A month in LDS Hospital -- 2-18-06

See http://www.bringjosephhome.com/
It has been one month this week since Joseph and his Dad arrived in Salt Lake from Guatemala. It's hard to believe so much has been accomplished, and so many little miracles have happened in this short time. It's a long road ahead, but if the Lord keeps blessing us at this same pace, look out world, the Taggart kid is coming!

Elizabeth took Ethan to visit Uncle Joe yesterday, while Kasey (Ocupational Therapy) was working with him. Kasey suggested Joe put his hand on Ethan's shoulder. . . With little control over his hand, Joseph was waving it all over the place trying to get it up there, and Ethan didn't know what to think. Kasey and Joseph were hysterical, Ethan a little perturbed.

Joseph is spending most of each day now without additional oxygen support, just room air. He is able to speak all day long, since he has on the speaking valve. The last two nights he has gone all night with the respirator just assisting his own breathing, rather than doing it for him. He has managed just fine. These are marvelous steps toward independence from the respirator and trach. In all this there is great humility on his part as he continually credits the Lord for each step forward.

The staff at the hospital is so wonderful, they really do everything they can to make him comfortable in the midst of hard work.

His roommate was moved to another room so he has a private room again. . . he really sleeps well when he only has his Dad's snores to bother with.

At home everything is in a mess. Elizabeth with friends, ward members, and our former EBM (England Bristol Mission) missionaries are helping clean up and clear up things in preparation for fixing up the house. The downstairs storage room has been mostly emptied to make room for the plumbing and ductwork for a new furnace etc. Elizabeth's husband Denny worked on the garage to clear things out, then his Dad came over to help tear out the old cabinets to make room for the needed wheel chair lift and landing in the garage. Gloria and Tim with everyone’s help are eliminating unneeded stuff to make room for changes. The work on the addition will begin next week. One of our former missionaries who is now does plumbing work for a major commercial company came by today to size up the plumbing job he's going to do for the addition. . . "A piece of cake" says he, . . . "Maybe for you," says we! It is amazing to see the help and support pour in from all over. We all echo Joseph's most used statement: "I'm doing GREAT!"

Matt Blanchard (shown with wife Natalie) [see Update--Thursday, Jan 19, 3:30 p.m. and also Moving Forward-- 2-9-02 ] Was released from Rehab to go home to St. George today. He has worked so hard and done so well. He will continue to do well with his hard work and the Lord's blessings. We'll keep praying for him, and he for Joseph.