Wouldn’t your know it; I finally get to be present when Noah does something neat. I mentioned last week that he said Hannah’s name though I was upstairs in my office. Well, Wednesday I was next to his bed talking about Hannah and out of nowhere he simply decided to say, “Hannah.” WOW! Dad needs a few thrills as well. We are surmising that Noah continues to try and speak and when it all comes together in a moment he himself is surprised by the success he just had. He has that look like… “How did I just do that?” I remember well when I was a boy trying to learn how to whistle. I finally figured it our after many moments of “how did I do that.”

Notes from Therapists Lisa & Emily:

“Noah has increased his standing time in his stander up to ten minutes.” Before this week he would become fatigued after five or six minutes. He kept his head up the whole time and we didn’t need to help him.”

“While Noah was on his back on the floor we were asking him to take his arm and extend it upward in a “punching motion.” (Sort of like a boxer.) “Three times we could feel his muscles contracting and his arm moved slightly.” (They are pleased to actually feel his muscle making the attempt.)

Lisa noted for me the other day that her normal morning routine with Noah includes having to more or less “pry” his fingers away from the sheet or blanket he is sleeping with. That morning she paused and said, “Noah… you could really help me out if you just try on your own to release this blanket.” A second or two went by and she watched as his hands slowly released the blanket. Nothing like “yahoo’s” emanating from his room first thing in the morning!

But then there are those tender moments when he does something for his mom he never did before. I was in on that as well. I came downstairs Thursday morning after I heard them stirring and after my customary greeting walked next to Lisa only to see tears streaming down her cheeks. I said softy, “What’s the matter?” In between sobs she said, “Look David… he straightens his wrist out when I ask him to. He’s never done that.” I could see Noah looking into Lisa’s eyes with glee in his heart knowing that he just gave her a monumental blessing to start her day.

Both of these occurrences indicate that Noah’s dystonia is decreasing. And with every new motion he does, we have one more moment to thank the One who designed and destined Noah for great things in his life.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

We stand on this promise for Noah… and for you as well. Love… david

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Pastor David has accepted an invitation to go fishing offshore so he will not be doing an update this week. He will, however, be back with a smile and good report for Noah and fishing next week(He hopes ).Love… david

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Last Updated: June 6, 2008 at 4:15pm
Next update will be posted June 13, 2008 by 6:00pm

Have you ever heard of the expression: “ That’s why they call it fishing…not catching”? I went fishing last week with a guy from our church about 50 miles east toward the Gulf Stream in hopes of bringing home some tuna and Mahi mahi (dolphin). We caught a few, but were hoping for a larger haul. Maybe next time. It was still a good day.

Let’s catch up on some of notes from therapists Lisa and Emily: When we help Noah into a standing position we used to have to “push” his hips into proper form while standing. “Twice today I felt him extend his hips on his own to straighten up.”  

Noah’s head control improved again this week. Though his head has been upright for months now, he continues to hold it straighter. Also this week Noah was able to tolerate sitting with his legs crossed (Indian style). Before he would groan from the pain of discomfort, but has now become more flexible and no longer has pain. 

When Noah is seated in his wheel chair leaning forward with a walking stick in his grip, he is now able to lift his trunk back up (slowly) to the sitting position by pushing his arms against the stationary walking stick. 

Finally while gripping the walking stick (I included some photos to give you an idea of the dynamic) Noah is able to slowly release his grip on the “rod” versus us having to pry his hands off.  

On the lighter side of things, we have been blessed once again with a weeklong visit with Noah’s Aunt Rebecca. Lisa was commenting on how Noah shows such fond affection toward his aunt when she is here. His smile widens and his eyes gleam when she greets him. This visit was like some of the others… filled with unpredictable levity and zaniness. One such moment reached my ears upstairs in my office.  

Noah’s aunt apparently is graced with the uncanny ability to “burp” on demand. Combine that with a full can of Root Beer and well… the girl can pack a wallop! Take that amazing power and releasing it in the manner of a repeating rile… with Noah in the room… and what you have is an “audio” extravaganza that erupts. Lisa put it this way: “Noah was busting a gut laughing when she kept burping.” It was pretty amazing to hear and to witness.  

One of Jesus’ noteworthy sayings goes something like this, “Unless you become like a child, you cannot enter the Kingdom of God.” Aside from the profound theological meaning of that passage… there is refreshing pleasure that happens when we for a moment forget our adult etiquette and protocol and become like kids and let life’s cares slip away. My house has many moments like that. We cherish them. I pray yours does as well. Until next week my love to you all… david

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Last Updated: June 13, 2008 at 4:15pm
Next update will be posted June 20, 2008 by 6:00pm

Pastor David has an all day obligation Friday and was not able to do an update this week. He will catch up with everyone next week. Thank you for your prayers. Noah continues to improves.

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Last Updated: June 20, 2008 at 1:30pm
Next update will be posted June 27, 2008 by 6:00pm

We are once again back into the triple digit temps in these parts. To add to our sultry conditions is a fire is raging in The Great Dismal Swamp just south of here. In addition, there’s a fire down near the Outer Banks that can add more “delight” if the wind is blowing directly out of the south.  (Notice the small red spots with smoke billowing out) As a result we have had many days of smoke filled air. It limits our time with Noah outdoors, but “in house” he continues to thrive and progress.

From the pen of therapists Lisa and Emily:

 Noah is learning how to use his legs muscles to come to a standing position. (I have actually seen Noah begin to flex his thigh muscles in this exercise. It’s really exciting) He is able to push a little when we lift him up.  

Noah is nodding and shaking his head (more) appropriately in response to “yes” and “no” responses. This indicates that he is getting improved strength and control of his trunk and neck muscles.  

Noah stood in his stander for about 17 minutes this week. (That’s up from about ten minutes). Also, he impressed us by using his left arm to push himself back up on the floor to a sitting position after he started leaning over on his left side. 

As an aside to this, Lisa and Emily have decided to change Noah’s rehab schedule to five days per week instead of the current three-day schedule. The reason is because Noah is progressing to a point now that daily sessions will enhance his progress. We have welcomed this change.

This past week a family in our church made us a complete Italian meal because I often refer to my Italian heritage from the pulpit. Eggplant parmesan, fried calamari, Italian beans, bread, salad and vanilla/banana pudding. It was fabulous. Guess which course Noah liked? Yup… you guessed it… the delight of all adolescents… desert! I stood in the kitchen looking out the window into the backyard watching Lisa giving him spoon after spoon of pudding. He really went to town with that delectable delight. 

Though medical science has little to offer Noah in the way of advances, your prayers have reaped great “delights” in Noah’s life. From the improvements in physical dexterity to the simple pleasures of eating something he really likes… we thank God that you have labored to that end for us and with us. May He increase the “delights” of your life for being such a great blessing to us. Until next time… love… david

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Last Updated: June 27, 2008 at 4:40pm
Next update will be posted July 11, 2008 by 6:00pm