Update from David

Aloha to our Ohana,

 

A swarm of dark eagles was swooping down as I futilely looked around for any kind of shelter.  Just as they flew close enough to reveal their menacing faces clearly, my early morning wake-up call arrived 15 minutes sooner than anticipated.  As I awoke from the slumber and forced myself to focus on the alarm clock, it gradually became evident to my sleep-shrouded mind that 0445h is way too early to get up, especially following a late evening meal that ended not seven hours before.  It was our last night together on this visit and although the clock had struck 1900h, Theresa did not want the evening to end -- and certainly not with a slice of Costco pizza.  Since we had such a good time at our first Basque dining experience a few weeks ago, that was her intention for tonight.  Theresa pulled from her planner a handwritten list of Basque restaurant names with stars beside those that she heard were good (this should no longer amaze me given her improving memory and cognition but it still does and I am ever so thankful to our Lord for these not-so-small signs of healing.)

 

After driving crosstown to reach Old Town Kern, created in 1874 when the Southern Pacific railway bypassed Bakersfield due to a dispute over how much right-of-way to cede, it's where two of the more famous Basque restaurants are located.  Although we didn't have reservations, that shouldn't have been a problem given the half-empty parking lot that greeted us.  Theresa was so looking forward to dinner that upon exiting the car, she told me not to bother with setting up the wheelchair and just hand over her cane.  But upon entering the James Beard award winning Noriega Hotel & Restaurant, the nice hostess told us that dinner had started at 1900h and they were already serving the third course.  With only one seating per evening, you have to be there on time; we didn't know this but will for our next visit.  At Wool Growers Restaurant, the other Basque establishment a couple of blocks away, the story was different but the end result was the same -- they're closed on Sunday.

 

Rather than be upset, all of this driving and walking was building up an appetite so I suggested to Theresa as we headed back towards her residence that she should keep an eye out for any eatery that appeals to her as long as it isn't Mexican food.  I don't have anything against the people but having sampled their style of cooking in Texas, California, New Mexico and even Tijuana, Cancun and Tulum, I must conclude that Mexican cuisine just won't make it onto my list of "last five meals to enjoy before departing this world."  Besides, it's kind of an unwritten rule that when we do have Mexican food, it must be early enough to allow for a few hours to digest before bedtime.  With 2000h fast approaching and our dining options acting like it was triple witching hour, Theresa scanned the restaurant district and dismissed Red Lobster, Marie Callender, In 'N' Out, El Pollo Loco and a few others.  Finally on California Ave., her eyes lit up when we passed a place called Pho Hut.  Now normally, any restaurant that takes the Pizza Hut logo and Photoshops in its own name would be questionable but we were getting desperate.  By now, Theresa was too tired to walk so we reverted to the wheelchair, which always draws stares of sympathy wherever she enters.  Not that we take advantage of the situation (except for the handicap parking pass) but probably in a month or so, I expect the wheelchair will be a remnant of our past and for that we continue to offer praise to God.  Theresa's instincts were right as usual and the food & service were wonderful at Pho Hut, a great first addition to our Bakersfield late night eateries.

 

The return flight to Kona was uneventful although it involved another mad dash between gates, except this time I made it, but just barely.  The reward was that as the last one to board, there was no room for my carry-on so it was gate checked at no additional cost.  The pleasantries continued as my row of three was open, allowing me to stretch out for the six hour flight to follow.  Upon landing and catching the Air Taxi straight to the hotel, I picked up a text from Theresa thanking me for the visit, grateful to our Lord for choosing me as her husband, and wishing that she could have come home with me.  I know in my heart that Theresa will be returning to Hawai'i and with God's Grace, it will be sooner than anyone expects.

 

For the next couple of weeks, Theresa kept in touch with me by phone, voicemail and text.  The good news is that the intensive rehab therapy schedule continues to produce marked improvements both physically and cognitively.  The day after I left, the PT put Theresa on the treadmill but she could not keep up at even the slowest speed of 0.8mph.  By the second week, Theresa reports that she is able to walk on the treadmill for 2 x 10 minute sessions and the next goal is to slowly increase the speed up to 2.5mph which is considered normal walking pace when outside.  OT is working with Theresa to improve her arm reach, strength and dexterity, and the cognitive and educational therapists are challenging her with ever more difficult and distracting puzzles, math and reading assignments.  Theresa said one assignment involves balancing a mock checking account and it took a few tries but she got it right.  Pretty impressive considering she hasn't had to balance a checkbook in real life since about 1999 when I joined her in Wisconsin.  In some ways, this new improved version of Theresa reminds me of the Bionic Woman -- better, stronger, faster.

 

On the residential front, Unit #412, a 1-bedroom apartment became available recently and Theresa gladly participated in the move, personally ensuring her orchids were successfully transplanted and decorating the empty living room wall with the Get Well Aunty Theresa poster made by our church's keiki (children).  Although the relocation was exhausting, the new unit allows more privacy and better rest at night as Theresa is no longer awakened every few hours by a roommate heading outside to smoke.  With the quieter surroundings, Theresa is reading books, magazines and even some medical journals I brought last time.  She's also writing thank-you cards to those that sent greetings so don't be surprised if you receive one soon.  The other week, Theresa told me of a new patient who only speaks Mandarin Chinese.  During clinic hours, there is a translator to assist with the communication but back at the residence, the rehab aides are pretty much left to figure out how to talk to the new patient, or as a last resort to use the telephone translation service.  One of the aides noticed Theresa speaking to the new arrival so now they ask Theresa to translate when they can't get through.  Theresa's comment to me was that she'd be happy to translate and would only charge half of what the AT&T operator does.  I don't know if she's kidding or it's a sign that Theresa's entrepreneurial spirit has returned but I'll praise our Lord either way.

