christmas Day
"Do you think that he's comfortable?"
That was one of Lydia's questions today, as we spent Christmas with Ian, opening gifts and talking with him. She was very caring with him, touching his arm and asking questions that show even her little two-year-old heart cares deeply for her big brother. How much greater does our God care for him.
This is not how we imagined our Christmas to be a few months ago, but to echo Caleb, this is where God has our lives now, and there's no place we'd rather be for Christmas than with Ian.
Ben and I went back to the ICU at Presby to give cookies to and talk with people who might be there now. It was a great reminder of where we were three months ago and where we are now. God's goodness never ends.
"Great trials are the clouds from which God showers great mercies." -Charles Spurgeon
I just miss being with Ian. Please keep praying.
-Larissa
Dec 24, 2006
Merry Christmas, Ian
I visited Ian yesterday, and it was cool to see him first stare at me and then avert his gaze to something else - in this case a colorful print on the wall of the conference room at Children's which he seemed to study. He's done that kind of thing before; his aunt noticed him following the fish in a fish tank recently. He seems to have much more control over his right eye, and it looks a lot better than it did before the medication. The medication they put in his eye makes it look goopy, though.
His wound on his back seems to have no infection left in it according to a nurse. However, they want to have a plastic surgeon look at it on Wednesday when he has his appointment with a knee surgeon. We don't have confirmation on the wound's status, but at least it's promising. If there's no infection, there's a greater chance he'll have the knee surgery.
We're going down tomorrow (Christmas) morning to celebrate with him. We're going to take some of our presents with us and open them there with him.
I miss Ian. We miss him. Come back to us soon, Ian. Merry Christmas.
Please pray...
Steve
His wound on his back seems to have no infection left in it according to a nurse. However, they want to have a plastic surgeon look at it on Wednesday when he has his appointment with a knee surgeon. We don't have confirmation on the wound's status, but at least it's promising. If there's no infection, there's a greater chance he'll have the knee surgery.
We're going down tomorrow (Christmas) morning to celebrate with him. We're going to take some of our presents with us and open them there with him.
I miss Ian. We miss him. Come back to us soon, Ian. Merry Christmas.
Please pray...
Steve
Dec 23, 2006
Impatience? No more for me, thanks...
Impatience is built-up by our plans getting knocked down or denied. We want things to happen the way we want them to and when they don't we get annoyed or angry. Impatience shows up in me when I think of all the things Ian's missing: his graduation, Christmas with the family (so far), all the memories that unfold every day, Larissa. When you think of these things your first reaction may be to become sad (which it very much is) but my reaction is, "Just wake up already and get back to your life!" Really, I'm yelling at God. But the thing is, this is still his life, it's where God put him for now. He's affecting people even in his sleep, God put him there to bring glory to himself. The way Ian has affected people during his life shows when friends and family come to visit him which in turn has an effect on the nurses (as does Ian's life previous to the accident). Impatience needs to be chucked out the door at the reminder of God's sovereignty, which believe it or not I have seen in my short life. It's hard not to be impatient.
-Caleb
-Caleb
Dec 22, 2006
Ian got a bad boo boo
Those were Lydia's words tonight at dinner.
He does have a bad boo boo - he has several bad boo boos. The one we're concerned for at this point is his right knee. On Wednesday, Ian is to have an evaluation by the original surgeon who put the knee back together - to a point. The surgeon told us then that Ian would require further surgery to repair the ligaments, etc., in his knee. We're now to that point where he could have surgery. Our prayer is that the infection on his back would not delay the surgery. The danger is that the infection would spread to his knee when the surgeon goes in to fix it. The best thing for his rehabilitation is to get the knee repaired and get on with it. The bottom line is we want the surgeon to go ahead with the surgery asap; we don't want anything to delay it.
The speech therapist is working with him to get a form of communication going. Lately, she's used 2 eye blinks for yes and one for no. Now, she's using yes and no cards he can focus on depending on his answer to a question. I don't know how that's progressing. The speech therapist is also poised to try giving him some applesauce, since he's swallowing so well. Again, I don't know how that will go.
Please pray...
He does have a bad boo boo - he has several bad boo boos. The one we're concerned for at this point is his right knee. On Wednesday, Ian is to have an evaluation by the original surgeon who put the knee back together - to a point. The surgeon told us then that Ian would require further surgery to repair the ligaments, etc., in his knee. We're now to that point where he could have surgery. Our prayer is that the infection on his back would not delay the surgery. The danger is that the infection would spread to his knee when the surgeon goes in to fix it. The best thing for his rehabilitation is to get the knee repaired and get on with it. The bottom line is we want the surgeon to go ahead with the surgery asap; we don't want anything to delay it.
The speech therapist is working with him to get a form of communication going. Lately, she's used 2 eye blinks for yes and one for no. Now, she's using yes and no cards he can focus on depending on his answer to a question. I don't know how that's progressing. The speech therapist is also poised to try giving him some applesauce, since he's swallowing so well. Again, I don't know how that will go.
Please pray...
Dec 21, 2006
It's not about us (Part II)
From Valley of Vision, a collection of prayers from the 16th and 17th centuries:
For time and for eternity, let me be
a monument to the efficacy of your grace
a trophy for your victory
While awake, Ian pointed people to God. He reminded us daily that we serve a powerfully good creator. He was walking proof that God rescues people from their sins and transforms their lives.
