Carol After One Month Home

Dear Friends,

I've been home 4 weeks now and can't believe how far I've come.  In February just to sit up and move my legs over the side of the bed was a major undertaking, and now I'm almost at the point of taking a walk around the neighborhood with our dog!  I'm not quite ready for kick-boxing yet - I think I would fall over if I did a high kick - but the Drs. are amazed at how strong I am already. 

Thank you all for praying for my left eye.  It's still not totally cooperating but the eyelid has lifted and the eyeball looks like it's gradually ambling towards the center (it is controlled by the 4th nerve).  Maybe that 4th optic nerve isn't dead just groggy! 

Craig preached a great sermon about this experience which he called, "Thanking God for the Thorns in Your Life."  My left ear is still deaf and it was so funny the other night:  Craig and I were watching a movie together and I could hear it clearly so I knew it had to be blasting.  "Turn it down to a good volume for you" I told Craig.  He inched it slightly up!  I then remembered that he has had a broken left eardrum ever since he was 10 and has almost no hearing in that ear.  The volume has probably always been too low for him.  The thorn of my deaf ear was a rose for him!  We sat there like two geriatrics with the TV blaring, both as happy as anything.  Thank you Lord!

Another praise is my balance is improving.  As many of you know, I'm English, and so I drink a lot of scalding tea.  When I first came home I was so wobbly I couldn't carry a cup of tea without danger of spilling it, so Teah and Siena would carry it for me.  Now I can sail from kitchen to armchair without spilling a drop - an essential daily accomplishment for a Brit!

It is great to be home with my family.  The girls are doing wonderfully, Craig is fabulous, and you all have so blessed and encouraged us along the way we can't stop thanking God for you.  With much love, Carol

Carol Home Day 3, final blog

Hello dear friends, this is Carol writing.  I am so incredibly humbled by how many people have been praying for us throughout this ordeal.  We have felt surrounded by God's love and by the love of our church family, both local and far-flung.  Thank you all for lifting us up, and for all the encouragement you have given us.  I have loved receiving your letters and your notes and blog comments.
God's hand has been so evident in this trial.  When I awoke from the coma, I was certain I was dying.  All my many doctors call me the miracle patient, and when I went to my family doctor today for a check up he told me I was a celebrity at his practice for having survived such a packet of illnesses.  Thank you, Lord, for your gracious healing, and thank you, friends, for caring enough to pray for me!
I am still fragile and fatigued, but it is wonderful to be home and I do feel a few muscle cells growing again in my arms and legs.  Maybe in a few months I'll be able to do a push-up again!
I don't have enough words to describe the gratitude I have for how you have all sustained us these last weeks.  I hope you can hear my heart in my words.

Our days are numbered and in the caring Sovereignty of God Himself. How well I know this. Being offered more days to live, I cannot live for myself.  All that I (we) do must be done for the Glory of the Lord Jesus.  ^{Colossians 3:17}  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
With love, Carol

Carol Home Day 3, final blog

Hello dear friends, this is Carol writing.  I am so incredibly humbled by how many people have been praying for us throughout this ordeal.  We have felt surrounded by God's love and by the love of our church family, both local and far-flung.  Thank you all for lifting us up, and for all the encouragement you have given us.  I have loved receiving your letters and your notes and blog comments.
God's hand has been so evident in this trial.  When I awoke from the coma, I was certain I was dying.  All my many doctors call me the miracle patient, and when I went to my family doctor today for a check up he told me I was a celebrity at his practice for having survived such a packet of illnesses.  Thank you, Lord, for your gracious healing, and thank you, friends, for caring enough to pray for me!
I am still fragile and fatigued, but it is wonderful to be home and I do feel a few muscle cells growing again in my arms and legs.  Maybe in a few months I'll be able to do a push-up again!
I don't have enough words to describe the gratitude I have for how you have all sustained us these last weeks.  I hope you can hear my heart in my words.