 

At CNS, the daily living therapy includes managing the weekly grocery budget plus a separate fund for outings like movies, salons, restaurants, take-out, etc.  But once that outing budget is spent, the patient has to wait until the next week to receive additional funds.  Theresa's first attempt at increasing her outing budget was to buy a box of cheap pens and sell them at a small profit to the rehab aides, who are always looking for a pen to document the patient activities.  At $0.17 profit per pen, it was taking a long time to save up even the $6 for a movie so Theresa has taken on a new tack.  There are nicer pens equipped with cushion grips at the clinic so when she sees one, she compliments the staff member and asks if it's okay to keep it.  They invariably say yes and by the end of the day, Theresa has accumulated a few of these nicer pens.  She then takes them back to the residence and sells them for up to $1 each.  When I mentioned that this wasn't entirely ethical, her reply was that she does give the occasional pen away for free, probably to increase her sales with more exposure.  Perhaps I just need to remind Theresa about her experience with the Valentine's Day chocolate giveaway since that took place during her post traumatic amnesia phase.  The Lord always provides so whatever you give away, you will be blessed to receive many times over.

 

In early June, I found it necessary to return to Bakersfield as the health insurer was once again balking at extending coverage for Theresa's ongoing rehab at CNS.  This time, their tactic was to imply that she could receive comparable treatment in Honolulu or even on an out-patient basis in Kona.  Having experienced both in & out-patient rehab therapy during Theresa's prior recovery in 2009, we have intimate knowledge of the difference between CNS and what's available in Hawai'i, and both have their purposes.  For now, Theresa can still benefit from CNS (& Craig Hospital's) intensive rehab therapy which is so important in the first few months post-traumatic brain injury and when that phase of healing is completed, she can continue with out-patient rehab back home.  This is not a difficult concept to grasp but it seems to elude the health insurer.  If Theresa were not making the progress that she has, I could understand not wasting valuable resources and just sending her to a nursing home to live out her days, but she is improving steadily day by day and cutting us off at this critical time of healing clearly sends a message of valuing finances over proper healthcare.  Again, it is out of our hands however the health insurer decides but it does not weaken our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

On a more positive note, this unexpected visit allowed Theresa and me to see each other sooner than planned and we spent another wonderful long weekend together.  This time we did get to dine at Noriega's and the wait was well worth the lifetime experience of sharing a 50' long table with 100 other patrons.  Not only was the endless food and wine beyond our expectations, but we learned a lot from the couple sitting across who've been coming for dinner regularly for the past 20 years.  Other Basque restaurants may have more exposure or better PR but their verdict is that Noriega's has the best food and true family service.  We are in complete agreement and will definitely return as each day of the week has different food & wine pairings.

 

Last Sunday, we took advantage of the first clear day that week and headed out to nearby Lake Isabella.  It was a beautiful drive along the curving canyon road and the raging river with the late spring runoff was a site to behold.  Upon arriving at the town near the lake, we took a wrong turn and ended up climbing a mountain pass rather than going to the lakeside.  So instead of getting a photo by the lake, the view we had was from a narrow winding road atop the nearby mountain.  Beautiful in its own right and another sign that God is indeed Great!

 

Mahalo,

 

David

Update from David

Aloha to our Ohana,

 

It's been a couple of weeks since the last update and I appreciate your patience and dedication in following our healing journey of grace.  There's much to share so it's best to continue from where we left off at the afternoon of Lu'au fun.  Following the round of golf where Theresa amazed us by walking and playing three holes, the next activity was cognitive therapy disguised as a game of memory.  For the eight patients playing, the first would name an item they would bring to a lu'au starting with the letter 'A.'  The next one would repeat the first item, then add their own starting with the next letter in the alphabet.  This would go on until all 26 letters and their corresponding items were used.  By the letter 'N' everyone had made at least one mistake except for Theresa.  In fact, the therapist had to remind her numerous times not to give hints to the others as everyone was being graded on their working memory abilities.  In the end, Theresa won the game by recalling all 26 of the items correctly.  That this part of her cognition is coming back is a wonderful blessing and another sign of our Lord's incredible healing powers.

 

With all of the exertion and activities that afternoon, I expected that Theresa would want to return to the CNS residential facility to rest and relax before calling it a night.  That was not the case as the last thing Theresa wanted to do was spend an evening sitting alongside her roommates or the rehab aide while being tortured by yet another disease of the week movie on the LMN channel.  As an aside, we rarely watch TV at home, having cut the cable TV line over two years ago and replaced it with a $50 Radio Shack antenna.  The loss of  80+ channels wasn't missed and it allowed us more time to talk, take evening walks, and fully enjoy more of each other's company; another of God's little pleasures that I look forward to soon.  And with savings of $1000/yr on the cable bill, if former HGTV junkies like us could do it, so could many of our Ohana!

 

When I arrived at Theresa's apartment, she was just finishing her shower and getting dressed, not for bed but to go out again.  Joining her in the bathroom, I continued to marvel at her progress as she prepared two towels for drying: one draped over the wheelchair and the other on her head and upper body.  Once her hair was wrapped, just using the grab bar on the wall, Theresa stood up from the shower chair and carefully pivoted until she sat down in the wheelchair.  She then proceeded to dry herself and headed over to the vanity to brush her hair.  Watching her do this with both her arms overhead brought joy to my heart as it was not so long ago that she had that frozen shoulder syndrome.  After dressing almost completely by herself (I helped with the socks as her sock-aide was in the wash) Theresa saw the look of puzzlement in my eyes and then stated rather plainly, "Oh, we're going out tonight so choose a movie."  Somewhat stunned into compliance, I wheeled her out the door bidding farewell to the roommates and aide, and off we went to the local megaplex cinema.

 

Bakersfield is so spread out that even the local cinema isn't so close.  Just driving from the airport to the clinic to the residence and then returning to the hotel easily puts 60 miles (100km) on the car.  The Maya Cineplex was a good 15-20 minutes away however traffic was decidedly light for a Friday evening and we arrived in time to choose from the 1900h selections.  Since Theresa has already seen many of the recent releases including Soul Surfer, Thor, Bridesmaids and a few others, I chose "Water for Elephants" not knowing much about it.  The film's story is along the lines of The Notebook or Titanic in that the elderly narrator is describing life changing events from their past.  Other than taking a bathroom break about halfway through (where Theresa showed off her improved standing and walking ability) we became engrossed in the simple yet sweet love story.  What really surprised me was that Theresa stayed alert and engaged and even asked some pertinent questions throughout.  She did mention that the circus ringmaster gave her the creeps but that just means he played his part well.  About the only glitch in that long day and night was when Theresa tried to get out of the theater chair after the show.  It's the type that's low to the ground and the seat bottom slides forward as it reclines.  Despite her efforts, the seat would slide as soon as she tried to get up causing her to fall back into it.  After a couple more attempts that ended  in laughter (she started and then I joined in) I stood in front and just told her to lean forward into me rather than try to stand.  Once she did so and was free of the carnival chair, all I had to do was hold her hips while she stood herself up.  I am so grateful to our Lord for the time spent with Theresa, to be able to witness her progress as His healing powers make her whole again.

