Update: Marinucci No. 46: From Lori

Marinucci No. 46

Dear Friends & Family,
Passing on this update from Lori. Just noting that I believe she wrote this Wed. evening, and she mentioned that Gerry could be transferred as early as tomorrow (Fri) afternoon. Any local visitors planning to visit on Friday will want to call Kindred (909) 391-0333 to see if Gerry will still be there. Lori or I will be sure to send another update to confirm Gerry’s move. Thank you all for your faithful prayers.

Gina

----Original Message ----- 


(A letter from Lori, Thursday, July 22):

God had graciously answered our prayers! The insurance company has consented to write a special contract with Casa Colina which specializes in brain trauma patients. They were not obligated to do so, and once again I am thankful for God’s goodness to us. There is no other explanation for this than God’s intervention.

I will meet Casa Colina’s evaluation nurse tomorrow morning. They are confident Gerard will qualify for their facility based upon the medical records they have reviewed, but they must verify via an evaluation. Once he has officially been accepted, then ambulance transportation will be arranged. He could be at the new facility as early as tomorrow afternoon. 

Their objective is to help each patient reach their maximum potential with the goal of returning home. At a later date, Gerry may qualify for their Transitional Living Center (this is still a matter of prayer that the insurance company will pay for this service.) I have heard wonderful things about this aspect of the rehab. There is a new center being built next door and it will be opening sometime this fall. I don’t know yet how this may impact Gerry.

Gerry’s trachea plug is out, he pulled it out himself and his neck healed before the doctor could reinsert it. Gerry is getting feisty. He told me recently, "I can walk, don’t tell me ‘no’, you are frustrating me, I want to walk." This is exactly the attitude he will need during the next phase.

He continues to eat a mechanical soft diet, now 3 meals a day. Soon the feeding tube can be removed. Cognitively, he is having difficulty capturing words and will often use "filler phrases to allow him time to think of the word he is looking for but can’t come up with. His phrase of the week continues to be "it’s just a matter of time." We do see improvement every day.

Specific Prayer Requests:

1) Physically for his shoulders as they are very weak and he has difficulty lifting his hands up past his shoulders
2) Removal of the braces are still on his teeth as these facilities don’t
have a maxo-facial surgeon on staff to remove them. He will either need to be able to go to a surgeons office as an out patient or special visiting privileges must be granted by the hospital for the surgeon to remove them. He is experiencing decay and we need God’s intervention.
3) Smooth transition and open communication with his new physicians and therapists.
4) Wisdom for the doctors the first week as they conduct a detailed
evaluation and prognosis followed by a family meeting.
5) Cognitively, that his memory will improve, he can capture the correct word, begin to process a daily routine schedule and automatically begin to do daily routines without being cued.
5) God will continue to spiritually bless and encourage Gerry. He
continues to enjoy singing the hymns, praying and listening/watching the sermons.

Gerry is the most focused, understandable and coherent when he prays.

Thanks for faithfully praying.
Love, Lori

"Let the people praise Thee, Oh God; let all the people praise Thee. Then
shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless
us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. " Psalm 67:5-7
 
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A note from Steve:
 
I'll confirm Gerry is indeed getting feisty. I saw this myself on Sunday when he kept insisting on getting out of his wheelchair. Lori finally had to firmly tell him no. That -- and the fact he keeps saying, "It's all a matter of time" -- are signs that Gerry wants to progress. Go get 'em, Ger!

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