Update from Snowy New England!

In a couple weeks we will have been back in the United States for 1 year already! It’s hard to imagine so much time has passed. We both often find ourselves lost in thought about our time in South Africa. We still have nights full of dreams of Africa waking to an emotional longing to return there. I think it’s safe to say we still have hearts for South Africa. With the sad news of Nelson Mandela, the country has been in headlines often, keeping thoughts of Africa in our minds even more. But God has us here and we must keep focus.

It has already been 3 months since our last posting and we have about 6 months of news. It is incredible how fast time can go by. Where do we begin?

Our last post mentioned dad is now a double amputee and he had moved into our home with us where we could better care for him. He initially needed a lot of help to do everyday tasks. As his strength grew (and his confidence), he was getting more and more capable of transferring himself from wheelchair to toilet, wheelchair to bed, wheelchair to shower chair, etc. He got better at dressing and washing himself, and even became a record holder at Wii bowling.

Having our living room as his bedroom was not an ideal situation, for all of us. So we had been searching for a house. We hoped to find something that would best fit his needs with the least amount of modifications. However, we knew some changes would need to be done, so we decided we would need to buy a home instead of rent. That way we would be free to make any modifications necessary (widen doorways for the wheelchair, install hand rails by the toilet and shower, build a permanent ramp to get in and out of the house). We searched for a few months but came across nothing, at least within our price range. Pressured by the upcoming winter (our current house was very cold in the winter and too expensive to keep warm enough for dad), we were becoming concerned. Finally, our realtor showed us a place that was mostly handicap accessible. There was an entrance capable for the wheelchair to the basement and installation of a chair lift would be all that was needed. So we put an offer on the house. Pre-approved for a federal USDA loan, we submitted the paperwork.

Then the government went on furlough.

Funny how the one time we actually needed our government for something, they were closed. So with an uncertain timeframe of government closure, a time limit on the purchase offer, an upcoming expiring lease in our current home and an approaching cold winter, we had to do something. After a lot of research and phone calls, we found an assisted living facility for dad. Now capable of so much more, we were all comfortable with him living independently (with assistance). So in November, dad moved to Sunrise Assisted Living where he is fed three meals daily, has his own apartment room, social events and all the ice cream he wants. He has been very happy there the past few weeks and his getting more and more comfortable.

Jeanine goes to see him almost daily to help with his medications and assist with showers. After the holidays, she is going to start looking for work to help pay for his expenses there. The rent is costly and his pension is not enough to cover it.

As for us, with no need to buy a house anymore and a non-functional government to give us money, we moved into a nice apartment located between dad’s place and Mike’s work. Our living room windows look out into a small garden area with a gazebo and icicle Christmas lights. The place is small and comfortable and, best of all, allows pets. So our next posting may include a new addition to our family, some sort of furry creature.

Things keep moving forward and we are never quite sure what will happen next. We have witnessed time and time again Gods faithfulness and blessings. We ask for your prayers in dad’s comfort in his new home and that he may have the finances to cover rent.

God bless,
Mike and Jeanine

Veterans Day with Dad, Pat (sister), Ray (brother), niece and nephews

Visiting Timmy & Lynsi in VA, holding Violet while hanging with little Tiger

Timeout during soccer to bundle up better

Award winning photo at Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Dad setting his avatar for Wii Bowling

Our fist snow (over 1ft on Dec 14)

Galatians 6:9

Greetings from Massachusetts!

About a month ago we reported that dad was in rehab after donating his second leg to science. Upon his arrival home, he seemed a bit restless about life. Considering he was in hospice and on his way out before removing the second leg, his anxiety was warranted. Initially the adjustments were difficult. Figuring out how to transfer from bed to a wheelchair to a toilet brought a whole handful of challenges. His body was weak from a year-long ordeal of surgeries, illness and grief. Consequently, dad was not excited about life.