 

The next morning was the weekly grocery outing so Theresa called to say she would be on the CNS shuttle and to meet her at Trader Joe's at 1100h.  The hour came and went as I waited until finally Theresa phoned to say that with so many patients and their unique mobility challenges, some delay was inevitable; thus the caravan didn't arrive until after 1200h.  We hurriedly made our purchases although Theresa took her time to leisurely sample some food and coffee and then went back for seconds.  The reason for the rush was that I had received a call from my Aunts Helen & Margaret from San Diego and L.A. and they were already on their way to Bakersfield to meet us for a late lunch.  Along was my mother, Shirley, who just happened to be visiting them that week from Edmonton, Alberta.  After rushing back to Theresa's apartment to unload the groceries, we headed to the Grand View Chinese restaurant where sure enough, my Mom and her sisters were already waiting and had placed an order for various Dim Sum dishes.  As we sat down and caught up, my Mom and her sisters were surprised at Theresa's improving condition and how she was so alert and engaging in conversation.  The food then started to arrive and of all people, Theresa led us in an eloquent and heartfelt prayer of grace and thanksgiving.  The highlight of the meal was when Theresa emptied the steamer basket of shrimp dumplings onto her plate.  I was about to suggest we should share but thought better of it.  Theresa later told me that after being subjected to microwaved Lean Cuisine and Healthy Choices lunches for the past two months, she deserved to enjoy one of her favorite dishes by herself.

 

Following lunch, we bid farewell to my relatives as they prepared for their 3-hr return drive to L.A.  They'd also brought a gift of orchid flowers that Theresa just adored so rather than return to the residence right away, she wanted to shop for a watering pitcher and a pot.  This entailed a multi-stop trip to Target, Home Depot, Albertsons and others to find just the right equipment.  By late afternoon, we finally returned to the apartment where Theresa immediately found a sheltered spot to put the orchids.  Even I was bushed and looking forward to a quiet evening but that was not in the cards.  Not half an hour later, the fire alarm went off and everyone had to evacuate the complex.  I still don't know if it was a false alarm or not but as we were waiting across the street at the designated gathering area, Theresa asked for the second time in two nights which movie I'd like to see -- so much for the relaxing evening together.  This movie outing had been previously scheduled and Theresa had signed herself up, not knowing at the time that I would be there.  In the end, it wasn't as tiring as I thought and we enjoyed each others company while laughing and cringing at the silly gal pal flick, Bridesmaids.

 

Sunday would be our final time together on this visit and the day was already looking to be packed.  Following church tv, there was a planned outing to the Knotty Pine Cafe, located north of town near the airport.  Known for its heaping plates of food (the chicken-fried steak is a two plate affair) the line-up outside the door promised good things to come.  When our turn came, Theresa had the quesadilla omelet and I bravely ordered the CF steak, thinking it could be shared with others in our group.  Her omelet seemed to be missing a key ingredient (tomatoes and/or salsa) and yes, the CF steak was as large as a plate but also about as tasty as one.  This didn't even merit comparison to the famous CF steak at Hickory Hollow in Houston let alone that truck stop restaurant in Nagodoches Texas that served the best CF steak in our memories.  Still, it was nice to sit with some of the other CNS patients and their families and share the sacrifices we have all made for our loved ones.  One devoted daughter swapped her aspiring career in Boston for a Starbucks barista job here just so she could be near and support her brain-injured mother during this critical phase of healing.  In times like these, we must do what we feel is right, and praying for guidance from God is an important step in that process.

 

The afternoon was spent back at the residence, assisting Theresa with her assigned chore of bathroom cleaning.  She did a good job on the vanity, toilet, floors and shower compartment but even while standing, Theresa had trouble reaching high enough to wipe down the counter-to-ceiling mirror.  Partly due to her height and partly because of the limited over the head reach in her arms, I cleaned and polished it but she still received the credit.  Later on, we made a run to Costco for another box of Depends and a few other supplies.  She doesn't even need it most nights but sometimes it's easier to have on just-in-case, or if the aide has moved her wheelchair out of reach.  While leaving, Theresa had a craving for pizza so I was about to get her a slice when she asked if we could order a whole pie.  Having visions of indigestion haunting us in the middle of the night, I asked if she needed that much food and the reply was it's not for us, it's for the rehab aides!  This one is always thinking of others and her actions were certainly appreciated by the hungry staff that night.  In the end, what started out as a trepiditious arrival due to the health insurer's questioning of the need for continuing care, turned out to be a very rewarding visit with my wife.  While it is in the health insurer's nature to choose profit over the patient's needs, their decisions will not derail the faith we have in the healing powers of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

 

Mahalo,

 

David

Update from David

Aloha to our Ohana,

 

After returning from Bakersfield a couple of weeks ago, my plan until the next scheduled visit in June was to remain in Hawai'i and catch up on office work and home duties.  Of course, our best-laid plans don't always mesh with those of our Lord and sure enough after about ten days back, a message arrived from the Center for Neuro Skills.  They were having issues with renewing the approval for Theresa's continued stay so the possibility of a coverage gap existed.  In order to cover all bases, it would be best for me to return to Bakersfield in case Theresa had to be discharged.  So for the second time in less than three weeks, I made flight arrangements for yet another Trans-Pacific crossing; again not knowing how long I would need to stay but trusting in God that this was part of His plan.

