Today, I walked thirty feet with the walker. That is the longest distance that I have walked since going home on December 10th.I also was able to lift forty-five pounds on the triceps exercise machine(known as the rickshaw see picture above). This afternoon I worked on getting back into my wheelchair from a crawling position. The good news is that I was able to support myself on all fours, but I still have a long way to go before I am proficient at getting back into a chair by myself.

Overall, my assessment is that the end of this two weeks I will be able to return home ahead of where I was in my rehab process when this most recent health crisis hit. That is something that I did not anticipate. I know that Romans 8:28 that talks about “all things working together for good” is often misapplied and overused, but this circumstance seems to fit into that category.

The severity of the sepsis and the resulting physicalset back would have indicated that I had a lot of catching up to do. I am thankful that is not the way it is turning out. The excess weight from water retention has dissipated and my weight is 167 pounds.

******************

In my youth there were two books of the Bible that I struggled with. One was Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament the other was Revelation in the New Testament. I have gained a better understanding and appreciation of both of these books. The Book of Ecclesiastes was always a challenge because of sorting out what were the frustrated ramblings and wrong conclusions about life and what were the principles that were reinforced by the general truth of the Bible.

What I have found is how current an Old Testament book can be. In its pages we find attitudes and perspectives that come down to our present day. Here is one for you to consider:

“Don’t ask, “Why were things better in the old days than they are now? It isn’t wisdom that leads you to ask this!” Eccl. 7:10 (GW)

Since Solomon lived some 900 years before Christ, what would be the context of the “old days?” The days of King David? The days of King Saul? Both of these had their share of war and a dysfunctional royal family.

Are the old days for us the days of the Great Depression? World War II? The 1950’s? Someone once said that those who long for the “good ole days” suffer from a bad memory. Certainly times have changed and values have changed along with those changing times. One thing remains constant and that is the truth of God’s Word, our trust in God and the priority of the family as the primary instructor in godliness and spiritual truth. It is true that the culture in general in the past was more affirming of faith and “Biblical” values. That environment allowed many to take for granted that children would walk in the “fear and admonition” of the Lord.

The Book of Judges chronicles the time when Israel was to take possession of the Promised Land. However one of the saddest verses of the Bible is found in Judges 2:10…

“After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.”

Back in the earliest days of Israel’s history was a failure of passing the faith from one generation to the next. The admonition of Moses in Deuteronomy 6 was ignored. The result was idolatry, being sidelined and sucked up by the prevailing culture and as a result, “everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” (Judges 21:25)

In our day of cultural relativism that is the message that we find on a consistent basis. So what we find is that much of what we see in our world today is not new to humanity. But it should serve as a reminder for us to know that there is a truth to be followed and guiding principles for our life that can be found in God’s Word. The challenge is for parents to be the guardians of passing of a spiritual heritage to the next generation. It is a challenging world out there handle with prayer!

Thank you for your continued prayers for my recovery and strength. If parents of young children and teens would like help in passing on the faith to their children check out Kirk Weaver’s Family Time Training at www.famtime.com

All the posts regarding Ken’s illness and road to recovery can be found at

www.caringbridge.org/visit/kensummers

 Today I found out that I will go home Sunday morning. I will have therapy each day through Saturday. Just in time to return home take Sunday off and recoup and regroup for the week ahead. It is hard to believe that it will be two weeks since being whisked away from home in an ambulance to the hospital.

Today was a focus on walking with my physical therapist. I walked twenty feet twice with the walker and once through the parallel bars. We also worked on balance and strengthening my right leg. Both my physical and occupational therapists are pleased and surprised at my progress even in these few days. Also the excess water weight I have been carrying seems to have dissipated. I weighed myself this morning and was actually down to 166. That is lower than the last weight before this most recent crisis. I feel good about that because my main concern has not just been weight gain, but rebuilding my muscle mass.