Our days are numbered and in the caring Sovereignty of God Himself. How well I know this. Being offered more days to live, I cannot live for myself.  All that I (we) do must be done for the Glory of the Lord Jesus.  ^{Colossians 3:17}  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
With love, Carol

Carol Home Day 2

Life can be back to normal so amazing quickly with the Lord's help and strength.  ^{Psalm 28:7}  The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.  Carol skyped her family in England and then she slept most of the day.  As the brain swelling keeps diminishing, we daily see Carol's speech improve.  Very exciting. 
In Carol fashion, after breakfast with the girls, Carol gets up to help clean up. I say to her: What are you doing? Cleaning. You have been cleaning up for a month while I was gone. I need to do some.  I told Carol: You must be kidding. Go lie down Woman and rest.  (reluctantly she submitted :)
But at dinner tonight Carol returned to one of her favorite roles, reading to the girls during the meal. Now she is writing thank you cards, but she's wearing down quickly.
There was such a sense of relief in all of us to have Carol home last night. Everyone slept very well b/c we all relaxed from the stress of the past month. Thank you Jesus.
Since Carol's family in England are not as familiar with homeschooling, I've include a photo of one of our homeschool coop classes, called Classical Conversations (Teah and Siena's grammar class) that meets at our church. There are multiple other classes happening too for all ages.
Tomorrow Carol meets with our Dr. Combs for a check up and then Physical Therapy starts!  So, I think it is about time for the blog to end after tomorrow's entry.
Letters continue to pour in for Carol and so our hearts are full.  Thank you all for sharing in the joy of our family, Pastor Craig

Carol Day 29, Coming Home

Carol is home!  What seemed impossible 20 days ago is a sweet reality. She's a  bit wobbly but can make it around the house and up and down the stairs. Thank you Lord Jesus! ^{Isaiah 54:8} With everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you," says the LORD your Redeemer.
All the girls just sat with Carol on the stairs and talked and talked and talked and talked. It was a blessing.
But the BIGGER NEWS...I dropped Carol and the girls off at home, then ran to the pharmacy to fill a prescription for Carol.
When I returned 30 min later, Carol tells me: Sofie (age 7) and Laili (11 years old) have exciting news.  Tell Daddy your news Sofie.
Sofie: I trust Jesus as my Savior right now.
Me: What? Wow! Wonderful Sofie! I am so happy.  So, what made you place your faith in Jesus today, now?
Sofie: Jesus die for my sin and Jesus brought my momma back home.
And so, today I and our family prayed with Laili and Sofie to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior! 
The miracles do not cease with the Lord.  Our family's crisis with Carol will be forever linked with the eternal salvation of 2 daughters!
Thank you all for standing with us in prayer and encouragement.  This day of having Carol home was fought with prayer and tears, love and unity.
I feel that our family took a few small steps of faith and God made the footstep heard around the world, for His Glory and to let people know that Jesus is real and is personally involved in lives, Pastor Craig
 

Carol Day 28

(Photos: Our daughters laying hands on Carol and praying for her; girls with a friend) Carol was proud of her muscles today! There is visible improvement and all the girls complimented Carol too when she flexed. 
We were glad to be outside in the beautiful sun just enjoying visiting with Momma  today. 
Part of the blessing God has brought out of this crisis is the spiritual development in all of our girls. Teah and Siena (age 11, twins) are praying with more maturity and focus than before and even our youngest, Sofie, age 7, continually gives glory to God for His healing of Momma. 

I know what the Apostle John meant when he said, ^{3Jn 1:4} I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the Bible's truth. 
It has been a long month of emotions and daily driving. I was pretty excited today thinking that in another day, I'll have regained 4+ hours of my day (2 hours of driving and 2 hours of visiting, & some homeschooling).  Carol will obviously not take on full homeschool duties and she cannot yet drive, so I'll still be available to help, but now I get to return a significant portion of my focus to our sweet church and to missions (rescheduling my Haiti team outreach, and going to encourage the church in Turkey).

