Bruce_Arens's Xanga

Marked improvement/ More Pain/ Grandparents!!

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 20:12:44 GMT

Hello

Hope you all are doing good. Wanted to let you know that the special x-ray on Bruce's leg in January was good. We were told there was "Marked Improvement". So he has started Physical Therapy the last two weeks and is experiencing lots of pain. It has been over 10 months now. Here's out family pic from Christmas. You can't tell but there is an addition coming to the family in August, Erin is expecting!!!!!!!!!! : )

200 Days and many more to go!

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 21:17:04 GMT

It is hard to believe we have been on this journey so long and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight yet. I haven't written because things haven't improved but seem worse.

Bruce went in for a check up a few weeks ago because he was still having lots of pain in his leg. The doctor sent him for a test to see what level of healing has taken place. The test came back that in one small area there has been healing and the rest.... no healing. the bones in his left leg are still the same, lined up really nice but no calcium build up in the breaks. They think that is due to some nerve damage so they have given bruce a bone stimulater to wear around his leg that sends out impulses (that I can hear and he can't hear them, but I am the one with tested hearing loss. I guess it is a frequency I can hear)

the week we found out his leg wasn't healing and it was going to be much longer before he could return to work so they would have to fill his job, Bruce's spirits were very down. I couldn't seem to encourage him. He is tired of many things not working right and he is still having pain daily. I came up with the bright idea that we travel to vermont to visit his folks at the peak of the leaf season so that is where we are!!!!

we are having a great time and his folks are really enjoying us. He looks so much better than when they last saw him in mid june.

I have figured out that God wants to refine us much more and wants this trial to continue. Bruce really wishes I would learn whatever God wants to teach me so he can get better.

Since we are doing somewhat better, I thought I could post something on this site. I will try harder to keep you all posted

Peggy

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 18:32:02 GMT

We are still here, just haven't gotten on this site in forever.

August 31st marks 5 months for us. This past month has been hard. I've had more headaches, making me irritable, which makes Bruce irritable. We are having a good day today tho. I am trying hard to seek peace and pursue it, which means keeping quiet when I feel like fussing about something. keep praying for us, we need it.

Bruce is doing PT at the hospital 3 times a week. He is learning to walk with a cane. His pain level has risen with all the therapy. He is taking new meds to help with the pain. They are making him feel weird but he doesn't hurt so much.

Erin & Daniel are moving to Greensboro in Sep. Sure glad it isn't Dallas, the other place he interviewed. Matthew is back to college and enjoying being in an apartment this year.

Friday, August 03, 2007

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 22:10:26 GMT

Hello everyone

Haven't written in awhile. Bruce has had a couple miserable weeks. Bladder infection makes him feel rough, then the medicine to fix it makes him feel worse. so that's how the last couple weeks have gone. He has a week to go on this medicine.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 11:51:19 GMT

Hello Friends

Bruce got the go ahead to put some weight on his left leg. He has been walking around with his walker putting a little weight on it. It hasn't been hurting so he gingerly keeps going. We have had several outings this past week and he is getting around really good.

The doctor is going to set up some physical therapy at the hospital here in town to help get his back and leg strengthened. It has been great seeing him stand.

Friday, July 13, 2007

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 20:38:50 GMT

We have an appt with a leg doc on Monday. Things should start rolling soon now. I can hardly wait to see him walk! It will be a little slow I know but we are both ready for some improvement

We have had a great week with Matthew. He did great at Army ROTC leadership training, even graduated with honors. He has lots of stories and we haven't tired of hearing them yet.

Bruce is feeling rough this week, he is on an antibiotic again and it makes him feel yucky.

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:41:44 GMT

The Neurosurgeon in Goldsboro says the x-rays look good and he can stop wearing the back brace, hallelujah!!

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 21:15:27 GMT

Happy 4th of July to you all!!

We are doing good. We go Thursday to see the Neurosurgeon in Goldsboro for the first time. Hoping for a good report on his back. Bruce would love to say goodbye to his back brace. It has been three months and that is how long we were told he would need the brace. He has had more aches and pains lately but we are backing off on the medication.

Trying to get an appt with the leg doc in town as soon as we get some records transferred over here. He should start physical therapy on his left leg as soon as they say he can bare weight on it. From what we have heard from other doctors, that should be soon.

Matthew has completed the Army ROTC training. He has passed their requirements. He has the 4th off, cleans the next two days, and Sunday he flies home.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 16:16:18 GMT

Hello, We are doing really good. We are having a good week. Bruce is a little weaker after having a hard week last week. His spirits are up today and he is feeling good. Had a visit with part of the Bos family today and really enjoyed them. I went to the movies with Mary, Steve and Anna Monday and saw "Evan Almighty", it was funny.

We have heard from Matthew at the Army ROTC Leadership training. He is doing great and holding up really good. He sounds like he is really enjoying the challenge of it. He heads home July 8th.

Thanks for checking on us. : )

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 17:39:06 GMT

Hello,

thought I'd catch you up on our week. We have had some hard days, getting a little tired of this hardship, think we've had enough, hoped he'd be better by now, but we are still in the thick of it. I wrote a friend the other night that we needed prayer. The next day she sent me the last verse of John 16....vs 33

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

The night before we had read John 15 &16 so that seemed really neat that our focus was returned to that verse. Later in the day we were flipping channels and stopped on a preacher. In the first few seconds he read that same verse. We can have peace through Jesus in any trouble!!!!! Our day was much better. God sent encouragement to us in many ways. We are hanging in there. This afternoon was rough and he isn't feeling too good right now. He will be ok in a little while until he isn't again. But we can have peace in Him!!

Hope you all are doing good Peggy