Surgery was a success

For those that may not have heard yet, dad's surgery was a success. There were no complications, and the doctor said that all went as planned. He was even able to go home the next day after surgery. Thank you for you prayers and constant support. Now it is time for recovery. There is pain associated with that, so please pray for comfort and patience --- both for dad and mom :)

Thanks again for the prayers!

-Jason

Time for Surgery

It has been a long time since this has had any update. During a recent doctor visit, it was discovered that dad's neck never healed properly. We were told that it was important to have surgery to have the risk of his spine closing in on his spinal cord taken away. This Tuesday the 7th, dad will have surgery to have two of his vertebrae fused together. This is a risky and time consuming surgery (4-6 hours). Please pray for the doctors to be precise in their work and that dad does well in the surgery, coming out of the surgery and in the recovery phase. Thanks for all of your prayers in the past and we are trusting dad into his loving hands as we did before.

-Jason

On the move!

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick update. Jim and I are doing pretty good. Each day brings change and challenges but we have much to be thankful for.

We are on the move, again. Last October we left our house of 9 years and moved into a small ranch with no idea if this would be our permanent home or just a stepping stone. Much prayer and thought has been involved, as well as counsel and it has been decided to move to a new home back in the same area we moved from. The packing has commenced. I do believe I should have this moving thing down pat. This will be our 20th move in our 37 years of marriage. Maybe I should write a book on how to move under stress, listing 10 different reasons and how to survive each one and clean out your house at the same time.(He-he) We have to use the material we are given, right?

Jim is more himself each day and has retrieved many of the talents he possessed before the accident. God is good. Other areas have been hard for him but we try to remember that each day is a gift.

I think of you all, often and remember your kindness and prayers.

Sue

Spring has finally come! With it comes hope, renewal and rememberence.

Hope. Hope for tomorrow and more time to be with loved ones, more time to tell others of our savior, more time to live a life of compassion, more time to make a difference.

Renewal. My heart. New beginnings, personal growth, recommittment to Him, to family & friends, my eargerness to share a smile.

Rememberence. To last year at this time and all God provided. To the many family and friends who gave me hope and renewal when I was stuggling to stand. Rememberence for all I have, more than I will ever need. Rememberence for what is important...and what is not.

Spring is such a gift from God. Can't you just breath it in?

We are doing good. A few new challenges have arrived but...compared to last year, well, no comparison. But, still challenges. If led, please keep Jim in your prayers.

Thank you all. Happy Spring!

Sue

Hello Everyone!

I have spent the better part of this evening reading post and responses from last year at this time. Memories came flooding back. Wow! I am once again blown away by all our Great God has done for us and thru all of you. I am, again, humbled by the prayers, love and great deads done on behalf of Jim and my family.

I miss communicating with all of you and hearing God's love poured out thru your scripture reminders, words of encouragement and songs of healing. It sounds so selfish to miss what we were given in such abundance.

I was thinking about the celebration of love that this month represents. That word is bantered around easily and for many trite reasons. Yet, God tells us it is the most powerful gifts of all. It can break the hardest resolve, bring a criminal to his knees, heal a broken heart, encourage the faithful and faithless, bring about a miracle.

We, the Maley family, has been part of and witnessed the miracle of love. A year ago today, Jim could not even open his eyes with little prospect of that happening. Tonight, we sat on the couch, shared coffee and ice cream and watched a movie together. This morning we ran to Loew's to pick out a light, stopped to visit Andy and his family. Each night I have the privalege of a hug a kiss good night.

Life is different and to be honest, hard at times. But I need only to return to this blog and reread all the Lord, family and friends have given us to refresh myself and gain strength to face whatever is ahead.

Happy Valentines month to all of you and May Our Great and awesome God continue to bless and keep you.

Sue

PS. I've asked Jason and Andy to post some recent pictures and updates, so keep watching. Thanks to all of you who tell me you still check this. You are such faithful prayer warriors.

Happy Thanksgiving

I don't know if anyone out there still checks this, but if you do, the Maley family wants to wish you a blessed and thankful Thanksgiving. We are so aware of the many blessings we have been given this hard and eventful 2007. What a year. You have prayed us thru it and walked with us. Thank you and may your day be filled with joy and bountiful blessings.

Sue and family

This will be my last post unless something dramatic happens. I love communicating with all of you, friends and family, alike. But, at some point I know I need to stop and go on with life as this new normal.

Jim continues to improve and is still in therapy, speech and occupational. He's fallen into somewhat of a routine but gets bored easily. The better he gets the more he realizes all that has transpired. It's hard for him. Depression seeks him out and he fights it. My last prayer request would be to continue to lift him to God for realizing God saved his life for a real purpose. He is having a hard time finding his way and worth in life.