Thank you for all who have kept us strong by walking with us in the truth and by being dear friends, Pastor Craig

Carol Day 27

(Photos of Carol's therapy today: practice getting in/out of the car, practice stepping off a curb) Well, I passed my qualification to be Carol's in-home help. Getting in and out of the  car is fairly easy for her, but the curb step was a challenge.  However, Carol did walk around the Rehab facility unaided, so she is really improving on the basics.
4 days ago I felt Carol's muscles and there was only the faintest touch of muscle fibers. I told Carol it reminded me of when I first met her 22 years ago--Carol could not do one pushup (that's right, not one). The average Brit is apparently not known for their upper body strength.  
But today there was a positive bicep and a whisp of a tricep!  Carol's muscles are returning.
So, Sunday Carol is coming home and then we have therapies set up for the next month. The Neurologist today said Carol will need an eye exam and then have to pass a DMV driving test before she is permitted to drive again b/c her depth of perception is off.
But there were smiles all around today because Carol is coming home in 2 DAYS! Pastor Craig
 

 

Carol Day 26

(Photos are of today's visitors) Carol's meeting with the Dr and therapists started 30 min ahead of plan, so when the girls and I got to the Rehab center and found Carol in the meeting with 15 specialists, the meeting was winding down. Everyone agrees that Carol will be home this Sunday after church. They are even fine with Carol walking up and down our stairs by herself, as long as she holds the railing.
Tomorrow the therapists want me with them so that I can see exercises that I will do with Carol at home.  So there will be a few hours of training for Carol and me tomorrow.  For the next month Carol will need all 3 therapies three days a week, right in Temecula though.
You can tell Carol is more herself today and ready to come home: she was in Homeschool Mom mode, asking the girls about anatomy questions, French, history essay, Shakespeare drama, etc.  I can just see Carol next week with all the girls around her on her bed while she reads and asks comprehension questions.  And yes, the Dr. did mandate breaks for Carol during morning and afternoon to let her rest.  But therapists and Dr seem happy to let Carol do as much as she desires next week.
Spiritually, Carol is doing well. I had a full day yesterday of squabbling, selfish pre-teens and was worn out when I phoned Carol last night. Carol sweetly prayed for me.  Still had squabbling, selfish pre-teens this morning, but I was feeling better :)
I'm continuing to squeeze sermon prep on the Gospel of Luke into the brief openings of the day. This intermittent Bible study brings such refreshment that it is like fortified mini-meals throughout the day.  And the Book of Isaiah continues to steady my heart and mind and spirit over this month. ^{Isaiah 26:4} Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. -Pastor Craig

Carol, Day 25

Carol was overwhelmed by the amount of cards she received. I left them unopened so that she could enjoy them tonight. 
Before we left, I asked Carol if we could take a photo of her showing some of her improvement and Carol said: Let's stand up! 
I just got off the phone with Carol this evening and her speech is really improving. Carol cannot form a "b" or "p" sound since the coma but tonight there was a good advancement.
One of Carol's Occupational Therapies yesterday was reaching up into a cupboard and taking down spice and herb bottles, getting the muscles adjusted to cooking practice.
Another was getting laundry out of a dryer. She had to reach in the dryer, grab a towel, fold it and place it on a table.  Carol said: Why do I need to practice this? This is my husband's job!  :) 
While I snuggled with Sofie tonight, our little 7 year old Sofie was processing Momma coming home.  Sofie asked me: Is Momma going to sleep upstairs?  Yes.  Is Momma going to sleep in her bed?  Yes.  Is Momma going to sleep in the bed with Daddy?  Yes.  Momma and Daddy sleeping in the bed upstairs? Yes.  Good.  
How precious.   Thank you for your continued prayers, financial support, encouragement, dinners, love, Pastor Craig

Carol Day 24

Carol had 5 separate visitors today. This was clearly encouraging for Carol. A few dozen cards arrived in the mail today for her also. Thank you!! And Carol is reading her novel regularly now. The music in her head has gone. Her body is stronger daily. She has lost 15 pounds and is at 113lb now, but Carol does eat well. We are talking with the Dr about high protien diet for muscle strength.  She cannot still get around very much without assistance, but she can do some walking on her own.  
Our daughters were really encouraged by Carol's progress and attitude today. Siena said: Momma is REALLY doing well today. She seems like our Momma.
Those who visited Carol today say she is as she always has been, lovely, concerned for them, wanting to hear what is happening in their lives.  That's my Carol, Pastor Craig 

