Homeward Bound...

Hi this is Arlene…this will probably be the last update on Mom that we personally will do…

Mom & Dad Brown pulled out of our driveway a short time ago. They are headed for Bangor, Maine where they plan to spend the night and fly out for home early in the morning. This morning while we were visiting I said to Mom, “Tomorrow night you will sleep in your own bed.” She replied, “Lord willing.”

The five day trip they had planned in the middle of May S-T-R-E-T-C-H-E-D into 5 weeks. Many “unplanned” things have transpired during that time. Unplanned by us but not our loving Father who had it all planned and we have watched His hand leading and upholding us along the way. There have been many opportunities to share the Lord’s goodness with those He brought across our paths.

We apologize for not giving more updates the last couple of weeks…we have been selfishly enjoying our time with Mom & Dad. On June 12 Norm and I went down and first hand saw the place in Jonesport where Mom was recuperating. It was a gorgeous spot and we ended up staying 2 nights with them instead of the original 1 night we had planned. It was amazing how the Lord led them there. He knew just what she needed. Moose-A-Bec Manor had a large ground floor apartment right on the ocean surrounded by beautiful scenery and many good places to get out and walk.

Mom Brown at Moose-A-Bec Manor in Jonesport, Maine

Mom had a follow up appointment with her heart surgeon on Thursday, June 17 and was told she was doing very well and given permission to travel. They arrived in St. Stephen that evening to spend a few days with us before heading back home. Even in the past few days I have seen an improvement in Mom’s energy level although she still tires easily and has to be careful to get her rest.

Yesterday we went down by the St. Croix River at low tide and took pictures. Mom was able to walk down and back up a hill and also climb up on a rock with help where we took pictures.

Enjoying time with grandchildren by the St. Croix River
As an interesting note...the rock they are sitting on is in Canada and the trees in the backgound are in the United States

I am sure they will be very glad to arrive home and will have many stories of God’s goodness and care to tell those of you that live near them.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers over these past weeks.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Quick Progress Report

I (Elisabeth) just talked with Grammy on the phone. She had a good visit with the doctor yesterday.

Her red blood cell count is up to nine, which means she is much stronger and not as cold.

She has been able to walk for about fourteen minutes, three times a day. That’s progress!

Her A1C 90 (diabetes 90 day average) was down around 5.5 which is good border line, and she is now down to one insulin a day.

All the staples are out of her leg, and they are working on getting the swelling down in her leg and foot.

She told me she feels MUCH stronger than when we saw her on Friday, and her cough is much better as well.

Praising the Lord for His goodness,

-Elisabeth Brown

Supper with family...

This is Arlene…my turn!

We were so blessed to meet Mom and Dad Brown last night for supper in Machias at the Blue Bird Restaurant. That was about 30 minutes from where they are staying and about an hour from our home.

It had been about 12 days since I had seen Mom and she is really coming along. Right now she is suffering from a bad case of laryngitis and found it challenging to listen rather than talk. Her legs are still weak but she did communicate that she had gotten 4 walks in yesterday emphasizing the fact by holding up 4 fingers.

The Lord has provided a beautiful recuperation spot for Mom and Dad. Yesterday they were watching some eagles catch fish in the ocean.

Our God has been so good to all of us during these days. We have many, many blessings to thank Him for.

Thank you so much for your continued prayer on Mom and Dad’s behalf.

Arlene for the Brown Family

SETTLED IN - RECUPERATING

This is Moose-a-bec Manor and the bottom floor is ours. Excellant place for a period of recuperating. Saw a local doctor today to followup on Penny's bloodwork. Pictures are from our sitting room, front yard and back of the house. We will be here for approximately two weeks and unless there are significant changes, we will not be posting here for a while. We have to drive 30 plus miles to use WiFi.

don & penny

THE BIG DAY - WE TRUST

We are hoping for discharge this morning, but trust in God that he has us where we are supposed to be. There have been many opportunities to show God's love. There was no rehab scheduled on Sunday and we were given a pass to leave the hospital. We were out a little over two hours and enjoyed a nice ride and lunch. Penny got her first taste of lobster for this trip. On Monday she had one session (holiday) of PT. She showed that her ability to walk was getting better each day and went up and down a set of 10 stairs.
We had another visit from Mike and Judy Lamson and a visit from Paula Allen's brother and his wife, Al and Elizabeth Porter. We knew them when we lived in New Hampshire. When we leave the hospital, our address will be
Moose-a-bec Manor
40 Old House Point Road
Jonesport, ME 04649
Our time plans are unsure until we have had our Exit Visits with doctors, nurses and the case worker.

In HIS love, don and penny

DAY TWO IN REHAB - EVENTS

This was a very good day. Penny showered and dressed herself, walked even better, did a workout with exercises, walks and did a flight of 4 steps up and down. We were trained on how to get her into and out of our car and they qualified me to do her walks and trips to the bathroom. She was moved to a private room and they have added a cot for me at nights. She is still having problems sleeping at nights and maybe this will help. We were also told that release papers were being prepared for Tuesday.

Remember Psalm 34:4: "I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."

- don and penny

DAY TWO IN REHAB - Pictures

Judy Lamson and daughter Sarah Eastman visiting.

Penny is eating better.

Peter & Suzie (Allen) Quimby with 8 weeks old Landon.

Below: New nurse giving Penny instructions.