Ben Suprunowski's Prayer Blog

What a year it has been. Thank you Jesus for answered prayer. Thinking back to that time at the hospital and the months that followed. It was the worst time in my life, But God was faithful and he gave us the peace that passes all understanding. He also gave us His church people who were such a blessing. Thank you to everyone who prayed for Ben and our family, who brought us food, who stayed with us, who helped us out financially, who let us shower at their house and who let use their motor home We are truly bless beyond measure. Bring on 2012

www.youtube.comWhen Ben was put in the ICU in cridical condition for 30 days our family and friends were there the whole time. We celebrated Christmas 2010 and New Years

It’s one year a two days since I was in the car accident and it feels almost surreal. I’m back in California, enrolled in Spring classes, And I have a job rolling burritos. My health is amazing and I’m almost back to 100%. It was only a year ago that I was unconscious in a hospital fighting to survive. Thank you to everyone for your prayers and thoughts. The Lord blessed me not only with life but with amazing friends and family.

Well, I’m sure by now you are wondering how my surgery went. If you were unaware that I had a surgery, let me fill you in. On Friday July 29th, I was admitted to the day surgery wing of Legacy Emmanuel hospital to undergo a colostomy reversal surgery. The Surgery consists of re-opening my entire abdomen in order to reattach my intestines in its proper location. The doctor informed me that he would also be repairing my abdominal scar and possible repairing a minor hernia.

The surgery went amazing and Dr. Cole was able to both reverse my colostomy and repair my scar, however he didn’t want to raise the risk of infection so he did not attempt to fix the hernia. Everything else went great though. After a few mix-ups with my pain medication on Friday they were able to get things figured out and my pain level was under check by midday Saturday. On Sunday I began walking again and by Monday I was moving around fairly easily. My recovery was going amazing and I was able to leave the hospital by Wednesday. Since Wednesday I have been taking it easy but trying to get out for some fresh air as much as possible.

Yesterday I returned to Legacy to have the over 50 staples that were holding my scar together after the surgery removed. The staples came out easy and there were no problems. The doctor did prescribe some antibiotics though for a sore that has started to form on my stomach. As of today my recovery is going amazing and pretty soon I’ll be back to normal. Right now the doctor has instructed me to avoid strenuous activity and I’m not allowed to lift more then 20 pounds.

Thank you everyone for all your prayers and for keeping with me through all my surgeries and procedures. Thank you.

Hey Everyone, it’s been four days since my surgery and I’m doing great. The Surgery went great, the doctor was able to reattach my intestines and clean up my scar but he wasn’t able to repair my hernia. He said the hernia shouldn’t become a problem but that we would still have to keep an eye on it. I’m in quite a bit of pain right now and am on plenty of pain medication which is making this post hard to type. I’ll write more later when I am home but I wanted to let everyone know that the surgery was a success and that I’ll be returning home soon.

Hey everyone, a lot has happened since the last time I posted. I spent most of my summer helping at the Dunes Bible Camp and this last week I spent with Peninsula YoungLife at the Washington Family Ranch. I was able to share my testimony at two separate aged camps this summer. First I shared to over 250 campers around fireside for the Dunes Bible Camp’s junior aged camp. It was by far the largest group I had given my testimony too and I was quite nervous. The next time was for 100 high school aged campers. This time I was able to show slides of the accident scene and my recovery. It was really cool to share with so many people this summer and I pray that the Lord will work through my story to reach peoples hearts. I shared my story to many campers but I hope that this is just the beginning of people hearing my story. Besides helping at the Dunes Bible Camp I was given the opportunity to be a leader for a group of students going to Washington Family Ranch. WFR is a YoungLife camp that serves thousands of kids each summer.

Because my summer has been so busy I stopped attending physical therapy but I haven’t felt that it’s been necessary that I go. I’m recovery more and more everyday. I may not be back to 100% but I am getting there. I find that I can do whatever I want and that my only limitation is my endurance. Occasionally when I am being more active I will stumble or trip. It seems that even though my brain thinks I’m fully recovered my legs don’t always feel that way. But this is rare and not at all bothersome.