Jeanine had resumed her role of full-time care taker, but with added difficulties. Dad’s frustration about his limitations was often directed to Jeanine. He needed more attention. He could not be alone for a long period of time and needed to be lifted off his wheelchair to the porcelain throne. As a result, Jeanine had to spend nights at his place, listening for his call to get help to the bathroom. Since dad’s apartment was a small bungalow made for a single elderly person, she pulled out a mattress to the living room at night and leaned it against the wall during the day. With only a few occasional nights off because of coverage from Mike or her brother, Ray, Jeanine was with dad 24 hours a day, physically and emotionally exhausted.

Recognizing his need for constant care and realizing the strain he was putting on us, dad agreed to move in with us. A little over a week ago we setup his bedroom in our living room. With a few minor adjustments, we have been able to accommodate all of his furniture and have a comfortable setup. Dad was a little nervous about the bathroom because it is not a handicap bathroom with support bars. With a little trial and error, and the help of his prosthetic leg, he is now transferring to from his wheelchair to the bowl with less effort than before. In fact, he is now doing it on his own and is enjoying the privacy.

At this point, dad is still unable to get his prosthetic leg on his stubbed knee so we continue to have a few overnight hollers for bathroom aid. At least we can hear them from the comfort of our own bed instead of a mattress on the floor in his apartment living room.

Dad’s attitude has changed quite a bit also. He is happy to be with us and is enjoying “family” life. Its amazing to see how fast he gone from ready to go home to Jesus to having fun watching New England Patriot Pre-Season football games. By the way, he always roots for the other team. He smiles often and likes to have discussions about everything and nothing. The other night, we were sitting down at dinner and Jeanine was talking enthusiastically about something (we all know she does that sometimes). She was carrying on and dad looked at her and pointed to her plate, indicating it was time to stop talking and start eating. I said to him that I have to do the same sometimes also. He responded, “You don’t have to tell me, I raised her!” I got an image of Jeanine as a child sitting at the dinner table talking excitedly about her day with dad patiently listening but pointing to her plate to get her to eat.

We are looking forward to the time we have with dad. There are ups and downs, but that is part of our role. We ask that you continue to pray for us, our 3-person family. We are looking for a new home so we can give dad his own bedroom instead of a living room to sleep in (and a home that is more heat efficient).

Thank you for your prayers on our behalf.

With love,
Mike and Jeanine

Dad trying out his newly donated motorized wheelchair

Watching pre-season football (please ignore the hideous wallpaper)

Oooooo, pretty

A New Beginning

Welcome to the first "official" post of our new blog site. Please subscribe by submitting your email in the "Follow by Email" form on the right.

We apologize for our lack of updates the past few months. Life has kept up busy as of late.

When we last posted, Dad was on hospice expecting the infection in his foot to spread to his body, ultimately sending him to his heavenly home. Jeanine was by his side all the time, helping him function while he waited. Plagued by intense pain, he began to question his decision to let this happen to his body. Regardless, he was afraid of the solution to his problem: amputating the other leg. He feared his ability to function and knew his upper body strength to move himself around was limited.

About a month ago, he was having severe pain in his arm. We took him to the hospital for x-rays. The arm ended up being fine. While he was there, he overcame his fears and went forward with the amputation. The procedure was done soon enough that there were no signs of infection anywhere else in his body. We praise God that Dad is going to be around much longer now!

He is currently in rehab where he is getting stronger every day. We anticipate that he will be able to come home in another week. He has had bouts of sickness that has slowed his progress, but Dad is a fighter. On his bedside calendar, he put a thumb-tack on the day he has targeted to be able to go home. He is determined.

As a double amputee, Dad is now realizing that his days of living independently may be over. He is discouraged about that, but is excited about the possibility of living with us. We have decided we want him to come into our home where we can take better care of him. We are currently looking for a home that will accommodate him as far as his handicap needs and still provide him with some independence. We know God already has a home picked out for us. Please pray that we will find a place we can afford on just one salary.

