Hello everyone!I am home.
I arrived on Tuesday afternoon at 2 pm.The trip was good and everything went well, but it was tiring..
I have to tell you that I had a glorious welcome. On my farewell party in VA someone prayed that I would have a glorious welcome and that prayer was really answered.
My mom and friends where waiting for me and when I arrived they were singing to me and welcoming me with flowers and lots of hugs. After that we all went to my aunt’s house and had some time to fellowship there.
My sisters in Christ made a lot of food (and a special cake). It was great to see my sister, niece and newborn nephew, they are so sweet.
Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I arrived and I am resting and adjusting to the 6 hour time difference.
I called Vedat at the hospital and he was doing well. I told him that I am home and he was not sad. I am thankful for that.
When we were finishing the conversation, we prayed as I always try to do with him, and I told him to pray for me as I would like to go and visit his mom and brothers, and he did. He prayed that I would go to visit them and talk to his mom and brothers about God.That was very special. It is an honor to hear him say that because that is God’s work in his life and I was allowed to see it.
I also spoke with the nurses there, and they said that he is doing well but that they often need to push him to do things. But when they do, he responds.
Some people are planing to make a trip there to see him and I know that he will like that a lot.
My host mom from Chicago is planing to visit him on Monday and she is planning to take the computer with her so that I can see Vedat on the web cam and talk to him over the computer.
I am looking forward to that.
As I already said, I am plugging into life here and trying to rest before I make any decisions about the next step in my life.
I just want to tell you how much I appreciate you and how thankful Iam for the amazing experience that God gave me in the past 14 months. It was amazing to be with you and learn so much from you.
I am very blessed and am sharing that with my family and Church. That is just great. You are close in my heart and I am missing you, but in the same time I am happy that I am home.
I would like to ask for prayer for Vedat and me, for I am trying to establish a good way to communicate with him and minister to him and his family over the phone.
We are also continuing to pray for his complete healing, he told me that there are some improvements with his legs and that is great. Praise God!
And please pray for a new roommate as right now he doesn’t have one.. I think that that is very good for Vedat to have a roommate, his old one just left for home.
Please pray for all the people planning to visit Vedat that they would be a sweet aroma of Jesus to him and that it would be a blessing for both Vedat and them.
And please pray for me as I have a lot of thoughts ahead of me, and as I am praying to see what will my “next mission” be. There are some job offers and I would like to take them, but there are also other options and some of them I still don’t know. I would like to be flexible so that I can still be in Vedat’s life (especially to be able to visit his family this summer..) and meet with him when he comes back to Croatia, before he goes home..
OK, here are some pictures and I send you lots of love from my country, church and family.
Be blessed!
My dear mom with tears in her eyes when she saw me
Brothers and sisters in Christ, they are holding the balloons with the “We love you” written on them and they had a lot of flowers for me.
As I was coming out of those gates they have started to sing a song that says: “I am singing all the glory to my God..” It was beautiful, people where turning to see what is going on..
This is at my aunts house-my sisters singing a song to me that was writen by them just for my welcome and me - that was very special
Anita, another dear sister
And finally my sweet niece and nephew
Hello,
Here we are at Sunday night, the day before my trip home to Croatia. It was a very busy week with a lot of joy and sorrow. I enjoyed spending my last minutes here with dear friends and people that have really become my family.
I leave tomorrow afternoon and will arrive in Zagreb on Tuesday afternoon after visiting the Frankfort Airport for five hours. My Mom, friends and family are very excited that I am returning home and that day is finally here.
I have talked with Vedat several times this week. He had his halo removed on Tuesday and he got a new brace. The halo procedure was not painful, but he did complain about getting use to the new brace. For the first time since the surgery, his neck muscles have to support his head, and they are a little sore getting used to working again.
Today, my former host family in Chicago visited with Vedat, and he was very happy to see them. They said that he is doing very good. He went out to the playground with them, played ping pong with them, and enjoyed some fellowship as weekends get quiet compared to the week’s daily schedule.
Thank you all who have been faithfully with us through this process of prayer and transition in Vedat’s and my life. The guardianship has been transferred to Pastor Bill Hatcher and the host family in Virginia when Vedat returns from the hospital will be Steven and Susan McCarthy.
God has provided the McCarthy family. They have been praying for us since we met them in January. They have been praying for guidance as to how they may be able to minister to both Vedat and me, and they now know clearly that God is calling them in this direction. I am very thankful for their desire to serve the Lord in this way as I can relate to the big decision that they had to make to accept this calling.
