back to work... sort of

I want to update everyone about how things are going. First, I retired the eye patch about two weeks ago. My vision is back to normal although my left eye is still blood shot. I have had several follow up visits at the doctors who put my face back together. They seem pleased with how things are going. I have four weeks left until I get the braces off and can begin chewing again. Mom has been experimenting with lots of soups, milk shakes and even curry. I really appreciate her and others who have provided variety to my diet. I still fairly weak and probably will not be able to bench 250lbs like I did before the accident (I wish!). I have started back to work in the mornings. Everyone at work has been super supportive. I do not feel like I am contributing much at this point, but I know it will take time. It has been wonderful to see friends at church and Celebrate Recovery. My dad has been looking for a new vehicle for me and handling the car insurance claim. Unbelievably, the car was appraised at $9500, and I originally paid $8900 for it three years ago. Well, that is about it.

I wanted to post a picture of my mug so you all could see that I am healing up quickly and beginning to look like myself again. Mom took me to see the oral surgeon today. She will be replacing the rubber bands on my teeth every 3-4 days. Dr. Thomas Rogers, my oral surgeon, is from Benton, AR and did his residency at Cook County hospital in Chicago. When I went to his office today, I was surprised to see Robin, a friend that I met at the church gym several weeks ago. She works in the office of Dr. Rogers. It continues to amaze me how many people I know that have been involved from the moment of my accident even to my current recovery. Thank you to those of you have called recently.

From Stephen's Mom, Alice,

Thank you all who have prayed and continue to pray for Stephen and our family. God has certainly heard the prayers and given many specific answers. He is faithful and loving and always ready to listen to our cries. I appreciate all that has been done for Stephen and our family during this week. It is hard to imagine that just a week ago Stephen was in ICU waiting for surgery and now he is at home!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for your love and care for him and our entire family. We will continue to keep you posted on his recovery.

Much love and appreciation to you all,
Alice Kauble

Thank You from Stephen

This is Stephen. I have just finished reading the blog that my sister created last week. It was sort of like learning about a week of my life that I never knew. From the time of the accident ntil I was moved to a regular room, I do not recall much of what took place. Today was my first full day back home at my parents' house. Each day seems longer than the previous day. They removed my IV yesterday before I left the hospital. So, my main task today has been to try to get as much fluid in my body by spoon as I was receiving by IV. It did not take long to realize that this will be a real challenge. I have been much more tired as a result of not having the constant flow of nutrients. I have also realized that I get pretty tired if I talk for very long. I guess the muscles in my face are pretty weak. Anyways, I just wanted to let everyone know how I was doing. I am going to try to take it easy until I can begin to get my strength back. More importantly, I wanted to say thank you to my sister and parents and all the friends who have shared their love with me over this past week. God has done a miracle in my body and in my soul during this ordeal. I am grateful for God's protection and for His inner working in my life through this experience. From the moment that I began to regain awareness of what had happened, I have experienced an inner joy and thankfulness that was missing before the accident. I do not know how to explain it, but God ministered to my spirit during those days while I was unaware of what was happening. He has given me a greater appreciation for life and for His love. His Spirit worked through your prayers and presence to touch my body and my spirit. I was blessed with very special nurses, doctors, nurse techs and others I am sure I do not remember. I have become more aware of the pain and aches that we all experience in life which are even deeper than what our mind and body can comprehend. I have been impressed by how God truly sees our pain and cares for us even when we do not know it. My hope is that I will continue to realize and embrace God's unconditional love. I will share one of my favorite verses with you that so speaks to me of God's incredible love. Romans 8:31-32 says "If God is for us, who can be against us. He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things." Thank you again to my family and friends for your prayers and presence and love. I am so blessed.

Love
Stephen

Stephen is getting discharged today. He will be going home later this afternoon after the oral surgeon comes by. Thank you for all your prayers over the past week. It has been a long week and it is hard to believe that a week ago we were called to the hospital and told that Stephen had been in a bad car accident. God has been faithful in answering your prayers and our prayers for Stephen's recovery.

