Sunday Surprise

David D. and I visited Brian yesterday and Brian recognized David and squeezed his hand. We noticed that Brian felt warm and a fan was blowing and this morning Jennifer informed me that Brian has meningitis and had a 105 degree temperature. They are pumping him with antibiotics and trying to keep the temperature down with the fan and ice packs. An ongoing concern is going to be that he will not only survive the accident but that he will also survive the hospital! Keep praying.

Bleeker Update 9/25/09

Jennifer called to give an update on Brian's surgery. Thursday afternoon the doctors replaced the bone in his skull that had been removed. They were pleased with the surgery and with the condition of the brain tissue. The doctors are pleased with Brian's continuing recovery and are planning on having him sitting up in a wheelchair soon. Please continue to pray for his continued recovery and for the legal matters that need to be taken care of. Please keep Jennifer in your prayers as she continues to apply for Medicare for Brian so he can move into rehabilitation. Continue also to pray for her and the children as they are doing homeschooling and a great deal of traveling between Palmer and Anchorage, especially with the weather beginning to change.
Praise be to the Lord who continues to sustain this family in His love and peace and praise to Him for their humble response to this trial and their obedient witness to those they are in contact with through this.

Post Surgery Update

Jennifer reported that Brian came through surgery just fine. His skull is complete and the Doctors were pleased with the condition of the brain tissue after this time also.

Jennifer is still working with legal issues to get Brian onto medicaid so he can move into rehabilitation. The court has granted guardianship status to Jennifer.

Brian Coming Back Together

Thursday Brian is to go back to surgery to get his skull cap replaced. He is then to be moved to St Elias for rehabilitation. Stay tuned and keep praying. Jennifer called last night and also informed me that Brian has been moved to a private room- either 305 or 315.

Finances

As Brian's medical bills begin to be measured in the millions of dollars it is tempting to be overwhelmed - even with the prospect of medicaid assistance.

I spent some time yesterday talking with Pastor Walsh of the Church in the Wildwood about the situation. He assures me that some in the church are helping Jennifer with the maze of paperwork involved in getting Brian onto medicaid. It is evident at this point that Brian needs rehabilitation that will begin to restore his brain and muscle functions. St. Elias seems to be the best place for that but their refusal to take him in was at least in part because of Brian's financial state of limbo at this point. Some of the paperwork hinges on the court assigning guardianship and conservatorship to Jennifer.

We considered setting up a trust or special account so that private assistance toward Brian's bills doesn't become a tax liability to Jennifer. It looks like with the active engagement of Church in the Wildwood, the best way to help Brian financially is through their deacon's fund. Gifts will be tax deductible but it must be clear that to meet Federal standards they can't be specifically designated to Brian. The board of deacons is very aware of the Brian and Jennifer's situation and will and have been doing everything they can to help where most needed.

Gifts can be directed to Church in the Wildwood, Deacon's Benevolent Fund, 16832 Hanson Dr., Eagle River 99577.

As overwhelming as things can look from an individual perspective, let's not forget that God is great, and God is good, and He still knows how to work all these things together for Brian's good and His glory.

I was encouraged the other night from editing the text of Brian's Grandfather Peabody's autobiography. They were newly married in the 1920s and in the ministry and had their rent due the next day. It was $12 dollars. They had nothing. That night a visitor from the countryside stopped and gave them $10 at the prompting of the Lord. The next morning Great Grandfather Peabody (who lived next door) said he had two dollars to help with the rent and would deposit it for them and pay off the rent if they would give him the remaining ten. I think he was amazed when they were able to give it to him!

September 12 Update

I went in this afternoon to see Brian. I've had a cold so hadn't been in for over a week. There was noticeably less swelling and his eyes were open but you couldn't tell exactly where he was looking. There was still fluid in his lungs. Shayne and Trisha and their girls were there too and Brian was definitely responding to our speech. When I asked if we could pray Brian raised his right hand and we held it while we prayed.

While it is evident that Brian is getting better it is very slow and unless God intervenes measuring his progress is going to be very tedious. May He give us all patience and faith.

New Deck

Yesterday saw John Vinduska putting the final touches on the grade prior to the ramp going on the deck. Jennifer says Brian keeps making progress.

Bleeker Update 9/8/09

Brian continues to do well and is progressing each day. Jennifer wanted me to update everyone with an address where you can send cards. Scott and I have continued to receive cards for Jennifer at our address. We've delivered them to Jennifer and she is very thankful. However, she is able to check her mail at home daily, so cards do not need to be sent through us any longer. Her mailing address is:

7968 North Wolverine Rd.
Palmer, AK 99645

Thank you for your continued prayers, encouragement, and support for this family!

Bleeker Update 9/3/09

On Friday, Brian was moved out of the Critical Care Unit at Alaska Regional and into PCU room 319, a regular hospital room. Visitors are still welcomed and encouraged.

Pray for Karianne and Jennifer as Karianne has not been feeling well over the past few days. Thank you so much for all your prayers and support for this family!

Lost Papers Found

Those who know Brian will know that one of his ongoing trials has been that he couldn't get a passport.  This became very problematic when the borders to Canada and Mexico required passports.  With his Commercial Driver's License  it meant he couldn't drive through Canada any more.

The reason for no passport was that the naturalization paper was essential and was lost- presumably by the Post Office in some prior application.

Well, in the course of settling mom's estate,  we got a bill for a lock box fee at First National Bank and Ray went down to see what was in it. Lo and behold- there was Brian's naturalization paper in the original envelop from the Department of Justice.  

Plans on Hold- Bleeker 9/01/09

Jennifer called last night.  Brian was all set to be transferred from Alaska Regional to St. Elias on Monday at 2 PM.  However, at the last minute the plans to take him to St. Elias fell through.  Jennifer is now working with Brian's caseworkers to try to figure out what the next step is.  So, if you'd like to visit, Brian is still at Alaska Regional and will likely be there for a while longer.  Please pray for Jennifer and the caseworkers and they work to come up with a plan for Brian's future care.