Therapy & update

Hi, I just thought I would give an update. I'm doing great, I feel good and like to get out as much as I can. I have therapy on tue.,thur,& fri. for two hrs. each. I'm walking without a cane on stable ground which feels good, I get tired real easy, but that is getting better. If you would like to visit you might want to call because I might be gone out somewhere. I would like to thank all of you that prayed for Bea & me in this time. . Some of you asked about our grand daughter, She is doing well. She has turned 16 years old and got her drivers license. Thank you for your prayers for her too. We feel very blessed to have such a caring group of family and friends. Bill

For those of you who know our daughter Cheryl--We'd appreciate your prayers for her and her family. Ben (son who has Down Syndrome) has returned to the Allegan County Learning Center, as of today. This was a difficult decision for Cheryl and Randy as it means Ben will spend a long time on the bus each day. Things were not going well for him in the Wayland Middle School program, so we hope this will be a good fit and make for a happier Boy. Thank You much!

Bill Berends

Dad is in the News

Dad will be in the Penasee Globe the week of November 12. Look for him!

Full text says: Look At Me Now . . . Bill Berends is now home after receiving therapy. This is what he had to say ... "When I came to the Laurels of Sandy Creek it was after being in the hospital for 12 weeks. I came in flat on my back; and now just 2 1/2 weeks later, I'm walking with just the aid of a cane. The therapists know their stuff and how to motivate you. While here, I didn't find anyone I didn't like!"

DAD IS HOME

Just a quick note to let everyone know that dad is now home! He and mom are doing well and have a new lease on life. Dad will be having physical therapy and has a ways to go - but loving life.

To get ahold of mom and dad call 616-877-4477
or to visit or send a card: 1115 146th Ave, Wayland, MI 49348

Dad would love a visit or a phone call. Have a blessed week and once again - thanks for all the prayers!

From Mom & Dad

This is a note from mom and dad:
Wow! Life is good! God is very good. Everyday seems to give us a new pleasant improvement. Bill is now using a walker part-time (instead of always using a wheelchair). Physical Therapy is very strenuous and exhausting but also rewarding as he accomplishes new things and gains stamina. Bill enjoys visitors but his immune system remains compromised so please don't visit if you don't feel well.
There is no definite PT schedule but Bill is usually finished by 2:00 pm. If he does happen to be in therapy - you may go in and chat while he works. If he's not in his room - the nurses will know where to find him.
He hopes to go home in the near future.
We again must thank you all for your love & concern & especially your prayers. We believe that Bill's wonderful improvement is a direct miraculous answer to all your prayers.
God Bless You All!
Bill & Bea

Dad's In Wayland

Yesterday Dad took a ride to WAYLAND! He is settled in the Wayland Laurels of Sandy Creek Nursing Home. It is located next to the Wayland CRC. He is in room 324. I was able to show up yesterday just as he was getting settled. We got done with a staff meeting and I just hopped in the car and ran over - It Was Wonderful to have them so close.

Tonight Randy, the kids and I went over for a short visit after supper. Dad rolled himself down the hall in the wheelchair and we went outside for a very pleasant visit. Benji hasn't seen dad since this all began. Actually the night dad went into the hospital we were at their house for dinner. That is the last time BJ saw grandpa. He was just a little shy at first, looking at the wheelchair and then at dad. By the time we left - Ben got up and gave dad a big hug and stated "BYE BYE".

Some details since I haven't written in awhile (sorry). Dad had the trac taken out before leaving Plainwell. He is breathing totally on his own with no problems (once in awhile you hear a 'squeak' out of his trac hole which is expected to heal in time on its own). He is on a total general diet and is able to eat on his own (needs help cutting somethings like meat). He had lunch and dinner in the homes dinning room. He said the food isn't bad. Tonight: Hamburger, potato wedges, sherbet, etc. Today he had almost 3 hours of therapy. While in Plainwell he was able to do three laps on the parallel bars (walking while holding the bars). Today they weighed dad. He is 189lbs. That is a LOT of weight gone.

The nursing home is not a place that dad plans on being very long. Although he is very grateful to be there. Here is one of dad's secrets. He was telling me that while in the ambulance on the way to Wayland they passed the Shelbyville exit and he fell apart. Dad didn't know - nor none of us - if he would ever be well enough to be coming home. He only has 8 more miles to go!

Thanks for the love, prayers, support and encouragement. Dad says over and over that he knows he would not be doing as well as he is - if it weren't for the prayers everyone said on his behalf!

Monday Update

Dad had a great day today. They had him sitting up for over a half hour this afternoon. He also had a 30 to 60 minutes of therapy and was pleased with how he did. By the way - mom says he is getting more therapy than he thinks, sometimes he forgets.
Just to some info for you - dad has lost 50 pounds in the last 5-6 weeks. He said that he is enjoying his food enough to begin working on rectifying that.

As for Kelsey - his granddaughter - I went to see her today. She is VERY sore. They did a new CAT scan this morning which showed an additional bleed. At first they were going to do surgery to relieve some pressure - but they waited. Right now (7pm) they are getting ready to bring her for another CAT scan to see if the bleed has continued or not. The Nero-surgeon is there and will read the scan right away. Then they will be making the decision whether to have surgery tonight or wait until morning. Pray for the surgeon and Kelsey's parent (Jim & Missy) as they make decisions.

Doing Great

We got a chance to go to see dad today. It was great to see how good he is doing. Nate went with me. He hadn't seen dad in a few weeks. He was amazed at how well dad was doing. Totally talking and breathing on his own. He still has the trec - but hopefully for only a little longer. Dad is a little frustrated with the amount of physical therapy they are doing. He would like more of it - he wants to get out of there and go home. He is eating a total 'general' diet now. No restrictions. Mom has to help feed him. He is able to get a cup of water up to his mouth with the straw. Working on utensils - but not quit yet.

We do have big news in our family that we would love your prayers for. My niece, Kelsey (Missy's daughter), had a bike accident on the Kent Trails with her youth group yesterday. She has a fractured skull and a small brain bled. She at the Butterworth hospital. She is experiencing a LOT of pain and a huge headache. So far the CAT scan was the same today as yesterday which is good news. When she is able to swallow her meds she can go home. She will probably not be able to do any sports in the upcoming season. She also turns 16 in a few weeks. Not sure if that will affect her driving or not. It sounds as if she had a small seizure after she fell and was unconscious. Please keep her, her parents, and mom & dad in your prayers.

Blessings on your week!