It is interesting all that is needed between various caregivers, doctors and managers to be able to return home. I had a visit today from the home health agency, who works with the case manager here at the rehab hospital. The in-house physician here came in after that to clarify the timing of my discharge so I could keep on my antibiotic schedule. I also received a call from my infectious disease doctor’s office to clarify plans. In the midst of the conversation I mentioned my primary physician who I will see as soon as possible after discharge and the nurse said their office will be ones to monitor my blood work. The most recent tests showed no infection in my urine but my white blood count was high but was lower than last week.

With this most recent hospitalization it dawned on me that I have gone from living 59 years as a healthy, active, softball-playing, exercise-enjoying male to one who is battling some fairly serious health issues, an auto-immune disease and recovering from muscle atrophy, and  all in less than one year.

If someone had told me a year ago what I would be experiencing in a matter of months, there is no way that I would believe them. I now know the answer to my own question, “What could go wrong?!” when Debbie would ask me about our medical emergency contingency plans.

In the midst of it all, the Lord invites us to trust in Him and to focus on our walk and obedience to him today, leaving tomorrow to worry about itself. The Message Paraphrase puts it this way in Matthew 6:34…

 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”

 In our lives and in the lives of many others, I have seen God provide what is needed when it is needed to deal with the circumstances and difficulties of life. When someone says, “I could never deal with _______________” I try to remind them that God doesn’t give dying grace on non-dying days.

I’m not sure if you sat our family down and told them what would happen to me in July of 2013 that any of them would imagine how they would deal with those circumstances. If I would have known that a high fever,chills and headache would end up with me in septic shock a week ago last Friday night I’m not sure I would have believe it could be that bad. (Although now, I know if it is better to go to the hospital sooner than later)

What we are seeing now is God proving Himself faithful once again, I am making good progress and hope that will continue through this week.

PLEASE PRAY FOR….

Productive therapy sessions

Muscle strength

Protection from any falls or medical setbacks

(Picture above Nurse-Aide Chrystal from last December – was with me again today)

 I’m not sure whether to say this is my fourth day at the rehab hospital or I have four days left until I return home. I do hope to return home on Saturday. At this point even I feel that I could manage safely at home. Today’s therapy sessions went well and I am now looking forward to not just returning home in a diminished state compared to my recent hospitalization, but with new skills and level of strength.

For example today I worked on standing in a walker and bearing my entire weight on my legs and being able to let go of the hand holds one hand at a time as well as with both hands. After  my last scheduled session, I was in the gym using some dumbbells and found that I can lift four pounds more with my right arm and left arm than when I left the rehab hospital in December.

Considering the seriousness of my condition last week, I feel that I have rebounded well and am on the mend. My blood and urine tests reveal some positive reports. The antibiotics are working in attacking the infection. I will continue on this regimen for the most of March, administering the course of antibiotics at home. The only drawback is that the heart medication that I am on has some side effects of creating a sense of fatigue which impacts me mostly in the morning. I hope I can get off this  . Thank you for all those who have prayed and continue to pray for me during this most recent crisis.

One again the sense of being surrounded by the prayers of family, friends and even those I don’t know is highly valued and provides the encouragement that is needed to keep on keeping on. In my Bible reading schedule I have been in the Book of Ecclesiastes. The following verses are familiar ones that speak to the value of friendship and partnership.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.  Eccl. 4:9-12

As I look at these verses I see the value of partnership:

1 – Increased productivity (v. 9) – there is a value added dimension that makes work easier and provides that “good return.”

2 – Protection (v.10,11) – I have learned a little about falling and needing someone to pick meup – literally! It is nice to know that someone is close by when you need help and being on the floor with no one around and not being able to get up can feel like an eternity.

3 – Safety (v.12) – Having someone “fighting” for you and with you can make all the difference. I think of the times that I have been helped by Debbie fighting for me on the medical front. I can recall the comfort of knowing someone was fighting for me and with me on the political front as I worked on various laws.