On Tuesday I had an appointment for a CT scan and a check up with Dr. Cole to discuss my colostomy reversal. It took them about an hour to give me an IV which is something that I thought would take a lot faster than it used to but it seems that my veins are still trying to bounce back. The nurses say that from all the times my blood was drawn and I was given IV’s that my veins have scarred and are harder to find. After the scan I felt my arm becoming itchy. As it turns out my body has built an allergy to the contrast that they give me through the IV. My arm began to get hives and the doctors had to hold me in a room for another 30 min before I could leave. The CT scan was to determine the health of my intestinal track and see if they would be able to perform a surgery to reverse my colostomy. At the appointment following the scan we discussed what was going to happen with Dr. Cole. The scan looked great and I’m scheduled to have the surgery this Friday at 10:30. I was surprised to find out it would be so soon, but I’m excited to know that it is my last surgery. He said that it wouldn’t be a normal colostomy reversal but that they would also spend time repairing my scar by clearing out scar tissue and also fixing a hernia that I didn’t know I had. The usual time of recovery for such a surgery is 7-10 days in the hospital but he said that he had seen people leave in 3 days. I don’t want to rush things but I would like to be home as soon as possible. To prep for the surgery I’ve been on an all clear liquids diet since Wednesday that I will continue till after the surgery. I’ve also been put on some antibiotics and must drink this solution today that will help clear my intestines. I’m really excited for the surgery and I’m not really worrying about it because it’s something that I really want done. It will be the last surgery that I know of and afterwards I will be one more step towards being back to normal life.

Thank you all for your continued prayers.

Hey, I just wanted to remind everyone that we are still selling t-shirts. Just follow the link in the toolbar to find out how to order. T-shirts are now on sale for $10!

Today I had another standard checkup in Portland. This appointment went as normal. They said everything was going great and asked me if I still had pain. The bulk of our conversation came when we started discussing my colostomy reversal. The colostomy reversal is a surgery in which they reattach my intestine to the rest of my system. As is my intestines are routed to the outside of my stomach. I learned that this was not a small procedure but would actually consist of the doctors reopening my abdominal cavity to reattach the intestine. This means that I will be admitted to the hospital for 7-10 days. And after release I would still have stitches in my abdomen that I would later need removed. Because of how busy my summers are I will not be able to get the surgery done until the end of July (possibly the beginning of August). My original plans were to move back to California sometime in August but that will no longer happen. As it looks I will not be able to move back until mid September. Luckily this does not interfere to bad with my plans for school and I should be returning to Eternity Bible College then. Like surgeries before I will need plenty of prayer as the date of the surgery approaches. I would appreciate the prayer and will keep you updated on the exact dates as the time approaches.

I also had the pleasure of seeing Dr. Isenberg today. He came to see me (as he put it) socially. It was really nice to see him again. For the past few months he has been serving time in Afghanistan and just recently returned.

Sam happens to be the other driver who was involved in the accident. He also happens to be a really cool guy. A few weeks ago before I left for California Sam and I met at the Starbucks in Warrenton, OR. This was the first time we met. I was nervous as to the type of man he would be. I didn’t know much about him. Only what my family had told me and what I could find out on facebook. I hadn’t prepared for meeting him at all; I didn’t want to have any expectations. The meeting went great. I was introduced to his wife, Michelle, and their two children. We talked for quite awhile. I was able to hear their side of the story and tell them my side. I wanted to let them know that I didn’t hold anything against them. What happened was of God’s will and the repercussions have proven that. I don’t hold any hard feeling toward them. I’m so thankful that I was finally able to meet them and tell them this. I plan on keeping in touch with the Hughes family and probably having coffee with them again.

This week has been crazy. I’m actually visiting my friends in California right now. It’s been super cool being able to chill with them and just get back to the life I had before the accident. I’ll be coming home on Saturday, so I will be away from home for a total of 8 days. I would have never thought that after only 5 months since the accident I would be able to fly and not be completely dependent on people. I’ve regained the level of independence that I lost because of the accident. I’m not moving back to California until the Fall but it’s been good for me to at least get out and be more active. I can not be more thankful. The Lord has blessed me with so much.