Now he's bed-ridden proof of the same thing.
Even while unconscious, Ian is a giant finger pointing towards God. Because of him we are praying even more fervently and relying on God even more. I'm sure Ian is glad that we are looking to Christ because of him.
Let's keep praying that Ian will wake up!
Thanks....
-Ben
For time and for eternity, let me be
a monument to the efficacy of your grace
a trophy for your victory
While awake, Ian pointed people to God. He reminded us daily that we serve a powerfully good creator. He was walking proof that God rescues people from their sins and transforms their lives.
Now he's bed-ridden proof of the same thing.
Even while unconscious, Ian is a giant finger pointing towards God. Because of him we are praying even more fervently and relying on God even more. I'm sure Ian is glad that we are looking to Christ because of him.
Let's keep praying that Ian will wake up!
Thanks....
-Ben
It's not about us
In chapter 9, Luke in his account of the gospel records the story of a man who came to Jesus reporting that his son was possessed by a demon who was violent with his son and who would torment and hurt his son (verses 37-43). Desperate, the man first begged Jesus' disciples to help his son.
I could relate at this point in the story. In Ian's case, a car wreck has done the violence, and as his dad I feel as desperate as this dad.
When the disciples couldn't help him, he didn't give up, but he begged Jesus to heal his son. The father's persistence in seeking God's help is certainly something God is teaching me, my family and Ian's friends, but that isn't what struck me about this story. The phrase that jumped out to me was at the end of the story after Jesus cast the demon out of the boy (v43): "And all were astonished at the majesty of God."
I was reminded once again that the focus of this story of Ian's wreck isn't Ian or me or my family. The focus is God...or should be. In this story in Luke, the end result was that people saw the majesty of God. In Ian's story, somehow (I can't quite see clearly how yet) people will see the glory of God, and a view of the glory of God is the best thing God could give any of us. In my finite mind and with my spiritual eyes that are so often weak in their ability to see God's glory, I wouldn't choose a view of the glory of God above anything else. I would choose to have Ian with us right now, for no other reason than that I want him back. My way (i.e. an instant healing) might be the best way for me and for us to see the glory of God, but God knows what's best. He knows how to give me the best. I do want to see the glory of God. I can see it most clearly displayed in what he did for me on the cross, dying to secure the opportunity for me to see the glory of God, to open my blind spiritual eyes. I'm so grateful for that.
I'm still going to beg God for Ian's healing, though, just like the man in this story.
Steve
I could relate at this point in the story. In Ian's case, a car wreck has done the violence, and as his dad I feel as desperate as this dad.
When the disciples couldn't help him, he didn't give up, but he begged Jesus to heal his son. The father's persistence in seeking God's help is certainly something God is teaching me, my family and Ian's friends, but that isn't what struck me about this story. The phrase that jumped out to me was at the end of the story after Jesus cast the demon out of the boy (v43): "And all were astonished at the majesty of God."
I was reminded once again that the focus of this story of Ian's wreck isn't Ian or me or my family. The focus is God...or should be. In this story in Luke, the end result was that people saw the majesty of God. In Ian's story, somehow (I can't quite see clearly how yet) people will see the glory of God, and a view of the glory of God is the best thing God could give any of us. In my finite mind and with my spiritual eyes that are so often weak in their ability to see God's glory, I wouldn't choose a view of the glory of God above anything else. I would choose to have Ian with us right now, for no other reason than that I want him back. My way (i.e. an instant healing) might be the best way for me and for us to see the glory of God, but God knows what's best. He knows how to give me the best. I do want to see the glory of God. I can see it most clearly displayed in what he did for me on the cross, dying to secure the opportunity for me to see the glory of God, to open my blind spiritual eyes. I'm so grateful for that.
I'm still going to beg God for Ian's healing, though, just like the man in this story.
Steve
Dec 19, 2006
Mercies Anew
Mary and I had an encouraging visit with Ian today. Each time that we talk with the nursing staff, they seemed more and more excited about Ian's progress. His nurse today said that he was wide awake when she came in in the morning, and she also said that he seems to be communicating with her at times by blinking once for "no" and twice for "yes."
We were also told that Ian was tracking fully with his eyes today- meaning he followed with his eyes not only to the right but to the left, something that he hasn't done before. His doctor was excited by how his eye is clearing up and also the sore on his back seems to be getting smaller.
We've heard several different staff members say that Ian just seems to be more and more aware of what's going on. He now tends to stay awake all day, which is great.
One focus of prayer is for Ian's medical assistance. Right now there is some question of whether medical insurance will cover his stay up until now. This doesn't mean that Ian will have to leave Children's- but the days that he has already been there may not be paid for by medical assistance. Please pray that medical assistance would decide to pay for his stay so far.
To repeat what David wrote a few weeks ago, Jesus is on the move. I'm still praying about that Christmas gift.
Thank you for your prayers.
-Larissa
Dec 18, 2006
Slow, slow progress
Ian is making progress, but it sure is slow. I know that it's not slow from God's perspective. I know also that God is teaching us through these difficulties to rest in Him moment by moment.
