Update 11

Monday, January 12, 2009 9:27 PM

Thanx for the email (this is addressed to Tina). Please excuse me for not responding immediately, but it's a bit rough at the moment.......
Claudine is doing well at the moment, all things considered. The operation (ED- on her throat) was a success, and now she can breath so easily! Is wonderful not to hear her gasping for breath when she walks a few steps.

She's been very weak for the past few days. She's shaking, has a fever, and cannot sit up for long. I think it's an after effect from the anaesthetic. They had to use a different type of anaesthetic, as they couldn't put the usual breather pipe down her throat which normally would keep the patients windpipe open and push in oxygen, as they were operation on her windpipe. But it's over and done with now, and it went well. May the Lord be with her so that she has the strength to get back to rehab.

She's starting to move her right arm a bit, but it still just hangs loosely next to her when we walk. if I hold her tightly around the waist, she walks quite nicely now, although her balance is still very poor. I had her back at the neurologist last week for more x-rays of her arms and shoulders. Her left shoulder is 13cm long, as opposed to the right one which is 11cm long. I asked what the cause was, and they explained it's the Mitosis in her muscles, and atropie in her right arm and muscles under her arm. The Doctor then instructed the Occupational Therapist and physiotherapist to give that specific problem more attention. The Myositis has put her back a lot, and has caused her mush pain. he repeated his word and said that Claudine is a miracle child of God! And that we must never forget that she was very badly injured.

We must not try to push her to do well / better, as it;s not as if she doesn't want to, it's because it's difficult, and painful. Patience and prayer is all we have to offer..... She is no longer the happy, sunshine child she once was. (ED- this will change. Anyone with as much courage as Claudine has will recover and become the person she was, in character and personality if not in body - don't give up)

She's very tearful, cries easily, and gets very despondent. it really bothers / disturbs her to be in a wheelchair, and to see herself like that. Whilst she sleeps at night, I sit and watch her, and cry my eyes out...... I'm giving her my all. Time is running out, and I'm only here for another 6 weeks, and she has another 8 weeks of rehab / therapy to go. Then she's flying to Austria to come and stay with us.

(ED- a section here has been deleted as it is repeated further down in the photo section)

I'll have to check which therapists I'm not too happy with (100%) and cut them out. it costs R800-00 per day and it's no joke. Uncle Henko is paying thousands of rands for the therapy, but what can we do... Thank you again for the funds we received for Claudine. It's all used up, but helped a lot. We appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts. I managed to cover the costs till November with that money.

The medical aid paid nearly R700,000-00 to doctors and hospital costs!!!!, operations and x-rays. We had to pay in approximately R30.000-00 for radiology and labs (for blood tests) and antibiotics which had to be ordered from France when nothing else locally would work, and she was turning in the jaws of death....., after the medical aid had been exhausted, and rehab was R26,000-00 for Nov-Jan. Eish, you can't believe that something like this can hit you.... Our lives have turned over completely....

Tina, before I forget:-
We have thought over and over about what must be done with the Claudine's goods which are still with you. She has to rebuild her life, and "put up house" once she's independent again,and we're hoping it will be in the next year or so. She will have to start everything all over again, but it's going to be a nightmare to try and get her stuff here.

I have had offers from some people who are willing to go and fetch her stuff, but it's not worth it. The cost of petrol, and trailer hire, and then having to look for a place locally where we can store the stuff, it's just out of the question.

Henko and I have decided it will probably be the best if you could dispose of (sell) the goods, and pay the monies into her fund. Then it will be out of your way, and the money will be kept to be used as a deposit for the new stuff she will need next year when she sets up anew.
(ED- I have left out some description of goods to be sold and disposed of, no relevance to the readers)

Claudine keeps telling me that there is more stuff which is hers, and that she wants to go and show me.... but it hers and Johan's combined goods, and I'm not going to cause any animosity here with trying to sort it out. So, the goods must be sold off, and this chapter series closed off.