4 – Strength (v.12) – Prov. 24:10 “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.”

A three cord rope is able to withstand the pressure of stress and the load of a burden. It won’t snap and give out when you need it to rescue you or work for you. When I was first home I had a climbing robe tide to the foot of my bed to help me sit up and get out of bed. I was glad that it was a strong rope and I didn’t need to worry about the strength of the rope, I just needed to be concerned about my own strength! Partnership gives us the strength to get the job done! And the greatest test of that strength is when adversity comes our way. I am thankful for the medical staff that has given me support and encouragement especially at Rehab Hospital where there is encouragement and celebration over progress and not just clinical medical care. (Picture above with me is Sherry one of the RN’s who has been with me the past several days)

How can you cultivate the relationships and the partnerships in your life that will provide you with increased productivity,protection, safety and strength?

PLEASE PRAY FOR…

• Continued progress in therapy
• Healing of infection
• Discovery for the cause of the infections (the mostcritical issue moving forward)
• Debbie as I am in rehab hospital and she is taking care of her patient load

 Today has been a laid back day for me, which is probably good. Debbie has been with me today since the weather cleared up. It was also good to have some visitors come by this afternoon.

I did get some good rest periods in trying to manage my fatigue. It is interesting how we view and approach the concept of rest. A few weeks ago a friend of mine referenced this idea of rest and energy management that I had discussed in one of my posts. He said how as an executive he was learning how important energy management  was for him without the medical issues that I am dealing with.

Rest is reflected in the Biblical concept of Sabbath. This concept is easily misunderstood. For example a little boy responding on a Bible quiz said, (actually wording and spelling) “In the first book of the Bible Guinessis, God got tired of creating the world He took the Sabbath off.”  For many of us our understanding isn’t much better. A Sabbath can mean we stay busy at others things than just our Monday through Friday work. I admit that I tend to push this issue in my life and that is perhaps why I find myself getting rest reactively instead of proactively.

For example, I recall a few weeks ago my at-home physical therapist after seeing that my level of strength was weakening and my fatigue increasing, said, “Tomorrow is Sunday, I don’t want you working out.” I said, “Okay, I will just do upper body exercises then.” To which he responded, “No, I said no exercises for tomorrow!” Just today one of the weekend occupational therapists (Kim pictured with me above) said, “I will see you next weekend if you are on the schedule.” I said, “If I’m not doing anything, I might as well not do anything at home.” One of the aides close by said, “Ken! That’s not how it works!”

 Making the Sabbath work for us is God’s intention. I recall reading a book during a leadership class in my masters work on the concept of the Sabbath written by a Mennonite minister. So it is obvious that there is a lot of material to cover on this principle. I like the three R’s of the Sabbath. Rest, reflection and renewal.

God made the Sabbath a Holy Day by resting from His work.It is important to realize that the Creator has designed our lives to have an ebb and flow of activity. I remember in one of my pastorates hearing of a man who “never takes a day off” and “gets by with very little sleep.” I wanted to say,“well that’s stupid.” But I let that be my inside voice. It wasn’t long before this individual was out of commission for about a week because he was sick.

Reflection is an important aspect for our lives. The Bible says, God looked at His work of creation and saw that it was good. Solomon said, that finding pleasure in work is a gift from God. It is important in our work regardless of how our effectiveness is measured to be able to stop, look back and to have some degree of satisfaction in what we have accomplished, in what we have achieved. This is all part of God’s plan for a healthy balance in our lives.

Proper rest and reflection brings a renewed energy and commitment to the tasks that are before us in the coming week. We are able to focus on what needs to be improved and to stay focused on what is helping us to be effective.