Ian's wounds and infections are slowly healing. One physical therapist could see a definite difference in the sore on his back. His eye seems to close more than it did, and it looks less red. The wound where the trach was has only a regular bandaid on it now.
The medical people at the Children's Institute continue to monitor his liquid intake and output. They increased it a little more. They also increased his calories and nutrition. He got a haircut today; Heather Rice did a good job with it. He's looking more and more like Ian. A nurse said tonight that after having been off for four days, he could see a clear difference in how Ian looks at people. The nurse said he seems more and more like he's really there.
Someone asked me a few days ago how they could pray for us - for the Murphys and for Larissa. I told them the Lord has graciously been sustaining us, keeping us in faith and at peace, but we don't want to grow weary through this long, slow process. It's very sad to see Ian like this, and some days the sadness weighs a lot heavier than other days. It's tempting in those days to fear or to embrace self-pity. We want to continue to walk in faith through the sadness. Pray that we don't grow weary.
Pray most of all for Ian. Thanks....
A Special Weekend
We received this email from Larissa's dad after he visited Ian this weekend:
Our family finally had the opportunity to spend some time with Ian this weekend. It had been five weeks since we last visited. It was great seeing Ian sitting up in a chair, no trach attached and in a t-shirt. We were blessed to have our complete family there with us, so we had our Christmas at the Children's Institute this year with our six children:)
We could see a definite change in Ian's eyes, they seemed to be more open and directed. We tried to get him to smile- at first we thought he did but it turned out to be a yawn! Guess he was bored with us. On Sunday, we went to Larissa and Ian's graduation ceremony and it was very touching to witness Ian receive his degree even though he was not able to attend the ceremony himself. God certainly had a part in touching the hearts of the professors at IUP to allow this to happen. It was just as touching to see Larissa receive her degree, realizing how God has given her the strength and faith to continue her studies this last semester in spite of all the distractions and concerns. Now that they both have their education behind them, I believe that God will focus even more on healing Ian, allowing him to wake up and contine preparing for the two of them to spend the rest of their lives together.
I asked Larissa this weekend what she wanted for Christmas this year and she told me that she wanted Ian back. I responded by saying we all want him back and that we would continue to pray for his complete healing. Pray with us that Ian would wake up for Christmas so that Larissa (and many others) will have the best Christmas ever.
-Durwood
Our family finally had the opportunity to spend some time with Ian this weekend. It had been five weeks since we last visited. It was great seeing Ian sitting up in a chair, no trach attached and in a t-shirt. We were blessed to have our complete family there with us, so we had our Christmas at the Children's Institute this year with our six children:)
We could see a definite change in Ian's eyes, they seemed to be more open and directed. We tried to get him to smile- at first we thought he did but it turned out to be a yawn! Guess he was bored with us. On Sunday, we went to Larissa and Ian's graduation ceremony and it was very touching to witness Ian receive his degree even though he was not able to attend the ceremony himself. God certainly had a part in touching the hearts of the professors at IUP to allow this to happen. It was just as touching to see Larissa receive her degree, realizing how God has given her the strength and faith to continue her studies this last semester in spite of all the distractions and concerns. Now that they both have their education behind them, I believe that God will focus even more on healing Ian, allowing him to wake up and contine preparing for the two of them to spend the rest of their lives together.
I asked Larissa this weekend what she wanted for Christmas this year and she told me that she wanted Ian back. I responded by saying we all want him back and that we would continue to pray for his complete healing. Pray with us that Ian would wake up for Christmas so that Larissa (and many others) will have the best Christmas ever.
-Durwood
Dec 15, 2006
His way is holy
Ian really looks at us. While I was with him tonight, he seemed completely aware that I was there with him. His eyes were wide open. He was moving his mouth a lot and keeping it closed more, which is good. And now he just has a band-aid where his trach was.
We've been told that this could be a long healing process, but I know that I serve a God who with one breath could completely heal Ian. I've been encouraged to pray that Ian will be home for Christmas, for nothing is impossible with my God.
"Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders"
-Psalm 77: 13-14
Thank you for praying. I hope he'll be home soon. We miss him.
-Larissa
Dec 14, 2006
Nourishment and hydration
We met today with the team of therapists treating Ian, and we got some surprising news. They've recently decided that for several weeks he has been undernourished and dehydrated. They just concluded today, though, that they had found the optimum amount of water to give him. They are working hard now to increase is calories and nutritients without moving too quickly. He should be taking in enough calories not only to sustain his body but to allow it to work hard at recovery and rehabilitation. The process of healing burns extra calories and requires more nutrients than normal and so does the rigorous process of rehabilitation. To this point, he has not even had an adequate amount of either to sustain himself properly, and that has had some consequences. The one consequence we've noticed is his dramatic loss of weight; we think he's lost about 30lbs.
We don't believe this is anyone's fault, but rather the priorities and the focus of attention have shifted from more critical life-threatening issues to issues that would affect his opportunity for recovery and rehabilitation. That shift in focus has led the doctors to ask different questions. Before, the medical people were asking questions like, "how do we help him overcome these potentially life-threatening injuries and conditions?" Now, they're asking questions like, "what can we do to give him the best possible chance of recovering quickly?" That's when issues like his fluid levels, his caloric intake, and his nutrition emerged.
