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The Albin News is general news items about an out-of-the-way railroad town in the very southeast corner of Wyoming.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Albin news Nov 29, 2010

Albin News Readers,

Happy Thanksgiving!! It's that time in the America where get together and celebrate something that has become so common to us today: ample food! Thank you to all the people who had a hand in bringing crops safely to market again this year. Thank you especially to all the hard working cooks who turned that produce into another Thanksgiving dinner!

Thank you to Shannon Weller for successfully obtaining funding for an EMT training class this winter in Pine Bluffs. The class is scheduled to start January 4 and will be held two nights a week at the historic high school. Once again, Albin is needing more volunteer EMTs and this training is only offered once in a while. If you are interested, call Shannon at 245-3400. It's a substantial time commitment with no monetary compensation but according to Shannon it's about the best thing she's ever committed to. Apparently there are some intangable benefits.

Thank you also to Mike Sorenson for his continued service in the Air National Guard. Mike got back safe and sound from his fourth tour in Afghanistan tour last week. Mike said he feels like he is simply continuing something that started a long time ago; building on the willingness of other service men and women to sacrifice for their country.

Starting in December there will be open gym for basketball on Thursday nights at seven. Also there continues to be open gym for volleyball on Tuesday nights at seven.

This is the latest from Dixie on Tim's continued progress over thanksgiving:

Philemon (verses 4-7) with emphasis on verse 4...I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers...
This verse is a picture every night as we pray with Tim. To hear him pray and thank God for everything He has done and for his progress, his thankfulness for the day's activities or visitors, and his requests for not only himself, but others is a joy! He always asks God for 'another small miracle tomorrow' and sometimes specifically states what he is asking God for or to do. This morning we had the tv on and he and Jessica heard the preacher talk about Timothy (in the Bible) and his mother, Eunice. Jessica said he was talking about you, Tim. Tim said, "No, my mom's name is Dixie, not Eunice!" We have had another great week, especially with Thanksgiving and having Bethany home! He did walk three steps with the help of Beth, Howard, and me at our family Thanksgiving. Tonight, we walked about 10 steps to his bedroom (with help) and he did great! For my birthday (in about 2 weeks) he wants to totally walk by himself--I told him that would be a great gift!! Please pray that his left ankle continues to strengthen to hold him so he is able to shift his weight and balance himself to walk!! We hope to be back in the pool this week. We will be watching and taping the NFR Finals starting Dec. 2nd--and we pray that it will be used by God as a stimulant as Tim watches and recalls his roping experiences, passion, etc. We are so thankful for all of you and your prayer support--it is such an encouragement to Tim. The girls read and reread all the cards we saved and Tim really enjoyed them. He can read large print fairly well and we continue to ask you to uphold his sight and alignment to strengthen and heal ---both optic nerves are good and vision in both eyes is good--just waiting on God's restoring and timing with all the nerves, dilation, and alignment. Pray and Believe!” 

Here is the latest from Cindi on Garrett's continued progress:

I trust that EVERYONE had an enjoyable Thanksgiving! I know Garrett and I did. Craig Hospital had a wonderful meal and the best thing about it - it was FREE! Thank you Craig and all the supporters/volunteers. It was real turkey and ham, and I made real cranberry sauce (no canned crap). Talked to a worker later that night and he said they cook between 16-20 turkeys. Thank you, Jesus, for 'places' like this that support the families with the things they do - there were 22 of us.
I went home M & T, Scott said that Mon G had a modified 
 barium (white paste) swallow done - and I missed it!  :(  Modified is just from the neck up. Through a series of x-rays, they are able to track where the bolus is going (lungs or stomach). There are 4 different kinds of liquids they try - thin, nectar, honey thick or pudding thick. G is in the nectar group. I told you that G did not have a fast swallow but it is not from the lack of trying/practicing. I have been known to give him an 'occasional' drink of water, juice or milk (but don't tell anyone). The nurses ask if I have been signed off on that - Uh, yea, sure, but he is thirsty! They smile. There are also 4 different kinds of solids - dysphagia(difficulty swallowing) pureed, dysphagia mechanical (super soft foods), dysphagiaadvanced or regular. G is in the pureed group but then again not from a lack of trying. . . Thanksgiving I gave him mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing. I wanted to give him some pumpkin pie but he did not want any. I have also given him cereal and a nutri-grain bar. Now we are only talking about a couple of bites. . . (but again we aren't telling anybody).
Wed he got his drop out cast. It is just a half cast - he can drop his arm but he cannot raise it to his chest like he was. It has NOT bothered him at all. In fact his arm is usually 2-4" from the cast. This Wed they will recast - drop his arm even lower.
I keep forgetting to ask the nurse if they have rechecked the C-diff so cannot comment on that. Every patient is on a 'program'. (You know - suppository regimen) Nurses like it at night because they have more time plus if you have :30 of PT, you don't want to spend half of it - uh - changing clothes. The saying 'get with the program' - wonder if there's any correlation?
OT is working on grooming. G has the motions down in brushing his teeth or combing his hair. Just need to practice and apply a little harder pressure, but he does real good. Every day gets better and better.
PT gets him out of the chair and either sits him on the edge of the table or on his knees with elbows on a big octagon ball and does a lot of stretches. He has also gotten to stand a couple of times. It is nothing like the tilting table - he sits in this chair. There is a lever/handle and it must have a neutral position - if you pump it forward it slowly raises you to a standing position or pumping it back to lower. He can do that all by himself.
What to pray for #1 G will get up and walk and push ME in the wheelchair. Today (what a beautiful day) we went for a walk. You know the only bad thing about walking - is the turning around and going back. Craig Hospital is NOT on level ground. There are inclines and along with the inclines are the declines #2 L movement He will squeeze my hand but won't release. (But then again who does!) #3 talking Today, I can't remember the word, we will say WASH. I was talking about WASH and he mouthed the word. Did not try talking but mouthed it as plain as day. Something else to practice! #4 we have a family mtg Tue at 2 I believe everyone just reports what they think and what direction they will go. I don't know and it doesn't matter because God knows and G is good.
No scripture because my Bible is in G's room. You ask 'don't you know your verses by heart?' 'Uh, yes, but I don't want to show off!?' I will tell you that Scott DID give a great testimonial on northhillsbaptist.net. Click on videos, then the Thanksgiving one. I will also add that after Scott, listen to DeAnna's, it is a good one, too. What would we do without God in our lives!!! I don't even want to go there. A short note that some of Scott's times are off but the jift of the story is true but focus on the point - God is our Rock and we Praise Him. Thank you Pastor and Peg for telling me. Also my sister's Bible study watched a You Tube thing - Francis Chan Balance Beam. I had a great verse to go along with that but no Bible - it was the verse about being strong and courageous. I Tim 6 or Josh 1 OR somewhere between Genesis and Revelation I can guarentee you will find it. Can you tell I am in a good mood - Life is good - God is even better”

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