They are praying that they will be able to begin to build a relationship with Vedat before he comes to Virginia to stay with them. They will be traveling to Chicago a few times before the end of July, and they want to learn as much as they can about Vedat and his needs. They pray for God’s wisdom as they make decisions regarding Vedat and the time he will spend with them prior to returning to his home in Serbia. They pray that God will enable them to help Vedat transition from his life here in Virginia and Chicago to life back home.
For all who want to contact Vedat by phone or mail, please contact the McCarthy family and they will provide that information. Their telephone number is in the Church Directory.
Please continue to pray for Vedat’s complete healing from the surgery and for the transition taking place in his life with my physical absence and the entrance of the McCarthy family. Please pray for my trip home and reunion with my family and church.
I have a gift from Vedat for his Mom which I hope to take to her this summer and meet her and his family for the first time. This is a very important opportunity to share first hand with them what Vedat experienced in the past year and to get to know what his situation at home will be like. Please pray for that visit as what I learn there may have major impact on preparations for Vedat to go home and how I might be able to minister to him and to his family once he is back home. I know that my ministry to him is not over. Please pray for wisdom for me as I am making plans for my life and ministry.
It has been a very special blessing to serve Jesus in this way and to be a part of God’s plans for Vedat. Thank you for becoming my extended family and supporting me in this mission of service to the Lord.
Even though I am going far away, I plan to keep you informed of developments through this blog. I will miss you and will pray to be able to see you again.
Many blessings and love.
Finally the halo is gone! This is the new brace with the chin rest.
Hello,
Today, I arrived in Virginia, and I am staying with the Olsons. It is so good to be here in the place where I made so many friends.
I have already talked with Vedat today, and he is doing really good. He was playing a video game with the resident doctor and was rushing to get off of the phone with me to get back to the game.
My last visit with him was on Thursday when we went shopping with Morgan and Liam (the children of my host family) and the two Child Life Care people who are Vedat’s close friends and who have worked with Vedat since he has been in the hospital. We had a very fun time and great success in finding the things that we were looking for.
We were looking for sneakers and we were in a shoe store. We found some “fancy” sneakers, shiny style, and Vedat couldn’t decide which color to get. So, finally, the big decision came down to get a pair of sneakers and a pair of sandals or two pair of sneakers of different colors. The Child Life Care guy helped me decide that we should go for the two pair of sneakers.
When Vedat heard that we decided to get him both pair of sneakers, he was so excited. He asked the Child Life Care guy to lean over as if Vedat is going to whisper some secret to him. And then Vedat gave him a BIG kiss on the cheek! I was so pleased to see that bond between Vedat and his therapist, and in the moment of this great excitement, he chose to share that excitement with the therapist instead of me.
I was so thankful that the Child Life Care folks were with us as they were really helpful in picking out the things that will be useful for this next period of Vedat’s therapy and stay in the hospital.
I regret that I forgot to carry the camera with me so that I could record this moment for you guys to see.
That same day was the first time that I saw Vedat’s new wheelchair. He was proud to present its exciting features which include lights on the front wheels. These lights flash brightly blue and red when he pushes himself along. The wheel chair is designed in a way that he must push himself as it has no hand holds for someone to push him. His having to push himself along is a big part of this therapy in getting stronger and being independent. This is where his older roommate’s handling of his wheelchair challenges Vedat to imitate him, expand his capability and be “cool” like his friend.
Another special thing that happened was when Vedat got a present for his Mom. He had been saving his money for that purpose, and he found a nice watch and a ring for his Mom. I was very thankful that Vedat gave me those presents as he and I are both hoping that I will be able to see his Mom soon. It is great to see that he is excited about the idea of me meeting his Mom and brothers for the first time.
As we finished with our outdoor trip, the last desire that Vedat had was fulfilled in our dinner together where he had “what?” Popeye’s chicken, 7 chicken legs! And as we were getting ready to eat, Vedat asked if he could say a blessing for the food. He thanked God for that day and all the gifts that he received and recognized the friends that God had given him.
Finally, when the time came to say “bye,” Liam, Morgan, Vedat and I said a prayer for him. And then it was time for us to go. I am thankful that we didn’t have a dramatic goodbye and that, although there was a sense of a sorrow at leaving because we both knew this was my last visit. There was hope that we will see each other again as this is a friendship that God ordained and will last much longer than the year that he and I have spent together in the USA.