We're grateful to God that the questions have changed.
Thank you for praying....
Steve
We don't believe this is anyone's fault, but rather the priorities and the focus of attention have shifted from more critical life-threatening issues to issues that would affect his opportunity for recovery and rehabilitation. That shift in focus has led the doctors to ask different questions. Before, the medical people were asking questions like, "how do we help him overcome these potentially life-threatening injuries and conditions?" Now, they're asking questions like, "what can we do to give him the best possible chance of recovering quickly?" That's when issues like his fluid levels, his caloric intake, and his nutrition emerged.
We're grateful to God that the questions have changed.
Thank you for praying....
Steve
Dec 13, 2006
They removed the trach
The medical staff removed Ian's trach today. It's now covered like any wound, and they'll wait for it to heal. He's doing well with it out.
"I [Spurgeon] can bear willing testimony to His faithfulness. Not one good thing has failed of all that the Lord has promised! Every example of God's love should make us believe Him more. As we see the fulfillment of each promise, it compels us to say, 'God has kept His promises and will keep them to the end.'
The worst is that we forget. Then we will have no more faith than when we started, for we will have forgotten God's repeated answers. Though He has fulfilled the promises, we have buried them in forgetfulness."
We can "bear willing testimony to His faithfulness," too. God has done so many good things in our lives, way more good things than we deserve. We don't want to forget his kindness and faithfulness, and we want to trust God to treat Ian in the same way.
Steve & Mary
"I [Spurgeon] can bear willing testimony to His faithfulness. Not one good thing has failed of all that the Lord has promised! Every example of God's love should make us believe Him more. As we see the fulfillment of each promise, it compels us to say, 'God has kept His promises and will keep them to the end.'
The worst is that we forget. Then we will have no more faith than when we started, for we will have forgotten God's repeated answers. Though He has fulfilled the promises, we have buried them in forgetfulness."
We can "bear willing testimony to His faithfulness," too. God has done so many good things in our lives, way more good things than we deserve. We don't want to forget his kindness and faithfulness, and we want to trust God to treat Ian in the same way.
Steve & Mary
Dec 12, 2006
Progress
I saw Ian today, and I learned of some progress. The doctor responsible for Ian's case said that the sore on Ian's back appears to be smaller. Their measurements seem to indicate that, but she was careful to tell me the measurements could be wrong. He's responding to the antibiotics they're giving him, and they're using a special electro-thingamajig (showing off my medical prowess again) on the wound to stimulate the growth of healthy tissue.
He got the cap on the trach today around noon, and he's doing well on it. After forty-eight hours of successfully tolerating the trach that way, he'll get it removed.
The infection in his eye is getting a latest-and-greatest antibiotic drop. They don't know how he's responding to that.
The doctor is working hard to prepare Ian for a possible surgery to his knee. The infections may prevent the surgery, but the doctor at Children's is working hard to get him to a point where he would be safe from the infections for the surgery. Please pray that he could have the surgery soon or that the Lord would heal him before he needs the surgery.
They're also having a hard time monitoring his fluid retention. He's a little dehydrated. Pray for wisdom for the doctors as they try to figure out the best strategy.
Thank you for praying...
Steve
He got the cap on the trach today around noon, and he's doing well on it. After forty-eight hours of successfully tolerating the trach that way, he'll get it removed.
The infection in his eye is getting a latest-and-greatest antibiotic drop. They don't know how he's responding to that.
The doctor is working hard to prepare Ian for a possible surgery to his knee. The infections may prevent the surgery, but the doctor at Children's is working hard to get him to a point where he would be safe from the infections for the surgery. Please pray that he could have the surgery soon or that the Lord would heal him before he needs the surgery.
They're also having a hard time monitoring his fluid retention. He's a little dehydrated. Pray for wisdom for the doctors as they try to figure out the best strategy.
Thank you for praying...
Steve
An Encouraging Visit
We received the following email from a family friend who visited Ian last night:
What a blessing...Ian was more alert and awake than any of my previous visits. He never closed his eyes and always seemed to be focused on our direction. His jaw and mouth were moving all the time and at times it seemed that he would like to tell us to keep quiet so he could get a word in too! His color was super and he just encouraged JJ and myself so much tonite. We had no intention of letting up on prayer and yet God, as you already know, gives us little tastes of what He can do with Ian and what is yet to come.
Having said all that...the other blessing was meeting Larissa whom we had not met previously. We shared our admiration for the specialness of all that she was able to give Ian and what we were experiencing likely was the afterglow of her visit before us. The opportunity to know godly men and women who reflect Christ in special ways is a blessing from Him. In addition to the Murphy Family, tonight we had time to be around two special children of God and it was a blessing. May God bless Ian and Larissa both!
-Frank Wilhelm
What a blessing...Ian was more alert and awake than any of my previous visits. He never closed his eyes and always seemed to be focused on our direction. His jaw and mouth were moving all the time and at times it seemed that he would like to tell us to keep quiet so he could get a word in too! His color was super and he just encouraged JJ and myself so much tonite. We had no intention of letting up on prayer and yet God, as you already know, gives us little tastes of what He can do with Ian and what is yet to come.
