Joy comes in the morning...

December 2, 2023

This statement from Psalm 30 is ringing very true this morning. 

Discharge from Brooks happened as planned, and we were given such a warm and loving send off by the therapy & nursing staff, which included a blue ribbon and a certificate of accomplishment signed by her care team. Many cheers of celebration filled the corridor, and of course we all had tears caused by gladness & sadness. It was time to leave, but difficult to say goodbye. It felt like departing from family.

Rachel did great on the ride towards home (even though holiday traffic made the trip nearly twice as long as usual). I believe she really enjoyed gazing out the window and feeling the various textures within her reach. We have been back in Port Orange, FL since Wednesday 11/22/23, and staying in temporary housing (more about this residence below) while adaptions to our home are being completed. 

Thanksgiving Day was very special and the loved shared with our children (and Granddaughter) was exactly what we needed. There are not words to adequately describe what we all felt as Rachel held Vella.

The days following the holiday were challenging. We were all a little overwhelmed as we sought to be attentive to Rachel’s emotional and relational needs, while developing & revising a nutrition, medication, hygiene and sleep schedule that had more of an “at home” feel than the regiment of a hospital stay. 

Now, we have reached a more natural rhythm, which includes time to be outside by the water (again, I will say more about our riverside accommodations). We take advantage of the opportunities we have for integrating creative activities to improve her ADL skills (Activities of Daily Living), and we have plenty of safe “at home” therapy, so we don’t lose any momentum. By the end of each day, we are ready for a much earned rest. We certainly experience moments of weeping in the evening and night, in large part due to the difficulty communicating or just from being so exhausted….but “joy comes in the morning!”

Rachel will be going to regular outpatient therapy beginning Monday 12/4 at the Brooks Rehab facility within Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach. We will have multiple session per week. Each day will not have the same intensity as her inpatient schedule, however, we anticipate it will take significant effort to prepare, transport to the clinic, be in session, and then return. Please pray for our physical, emotional and spiritual strength!

Now regarding our present accommodations….

We are so thankful to be staying in a residence that is graciously provided by a family who have intentionally set the home apart as a space for healing hospitality. The Hospitality House at 1228 has been dedicated to be used a space to enable comfort, peace, recreation & restoration of the soul.A few years ago, Rachel and I were privileged to share sacred times of dreaming, believing & praying with this couple, together we asked God to provide this home for this specific purpose. About a month and a half later, they purchased the home and we began renovating it toward this vision. We had no idea back then that WE would be in need and be among the many who have been blessed to stay here. (I captured the photo attached to this journal entry on the second morning after we arrived!)

The New Testament is very clear…“always be eager to show hospitality.”(Romans 12:13) This radical & generous love demonstrated toward “strangers” (philoxenia) comes straight from the heart of God. Our family feels extremely blessed to be recipients of such a gift of love. 

If you are interested in learning more and/or would like to inquire about being involved with “Hospitality House at 1228”, you are invited to email the team at…hospitalityhouse1228@gmail.com

There have been many uplifting experiences already, and the team looks ahead with great anticipation for many more.

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Finally, I close this update with a short list of specifics….

1. We have observed small changes with Rachel’s eyes. It appears she is able to focus more quickly and reaches for objects more accurately. She still answers “yes” to seeing double.

2. Every day we discover something new or different that encourages us. This helps to confirm that transitioning to this setting (and very soon to our home) was the right decision and is best for Rachel’s recovery. 

3. At our last Doctor’s consultation before discharge, we were advised that we should allow for 1.5 to 2 years of incremental improvement before Rachel’s status should be considered a “new baseline”.

Through this process, we really have not been concerned with a “timeline” and have intentionally avoided asking those types of questions. There isn’t any predictive measure or prognosis that would change how we approach each day. We have sought to be unattached to expected outcomes. It is quite simply out of “any human hands” or anyone’s control. 

We find our rest in the daily grace from God, and have prayed, and will continue to plead, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

We cherish the part you all have played on this journey with us. Your thoughts and prayers are as valued now, as much as in the past many weeks/months. Thank you!

Blessings,

Jeremy