Well the past few days have been really good for me. On Wednesday I went to Portland for an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gellman. I had three more x-rays taken of my pelvis and everything looked great. He told me that I had no limitations as regarding my activity and that he would see me again in 6 months. According to all my doctors I now have no limitations. I believe it was Dr. Cole who told me regarding what I was allowed to do and what I wasn’t, “If it hurts, don’t do it.” I don’t want to take too much advantage of this statement but I have started to try out my physically laborous things. On Easter weekend I even felt well enough to play Kinect (similar to the wii) which is a very demanding activity. I was surprised at how active I could actually be. Just yesterday It was nice enough to go outside and play pickleball (A hybrid between ping pong and tennis.) I actually did really well. I was able to run for the ball and my technique is still there. I really didn’t lose any coordination in my arms. I can’t wait to see what God allows me to do next. I hope that in a month or so I will be back to longboarding the discovery trail in Long Beach. Thank you all again for your prayers and support.

I know it’s been a long time since my last post, but the truth is that there really hasn’t been that many new developments. I’m progressively getting better and better (thanks to the Lord) but there has not been any major milestones. Now that I can walk my strength has steadily been increasing. I still go to PT and go to the gym usually around 3 times a week. Walking is becoming easier and I don’t have to concentrate as much anymore. I will probably start running pretty soon. I’ve ran a few feet so far but there was a pretty bad pain in my left foot. I assume that it is nerve pain but it could also be because my left leg is still significantly weaker than my right. My balance is almost completely back. It’s kinda funny, I feel that when this is all over I will have better balance than before I got in the accident. My abdomen scars are also healing up amazing. I rub vitamin E on them almost everyday and message them to break them up. PT has also been putting inferred light and low level electrode charges on the chest scar to do the same thing. I almost feel like a robot every time I go into PT. After I do a bunch of exercises they have me lie down on a table and they hook me up to 2 or 3 different machines. I’ll upload a picture of what it looks like after a post this blog. What is weird is that I find this part of PT extremely relaxing. The electrodes on my legs kinda feel like a message and the lights on my stomach are warm.

Driving has changed things a lot for me. I’m no longer held down by having to have my parents drive me places or my friends come to pick me up. It’s weird to think I am so glad to start driving even though it is the exact thing that almost killed me. I think about it every time I get behind the wheel. It’s so easy to forget how dangerous driving is because it has become such a necessity. I remember the shock when I finally understood what had happened to me. The realization that I was in a car accident. I remember thinking over and over again “It’s me.” Every day people get in severe car accidents but it finally hit me. Before, I thought it could never happen to me, but now I know how easily it happens. It doesn’t stop me from getting in the car. I maybe drive a little more cautious but I’m not held down by the accident. I love driving and I don’t want to stop anytime soon.

Limited Edition Hand Screen Printed T-shirts for a fundraising effort have been made by a family acquaintance. Cost is $20 + shipping (shipping discounts for larger orders). Sizes XS-2X Please contact Caitlyn at jones.caitlyn11@gmail.com
Thank you for your continued prayers and support.

To see a picture of the shirt just click on the tab labeled “T-Shirt” on menu above.

I would first like to thank everyone for the great night Tuesday. It was really fun getting to meet so many new people. The turn out was amazing. The night went great and the Lost Roo did an amazing job all night. Also, I want to thank Painted Grey for coming and performing. Thank you again everyone who made Tuesday night possible.

On Wednesday my mom and I went up to Portland for my regular checkup at Emmanuel Legacy. This visit was filled with good news. The first thing we found out when we got there is that the hospital would like to put my picture and story up on the Wall of Hope. The Wall of Hope is a hallway that people walk through on their way to west wing ICU. The wall has  about 15 or so  pictures and stories of people who have survived medical tragedies that seem impossible to survive. I consider this an honor to be put on the wall. But this was not the only good news for the day. Dr. Cole also gave me the ok to drive. I don’t have any fear of driving, but I still think it would be wise for me to start off slow. I won’t drive much to begin with and only for short distances. I’ve already driven a little bit and didn’t find it to be difficult or unusual in any way. The last bit of good news that the doctor gave me is that I no longer need to be taking blood thinning medication. Now that I am up and am more active there isn’t a large chance for clots. Wednesday was a really good day for me and I feel that things will only be getting better for me.

This week I have begun to show incredible progress. I started this week walking with the assistance of a walker which I no longer need. The strength in my legs has increased dramatically and rapidly. In addition to physical therapy twice a week I have started swimming and working out at a local gym. It seems as though I see improvement everyday.  My recovery has truly been a miracle.