Everyone has been so wonderful, again, I will never be able to thank each life who has touched ours but God knows and I ask him to bless each of you.

We will be moving to a small house the end of this month. This will be a monumental task to sizing down from what we have. It's ok, its all good. I trust we will find the beauty of simplicity of life.

Our kids and grandkids are all doing well and getting on with there lives. I am sure they will be forever impacted by all that has gone on this year. Their faith has grown and their awe of Gods provision thru his people.

If you would like occasional updates, I sometimes post on my personal blog, (http://mariesue.blogspot.com}

God bless you each and every one.

Sue

Moving on

Hi Everyone,

I can't believe we've reached the end of September already and have passed the eighth month milestone since the accident.

We've now been home almost two months and Jim has improved dramatically. He's gained a little weight and moves around well. It's hard to believe he ever wore that awful halo. He still tires easily. He's enjoyed friends stopping by and renewing old times. He continues his therapy and progress. The one therapist is stirring his interest in art and he is beginning to sketch again. The hands don't work as they use to so it is difficult for him. He wants to drive. Some things have to be accomplished first.

We went for what we hope to be his last pension exam and are eagerly awaiting word on the result. This would help in the financial end of things.

We will be moving in about a month to a small home. Life is busy.

Thank you for your continued prayers for my family and all the cards, meals and visits.

Blessings,
Sue

Hi Everyone!

We are in Indy today for a visit to the VA Hospital. Jim had a scheduled appointment for, what we hope to be, an answer to his disability claim upgrade. A positive result would be an answer to prayer towards our financial stability for the future. If I may ask again, please pray with us for God's leading while the doctors and VA Board make a decision.

It wasn't all business here. Jim was very excited to visit, again, with the staff on the floor where he spent 2 months of his recovery. He doesn't have much memory of the accident before our stay in Indy. He does have fond memories of the people who lovingly and skillfully took care of him there. Smiles were all around as Jim gladly showed them his neck, minus the brace.

From there, we went to Steak and Shake for a giant milk shake. Ice cream is his passion. We are spending the night at Kelli's and loving the visit.

I know I don't write much, but life is somewhat a rountine now( this is a blessing) and I don't want to bore you. I recently updated my thoughts on all of this on my personal blog so if you are a glutten for more information on my own journey thru this you will find more entry on mariesue.blogspot.com

Thanks, again for all the comments and encourgement. As we were told from the beginning. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

(Hi, Merri and Dottie in Florida, Helen and Steve in Arizona, Pete and Pam in Florida) Thanks for you love.

Blessings,
Sue

Where are the weeks going? We have been home over a month now. Every day, Jim's memory improves. He was retested this week and has doubled his skills from a month ago.

He enjoys the company he has been getting and loves to talk about what he remembers. He is getting a little bored with the routine of his day and needs something more to do but still tires easily.

I am still trying to adjust. Life is busy even though I am not working outside of the home.

I am praying God will show us a way to use and share all that he has done for us.

God Bless,
Sue

Free at last!

The day has come that Jim has been waiting for. The neck brace has come off! As of today, there is nothing on Jim's body that didn't originally come with it. What a miracle this is.

We went to see Dr Young on Monday and he told Jim he was a miracle. Jim was focused on getting the brace off he didn't grasp the nightmare for which he has returned.

Please celebrate with us and praise God from who all good things come. I also want to publicly thank Dr Young, Dr Culp and all the medical teams, nurses techs support and neurology. Your God given skills and medical wisdom...and caring attitude helped save my husbands life.

Also, Parkview Hospital ICU and their awesome team of nursing staff( Tom, Randy, Linda, Chuck, just to name a few) who helped Jim stay alive during his most critical period. God Bless you.
The wonderful Rehab team at St Joe, Select who helped Jim first learn to walk and talk again. (Andy, Connie, Grace, and his speech therapist. and many more ) You guys should all get paid at the top of your scale. Thank you.
Also, the nursing and rehab staff on the Nursing Care floor and Rehab floor, who saw Jim through his agitated phase. My mind was so lost by then I can't remember all your names but I see your faces and remember your good work. You too, Rhonda. You all took a few blows for the team, literally, so thank you.

In Indy, you guys on the 4th floor Polytrauma unit of the VA, rock!( Can a grandma say that?) Again, there are so many of you I don't want to miss anyone but you know how I feel about you. Laura, Tasha, Mary, Sandy, LeeAnn, Dana, Melody, Darla, Dr Bushbacker, Carlos, Sheri, Vicki, Kathleen. This is where Jims memory begins and he has a special love for each of you. (His girls). You also put up with my much worn down body, mind and emotions. I wouldn't have made it without you. Thank you, thank you.