Please accept my apologies for giving you and your mom more work to do, but I'm asking you for this last favour for Claudine. Ask the workers on the farm if they are interested, and have a jumble sale, and sell the goods off as you see fit. I will save the money for her future requirements when she returns.

Thank you very much, Lot's of love to you all. Thank you for your love.....

Alta
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 8:47 PM

I'm attaching 2 photos of Claudine who started today with "Horse riding" therapy! (ED-Sounds like fun at last!) It went so well. This is to teach Claudine to balance again, and to strengthen her hips so that she can learn to walk again. And her balance was so good!

It did her a lot of good, and she really enjoyed it so much. So now she's doing this horse riding therapy twice a week. So, Mondays and Fridays I take her to one rehab hospital for physio therapy and Occupational Therapy and Tuesdays and Thursdays at another rehab hospital for speech therapy, Occupational Therapy and physiotherapy, and then Horse riding therapy Monday afternoons and Wednesday mornings. Then she still has the swimming therapy on Saturdays.

I'm giving it my all, ensuring she gets all the therapy she can to help her.
May the Good Lord bless her, and the therapy!

Xmas 2008

To all the readers here, friends, family and others:-

May I take this time to wish you all a very merry Xmas, and Blessed New Year.

To Claudine, her Mom and Dad, and family, and to Marlene, Fanie and family:-
This will be a sad Xmas for all of you, but also a happy one because we are Blessed with Claudine's progress.
There is no consolation for your loss of Johan, but we know he is in God's hands, and looking down on us. We know that he is there looking after us, and guiding us. We pray that he will whisper in God's ear, and have Him shower His healing on Claudine (and the rest of us).

Look up, and say thanks. Blessed are those who believe, and more so those who have been tested, and still believe.

Lots of love to Claudine from me, the Editor of this blog. I hope that, for Xmas, you will receive more of the healing that you have received over the past 6 months.

Update 10

Herewith an update on Claudine's condition / status, so that you all can know of her progress, and what to pray for.

Thank you all so much for your support and prayers - this is what your prayers mean, and you can witness the effects - that you are being heard! May this strengthen you, your belief and your faith!

The positive:-
We praise the Lord for the wonderful progress.

With reference to her physical progress:- She can now comfortably sit unaided, and can even stand for a few seconds without any support! Her legs are strong enough for her to be able to walk, with help. She is now also able to help herself to eat and drink, using her left arm and hand.
She is progressing well with the recognition/cognitive tests and questions, and is quite sharp with this. She understands as per normal, and responds the same way.

She's still very friendly, in spite of her functional (physical) restrictions.

So, what are we praying and working hard towards now?:-
Claudine's memory is till very limited. Her arms are still a concern, and are in constant pain. Her left arm, which was operated on recently, is once again stiff at the elbow, and she is unable to straighten the arm, and, it's in constant, severe pain.
Her right arm is slowly starting to move, and Claudine is, with much effort, able to lift and move it. However, the arm is still painful, and she's very scared to do the arm exercises due to the increase in the severe pain.
Please pray for the healing in her arms.

Her balance is still limited, especially at her hips. The physio is now concentrating on this aspect. Because of this she is still unable to walk. Our biggest wish for her right now is to be able to walk, and have the use of her arms. (ED: slowly but surely this miracle child of ours is healing, but we will never know the levels of pain she has and will endure. Please keep this in mind when offering up prayers in her name.)

Claudine is still in the wheelchair.

We had her at an ENT (ear/nose/throat) Specialist a few days ago, as she's really struggling to breath. His findings are that her airways are badly contracted / constricted, and that she's definitely not getting enough oxygen, and this explains why she gets exhausted so quickly, and why she's struggling to speak!
She's now been booked for the 9th of January for theater, where the ENT will enlarge her air pipe again, using laser. It could take up to three stints under anesthetic for the optimum results to be achieved. While she's under, he's also going to see what is causing her to choke so easily. (ED - most probably the same problem with the constricted wind pipe?) Please pray for the success of this operation. Claudine will really benefit from it, and will have more strength and stamina. It will also mean she will be able to talk longer sentences without running out of breath!

