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We do have a new grandbaby! 
Just so you don’t forget,
here are some of my favorite new pictures of her!

Charis Nichole Bontrager

One of the best miracles our family has enjoyed.

There is another story that I wanted to tell from our weekend with Nelson.

Two days after Nel was moved to rehab, he kept feeling like something wasn’t right with his halo.  They would look at it and reassure him that it looked like everything was okay.  But Wednesday night (May 20th), after Rose had gone to her room for the night, the pin on the right side suddenly slipped.  I had thought that these pins actually went into the skull, but they don’t.  They are sharpened pieces of steel — sorta’ like very sharp nails, that are held to the skull by pressure.  Suddenly, the one slipped out of place, taking the skin above Nel’s eye with it.  The pain was unbelievable.  Nelson said that the sudden release from pressure was a terrible thumping noise, and the resulting sensation in his head and neck was felt like he had fallen out of bed on his head. 

Of course, that was when he went back to Geisinger Medical Center in the middle of the night and spent the night in the emergency room.  They numbed up the skin on his forehead, and replaced the spikes, but were unhappy with how it was, discussed the fact that the brackets had been put on “backwards” and took everything off again and turned the brackets around, and replaced the spikes to their satisfaction.  Nel was wishing that they would have put him out for that, but they didn’t think it was necessary, and so he was awake for everything.

No one can explain why it is that his breathing difficulties started then, but they did.  It was almost immediate with the trauma of the pins/spikes in the halo letting go.  But be that as it may, his chest was really hurting and he couldn’t get a deep breath, coupled with the fact that things in his back, neck and forehead were really throbbing.

When they finally got everything done, they decided to send him back to the rehab center.  Rose had ridden along, and they made her ride in the front of the ambulance.  There was an attendant in the back, but he was pretty much in his own world, doing his own thing, and Nel was on the stretcher.  He said that the pain was almost unbearable.  He was feeling every bump and it seemed the driver was finding every bump there was.  And he was feeling so very much alone.  In his pain-filled loneliness, he began to cry out to God.

“It was the strangest thing,” he said.  “I was lying there, and I saw God come through the roof of that ambulance with His arms outstretched to me.  He came down to where I was and He wrapped those arms around me and held me close to Himself.  And He had some things to say to me.  He said, ‘Nelson, I’m with you.  And I will never leave you.  I suffered alot for you.  I gave my life for you, and there are some things I’d like to say to you'”  Nelson said that he felt the Lord was asking him to be more ready to share what God has done for him, to be quicker to speak of God’s love for the people around him.  Some of those things are personal, between a man and his God, but the thing that blessed me most was that Nelson said, “I felt God’s arms around me all the way back to the rehab center, holding me tight.  I never felt another bump,”

God continues to meet us where our needs are.  I was talking to my orthopaedic guy today when I got my fourth Sinvisc shot in my knee.  I was telling him about the way things have gone with Nelson, and about the blood clots, and how things got missed on that first day.  He is a Christian and he is so interested in this whole situation, but when I told him about Nelson coughing up blood, and then there being “significant amounts” of blood clots in his lungs he shook his head and said, “He is so fortunate to be alive!”  Every now and then I take those things out to look at and thank God again for all His mercy to us.  

John Greenleaf Whittier said “For all sad words of tongue and pen, The saddest are these, ‘It might have been’.”  I’m sure you will understand me when I say that it seems to me tonight that these are the words of hope and faith and healing.  We are so blessed.  When I think what might have been, all I feel is grateful praise.

If  you are coming to the Baby shower on Friday night for Charis Bontrager, it would be good to let someone know.  You won’t reach anyone at Christina’s house, because Jesse is on a business trip to Florida and Christina and Charis went with him.  They plan to be home sometime on Thursday.  But you can call me, message me, leave me a comment, or head over there to www.xanga.com/gracegiven and let her know.  THANKS!!!

In other news this week:

(Drum roll, please!!!!!) Eldest Son got a haircut.  Not a trim.  A REAL haircut.  He looks great!  I’ll love him no matter what, but some things just improve the scenery so much!!!

