Kari Update

Good Afternoon!
     I hope that everything is going well with you all.  Kari came home on Tuesday, even earlier in the day that we thought.  I think that she was a bit overwhelmed by the transition.  I think she and the rest of the family had different expectations.  I think Kari maybe thought that once she was home we would leaver her alone.  As soon as I got home on Tuesday I went to get her out of bed to eat with me, she didn't want to get up, I had to fight with her a bit...and then she said, "Where's the hospital?" I was a bit confused and she said, "Cuz you keep messing with me." She was so wrong for that!  Anyway, we've all moved on and she's really adjusting pretty well.
     My mom finally had a good nights sleep last night, the first time since Kari has been home. Praise God!  Kari has had all her evaluations for all her therapies as of this morning, and she actually begins speech this afternoon at 2.  My mom and I have been dealing with a bit of anxiety and feeling overwhelmed to say the least, but God is so faithful and has been so good.  All we can do is just stay in Him, get out of His way.  He continues to give us grace for each moment.  As the week as gone on things have gotten much smoother!  Thank you for praying for Kari and us.
She is still having issues with her sight.  Her dizziness has decreased, Hallelujah! She was also taken off of her anti-seizure medication, keppra, because of some side affects - the doctor thinks that that medicine might have been what was causing her white blood cells to drop as welll as some other interesting side-affects of her feeling like bugs were crawling on her.  Since she has been off she hasn't had any issues, but we must be prayerful that she won't have any seizures.  We are believing that God will complete what he began.  
Have a great weekend!
Be blessed
Kaziah

Brown Recluse Spider

Please pray for Joyce's son Robert Jr. who was bitten by a Brown Recluce Spider.

For Christ's Sake,
Dylan C Schultz

Kari Update

Good Afternoon!
"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever." ~1 Chronicles16:34
     My family is giving thanks for all the Lord has done.  It's been so exciting to spend so many nights on a lovely little bed near my sister, my mom more than I, but those days are soon coming to an end, at least for a bit.  We found out yesterday morning that Kari will not be going to Texas, at least not right away, so she will be coming home. I think she is SO ready to be home; I am too, and I haven't had to stay in the hospital or rehab center everyday since March 9th. She'll be discharged on Tuesday sometime.
     Kari has been asking for the dog quite a bit, so I think it will be good for her to get slobbered on by Ming.  I do think that being at home will be interesting for her.  I think it will be an eye opening experience, because she will realize how different everything, really is.  Please pray for her and us, that she'll let us help her and that she won't be too frustrated and that we will be patient and empathetic.  I am also praying that she will realize that she is getting better, but still needs to work hard in therapy.  She will have outpatient care at two different facilities in the area.  We don't know much about the scheduling or anything, but I think it will be great that Kari has to go out of the house.  
    Lately she has had some interesting days, as far as what she is remembering and saying, we are praying that it is just her body trying to used to new medication.  She is still struggling with her dizziness and double vision, but is just moving along with it. Please also pray that whatever Kari needs, what will be best for her will happen and that God will continue to move, heal and go with us.  Thank you for continuing to pray!  God Bless ya.
Be blessed
Kaziah

Caroline

Please pray for Caroline. She has been admitted back into the hospital for kidney problem and this is her only kidney.

For Christ's Sake,
Dylan C Schultz

Kari Update

Hello!
But I trust in you, LORD; I say, "You are my God." ~Psalm 31:14
    What a beautiful verse!  No matter what I'm feeling or the things that are going on in my head or all around me, "in real life", I know that I can trust in the Lord, He is my God!
    This evening Kari's social worker came and met with us.  She met with the whole team of therapist and doctors today and they said that Kari is still making slow improvements.  She's having more good days than bad, but is still making improvements.  She should be leaving on the 17th of this month. 
   Kari's endurance is getting better, but she is still wanting to sleep whenever anyone will let her.  My mom did say that she was up all day today though.  I am so glad that her stamina is improving, slowly, but surely.  Her doctor was a bit disappointed that she is still wanting to stay in bed all day, so he has started her on something that should help her have a bit more energy.  We haven't quite seen the affects of this medication, but hopefully we'll be able to notice a change soon.  He might try to up the dosage, just to see if it'll help.
    We still aren't sure what's going on with Texas, but we continue to pray that whatever, wherever is best for her, God will make it happen.  Wherever she goes, if it's inpatient seems like its about a month stay, which is totally doable.  We have a few concerns because not everyplace accepts her coverage, but we know that God will work it out.  
   A few highlight from the past few days: Kari bit her OT therapist today in checkers; Kari has been doing things for the family, not because she want to, but because we enjoy those things; She is laughing and smiling a bit more.  She was able to spend time outside with a visit from our crazy dog, Ming, on Sat.; she's been remembering things much more; her stability has great improved.  
   Thank you guys for continuing to pray for Kari and the family.  She is still having issues with her vision and dizziness, but is still wearing the patch, Praise God! My mom is trying to finish all paper work to help with Kari's bill's so, please pray that everything gets approved.  
   Have a wonderful rest of your day!
Be blessed
Kaziah