Finally, Our step home, Hook Rehab. Although we were only there 3 short weeks, this is where Jim learned to start to feel like himself again and gain the final skills to return home. Danielle and all the rest of the rehab helped Jim recall and fine tune his everyday skills enough to return home and try to go on with his life. You are doing a good thing there.

To our new friends at the VA FT Wayne, especially, Diane, speech therapist. Again, we have been blessed with caring and competent people to help us go forward. Thank you.

What a journey. I am tired.

From all the Maley family,

Good night and God bless.

Sue

Another week....

Another week has passed since we returned home and we are settling into a routine. Jim loves being home and in his home. Each day brings back more memories and comfort. He attends speech therapy 3 times a week and will start physical and occupational therapy on Friday.

Monday, we go to the Dr about his neck to see if it has healed. I am asking God for another miracle.

Due to the generosity of a friend from church, I was able to attend the Women of Faith conference last week end. It was a great time of encouragement and joy. God is so good all the time.

Sue

Hi all,

I thought I would give you faithful bloggers a quick update progress report.

We have been home over a week now and slowly finding our way into a new life. Jim is getting reacquainted with our house and yard and quickly realizing how much work can accumulate in six months time.

The first day or two, he insisted we get the weeds our of the front flower beds(not a small task) and out of the patio area. We also cleaned up the deck. The grass needed mowing and although the mower wasn't working, talked his brother into fixing it and mowed the back lawn by himself. He also cleaned some of the patio furniture.

He took it upon himself to do some of the laundry and sweep the living room. Needless to say, he was very tired each day.

Therapy is 3 times a week and starting next week, will add two more therapies. Appointments back in Indy start soon, so this is a busy time.

Although we are so grateful to be home, life has changed in many ways. Many decisions need to be made soon. But we will find our way as God leads.

Home never felt so good.

God bless to all.

Sue

HOME! Finally!

Wow! Does it feel good to be home. The week-end couldn't have gone better. Jim eased back into our new life at home as if he'd never been gone. Of course, life will not be the same as before due to Jim's memory and other changes. But, God will provide a new path for us and with time, we will find our way.

Sunday morning, Jim wanted to go to church to say hello to all his old friends. I knew it would be too much to attend the full hour but we did stop by and he gave lots of hugs to many dear friends.

As I sit here on Monday morning and look around to my house, I am visibly reminded of what 6 months of absence can do to a neglected home. Many things need to be done. Also, I have a ton of paperwork to get processed for Jim. Please pray that my mind will clear and I can focus on one thing at a time.

Jim will start speech therapy in Fort Wayne and many DR appts are ahead, here and in Indy.

We will find our way.

Although I have said this many times, please know I continue to ask God, My Father, to bless each of you for your faithfulness in praying for us and helping us thru this time.

We will probably discontinue the blog sometime soon. If you have any questions you'd like to ask or have anything on your heart for Jim or my family, feel free to write here or you can write me at maleysue@yahoo.com. Also, I have my personal blog for writing and sometimes update on Jim at (mariesue.blogspot.com)

God Bless and love to all,
Sue

Hi Everyone,

I'm sorry I am just updating on Jim's Dr. visit but it's been a busy week and week-end.

We went to see Dr Young on Thursday and he advised us to continue the aspen brace on Jim's neck for another month. Healing is there but not complete. On August 13Th we will obtain a new ct scan to see if completed. If not, surgery may be in the works.

Jim had a great weekend for the most part. Kelli, Shannan and I took him to the Indy Canal and ate lunch overlooking the water. He liked it but did not like the walking. I then took him to Lenscrafter to get his lost glasses replaced. Another miracle thru the hands of generous people. Lenscrafter gave him new glasses and lens for free. I was so overwhelmed with their generosity and willingness to help. Obviously, with neither of us working, this helped a lot.

Jim and I have been given so many wonderful blessings, monetarily and otherwise, at just the right time of need. God is good and so are his people. In the beginning of Jim's accident. Several of you, whom I may never know your names, generously sent funds to help defray living expense cost. I wish I could tell you all how touched I have been by this but if you are one of these kind donaters, please accept our deepest thanks. Others of you have helped in many meaningful ways, again, at just the right time, whether by food, cards, words of encouragement, cleaning my house, mowing the lawn, painting....everything.

May you all be blessed in a mighty way by God the Father.

We are coming to an end of hospital life for now, going home is ahead. So many things have to be addressed my head is spinning, including trying to make a living or finding community or VA funds to help out.

Carving out a new life for Jim, I and our family will be a challenge but God has been so faithful, why should I doubt he will work it out.

As you pray for us, please give praise for all he has done and maybe add an extra prayer for strength for me.

Love to all,
Sue

At last. Home!