Carol, Day 23

Carol can smile again, at least on the right side. Her eyes have a yellow ring around the pupil that is only present when she is happy. There was a yellow ring today :)  We love getting into bed with Carol and putting our arms around her and talking.  (Actually, I fell asleep on Carol's lap while the girls were sharing about their day at the beach--school holiday today!)
Many of your cards have come in the physical mail these past days and I've taken them to Carol. These have touched her deeply. Thank you.  We continue to be stunned by how God placed Carol so deeply on people's hearts for prayer. So many people have never met Carol but God's Holy Spirit used Carol's story to awaken many people's spiritual lives.  
Our role: struggle through a challenge.  God's role: glorify His Name and bring blessing to people.
Today a friend wrote a card to Carol letting us know that 4 people had placed their faith in Jesus through following Carol's story and miracle. 
I'm gathering courage to look at my blog from the first week so that I can incorporate it into a sermon on how God has been so real, personal, and loving through this trial, Pastor Craig
 

Carol, Day 22

Today was a rest day for Carol, no therapy. We had a sweet hour or so with my lovely just chatting and hugging. We have been married for 22 years this year and I still thrill at her hugs.  Carol is greatly encouraged by our church praying for her and everyone's cards that have arrived in the past few day. Thank you for sending the physical cards. For an English woman there is nothing that suprasses the handwritten note. 
I was so excited about 2 things today.  (1) the faintest feel of muscle is in Carol's arms and legs. They are not jello anymore. (2) yesterday after we left, Carol had an hour of Physical Therapy outside and she walked up and down 5 steps unassisted and then walked around a fountain at the center, again unassisted.  I did not even know she was standing more than a few seconds. So, yesterday the sweet Lord Jesus answer more of our prayers and greatly strengthened Carol, Pastor Craig 

Carol Day 21, Saturday

The Mom in Carol is desperate to be home with her little ones.  But Carol's spirits were a little brighter today. Right away she lifted her left eyelid all the way up (a first!), though it would not stay up. Still, this was greatly encouraging to Carol.  And I was encouraged to feel some muscle in her legs for the first time.  The Therapists and Doctor keep saying Carol is doing well and this week should be rapid progression.  We are thankful to Jesus for never leaving Carol and for strengthening Carol's body and thankful for the therapists for their knowledge and encouragement.
However at this point, Carol still cannot stand at a sink and brush her teeth. Her legs give out.  Carol cannot sit in a wheelchair for 2 hours yet.  Her ab and back muscles are not strong enough.  But those are exercises she is working on daily.  Our goal is to have Carol home and using a wheelchair and walker.
On a chart in front of Carol's bed, written in large handwriting: Discharge day, this next Sunday! -Pastor Craig

Carol, Day 20

For those who wondered when I would hit a wall, it happened today. Several people commented that I looked "frazzled." Carol's travails, 20 days of driving, homeschooling, life, homeschooling (!how do you mom's do it!), church, bickering pre-teens, happy huggy pre-teens, bike rides, GCM missions admin, etc, finally got to me. 
Then when we saw Carol so discouraged and exhausted today, it took the stuffing out. We were able to encourage Carol in her Physical Therapy this afternoon (see photo).  But when I kissed her and told her she was my beautiful wife, the look in her eye said otherwise. So, we continue to pray for encouragement.^{Heb 3:13} Encourage one another daily.
I am amazed at how rapidly her muscles atrophied. 13 days of no exercise made her muscles like water.  There is basically nothing there. Carol is starting over from scratch rebuilding her muscles. Thank Jesus that her mind/body connection is fully functioning (except for the facial issues). This is helping Carol gain great ground daily in physical strength.
Carol did ask to see a book of the blog reports (a book was given to me at church by Laurie Durling last Sunday). I recommended that Carol not see it earlier b/c I don't remember all I blogged but know it is emotional and wasn't sure Carol was ready.  She did thank me for withholding it but today she said she is ready to read what she (and we) went through.  I still weep in the mornings in my time with the Lord as the  deep pain continues to surface. I get a small glimmer of how God the Father endured the pain of His Son Jesus on the Cross for our sins, though He knew the outcome would be life.  The pain of the crisis is not erased despite the joy of the outcome.
 