Brother Nelson got moved to rehab today!!!  I think we are in that “reality sinking in” stage right now.  He can use your prayers.

I got my third shot in my knee today, and it seems to be getting better and better.  I am so grateful.  Felt good enough to make some pies — even a ground cherry pie for that Good Husband of mine.  There was enough crust left to make a little one for Sweet Mama.  She likes pies of all sorts, and even ground cherry sounded good to her.  And there is that really sweet feeling of having some pie crusts in the freezer in the event I might need them.  I love to be just a little bit ahead.  I should bake some bread again.  This last batch went like wild fire!  I think I only have one loaf left in the freezer. 

Our chickens are going out tonight — a full week early!  I can’t help but think it is God’s provision for us.  It means that we should be able to take our Sweet Mama up to see Nelson this weekend after the baby shower.  Middle Daughter has the weekend off, so she said she is willing to help make it happen.  Wow!!!  I am praying that this will work out.

My girlies just did some “blitzing” for me, in preparation for getting the house cleaned tomorrow.  Nothing chirks me up like some helping hands from my own “in house” labor force;  It makes me feel so much like we just might make it through!  And now it is time to get off here and get some things done while they are off doing some of their own stuff for a bit.

Blessings!

I wish that I could say what is in my heart this morning in a way that wouldn’t detract at all from what God has done for our family this past week.  There have been so many miracles, and I am so grateful.

But nothing could have prepared me for the pictures over on Joni’s site.  I’m sure that Nel looks really good for what he’s been through, but I almost cannot bear to see my healthy, energetic, “can’t be stopped” brother looking like that.  I know that God’s grace is sufficient.  I know that the prognosis is alot better than we deserve, but I hate it so much.

Would you dear friends continue to pray for him and his family — and also for me that I can somehow stop these helpless tears and get on with the business of life and faith and doing the things that are best to do right now?  I’m not much help to him right now except to pray and be optimistic and encouraging, and there are so many things that need my attention otherwise — a new grandbaby, a baby shower, Youngest Daughter’s graduation and grad party, and then Middle Daughter and Youngest Daughter’s departure for Europe — all within the next three weeks.

Thanks to all of you who have cared and prayed and been incredible support to us.  Please don’t stop now.

For an update and PICTURES of Nelson, got to Joni Geissinger’s site:

www.xanga.com/bubblygirl777

I would like to update a few things from my brother, Nelson.

Yesterday, Rose called me to tell me that Nelson was out of surgery and the doctor reported that everything went well.  He said that there were lots of contusions to the spinal column, and that he repaired what he could, fused what needed fusing and that he continued to have great expectations for a full recovery.  He said that the numbness and lack of motor coordination that Nel was experiencing was from the swelling around the fractured C-1 and C-2 vertebrae and that Nel will need therapy to recover from the damage that has been done there. He said when you have the weight of a body falling as far as Nel did, there just ARE going to be broken bones.  Once again, we acknowlege that things could have been much, much worse.

 

The halo brace is often used as the initial treatment for odontoid fractures (located at the second cervical vertebrae of the neck). The halo brace has been used as the initial treatment for odontoid fractures. A “halo” metal ring is secured to the skull with pins and to two metal rods attached to a well-fitted plastic jacket. With this apparatus, it is possible to obtain complete fixation and to arrest almost all movement of the cervical spine. The outcome of this treatment varies with fractures healing and fusing within 3 months in 15% to 85% of patients.

 

When they got into the spine yesterday, they found some additional damage.  The T-1 and T-2 vertebra were very badly damaged.  The one was ruptured and the other severely herniated.  They “fixed” that.  The T-3 and T-4 were the ones that were fractured and unstable, so they fixed that.  The T-8 and T-9 were fractured (as they knew) but were stable.  A very interesting thing that they found was an old fracture in one of the torso vertebrae.  The doctor says that he suspects that fracture happened when Nel was a teenager!  That is really fascinating.

