The theme for today is: laughter.
So far so good at the Foothills Medical Center. Praise God! New surroundings. New faces. New doctors. New nurses. New therapists. Lots of action. Lots of joy. Lots of laughter.
Zach is smiling. Zach is laughing. During our trials, it is easy to lose a glad heart. But there is “a time to weep, and a time to laugh” (Ecclesiastes 3:4). Laughter is a gift from God. We’re thankful that God continues to provide this gift to Zach. God loves laughter. He blesses His people with laughter.
Laughter is a witness. Sarah’s laughter of unbelief became laughter of joy. She said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me” (Genesis 21:6). Her laughter became a witness to God’s goodness and faithfulness.
Laughter is a healer. “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). We, Zach, and our wounded world could use a regular dose of the medicine of laughter. Laughter for the heart. Laughter from the heart.
Laughter is a promise. Laughter can come amidst suffering and trials. Just ask Job. “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy” (Job 8:21). God won’t just ‘give’ he will ‘fill.’ He’ll fill us up full of laughter and full of joy. God promises laughter now and eternally.
Running for Zach. Running to the finish line where all we will know is joy and laughter. Lots of action. Lots of joy. Lots of laughter.
Today’s Updates:
Zach’s past few days have been busy with treatments and assessments since he’s been admitted to the neuro rehab ward. Lord willing, his schedule will become more predictable in the coming days as he settles into the rhythm of this unit.
On Thursday, the OT team measured Zach for a new wheelchair. Zach will be in his wheelchair more often on this ward, since he has to go to a different area of the hospital for his OT and physiotherapy sessions. Zach is still getting used to his new wheelchair, and is frequently tilting his head forward instead of resting it on the headrest. Please pray that Zach will feel more comfortable in his wheelchair soon.
Zach’s care team has determined that Zach’s left shoulder is subluxed (slightly dislocated). This subluxation likely causes Zach pain when moving his left arm around, which explains his reluctance to use his left arm at times and the smaller range of motion compared to his right arm. Please pray that treatments for Zach’s left shoulder will be effective and beneficial and that he will be free from pain when he uses his left arm.
The OT team wants to help Zach to relearn how to do some everyday tasks, like brushing his teeth, eating and drinking, or getting dressed. While it will take a lot of time, effort, and God’s grace for Zach to regain these skills, OT is helping Zach to do some introductory exercises, like stacking cups with the help of a splint on his left hand. Zach has done well with these activities and will often smile or laugh when he completes a task. Please pray for continued energy and improvement for Zach as he does more exercises and treatments to regain his mobility and control. Pray also that God will heal his brain so that he can take up some of his daily tasks again.
Communication is still a struggle for Zach. He enjoys “singing” along to songs by trying to mouth familiar lyrics, but he has a lot of trouble making noise with his voice purposefully and forming recognizable words with his mouth. The speech language pathology team at Foothills is getting to know Zach. Right now, they are trying to establish a consistent means of communication for him. Zach usually does well with pointing at things in response to questions, but he is not always consistent with this communication. Please pray that God will allow Zach to communicate clearly with us, and pray that he will be able to speak again one day. The SLP team also wants to get to know Zach a bit more before clearing him for another swallowing assessment. Please pray that Zach will do well in his next swallowing assessment so that he will be able to enjoy some of his favourite foods and drinks again.
Please join us in thanking God for the efforts of the care team at the neuro rehab unit in Foothills. Pray that God will bless their efforts and that Zach will benefit from his stay on this ward. Pray that God will grant Zach further healing and endurance for his road.
“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev.
Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.”
(Psalm 126)