 

Thankfully with the passing of Easter, the airfare has dropped back to the $800 range compared to at least $1200 beforehand; plus there are plenty of seats to choose from.  Not an hour after the flight was booked, Theresa called to give me her nightly update.  In addition to her walking, arm movements and cognition progress, Theresa was fixated on the primary care physician labelling her as diabetic from a single fasting blood glucose test of 119 mg/dl (101 to 140 is considered pre-diabetic) and then putting her on Metformin, a drug to control blood sugar levels.  Theresa told the nurse the proper way to diagnose diabetes is with the hemoglobin A1C test and anyone that relied solely on the blood sugar test was practicing medicine from the last millenium.  Because Metformin has several uncomfortable side effects including diarrhea, nausea, gas, weakness, indigestion, and headache, Theresa would not consider putting her patients on it without a positive set of tests.  That said, because Theresa is playing the role of patient this time, she will reluctantly take the Metformin but has warned the staff to prepare for sudden and urgent bathroom sorties.

 

Theresa's mood brightened considerably when I let her know of my upcoming trip back.  She said it was actually perfect timing because CNS was holding a Lu'au themed picnic that Friday afternoon, partly in honor of the three patients currently there from Hawai'i.  So if I could pack her paʻu or hula skirt and also bring a lei, she would be properly dressed for the occasion; and it wouldn't hurt to pick up some local treats to share with the CNS staff and patients.  Time was a luxury I didn't have that evening as I rushed home to repack (keeping a packed carry-on bag ready to go has become a habit these past six months.)  In anticipation of the next trip, I had started to collect some treats to bring so mac nut kisses and wasabi-flavored tortilla chips would have to suffice this time.  Besides, with the bulky paʻu my carry-on was already stuffed beyond its design limits.  Again, Pastor Al and Lynda were kind enough to provide the ride and comforting faith on the way to the airport and for that I am truly thankful to our Lord.

 

The flight to SFO was relatively smooth and for the first time since starting these ocean hops in January, I had the blessing of a row of three seats to myself.  The horizontal position is definitely more conducive to sleeping however in times like this, I do envy Theresa's ability to lay across a row of three and not have her feet dangle into the aisle.  Still, laying down and curling up has its advantages, not the least of which is to block the glare from the overhead monitor.  It may be the fantasy of some but this night, Jennifer Aniston would not be keeping me awake.  Getting a couple of hours more rest on the layover before the shuttle flight to Bakersfield, I arrived at the CNS Clinic and ran into Wade, a compatriot from Theresa's time at Craig Hospital.  In his unique way, he said there must be a mistake because he saw Theresa roaming the clinic hallways using a 4-prong cane and in search of her wheelchair.  Turns out her first session of the morning was PT and the therapist took away her wheelchair and gave her the cane to get around with for the remainder of the day.

 

When I finally caught up with Theresa in cognitive rehab (CR), we were so happy to see each other that it distracted her from completing her sorting box task accurately.  She was working on multitasking by listening to a nature story while answering questions, sorting out objects and then switching tasks every few minutes.  Between tasks, Theresa recalled with relish the toppings and sides on her evening outing to Juicy Burger that included chipotle ketchup, assorted veggies and sweet potato fries.  As I listened and marveled at Theresa sitting on a regular chair and not her wheelchair, there was something else different about her.  She was wearing pajamas and in fact, so were most of the staff and patients.  Turns out Thursday was PJ day and thankfully, the attire of choice leaned towards Cotton Ginny rather than Victoria's Secret.

 

Theresa's next class was occupational therapy(OT) which she stood up and walked to slowly and surely without any struggle.  It was a pleasure to watch as she prepared an omelet from scratch, scrambling eggs, chopping up peppers, onions, etc. and even walking to the cupboard and reaching up for spices.  For safety from oil splatter, the therapist assisted with the flipping but it came out so poorly that I'm sure Theresa could have done a cleaner job.  That afternoon, Theresa walked so well with the cane to the rest of her sessions that the PT assigned the cane as homework.  To celebrate this milestone, we went to dinner at a local Chinese restaurant with the rehab aide along just in case.  I don't have the words to describe my joy watching Theresa get in and out of the car without needing a sliding board, and then doing the same to sit in the restaurant booth next to me instead of at the end in a wheelchair.  All I can do is thank our Lord for his gift of grace and healing powers.

 

Friday was Lu'au Day at CNS and sure enough, most everyone was decked out in aloha wear, plastic leis and grass skirts and even coconut shell tops.  Theresa looked lovely in her paʻu and blue fringe lei and in addition to the Hawaiian wear, she also sported some kinesiology tape on her elbow and knees; too bad I forgot to take a photo of its colorful and intricate pattern.  This tape has been used in Asia for decades to relax overused muscles and facilitate underused muscles and for Theresa, it has certainly reduced the soreness from all of the walking, stairclimbing, pedaling and reaching.  Kinesiotape was seen most prominently on the shoulder of Kerry Walsh, the U.S. beach volleyball player at the Beijing Olympics.  Not to be left out, I also joined in with my standard office attire aloha shirt topped with a kukui nut lei.  One of the patients, Gary, seemed fascinated by the style so we switched leis on a whim.  Later that morning, he gave me a salmon-motif bracelet he had made from a piece of ceramic found on the beach.  It's said a good negotiation is when both sides go away happy and that was certainly the case here.

 

The good karma continued later that day during the conference call with the health insurer.  It seems the reason they were reluctant to extend further coverage for Theresa's stay was because an initial discharge planning report had not yet been prepared.  Apparently, it is standard procedure to begin planning for a patient's discharge from the moment of their admission so everyone involved has a timeline to follow.  Because CNS had not presented this report yet, the health insurer had no idea how long Theresa might stay here other than the initial estimate of 3-6 months.  And with Theresa exceeding most benchmarks of healing after seven weeks, it's becoming more certain that her length of stay will be in the lower range of that timespan.  So with an agreement to extend coverage for a few more weeks in place, Theresa can continue with her intensive rehab therapy and look forward to returning to Hawai'i by late June if not sooner.