Having said all that...the other blessing was meeting Larissa whom we had not met previously. We shared our admiration for the specialness of all that she was able to give Ian and what we were experiencing likely was the afterglow of her visit before us. The opportunity to know godly men and women who reflect Christ in special ways is a blessing from Him. In addition to the Murphy Family, tonight we had time to be around two special children of God and it was a blessing. May God bless Ian and Larissa both!
-Frank Wilhelm
Dec 11, 2006
Thankful for peace
Through all of the happenings over the last two and a half months God has given me unexpected peace. Why I didn't expect it I don't know, but I'm thankful for it. I should be expecting only blessings from our generous God, He will give peace to those who ask. I didn't even have to ask for peace and he gave it to me; that's how loving He is. Matthew 11:28 says, "To all who labor and are heavy laden, I will give you rest." All you have to do is ask in faith, and it will be given to you.
-Caleb
-Caleb
Dec 10, 2006
Praying God's Character
When praying for Ian, let me encourage you to pray according to God's character. Let me give you an example. In Deuteronomy 34:6 it says,"The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin..." How verses like these should instill faith and fervency into our prayers! In this verse we see that God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Let these truths guide your prayers for Ian. Here's how I might pray:
Lord, your word tells me that you are merciful. I praise you for how merciful and kind you are! Thank you for the mercy you have already poured out on Ian. Because you are merciful, I ask you to continue to pour out new mercy on Ian. Please heal and restore his broken body. Please restore him to his family. I believe that you will do this because you are an incredibly merciful God! I also thank you that you are abounding in steadfast love towards Ian. Out of your steadfast love, please do the miraculous. Please completely restore Ian, and please do it quickly! We trust in your steadfast love and trust that you love Ian even more than we do. May you be glorified in this situation!
Be encouraged to keep praying fervently. For his glory...
-Stephen A
Lord, your word tells me that you are merciful. I praise you for how merciful and kind you are! Thank you for the mercy you have already poured out on Ian. Because you are merciful, I ask you to continue to pour out new mercy on Ian. Please heal and restore his broken body. Please restore him to his family. I believe that you will do this because you are an incredibly merciful God! I also thank you that you are abounding in steadfast love towards Ian. Out of your steadfast love, please do the miraculous. Please completely restore Ian, and please do it quickly! We trust in your steadfast love and trust that you love Ian even more than we do. May you be glorified in this situation!
Be encouraged to keep praying fervently. For his glory...
-Stephen A
No diabetes insipidus anymore
When I visited Ian today I learned that the he no longer has the condition everyone was so concerned about a couple weeks ago called diabetes insipidus.
I guess this condition is typical of someone who has experienced the kind of injury Ian sustained, so he was put on the medication that controls what the brain would normally control and as a matter of course was kept on the medication. Then, he moved so much, the medical staff who thought to ask whether he actually still had the condition any more never had the opportunity to really test a theory like that. At Children's they wondered again whether he had diabetes insipidus, and they began to test their theory Thursday night by removing him from the medication that helps him with that condition. We knew they were starting to test this theory but didn't report it here, because it was only a theory. Well, he's been off the medication since Thursday night, and his brain is successfully controlling that function.
The significance of this development is that, first of all, there is one less medication that he requires. More importantly, though, it's another sign that his brain is recovering.
Praise God for small steps! Did God intervene supernaturally? That question will go on my list of questions to ask when I see Him face to face.
Please continue to pray for these infections in his eye and the sore on his back. The sore on his back could take months to heal according to the medical staff.
Steve
I guess this condition is typical of someone who has experienced the kind of injury Ian sustained, so he was put on the medication that controls what the brain would normally control and as a matter of course was kept on the medication. Then, he moved so much, the medical staff who thought to ask whether he actually still had the condition any more never had the opportunity to really test a theory like that. At Children's they wondered again whether he had diabetes insipidus, and they began to test their theory Thursday night by removing him from the medication that helps him with that condition. We knew they were starting to test this theory but didn't report it here, because it was only a theory. Well, he's been off the medication since Thursday night, and his brain is successfully controlling that function.
The significance of this development is that, first of all, there is one less medication that he requires. More importantly, though, it's another sign that his brain is recovering.
Praise God for small steps! Did God intervene supernaturally? That question will go on my list of questions to ask when I see Him face to face.
Please continue to pray for these infections in his eye and the sore on his back. The sore on his back could take months to heal according to the medical staff.
Steve
Dec 9, 2006
He Will Sustain You
"Cast your burden on the Lord,
and He will sustain you;
He will never permit
the righteous to be moved."
Psalm 55:22
Ian always encourages me to thank God every morning for sustaining me through the night. Ian has been sleeping for two months, yet God sustains him. He knows exactly what Ian needs and He cares for those needs. We need God every hour, and every hour He meets us.
-Larissa
Dec 8, 2006
Pray about his infections
Please pray for Ian. He now has a serious infection in a sore in his lower back. The doctors are concerned for the infection, because it's an infection and because it could slow his rehabilitation in other areas. This is their number one concern at this point. Please pray that it clears up; pray that they find an effective strategy for dealing with it.
Another concern is an infection in his eye. The infection could lead to other problems that could have long term consequences.
Both of these concerns could delay the surgery to his knee. If he has these two infections, the surgeon will be less inclined to do the surgery, because he would be at risk for getting those infections in his joint when the surgery was performed.
