Andy’s Update April 14, 2009

Andy’s Update April 14, 2009

Dear Friends,

We’re here!!! We arrived in Chicago safe and sound on Sunday afternoon and were greeted at the airport by our dear son Mark! There were lots of tears of joy on all sides. We have settled in comfortably in our little furnished apartment here at TEAM’s headquarters in Wheaton. Tomorrow Andy has his first doctor’s appointment and hopefully will soon get into a rehab program. But today, we had a real encouragement- Andy was able to move his forearm enough to actually beat me in arm wrestling!!! And yesterday evening we got the first ever movement in his hand!

One really great thing about Ioss is how you learn to appreciate the things you once took for granted. I don’t think we will ever forget the excitement of seeing Andy move a limb that formerly was totally paralyzed; at least I hope we won’t forget. How many other things have I already forgotten? How many other blessings are now commonplace? One thing is for sure; I will never again pass a wheel chair without “seeing” it and without compassion for the one sitting in it and without gratitude that my Andy is not in it.

On Easter day as we were arriving, my mother was taken by ambulance to the hospital in West Palm Beach with respiratory difficulties. It appears that she has congestive heart failure. She is stable at the moment, but I am prepared to fly down there if needed. I am grateful that I am here at this time. Isn’t it just like the Lord to bring me home at such a time!

Thanks to each of you for your prayers and encouragement. Many of you have written and expressed your appreciation for our updates, which is why I continue to write them. I am humbled by your care and concern.

Much love,

Andy and Linda