May 11: Stages of Recovery
Sunday, May 11th, 2008Today was Dorothy’s first day back to church. The thought of seeing so many people she knows was a bit overwhelming, Consequently, we slipped in a side door and sat in the back. The whole event was still mildly traumatic and emotional.
She’s been progressing well - lots of physical healing has taken place. Always a person who rises to a challenge, Dorothy consistently pushes herself to do and accomplish more. That usually leads to a seriously swollen leg or a period of “resting her eyes”.
Her outpatient therapy has resulted in a greater confidence (not just in her, but in me) about what she can do. She has ventured several times to sit in the backyard or read a magazine on the porch.
Shawna (our daughter) took her to get her hair cut and styled as a Mother’s Day surprise on Friday. Dorothy was very grateful, and finds her hair easier to take care of. She is very conscious of her appearance, which only adds to her social anxiety.
If you’d like to pray for her, please pray that God will continue to heal the damage to her brain. She suffered significant brain trauma, and deals with everything from loss of memory to an inability to do many things that were once very simple. In her words, “I just want to be normal again.”
If you’d like to write a short message to Dorothy, this is the place. We’re reading your notes of encouragement to her, knowing soon she’ll be able to read them on her own.