March 6th

Tom was doing much better with his speech today.  He went home in the afternoon.  He was tired and confused, but those issues are similar to the last time he had a surgery, so we are assuming he will be OK in a few days, as he was before.   Pray for good rest for Tom.

We are very thankful for the amazing doctors and nurse staff at Loyola.  Bryan said it was in some ways "comforting" to be back in his Dad's old room at Loyola, because they had spent so much time there this past summer.  What a difference to have Tom awake and able to make his own memories there this time!  Bryan's mom was able to catch up with some of his past nurses as well.

Please continue to pray for Tom as he recovers from the procedure.  Please pray for Nancy as she cares for him.  He has come so far, it is hard when there are steps backwards.  Pray for continued progress and hope.

Praising God that all the scans looked great and he is doing well.

Thanks as always for praying for us,

Brenna

March 5th

It has been a LONG day.

The angiogram at 10 seemed to go well.  However, as he was recovering Bryan said that Tom was having speech problems.  The doctors were concerned that he had another stroke, or that the dye that was injected to take the images of the vessels in his brain was having a bad side effect.  So, Tom was given a second angiogram around 3.

The second angiogram went well, and showed no signs of a stroke.  Tom still has speech issues, "speech aphasia," which is somewhat common with stroke victims, but not for him before today. 

Tom is staying overnight tonight for observation.  As only God could plan it, he is staying in the same ICU room he did when he was in a coma in July! The doctors do not know what is causing this aphasia, but they are 99% sure it is not another stroke.

Tom is doing very well.  He is frustrated with his speech, but overall doing well, and I guess was pretty hungry after the long day.

Praise God for the great nursing staff and that all of his doctors were there today.  Praise God it is not another stroke!

Praise God that he is in the best place under the best care possible tonight.  Please pray for rest for Tom, Nancy, and Bryan.

Please pray for some answers to the speech aphasia.  We are really hoping it will "wear off" tomorrow!

Thanks for your prayers,

Brenna

March 4, 2012

Thank you for praying for Tom's cataract surgery in the end of January.  I realized I never updated that it went well, and he is seeing much better.  He is to follow up with a regular eye doctor at some point to see if his prescription changed, but as for now, it is a lot better.

Tom started therapy at a new facility a few weeks ago.  He has therapy 3 days a week, but not as long as before.  So far, it is going well, and they enjoy the new therapists and the close drive.  Please continue to pray for progress for Tom.

Tomorrow, Monday March 5, Tom will have an angiogram performed at Loyola at 9 AM.  The doctor that placed the coil (that repaired the aneursym) will be performing the procedure.  They will shoot dye into the vessels in his brain, to see how they look, and I assume see how the coil and shunt are doing.  There are always some risks with procedures like this, so please pray for wisdom for the doctors.  Also pray for a smooth and quick recovery for Tom.

Thank you for your prayers,

Brenna

January 24

Tom celebrated his 66 birthday today.  He received emails, cards, and even a visit from some of his Nantom employees of the past 20 years or so.  Thank you all for your kind words -- they were appreciated!  What a blessing for him to see all those whom he has impacted over the past 2 decades (and more). 

Please pray for his eye surgery tomorrow at 11.  It is a pretty routine surgery that will restore vision to his left eye.  (and give him perfect vision at that!)

Please pray for no complications and for a quick recovery.

Thanks so much for the prayers!  Rejoicing in the miracle of Tom's life today!

Brenna

January 17

Yesterday was the 6 month anniversary of Tom's aneurysm.  It is hard to believe it was only 6 months.  And still amazing how far he has come since last July.

Tom's cataract surgery was re-scheduled for Wednesday January 25th.  Please pray for no complications to hold up the surgery this time, for wisdom for the doctors, and for a smooth recovery with no complications.

Please also pray that he will be able to start his next 2 months of therapy soon after the surgery.  Please pray that he will understand his need for it and not be resistant.

Tom's 66th birthday is Tuesday January 24th.  Please pray for a good day for him :)

Thanks for praying,

Brenna

January 11

Tom's surgery was rescheduled for January 25th.

Please continue to pray for hope and peace as they wait 2 weeks.

Thanks for your prayers,

Brenna

January 10

Tom finished his therapy at the Homewood facility.  The therapists recommended for him to continue 8 more weeks of therapy at a facility that is close to home.  Please pray for the transition to this new place.  He does not understand why he is changing therapists at this point, and is frustrated.  He has made progress, but the time at this place has ended.

He will be having cataract surgery on his left eye on Wednesday morning.  It is a pretty common procedure, which will result in his vision being perfect in his left eye.  He has not seen clearly out of that eye since the aneurysm, so we are excited for his vision to restored, and be even better than before!

Please pray for a smooth surgery and smooth recovery.  Because of the brain injury, surgeries can set him back a bit.  Please pray for the recovery to be quick, and for the improvement in vision to give him hope for getting back to normal soon.  Pray for Nancy as she cares for him.

Thanks again for praying with us,

Brenna