I'm very thankful to have my brother sitting here with me in the hospital room today. He is an awesome big brother. The Lord is faithful and watched out for Stephen. He is steady on his feet. Please continue to pray for Stephen as he continues to recover. It will be about 6 weeks before he can eat regular food. If you have any good ideas as to get Stephen as balanced diet let us know. Right now my mom is suggesting baby food for vegetables...I told Stephen I wouldn't let her feed him that.

Thank you once more and please continue to pray for Stephen. We will still have some updates may not as frequently through.
Thanks
Sarah

Good Afternoon Everyone

We have a praise to start off today's blog. Stephen passed his swallowing test and is eating pudding right now. Thank you to everyone who has prayed for his test. My mom told me last night he was holding his phone up and his mom asked what he was doing. He said that he was trying to take a picture of himself so he could see it

Stephen is helping write today's blog and he would like to say thank you for all your prayers. Stephen says that God is always watching over us.

Thank you again for all your prayers and encouragement. Stephen is enjoying watching basketball this afternoon. Well thats all for now.

thanks again
Sarah and Stephen

Humor...Laughter is the best medicine

Best moment of the day was a phone call. Stephen called his old boss Floyd from Ehles Party Supply and it went a bit like this....
Stephen: Hey Floyd, How are you doing. I can't open my mouth to wide to talk so sorry....I'm doing okay...could you bring me some make-up that would make me look like I've been in a car wreck? followed by a little chuckle...small talk...Floyd asked Stephen if he needed anything and he said well you could you bring me something to put in this bed pan to scare my sister with???....anything else..not right now I think that will be it.
Floyd stopped by tonight with a bag full of goodies that made Stephen's night he said that it was just what he needed---a big light up cup complete with a straw, fake cockroaches, spiders, fake dog poop, and fake vomit. It is a blessing to see my brother's sense of humor back and this time I'll take him trying to scare his little sister and give her a hard time. Bring it on Stephen.

Today was a good day. Stephen got to sit up in the chair. He talked with us and some of you on the phone. He was requesting to call some people. I know it made Larry's day to get Stephen's phone call. He stopped working out changed clothes and came to the hospital. Tonight he may watch the Blues Brothers thanks to Frank. He was very interested in reading or having read to him all the cards that have been sent. He wanted to know who sent what and is very thankful. He says thank you to everyone who has been praying for him and thinking about him.

The ophthalmologist said that internally his eyes looked fine and he had good movement. He thought everything would be okay he said Stephen just needed sometime time to heal.

They repeated the swallow test today and Stephen didn't pass again. They are unsure of why he is having problems, but decided to wait and do a barium swallow test to allow them to see what is causing the problem. Pray that they will be able to do this tomorrow morning and find out what is causing his problem. The speech therapist said it could be a number of things. She said that the swelling could cause problems and they may need to teach him some new ways to swallow. Please lift this up to the Lord tonight and tomorrow. We need to get to the bottom of this so he can begin a liquid diet soon. He has only been recieving IV fluids since Friday. He complains of a dry mouth which is to be expected, but he also needs some nutrition. Pray that they will find the cause and know how to treat it. Pray that they will be able to decide what the next step is in order to help Stephen.

Thank you again everyone for all your prayers
Good Night..Sweet Dreams...and don't let the plastic cockroaches scare you
Sarah

Stephen is sitting in a chair!!! The nurse and nurse aide helped him get out of bed and sit in a chair. My mom is helping him write things down that we have told him so he can remember it later. He is awake and aware of what is going on. We are waiting for the ophthalmologist to come because Stephen is complaining of double vision in his right eye. We pray that this will be resolved soon and we will know what is causing this. Pray that it will be resolved easily and he will be able to see normally very soon. He is talking to my mom right now and she is reading the cards that many of you left and sent for Stephen. She is also telling him about all the people that had come by. Thank you again for all your prayers.