My first prayer before the State House of Representatives in 2005, I shared these three R’s since it was near the close of the legislative session. I reminded legislators that the “energizer bunny is not their role model for a balanced life.” That statement earned me my first newspaper quote, although it was applied out of context as me admonishing legislators to get their work done and go home. At any rate the concepts remain sound and based on the truth of God’s Word. And when we have God’s Word as the basis for our lives we won’t burn out or rust out in both the divine and natural calling for our lives. It also prepares us for the ultimate Sabbath rest in God’s presence.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;  for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest…”. (Heb. 4:9-11)

PLEASE PRAY FOR….

Healing of infection

Strength for therapy sessions

Muscles strength

 A March 1st snow storm and my first day of therapy during round two at Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital. Today went good for my first day of structured therapy. I had visits from physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. The weekend doctor on call came to my room during the occupational therapist’s visit. We didn’t talk a lot about medical issues but he did fix a foot plate on my wheelchair!

I worked on standing and even walking in the parallel bars which is something that I did not anticipate. Considering the lack of strength I seemed to exhibit at Poudre Valley Hospital this was a surprise to me and a delight for the therapists. This certainly gives hope for a shorter stay at the rehab hospital.

I had an interesting personalized presentation on memory and how the brain stores information from one of the speech therapists. I didn’t realize that this was an area related to speech therapy. I felt like an audience of one listening to an excellent presentation. I will have some follow up sessions to learn more over the next week.

It seems like my fluid retention is beginning to dissipate. It looks like I have a new experience that will help me relate to others who have similar struggles. Also, the feelings of fatigue are something that I am sorting out. I am not sure if it is related to my heart function, medication or my Myasthenia Gravis or a combination of these. I am learning to manage my fatigue and to try to remember the shock my body went through and is still recovering from.

I recently read someone’s comment about hope, specifically hopelessness. He said, “Hopelessness is when you have turned over every stone and found nothing.” When I read that the first thought that came to my mind was, “I’m glad a Christian has no reason to be without hope.” The Bible declares that God is the, “God of all hope…” (Rom. 15:13) We read in the Bible the consistent call to put your hope in the Lord. (e.g. Isa. 40:31; Lam. 3:25) The writer of Hebrews declared that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” (Heb.13:8)

While setbacks and challenges can be discouraging they are not a reason to lose hope. So during this time I am holding on to Paul’s benediction in Rom. 15:13…

“ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

 PLEASE PRAY FOR…

• Energy for therapy
• Muscle strength, especially legs
• Elimination of excess fluid

 My first day at the Rehab Hospital ended up busier than anticipated. No hard workouts, mostly evaluations, goal setting and meeting staff members that will help me get back on my feet and hopefully closer to where I was a week ago.

As I look at my clock, I realize that it was one week ago tonight that the intense symptoms began that resulted in an ambulance ride to the hospital. So here I am beginning, what all seem to agree, will be a speedy and successful rebound. Thank you for your prayers to that end.

Today I had a visit from my case manager with Kaiser to update her on my events. While she was with me I met my case manager who will assist me with communication and administration issues here at the rehab hospital. During this afternoon stretch that was “open” my respiratory therapist came to check me out followed by the speech therapist followed by the occupational therapist.

So, today was pretty much an evaluation day to determine the game plan for the next seven to ten days. Tomorrow will begin the three hour per day of therapy and off we will go with the goal in mind to return home as soon as possible, as strong and independent as possible.

The test results from my hospital stay showed that I had micro-abscesses in my right kidney that spawned the infection with it spreading to my blood system causing the drastic drop in blood pressure and the multi-organ failure. As a result my weight gain (instead of loss) is an issue, especially with some significant water retention due to the low functioning of my heart.

While this time can be a source of discouragement, I realize that in the broad scope of life that a few weeks of going through this temporary setback is relatively small. I am learning more about the Apostle Paul’s words, “…when I am weak then am I strong…”         (2 Cor. 12:10)

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:13,14)

PLEASE PRAY FOR…

• Success in rehab program
• Healing of heart function and elimination of excess fluid
• Resolution of the source of  reoccurring infection

This evening I returned to the Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital. This is the facility that helped me after my surgery last September.I was anticipating returning here within the next six weeks or so, but on an outpatient basis. It is helpful to see nursing and care staff that know me and will help me with a quick rebound in my physical strength and recovery.

