Can you ever remember a time when you had to “increase” your food intake because your body was demanding it? I’m sure some of you may have had that problem. Such a thing has never happened in my life. That would be amazing! Well Noah is at that phase that we have increased his caloric intake to accommodate his growth & maturing. Anyone jealous out there in cyberspace?

Lisa was commenting to me today how Noah continues to diversify his eating choices. It used to be “fun foods” like desserts and puddings. Now he eats things like spaghetti parmesan, pastrami on rye, blueberries, chocolate milk, etc. We still have to feed him with G-tube formula. However, Noah keeps creeping toward the goal of normal eating without any supplements. Yummy…

Notables From Therapists Lisa & Emily:

We have noted that Noah is sitting on the floor with his pelvis neutral, his back straight and his head up. Noah used to be too stiff to sit with his legs crossed however he can now do that very well. (See the picture below. That was taken after rehab today and Noah was fatigued so Lisa had to brace his right arm slightly to help him. During rehab he does this without help.) He is learning to use his hands to steady himself while on the floor. As Noah’s trunk strength increases we are working toward the goal of him not having to use his hands at all. Today while on the floor during rehab Noah kept his head upright for over 15 minutes unassisted. (A new world record for him!)

Lisa and I made an appeal to Noah’s primary care physician to wean him off all of his medications. We believe he will benefit by that bold move. One of the medications was given to him the night he was admitted after being struck. Its primary action is to prevent seizures. Thank God Noah has never had a seizure and we think that alone will improve his motor recovery. I am awaiting a call back from Dr. D to give us the green light and the “how-to.”

Yesterday, I was going downstairs to get a cup of tea and I heard Lisa’s high-pitched laugh in the kitchen. She was washing Noah’s hair in the sink (like the beautician does in a hair salon) and normally she has to hold his head up because he is tipped way back in the sink. All of a sudden he simply made the decision to pick his head up on his own without any prompting on Lisa’s part. That brought a moment of vocal delight to say the least! He is full of surprises.

Ezekiel 37:10, “Yes, I will make many peoples astonished at you.” In that passage God was telling Ezekiel what He was going to do with the nation of Babylon. Kings and nations would be surprised . God is really really good at surprising people who look at things in their own eyes without regard to God’s might and power. We believe He will continue to “surprise” many who have seen Noah and where God is taking him! Would you like to be surprised by Him? Ask Him. He really loves doing it. Until next time. Love… david

Last Updated: Aug 8, 2008 at 5:10pm
Next update will be posted August 22, 2008 by 6:00p

Note: You may have noticed that updates have not been posted for the last couple of weeks. We have transitioned to a network at the church and due to technological issues were unable to post Noah's updates. The situation has been rectified and we should expect to see more updates of how God is touching Noah! Check back this Friday for updated news!

I apologize for the inconsistent updates the last few weeks. Our new server at church had brought with it some major challenges. I think we are over the hump.

From the pen of Therapists Lisa & Emily:Noah sat cross-legged (Indian style) on the floor with his forearms resting on his legs. He did it with his head up and no support (after they assisted him to that position). His head control and shoulder strength continue to improve. Noah held his head upright for an entire hour during his OT session this week. (There was a time in the recent past when five minutes was great. Just thought some perspective would help with this progression.)We placed Noah in the propped prone position. (Picture yourself lying on your stomach with your upper body being propped up by your forearms. A common posture for watching the OlympicsJ). While in that position he held his head upright for the duration of that exercise (ten to fifteen minutes). Noah is waiting for a mobile toilet chair. We have submitted the paperwork to the appropriate insurance companies. (I realize this is a very personal item to put on the web; however I can’t express in words how much of a step forward this would be for Lisa & Noah. It’s huge.) We are working toward the goal sitting Noah in a regular chair. (Wood with no arm rests.)

Things have moderated somewhat with daytime temps so we are able to spend more time with Noah outside.Lisa was telling me that Noah is starting to initiate certain movements in his feet and ankles that heretofore had to be simulated by her before he would repeat that. Now he is starting to do them with her simply asking him. One interesting thing Noah has been doing while asleep at night is “bending his knee” so that when you walk in the room you see his leg protruding up under the sheet. This is a normal posture for us… quite encouraging to see him do such a thing. Finally, one of the ongoing challenges is to see Noah improve in his eating and drinking quantities. Lisa recently came home after an extended two mile roundtrip walk with Noah on a fairly warm day. She proceeded to get some cold water for herself and chided Noah to consider the same. (Up to now Noah has been consuming soft foods and fruits. Water is the most challenging substance to put in his mouth because it tends to go immediately to the back of the throat and requires almost instantaneous response from your brain.) Realizing that, Lisa offered to give him some water wondering if he would accept the challenge. Noah opened his mouth received the water and began to swallow it without hesitation. He did it numerous times that day. We consider that another “breakthrough” moment!

It reminds me of Isaiah 48:3 “Long ago I told you what was going to happen. Then suddenly I took action, and all my predictions came true.” (NLT) He is really good at doing things “suddenly.” He delights in bringing sudden breakthroughs when we least expect it. Maybe yours is on the way. Until next time… david

Last Updated: Aug 22, 2008 at 5:10pm
Next update will be posted August 29, 2008 by 6:00p

Once again I am reminded of the fragileness of life along the ocean coast. Two significant tropical storms/hurricanes are looming in the North Atlantic. Gustuv is showing potential for devastation by midweek in an area still mired in residual damage from Katrina. Pray for God to speak to that storm and quiet its ferocity and steer it mercifully.

The Addesa’s had an unusually busy week with medical and dental appointments. Noah’s therapists recommended that Noah be evaluated for new technology that is computer oriented (what isn’t now days). Let me explain it in non-geek terms so folks like me can register the data in our head. Initially, they were going to evaluate Noah for “eye” movement capacity for a computer screen. In simple terms, the computer would register his iris and pupil and then wherever he would move his eyes on the computer screen he could activate keys or icons just as you would with a “touch” screen. The assessment was supposed to take two hours and it only lasted 15 minutes!

Here’s the scoop. When the technician “saw” Noah’s ability to move his head at will he immediately reduced the level of technological need. He then proceeded to put a small silver dot (removable sticker) on Noah’s forehead between his eyes. The computer then registers that silver dot with infrared light and where ever Noah moves his head he can “click” letters, words, or icons like you would with the a touch screen with your finger. He did it so lucidly that the technician said: “Wow… he really got this fast. I’m going to recommend that we move forward and get him this as soon as possible. Normally this would be a two hour evaluation however Noah has this down pat already.” There you have it. Another important step forward.

Midweek we took Noah for his bi-annual dentist appointment. Once again he did great. All is well with his teeth.

Today during the rehab session, I heard some classic Addesa hooping downstairs (It’s really funny now because both therapists have become like family and they set aside their “professional clinical” posture and whoop it up with the girls when Noah’s does something note worthy.) Below is another such moment. Noah sitting upright in a chair without arm support for the first time since he was struck down!

He can’t sit very long like this without support, but then again he has set the pace of his recovery beyond what any medical prognosticator has ever expected. Actually, I should clarify that. The prayers of many have defied the conventional medical prognosis for Noah. Jesus put it this way, "With man it is impossible. With God all things are possible.” Thank you for bringing the impossible to Noah’s life. We are eternally grateful. Until next time, our love to you all… david

Last Updated: Aug 29, 2008 at 2:20pm
Next update will be posted September 5, 2008 by 6:00p