Monday, January 14

Bet you were wondering where the posts went. Sorry about that. Once Clem got into his room on the 8th floor, there was neither time nor wireless available to write and post. A lot has happened in the last week. I won't write about all of it, but I will first tell you that Clem was moved to rehab in Monroe on Friday, January 11. If this is incredibly awesome to ya'll, I'm with you on this one. Clem escaped the jaws of death on December 19 and here it was on January 11, only 24 days later, that he is in in-patient rehab. Unbelievable! But as a fellow Dayspring Church member is known to say, "And why are we surprised?" Our God is an awesome God. The blessings that He has lavished on Clem and the entire family are more that any of us deserve, but that is what grace is all about.

As of today, on Thursday the 24th Clem is scheduled to return to LSU for a skin graft on his left arm. From what they tell us, that's also his tentative date for his release from in-patient physical therapy. At some point between now then, Clem will be fitted for his prosthesis. The doctors are projecting 90% efficiency of the use of his leg in 2 1/2 to 3 months. 

He is having problems sleeping, however. Hasn't really slept since he's been out of ICU. Sleep medicines don't seem to help. Please pray that Clem will be able to regularly get a good night's sleep. And continue to pray for his healing, especially of his left arm. The arm is holding Clem back from a much quicker rehabilitation because it will take a minimum of 2 more months to heal well enough for them to remove the external fixator which is holding his wrist and hand bones in place while the missing segments of bone grow back. Right now, he can not place any weight on this arm. But I tell ya'll, if he can keep the arm and it be functional, it is well the worth the wait.

Also please continue to pray for patience for all of us and continued strength. Personally, I've been struggling the last few days and could also use prayer for peace and focus as I prepare for Clem's return home. Pray that I am able to take care of everything that needs to be done. 

Well, I've got to run. Last week I spent 5 days and four nights at LSU with Clem, "sleeping" in a chair with a stationary back! Family members took care of Clem this weekend while I recouped from last week. This is the first time I've had the opportunity to seriously make all those necessary calls to make sure insurance, hospitals, etc. have what they need and so I can sew up the many details that need attention. It's a good thing that we have two phone lines so I can juggle calls coming in while other calls come in.

I'll leave you with this scripture from 2 Corinthians 4:7-11, which was a comfort for me today. "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be  revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body."

May God's power be revealed through all of you on this day. DV