A funny thing happened this week. While talking to my physical therapist about any pain I was having she asked me about the nerve pain I was feeling in my foot. I told her it didn’t bother me thanks to the medication I am taking. She responded by asking me if I was taking neurotin and if it was difficult to stay awake during the day. Apparently neurotin is known for making people significantly more drowsy than normal. This is when me and my mom realized that taking Neurotin in addition to my other medication is probably the reason why I am tired all the time.

Also, This Tuesday the Lost Roo (a local restaurant) is throwing me a benefit dinner. So, if you live the Long Beach area and want to eat some great food its this Tuesday from 4-9. Its $10 for adults and $5 for kids under the age of 12.

This was a pretty mellow week for me. I didn’t do a lot but I made a lot of progress. After my physical therapy appointment on Monday I was a little more aware of my limitations regarding walking. I could walk but not very well. The therapist gave me a simple assignment, to walk as much as I could, and that is exactly what I did. I’ve made a lot of progress in my walking. I still have a limp and a little of a wobble, but I can walk now almost completely without my walker. I still need it for when I walk outside of the house, but over short distances I really feel that I don’t need it. I am really encouraged by the progress I have been making. It seems like it was just the other day when I was lying in the hospital bed unable to walk. PT has been getting more challenging now that I am able to walk. It now feels like I’m doing actual work. I again thank everyone for their prayers during this time. I need them now just as I did before. Tomorrow is Sunday and I look forward to getting out and stretching my legs.

Also, I was interviewed for KAST radio on Thursday. If you would like to read about it and/or listen to the broadcast here is a link to the article.

http://www.kast1370.com/Home/tabid/193/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/36073/Audio-Tragic-accident-becomes-inspiration-for-many.aspx

Today I had another session at physical therapy. Today was special because it was the first time I had the opportunity to walk outside of the pool. PT has two parallel bars set up that give me something to balance with while I walk. I was surprised as to how easy it was for me to take a few steps. Not to say that it was easy, it was just easier than I thought it would be. After walking back and forth a few time my physical therapist had me start stepping side ways and lifting my knees while I walked. I was only able to walk a few feet before I needed to sit down and rest. It was really great to start walking again. After we used the parallel bars for awhile I started using a walker. The walker was pretty fun but made things move quite slow. I wasn’t expecting the stop and go that the walker required. I expect that some tennis balls on the feet of the walker might change this. I’m finally starting to build my strength back and it is exciting to know that it wont be long until I am back to walking normally.

There were many highlights from Saturday, but the biggest of all was going swimming for the first time since the accident. My local swimming pool has a lift for people unable to use stairs. Swimming went great. It was the first time I was able to take steps and practice walking. Swimming is going to be one of the best ways for me to build strength. Strength not only in my legs but in my arms and abdomen as well. I plan on going swimming often and maybe even joining one of the exercise classes that the pool offers.

Last Friday while on my way to Portland my Mom received a call that one of our closest family friends had been taken to the hospital. My second mom Linda Holmes has been sick for quite awhile, but on Friday she passed out. She is doing fine now, but the doctors still don’t know what happened and why she hasn’t been getting over a cold has lasted for weeks. I ask that Linda be in your prayers as she is in mine. My dad and nephew have had this same ‘cold’ for a long time and I ask that you pray for them as well.

Friday was the beginning of a very busy week for me. It started with yet another trip to Portland.  Thankfully this trip wasn’t for another doctors appointment. Instead this time I was going to be apart of a seminar highlighting the trauma system used by Oregon. My story was being used as a case study demonstrating the life saving techniques used to save my life. Getting to hear the play-by-play of my case was cool, but the best part was getting to meet some of the people instrumental  in my case. I met the Chinook fire department, the EMT who was at the scene, and my life flight nurse. I was disappointed to find out that Dr. Crass from Columbia Memorial Hospital wasn’t able to come to the seminar, but I did get to meet Dr. Wayne who came in place of Dr. Crass. I really had a great day and loved getting to meet everyone. At one point Dr. Long said that over 150 people work on a case such as mine and I only wish that I could personally thank every one.

