Please note: Since Zach’s recovery and situation have mostly stabilized, there will be one more blog on this link next Saturday. After that there may be an update or two if necessary. We are hoping to create a website in the coming weeks, which we will link in the final blog, DV.
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The theme for today is: Praise.
AgeCare Seton. Considering new home, new environment, and new caregivers, it’s so far so good. The Seton team is providing compassionate care for Zach. It is a joy and privilege to work alongside them. Praise God!
Praise. There’s always so much to praise God for. But worry, stress, trials, struggles, and life’s demands can often cloud our praise to God. We get weary. We’re not always in the mood for praise. God can seem too far away. Seems like He doesn’t care at times. So, why praise Him? Can’t we take a “praise break” once in a while? Surely, God would understand.
God does understand. God does care. God loves praise. He commands praise. He does so because He loves us. His Holy Spirit enables us to look upward and onward. The Spirit helps Zach and us to run the race fixing our eyes on Jesus. The Spirit helps Zach and us praise God for the loving care he is receiving during this portion of his race course.
Zach and we have more running to do. We don’t know what the race will look like. But a race it will be. Day by day receiving all we need to keep running. Day by day getting closer to the finish line. Praise God!
Today’s Updates:
Zach was calm for the transfer from Foothills Medical Centre to AgeCare Seton on Monday morning, and everything went smoothly getting him into his new room. Once he arrived, he had a revolving door of new staff introducing themselves and caring for him for much of the first few days. The staff is still learning Zach’s needs and how to properly use his PEG tube and suction machine, which means he had a pretty busy room at times. Please join us in thanking God for allowing Zach to move into a more permanent home this week and that the move went smoothly.
Zach had a lot more agitation this week than he has had for the past few weeks, especially with the new environment and all the new staff who are taking care of him. Zach has repeatedly become agitated with transfers between his wheelchair and his bed this week. Please pray for calmness and safety during these transfers. Pray that Zach will be able to communicate his needs clearly. Pray also that he will become familiar with his new care team and trust them. Please pray for the staff at Seton as they adjust to caring for Zach and learn how best to meet his needs.
Zach didn’t sleep very much during his first few nights at the care home, which made him quite tired a few days this week. Other days he slept in quite late. Please pray that Zach will feel safe and at home in his new room. Pray that God will grant him a more regular sleep schedule soon and the energy that he needs for each day.
Zach has been blessed with a lovely room at Seton AgeCare that is close to the nursing station on his floor and has a large window. We have spent the week filling his room with furniture, a new TV, a small fridge with snacks, and some familiar decorations for Zach. Zach has enjoyed playing some games in his room this week, like balloon volleyball and arm wrestling. Please pray that Zach will feel at home in his new room.
The common areas at Seton have also been a blessing to Zach when he is feeling up to transferring into his chair. Zach has been able to try some ping pong with a custom paddle that straps onto his right arm this week. He has also enjoyed watching the fish in the aquarium, exploring the shuffleboard game, trying some beanbag games, and playing mini hockey with a pool noodle. Please pray that Zach will have the energy and desire to play more games and make use of the common areas in his care home, and that he will find fun in each day.
Although Zach ate almost nothing on his first day in the care home, likely due to the stress of moving to a new environment, he has slowly warmed up to eating the food at the care home. Please pray that Zach will enjoy his meals and snacks at the care home. Pray also for Zach’s ability to eat, so that he will coordinate chewing and swallowing well.
Thank you for your continued prayers and care for Zach. If you would like to visit Zach in his new home, please reach out to Ed, Alice, or Megan to coordinate a time to stop by. Please continue to keep Zach in your prayers, especially in this time of transition and adjustment. Pray that this move will be for Zach’s benefit and that he will settle well into his new home in the coming weeks and months. Pray that he will feel God’s nearness and love and that he will have the energy and calmness that he needs for each day. Have a blessed week.
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.“
(Psalm 100)