 

Nel has two ribs broken in his back, up near his shoulder, and the doctor said those are specific to an high impact blow.  Otherwise these ribs do not break.  Also, this morning they X-rayed his hand because it appeared that there may be a fracture there that has been overlooked in the greater scheme of things.  With the later news of today, I completely forgot to find out what was wrong there, but I am sure that I will hear eventurally. They estimate that he fell about 20 feet, and landed on the landing of the stairway that was on a cement floor.  If he had been three feet in almost any direction, he would have landed on concrete.  The medical personnel are so impressed with Nel’s general health — his blood pressure, his oxygen levels, etc., but they are quick to say that if it had been concrete that he landed on, this story could be so different.

 

This afternoon, when Mama and I were on our way home from the festival, the phone rang, and it was Rose, and she was so excited I could hardly understand her.  This is almost unbelievable, but they got Nel up today.  He even walked a little bit with assistance, and they were able to seat him in a recliner of some sort.  They were testing his range of motion and fine motor skills, and asked him to please lift his left hand high in the air.  “Like he was praising the Lord” said Rose.  Up it went, and without any difficulty at all.  Then it was time for that uncooperative right hand, and Rose said that it didn’t want to cooperate at first, but eventually it also made it ALL THE WAY UP!!!  Just like the left hand.  And some of the fine motor skills were exactly where they should be, too.  It is a marvelous!  It was Wonderful!  Nelson is so pleased, of course, but Rose and their family are almost beside  themselves with joy.

 

Nel is in good spirits.  The pain medication seems to be holding him pretty steady, though they are being careful to not over-medicate.  His family is in and out, and he is talking, alert, and even joking.  Rose expresses a deep appreciation for the prayers and the encouraging words that have been offered on their behalf.  “This is a tough time,” she says philosophically, “and Nel and I will be spending lots and lots of time directly together, and it will not always be easy.  But this what we need to do to get Nelson better.  The doctor says that the order of business is ‘healing, physical therapy, and good food’ and that is something I can do for Nel.  I can cook him good food, and I will!!!”  She makes me laugh so often.  I told her again this morning that I am so glad for the gal my brother married.  She is so good for him, and she will throw her heart and soul into helping him get better.

 

I must run.  I had Mama up to the festival today, and we both had barbecued chicken and potato salad and shared a funnel cake.  Oh, yes.  Something else.  We both bought absolutely lovely quilts for ridiculously low prices.  I will have to put a picture on here when I get a chance. 

 

Wowser, am I tired tonight!!!  But it is a good kind of tired.  Tomorrow is Sunday, and I should get some rest.   Thanks for all the good wishes, the prayers, and the encouragement to me and our extended family.

 

 One more thing.  If you at all can, be in church tomorrow morning.  Nothing takes the place of being in the House of the Lord, and worshipping with the people of God.

 

Today, Daniel’s office mates had a “Grandpa Shower” for him. We caught him entirely flatfooted.  He had no idea.  At all.  Woo-hoo!  We almost never surprise him, so this was really fun. 

This is where we’ll go in.  I wonder if he suspects by now.

He knew there was going to be “breakfast.”
I had even made sausage gravy for this occasion.
He had dutifully carried it in when he came at 7:30.
He thought it was to celebrate Margaret’s birthday.
Ha!

He was mighty surprised.  I had a difficult time sidetracking him. He called me at least three times this morning.  The first time, I was still at home, but sitting in the car in the driveway. After that, I was on my way to Dover when the phone rang.  It was Deborah.

“Mom, Dad called and wanted you and I didn’t know what to say.  I told him you were on the way to Dover.  He wanted to know why, but Cecilia’s bus was here, so I told him to call your cell phone.”

“Alright, Deborah.  I’ll just see if he calls.”  While I was talking to her, Mama beeped in, so I went to talk to her.  Then Christina’s phone rang.

“Mom, it’s Dad.  I don’t know what to say.  I’m just not going to answer it.”

Before I was off the phone, Christina’s phone rang again.  It was Deborah.  She said that Daddy was trying to call us, and he was getting just a little bit aggravated.  So I called him.  Decided I would take the initiative and try to settle things down.

“Hey, Sweetheart.  Are you trying to call me???”

“Yes!!!!!  Where are you???”

“I’m with Christina and the baby.”