As for us, Jeanine spends a lot of her time with Dad at rehab and looking for homes. She occasionally finds time to work on curriculums for our partners in South Africa. Mike’s old boss from Staples in Colorado sought him out and got him a job at the corporate office in Massachusetts. He is much happier with the work environment. We both like the occasional Skype call with Ryan, Nikki and the grandkids in Cambodia. Jeanine spent Memorial Day weekend in Virginia with Timmy, Lynsi & Xander. We are happy to report that this past week, they gave birth to the lovely Violet Kristina Coressel. She is a beautiful baby that has a full head of hair. When we are little more settled with the situation with Dad, we hope to go and meet her soon.

Prayer requests: Dads rehab and strength, finding a home to accommodate our needs, our friends in Africa (there are some situations going on we will share later), and for our beloved family in Cambodia.

With love,
Mike and Jeanine

The beautiful Violet Kristina Coressel born July 6th - 6 lbs 8oz

Skying to Cambodia

Idiom fun: "Giving Dad a leg up!"

One Month Later...

Although it has only been a month since our last update, it feels like six. We have so many things to report that it is difficult to decide were to start.

In case you have not already heard, on March 24 mom left this world to join Jesus in heaven. Six days after an infection took hold of her kidneys, her little body finally lost the battle. We were blessed to have had the whole week to be by her side at the hospital until she peacefully took her last breath. We had a small memorial service that seemed more like a family reunion than it did a funeral service. We knew mom would have wanted it that way. Although sad she is no longer on this earth with us, we are happy that her battle against the disease is finished.

After 54 years of marriage, we expected dad to be a mess with her passing. But he took things well. He is obviously grieving tremendously, but he too is happy that she is no longer fighting the disease.

Dad has had a rough ride as of late. He was finally released from rehab, 5 months of living in the center. He came home to a new apartment, one that is handicap accessible. He had been keeping himself busy trying to figure out where to fit things in a way he can get to them. It is easy to take for granted our ability to reach the cupboards above the kitchen counter. Being confined to his wheelchair, he is unable to use those cupboards. Regardless, he was starting to show real progress in arm strength and ability to stand on his one leg. He received a prosthetic leg and had just set appointment to work with the doctor on walking with it.

Then two weeks ago, the incision where his bypass stint was installed in his remaining foot started to bleed. We took him to the hospital where he had to go into emergency surgery to remove the bypass (he was bleeding out). This is the same thing that happened to his right leg in December. Now his left foot is not receiving blood and will eventually die off. To avoid life-threatening infections, and excruciating pain, the other leg would have to be amputated. For now, and for a range of reason, he has decided he does not want to cut off the leg. At this point, we are not sure what to do. We have seen dad suffer so much in the last six months: gall bladder surgery in Oct, surgery on his right foot in Nov, amputation in Dec, heart attack in Dec, bypass surgery on his left foot in Feb, mom passed in Mar, and then this last surgery. We ask for prayer for him. At least now he has enough stamps on his surgery card that his next one if free (a little humor needed here).

Our days are long. Jeanine leaves early to be with dad at his place all day. She runs his errands and takes him to doctor appointments and things. Mike goes directly from work to dad’s place. We eat dinner together with him and hang out until bedtime. Depending on how dad is feeling makes a big difference on his mood. It is sometimes very suffocating to be around his negativity (which he understandably suffers from).

However, we do want to report that there are some very good things and happy times while here. We are getting to know Jeanine’s brother and his family better. They are a fun bunch to be around. Her sister comes down from Maine to visit often.

We also get to hang out with her other sister in New Hampshire. It is good to be around family. We are also truly happy that we get to have this time with dad. We were grateful for the time we had with mom before she left. It has helped us realize how valuable the time is. We are cherishing each moment as much as we can.

With love,
Mike and Jeanine

Psalms 136:26

It is amazing to think we are already well into March. The previous months since returning to the US have passed by quickly. Adjusting to life back in America has been quite an experience. Mike sometimes still forgets what side of the road to drive on. Not good. We have also been adjusting to generous levels of snowfall and Nor’easters.

