Day 287 - September 30th

James was able to see the eye doctor on Monday. Testing showed that his reading vision needed a new prescription and glasses will be made for him this week. However, the problem with his distance vision will require further testing. The doctor says that he cannot see that there is a need for a prescription but that there may be a different issue altogether. It is possible that there was some vascular damage to his eyes. An angiogram will be performed within the next week. Please pray for this test and wisdom to the doctor to accurately determine the cause of his vision problem. Therapy is going very well for James and he is looking forward to becoming an outpatient by the end of October. Thank you for your faithful prayers.

Day 284 - September 26th

James is doing very well in Rehab. He was able to stand with the help of his therapists and put some weight on his right foot for a few seconds today. This is a major accomplishment. The nerves are still "sleeping" in his foot so he can't feel much, but hopefully they will "wake up" as he practices this more and more. He is able to perform more tasks on his own like brushing his teeth and helping to dress himself. The therapists set a goal for him to sit in a wheelchair for one hour so that he can go to the eye doctor. James is able to sit for three and a half hours! An appointment is set for Monday in the building next door to the hospital. The doctor and therapists have set a target date for release from Rehab on October 27th. This means he can go home and become an outpatient. It is amazing to begin seriously talking about his homecoming in the near future. Praise God for all that He has done. This has truly been a miracle! Please continue to pray for healing and for endurance and physical strength.

Psalm 96
Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Sing to the Lord, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come into His courts!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth!
Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity.”
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the Lord, for He comes, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in His faithfulness.

Day 280 - September 22nd

A visit from Gabe:

Hi Everyone,
I saw James this afternoon, and James asked if we could be praying for him in a couple of areas:
1. First, he wants to able to sit in a chair for one hour, by accomplishing this goal sooner that later he will be able to see an Eye doctor to help with his vision.
2. Second obviously, for his vision to be restored. James still is not able to see well, which contributes to making his days long.
3. Last, James wants to be able surpass the Physical Therapists expectations of his treatment and hope to be able to go home and perhaps become and outpatient. He is ready and willing to work hard and do what every it takes to get the job done.
The road is still going to be tough and long for James and Cathy. Continue to remember them in your prayers.

Day 277 - September 19th

James is very busy with physical and occupational therapy. He is doing well and is getting stronger every day. Monday he will be able to sit and begin an even more rigorous routine. Please continue to pray for strength and endurance.

Day 273 - September 15th

A visit with Mark M. on September 15th:
I visited James this evening. Wow! What a turnaround. He was just coming back from a shower--his first in a very long time. He was refreshed and energized, even as he had some pain from all the movement.
I gave James some highlights from the Men's retreat...just a synopsis of the messages, and he was pleased to hear the men of Copperhill were being challenged to grow. He wanted to know if we had fun, so I ran down the activities for him. I also told him about the busted hoses near the firepits, and he cracked up that there's always some mishap.
We talked about his recovery, and he knows he still has a huge mountain to climb. Therapy and rehab will be gruelling and difficult work. He is incredibly determined to make rapid progress and be home for the holidays. I could see in his eyes that he wants this badly, for himself and his family. James expressed how he wants to care for himself and have some kind of fitting work. Please pray that James will remain strong and healthy as he retrains his body, and that God will provide him with an occupation after he is released.
James is deeply touched by the love, support, and prayers from the men at Copperhill. I told him that his struggle and example are bringing us together and helping us live out the Gospel. We are determined to love him not only in word, but in deed. James said that if his suffering is having that result, then he would go through it all again. Incredible.
James passes along his love and appreciation for all his brothers at Copperhill.
-Mark

Day 272 - September 14th

James is settling into his new surroundings and is very excited about starting his new program. Please continue to pray for healing that is still necessary and for strength.

Day 270 - September 12th

After nearly 9 months in ICU, James has been transferred to the Rehabilitation Department to further his progress in the physical strengthening and healing of his body. This was a great day for James. He sees this as the next step toward going home. Please pray with much thanksgiving that James will have great success in this new phase of treatment.
Here's a message for everyone....

Day 269 - September 11th

Everything is set for James to transfer to the Rehabilitation Department tomorrow. He is very excited! Praise God! Please continue to pray.

Day 267 - September 9th

James is doing well. Lab values show his white blood cell counts are in the normal range and that his kidneys are improving. Great news! Also, the lab values indicate improvement in his ability to make blood. This is another very good sign. Overall, he is doing very well. Thank you for continuing to pray for James. Here is a list of some things we can specifically pray for.
Healing that is necessary for the transfer to Rehab and patience to wait it out.
No delays in transfer - he has been disappointed by previous transfer dates that have failed to be realized.
Physical strength to endure 3 hours of daily physical and occupational (hand) therapy. Pray specifically for improvement to his hands - this is especially frustrating in trying to do the simplest tasks.
Pray for wisdom for the doctors and physical therapists.
Pray for the hospital to allow him an eye doctor visit. His infections have hindered this trip to the building next door.
Relief from phantom pain.
Spiritual strength.
Thank you for your faithful prayers!

Day 263 - September 5th

No changes to report. Please keep praying that James' wounds will completely heal, that the anticipated date of transfer to Rehab will not be extended, and peace for James.

Day 261 - September 3rd

It looks like James will move to Rehab on September 12th. Please pray that nothing will hinder this transfer date and patience for James. He is doing very well and looks forward to moving on from ICU. Thank you for your prayers.

Day 259 - September 1st

James is doing well. No negative signs from the antibiotics being discontinued. The plastic surgeon says the wound is healing well, but still not completely stable and ready for James to go to Rehab. He is anticipating another 3 - 4 weeks. This is discouraging news for James, but he realizes the importance of the situation. Please pray for the wound to heal quickly and that he will be able to transfer to Rehab sooner than expected. Pray for James to have patience and peace during this long wait.
Psalm 57:1, 2, "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in You my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me."
Romans 8:28, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose."