Today Aron gave us a “thumbs up” on command. This is great progress and is a reflection of his increasing ability to respond quicker and in a more controlled manner.
I want to explain a little of the context of his responses to give everybody a better understanding of where Aron is at in terms of progress. We spend long hours at the hospital talking to Aron and encouraging him, and occasionally we get moments where he is more alert and able to respond. Much of the time Aron just seems to be resting, so we play music for him and do our best to take care of him through range of motion etc.
The good news is that although it still takes lots of time, Aron has been responding quicker than before. Initially it literally took hours of asking and encouraging just to get him to move his thumb. Now he sometimes wiggles his thumb within a minute. For Aron to give the “thumbs up” today I first asked him to wiggle his thumb, and after he did that I asked him to give a “thumbs up.” Then I explained that he needed to straighten his thumb and curl his fingers into a fist, and he slowly and deliberately followed my instructions within just a couple minutes.
As I was writing this, I just heard from the Shubins that Aron stuck his tongue out on command! The first time he stuck it out, then yawned and did it again, as if to show off. Jill said it seemed like he was happy to be able to do something that made them happy. Aron also has been opening his eyes a few times throughout each day. It still takes lots of effort, but he’s doing it.
On another brief note, Aron has a blood clot in his right arm. It’s not in an artery, which is good, but it’s still a concern. He also had an organism in his blood, but he is being given antibiotics. The doctors now think the organism was in his picc line because once they removed the line, they couldn’t detect the organism in his blood anymore.
Please keep petitioning God for miracles—for returned function to Aron’s brain, and increased ability to respond, and that God would be glorified.
Isaiah 26:3-4—You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the rock eternal.
-Amy
The power of Prayer! Keep it up Aron....I should be over there to visit you soon my friend!
ReplyDelete-Chris
Wow! Praise God! We're praying daily
ReplyDeleteDave & Lori Pryor
Thank you Lord for hearing our prayers. You are an awesome Lord. Having faith, and believing is so strong in our lives. Lord help Aron's family and friends have peace knowing your in our lives. The beautiful thing is how this brother is bringing us together to pray and love one another. Our whole world needs to be prayed for. God Bless you Aron. We'll see you soon. Stat strong. Love Angie & Bill GMS
ReplyDeleteIt's so great to hear of Aron's responses-to-requests happening quicker than before. He's coming around slowly and steadily....all steps in the right direction...all good! Thanks to God, and everyone who's thinking of and praying for Aron.
ReplyDeleteSee you tomorrow my good friend.
RK
Thanks for the update! We are thanking God for His healing and His encouragement.
ReplyDeleteTracy
Right on! need the encouragement and yet need to trust the Lord and entrust Him with details. Praying with your all!!! We prayed Psalm 40 over Aron on Wednesday!
ReplyDeleteLove to the Shubins and Amy!
Psalm 40
Yay Aron! Great job! We love you!
ReplyDelete-Forest and Jen
Praise God for small and big steps. Praying for God to do His stuff and to hold all of Aron's family close during this time. Love, Lori Scott
ReplyDeleteGood job, Aron! We all are waiting on your full restoration, but each day that you move forward is a miracle. Keep moving those thumbs, sticking out that tongue, and responding to all of those who are working with you.
ReplyDeleteRight on Aron!! Keep fighting the good fight!! I'm glad you are fired up and making it known that you are on your way back!!
ReplyDeletePayama
GMS
Aron, this is such great news! We are all so excited about your progress. I can't wait for you to read all of these posts and see how much your friends and family love and care for you. -Jenice (GMS)
ReplyDeleteJim Smith and I went to see Aron this morning. It's nice to hear about all the things that Aron has been doing, but even better, make that more awesome, when you experience it! When we got there and I told Aron we were there, Jim said Aron's leg reacted with a knee-jerk. Aron had his left hand (closed fist) on his chest, so I asked if he could give us a thumbs-up and... he was trying hard so I helped him a bit and he left his thumb up. When I asked him to lower it, he did within seconds, slowly. A nurse then came in, turned Aron's head so he was facing straight ahead, and also unclenched his fists and laid his left arm to his side. When she left, we got Aron to blink his eyes a few times, I asked Aron to stick out his tongue (not this time) and just before we left, I held Aron's right hand and asked if he could squeeze my hand, and he quickly did. I asked two more times, and he accommodated, again within seconds. Then I asked Jim to try it, and as soon as I asked Aron to squeeze Jim's hand twice, he did. Thank you Aron for an unforgettable visit, and thank you God for guiding Aron back on the right path.
ReplyDeleteRK
RK- Your comment darn near made me cry! Amazing progress. Keep praying and encouraging.
ReplyDeleteHi Shub....you rock...still praying for you each day, thumbs up to you.
ReplyDeletehope to see you soon...love you, glo...gms
THAT IS SOOO AWESOME! We continue to pray for his COMPLETE recovery!!
ReplyDeleteWoW!! You are amazing!! Way to keep fighting!! You so got this!! xo
ReplyDeleteAron - we are praying for your continued progress, and are happy to read that you are making big strides. You are never far from either of our thoughts, and we share what has happened with our families, so that they too can pray for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up buddy.
Tim and Karen - GMS
thats it bud slowy but surely. you rest up and take your time healing seems like the man upstairs is doing a mighty good job with you. your friend john g aka cholo
ReplyDeleteHey Aron it's Tyler , from nxt door. You have my whole family praying for you. That's right not only did you get a metal head to pray but you also got my father to pray. I hope the beat, we all miss you , my family , Amy , your family, and especially your dogs... Tom and Jill , if your reading this I would be happy to walk the dogs or help w/ anything. All you have to do is ask. - Tyler stafford
ReplyDelete-
So glad to hear about the progress! Praying that you continue to make strides toward coming back.
ReplyDeleteSandy
Great news! Keep fighting Aron!
ReplyDeleteKeep it up Aron! Praying for you daily!
ReplyDeleteSteve GMS
It’s really encouraging to read about Mr. Shubin’s progress in this blog on a daily basis. But it is so much nicer when you get to see it for yourself. Yesterday was the first time that Nathan saw Mr. Shubin after the accident and I must admit it was an emotional time for Nathan. While we were there we spoke to Shubin and asked him to blink if he knew who we were, and he did. As we were talking to him his nurse came in the room and we introduced ourselves, I was explaining to her who Nathan was and how he would always go bug Mr. Shubin even after graduating from Griffith, while we were talking my son and I noticed that Mr. Shubin gave us a quick smirk and we knew right away that he was definitely listening to our conversation. After that Mr. Shubin kept on moving his lips and struggling to talk….this was a big deal. We left him a card with a picture of Nathan next to Shubin, this was a picture that was taken the day that Nathan had received his eight grade certificate last year. We wanted to share this great experience with Shubin’s family, Amy, and friends. We also want to let you guys know that we will continue praying for Mr. Shubin’s full recovery and remember with God’s help anything and everything is possible. We need to have faith and leave it in his hands.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Keep fighting Viking we know you have it in you!!!
Loyda & Nathan
Thank you Loyda and Nathan for the encouragement! He loves to sleep and wakes up slowly!
ReplyDeleteTracy