Evening Post
845 Tuesday March 16

Stephen is getting moved to a regular room. Although we will miss the special care that he gets in the ICU this is one step forward in the recovery process. Stephen is awake and understands that he has been in a car accident and that he is in the hospital. He is able to remember most of the things that we tell him. Please continue to pray for him through as this is a hard process and there are still some moments of confusion.

Specific Prayer Needs
1. Praise God for this first step in the recovery process
2. Continue to pray for strength for Stephen as he begins this recovery process and comes to terms with what has happened.
3. Pray specifically that he will pass the swallow test tomorrow so he can begin a liquid diet. He will need to learn to hold a straw again as well as be able to swallow without choking.

Again Please contact one of the family or stop by in the waiting room before going back to see Stephen even through he is being moved to a regular room he still needs his rest and time to fully understand what is going on.

I would like to thank everyone once again for your continued prayers, phone calls, and e-mails. The Lord has held Stephen in the palm of his hands ever since this accident occurred. He has been faithful to answer your prayers and our prayers. The Lord has blessed us with such an amazing support group and there is no way that we can ever thank each and everyone of you for this. I have meet many of Stephen's friends and co-workers in the past 4 days. Stephen truly has a wide influence and has impacted many people. The Lord has a plan for Stephen and He is definitely not finished with him yet. It has touched our hearts to hear all these nice things from people we have never meet, but that know Stephen. It has also been nice to see and hear from those we have know as well. Thank you for sitting in waiting rooms, bringing food or just encouraging words.

I copied and pasted the words of a song that came to mind last night. A friend of my family wrote simple words on my facebook wall last night "his life is in His hands" These words were so encouraging to me and I looked up the words to this song last night and tonight (there are two songs like this). I posted the words of the song below. This song truly reflects the past days for my family and Stephen. The Lord has watched over Stephen in so many ways. He has always been present in our lives and Friday afternoon Stephen was in the Lords hands. I hope these words can minster to you in whatever situation you may be in tonight just as they have ministered to me today.

Life can be so good, Life can be so hard
Never knowing what each day will bring to where you are
Sometimes I forget and sometimes I can't see
That whatever comes my way You'll be with me

My life is in your hands, my heart is in your keeping
I'm never without hope not when my future is with you
My life is in your hands and though I may not see clearly
I will lift my voice and sing cause your love does amazing things
Lord, I know, my life is in your hands

Nothing is for sure, Nothing is for keeps
All I know is that your love will live eternally
So I will find my way, and I will find my peace
Knowing that you'll meet my every need

My life is in your hands, my heart is in your keeping
I'm never without hope not when my future is with you
My life is in your hands and though I may not see clearly
I will lift my voice and sing cause your love does amazing things
Lord, I know, my life is in your hands

When I'm at my weakest, Oh, You carry me
Then I become my strongest, Lord, in Your hands

My life is in your hands and though I may not see clearly
I will lift my voice and sing cause your love does amazing things
Lord, I know, my life is in your hands
I trust you Lord
My life is in your hands

by Kathy Troccoli

Good Morning Everyone

I just wanted to give a brief update this morning. They hope to move Stephen out of the ICU and to a regular room sometime today. Again please call or stop by the waiting room before going back to see him. He is just now waking up from all the medicine he has been on and he is confused and needs to rest. Here are the specific prayer needs this morning:
1. Pray for comfort and peace. Stephen has been confused and is scared. Pray that he will rest and trust in the Lord's perfect peace.
2. Prayer for understanding of whats going on and where he is.
3. Pray for rest

Good evening everyone. I just wanted to post one last update tonight. Stephen is off the ventilator. He came off of it this afternoon. Please lift him up to the Lord for peace and comfort. The sedative medicine has worn off and he has begun to wake up and become more aware. He is confused about what has happened, why he is here, and why he is hooked up to so many things. He doesn't remember the car accident. He has been agitated throughout the afternoon and evening trying to take off stuff not realizing why its there. Early this afternoon he pulled out his pic line.

