Monday, July 25, 2005

Monday July 25, 2005 Again Zack is fever free but his white count is up to 13. Dr. Raff is not at all concerned so we aren’t either. At 8:00 we get as big thumbs up that encourages all of us. Karen arrives at 9:30 for physical therapy and she gets him to stick out his tongue and wiggle his toes. He is moved to his chair and has to sweat it out in his helmet. We got another thumbs up in the chair. At 11:30 Jennifer Gallaway with Frazier comes by to tell us that the doctor has signed the order to move him. She said that Frazier will take him but she had to get approval from our insurance company. Then comes a new battle. Remember I said I couldn’t wait to see what God had in store for me today. I was expecting something different but God knows just how to make me stronger and today it was learning how to deal with the insurance issues. Traumatic brain injury patients are graded on the Ranchos Cognitive Scale on how they respond. Zack is currently at a 3. Frazier likes for them to be a 4 before they are admitted but because Zack is young and has great potential they agreed to take him now. However, the insurance company wants them to be a 5 before they start rehab. Zack will only have 60 days of Acute Rehab benefits. Basically they don’t want the clock to start ticking and run out before the game is over. Jennifer will continue to talk with the insurance caseworker to get him released. At 1:00 we get a visit from a member of Matt’s church, Westport Road Church of Christ. She talked with Zack and prayed with us. She reminded us of Isaiah 43:10 “You are my witnesses, declares the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.” She sang some worship songs and we were all uplifted. The Occupational Therapist arrives at 1:30 and works with Zack on his fine motor skills. She tells us that it is critical to his recovery that his brain is stimulated. That happens when he is awake. She explained that now it was important for visitors to talk to him and touch him. He stayed in his chair for 5 hours and we got another thumbs up. At 4:30 Dr Mutchnick tells me I need to call my insurance caseworker. I had to convince her that Zack was a healthy, driven 15 year old and he couldn’t be assessed with subjective numbers. She had to be sure I understood the benefits before she would issue the order to release him to Frazier. We came to a mutual understanding and she made the call (what she doesn’t understand is that God was in control). It was a very difficult 5 hours for me trying to understand what the next best move should be for Zack. Learning the ropes while riding an emotional roller coaster. At 7:00 PM Scott was coaching Zack through leg crunches and I saw first hand how when Scott pushed him Zack tried really hard. He would press his knees together and then release them on command. As Scott counted he would be overcome with emotion. It is exhausting for all three of us. We thank God that when our strength runs out he is there to carry us. Randy Marshall came by and told Zack that she had gone to Honduras on a Mission Trip. She said the church in Honduras is praying for Zack. I also know of a church in India and a Monastery up north that is praying for him. I would love to hear from everyone with the churches that lift him to God in prayer so we can encourage Zack to be strong. As I write this posting Zack is intently looking out the window. He is moving his legs and turning his head. Something outside has had his undivided attention for the last hour. There is a church steeple with a cross on it. I wonder if that is what he sees. I imagine that there are angels they’re guarding over him. He is sooooo close to waking up. I ask for specific prayers that Zack will not need more than 60 days at Frazier. I ask for opportunities for Zack to glorify God through his quick recovery there. I ask for gentle lessons in patience.