There are two photos attached.
The one is at the rehab Centers recent Xmas party, and the other one is of her and Pastor Percy. Percy is her Pastor, friend, and the best motivator that the Good Lord could have chosen for her. Percy leads an incredible Christian lifestyle, and is leading Claudine to a future where she will be a living breathing example of the miracle of God, His healing and greatness.

My deepest thanks to all of you for your prayers ans support! (Oh and a mention for the ED! - It is a small thing to do to keep the friends and followers up to date. It takes no effort, and in a small way makes me feel like I am building her personal diary for Claudine whilst she can't. One day I will show her how, and she will be able to keep it up herself, and use it to benefit those others who I know will one day be in the same position she is now, but who will have her there to support them. God bless....)

Greetings to you all
Alta

Update 9

Latest update as at Saturday, November 29, 2008

From Alta - I would like to thank the "ED" of Claudine's blog (Hey that's me - ED!). Thank you for your effort - we really appreciate it! (ED- It's my pleasure, a small effort in the hope it will help / Dis 'n groot plesier - 'n klein ietsie in die hoop dat dit sal help!)

A special thank you to all of the donors towards Claudine's medical / rehab costs: Thank you very much for your contributions towards Claudine's costs. We really appreciate it, and please be assured that they are being used solely towards Claudine's medical expenses. (ED- I have added the donors to the table alongside)


The attached photo taken in the Rehab unit's Gym - Claudine learning to walk. She's still not able to balance herself, due to her right side being weak, her right foot is a bit "stupid". (ED- direct translation for "Dom")Kind regards
Alta

(Ed note - anyone out there have the details of the church which Alta and Claudine attended? I would like to get in touch with the pastor, to see if they have a Ladies association, so as to get them to assist with the "looking after" of Claudine every now and then to give her Mom a well deserved day off occasionally!)

Update 8

From: Alta - Wednesday, November 19, 2008

It was the late Johan's birthday recently. A sad day for the family and friends. All of you were in our prayers that day.

Update from Claudine's Mom:-
Yesterday was a bad day for Claudine, who spent most of the time crying over Johan, and she was very shocked, and confused about his passing..... She paged through the photo album that Johan's Mom had made up and taken to her over, and over again, crying all the while, and repeating "I miss him"...... eventually the held the album under her arm, and pulled a cushion over her body, holding onto both, and eventually fell asleep.
I was broken, and went and stood outside and cried.... It's another part of her suffering (and healing - Ed.) that's staring now.

(Ed. The question has been asked if there are plans to take Claudine overseas....)
No, we will never relocate Claudine overseas:
- She's not allowed to fly at all yet (too much pressure on the brain)
- There is no rehabilitation facility like this one available
- Everything will be in German, and the facilities there are not as good as these here
- She will die of loneliness there. Here, the Good Lord has brought young friends onto her path, who are a support for her, and I am sure, with whom she will want to spend her time (Walk the path - direct translation). The meeting was not accidental, they are beautiful children of the God, and Claudine is also very dependent on the Lord, and has developed a special, personal relationship with God!

Claudine will one day be a living witness to the Greatness of God - she just can't talk now. Still only broken words, short difficult sentences, but as soon as she is able to talk, and walk, and has recovered her memory, I am sure we (and many others - Ed. ) will here of what she has gone through. (ED - All we know of her is what we see and live through. There are going to be revelations from her about what she felt inside, of her personal growth in God, of the coming of the Holy Spirit into her life during this time of need.....)

So, we will probably take her to Germany one day for a short vacation, but only once she is fully
recovered, and able to make the trip and enjoy it. For now, we live one day at a time....

