Fixator Free and Loving Life!

John Thomas is loving life!    The hardest problem is keeping him off of his leg...he just wants to run and play like a normal 7 year old boy!  We go back to Florida June 9th to see Dr. Feldman.  We are anxiously awaiting that visit.  He will tell us if we're discharged or if more surgery is needed.  Our prayer continues to be that sweet Jesus, our Mighty Healer, has healed our Mr. Man. 

John Thomas loved seeing all of the #jtstrong shirts.  Our family is very humbled and gracious for all of your love and support.  Here are a few pics from that day.

 

 

 

We  couldn't have gone down this long road without you!  We cling to this:

 

All our love,

Brad, Janay, Jules, and John Thomas

 

#GodIsFaithful    #EyeOfTheTiger   #GodPower    #jtstrong



 

X-Ray #2

Today has been a great day!  John Thomas had his second x-ray since getting the fixator in December.  Dr. Feldman has already responded with "so pleased- the femoral cap is rebuilding".  He is a man of few words but those words are music to our ears.  High five Jesus!  We're still on schedule for the removal of the fixator on May 2nd.  He'll be in a brace for 6 weeks and will need his crutches or his walker. Then we'll head back to Florida in June for another check up.  Our pray is the bone will continue to rebuild, and our Mr. Man will be healed.  

Thanks again for your love and support!

Brad and Janay 

#GodIsFaithful                  #EyeOfTheTiger               #GodPower

Life as "normal"....

We are moving right along with this "new" normal life.  John Thomas continues to do well in physical therapy.  He amazes us how well he can get around!   Dr. Feldman said that the last x-ray looked "exactly as it should".  We will take that positive news!   We will have another x-ray in a couple of weeks.  We continue to fight the infection around the back pin.  At this time, we are back on antibiotics until it clears up.  Our eyes are set on May 2nd- removal of the fixator.  He is so ready to be done with pin cleanings and hip stretches....actually we all are!  He will be in a brace and back in a wheelchair for about a month after the removal of the fixator.  This is important for the holes in his bones to heal.   Our prayers are for this to be the final stage in this process for John Thomas.  No more surgeries will be needed.  Thanks for your prayers, texts, cards, gifts, meals....the list goes on and on.  We will never forget your kindness and generosity.

 We are getting closer to seeing big steps from our Mr. Man!  We plan to finish strong!
#GodIsFaithful                                      #EyeOfTheTiger                       #GodPower




Much love,
Brad and Janay

Day 37

What a difference a month makes!  We are getting used to our "new normal" and when we look back at where we were a month ago, we just can't believe how far we've come. We've got a very strong boy with a lot of faithful Prayer Warriors.   Thank you for your prayers and constant support.  We will have our first x-ray tomorrow and send it to Florida.....prayers that the hip is doing exactly what it's supposed to do!  Here are some things that have been going on this month:

John Thomas loves his Rocky shirt from Aunt Lern and Uncle John.  Rocky Balboa is his hero!

All of the staff from Cottonwood Creek have been amazing!  Ms. Gilstrap took this "Super Bowl" picture during P.E.   We are so grateful to Mrs. Wszolek and his 1B friends for their support and encouragement.  

We are so grateful for the physical therapists and workers at Coppell Sports and Spine.  John Thomas goes to therapy 4 times a week and works with Mrs. Katie and Mr. Jon.   Zack helps out too, and John Thomas loves it!  It's very hard work and some days are better than others, but they are the perfect fit for Mr. Man.  And speaking of physical therapy, this just happened yesterday.  Tears of joy flowed from Momma and Daddy's eyes.  High five, Jesus!

We really couldn't have gotten this far without everyone's help.  The meals have been delicious!  The gifts have been overflowing from our family and friends.  Our church, FUMC-Coppell, has been such a source of comfort and strength.  Pastor Tom has such a way with words that bring hope and peace in such a dark time.   

We continue to witness bountiful blessings from The One who taught us the meaning of true love.  

#GodIsFaithful              #EyeOfTheTiger          #GodPower


Thank you for everything!

Our hearts are full,
Brad and Janay

Day 11

Before we headed to the airport, we needed to drop off some things at the hospital.  These were the P.A.'s for Dr. Paley and Dr. Feldman.  They are so sweet- they sent this message to John Thomas!  We love Ms. Vera and Ms. Tiffany!

Day 10

Today John Thomas was really sore from yesterday.  We said good-bye to Mrs. Yvette at our last physical therapy session.  We will continue physical therapy when we return to Coppell.  John Thomas was happy to receive a surprise package from his friend, Ryan Potter!  

He also received a gift from Jennifer Scott.  A book titled, Scars.   Of course I bawled when I read it....such an amazing book!

Tomorrow we head home!  We can't wait!  I remember last week thinking there was no way he would be able to get on a plane Jan. 9th.  We have been through some really dark, scary moments.  We have met a lot of amazing people here.  And because of your prayers, we are seeing God's work unfold right before our eyes.  We still have a long road ahead of us....physical therapy 5 times a week (minimum), and trying to define the "new normal" at home and at school.  We will send x-rays to Florida every 4 weeks with the fixator removal scheduled for May 2nd.  He will be in a brace for 4-6 weeks after removal to help  his bones heal.  We pray that in these next 4 months, Mr. Man will be healed and will get to run and play with his friends.

#GodIsFaithful              #EyeOfTheTiger             #GodPower


See you soon!
Brad and Janay

Day 9 - Big, Big Day!

Today has been such a blessing! So many answered prayers...thank you so much for praying for Mr. Man.  The morning started with physical therapy with Mrs. Yvette and John Thomas rolled over for the first time!  He has missed laying on his stomach so much!

We met with Dr. Feldman today.  He explained that some time between September and December the hip did indeed collapse.  There's not a reason or explanation as to why this happened....is jut happens sometimes.  He is hopeful that the ball of the hip will grow in the next 4 months.  We have already scheduled the surgery to have the fixator removed- Monday, May 2nd.  Until then, we will send x-rays to check  its growth.

When we got back to the Quantum House, Simmie the Golden Retriever, was there to greet us.

And last but certainly not least, this is what he and Mrs. Yvette worked on today.  There were tears in our eyes as we witness this......definitely GodPower working through our boy.  

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:31


Our plan is to return home on Saturday night....oh how we can't wait!

#GodIsFaithful      #EyeOfTheTiger    #GodPower

Love,
Janay and Brad