Since our shopping and Popeye’s day, I called Vedat yesterday. And I called him today. This is because I told him I would call him every day so we would stay in touch through my week in Virginia and when I go back home and until I see him again in Zagreb Airport. Today, he told me that I don’t need to call him tomorrow. It is nice to see that he is adjusting well to me being gone.
To keep up communications between Vedat and me and his family, we have set up a plan where he can use the hospital computer to write to me and I can write to him, as well as send pictures. The Child Life Care people are intentionally working with Vedat in keeping him in touch with his family as Vedat is making projects to send to his Mom and brothers. I am thankful for this help because this will also help me to keep in touch with Vedat once I am back home. We are also developing plans for telephone conversations with Vedat both while I am here in Virginia and when I go home.
I know that many are concerned about how Vedat is physically progressing. So, I will try to briefly update you on his progress. Vedat’s appetite is better, and he is gaining weight. He is getting stronger. But please understand that recovery takes a lot of time and effort for small improvements. He is able to move his right leg more than before and it seems that it is coming back more and more. His left leg is taking more time but is improving slower. And the range of leg and foot movements varies from day to day.
His brace that is connected to his halo is supposed to come off in the next week or so. And then he will get a new brace without a halo but with a chin rest. He will wear that new brace 23 hours a day, and the plan is for him to wear this brace for the next 6 months. His pain is almost completely gone. Now he is at the point where some days he does not have pain at all, which is confirmation of the healing that is taking place.
As his body is healing, I am thankful to see that his heart and his emotions are healing too. Vedat’s nurse affirmed this week that he saw special signs of Vedat’s moving forward toward a higher level of emotional well being and maturity.
Please continue to pray for Vedat’s healing and the transition that he is going through because of my departure.
I hope that this brings you up to date and answers your questions. I plan to post another entry soon that will cover additional information.
As I said, I am getting ready to go back home to see my Mom, my new born nephew, and friends. I am thankful for this opportunity to visit in Virginia with you.
Please continue to pray for this big transition in my life and in the lives that have joined with mine during the last year and will continue in the future. Please understand that while I am anxious to go home to my family, I am dealing with a lot of emotions at leaving Vedat who has been the complete focus of my life for these many months. There is also a lot of reflecting on all that God was doing in my life through the last year and what plans He has for me for the future.
Looking forward to seeing you in the Church tomorrow.
Be blessed.
Here we are..
We are still on our journey and things are getting to be more normal than ever after the surgery.
Since the last time that I wrote there are a couple of things that I would like to write about.
It is so hard not to think about the tragedy that happened at VA-TECH and the reality of the world that we live in.
The world needs the gospel and a living God who is Love.
I will soon be 23 and it is just so hard to think that someone my age would be capable of doing something so bad and that people my age would die.
That is terrible, but I know that you are probably also surrounded with those same thoughts so I won’t continue. We will together continue to pray and ask God to comfort all that are involved and it seams like we all are.
As it is for Vedat and me, we are doing good and things are changing.
A week and a half ago, we had our dear friends Agnese, Doug and Steven here and they where a blessing to both Vedat and I.
It was nice for me because I was not at the hospital all the time they where there.
I was able to do some of my things as there is always something to do..
Soon after they left,Bill came and we had a “goal conference” where we talked about all kinds of things.
Vedat was there too, and has received a lot of affirmation and encouragement from his therapists and doctors.
They where telling us what was going on and what is their plan for the future.
The bottom line is that they are happy with how he is recovering and because of the big shock that Vedat’s spine has experienced he is going through a slow and long recovery.
Because of that, they want to keep Vedat in the hospital for another 3-4 months.
continuing the physical therapy and constantly trying to make progress in his recovery and ability to walk.
I know that a lot of the people are interested about that and at this point he is not able to walk, but the good news is that he is having progress in the movement of his legs and he is very excited and has hope.
His right leg is stronger than the left one, but the left one is progressing, too.
The last news that I know, is that he was moving his right foot and the muscle from the knee down, and his toes on the left foot.
The reason why I say that I don’t know exactly, is that there are a lot of people that are asking Vedat about his feet so I don’t want to be one more doing the same.
The nurses are not always there when the doctors come to examine him so they don’t always know about every change unless it is radical.
The other good news is that he is better emotionally.
That is the answer to our prayers, God is good.
Vedat has moved from his room to another room and became a roommate with this other boy that was in the hospital before and was Vedat’s roommate then too.
