Update : 8pm

March 22, 2008


Dieter suggested - and by this I mean that he used his left hand to write a few bullet points - that I describe what his days are like.  We are still trying to settle into enough of a routine to have typical days, but, roughly, it’s like this:

Early in the morning, as has always been his habit, Dieter makes coffee and spends time praying.  Because he has the Bible on his laptop, he can search for passages he wants to read.

 

We usually work together to make breakfast for the boys, and, after Conrad and Christopher leave for school, Dieter and I take our dog on a walk for about 45 minutes on some hills near our house.  

 

When we return, Kyle leads Dieter for 30 minutes of physical therapy, which consists of exercises for strength and balance.

 

Mid-morning on Mondays, the occupational therapist comes to the house.  On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, it’s speech therapy.  If a doctor’s appointment is necessary, we try to fit it into Wednesday mornings.  

 

Late morning. Dieter practices using his right hand, whether on the piano, by making lunch, or by trying to type an email.  After lunch, Dieter naps for about two hours.

 

In the afternoon,  Kyle repeats the physical therapy, and I try to fit in a session of speech therapy practice.  Christopher sometimes works with Dieter at the piano, playing and singing scales together.  Dieter might work on his computer or play a little basketball with the boys.

 

Evening brings us to dinner, which has usually been brought by a friend (many thanks to all of you!).  Of course, at this time of year, evening usually also brings a game or two from March Madness.  We retire pretty early.  

 

Please pray for us to know when to push hard and when to rest.  Also, please pray for Dieter to be able to speak again.

10 Responses to “Update : 8pm”

  1. Diane Maxwell said:

    Wanted to wish all you A Happy Easter. It’s thrilling to hear the progess Dieter is making each day. Walking the dog and playing basketball. Now that is cool! Love, Diane

  2. Eric Case said:

    Even as I count down the minutes until I walk up on the platform to lead my community in worship, I revel in the hope and glory of our God who raised a dead man to life.

    His power is with us, and because of his actions on Easter we know now that even when ALL hope is gone and the light is almost overtaken by shadow, we know his power shines on and brings hope to the hopeless.

    I pray that his angels will hem you in on all sides as your family goes forth in this troubling time.

    In the peace of Christ.
    eric

  3. Joe & Chela Simpson said:

    Hello Zander Family and Blessings to you on this Easter Sunday!
    WOW! Your days seem full and busy. Life…continues on and God is using your family to help the healing process for Dieter. He (God) never ceases to amaze us. We are thankful for your continual communication! We will continue to pray for you all as you walk through this together! Thanks you for including us through your communication.
    Know that we love you and you will always be a vital part of our lives.
    Loving you from a distance!
    Joe & Chela Simpson
    Etiwanda, CA

  4. Melinda Anderson Groth said:

    This description is such a useful tool for noting the things to pray over. We continue to pray.

  5. Lois Buesch said:

    Dieter and Val, I thank God for the thought filled and loving words that you provide. These words become a prayer map for me. Trusting that God’s unfailing faithfulness overshadows each of you as you go through every day with Him, Lois

  6. Dan Kimball said:

    hi dieter and val,

    You are consistantly in my prayer and thoughts. Will continue to pray faithfully.

    Dan

  7. Bill Berry said:

    Dieter and Val,
    Thanks for sharing with us what a day looks like for you. We continue to pray for your full recovery. Working on strength and balance sounds like crossfit. We miss you at the workouts, but know you are working hard.

  8. Tom Schmidt said:

    Dear Dieter and Family… It’s been 5 years since I left the Valley and returned to Chicago. I’m certainly not a spiritual giant by any stretch of the imagination, but it was Dieter who impressed me enough to pray while kneeling. I will certainly pray for Dieter. He will be at the top of my prayer list. I’m praying for everyone’s prayers for Dieter to be answered quickly. …Tom S.

  9. Colleen Bellows said:

    I am happy that I found this sight searching the web since it was no longer available through the Baymarin website.
    I continue to pray for each and everyone of you.
    It is invaluable to receive the updates.
    Especially when you love and respect someone as much as Dieter. In my years at Baymarin, he impacted my life in ways words cannot express. I vividly remember his words or lack of the Sunday after the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
    His whole person spoke that day and I will forever have his broken heart etched in my mind.
    I am blessed to have had him touch my life and my family’s life.
    Prayers are spoken daily on your behalf and it is a Godsend to be able to give back something to someone who has my deep admiration.

  10. Aliece Hendricks said:

    Val and Dieter,
    I have been following your progress and praying that God will restore you fully. Thank you for the updates that help me know how to pray for you.

    Love ya
    Aliece

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