Kari Update

Hi Ya'll,
     Hope everyone has been well.  Since I last wrote my mom celebrated her birthday, you'll have to ask her how old she is, because I'm not telling - only because I can never remember how old she is.  I think the highlight of her birthday wasn't the pair of new Birkenstocks or the books or watch but that Kari signed her own name her birthday card.  We we're sure if she could write, but she did like she's been doing it this whole time, Praise God!
     I am pretty sure that I mentioned that Kari was put on Lexapro and then taken off because of the numbness in her hands moving up her arms and then the numbness in her feet moving up her legs.  The tested her blood and found that her white blood cells were down to 2.3, we're not sure what her original white blood cells count was, but for most people it stays about 4. As of yesterday at dinner time we found out that her count was up to 3.5 and she was free to leave her room again.  The whole time the count was down Kari felt fine, but couldn't leave her room.  
     I was a little discouraged when she was taken off the Lexapro because it really seemed to be making a difference and she hadn't even been on it for 7 days yet.  She was less anxious and really seemed like "my Kari."  As I was worshiping on Sunday God reminded me that He didn't need no stinkin' Lexapro!  He reminded me that He's got this!  He told His people the same thing in Exodus!
God said to Moses, "I-AM-WHO-I-AM. Tell the People of Israel, 'I-AM sent me to you.'" ~Exodus 3:14
I know that this is also what Kari will say as well when she able to give her testimony, when she is healed to being better than she was!!!  She'll say "I'm here to tell you what The great "I Am" has done for me!
    Kari is continuing to get stronger.  Just 3 days ago when she would push herself up to standing it was like she was diving into someone's arms, but yesterday when she pushed herself up she was in complete control and just stood up, no diving, leaning or wobbling!  Here therapist has had her working on her core...and I guess those muscles remember what they are supposed to do.  
    She's doing okay with her food and beverage intake.  She did tell us on Monday, when we were trying to make her eat a little more of her red beans and rice and she said, "it's all rice...this is what you feed the dog," then she started to laugh.  I am not sure why it hurt her to laugh, but it's so great when she says something funny and laughs.  It helps us to know that her sense of humor is still there, but she doesn't laugh as much as she normally does.    
     Everyday she becomes more and more aware, I know I've said this before, but it blows me away.  She knows that this is her reality, but she has told me repeatedly that she's just ready to move on.  Today she had a social worker that came from Touchtone Neurorecovery Center, in Conroe, Texas, 35 miles north of Houston, to evaluate Kari.  He said she would fit in well there, but they only take one person with her financial issues; currently they has no one, but there enrollment is down, so their staff is down.  We are just praying that whatever is best for her with happen.  If that's Texas, great, if not possibly a day treatment place her called SAGE.  We are just praying that whatever she needs to facilitate the continued healing, that it'll be done.  
     Thanks so much for continuing to pray.  Kari is still having double vision, but is willing to wear a patch which really helps.  She is still feeling dizzy and is saying it's like a sound in her head.  She is currently walking with one person support, which is awesome, and her endurance is up!  She stays awake longer than she has been!  We are just thankful for all the God is doing, whether it is sending complete strangers coming up to my mom and sister encouraging them, to every card or email or for the healing and visual reminders of it, It's all Awesome! 
Be blessed
Kaziah

Joel

Jamie Greenlee's friend Joel has been diagnosed with cancer. The cancer is one that is in his blood but is attacking his skeletol system. Joel is 30 years old with a wife and kids. They are asking not only for prayer for the sickness but also for a financial miracle as they have many bills accumulating and he is trying to secure a trailor for his family to live in. Please pray for God's provision and healing in this situation.

Flooding

Can you please add natchez, ms and vidalia, la to the prayer request. vidalia is experciencing some flooding from the mississippi river rising. some homes have been flooded already. several friends and family members are packing the most important belongings and getting out. pray the rising does not get to high, everyone safety also. 
thanks!

May you be blessed by the Lord this blessful day!

Jessica