Day 142 - November 3 - Blessings...

Remember yesterday I said that Connor wasn't moving his fingers "as much"? Well, that was an understatement - he really wasn't moving them at all. It was too easy to shade the truth and understate the issue, and hide my disappointment with a "oh, it's not really as bad as it seems". I'll try not to do it again.

As you know, I've been praying regularly for Connor's complete restoration, and yesterday was no exception. All afternoon, after I realized that Connor wasn't moving his fingers, I've been praying specifically for the movement of his arms and his diaphragm, and I continued that effort this morning while I was at work. This afternoon, as I was on my way home, I got a call from Joélle to tell me that - get this - not only was the boy moving his left fingers again, but also his right fingers!!! And the left finger movements are much bigger and decisive than the other day!

Needless to say, we are excited about this progress. I got home, and although he was tired Connor gave it the ol' college try (does that make me "the gipper"?). He moved his fingers for me, and I watched as the tendons in his right wrist tightened to try to move his entire hand!

For those who may not know your spinal geography, it's time for a brief lesson. In your neck you have what are called the cervical vertebrae. They are numbered C1 through C7, with the lower number being higher. Connor's injury was a dislocation of C4 and C5. Now, there are nerve bundles which pass between each vertebra, and each vertebral passage corresponds with a level of motion and feeling. The higher the vertebra, the higher the function. So C1 nerves control things like the nerves in your face, while C3 passes the central body functions like your diaphragm etc. C4 moves your shoulders and neck. When you injure your neck, you may lose feeling and/or motion below your level of injury, so according to medicine Connor should have the use of his shoulders and should be able to breathe on his own. He can do neither, to the degree that the professionals have labeled him a C1 injury (because that's what it acts like).

OK, if I haven't bored you to death, they tell us that if Connor gets any recovery at all, we can expect return back to (usually) one level below his injury. That would be C6 for Connor, which controls the lower arms.

Why am I telling you this? Well, guess where the nerves that control your hands and fingers are - C7. It's quite clear that God is moving - and I remain confident that God will provide and my son will walk again - in this life, on this earth.

I can't wait to see it!

----------------------------------------
Print This Page