The doctors are also wondering if he's been being fed enough. They're going to begin to give him more. He's lost a lot of weight, and they're wondering if he's getting enough nutrition to fight these infections.
Remember this quote from Spurgeon from a previous post?
"If all these things [i.e. all God's promised blessings] are to be had by merely knocking at mercy’s door, O my soul, knock hard this morning, and ask large things of thy generous Lord. Leave not the throne of grace till all thy wants have been spread before the Lord, and until by faith thou hast a comfortable prospect that they shall be all supplied. No bashfulness need retard when Jesus invites. No unbelief should hinder when Jesus promises. No cold-heartedness should restrain when such blessings are to be obtained."
Knock hard on mercy's door for Ian and ask large things of your generous Lord. Thanks.
Steve
Another concern is an infection in his eye. The infection could lead to other problems that could have long term consequences.
Both of these concerns could delay the surgery to his knee. If he has these two infections, the surgeon will be less inclined to do the surgery, because he would be at risk for getting those infections in his joint when the surgery was performed.
The doctors are also wondering if he's been being fed enough. They're going to begin to give him more. He's lost a lot of weight, and they're wondering if he's getting enough nutrition to fight these infections.
Remember this quote from Spurgeon from a previous post?
"If all these things [i.e. all God's promised blessings] are to be had by merely knocking at mercy’s door, O my soul, knock hard this morning, and ask large things of thy generous Lord. Leave not the throne of grace till all thy wants have been spread before the Lord, and until by faith thou hast a comfortable prospect that they shall be all supplied. No bashfulness need retard when Jesus invites. No unbelief should hinder when Jesus promises. No cold-heartedness should restrain when such blessings are to be obtained."
Knock hard on mercy's door for Ian and ask large things of your generous Lord. Thanks.
Steve
Dec 7, 2006
Lydia missing Ian
Trach downsized
I visited Ian last night, and, though I wasn't able to talk with any of the therapists, one of the nurses told me they downsized Ian's trach. I knew that was progress when I heard it, because they had told us before what progress would look like. They had said before that they were going to try the special valve on his trach (see previous post "Gizmo Noise") for a long time (i.e. all day). If he tolerated that (i.e. if his blood oxygen level stayed normal), they would downsize the trach to a smaller one. That's what they've done. The next step is to cap it, and if he tolerates that they pull it completely. In other words, at that point, he wouldn't need the trach at all.
All of this means that he's breathing and coughing and swallowing more normally and without the assistance of the trach. It also means that he'll be able to talk to us more easily when he's ready.
Pray that he could talk to us. And, remember to pray that his eye would heal and that his knee would heal.
Thank you so much for praying...
Steve
Dec 6, 2006
Ian is a college grad!!
I got a call this morning from the VP for Student Affairs and the Dean of Ian's college at IUP. The department, the dean's office, the president and vice president have all been discussing Ian, and they decided that despite the fact that he officially had one more semester to go (17 credits that did not relate to his major at all) they're going to confer on him his bachelor's degree. They pointed to the amount of work Ian did on his internship (he worked 12-16 hours a day, six days a week over the summer) and to his outstanding work on the internship as evidence of his fitness to receive the degree. They offered our family the opportunity to receive his degree on his behalf at the graduation ceremony where David Altrogge (his best friend) will be the student speaker.
The staff at IUP have been very kind. Thank you.
The staff at IUP have been very kind. Thank you.
Dec 5, 2006
Pray for his eye
Here's another very specific prayer request:
Ian's right eye has never really closed completely since the accident. It was the right side of his head that was injured, and we've noticed that the right side of his face and his right arm don't move as much as the left side. His right eye hasn't worked properly either. It wanders, is red, doesn't dilate like the other eye and doesn't focus like his left eye. It also doesn't close all the way, and that's more serious than the other issues.
The ophthalmologist saw him today and said that the effect of him not blinking completely or closing it completely is that the cornea is inflamed. If that condition continues, it could lead to worse things. They've been treating it with a goopy stuff that lubricates his eye, but the doctor wants to take a more aggressive approach to treatment. He wants the lubrication to be more frequent, and he's going to order the strongest antibiotic to combat any infection that might be in his eye. If his condition doesn't improve, he said he'll need to sew it closed or mostly closed until his condition does improve just to protect the eye from further damage.
Please pray that Ian's ability to close his eye would improve. Pray that he would be able to blink and close his eyes on every blink. Blinking and closing our eyes are protective measures for the eyeball. His inability to blink and close his eyes has led to the inflamation.
Pray, too, that his control over his eye would improve. He is able to look at us with both eyes focused, but if we move to his left his right eye won't follow.
Thank you for your prayers....
Steve
Ian's right eye has never really closed completely since the accident. It was the right side of his head that was injured, and we've noticed that the right side of his face and his right arm don't move as much as the left side. His right eye hasn't worked properly either. It wanders, is red, doesn't dilate like the other eye and doesn't focus like his left eye. It also doesn't close all the way, and that's more serious than the other issues.