I learned today how helpful it is to have a care team that knows your background and that can adequately assess your needs. One of my morning visitors at the hospital this morning was and education nurse who introduced herself and said, “I am here to talk to you about your congestive heart failure.” To which I responded, “My what!” What followed was some interesting information. Technically the septicemia and infection I had put my heart in that category by definition; however, there seemed to be only a cursory correlation between my medical crisis and the response of my heart.

This concept of accurate assessment reminds me of a definition of love that I used I my premarital counseling and weddings. I picked it up from Dick Foth and it is based on John 3:16. “Love is the accurate assessment and adequate supply of another person’s needs.” That’s what God did for us through Jesus. He saw we needed a savior (accurate assessment), so He sent His son the adequate supply needed for us to have relationship with Him. When that process takes place in relationships, in marriages it is love in action. You get specifics, not generalizations. You get progress, not frustration and complications.

During my waiting period it was good to have Pastor John Engle come for another visit. What an encouragement he is with a great heart and background of loving and caring for people in need.

Also, Ted and Murlene Grizzle came to the ready and delivered my power wheelchair to the hospital so I would have it here at the rehab facility. While we visited we discussed the importance of staying focused upon the Lord and not losing, “heart.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 are great verses that I have referenced to some degree in the past. However, these verses are especially relevant for my current status.

2 Cor. 4:16-18 (ESV)  “…we do not lost heart…for this light and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

 So we pray, “Lord give us spiritual eyes to see what you see and to be strong in heart trusting you in the work you are doing in our lives.” Amen.

 Please pray for …

Strength recovery and reduction of fluid retention

Encouragement and strength for my physical and spiritual “heart”

Doctors to demonstrate God’s love through the accurate assessment and adequate supply of my medical needs

Debbie as she covers her patient load and I am away from home

February 26, 2014

Written 29 minutes ago by Ken Summers

Today was actually a good day. My sister-in-law Sue spent the morning with me, I had visits from Ted Grizzle, Pastor John Engle, flowers from Pastor Mark Orphan and the Timberline Missions Team and even a visit from Kelly Schilling (my at-home physical therapist).

I even had timely visits from the doctors that are evaluating my progress and making recommendations on treatment and coordinating for discharge planning. I did have stress test on my heart this morning. The test basically confirmed the EKG results which showed some diminished heart function. This is probably a result of the severity of my infection and the drastic drop in my blood pressure. The plan will be to treat with some medication and then redo an EKG at a later date.

I have been surprised by the weakness that I am experiencing even though I am feeling better. As a result of the PT and OT evaluation, here at the hospital, they are recommending at least a week of in-patient physical and occupational rehabilitation. This is something that came to my mind and is probably a good strategy for the long term. My situation is greatly different than my last hospitalization.

So…the road home is going to take a little detour or at least a little longer route. This kind of reminds me of my propensity to seek different routes between points. Many years ago when attending a church conference my youth pastor looked at me one morning (as we traveled from the hotel to the conference site) and said, “Do you realize that we have made this same trip the last three days and you have not taken the same route twice?”

 I usually get to where I need to be sometimes sooner, sometimes later, and sometimes longer. So this journey is not new territory for me, because I know I will eventually get home to where I belong and want to be.

When I think of that, it reminds me of our sojourn hereon earth to heaven. We never know the path that we may find ourselves on, but we can be confident of safely arriving at our final destination. The road may be more frustrating than we expect or filled with unusual turns and detours, but as we keep in mind that there is a Heavenly Father who is above who can see what we can’t see, we can rest assured in His loving care and sovereign direction.

So, I am looking forward to seeing my friends at Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital. A little sooner and a under different circumstances, but I am looking forward to their excellent care as I prepare to return home in a few more days.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isa. 58:8,9