Update : 6pm
February 19, 2008
Today, Dieter has a clot in his right leg, which is not unusual for someone who has been in bed for two weeks, but still, the news is sharp and discouraging. He must stay on bed rest until the proper blood-thinning medications work, which could take anywhere from 1 to 5 days. In the meantime, no walks.
So instead, he is getting speech, occupational, and physical therapy at the bedside. His recovery of motion and strength continues to progress pretty well, but recovery of language is slower.
Kyle came home when Dieter had his stroke, then went back to school to arrange a leave of absence for the rest of this term. He arrived home again today, and I am really grateful to have the boys all here together. Please pray for our family.
Val
Oh Val,
Hang in there. I know Dieter’s going to do just great when it’s safe for him to do so. A dear friend of mine was in your shoes three and a half years ago when her children were 6, 7 and 10. Her husband has recovered very well, from his stroke and brain surgery, and just retired from a distinguished career in the Marines. The work ethic and determination are so important in this arena.
Thank you for your updates. It helps us know how to pray for all of you. Love to you and your family.
Alex Wilson
Val, our entire staff at Calvary Community Church has been praying for you and Dieter for the last couple of weeks. Mallory and Paige and Trent pray for you also and ask me every day for an update.
Today a friend of mine said her brother had a stroke in his forties and he is doing just great now. That was encouraging. She said patience is the toughest part. Hang in there. Thank you for the updates.
Andrea
Val
Keeping up with the updates and praying for all of you from here in Iowa. Praying for your strength, stamina, peace of mind, decisions to make, and just for holding up emotionally. Praying for Dieter that God will continue to sustain him, improve his condition, and heal his body – especially for the new found clot and that it would go away easily. Praying that the doctors and specialists are touched by God to deal with the issues with wisdom and discernment. Praying for the boys that they can be there for you, and you and others are there for them. I so wish I could do something from so far away – but know that I check the blog several times a day and all of you are never far from my thoughts.
God bless you all and hang in there,
– John Carlson
Val
Setbacks can be so discouraging when you are already exhausted. I’m so sorry you have to be going through this. We are with you!
Your updates are helpful, giving concrete things to pray for. You are being lifted to the father continually. Our house group has joined in praying. We have recently been encouraged by a devotional that gave us new energy to pray. We have over the last few weeks been using simple phrases of prayer, telling God about needs while refraining from telling him how he should answer them. We have watched him be present in our lives and answer prayers. You are being mentioned to God often – on walks through the forest, on the road, in the car, as we sit to eat.
I was just talking to Alex in Seattle and he was asking about Kyle and Conrad and their colleges. Life must be a mix of fear, day to day reality and emotional eruption, normal teenage fun stuff, inability to concentrate and the surreal bubble of the medical environment. Not easy for a mom to negotiate helping with all that. May your burdens be lifted.
Give Dieter our warmests greetings.
Val,
I’m sorry I haven’t written sooner. I have been following and praying for you, Dieter and the boys. You are an incredibly strong woman of faith and your determination and perseverence are inspiring.
Though our connections have been few and brief in the last few years, know that you are still very important to me. Both you and Dieter have impacted my life and faith in significant ways. I am trusting God for Dieter’s recovery, your continued strength and the opportunity to see you both again soon….
Peace,
Rich
Val, We have prayed for Dieter every day. He ministered to all of us in E. Europe so much. Today in cruising news I found an article on BBC News about the positive effects of listening to music for stroke victims. I certainly don’t want to be offering cheap answers to a long process, but listening to good music certainly wouldn’t hurt Dieter! http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7250594.stm
We are praying for you and your family. We are so happy for the progress and are praying for more…. Pat and Craig Lewis ( Fort Collins)
Val,
Ever since we received word, we have not ceased to pray for Dieter, you and the boys. You are in my prayers every day. I believe in the power of prayer and the strong, loving heart of our Father, who desires to give good gifts to His children.
I am believing God for Dieter’s total healing and complete restoration. I am also praying for you, Dieter and the boys as you navigate this very difficult season. That God will give you peace, strength, encouragement and hope—a hope that is grounded in the truth of God’s promises. He is faithful.
Mark (Tammy, Alyssa and Jenna) Bennardo
It’s nice that all your family can be together now.
The news of the clot is not a shock, but saddening never the less. I pray that it dissolves quickly.
Dieter sounds just a busy now with all those therapy sessions as he did running around the church with all his meetings. Keep up the good work Dieter!
Thank your for the continued updates, so gracious of you to share.
Darrell
Val, although I don’t know you and Dieter personally, I feel connected to you as part of the body of Christ in Marin, through mutual friends, and through your personality that shines through the updates you post here. Our family sends you prayers and also this timely tip:
A new study has shown that listening to music in the early stages right after a stroke is very beneficial:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7250594.stm
“The researchers compared patients who listened to music for a couple of hours a day, with those who listened only to audio books, or nothing at all.
The music group showed better recovery of memory and attention skills, and a more positive general frame of mind. ”
I encourage you to read the whole article (this was just released yesterday) to find out more about how to implement this therapy.
Hi Val, Swede, Judy, boys, and family,
We are continually praying, and what a blessing to see miracles happening with Dieter’s healing.
Val, you are doing great, and we’re proud of the boys too. We are with you in His Spirit. We are crying out for a complete recovery.
I too read the article yesterday about a study that was done (I sent the article link to your email address Swede), and it said the patience who listened to their favorite music for 2 hours a day, improved on their speech and brain function 60%, compared to the others who did not. Being impressed with this study, I then researched this method on the web, and they did have more studies with positive results with music.
Love to you all,
Greta and Kurt Dietrich
Val,
We are still praying for Dieter, you and the boys here in Georgia. Kristine really misses you and wishes she could be there to support you as you did for her so many years ago.
I am wondering if you can let us know Dieter’s current prognosis in an upcoming update. If it’s too much for you emotionally I understand, but for us clinical minded folks it would really help to have an understanding of where he is at and be able to pray for specific milestones in his recovery. How much paralysis does he have? How is his speech? How long do you they think he will need to be in the hospital?
I hope this forum is safe enough for you to post that info, if its not again I understand.
We love you guys so much,
Mark, Kristine, Joshua, Nathan, and Ellie Herring
My Dearest Val…
You are an amazing woman of God! You always have been. I appreciate the example you are for me as a Wife, Mom and Friend! My family and I along with the rest of God’s people…are continually in prayer for you all. Your updates are so appreciated. We love you Val, Dieter, Kyle, Conrad and Christopher. You are such a HUGE part of our Hearts!!
With Love~
Chela
New Song Friend : )
Hi Val,
Still praying for you and Dieter.
Dan Kimball
Dear Val,
A friend just passed a book to me called, “Strong in all the Broken Places” about illness and resilency. It opens with a quote by Ernest Hemingway–’The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong in the broken places.” Take heart–your very beautiful and big heart–and know that you, Dieter and the boys will come through. You have love,family, community, faith and God with you. This is what binds you–trust.
Val,
My heart is glad. We continue to pray for Dieter and check updates. I thought about his leap year birthday story he shared with us years ago. That rascal! I have no doubt Dieter will be up to speed again soon.
Janine