The ophthalmologist saw him today and said that the effect of him not blinking completely or closing it completely is that the cornea is inflamed. If that condition continues, it could lead to worse things. They've been treating it with a goopy stuff that lubricates his eye, but the doctor wants to take a more aggressive approach to treatment. He wants the lubrication to be more frequent, and he's going to order the strongest antibiotic to combat any infection that might be in his eye. If his condition doesn't improve, he said he'll need to sew it closed or mostly closed until his condition does improve just to protect the eye from further damage.
Please pray that Ian's ability to close his eye would improve. Pray that he would be able to blink and close his eyes on every blink. Blinking and closing our eyes are protective measures for the eyeball. His inability to blink and close his eyes has led to the inflamation.
Pray, too, that his control over his eye would improve. He is able to look at us with both eyes focused, but if we move to his left his right eye won't follow.
Thank you for your prayers....
Steve
Dec 4, 2006
Faith and Submission
Ian had a busy day of therapy and visitors today, and he was sleeping soundly when I visited him later at night. I read in his journal that he was smiling for Jen Grover and moving his arms. I've also noticed that he is moving more even while he is sleeping, which is pretty cool.
Our pastor, Mark Altrogge, gave a very encouraging message yesterday based on the first chapter of Luke when the angel Gabriel visited Mary and gave her the news that she would conceive a child- but not just a child, the son of God. Of the many encouraging and applicable truths conveyed, a few have really stuck with me.
These few verses tell us a lot about the trinity, and also give glimpses of who Mary was. Mary was born a sinner in need of grace but God poured out His favor on her. She wasn't royalty, she was a young, average if not poor girl, but God chose her to give birth to Jesus. None of us were royalty before we were saved, but God still poured out His favor on us and continues to do so.
Also, God is all-powerful. Nothing is too hard for him. He allowed both Mary and Elizabeth to become pregnant. There is nothing in us that he can't change. I think about how He changed my heart when He saved me- if He can do that, surely He can change other people's hearts and He can definitely heal Ian's brain. He can change us instantly.
Lastly, Mary didn't question Gabriel when he gave her this "astonishing announcement." She responded with faith and submission. How I long to be like that, to respond in faith and say "my life is yours, whatever you have for my life is best because you are my king." We should all desire to respond to trials with faith and submission, trusting in God's sovereignty.
I pray that as each of you walks through trials, you can respond in faith and submission. Thank you, Mark, for allowing God to use you to teach us such great lessons.
-Larissa
Our pastor, Mark Altrogge, gave a very encouraging message yesterday based on the first chapter of Luke when the angel Gabriel visited Mary and gave her the news that she would conceive a child- but not just a child, the son of God. Of the many encouraging and applicable truths conveyed, a few have really stuck with me.
These few verses tell us a lot about the trinity, and also give glimpses of who Mary was. Mary was born a sinner in need of grace but God poured out His favor on her. She wasn't royalty, she was a young, average if not poor girl, but God chose her to give birth to Jesus. None of us were royalty before we were saved, but God still poured out His favor on us and continues to do so.
Also, God is all-powerful. Nothing is too hard for him. He allowed both Mary and Elizabeth to become pregnant. There is nothing in us that he can't change. I think about how He changed my heart when He saved me- if He can do that, surely He can change other people's hearts and He can definitely heal Ian's brain. He can change us instantly.
Lastly, Mary didn't question Gabriel when he gave her this "astonishing announcement." She responded with faith and submission. How I long to be like that, to respond in faith and say "my life is yours, whatever you have for my life is best because you are my king." We should all desire to respond to trials with faith and submission, trusting in God's sovereignty.
I pray that as each of you walks through trials, you can respond in faith and submission. Thank you, Mark, for allowing God to use you to teach us such great lessons.
-Larissa
Dec 3, 2006
Lazarus
Below is note from a good friend who encouraged all of us with her thoughts about Lazarus. Thanks, Patty!
Steve,
I was driving home from work yesterday praying for Ian and I said to God, "Please send supernatrual healing and restoration to Ian." Immediately my mind said to me,"Well I guess that's not going to happen." I thought about how agonizingly slow this seems sometimes and I was overwhelmed by a feeling of frustration and disappointment. I guess I expected Ian to sit up in bed, pull out all the tubes and drive himself home or something. But then, immediately after that the Holy Spirit showed me that I was looking at this whole thing the wrong way, again. (I hate that I frequently look at things the wrong way.) God reminded me that, in all truthfulness, Ian should not have survived that wreck. Even the doctors thought so as they advised you guys to call the family in to say good-bye and you all even talked with a funeral director about arraingements. But Ian didn't die. Anytime someone is supposed to be dead and they aren't it is an example of supernatural healing and restoration. The fact that Ian responds everyday is an example of supernatural intervention. We are looking at a miracle of restoration every day.
This made me think of Lazarus, who Jesus also brought back from the dead, and I saw some interesting parallels:
Steve,
I was driving home from work yesterday praying for Ian and I said to God, "Please send supernatrual healing and restoration to Ian." Immediately my mind said to me,"Well I guess that's not going to happen." I thought about how agonizingly slow this seems sometimes and I was overwhelmed by a feeling of frustration and disappointment. I guess I expected Ian to sit up in bed, pull out all the tubes and drive himself home or something. But then, immediately after that the Holy Spirit showed me that I was looking at this whole thing the wrong way, again. (I hate that I frequently look at things the wrong way.) God reminded me that, in all truthfulness, Ian should not have survived that wreck. Even the doctors thought so as they advised you guys to call the family in to say good-bye and you all even talked with a funeral director about arraingements. But Ian didn't die. Anytime someone is supposed to be dead and they aren't it is an example of supernatural healing and restoration. The fact that Ian responds everyday is an example of supernatural intervention. We are looking at a miracle of restoration every day.
