Grandpa and Grandma Johnston

I wanted to post a picture of my parents Ken and Nancy Johnston who have been so generous in taking care of us during the past month. We eat with them, use their computers, mom lets me drive her car, a lot, and I like driving it :), and many other things. They are fabulous!

A Huge Step

Rebekah is so proud of herself! She was able to hold her cup of jello instead of steadying it between her knees. We are all proud of her. While it isn't a firm grip, it is a step in the right direction. Her middle finger is the one not strong enough to make it a firm grip. Her index finger is still useless since it is full of pins. This is a great verse: Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it. We are trusting in God to heal Rebekah and He is doing it! Aren't God's promises just awesome!!

It's Been Four Weeks!

Can you believe it, it has been 4 weeks today since the accident. Abigail is doing great. She still has her cast but the collarbone is healed. Rebekah has also made great strides in her recovery. Her finger and wrist flexibility has greatly improved since last week! We are very pleased. We are really missing daddy and siblings still in Peru. Grandpa and Grandma Stilwell are now back in Peru also. Rebekah has no pain (except when exercising those fingers and wrist) and still has a great attitude. She is doing schoolwork each morning trying to keep up with her studies. The other ladies involved in the accident continue to recover as well.

The skin and underlying tissues were taken from here and placed on the back of her hand. The skin from her thigh was used to cover this site. See the line going down the middle of the round area? That is a tendon. We watch it stretch and relax with exercises!

Most of the stitches are out. She doesn't always enjoy the therapy sessions but remains joyful. The pins in the index finger will be there until our next visit to the surgeon on April 14. He will then let us know when we can head back to Peru.

The palm side of her hand is healing well also. The middle finger is the one that is least flexible because of the tendon damage but it is so much better! Of course the index finger doesn't bend except at the first big joint.

This is Ann our certified hand therapist. She is fantastic. Tender but forceful at the same time. She is also a lot of fun. Today she worked on Rebekah for 2 hours, exercises, measuring swelling and how well the joints bend, removing some stitches and putting on new dressings.

New Hand Pics

Today at the therapy visit they used tweezers to pull off lots of old dead skin that also had scabs and stitches attached. All this came off her middle finger. It has been very difficult to bend but now flexes easier without all that attached to her finger. It wasn't a pleasant process for her. She commented that the tweezers have become her worst enemy :)

We are also doing school while here in Lafayette.

Brief Update

Just a brief update, not much new is happening. Rebekah continues with therapy 3 times a week and many exercises each day. It isn't a pleasant experience but she doesn't require any pain medicine. She is doing some school each day also. We are enjoying our time together and with my parents but missing our family in Peru. On Thursday we will post pictures of her hand 4 weeks after the accident. Seems like a lot longer than that, but it will soon be 4 weeks. Abigail is doing well, her wrap for her collarbone is off and her cast will come off this week sometime we hope. Thanks for all of your prayers.

He is Risen

To all of our dear friends,
We thank you for all your prayers for us over the past 3 weeks. Knowing that God loves us and has the best plan for us has been very comforting. We pray that you all will enjoy celebrating the risen Savior tomorrow.

Flowers from Daddy

Today Rebekah received a bouquet of beautiful spring flowers from her daddy in Peru. Isn't internet wonderful, you can order flowers from 1,000's of miles away. She was thrilled to get the arrangement. It goes well with her pink outfit today. Thanks, Daddy!
PS: He sent mommy flowers this week too!