A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....11-24-03....Military Monday

Aquamarine; Billie

[Aquamarine]

I was just there answering a ping from Spooky, should have pinged you. Looks like you all are having way too much fun in there. :)

Like the new opener too.

[Calpernia]

Did you all get to see my ping yesterday to here?

Stop by if you would like to sign the thread. Connie will be sending it to the Mountain Division in Afghanistan.

[Aquamarine]

And laughed about the dogs not wanting to share territory!

It was so funny! Daisy Mae gets aggressive when another dog gets near her dad. I think she's protecting him since something happened to her puppies when she was abandoned. After she finally got used to Spook's dog being there and wanted to be friends, the other dog didn't trust her and would get in attack mode. If they would have stayed longer I'm sure the two of them would have worked it out.

Spook took some pic's of Daisy and Jonah (whom she just loved and missed after he left) together, hope she posts them sometime.

[Aquamarine]

Thanks for the reminder Cal. I just made a post there.

[deadhead]

Gail, I love that graphic. It is beautiful!

[deadhead]

Yes, I did go. The whole weekend was wonderful. Great memories :-)

[deadhead]

"Do you know if any NY schools that had school, closed for Wednesday?"

No, if I hear of anything, I will let you know. I know and understand what you mean about the young ones. I feel bad for them that they had this experience.

[Calpernia]

I actually think I just found out why:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1028219/posts

It may just be because of our schools specific location....if it is not a wide spread closing.

[Calpernia]

Thanks, I think they will like that graphic.

[Aquamarine]

Think I remember you telling about being at the Inauguration now. Seems like you were standing in some mud and cheering?

[deadhead]

Thanks for the link, Cal. Was thinking, why don't you give the school a call and ask for an explanation. Would be interesting to hear what they say.

[deadhead]

Yes, Cheering for President Bush...

And well, Booing the Clintons...just couldn't help myself :-)

[Aquamarine]

I remember hearing the cheers on TV, and just knew there were FReepers there. I was cheering the same way in the living room.

[The Mayor]

This just came in from dawn, "Update on Russ Spengler"


Hello to All!

I have some good news!

Russ is eating food (baby food), feeding himself. They will move him to thicker food and thinner drinks within a week or so he could be on regular food.

His trach has officially been downsized. The downsized trach was long in coming (it took them 3 days from the time of the order) he now has a plug in the smaller trach and most of the time it is plugged so that he is breathing on his own entirely. He is also able to speak a little louder and clearer with the smaller trach.

He is very agitated and irritable with being confined to a bed or wheelchair. It is hard for us to see him this way but understandable that he feels this way.

More and more it is becoming clear to us that we do not know what to expect, and no one can tell us what to expect. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) are like this, the brain regenerates at its own pace, right side functions move to the left side with injuries and visa versa. I have been doing a lot of reading about rehab and the care that comes with that and after that. Even after he gets home, he could need a tremendous amount of care and with 3 children at home it is overwhelming to think about. Thats not even taking into effect the spinal injury and all of it's ramifications.

Handling all of this in addition to the day to day stress of having kids, bills, renovations and other personal matters can take its toll to be sure.

But I will take this Thanksgiving to thank God for all of my trouble and all of the other pressing issues. Because it is with all of this that gives God the opportunity to show me what He can do (if I let Him). I have found myself quoting the apostle Paul alot lately, "For when I am weak then are You strong"

The prayer list stands as is with no changes:
1. That any infections of any kind will be kept out of his body.
2. That the Lord would enable Russ to continue to clear his own lungs more and more.
3. That whatever stage Russ is in, that he would be able to understand at some level how much he is loved and that he is safe.
4. That Russ's spine would regenerate at a vigorous pace.
5. That Russ would be at peace with and understand his limitations.

Another thing that I am thankful for this Thanksgiving is your love and support! Thank You !

God Bless!!! I remain,

Eating Turkey Under His Wing,
DAWN

[The Mayor]

Something that Dawn didn't mention in her update.

Russ does not recognize anyone, all he knows is that
these are people coming over to care for him.

I was over her house Friday night, I am going to help
to remodel their kitchen and we had a long talk about Him.

We can only Pray that he regains some of his memory.

Dawn is a Strong Girl, God Bless Her..

[Aquamarine]

Thanks for the update on Russ. Will continue to pray for his full recovery.

[WVNan]

Hi lovely Aqua. I went back and read the week-end thread and saw the picture of you and Spooky and daughter. How lovely all three of you are. Since it was the week-end thread, I wanted to bring the picture of Spooky over here so more people can see how beautiful conservative women are. Spooky, I'm sorry you didn't get to meet my Lady. She is all heart and soul.

The Conservative Woman.

[deadhead]

"For when I am weak then are You strong"

Thank You for the update on Russ. This is wonderful news! Reading that Russ is feeding himself sounds so hopeful and promising to me. Take one day at at time, seeing improvements is a great sign. My heartfelt Prayers for Russ, Dawn, their children and their friends. God Bless All.

Colleen

[WVNan]

Rus, I'm glad I dropped in to see this up-date on Russ. Keep telling him "never give up". Our daughter repeated that over and over and over. She has never walked again, but she still believe that she will. She lives to the fullest from her wheel-chair. She peer-counsels with people who have catastrophic accidents. She's a great motivator because of what she has lived through. I pray that God's healing Spirit infuses Russ' body and mind and makes him whole.

[Aquamarine]

Thanks Nan. She is very easy to be around, just a doll! Hope the rest of you get to meet her sometime.