This made me think of Lazarus, who Jesus also brought back from the dead, and I saw some interesting parallels:
- Jesus knew Lazarus was really sick; Jesus knew Ian was going to be in a really bad wreck.
- Jesus did not prevent either one of these things from happening even though everyone knew he could have. "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?" (John 4:37)
- Lazarus' friends and family asked Jesus to intervene and restore him even though logically it didn't look like anything could be done. Ian's friends and family did the same thing.
- Jesus said of Lazarus' situation, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." (John 11: 4) Ian's closest friends and family felt that God was saying the same thing to them.
- Jesus commanded Lazarus to come out of the tomb and Lazarus "obeyed verbal commands," something we watch for in Ian everyday. We need to remember that when someone who is supposed to be dead follows verbal commands, that is a miracle we can see right in front of our eyes.
As far as this "taking too long" I realized for the first time that the Bible story of Lazarus ends with them unwrapping him. We don't know if he was back to his usual pre-death self right away or if it took time for him to recover. Clinically speaking, (which I can't help but do) Lazarus' brain and muscles were without oxygen for at least 4 days. He was problably very weak and may have even had to be taught to do some stuff over again. His personality might have been somewhat different; how could it not have been? Being dead and coming back to life would somehow change a person, I would think. We just don't know a lot of the details about his experiences from then on. Maybe when Ian gets to heaven (someday in the far distant future) he will look up Lazarus and say, "I read where Jesus brought you back from the dead. He did the same for me." And they will go off together and compare stories.
Patty
Dec 2, 2006
He's In There
Ian was awake for me for about two hours tonight, and I could tell he was there with me the whole time. He was tracking pictures with his eyes when I held them in front of him and he was moving his left arm a lot, picking it up, and grabbing his gown. It was a really nice time just reading scripture to him and worshiping with him.
Weekends and evenings after 5:00 are really great times to visit Ian; especially if you haven't seen him lately, it would be really encouraging to go. The staff have asked us to limit it to 2 people at a time, or 3 at the most. Also, when you are with Ian just have one person talking at a time- it makes it easier for him. Please call the Murphy's if you want to visit because you need a special code to get in.
Thank you for all of your prayers. He's come a long way already.
-Larissa
Weekends and evenings after 5:00 are really great times to visit Ian; especially if you haven't seen him lately, it would be really encouraging to go. The staff have asked us to limit it to 2 people at a time, or 3 at the most. Also, when you are with Ian just have one person talking at a time- it makes it easier for him. Please call the Murphy's if you want to visit because you need a special code to get in.
Thank you for all of your prayers. He's come a long way already.
-Larissa
Dec 1, 2006
Everyone is hopeful
It’s hard to put into an email message the impressions we’ve had from the staff at the Children’s Institute. Hopeful or enthusiastic might be the best summary. People here are trained to see the signs that Ian is really there, and they work with what they see with enthusiasm. We’re amazed to see what they see and hear their expectancy for progress.
They really work him hard and work hard for him. They have him on a schedule where every morning he’s up and dressed and into something. He has three hours of therapy every day (speech, occupational and physical) with naps into between and a shower at night. The people in each respective field really seem to know what to look for, and each has very clear goals for him. What’s surprising, too, is that so many of them know something about the other disciplines including the nurses. With expectation and a surprising amount of knowledge, they can tell us what each different therapist looks for. The specialists are designing special splints for his hands and a special wheelchair just for his situation. It just seems like everyone is working so hard on him.
They have so many success stories here, too, that it’s hard not to get our hopes sky high. It’s amazing to us that he’s even in this facility and is receiving such good care. We thank God for his kindness in bringing him here. He definitely has a long way to go, though. Your prayers for Ian are very significant to us. Thank you.
Steve Murphy
They really work him hard and work hard for him. They have him on a schedule where every morning he’s up and dressed and into something. He has three hours of therapy every day (speech, occupational and physical) with naps into between and a shower at night. The people in each respective field really seem to know what to look for, and each has very clear goals for him. What’s surprising, too, is that so many of them know something about the other disciplines including the nurses. With expectation and a surprising amount of knowledge, they can tell us what each different therapist looks for. The specialists are designing special splints for his hands and a special wheelchair just for his situation. It just seems like everyone is working so hard on him.
They have so many success stories here, too, that it’s hard not to get our hopes sky high. It’s amazing to us that he’s even in this facility and is receiving such good care. We thank God for his kindness in bringing him here. He definitely has a long way to go, though. Your prayers for Ian are very significant to us. Thank you.
Steve Murphy
Where is he?
Someone asked exactly where Ian is. He's at the Children's Institute in the Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh. Again, if you're interested in visiting him, please call us at home. Visiting hours are 9am to 9pm when he's not in therapy, but you need a special code to get to see him. Thanks.
Pray for Ian...
Pray for Ian...
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