January 22, 2006

Dear Family and Friends,
It's Sunday evening and Whitney, Callum, Isabelle and Kaitlyn just left the hospital. Whitney made beef stroganoff and mashed potatoes for dinner . . . thank you, Whitney, we love all the comfort food you make for us!
I told Ryan I would write the blog tonight in the hopes that he will feel good enough tomorrow to resume writing. Ryan has been flat in bed since Thursday night. He finally has the pain in his neck and chest under control with the help of pain medication. The last 24 hours he has been battling with bladder spasms that are extremely painful. He has started on medication but it takes 48 to 72 hours to help with the spasms. He finally ate some soup and part of a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch today, so we are grateful for that. He hasn't had much of an appetite for the last couple of weeks and has lost over twenty pounds. The doctors have told him his job is to eat, drink and rest.
We've had a very quiet weekend. Eric and Zach Ingersoll and Russell Gardner brought the sacrament to us this morning. Thank you. Barry and I took turns reading to Ryan from the Book of Mormon and a book that was sent to him from a man named David Treat entitled "Going Through the Fire, Developing a Faith That Perseveres." In 1993 David and his family were involved in a serious auto accident leaving him a quadriplegic on a vent and his wife with a very significant brain injury. Prior to his accident, David was an attorney and he and his wife were very involved in a youth ministry and David coached his children's sports teams. The book is written over an eight year period and tells of the physical and emotional toughness of a spinal cord injury as well as his faith . . . faith in his family, faith in his friends and faith in God. It's an inspiring story and once again we are reminded of the importance of having faith and a personal relationship with our loving Heavenly Father.

Numbers 6:24-26 is the scripture Scott and Jan Norton's family choose to share with Ryan.
24 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

We are thankful for your love and friendship and hope you have a great week.

Love, Bridgette, Barry and Ryan