That has changed his social life and I can see how that is good for him and is making him see other kids that are sick (this boy is in the wheel chair) and how they are moving forward and not loosing hope.
That is just a praise and a blessing.
Now things are very different with all that has happened, because Vedat is very familiar with everybody in the hospital and it is getting to be like his home.
(I know that it is hard to believe that)
I am also not visiting him as often as I did, because he doesn’t need me there and he is not shy to say it.
Sometimes that is not too nice because he is my ministry here, so it gets meaningless when I see that he doesn’t need me anymore.
In some way, that is normal and he is a kid that attaches and detaches very fast.
A part of it is just his culture.
God is bringing me to the completion of my ministry here and changing it to something else.
In the past few weeks, I have been sharing that thought with some of the key people in this whole story and they have only affirmed what I received through prayer and peace in my spirit.
God is good and He is really preparing the way for me to leave and everything is slowly separating.
I can feel that in my heart and see it in reality.
Vedats relationship with me has changed a lot.
He has built relationships with the people that work with him all the time in the hospital. He has a similiar trust with many of his caregivers like he had with me.
I have to admit that sometimes I get sad, but only for a moment because I realize that it is good, and all that means is that he is maturing.
God gave him some very nice people that are constantly there around him. They are the team who does all the therapy, and some of the main people are men.
You who know more about the whole story, know how much I wanted that for him.
The doctor’s will have him in the hospital as long as he is making progress probably until the end of July. Then they will want to see him again in November for a week or two of therapy with a stay in the hospital.
The final appointment will be in March 08 and that is when they will be wiling to let him go home (to Montenegro).
We will see and continue to pray that it will go as fast as it can go.
Vedat is very excited about the idea of him leaving the hospital when it is time, and going to live with a new family.
He didn’t complain any about me not being there ( that was a surprise ).
We talked about everything and it is clear to him that his needs have changed and that he doesn’t need me as he did before, but a different care and support ( more of a male figure, not just because of the emotional part but also physical help ).
Actually he likes the idea of me going home before him and making some things ready before he comes back.
He already gave me instructions on what to do..
It is just amazing to see how kids adjust fast, and a big praise how God is taking good care of him.
I know that I have put a lot of new information here but it is still in the process of being sort out and taking place.
I just wanted to give you an update and let you know how are things here and the direction of our next step.
God is faithful in caring for us and providing a special and personal care that we need.
This weekend JoAnn and Craig are doing a cookout for me and my friends from Chicago (Bob and Carol) will be here and Laura and Adam (the couple from here that is helping us out too).
I am looking forward to that and am happy that as much as I am having those special moments with the people that I care for, Vedat is having fun too.
Just today he went to the downtown Chicago aquarium and had fun there.
God is good and faithful, he is the Father and the Savior.
I love Him and I love you.
Please pray for us as we are trying to complete this transition of me going home and Vedat having a new guardian.
Pray for the wisdom in all the details and technical things that need to take place.
Also, for the team that is involved in working on the documents and making decisions about the new family and guardian.
We pray for the family and the new guardian that God would bless them abundantly as they are wiling to take care of his Kingdom and that they would see His hand clearly in the call that is before them.
Please pray for my family, friends and me, to be patient and still as we are waiting for my return.
For all relationships that have been changed in this time, and everything new that will take place once I am back home.
It is amazing to see how God is big and how he has given me all of you and opened a world for me that was not there before.
I praise Jesus, my friend and the one who made all this possible by His death on the cross and glorious resurrection.
He did it unselfishly just for us-lost people.
He is to be praised and adored above all.
Love you.
Vedat in the physical therapy room with the Tom and Jerry characters that he drew on the shirt
This is the system that they use with lifting him up and putting him on the tread mill where a physical therapist is moving his legs
Vedat playing air hockey, very serious- can’t afford to loose (during the visit with the Welch family)
Out in the hospital playground, on the special wheel chair swing
Us on the walk around the playground, Vedat didn’t want to go so he was protesting by pulling his jacket off, but afterwards he was glad we went (you could tell by singing)
Liam and Vedat having dinner together
This is during occupational therapy, they are all cooking and then eating together
Stacey called me (Janet) tonight to say that she had talked with Vedrana. When Vedrana got to the hospital today, Vedat said he had something to show her — he could move both feet ! For the first time in weeks, we have some signs of his healing!