Bonus Video:

Teens-recovery-from-crash-is-a-lesson-in-teamwork-118278379.html

March 16th marked the day that I was finally able to put weight on my legs. I was originally planning on trying to stand up at physical therapy but when the day came I couldn’t wait. As soon as I woke up I began to call for my parents to help me. But when no one came I decided to try all by myself. I grabbed my walker and stood up. It really wasn’t as hard as I imagined, but when I tried to shift my weight to my left leg it gave out. Luckily I caught myself on the way down. It hurt a little, but I was quick to get myself in my chair before anyone caught me. Later when my mom came in and asked me if I wanted to stand up I was quick to say yes. I stood up and my mom took a couple of pictures. It was really weird to stand up. I felt like a giant. I’m around 6’2″ but haven’t been taller than probably 4 feet in the last 3 months. It felt really cool. I’m pretty excited to start using my walker. My mom surprised me with purple tennis balls to put on the legs of my walker. It will still be awhile until I have the strength to use my walker, but it wont be long.

Today was another long day, I had meetings with both Dr. Cole and Dr. Long. First I had a meeting with Dr. Long where we went over my involvement in an upcoming conference on the trauma system in Oregon. The conference follows the actions taken by the trauma teams that save my life, from the ambulance driver to my surgeons at Legacy Emmanuel. I’m really excited. The conference will cover a few cases and give me a chance to see all that took place to save my life. The meeting I had with Dr. Long was brief, but helped prepare me for what will be said.

Next I was to have an appointment with Dr. Cole but for some reason he wasn’t able to see me. Instead I was seen by a Resident. Everything was great. Everyday my stomach looks better and better. I was able to get a laugh out of him when I asked him when I would be able to ride a roller coaster. He said we would talk about it next time.

At the end of the day on the car ride home I was finally able to take a nap.

Physical therapy went great again. This time in addition to my normal exercises I was given a treatment that will help reduce my scars. For as far as I can tell the treatment consists of just exposing my scars to ultraviolet light. I’m not sure how exactly its supposed to work, but it can’t hurt.

Thursday was a day filled with hospital visits and physical therapy. At 11:30 I had a doctors appointment to discus just general health. Everything went great. Next I needed to have my blood drawn to check its thickness. I do this every Thursday because I’m on blood thinner to prevent clots. I also had PT today which was more of the same. I really can’t wait until Wednesday when I get to weight-bear.

Also I Would like to ask that some of your prayers go out to the people effected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I don’t think there is much I can say about the incident that hasn’t already been said.

Not a lot happened Tuesday. My friend Caitlyn was still in town so we went out for breakfast, went home, and watched a lifetime movie about the craigslist killer. And later we went back to Astoria to watch another movie. Yeah, I watch a lot of movies. At this point there isn’t much else I can do. One nice part about it is that the theater I go to lets people in wheelchairs see movies for free.

Wednesday was an uneventful day. I just stayed in bed and did my exercises. It was actually pretty nice after having such eventful days. It really showed me how much I still can’t do. It’s still hard for me to get used to my new limits. Again I ask for prayer that I will have strength of the course of these next few months.

Monday was a pretty busy day. I had my second physical therapy appointment, younglife, and even went to a movie after words. The day started with a visit from a friend who lives out of town, Caitlyn Jones. We went out to lunch and afterwards she drove me to PT. This was only the second time that I left home without my mom. I am finally starting to feel comfortable taking care of myself. It’s a little scary but I actually found it to be fairly easy. It was a little tougher for Caitlyn because she was the one who had to get my wheelchair in and out of her car every time we stopped.

Even though I’ve only been to PT twice I am really starting to feel it. They have me doing exercises twice a day that are helping increase not only my strength but my range of motion as well. One of the things they have me do at PT is electro therapy.  The therapist attaches electrodes to my legs and slowly raises the power level until my muscle begins to contract. For about ten minutes I contract my muscles as the machine alternates pulses on my legs. This is probably my favorite exercise. It is surprisingly very comfortable.

After PT I went and helped out with younglife. My brother in law is doing an amazing job running things. This week we watched a video made by Francis Chan called Stop and Think. Francis Chan is the man who started the Bible school ,Eternity Bible College, in California that I was going to. The video made me miss California but it won’t be long until I can return and start taking classes again.

Once younglife was over me and my friend went to Astoria to watch a movie. This was kinda crazy for me. I’d never sat in one place for that long of time before. It turned out to be really fun. PS the movie Rango is really good.

Monday turned out to be a long day for me, but ended up being really good for me. I’ll need prayer for strength during my recovery. I only expect PT to get harder and harder especially once I become weight bearing. But i’m super excited to relearn how to walk.

