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A Long Obedience in the Same Direction
I haven't actually read the book "A Long Obedience in the Same Direction" but I've always loved the title & have had it on my "must read" list for a while. The title very much describes the road that Mark, Christian & I are on right now with regard to Mark's recovery.
It's been six months since Mark's motorcycle accident. In some ways, it's hard to believe that so much time has passed. But on the other hand, it feels like it was yesterday. It's so weird how time plays tricks on us and before you know it a year has passed! As John Mayer sings..."someone stop this train." It makes me grateful for eternity and the gift of being home at long last.
Mark is doing really, really well. Every 6 weeks or so we visit Mark's surgeon and he is astounded at how well Mark is doing. He told us last time Mark went in that when he saw Mark's injuries in the ER the night of his accident that he really thought Mark would never walk again. God had another story in mind! Then when Mark went to visit the neurologist for a nerve study a couple months ago, the Dr. asked him, "Mark, how are your pain levels?" And Mark could honestly say..."I really don't have any pain, per se.' I take an ibuprofen every other day for general aches, but have no real pain to speak of." The Dr. said that this was a "miracle" (yes, he used the "M" word) and that people come into his office 6 or 7 YEARS later and are still in pain and in need of narcotic pain medication. It's remarkable really, and we thank God for His amazing grace in this area of Mark's recovery.
As far as Mark's ability to walk, he is getting stronger each week. The recovery is not in major increments, as it seemed it was before...(ie, coming home, standing up, taking first steps, using a walker). Now, it is in small but steady increments. Mark is still walking with a walker, but getting better and better. Stronger and stronger. More and more confident & steady. At the beginning and ending of each day, Mark usually needs to use his wheelchair, just because he feels worn out. But most days, when he is out and about, he uses his walker, or once in a while, a cane. And he's even been known to wave that thing around or whack someone with it, jokingly, of course. :) I am kind enough to remind him that he is a little young for pointing with his cane. :)
As far as prayer requests go....we would covet your prayers for continued healing and strength to Mark's bones and joints. There is one place in one of his femurs (the one that was completely smashed and shattered in several places) where the bone needs to heal more, or else they will have to pull the rod out and put in a new one to stimulate bone growth. We would prefer NOT to have to do that, because that means more surgery, risk of infection and more recovery time. So, if you could pray that that bone would be stimulated to grow and heal on its own, that would be awesome!
Also, above where his knee injury was, he is still not able to get the side of his quad muscle to engage. His other muscles are working great and will kick in to support the leg, but it would be great if the nerves would heal and restimulate this muscle, which would help give him more stability. There is a period of 2 years after being damaged that nerves can heal and re-discover each other, so we're praying that this will happen in that leg!
Our family is definitely different than we were on March 28th, since Mark's accident on March 29th. I seem to cry more easily than I did before and I have to ask the Lord to help me give Him my fears when my heart starts to focus on what I can not control. Thus, we are learning to trust Him more. We are holding the future more loosely, in that we know we can plan our ways, but God truly directs our paths. So, we are learning more about waiting on Him. When I reach across the couch or the car to hold Mark's hand, it means something even sweeter than it did on March 28th. We are learning more deeply the meaning of love. I cry a little harder at Hallmark commercials. I sometimes cringe at intersections or when I see someone texting when they're barrelling down the highway. Our heart's priorities are more firmly and clearly in place. Things that once seemed high priority have lost some of their luster and importance. Simplicity is beautiful. Loving my Savior, my family & my friends & learning to be salt & light to a world in need are paramount. Loving what God loves more than my own comfort. Setting aside "busyness" for rest. Realizing that we are truly in His hands, that He will NEVER leave us nor forsake us. And being totally OK with feeling completely out of control - comfortably clothed in His strength in the midst of my weakness.
In other words, the Wexelberg Family is doing great because Christ in us is the hope of glory! Can I get a witness? :) Because as Christ-followers, we can somehow count it all joy because of all that our trials are working in us! It's a mystery that beauty can come from the ashes of our brokenness. But it does. That same mystery is a promise.
Thank you for your friendship & your love along the way. The value of your prayers has been and continues to be immeasurable. For these, we thank you most of all! Please let us know how we can be praying for you too.
In Christ's Love,
Shannon
Published on Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 12:16 PM CDT
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