 

Following the morning therapy sessions, the staff and patients transferred to the site of the lu'au picnic, the nearby Yokuts Park located alongside the Kern River.  Yokuts (also called the Mariposa Indians) is the name of the indigenous population that inhabited the Central Valley and they numbered as high as 70,000 before the arrival of the European settlers.  Today, there are fewer than 2000 Yokuts and they mostly live on reservations in the outlying areas.  The lu'au festivities were well organized and the catered food was delicious with kalua pork, teriyaki chicken, sweetbread, homemade pineapple ice cream and an orange/cranberry salad (OK, maybe not so much that last one.)  Theresa and I enjoyed the meal together although she did miss her favorite lu'au dishes, Poké and poi.  One of the afternoon activities was mini golf and despite Theresa's soreness in her taped up legs, she still managed to play three holes before retiring.  Given all of the exertion of the past week, Theresa has done so well and made such progress along her healing journey.  Despite all we've gone through, she continues to keep a positive attitude as do I and we know in our hearts it would not be possible without the support of our Ohana and our Lord, Jesus Christ.

 

Mahalo,

 

David

http://www.hulaterri.blogspot.com

Update from David

Aloha to our Ohana,

 

The early morning drive to the airport went by quickly as I reminisced over the wonderful birthday and Easter weekend spent with the lovely Theresa, and how I am so thankful to our Lord for that precious time together.  My return trip to Kona started on schedule now that I am aware the Bakersfield airport is not located off the Airport Rd exit but rather, Merle Haggard Drive.  Turns out this hall-of-fame country singer known for his most famous song  "Okie from Muskogee" was actually born in Oildale, a hardscrabble suburb of Bakersfield, and the home to thousands of economic refugees from Oklahoma and surrounding states during the Great Depression.  Having resolved that link, I boarded the 0600h puddle jumper flight to San Francisco -- because pond hopper is too grand a descriptor for this propeller plane with chrome engines from the de Havilland era.

 

All went smoothly until the delayed landing due to low cloud cover in the Bay Area.  Recall that on the last trip, it was all I could do to sprint like O.J. to make the 37 minute connection.  This time, United Airlines in their infinite wisdom had adjusted the schedule and shortened it to 30 min, meaning there's only 20 min to deplane, rush between terminals, and board the Kona flight before the door closes 10 min before departure.  So even with the flight attendant asking all other passengers to remain seated until the three of us with tight connections to Baltimore, Seattle and Kona could get out first, it was not to be.  Maybe if I had O.J.'s ability to fly through the terminal as he did in the later Hertz commercials, I could have made it.  But then that begs the question, why does one even need to be at the airport if they can fly?

 

Showing up at the outbound gate five min. after the last call, the agent offered me two options: reroute through LAX and HNL to arrive in Kona at 1700h (compared to the missed flight that would arrive at 1100h) or wait 8 hours and take the next direct flight to Kona, arriving at 1900h.  Choosing the more sensible option, I found a spot to settle in and break out the laptop and phone to stay connected with the office 2500 miles away.  Besides having to occasionally share the power plug with other travelers, the time went remarkably fast and I got a fair bit of catch-up work done.  There were even humorous moments like when I called the Dept. of Water Supply in Hilo and our conversation was interrupted by the overhead warning to report any suspicious person or unattended baggage to the SFO airport authority.

 

The later flight was uneventful and sadly for Hawai'i tourism, there were 65 empty seats.  But even with the reduced numbers on board, I still could not manage to win the Halfway to Hawai'i game -- maybe it's God's way of telling me to stop overcalculating and just take a wild guess!  Upon landing, there was a stored message from Theresa describing her day and that she was going out for sushi, sashimi and/or teppanyaki in the evening.  That girl is getting out much more with the rehab facility than she ever did back home, not that I'm jealous (or maybe just feeling a little left out.)  And text messages later that week confirmed her busy social calendar, with planned outings for meals, movies and even a local theatrical performance.

 

On the rehab front, Theresa provided updates through the week on her own progress, notably that she's doing leg lifts using the EVO walker to build up strength and relearn stairclimbing, and that she is walking longer distances using only the 4-prong cane to steady herself.  All of this exercise is resulting in sore quads, knees, ankles, etc. yet Theresa only takes Tylenol instead of the hard stuff (as she likes to call Oxycodone.)  She even keeps a secret stash of Tylenol around because sometimes it takes too long for the rehab aides to order it through the proper channels.  Cognitively, Theresa is also progressing as she improves her math, problem solving and reading comprehension skills, all while dealing with outside distractions from the therapist and other patients.  The educational testing scale ranges from grade 1-18 and with her prior education, she should have scored near the top pre-injury.  Post-injury, Theresa is making good progress and well on her way back.  And for those questions she doesn't answer correctly immediately, she's able to talk (maybe BS?) her way to the right answer.  For these signs of constant healing, I am in awe and offer praise to our Lord.

 

Last Sunday, the car wash fundraiser was held by Theresa's clinic associates in conjunction with our friend, Chef Edwin, who supplied and grilled the delicious local ingredients that go into his famous Village Burger recipes.  It was a huge success and with everyone's combined efforts, I estimate over 100 vehicles were washed that day.  That a couple of "cut" guys wearing board shorts were out front holding signs certainly didn't hurt as there seemed a steady stream of lady and some gentlemen drivers getting their not-so-dirty cars washed.  Mauna Lani's own Chef Al supplied the tunes to keep the energy high while a dozen others from work also showed up for our cause.  Theresa had intended to phone in and thank everyone during the event however the timing just didn't mesh and she ended up calling while Richard, the clinic director, and I were in his office reviewing some healing music chants.  At least Theresa and Richard spoke at length and he was able to pass that message along to the hard working, fun loving group outside.  The weather cooperated, everybody had fun, and we are most grateful for having so many friends that have truly adopted us into their ohana.

 

Earlier this week, Theresa relayed the exciting news that she met a new patient from Hawai'i by the name of Jason, and that upon being introduced, he already knew of Theresa's story from the news updates back home.  The only thing that surprised him was Theresa's haircut, as she recently went back to an easy-to-maintain bob, as compared to the update photos that show her with longer hair.  Theresa also mentioned that with the guidance of the PT, she's tucking in her butt, straightening her back and the result is she's walking faster and with more confidence.  This culminated in yesterday's announcement that she spent the whole day at the clinic using only the 4-prong cane to move around between classes.  That is a huge achievement and one which we know is a direct result of our Lord's gift of grace and healing.  For this above all others, we give thanks for all He has done.