Specific Prayer Needs:
1. Please pray for strength for Stephen during this time.
2. Please pray for understanding for Stephen, that he will understand whats going on and the doctors, nurses and us are doing their very best for him.
3. Pray that Stephen will rest peacefully.

Thank You once again. God is good and has provided so much. The Lord is was watching over and is watching over Stephen. You guys are amazing friends and family and have been a great support to us. Thank you Thank You.

Good Night
Sarah

They are taking Stephen off the ventilator now. He was able to breath on his own with it still on so they decided to go ahead and take him off it. The oral surgeon will come back later today to wire his jaw shut again because they have to unwire it a little to take out the tube. Again thank you for your prayers. Again please stop by the waiting room or call if you decide to come up. Stephen is in need of lots of rest. We will continue to keep you posted as we know more. Again thanks for all your prayers they mean the world to us.

Stephen is doing well today. He is resting. They hope to get the ventilator tomorrow. If you wish to come up please stop in the waiting room on the 7th floor and look for one of us. Stephen gets anxious when people come in and he needs to rest. So please check with us and don't go straight back to his room. Feel free to call if you are up here my number is 527-1981. Thank you for your prayers and allowing Stephen to get some rest.

Stephen is out of surgery. It went well. They had to wire his jaw shut. They said that it shouldn't be that long and that he will eventually have elastic bands to help stabilize the fractures. He is still on the ventilator but the surgeons say he should come off tomorrow. The eye doctors will be back tomorrow to check his eyes again after he is awake.

Thank you again for all your prayers. It means the world to us to have a support system that lifts us up to the Lord and comes and sits with us at the hospital. The Lord has answered your prayers by having the swelling go down so Stephen could have this surgery today. Please continue to lift Stephen up in your prayers as he has lots of recovery ahead. Thank you again for everything.

Stephen is still in surgery. They just called and said he was doing fine. It should be an hour to an hour and half longer.

They have taken Stephen to surgery. They said it should take 2-3 hours.

Stephen's surgery has been moved to 3.

Stephen is doing good this morning. He looks so much better. He is relaxing. Please pray for surgery today at 2. Thank you again for all your prayers. They are so welcome.

I realized this morning that some of you reading this blog may not know why we have it. Stephen was in a bad car wreck late Friday afternoon. He suffered several facial fractures. He has no brain trauma or other internal injuries. He is currently in the ICU at St. Johns Hospital in Tulsa. He is on the ventilator, as precaution due to the swelling of his face. They plan to remove the ventilator after surgery. He will go to surgery today to fix the fractures of his face and mouth. Please pray for Drs. Rogers and Putman as the work on him today. Please pray for a good recovery this is going to be a long road so pray for strength for Stephen. After surgery today his jaw will be wired shut so his teeth can set.

God is good and has already answered so many prayers. Thank you to our friends and family who have been lifting Stephen up to the Lord. It is a praise that he will have surgery today. The doctors told us Friday night that if the swelling went down enough they would do the surgery today, but if it was down enough they would have to wait til Thursday. Immediately we began calling/texting/e-mailing our friends to pray that his swelling would go down so the surgery would be today. Yesterday morning the Lord answered our prayers...the swelling had gone down enough to have the surgery today. Please keep praying its working and the Lord is answering our prayers and looking out for Stephen.

Thank you to all who have left e-mails/facebook messages/calls etc and came by to see us. Your support means everything to us. On behalf of my parents I want to thank you for friendship and support that you have offered us.

I'll post later today to let you know how surgery went
Thanks
Sarah

Good Evening Everyone
We wanted to come up with an easy way to keep everyone posted on Stephen's status. He is stable right now. The eye doctor came by today and said his eyes were okay, he had normal tracking movements. He will have surgery on his face to fix the fractures tomorrow afternoon. Please keep him in your prayers as you have already been doing. Pray that the surgery will go well and that the Lord will guide the doctor's hands. Pray that he will be able to rest peacefully. Thank you again for all your prayers they mean so much to us.