Vedrana asked for a couple of things to be prayed for:
1. Continue to pray for his complete physical healing, and for his emotions. As you might expect, his emotions are all over the place — hopeful with this new change, and yet very sad thinking of things he might not be able to do again. Vedrana is working to help him focus on all the things he can still do, and things he is learning to do in different ways through his rehab.
2. Please continue to pray for the one who will become “host dad” and for the next host family.
Here we are, three weeks after the surgery, it seems like it has been much longer than that..
There are not many new things to tell you..
Vedat is doing good, his physical recovery is going well and he is healing fast. His emotions are now taking more time and that is completely understandable
The doctors and nurses are very good with him and they know the best way to help him and keep him going forward..
They are saying that it will probably take another 8-12 weeks in the hospital before he can go..
Right now he is still in his brace and will have to wear it for another 2 weeks.
The team that works with him in the hospital will complete the training of teaching him to be independent in order for him to leave the hospital.
We are getting letters of encouragement and support and we are both thankful for that.
I am trying to establish a new rhythm with my visits to Vedat and that is going good.
We are still going day by day, but I am now going to the hospital every other day and that seems like it is working good-praise God!
That means a lot to me to have that day in between.
We had some nice weather here for a few days which was very refreshing. Such a blessing to be here with JoAnn and Craig to just help out around the house and be a part of the family.
I am thankful that God is faithful in providing for my emotional needs.
As I said, I have had some time with JoAnn and we went to the park with the kids and to browse and shop in the stores which was so fun..
We have been also taking Vedat out on those sunny days at the hospital playground and he got some fresh air too..
About a week and a half ago, I had a hard time with Vedat. I was really asking God for help and didn’t know what to do, but God is faithful and will not put to shame anybody that calls on His Name.
After praying like that, God took away the frustration and the discouragement, I rested in His presence and was in peace..
After that difficult time, I took Liam to see Vedat and God blessed us.
Without any plans, we were reading one of the letters that Vedat got and there was a little booklet about Jesus.
Liam and Vedat where answering the questions from it, and we talked about salvation.
After that, we prayed and Vedat was praying too. I have heard a lot of his prayers but this one was different.
That was the first prayer after the surgery that he prayed to God with the real sound of his heart- if you know what I mean.
I was so encouraged to see him humble before God. All of us are so little before such a big God.
I am thankful that God is able to turn nothing to something. God shined in that moment to us and He turned our time together.
I have continued to pray for him and somehow a verse from the Bible came to me like it was God saying that this is the verse He wants me to speak over Vedat’s life in God’s name.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and future.”
It is just amazing to see how God’s ways are different than ours and that He is really God with us - Emanuel!
I am very humble before that big God who holds our lives in his hand and who is so close to those in need.
We are continuing to pray for Vedat and his recovery, but more so for his heart and the deep needs that are there.
We are praying for the right setting that needs to take place once Vedat is out from the hospital.
That God would encourage the people who need to step forward to help in this process of preparing Vedat to go home to his mom and the life that he had there.
It is critical for his return and readaptation to his family that he is getting the right message. As well as getting the right understanding of the life he had before and the life he is going back to.
Our journey has been long, the end time is coming when we need to focus on preparing the way for Vedat to go home. Preparation on this end and preparation on that end where it all began. Vedat’s mom is eager to see him, however,she is fearful of this new situation and will need our support. Therefore, we need to get Vedat as strong and capable as possible before he leaves the states.
The reason why I am sharing these things, is to make our prayers more specific.
I am very thankful for all of you who are faithfully standing with us in this unique battle for one life.
God is doing wonderful things through His body that would never be accomplished through an individual. It is so beautiful to see different parts of the body coming together bringing each one of them their part and accomplishing that wonderful harmony. I am honored to be apart of the body which head is Jesus.
We love you and are hoping to see you soon!
Be blessed!
Bob and Carol brought Serbian food for Vedat a few days after his brace was put on.
Morgan and Liam blowing bubbles on one of our sunny days.
JoAnn and I at a women’s brunch with JoAnn’s church.
Vedat visits with a dog!
Vedat with his biggest desire that came true: jalapeno peppers. He was sweating up a storm!
Vedat and Morgan playing a game with the view of some of his wonderful decorations from you all! Thank you!
More decorations, the nurses say that his room is the best decorated in the hospital!
Vedat is the first one to play on the hospitals new game system with Morgan. He is thrilled because it gets to stay in his room all the time.