I've been taking your blog comments to Carol each day and she is so encouraged. Thank you for all who have sent love gifts to help financially. Most of you we do not even know. How truly unified is the Family of God through faith in Jesus Christ and how encouraging to walk together with brothers and sisters, Pastor Craig  
 

Carol, Day 19

Carol continues to have more energy but she has very little muscle. Today the girls and I watched Carol climb one step and then down, then up and then down. Carol is clearly humbled by her physical inability but her attitude is wonderful and she gets on with her therapy. Looks like the Dr and therapist insist on another week there but then they feel confident Carol can come home and with a walker, she can get around the house.  The in-patient therapy cost $2500 a day, so Carol and I continue to evaluate need and progress. Thankfully our insurance covers 70%. So, we'll just tag this on to the Lord's $390,000 ICU bill :) 
It was sweet and satisfying to climb into bed with Carol as a family today. Our daily visits to Carol are a blessing to her and to us all. ^{Mt 11:4-6} Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of me."  -Pastor Craig

Carol update, Day 18, Feb 15

Carol could not get enough hugs today. The photo is our Laili with Carol. Carol does not look as happy in the photos as she was. Her facial muscles do not allow her to smile properly, and Carol is very exhausted. But every daughter had 2 turns in bed with Momma giving and getting hugs. I had my turn too :)
Carol was able to raise her left eyelid today on her own. She was thrilled. She cannot keep it raised yet but the muscle is building. Keep praying please!
Unfortunately, when I phoned Carol this morning she could not hear me. It was not until she put the phone to the other ear that we realized Carol cannot hear anything from her left ear. So, we were able to alert the Dr and see what can be done.
Hard to believe that just 20 days ago Carol did bootcamp and kickboxing and weights 3x a week plus daily home exercise. Now, it was a huge success today for Carol to stand at the sink and brush her teeth, and to sit at the edge of her bed and balance. 
 
On the homefront, I'm up at 5am and working on Sunday's sermon, the girls get up about 6ish, breakfast and Bible at 7am and then they play and dress while I have a short workout. Start homeschool at 8am sharp (as Carol always did) and we review all our subjects, then focus on Math and Reading and Science. Around 10am all the girls and I drive down to see Carol and I do French conversation in the car with Teah and Siena.  Then back after our visit and have lunch at home and then there is piano or children's Awana at church or music theory or more school or...
It is still a great blessing to receive dinners. (Thank you!) I love sitting around the table for dinner with my daughters. Lots of laughing and crude kid humor. Then flashlight tag or uno and bed at 7:30pm. Snuggles with each one takes us to after 8am. Then blog and sermon, then collapse.
 
Tomorrow morning the 3 therapists meet with Carol's Dr. for the first time and we will get their united assessment. Probably they will want Carol another week or so to stay in-patient rehab, since Carol will get the most therapy in that way (out-patient therapy has a max of 1 1/2 hours a day, but in-patient has a 3 hr max). Each therapist is very positive about Carol's recovery and daily increase in strength and mobility. Carol will probably call a halt sometime next week and insist on being home, I predict. 
For now, we are thankful to the Lord for ALL He has done for Carol, in our own family, and in our church family, Pastor Craig

Carol Day 17, Rehab day 1

Big day for Carol! Carol arrived in the San Diego Rehab facility at 10pm last night and was ready to go to work this morning. When the girls and I walked in, Carol grabbed my arm and first thing she said was: My eyelid is raising!  She was visibly excited and encouraged.  So, thank you for praying specifically for that.  The therapist has given Carol exercises specifically for her eyelid. Carol has 1hr Physical, 1hr Occupational, and 1hr Speech therapy every day until Friday. 

