Brett Cole update as of Sunday April 15, 2007
Dear friends and family:
We attended church as a family Easter Sunday and Brett had a fairly good day except for an occasional pain spike. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were bad days with a lot of disruptive pain and lack of sleep.
Despite several rough pain days, Brett had a major breakthrough this week. On Thursday he drove his truck for the first time. Not only that, he was pulling a trailer with a motorcycle up highway 25 on the way to the motorcycle shop at 29 dreams. Of course, Coleen was with him and carefully watching his every move. He apparently did very well!
Earlier in the week the family visited with a psychologist and he agreed that Brett is doing remarkably well. The rest of us seem to be coping also. There is no clinical correct way to deal with the loss of a limb. The doctor encouraged us and others to treat Brett just the way we always have. We should recognize that his arm is gone and then focus on the person. He agreed that Brett's biggest challenge is pain management. He suggested a session on relaxation therapy and the use of a mirror box as an alternative method to treat the phantom pain.
Brett had two sessions this week with the physical therapist at Lakeshore. He seems to respond very well to these sessions and we think the exercises help with the pain management. We are encouraged that Brett has muscle control in his pectorals and upper back that allows him to shrug his shoulder and flex some of the deeper muscles in his injured area.
On Friday, Brett began sleeping back in his room. Coleen stayed close by in a trundle bed. This is big step forward as he begins his journey towards independence. Brett continues to demonstrate his commitment to doing things on his own. We worked on a motorcycle on Wednesday and he insisted on doing most of the work himself. I am his helper and he fusses at me like an inept shop hand when I don't do things exactly his way!
I forgot to share an incident from several weeks ago. Brett wanted to run the motorcycles that had not been started in over a month of inactivity. I left him alone for about 15 minutes as he rolled the bikes into the driveway and started them up. We heard the bike engines but did not realize that he had gotten on them and was apparently riding around in circles in the driveway. He said he let the idle speed carry him around as he eased out on the clutch.
It is amazing how we can go from highs to lows. Brett's progress encourages us but his pain can quickly put a damper on things. We praise God that he is allowing Brett to improve and giving him the strength to fight through the pain. We return for the second nerve block on Monday at 2:00. I am praying that this injection will give more relief and allow Brett to reduce his intake of other medicine.
We continue to be thankful and grateful for the calls, cards and concerns expressed toward Brett and the family.
Our prayer requests are:
- Elimination of the "phantom" pain
- Pray that the nerve block on Monday lasts
- Physical, mental, emotional and spiritual strength for our family
Note: You can visit or subscribe to Brett's blog at http://brettcole.blogspot.com and provide comments or words of inspiration as appropriate.
===============================================================
Post from Coleen:
I am constantly amazed at this young man that God has blessed us with!
He refuses to let his injury stop him. He says that it has only slowed him down A LITTLE and only in a few areas. He was born with a strong will and much determination. Not many things will be a difficult challenge for him. Thank God for that!
The owners of the motorcycle resort 29 Dreams, David, and I are having a birthday party for Brett on May 6th, Sunday, from 6:00 pm until 7:00 or 7:30 at 29 Dreams (www.29dreams.com/). Brett turns 18. We are encouraging all his friends and family to attend. Please let me know if you plan on coming so that we can get a head count. You can contact me at Hotdog0959@aol.com.
You have all been so gracious with your prayers, calls, visits, letters, email, cards, meals, gifts, etc. Thank you all so much for all of them!
Of course, our first concern is for Brett's spiritual health. I find myself praying that Brett will allow God to use him in the way that He plans. Also, please pray for David, Stacey, and me as we seek God's will in our lives through this experience.
I can tell you as a mom that this is the hardest thing I have ever had to face. This is not one of things that you can put a band aid on, kiss it better, and it is over. I feel so helpless when the phantom pains strike him. It breaks my heart to know that there is nothing we can do for him. But we do know that because God is in control, Brett will continue to heal and the pains will go away. We are also trusting God that Brett will, in the not too distant future, be able to get a prosthetic arm that will do everything he needs and wants it to.
Again, thank you all for being there for us. God Bless you all!
No comments:
Post a Comment