I spoke with Vedrana last night. Vedat has been placed into his brace which attaches to the halo. On Thursday, he was taken to meet with the therapists where they talked with him about the training to come. He actually began physical therapy yesterday.
He continues to have sensation in both legs, moving his right foot and toes on command. His doctors are saying that he will probably be there at Shriner’s another 4 - 5 weeks before returning here to Virginia.
Vedrana says she sees some little improvements during the week, but nothing big enough to write another note here. She said she would keep us up-to-date, but the notes here will likely become weekly now.
Bill is heading up there tomorrow afternoon (Mar 18) and will return Wednesday, Mar 21. He will be able to visit and work with Vedat, and can provide us with some more info.
While we know that Vedat had a difficult life in the refugee camps, he’s had it fairly easy while in America. Now facing rehab, it will be the hardest work he’s ever had to do. Please pray for him to have courage and determination to work hard and succeed. There are so many things he has to re-learn in order to function daily.
Please pray for Vedrana as she tends to his spiritual and emotional needs. Begin praying also for their next housing assignment because Vedat’s needs are different than they were.
We are here and we are doing well.
I know that you are waiting to here new things about Vedat and me so I
will try to give you a little update.
We are trying to get back to our normal life and we are slowly calming down..
I know that you have been with us through the surgery so you know all
that was going on.
Vedat is now back in his room and is doing better every day.
His back hurts and that is his biggest problem right now.
They are giving him pain medicine and that helps, but he has to be
patient and wait until he completely heals and gets stronger.
I know that you have heard about his legs and that they are not the
same but I won’t write a lot about that because there are no final
conclusions and I do think that right now that is not the biggest
problem..
He is getting better every day and that is the more important thing.
I am praying that Vedat would see Jesus and know how much He loves him.
That Jesus is his best friend and the One who will never leave him.
I pray that Vedat would know that as much as he needs his body to heal
his heart needs healing even more.
Right now thing’s are still settling in for both of us but I am thankful that
we are under His wings.
I know that you are with us and that you are concerned. I appreciate
your patience and understanding.
Today, Vicky came to visit us and she is staying until Tuesday.
I am very thankful for her, because tomorrow they are putting Vedat in
his brace and then they will do physical therapy with him. I know
that he won’t be happy about it.
So it is great to have Vicky around because Vedat loves her and she is
a great support to both of us.
I am still very tired and am trying to catch on sleep and to be with
Vedat as much as I can. Right now it is still very busy.
I missed the BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) this week and my piano
lesson so I will try to catch that this coming week..
Vedat has talked with his mom and that was great. He had also talked
with his aunt and uncle in England.
Anyway, just to let you know that we are alive and well. I will be
writing as soon as I get around the computer again..
I praise God who is able to sustain me in all this and who is giving
me strength everyday and faithfully standing with me in all of this.
Only He knows that I would never be able to do this on my own and how
little and weak I am.
I praise Jesus because he has taught me the love that I know, and I
praise Him for the blood He shed on the cross.
I praise and love the King who found me where I was, washed me
cleansed me, and gave me shiny clothes.
He is the One I love. He is the one I adore for His life is mine now
and forevermore.
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes
refuge in Him!”
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in the spirit.” Psalm 34:8, 18
On the day of the surgery, me communicating to the whole world
every new thing that happened.. (my friends Bob and Carol where there
with us that day and they brought some Croatian cookies and that was
special)
Vedat and Liam- yesterday Saturday-happy because they won the card’s game
Vedat and Vicky-today Sunday-his first day in cafeteria after the surgery
Being silly on the phone with his family from England
Being tired of phone,cafeteria and everything
Be blessed and we love you.
Monday, March 12
Vedat continues to have sensation, and has begun moving toes on his right foot. Today he begins rehabilitation in earnest. He has never had to work as hard as will come in the days ahead.
Continue to pray for his healing. Pray especially for Vedrana, and the nursing staff and therapists working with him.
7:45 am – Stacey received a call from Vedrana last night
We will be updating the blog as Vedrana calls with new info — she’s very busy with taking care of Vedat. Updates may only be once a day.
Vedat has been moved from the Pediatric ICU to a regular room. He’s now in his brace that fits into the halo as a complete unit. He had his first meal of solid food –chicken and biscuits — for dinner, and he tolerated it very well. He’s happy to be back downstairs with his friends again.
His feet have been place into hard bottomed shoes and rehab starts on Monday.
When asked by a nurse last night to try to wiggle his toes, several on his right foot moved, but not on his left.