The long awaited time is here. Six months and four days of hospitals, rehab and much answered prayer. Jim will be coming home to stay on July 23rd!

We can hardly believe it's going to happen. Much preparation for his homecoming will need to take place in the next week. The kids and I will do all we can to make it a smooth transition. I'm a little nervous, but very happy.

To God be the glory for all He has done. I am asking any of you who have faithfully traveled these last six months with us through this blog or otherwise, to consider writing and speaking your heart if God has used this journey to impact you or someone you know in any way. There are so many encouraging events that have taken place that I know it would encourage many others to have hope in difficult or impossible situations or maybe renew their hope in a faithful God.

You have all been arms of hope for our family. I pray I will someday be able to write down the many ways you were used to answer prayer or get us through a difficult day. When I look back to the beginning of this blog and see all of your responses to our prayer request I am so humbled.

Please join us in celebrating Jim's return home by thanking God for his mercies.

Tomorrow we go to Ft Wayne for a consult on Jim's broken neck. We will find out if it has healed or not.

I will update you then.

Blessings,
Sue

Success and a good time!

Jim went home for the first time on Saturday, in almost 6 months! This day has been a desire and a goal for such a long time it was almost surreal when we walked in the door. My dear husband was all smiles as he went through every room in our house as the memories flooded back. Home...something we all, or most, are privileged to go to everyday, but easy to take for granted when gone.

I quietly whispered thanksgiving as I heard him voice recognition of all that was once so familiar. Leaving the house and going to the back yard, he was in awe of how his plants and trees had grown taller since last year. Looking around to our neighbors, he remembered work he had done the year before on a neighbors house. He wanted to go over to say hello. Our surprised neighbor gave him a big hug and announced he would have more work waiting when he returned. Jim loved the idea.

The rest of the day was filled with family; kids, grand kids, my mom and sister. A good time was had by all.

The dreaded time to leave arrived and we said our goodbyes. Andy, our son, took us back to Indy on time and a very tired Jim seemed full and satisfied with his day. A new day of therapy would start early the next day.

God is so good, all the time.

I just wanted to share this moment with all of you faithful friends, family and prayer warriors.

Sue

It's been a good week for the most part. A few bumps in the road. Jim had his first outing Saturday. We went to Kelli's house in Indy and then just road around and listened to music for awhile. He seemed to enjoy it somewhat but is focused on home.

Saturday we will take him home,to Fort Wayne, for the first time in 6 months. We have a 10 hour pass. He is very happy to be going but not thrilled we have to go back. The kids will come to the house to visit and it will be a low key visit.

Again, please pray all will go well. So much depends on this for future visits.

He has surpassed his goals in therapy and continues to improve. God is so good.

May you all be richly blessed for your kindness to all of us.

Sue

Another week

Well, we have been at Hook for 5 days. It has been an adjustment but everyone has been good to us. Therapy has been stepped up and Jim is busy most of the day. But the weekend is very quiet in comparison, and pretty boring for him. Although, Sunday was fun for him. Steve Korn, an old friend of ours, now living in Arizona, and his sister Linda and his mom, visited with Jim and I. (Hi Helen!. Thank you for all your support) Also, our son Andrew and his family came a little later. Jim loves seeing all of them. He REALLY enjoyed that.

Jim entertained all. It was good to see him laugh.

There are two thing you could all pray for this week. One, Jim should be getting a cat scan of his neck by the end of the week. If it is not healed, surgery may be his last hope. The other is, it is possible he will have his first pass to go out with me on the week-end. This is exciting, but a little scary, too.

I will let you know how it all goes. (Hello to all at the VA, Parkview and St Joe)

Blessings,
Sue

Final move before home!

The move is complete! Our new home is :

Hook Rehabilitation
Community Hospital East
1500 N. Ritter
Indianapolis, Indiana 46219
Room 1444
Jims Phone # 317-355-8444


Jim's nurse, Laura, from the Va hospital delivered Jim to Hook Rehab about 10:30 yesterday. The move went well but unfortunately, it went downhill a little, from there. There were some changes in his routine, as would be expected, and it was upsetting to him. He thought he might just leave, but, of course, that wasn't going to happen. After he calmed down, the rest of the day was quiet and I stayed the night. I left him this morning so he could start his therapy and he seemed OK. Change is hard.

WE hope this is his last stop before returning home in a few weeks. Please continue to pray for his recovery and cooperation with the Dr's.

What a journey this has been. We have been blessed with so many people who have helped and encouraged Jim.

The staff at the VA were nothing short of tremendous. Our hats are off to them and we will be forever grateful. They gave Jim a going away party with cake and ice cream and we took pictures. I will have my guys post them in the near future.

May God have all the glory for what He has done.

Blessings,
Sue