JoY in the Midst

Travis had an important swallow study

on Thursday, December 19th

(the day before Lynna's birthday). 

He and his therapists were REALLY needing

to see improvement in order for their

intensive therapy to continue. 

 

We prayed and prayed and asked our many,

many faithful prayer warriors to do the same.

"I entreated Your favor with my whole heart;

Be merciful to me according to Your word."

Psalm 119:58

 

And guess what???

God DID show favor on these results!!!

We are overwhelmed with JOY

and gratefulness to God!!!

 

Last year's test at this time

showed that Travis could begin eating

pureed foods minimally although

he was still aspirating with almost

every swallow (by the ABSOLUTE

grace of God he did not get sick

from this all year long). 

THIS year during the test,

Travis only aspirated ONCE!!!

 

There is a lot of improvement with

everything having to do with swallowing.

His therapists at Hillcrest, Kristen

and Holly, are absolutely amazing.

Truly sent from God!!!

Also having a doctor in town with the

skill and willingness to try procedures

on Travis is just huge!!!  In fact,

he will again perform another

procedure on Travis to help his

esophagus and another muscle in his

vocal chords.  There is of course

still so much work to be done...

it's not like he can just "eat" and "drink" yet,

but we have IMPROVEMENT!!!!!!

Travis needed this so desperately as

did his therapists and his MAMA ~

especially for her birthday!

 

One thing that I've truly learned is that

God is ALWAYS at work in our lives...

in little and  in big ways. 

I think back to our very first swallow

study at Hillcrest with Kristen and Holly.

Lynna and I had never seen nor heard

of them.  We pulled them aside and

in tears begged them to say something,

ANYthing positive during the test. 

It was like two angels appeared out

of nowhere and thus began our

journey with them.  Then a friend

from high school suggested I contact

an expert she met in the field of speech

therapy at a conference.  I did and this

woman jumped on board and works

hand in hand with Kristen and Holly

even though this woman travels/lives

all over the world.  Then Dr. Holland,

right here in Waco, being so

willing and hopeful from a DOCTOR's

standpoint!!!  That was a first!

Our precious friend Claudette

who helps make pureed foods for

Travis ~ which is a JOB!

And my dear, precious 75 year old

mother who takes Travis to Hillcrest

three times a week.  Wow!!!

So many ANGELS.....

 

This journey is far from over

and nobody can imagine how hard

it is to walk in the shoes of Travis,

Lynna, Hunter or Scott ~ but

one thing is certain:

God is at work in our lives through

everything!!!  Thank you, Lord!

All glory to God for showing

favor on Travis and these results!!!

 

This is true JoY!!!