On Monday they are operating on Claudine - again. It really hurts me to know that she's going to be hurt, and hurting again, so much. And the anesthetic is very bad for her brain (one evil to repair another - Ed.)
There is bone matter that has grown in the muscle of her left elbow, this must be removed. This will allow her to straighten the arm. At the top of her arms, at the shoulders, there is also bone growth, but this cannot be removed, as it is intertwined with a lot of sinews / nerves which run through there. Whilst she is under the anesthetic, he is also going to tear some of the muscle to that is can regrow longer, giving her more functionality with her arms.... It is an incredibly painful operation and manipulation, and she's going to be soooooooo sore.

She's struggling a lot because her arms cant function properly, especially her lame right arm. She keeps getting terrible nightmares, and cries, and then calls for me to help her. When I ask what's wrong she just says "My arm!". If her right arm is lying next to her, she imagines it's gone, or been removed. Then I have to lift it for her, and place it on her stomach, where she holds onto it tightly with her left arm, and dozes off again.

It's so very sad, and tragic. It is indescribable helplessness that she is experiencing. Yesterday she was asking the doctor about when she will be able to talk again. Her biggest wish is to be able to walk, and talk again.

Please pry for her. Love to you all
Alta

Attached are two photo's:-

Claudine en Claudius (Brother and sister) 4 February 2008 (5 months before the accident), and Claudine on her way to church. It's the first service she's been able to attend since the accident.
She was sitting in her wheel chair, and the preacher asked her to come forward so that the community could see what a miracle of God's looks like!

Even though she is still so weak, and fragile, and can't sit for a long time, she really enjoyed the
service, and has asked to go every Sunday. All the youth members welcomed her with open arms, and were chatting to her like they were ago old friends! Praise the Lord! - that he has sent her these new friends in her time of suffering.

Please continue to pray for her. She really needs your prayers.

Update 7

November 15, 2008
Editor:-
I was copied on an email with some personal correspondence between Claudine's mom, and her "sister-in-law"
I'm not going to post a full translation here, as I don't think it's all relevant to the situation, suffice to say:-

Johan and Claudine had a puppy, which has been in the care of Tina since the accident. Claudine has been concerned about the puppy, and has been asking after it.
Tina has assured the family that the dog is being well taken care of, and loved, and will not be disposed of in any way. The dog is in good hands, and Claudine does not have to worry about it. She's also not in a place / space right now where she can have the dog with her.
Tina's message also says:-
"We understand that Claudine can / will be difficult at times, (Ed: based on her frustrations with her situation), but we also know that the best person to be with her at these times is her Mom - there is no strength like a Mothers love!

Editor:- Claudine's Mom also describes herself as a bird that's been kicked out of it's nest. Their whole lives are upside down because of this situation, and I'm sure we all, their friends and other readers / supporters can understand why she says so.
She goes on to say that they are very grateful for the continued daily recovery that Claudine is going through.

Attached are two photos:- In the close up, you can see how weak, and brittle Claudine still is (Ed:- But still beautiful!), and in the second, her cousin who came around to spoil her with a pedicure and manicure!! This just after Claudine's exercise in the pool!!!

Editors note:- This incident with Claudine has placed all the family members under a lot of strain, specifically because the healing is a long term thing, slow, and challenging. Seeing their loved one in pain is not easy for anyone concerned. It is a tribute to the love that surrounds Claudine that there is so much support for her. However, at any time that the situation gets too much, there is no sin in stepping away for a day, just to unwind and relax. There are more than enough people out there who are willing to sacrifice one day in their lives to be with Claudine whilst her Mom takes a break. I'm not saying you must, I am just concerned that the strain will take it's toll on you, and then you will be no help to Claudine either. You are a fantastic Mom, who has dedicated her life to her children, and in this trying time, have doubled up on the effort, but you need some "YOU" time as well.
Please take care, and don't be shy to ask for assistance. Blessings on you, and your family, and God speed the healing of Claudine!

Update 6

As at Friday, November 07, 2008 12:00 AM

I'm attaching two photo's of Claudine as feedback on her progress / recovery.
Thanks to all for your prayers. Here you can see for yourself what prayer can do! Jesus Lives!!

