Andy’s Update May, 28, 2009

Andy’s Update May, 28, 2009

Dear Friends,

Finally!! Just found a moment to get to the computer and send you all an update. I ended up being in Florida for nearly three weeks with my mother whose health continues to deteriorate. My sister is there now and this weekend will be helping my mother move into an assisted living facility for a two-month trial period. I will be returning to Florida sometime next week to help her with the transition.

Andy continues to make progress, but slowly. At this point the rehab center is considering discharging him within the next couple of weeks. He will then be continuing with self-therapy. He does have some significant movement in his arm, but no “use” of the arm yet. No control yet of the hand or wrist. Part of what he is learning in rehab is how to live with one arm. Quite a challenge.

While I was in Florida with my mom, wondering what the future would look like, for her, for me, for Andy, I found my heart crying out to God these words; “What will become of me?” And immediately the reply came, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life and you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever- that, My child, is what will become of you!”

Thanks for your prayers,

Linda

Update on Linda and Andy Brucato

Update on Linda and Andy Brucato (from Steve Thompson, Italy)

Friday, May 22, 2009

We just heard from Linda who gave an update on their situation.

She said that the meeting with the therapist last Monday went very well and that the intensive therapy that Andy is presently doing will finish on June 4. Even though Andy still does not have complete use of his left arm the therapist feels that he has done all he can. Its up to Andy now to work on the exercises in the gym and in the pool that have been given to him by the physical therapist.

This news was a bit of a surprise for both of them, as well as a little confusing, because they were under the impression that physical therapy would last a full 3 months. Andy’s left arm has more movement and he is able to walk on his own without a cane, but he is not yet at the point where he can live autonously and be on his own. Nor can he drive a car yet, although he has been working on it.

Despite all of this both are encouraged and thankful to the Lord for the progress that has been made, confident that God has a plan and in He is at work in their lives.

Linda asked prayer for what will take place after June 4. They need wisdom and strength as they to continue the therapy on their own, outside of the clinic, as well as for what lies ahead.

As far as Linda’s Mother is concerned, Linda and her sister need to make some decisions about her care, since she is still very weak and cannot live on her own. As you know Linda’s Mother is in Florida, Linda’s sister lives in Tennessee, and Andy and Linda are in Chicago.Pray especially for Linda during this time, that she would have the physical and emotional strength to handle both of these difficult situations, and that she would find perfect peace in our loving Lord. Pray for encouragement for both Linda and Andy.

Steve

Update from Linda Brucato

Dear Friends,

I want to update all of you on our lives. Yesterday I (Linda) returned to Chicago from Florida. After my last update my mother’s situation worsened and she returned to the hospital. I had to cancel my tickets to return to Chicago on May 4, and finally yesterday I was able to leave. My mother was dismissed from the hospital on May 5 and is pretty weak. My sister was able to come back to be with her so I could get back to Andy in Chicago. We don’t know how long my mother has to live or how best we can take care of her. I will possibly have to return to Florida in two weeks when my sister has to leave.
The good news is that Andy is making progress in his rehabilitation. Monday I go with him to his therapy appointment to talk with them about what is being planned in the coming weeks and months. I do know they are preparing Andy to be able to drive a car and he is doing water therapy. We need to understand how long they think his therapy will take. We are taking each day at a time. Each day we are content in the Lord with what He gives us - He will take care of all the tomorrows.
Thanks for praying for us, and upholding us in prayer.

Linda

An Update on Andy and Linda Brucato by Ester

An Update from Ester Montfalcone who works with the Brucatos in Bologna. Ester wrote this update after her conversation on the phone with Linda:

We need to pray for Linda. She is in Florida looking after her mother who had surgery during the Easter break and is recovering from that. She has breathing problems and is also fighting an infection which causes her fever. Linda's mother is 80 years old. She is very weak and at this point it looks unlikely that she'll be able to be independent again.
On the other hand, Andy is missing Linda a lot and in the past few days he has not been doing that well.
Linda has a return ticket from Florida to Chicago for next Monday but at this point she cannot even think of leaving her mother alone. They need to find a solution for her to be looked after and this is very difficult to do.
Linda was saying how it looks like black clouds are getting closer and closer and she is being pushed in a corner. Nevertheless, she finds encouragement in God's Word and trusts Him for His intervention at the right time. He knows our situations and takes care of us. We know God is in control
Let's pray that:
God will heal Linda's mother and that she'll be able to be independent again;
that in the next few days, the doctors will have clear and good advice for her concerning the future;
that Linda's family will have wisdom in the decisions they have to make;
that Andy will be encouraged during Linda's absence and will continue to make progress.

Ester