 

Mahalo,

 

David

Update from David

Aloha to our Ohana,

 

During the early 1900s, a wave of settlers from the mountains of the French and Spanish Pyrenees came to start a new life in Bakersfield.  These immigrants referred to themselves as coming from the Basque country, and with them they brought their farming and sheepherding skills.  To say their descendants have thrived in this agricultural paradise is an understatement.  The Basque have learned to perpetuate their culture, which is first the people, then their social events, the eating, drinking, laughing, dancing, singing and whatever God may have desired for the Basque and their friends to take pleasure in and enjoy.  And it was ensconsed in this spirit of joy that Theresa and I celebrated her birthday with dinner at Chalet Basque, one of close to a dozen such restaurants in the area.

 

Wheeling into the main dining area was an experience in itself.  The rehab aides at the Center for Neuro Skills told us the service was family-style and sure enough, many of the diners were in groups of 10 or more and they most certainly looked related.  With just the two of us, the hostess (who coincidentally was from Shanghai) asked us to wait a bit as they opened another section.  My suspicion is they usually seat parties of two in the booths but that wouldn't work with Theresa's wheelchair.  Once seated, we browsed through the menu and settled on some entrees, the braised lamb for Theresa and pork chops for me.  If anyone out there is disgusted by our choices, be reminded that if God didn't want us to eat meat, He wouldn't have made animals so tasty!

 

The best part of the Basque dining experience is that with the exception of the entree and drinks, everything else is included.  Not only is there endless bread, soup and salad, but even the appetizers and sides are generous.  The server hinted that some first-time diners are put off by the pickled tongue dish however Theresa delighted in it along with the delicious cabbage soup for which we enjoyed a second helping.  Sitting there just watching, listening to and enjoying dinner conversation with Theresa made for a wonderful evening that I will always remember.  And for the first time since before the accident, I noticed Theresa was using her knife and fork with both hands rather than just favoring her stronger side.  With this abundance of food & drink, it wasn't long before Theresa needed a bathroom break so off we went in search of the facilities.

 

Being with someone in a wheelchair has given me a new perspective on handicap-accessible bathrooms and how they can differ tremendously.  The most convenient are the ones where there is enough room next to the toilet to back in the wheelchair, allowing the occupant to slide over without too much effort.  Others are barely wider than public stalls with just enough room to get the wheelchair inside facing the toilet, so the user must stand and do a 180 degree pivot.  In Denver, we had some difficulty with this type of stall and sure enough, that was all Chalet Basque offered.  Once we were in and the door was closed, I was contemplating how to assist Theresa with her transfer in the tight quarters when she just stood up, grabbed the safety rails and slowly stepped and turned until she was ready to sit down.  All she asked of me was to pull down her pants and then she sat and let nature take its course.  To the casual observer, these may seem like small steps but to know how far Theresa has come, this really is just one more sign of our Lord blessing us with His healing grace.

 

The scheduled outing the next morning was the weekly grocery shopping trip and this time, the rehab aide suggested that it would be a good planning exercise for Theresa to see if she could stick to the $75 budget for food only.  That pretty much ruled out Trader Joe's for the most part as Theresa spent almost double the budget there the last time I was in town.  So we went into Albertson's instead and were doing pretty well with Theresa mostly selecting products on sale and keeping a rough tally on the back of her shopping list.  She even managed to squeeze in a strawberry tres-leche birthday cake, something we didn't have room for the night before and now she wanted to share it with her roommates and the rehab aides.  At the check-out, I watched the total purchase amount ring up and sure enough, it stopped at $73; that is until the cashier asked if there was anything else, which was Theresa's cue to reach up to the magazine rack and throw in a special wedding publication celebrating Prince William and Kate Middleton, which blew the budget completely.  This is an old trick she used to pull pre-aneurysm so in some ways, I am grateful for that side of her coming back too.  Still, the look of enjoyment and wonder as she read about the royals and shared cake with everyone made it worthwhile.

 

Easter Sunday arrived and following a beautiful Spanish mass service, we ventured to the local shopping center in search of stationery and thank-you cards.  Theresa has received close to if not more than a hundred get-well cards and her goal is to reply to each sender as her time and energy permits.  She chose a box of 24 at Target and then we decided to wheel through the mall for a look-see.  That turned out to be a mistake as the sound of muzak competing with loud conversations, music from other stores, echoes and the such conspired to give both of us headaches.  Taking refuge from the noise, we detoured into what appeared to be a department store but was Forever 21, a clothing and accessory outlet geared towards younger ladies and those still clinging to youthfulness.  We've heard of this store but up to now had never been inside one.  At first it was fascinating to see an entire department-size store devoted to the young miss set but soon enough, their music also took its toll and we headed for the nearest exit and returned to the CNS residence, just in time for Easter dinner.

 

To celebrate Easter, the CNS staff prepared a special meal consisting of beef tri-tip, salad, rice & beans, and assorted desserts for the residents and their visitors.  It was a nice surprise and a wonderful way to cap off a beautiful day celebrating our Lord Jesus Christ's resurrection.  There also were baskets of easter eggs on each table with chocolates and other goodies inside.  Theresa's aide, Darlene, dined with us and I asked her half-jokingly why the eggs weren't hidden for everyone to find.  Her completely serious reply was that it was tried in the past however the results were unexpected as some of the residents became obsessed and looked into the wee hours of the night.  Sometimes, it's just simpler to hit the EASY button.

 

With dinner completed, it was fast approaching 8pm and I had a 4am wake-up call for my return flight to Kona on Monday.  Theresa and I spent a few more precious moments together as I wheeled her back to her apartment.  She thanked me for coming out and said that this weekend together was her best birthday gift ever.  I fully agree and continue to praise our Heavenly Father for all He has blessed us with.  Kissing Theresa farewell, I drove back towards the hotel but not five minutes later, her distinctive ring tone (the nose twitching sound from Bewitched) alerted me to who was calling.  Sure enough, Theresa was checking if I was safely back and that she was already missing me.  To heck with the hotel room, I turned around and returned to the apartment where Theresa and I spent more of our last evening together.  The simple acts of chatting, folding laundry and applying Maderna gel to some of her fast-disappearing scars brought loving joy to my heart, a feeling that remained long after I said farewell for the second time that night.

