Isaiah 30:21 is a verse that has been meaningful to us. (Being frequent listeners to James McDonald and Walk in the Word, we have known this verse for years, but it has taken on personal truth, as we have been led in this journey.) Is 30:21 says:
Whether you turn to the left or to the right, you will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."
As we have sought God, He has been so faithful to lead us each step of the way. This has happened many times. Recently, we have been praying, and have invited others in our close circle, to pray with us, to know when it is right for Lydia to continue her rehabilitation at home full time. In other words, praying to know when we are to leave Holland Bloorview. We have been seeking this for several weeks. Lydia's repeated emotional rejections of HB last week, were telling indicators that it was time.
As we have shared before, we have a wonderful home team of therapists, therapy support workers and teachers locally, who can help Lydia continue to recover. Our case manager from KeyRehab contacted them last week, to see if everyone was able to swing into more regular action in treating Lydia, and they are. We are thankful for their roles in caring for Lydia and helping her to recover.
Lydia will do better at home, and make better progress, as she is at peace here. Last week, she was so anxious and distraught that her Doctor at HB agreed with our request to discharge her earlier than anticipated, as Lydia "was easily frustrated and not engaging well with the program or her therapists".
We are pleased to share with you that on Tuesday, we will return to Holland Bloorview for the last time with Lydia as an inpatient. We will say thank you and good bye to her therapy team, teachers and support staff. Lydia will particpate in her scheduled therapy sessions, and then we will return home together. We have deep peace with this decision, and so does Lydia. She is so happy to be home.
We will always be grateful for the role that Holland Bloorview has played in Lydia's recovery. When she arrived there on July 12, she could not transfer from bed into her wheel chair, without the use of a Hoyer lift. She could not: eat, drink or swallow; talk or communicate; use the washroom, sit up on her own, or walk. Look how far she has come! Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.
For us, this year, Thanksgiving carries with it our gratitude that our daughter is home for good. She has a long road ahead, but she is now ready for the next part of the journey. After almost five months of hospitals, she is able to return home. This morning in church, we sang Never Once by Matt Redman. The lyrics ring so true: scars and struggles on the way, but with joy our hearts can say, never once did we ever walk alone. There is joy when we worship, when we remember that we are never alone. There is joy when we behold all that the Lord has done.