Hey again, This week was a pretty busy week for me. Sunday was great again, Pastor David gave another great sermon from his series on Esther and I really enjoyed visiting with people after church. Something that I am really excited about that I forgot to mention last week is that starting shortly me and Pastor David are going to start reading through a book called The Goodness of God by Randy Alcorn. My sister Brittany recently gave me this book because it tackles ‘Assurance of purpose while in the midst of suffering’(ripped straight from the front of the book). I found the topic to be rather fitting. I really can’t wait to start.

Hello, this is Benjamin writing. Sorry it has been so long since the last post. In my defense the internet at my parents house has been down the past few days and I was unable to get online. Well, now it’s back up ,so here we go.

On Wednesday my mom and I woke up at 5am to make it to Salmon Creek hospital by 8am. I was scheduled to have the IVC filter removed from my Vina Cava at 10am. According to hospital policy if they were to administer any medication I would have been required to stay another 2 hours after the time they administered it. Considering my next appointment was at 1pm and that it was at at different hospital I opted out of using the medication. The surgery required that the doctor make a micro incision in my neck and to push a small catheter down my Vina Cava. The catheter would cover and allow the doctor to hook the filter for removal. Unfortunately Dr. Huang was unable to do this because the filter hook had become lodged against the vein wall. After 45 min the doctor decided it was in my best interest to stop the procedure. This sounds like a huge bummer, but me and my family are staying positive. The doctor said that he would consult with a few of his partners and possibly reconsider doing the surgery again. There are some risks to keeping the filter in which increase by 1% each year. Please pray that the doctor decides  to do the surgery again and that this time they will knock me out.

Fast forward an hour later and I was ,yet again, getting x-rays of my pelvis. I had an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon, the man who did my pelvis surgeries, Dr. Gellman. This was the first time that I was able to see the hardware that was used to pull my pelvis back together. Dr. Gellman said that everything was healing just the way it should, and decided to withdraw my bending restriction. I am now able to bend past 90 degrees, But that is not all he told me. He also said that in two weeks I would no longer be labeled “non weight bearing.” Which means that in 11 days I will finally be allowed to try to stand up.

On Friday I had my first appoint with physical therapy. It went really well and I was given plenty of homework. It’s going to be a long road to walking and just getting back to normal activity. According to Dr. Gellman it could take up to three months to be able to do normal activity and anywhere from nine months to two years to get back to athletic shape. I could definitely use prayer for strength during this time. I want to make a speedy recovery, but I know that good things come with time, so this time I’ll take things slow.

Today I went for a “walk” with my family. It was really fun! My sister and her husband were able to pick up a motorized wheelchair from the Dunes Bible camp to help me on the walk. Before we went for a walk my family and I ate lunch at the Lost Roo. After we ate we decided we would walk a section of the discovery trail. It was really nice just getting out for a change. Seeing the ocean and breathing some outside air was really refreshing.

These next months are going to be tough but I know that with prayer and the support of my family and friends I’ll do great. I again apologize for the late post, and I’m going to start making an effort to post on a timely matter. As always thank you for the prayers.

Sunday 2/20/11 Ben went to church and then went to lunch at the Lost Roo with the family, including Aunt Janet and Grandpa.

Monday Keefer, a boy Ben counseled at camp, came over with a chocolate cake he made for Ben and a card. Thanks for the delicious cake Keefer. Delaney, a friend from Yelm, came and visited Ben also. He had to say goodbye to Troy also since Troy had to go back to college.

Tuesday Ben went to Portland for a checkup on his abdomen wound with Dr. Cole. Its still not quite healed but it is doing well and he was given the OK to take a shower. Karen still has to change the dressings though to keep up the healing process.

Wednesday Yea snow, but Ben could only watch from the inside.  John, Karen, and Ben met with Kevin Heimbigner for a  story about Ben that will be in the  Chinook Observer news paper.

Thursday Ben got his blood drawn in Ilwaco and his blood was a little thick so they upped his medication. Ben’s good friend Jared came and visited him too.

Friday Ben watched a movie with Amanda and was able to take his first shower since we were able to buy a hospital bench for the shower. Brittany and Jared and their little boys came to visit for the weekend.

Saturday Aunt Jean came down from Tacoma and Ben got a trip out to the store with the guys, Jared, Jake, and Isaac. Ben was able to sit in his chair long enough to play Settlers of Catan……………. and WIN.