We were ready to post a blog sharing that things with mom and dad have settled down a bit. It seems we were a little early on that statement. Unfortunately, last week or so has been difficult. Jeanine will share a little more detail on this below.

We are happy to announce that Mike got a job! He started work this week in the IT department of a small state college. The drive is only 1.25 hours away! (that was sarcasm if you didn't catch it)

As always, we would like to share events from our individual perspectives...

Mike:
I recall what it was like in Colorado during the first day of snow each winter. The commute time doubled and drivers would slow to a crawl, cautious to maintain control of their vehicles. In Massachusetts, drivers race along the highways through the snow as if it where dry ground. But when the sun comes out around springtime, the commute time doubles and drivers slow to a crawl. The concept of sun glare is a fearful notion, only because it is so rare.

We are grateful that I found work. There are so many people without income right now and we know how much of a blessing this is. The commute is rough. Let me put it this way, I have to change the radio station twice along the way because I travel outside of the transmit range. I shave twice a day; once before I leave for work and again when I arrive at work because the beard has started growing back again.

It is still difficult to wrap my head around the whole work thing. After the past year and half of service, I am having trouble settling into the job. I don't really feel like I fit in. I think that is mostly because my recent lifestyle has not been a focus on work, but rather service to others. I am trying hard to relate my tasks into a service role, but the responsibilities seem unimportant compared to working to alleviate poverty, feed hungry children and care for our parents. Not to mention I was with Jeanine 24X7 for over a year. I know, you are thinking, "Poor Jeanine, forced to be with Mike all that time." It was a privilege and I miss her when I am at work. Cheese.

Regardless I know we are blessed. I see Gods grace everyday and I look forward to what He has in store for us in the future!

And now for the star of the show…

Jeanine:
So much has happened since our last update…

Mom has been hanging in. She has good days and bad. She was doing well and getting more and more comfy at the nursing home. She had embraced it as her permanent home. She was finally requesting that we bring her clothes to the nursing home and allowing pictures to be hung on her walls. We would have nice conversations and she was responding with a slight nod or shake of her head, and even though it took a lot of effort, she would verbally answer questions that require more than that. Lately, however, she has been losing weight, eating less and sleeping more. The nursing home is doing what they can to adjust treatment, but the nature of her disease will continue to attack her at different angles. She speaks less and it seems to take more effort when she does. She has trouble holding things like her glass of milk. She is also down for the count right now with a severe stomach virus and with her being so tiny already……. We fear the disease is gearing up for another round. Please pray that dad, us and the family may be prepared for whatever comes next.

Dad has had a wild ride lately. On 25 Feb, he went in for surgery to install a bypass stint so his remaining foot could get blood flow. (This is the same procedure that didn’t work on his right leg, causing the amputation). Praise God, the surgery was successful! He will be able to keep his left foot! It was amazing to be with him after the surgery and hear him sing praises to God! Ok and then there is also nothing like watching your Dad get high after he pushing the button to self-induce pain meds. LOL He kept speaking into the button wand…”hello, hello, can you hear me?” HA, HA, HA!!! And we also found out according to Dad that Mike is extremely “huggable”. (course I already knew that). We also received the GREAT news that they are releasing Dad into my care on Friday!!! After being gone since November, he could not be more anxious to be home. He will need 1 assist (moi) from the time he gets up till he goes to bed sooo about 7am I’ll head his way & return home about 10pm. Mike will come to Dad’s after work each night & we’ll eat as a family. This will taper back some once Dad get’s his artificial leg & adjusts to living on his own again. Yes, I know it would be simpler for all if he would just move in with us, however he doesn’t want to lose his sense of self & we want to respect that. Yeah maan… it’s gonna be WILD, it’s gonna be GREAT….it’s gonna be FULL OF HIM (and yes I’m heavily counting on this one!!!).