In the first photo is Claudine, and her new best friend! Jana was involved in a serious car accident in May this year, and suffered serious brain damage. The good Lord has put her on Claudine's path in a special way! She is the best friend and motivation for Claudine. She's very fond of Claudine, and will visit her as ofter as possible. Then they will spend hours lying together on the same bed, and chat, and sh answers all of Claudine's questions, and worries....

Jana is also a living witness for Jesus and prays for Claudine to be healed as she has been!

Claudine's long term memory is perfect. Her short term memory is getting better, slowly. She is already able to remember yesterday, and the day before, where she recently was not able to do so.

She is already able to use her left arm quite well, and even manages to feed herself, shakily! She's even able to touch her nose and wipe her mouth.

(Ed: It's amazing how we take such actions for granted, and here it's such an achievement - you go girl!)

She's also able to lift her right arm about 20 cm! straight arm! and bend it about 90 deg. With assistance she is able to walk about 10 meters. She is still not able to hold herself upright, or sit up unaided. Please pray she starts to get the strength to sit and walk unaided....

She's still suffering because of not being able to walk or sit unaided, and still believes she's paralyzed.. Every day she asks "When am I going to get better?" It's very difficult for her to see herself like this. But, overall, it's going well, improving daily, and we thank the Lord for each miracle. All honour to the Lord!

She is still very delicate, and when she's been sitting upright for a while she starts to struggle to breath, I don't really know why......

When I ask her why she's struggling to breath, or is short of breath, she replies that it's because she only has one lung. I'm not sure if the left lung, which was the worst damaged leaves her feeling like she only has one lung....
We really need all of your prayers. A mothers strength does wane at times. The Holy Spirit gives me each morning the strength for another day.....

(Ed:- A mothers strength never wanes, but they are allowed to get tired too. We understand, and we continue to pray for Claudine, and for you, and that you have the strength to continue to support her as you have done for so long. )

Update 5

As at Thursday, October 30, 2008


Claudine's first outing since that day of the accident!
Today she went for a visit to the local zoo with some of the other patients at the rehab. It was lovely to see the sun again, and to be able to just relax. She was very concerned / scared of leaving her bed, till we explained that Mom and Dad were going with, and were not going to be leaving her alone - and it did her so much good!Ed:- Arriving at the zoo by bus! Nice to see that the service includes the required wheelchair lift - in working order! Also, see how happy the two ladies on the left look (I assume they are volunteers / supporters / aides)Ed:- Great pic of Claudine and Dad! She's really looking much better. However, you can see how she's "protecting" her right arm. Much prayer and hope is required so that she can recover the use of that arm. u go GIRL!

Sunday she's allowed to go out with us. We will take her to the farm, and just have a quiet, restful visit with her brother and family, and Aunty Elsebe who's making the "boerekos" (Typical farmers fare) and cremora-tart!! (Ed's. note:- I haven't had that for years!!!)

Please pray with us for healing of Claudine's right arm that's still not functional. It's depressing her at the moment, because she believes she is paralyzed - and it's difficult to see the little arm just hanging there.....

The arm can recover, and prayer will go a long way in ensuring this will happen.

Thank you all for your prayers
All honor to God that Claudine has recovered as well as she has to date!

Lovies
Alta

Update 4

Claudine with her Dad!!! he arrived at the hospital for a surprise visit for a couple of days!

As at Oct. 27th 2008

Dad surprised us with a visit!!! He's here for a couple of days! (Ed. note:- For those of you who don't know, Claudine's parents are based overseas, so Dad had to get back for a while, but is coming to visit as often as possible)
His visit has given Claudine renewed courage! Oh, and Mom too.....

Today we had a family meeting. Claudine's progress was discussed, and we got very positive reports.
if only they (the staff) all knew how far we have come since July 25th... They only know some of the history, and mostly just the 2 weeks she's been here in the Rehab... hospital.