“Where are you going???”

“To Dover with Christina and the baby.”

“I thought you said that you were going to be home today.”

“No, I didn’t.  I said Christina was coming down and we were going to do some things.  We are on our way to Dover to pick up some stuff for the baby.”  (That was true!)

“Oh-h-h-h-h.  Well, I’m trying to fill out this paper.  Are we signed up for Vision coverage????”

And so I diverted him, and he really was none the wiser.  When we walked into the office, he was in his cubicle, working.

He looked up to find us there, and he was more astounded than I have seen him for a very long while.

“What are you doing here?”  He said delightedly.  He had been wanting us to bring the baby up for them to see ever since she had been born.

“Well,” I said, “I hear tell that there is a “Grandpa Shower” here this morning.”  He couldn’t believe it, but it really was true.  I guess he just didn’t think they would do such a thing for him.  He is so silly!  Of course, they had to pass the baby around.  Not everyone was comfortable holding it, but there were some who were delighted for the chance!

Lawson is a grandpa of three, but he actually has a son that is younger than one of his grandchildren.
He knew how to hold a baby!

Daniel’s boss, Dana, is crazy about babies.  She has two little girls of her own.

Charis got a little fussy, so there was some “Mama time.”

And then some more arms that wanted a snuggle.

Bea got a turn

Then Grandpa got to open some presents — little outfits,
Bottles, diapers, baby wipes, teething toys, etc.
Such a precious assortment of things for Grandpa to have at his house.
It was a really special idea.

Before we left the office, Daniel’s boss took a picture of Grandpa and Grandma.
By now, Charis was sleeping, so we didn’t take her out to hold her for the picture.

We made a quick stop over at the public health nurses’ office, and
Grandpa proudly showed him off to his friends there.

Some of these friends join us for the Christmas open house, and they
have been praying for this baby, too.  Ekwe was delighted that she and Charis “matched.”

And Lois almost didn’t get a chance to hold her, but she came by,
unstrapped her from her car seat and held her for just a few minutes.
Lois is a very special lady, and she is unusually good with the babies
that are in and out of public health.  Today I saw her with a teenage
mother who had a baby with a “rattle” in his breathing.  She asked a
few questions, listened, gave tender advice and reassured the very
young mama.  I was impressed with her gentleness, expertise and
ability to relate. 

It was a wonderful day.
What special people we encountered today.

And now, it is off to bed.
Tomorrow is the great
POTATO SALAD MAKING EXTRAVAGANZA

I NEED A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP.

Nelson has a broken neck, crushed vertebra, some broken ribs . . .

He was working on the roof of a two story house as I understand it.  Not roofing, but building a roof.  He said that a board went down through and he went down with it, landing on the bottom step of the inside steps on his shoulders and head.  He said that immediately he knew that he had no feeling, no control over his arms and legs.  What a moment that must have been!  As the day has passed, it has been a wonderful mix of relief and joy to see him begin to move his arms and legs.  Nel says that they still “feel funny” and not right somehow, but the doctors are saying that he can expect a full recovery from the way things look now.  Mark Jr. says that he looks good — has oxygen and a neck brace and an IV but Nel is (was) a fit, healthy 57 year old man, and his careful health habits are definitely on his side.  They say it will be a long, hard haul, but I like what Mark said tonight.  “It’s POSSIBLE!!!  For some long dark hours today we didn’t know if it was humanly possible, but seeing Nel move his hands and feet lifted an incredible load from somewhere in my gut!”
 
A team of doctors will be meeting in the morning to determine the course of treatment.  They say he may need a halo, he may need surgery, he may need both, or he may need neither.  Rose is spending the night, as is their daughter, Joy.  Clint and Mark and Mike started home several hours ago, they dropped Mike off at his house, and they hope to be home by midnight.  I asked how Nel is handling things, and Mark said that he is very subdued.  He can hardly believe that it happened, and the enormity of what might have been is very real to him.  Please pray that God will minister healing to his spirit and mind even as the body heals.  He is experiencing a great deal of pain, so that is something else to pray about.
 
Thanks again for all your concern and prayers.  It has made all the difference.