 

Mahalo,

 

David 

Update from David

Aloha to our Ohana,

 

The overnight flight to the mainland was almost full but thankfully the lack of turbulence made up for the other distractions keeping many of the passengers awake.  I'm pretty sure the check-in agent took pity on me as he asked if I was traveling alone, and then changed my seat assignment from a middle to an exit row aisle.  At the gate, an announcement was made that those traveling with small children would not be offered priority boarding since with so many families returning from  Spring Break, that would entail more than half the plane.  This also foreshadowed the cacophony of crying to follow but at least my earplugs cancelled some of that.  What I didn't expect was the extra legroom in the exit row also meant a front & center view of the TV; and the last thing I needed on this redeye was to have Jack Black's face flashing in my eyes while I tried to get some shut-eye.  The Lord giveth and He taketh away pretty much summed up this trade-off.  Note to self -- buy a nightshade before the next trip.

 

Arriving at the San Francisco airport while waiting for the connection to Bakersfield, a tour of the food court confirmed that I had no appetite for anything at 0500h.  At least the layover allowed for a few hours of rest but having slept through more than one boarding announcement in the past, true sleep eludes me under these conditions.  The pond hopper to BFL was uneventful but in my semi-conscious stupor, I dreamed of flying in the Amazon, probably because of reading the safety folder of this Brazilian made Embraer 120 plane before nodding off.  Picking up the rental car, I headed straight to the CNS rehab clinic and promptly found my dear wife resting between therapy classes.  To say we were happy to see each other doesn't describe the feelings of joy and love in that instant.  All of the travails of the previous night were worth it to arrive at this moment and spend the day with my beautiful Theresa.

 

She met me with a big smile and a kiss and before we even had a chance to catch up, Theresa was wheeling towards the PT gym even though her next session wasn't scheduled to begin for another half hour.  Turns out she wanted me to meet Wade, a high school teacher and recent graduate of Craig Hospital just like Theresa, and a new transfer to CNS for intensive brain injury rehab too.  My memory of him was pretty vague so Theresa jogged it by recalling the incident at Beaujos Pizza where Wade and his wife were the other couple inadvertently left behind when the Craig shuttle took off without us.  That she remembered the incident and the players from mid-February when I didn't is a testimony to Theresa's improved memory for which I continue to praise our Lord.

 

Catching up with Theresa and Wade took us right to the start of her PT session where Theresa surprised me yet again.  I'd mentioned previously that Theresa had pretty much mastered the EVO-walker and was starting to practice sit & stands.  What I wasn't prepared for was the PT telling Theresa to stand and then handing her a 4-pronged walking cane.  The PT asked me to follow behind with the wheelchair and sure enough, Theresa took a tentative step and then another and pretty soon she was walking forward slowly with no support besides the cane.

 

It's funny how we take walking for granted when it's really quite a complicated series of motions.  Watching the therapist coach Theresa to shift her weight from side to side and move the upper body in unison made me realize just how difficult it can be to relearn this skill from scratch.  Theresa proceeded to take about 15 steps before she tired out however she remained standing until I had the wheelchair in position and then she didn't just fall into it, but reached back for the armrests and sat herself down with control.  This exercise was repeated twice more until Theresa began to complain of pain from her pelvic fracture.  This wasn't an issue when she was sitting or even using the EVO-walker but now that her pelvis has to bear the weight of her entire upper body, it will entail some pain.  Pelvic fractures are like rib fractures in that they're mostly left to heal by themselves and we just have to live with the suffering.  Still, Theresa did me proud as even when she stumbled and looked like she might collapse from sheer exhaustion, she still managed to catch herself without falling.

 

The remainder of the class was spent on the mat with the PT performing manual manipulation of Theresa's slowly defrosting left shoulder.  While watching this, a sense of warmth and gratitude came over me as Theresa's range of motion looked to be much better than before.  What a day!  It was Theresa's birthday yet with these signs of steady progress she gave me the best present ever.  Her strength and determination coupled with our Heavenly Father's healing powers have brought us a long way since November.

 

Following PT, there was an OT class where Theresa demonstrated her improving dexerity and reach in her left arm by using both arms simultaneously to sort poker chips by color.  Later on, Theresa told me she was sorry that there wasn't any chocolate left.  Her poetry sister, Candy (no kidding) from Michigan, had sent her a box of handmade chocolates and as Theresa is want to do, she intended to share them with everyone.  However, it's against the rules here to give other patients anything to eat without the dietitian's permission as some may be diabetic, hyperactive or have a compulsion to eat nonstop.  So Theresa left the box with the staff and by the time she remembered to save me one, they were all gone.  Seems like a rule that's definitely in the house's favor.  All the same, I didn't miss or need it as we were looking forward to a romantic dinner that evening.

 

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

 

If you happen to be in Kona this Sunday May 1, Theresa's former clinic is holding a car wash fundraiser in conjunction with Village Burger of Waimea.  It's being held from 10-3 in the parking lot of the West Hawaii Community Health Center at 75-5751 Kuakini Hwy.  That's on the NE corner of Kuakini and Hualalai.  Access is from Kalani Rd behind McDonald's but don't stop there because the best burgers on the island will be cooked by Chef Edwin Goto and his team.  Several of our friends from Mauna Lani will also be helping out so it will be a fun-filled day for all.  A big mahalo to everyone for their love and support.

 

Mahalo,

 

David

Update from David

Aloha to our Ohana,

 

Having left my dear Theresa the previous evening, the early morning return flight to Kona was almost scrubbed before I even made it to the airport.  Recall that when we transferred from Craig Hospital in Denver, the flight only went as far as LAX where the CNS shuttle picked us up for the normally two hour (actually 5-hr) drive to their rehab facility.  So not having flown into Meadows Field Airport, I was now driving there based on vague directions provided by a rehab aide -- it's on Hwy 99 north of town.  In hindsight, it still seems obvious to take the "Airport Rd" exit which I did and then became hopelessly lost looking for any hint of the next directional sign.  At 0500h, not much is open but I finally came upon a truck stop oasis (a suitable name since I was literally lost in the desert of the San Joaquin Valley) and then given proper directions to take the "Merle Haggard" exit.  Of course that makes sense, but only if you know the connection between the country singer and the airport, which still eludes me.  In any case, I did make it in time to catch the puddle jumper to San Francisco where my next obstacle was a short 37m connection to the Kona flight.  The Lord must have wanted me to be on that plane because I sprinted through the terminal and was the second last to board.  But the cost was my overwhelmed brain as I screwed up the Halfway to Hawaii calculation and missed by exactly 10m again.  Thanks go to our dear friend Geoff for donating the double airmiles that covered my last-minute flight to Denver and the return from Bakersfield.  Without his generosity, those tickets would have cost over $2800.