Claudine's walk, speech and her arms are taking the most work to recover / repair, and are receiving the most attention right now. But she's training hard, every day, all day, even whilst she's lying in bed!!! Sometimes she gets depressed, down, and believes / thinks she may be paralyzed in her arms. Then I have do do some sweet talking to convince it will come right. She's really taking strain, especially since the right arm still can't move like her left arm.
According to the therapist, they want her to remain in the hospital for at least another 3 months.

The way the Good Lord is holding her in his hands, and healing and strengthening her so wonderfully, I believe in my heart she will improve much faster than even they expect!
From the beginning I have believed in prayer, and that the Lord would carry her - and so we see, and still believe.

ALL GLORY TO GOD!!

Thank you all for your support!!!! You are carrying us.

Update 3

Feedback on Claudine, as at 23 Oct 2008:-

I have attached a recent photo. You will be able to witness God's work in this! Claudine is doing very well, and is looking lovely!
She's now in the rehab hospital and receiving Speech Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Occupational Therapy.

She's only speaking in short sentences at any one time, but is able to understand 100% of what is being said to her. She is still not able to use her arms, but has started to lift her left arm recently. She still can't sit up, walk, or eat unaided. Spends most of her time either in the hospital bed, or in a wheelchair. She is still totally dependent on assistance.

After the first week of her being here I had a meeting with the therapists that have been working with her, and their assessment / update is as follows:-

Speech Therapist - Currently working on teaching her to swallow. Claudine is still choking when she drinks water, so cold drink and water have to be mixed with some form of thickener for her. She's eating well / properly, and is swallowing her solids properly, but if she has some food in the right side of her mouth, she is unable to chew it properly. her right side is slightly weaker than her left side. She si also doing exercise with vocalization of letters, to assist her breathing and speech coordination.

Occupational Therapist: She was surprised to test and see Claudine's good cognitive brain functions!!!! Her long term memory is very good. her short term memory is not as good, but this is to be understood. She predicts that Claudine will eventually be able to return to the workplace. With prayer, and intensive therapy.

Physiotherapist - Claudine's muscles as very weak/shortened, especially at her shoulders and arms, this is because both shoulder blades were broken and her right shoulder was dislocated, this in turn is causing her a lot of pain during the physio training. Her wrists are also very stiff, due to 3 months of inactivity. She can now lift her left arm, and is trying to feed herself. Her right arm is still not functional, partly due to the weaker right side of her body, and partly due to the sever damage it suffered, and the subsequent operations to repair the arm. She really puts a lot of effort into her training, and they train everyday. She is even able, with assistance, to take a couple of steps!!!

The report from the rehabilitation unit ends of by stating that they predict an 80% improvement by January, with this rigorous intensive therapy / training regimen!
Neurologist - He is gobsmacked by Claudine's progress, and says that what he has seen is medically speaking (as based on the MR results) impossible!!!! Luckily he is very fond of Claudine, and takes special care of her!!!
ALL GLORY TO GOD.

Please pray for Claudine. She really needs all your prayers. She has already been asking me "Mom, when am I going to be normal again?" She's sees her broken, fragile body, and cries when anyone says she will walk, and be normal again. And her response then is "I hope so." It's heartbreaking to see my child like this, and to see her suffering. She's really putting all of her effort into getting better.

To all of the wonderful people who have donated towards her medical costs, for her rehabilitation and therapy - Thank You, Thank You very much!

Kind regards
Alta
Claudine looking very much better than in the previous pics!! In fact, she's looking very much like the lovely, happy smiling person we know she really is!!

Editors note:- There is no doubt in my mind that this child is very special. The "miracle" of her progress, the "fight" she is displaying in trying to get better, and the fact that she is surprising all and sundry with her progress proves this. Imagine having to start all over again? Learn to walk, talk, lift your arms? Even having to learn to swallow? We are blessed with having a special relationship with a very special person.
To Alta, you are a fantastic and incredible MOM! Your dedication to Claudine, and you continued trust and belief in God's assistance with her healing is what is making all of this come true. You truly are an example to all of us. Thank you for sharing your child with us. Thank you for sharing this experience - as painful as it must be - with us.