Sunday, today, Ben went to church and enjoyed lunch with the Fam before Aunt Jean left.

Prayer Requests:

-Wednesday Ben will have a long day in Portland. He will have  a surgical procedure to remove the filter that was placed to catch any blood clots and 2 doctor appointments. These trips to Portland become very long and uncomfortable for Ben. He has to leave home by 5:00 am so please pray for Bens comfort on the long day he will have.

-Safety for the drive

Thank you for your continued support and prayers for the Suprunowski family.

Ben had another great week. Sunday, Ben went to church for the first time since the accident. As he rolled to the front, the congregation gave him a standing ovation. At the front, Ben was given a wonderful blanket made by the congregation. He really enjoyed seeing everybody.

Ben’s foot with the nerve damage is continuing to feel better and his stomach wound is healing well. Being on the peninsula is helping with his dry skin. Yay, for humidity. Ben tried to stand up this week….accidentally. Luckily he realized what he was trying to do and stopped immediately.

Ben feels really good overall and continues to be surprised by the response of so many people and the discovery of new scars. He is visited often by family and friends. On her way to visit Ben, Ben’s sister Brittany was in a car accident and was taken by ambulance to the hospital in Ilwaco. Ben was at the hospital at the time have his weekly blood draw.  She left the hospital with a neck brace, and is very sore. She will be seeing the chiropractor soon. Today Ben was visited by his best friend Troy, who is spending the weekend with him. Ben would like to again, thank everybody for their prayers. Ben has come a long way, but still has far to go.

Ben has had a great week at home. So far he has been to the clinic in Ilwaco twice to have his blood drawn. He is on a blood thinner to reduce the chance of blood clots in his legs. His blood needs to be tested often so it does not get to thin. Friday Ben made his first trip back to Portland to have his abdomen checked out in the wound care clinic. There was some skin around his incision that died so when the stitches were removed his incision opened up.  It is healing up nicely and he will have another checkup in Portland at the end of this month. His left foot is also doing well with the nerve pain thanks to a great medication. For the first time he was able to put a sock and shoe on it. Praise God for that. Since Ben left for college last year he had not been  to the camp (Dunes Bible Camp) , until tonight when Ben was able to wheel himself into the dining hall in his wheel chair for some teriyaki chicken. He is still unable to put weight on his legs due to his healing pelvis. Ben is really excited to attend church tomorrow for the fist time since the accident. We continue to be so thankful for your prayers and ask that you please  continue to pray.

Ben is doing well at home. He is able to move himself from room to room with his wheel chair pretty much by himself, and is able to get off the wheel chair into bed or onto the couch. Today for a moment Ben didn’t feel any pain in his left foot, but knew that once he moved it, it would hurt again. Karen is now his primary care taker, getting him food and drinks, changing his dressings and helping with other needs he has. Pray that Ben will continue to feel well throughout the days and for his left foot to heal quickly.

Ben is home safe and sound as of last night at 10:00 p.m. He was finally able to spend his first night at home and today enjoyed time with the entire immediate family watching the Super Bowl, and more importantly the commercials. Tomorrow he starts off the day with a doctors appointment in Ilwaco. Please continue to pray that his recovery goes well with no setbacks.

It has been nearly 7 weeks since the day Ben was Life Flighted to Legacy Emmanuel Hospital. I don’t think any of us will ever forget the panicked calls telling us that he was receiving chest compressions to revive him, the blurred drive to Portland, the long prayerful days in that hot little waiting room and the first few nights sleeping on the hospital floor.

For the last 47 days we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the church, the concern from our new friends on the blog but mostly by God’s provision, grace and compassion.

Today Ben is going home!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen
-Ephesians 3:20,21

Ben has started eating better, so  yesterday morning they removed his feeding tube.  Ben’s surgery yesterday to remove the stint in his ureter lasted a whole fifteen minutes. Today they also removed all the stitches from his abdomen, and did an ultrasound on his legs to check for blood clots, and they found nothing.  Ben is still sleeping well at night. He is waking only a few times but is able to fall back  to sleep without much trouble.

Tomorrow they plan on taking out the filter that was placed to catch  blood clots. Physical Therapy is planning on teaching Ben how to transfer from his wheelchair to the car.   We are hoping Ben will be able to go home sometime this weekend.