 

The outpouring of blessings continued upon arriving at the Kona-Keahole Airport where I was met by Al & Linda, our pastor and his wife.  In addition to providing a ride home, they also took me to lunch at a Kona favorite of theirs, Quinns - almost by the Sea.  I had really missed not being able to attend our local community church services the past four weeks so it was wonderful to catch up with them and to renew my faith.  As a special blessing, Theresa even joined us in her own way for lunch, phoning shortly after Pastor Al finished saying grace.  So as we enjoyed the meal and passed the phone around, it really was a wonderful time spent with Theresa engaging all of us with her good spirits and lively conversation.  One day in the near future, it will be our turn to have Pastor Al and Linda along with some other dear friends over for dinner and I just know that Theresa will enjoy planning and preparing a culinary masterpiece.  When I consider how far she has come along her healing journey in these fast five months that I could even contemplate a dinner party, it is truly a gift from God for which we offer our praise and thanks.

 

With the 3-hr time difference between us, for the rest of the week there wasn't too much contact except for the occasional text message arriving at 0500h, likely sent during breakfast time and just before boarding the shuttle to the rehab clinic; or the late afternoon phone call as Theresa was preparing for bed.  In addition to sharing some of her rehab successes like sorting out a pile of items into 12 boxes in record time, or walking for over 100' with the EVO-walker, Theresa also took part in several outings including a haircut, enjoying Soul Surfer -- the new movie by our friend, Roy, the executive producer of Princess Kaiulani, and a much anticipated trip to the Murray Family Farms.  As Theresa recounted, she was somewhat disappointed by this farm as it did not have nearly as much fresh produce as our local Waimea Farmers' Market.  Given that most crops besides citrus, strawberries and winter veggies are not in season yet, that's to be expected here.  Still, she is looking forward to the cherry season coming up in May as Murray Family Farms boasts 17 varieties of God's own candy.

 

Last Wednesday evening, I attended the monthly Pacific Head Injury Support Group Meeting and listened with fascination to the story of Dan, a local Kona coffee farmer who is recovering from a recent experimental surgical procedure to increase bloodflow to the side of his brain damaged by injury.  Having met and spoken with Dan before the surgery that was performed at the Duke University Medical Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, it's quite noticeable how his speech and cognitive abilities have improved so quickly.  It's too bad that it took almost two years of battling with his health insurer to cover this but the results already show much promise.  In a related story, the office of Gaby Giffords, the Arizona member of Congress that suffered a brain injury from an assassination attempt, is pushing for a bill to demand post-acute treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) as basic care covered by health insurers.  This would allow anyone with a TBI to gain access to the same level of care she received as a government official and a cause that we should all support.

 

The past week was busy for the both of us as I dealt with seemingly neverending insurance issues and the looming tax filing deadline while Theresa concentrated on her rehab therapies.  My elbows may be sore after a marathon week of entering data but I'm sure it's minor compared to Theresa's aches.  On a daily basis, she is performing sit and stands almost continuously and beginning to practice walking without the EVO-walker for support.  That puts most of the weight on her hips which exacerbates the pain from the pelvic fracture.  Bless her heart and thank the Lord, she may grimace and take breaks but she mostly refuses the pain meds, knowing that they dull the pain but also hinder her processing speed.

 

With Theresa's birthday approaching on April 22, which also happens to be Good Friday and Earth Day, I've been monitoring the airfares closely, praying and hoping that the price would drop below $1200 but instead watching it go the other way.  So with most flights to/from Hawaii still full with last-minute Spring Break visitors, it was not looking like we'd be celebrating together.  At least it seemed that way until our dear friend Hylton offered up his airmiles and miraculously, one award seat opened up last night.  Taking full advantage of this dual blessing, I'm making the Pacific crossing yet again and will be spending tomorrow with my dear wife on that most special of days.  For this among many other gifts of grace, we are most thankful to our Lord and Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

 

Mahalo,

 

David

http://hulaterri.blogspot.com

 

P.S.  In this week's update, I have attached an interview with Rick Warren, author of A Purpose Driven Life.  While I do not usually forward e-mail chain letters, these words ring true to me.  If nothing else, reading this letter saves the cost of buying the book.  As our Hawaiian friends like to say, the "pake" in me is always present.

You will enjoy the new insights that Rick Warren has, with his wife now having cancer and him having 'wealth' from the book sales. This is an absolutely incredible short interview with Rick Warren, 'Purpose Driven Life ' author and pastor of Saddleback Church in California . 
In the interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren, Rick said: 
People ask me, What is the purpose of life? 
And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were not made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven. 
One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body-- but not the end of me. 
I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act-the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity... 
We were made by God & for God, & until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense. 
Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one. 
The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort; God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy. 
We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness. 
This past year has been the greatest year of my life, but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer. 
I used to think that life was hills and valleys---you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore. 
Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, & at all times you have something good & something bad in your life..
No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on. 
And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for. 
You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems: 
If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, which is 'my problem, my issues, my pain.' But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself & onto God & others. 
We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her--- It has been very difficult for her, & yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him & to people. 
You have to learn to deal with both the good & the bad of life. 
Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy. 
It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease. 
So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence. He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what to do, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72. 
First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit.. We made no major purchases. 
Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church. 
Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call 'The Peace Plan' to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, and educate the next generation. 
Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since I started the church, & I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free. 
We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity? 
Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism? Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)? 
When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed & say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more & love You better. God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do. 
That's why we're called human beings, not human doings. 
Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. 
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. 
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD. 
Painful moments, TRUST GOD. 
Every moment, THANK GOD.. 
If you do not pass it on, nothing will happen. But it will just be nice to pass it on to a friend....just like I have done. 
God's Blessings