For me, dear friends, I would ask for strength. I am blessed to be able to spend time with my parents after 34 years of being away. There is a peace & a sense of honor when I feed my mother, wheel her around on our walks or hang out with my Father while he heals. But now and again, I look around and see all of the folks there…. Old, sickly, just sitting there with drool down their chins as they sleep in their wheel chairs, and there at the end of the group is my little Mum, with Dad by her side holding hands, and it gets real, and it gets hard. I also worry that I might not be able to physically care for my Dad on my own (although I am getting some PT training starting Monday to prepare me for this). Most days it is ok, but some…….

Us:
We have continued some of our work with BEAM and Siyathemba in Africa. Mike is getting ready to send a few new databases and marketing videos. Jeanine has been working on a calendar and the curriculum for Siyathemba. Although not physically there, we still plan to serve as much as we can from abroad. We also hope to launch a new web site for African Endeavor soon.

We will keep you updated on the next new adventures in store for us. Meanwhile, we ask for your prayers over mom and that dad and family may be strong regarding her condition. Please pray for dad and his quick rehabilitation. We also ask you pray that we find a church we can participate in and worship with.

We thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement. We pray that God may bless each of you!

With love,
Mike & Jeanine

Bird watching with Mom

A view from our backyard

A day in New England

How Jeanine takes care of the staff at the nursing home

And A New Year Begins

I sit in the little house that God has provided for us here in Massachusetts watching the snow gently fall outside our window and the smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies fill the rooms. Ah, small town New England in winter. While it is cold (ya well it IS January) there is a beauty to this part of the country I think I was too young to appreciate when I lived here last. And while we have seen more gray skies than blue since we arrived, I love the scenery that surrounds us. It is peaceful and serene on this little street that we have been blessed to call home for now, and it is a peace that I desperately need.

Mom is doing well. She listens to our conversations and occasionally forces herself to sit up and reply or respond or correct us when our ‘information is slightly off’, lol. She can hold her milk to drink out of a straw, but we must still have to feed her. All and all considering the disease they say she is doing very well. She could possibly continue on like this for quite a while. My father was doing well. He adjusted to having his right leg removed (just below his knee) had gotten to the point of being able to use the bathroom alone & with minimal help can get in and out of his wheel chair. We also just got the news that he qualified for and is getting a handicap unit within the complex he is currently living in. The list for those units is usually very long, but his will be ready the first week in February…praise God! But now his left leg has started to pain him something awful, and sores are appearing on it, just like the right leg. He goes back to the hospital on Friday morning to have it looked at. We are praying we caught this leg early enough so he does not need more surgery. For now, he is handling the news with a “one day at a time” attitude which in itself is a miracle.

I know that God is with us, He has shown His presence in everything. For although we are having a hard time finding work, we are able to spend a lot of time with my folks, running errands for my Dad and getting to know our way around the area. It also allows us to come back to Colorado on 22 Jan for a week to see Nikki & Ryan one more time before they move to Cambodia on 3 Feb. (Praise God for CHEAP unadvertised airfares!).

Other than being unemployed, we are enjoying all the quirks of living in a little house that was built in 1888 (seriously it was!!!). We no longer jump when the pipes ping & the floors creak at 2am and we are quite happy wearing our long johns & hoodies in the house because oil heat is wicked expensive *grins*. We love running in to Dunkin Donuts for a coffee and seeing a pack of retirees hanging out in the corner loudly discussing everything from , “this wicked nasty weathah” or their beloved Patriots. And the fact that once again we have the accents… ok so the reality is MIKE has the accent, it seems I am falling back into old pronunciations *grins*.

We thank you all for all of your prayers & support. We ask that you continue praying for my parents. And we pray that you all have a blessed & amazing 2013, we know we will.

 ".....knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. "     James 1:3-4

 In His Name,
Mike & Jeanine

Our new guard dog, Wilbur

The view from our front window

Piping hot cookies by the kitchen window