 

We all kissed Carol and wished her Happy Valentines Day and then the Physical Therapist came in.  She did an evaluation of Carol and then said: You seem fine just weak!  (That's right, FINE just weak!).  Carol shot a look at me that was so encouraged and hopeful.  Praise the Lord for how He alone in 7 days restores a person from such trauma to "fine just weak"!!
My emotional thrill was seeing Carol get herself into the wheelchair.  For 9 days of coma I was told and had to think through that my wife would never wake out of a coma and that would be the remainder of our years together. But today Carol was dressed, out of bed and exercising in the rehab gym! ^{Ps 89:8}  O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you. -Pastor Craig

our address

If you would like to send a card to Carol, our home address is: Carol Poston, 42946 Corte Abanilla, Temecula, CA 92592
Thank you!

Carol update, Day 16

Well, it took all day but Carol was  finally transported from Hospital to the San Diego Rehab facility. She had to go by ambulance for insurance issues.  Carol was REALLY ready to go b/c she is ready to start working on rehab and getting back home.  Thankfully my wife is not only beautiful but she is disciplined.  She ate a ton of food today and I asked if she were hungry.  Carol said: No, I'm not hungry. I'm trying to get my strength back, so I'm forcing myself to eat.  The rehab people will love working with Carol :)  Our insurance helps cover 5 days, so that is what we will start with.
One of Carol's concerns was the expenses, of course, for the ICU, etc.  So, I manned up and asked finance what our hospital bill is up to today.  $390,000. Even the finance person said: That's a big bill.  I didn't cry or faint but just sent a prayer to the Lord.  Our insurance deductible is about $9000 for family and then we pay 30% of total bill.  Good news though: we pay on the "contracted" rate (which is unknown but less than the hospital bill).  Bad news: they do not work with us any further than providing the "contracted rate".
I told Carol that God in His good Sovereignty allowed you to go into this terrible infection and coma.  And God in His merciful Sovereignty woke you up from your coma.  So, we can trust God in His caring Sovereignty to help us financially.
 
ON THE HOME FRONT. While the girls were at the Homeschool coop at church (Classical Conversations) and I was at the hospital with Carol, an entire army of servants came to our home and redid our entire home: (xtreme yardwork, fence work, planted my delightful garden with new plants, trimmed rose bushes and made the yard shine!  And inside they cleaned a years' worth of accumulation (ever since we adopted our other 3, we have prioritized them and ministry and our home suffered in tidiness.  But with this crew working today, our home looks better than when we moved in (and it is shining with love). And Rick Peterson worked so patiently for days repainting our front doors! Thank you to EVERYONE. We are so very blessed. Can't wait for Carol to see this.
 
My heart continues its happy beat as I think of how God has stood right there with us and continues to.  Crisis is difficult, but for those who have a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, there is a very real peace and presence of God that is most precious. -Pastor Craig
  ^{Ps 41:1}Blessed is she who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers her in times of trouble...The LORD will sustain her on her sickbed and restore her from her bed of illness.

Carol update, Day 15

Carol was sleeping when we came in today after church, but she quickly came alive when we woke her. She was very excited to have had her first hairwash in 15 days this morning. Looking very cute. Carol was very chatty today, talking about her transition out of hospital, which she is eager to do. 
We did decide, on the counsel on many friends who are knowledgeable, that Carol should go to an inpatient rehab for a few days starting tomorrow (Monday). She needs 3 therapies (Physical, Speech, Occupational) which can be found at this one center in San Diego.  And Carol needs to continue to rest.  At home, I fear our girls will be too noisy and that Carol will want to be homeschooling, rather than resting.
So, tomorrow starts another adventure with rehabilitation. Carol gains strength each day and is noticably more herself. In fact, her left eyelid was halfway up today! A partial answer to prayer. So, Carol continues healing from her severe trauma and we begin the happy thought of having our home with Carol back with us, Pastor Craig