We are still here....

      Hi Everyone! I realize that it has been over a month since I last posted and I apologize; but nothing interesting has been going on really! Scilla is doing well and she still has her good days and bad days. She did come to my mom's house on Easter and thanks to one of my mom's co-workers, Mrs. Clovia, we were able to get her in the house. Mrs. Clovia let my mom borrow her steel ramps that made it possible for us to get Scilla in my mom's house. Overall Scilla had an okay Easter; she wasn't feeling well and was in bed most of the day! :(

      On another note, God is still blessing and he is still doing things we don't expect. Scilla was having a rough day on Tuesday (5/10) and bumping heads with everyone, including her daughter Shakelle (who holds most of the care taking responsibility for her mom). The two of them got into a small spat; so Scilla's friend, Step, suggested that they pray. So after the three of them prayed, we got a call from Scilla (whom we could tell had been crying) with a request to be put on speaker phone and for my mom and I to gather around the phone. So, as I walked to the phone she began to tell us what had happened and said that after the prayer, she just felt like she was getting ready to walk! So she was sitting in the car and Step was at the window and

SCILLA WAS MOVING HER KNEE; NOT SPASMS, BUT WILLINGLY SENDING THE SIGNAL FROM HER BRAIN TO HER KNEE TO MOVE!

I couldn't believe it! I questioned her and was in awe about what I was hearing! I don't know what God is doing and I will never question his motives, but I hope that what is happening with the toe, foot and now, knee movement is a sign that she will be able to walk again; I have very strong faith, but I don't want to give her,her husband, her kids,  my mom, or anyone in my family false hope, so I hope that God is really making these things happen and that we are not having our hearts, faith and emotions toyed with.

So I encourage everyone to continue praying for Scilla's health, happiness and healing. Please remember to also keep baby Emma lifted in prayer.

"Walking in Faith..."

having a good time

    Recently, my mother had to move in with me for almost two weeks. I really enjoyed having my mom at my house. Who wouldn't love coming home to dinner ready and all household chores done? In addition to my family and I enjoying her company, Scilla enjoyed her even more! Currently, my mom's home is not accessible; so Scilla took full advantage of the opportunity to spend time with my mom and enjoy her great cooking during this time. Scilla would come over and spend hours every night, until about 9:30 pm. Here a few pictures of her at my house:

Smiling for the camera, sitting in the chair in my living room

watching TV with all her gadgets...lol

Being silly

Our baby sis, Angelic, sitting in Prissy's chair while talking on the phone!

Please continue to keep my two girls, Scilla and Emma in your prayers.

"Walking in Faith..."

She says she can move her toe...

      Tonight I received some very pixelated cell phone video of Prissy moving her big toe! She says she is concentrating and

willfully moving it; that it is not just nerves or muscle spasms! So let's see what God is doing, we all know that he is a miracle

worker. Please continue to be in prayer her and Baby Emma's health and healing.

"Walking in Faith..."

A second entry for One year Later...

   This is entry is a note that Scilla wrote on face book and I wanted to post it here, as written by her;  for those who are not on face book. It is her personal reflection on the 1 year anniversary of  her accident:
                                                                                GOD MIRACLE BLESSING
GOOD MORNING TO MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY: JOHN 5:8 JESUS SAID TAKE UP YOU BED AND WALK. I AM TRUSTING AND BELIEVING HIM FOR THAT BLESSING. I WANT TO SAY DON'T BE SAD! YEA IT HAS BEEN A YEAR SINCE I HAD MY LIFE CHANGING EVENT.JUST KNOW THAT I LOVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST,HE HAS SHINED ON ME.I HAVE NO REGRETS.SOMETIMES GOD HAS TO SLOW YOU DOWN IN ORDER FOR US TO LISTEN TO HIM. WHEN GOD BLESSES YOU WITH MANY OF HIS POWERS, IT CAN BE SCARY.BUT BEING THE PERSON OF GOD, YOU ARE YOU HANDLE IT.KEEP YOU EAR TO GOD.

Here are some comments on her note:
Carolyn Choice -U are truly a blessing an I thank god for having the pleasure of u being my friend:-)

Robin J. Gonzales-Sullivan - Like I said, over 2 decade you have been my friend/sister....that's a blessing, when you took me in, you made sure your whole family took me in, keep your eye on the prize because a "storm", is just that. I know you are so strong and most o...f all you are a woman of God, just hang in there, like you have been doing, GOD is gracefully guiding you and your victory is in Jesus Christ, our savior, the one who died so we could live, I know he lives in you, you had a heck of a year but you kept your faith, you are a strong woman, God is amazing, he has something for you, go ahead and get ready to receive it.  Ily ♥Ivory Jackson - God still works miracles! Trust and believe! Luv ya sista-n-law



Cheryl Watson  -I just shared with Marie on Monday...I dreamed Cilla was walking. And one thing I KNOW God don't let me dream and remember for Nothing. A miracle is on it's way....HE WILL GET ALL THE GLORY!! I love you girl! Stay encouraged


Jacquie Irby Duckett Be blessed and not stressed........

One Year Later...

      So here we are, March 15, 2011; one year later! One year ago today, Scilla's life was forever changed. She was blessed in so many ways, although her life was forever changed. On March 15, 2010, she got out her bed, got dressed and walked out her house and got into car and drove to her destination; but almost 3 months later, she left the hospital in a wheelchair, with a completely severed spinal cord and metal rods in her back; paralyzed. The past year has a been a year of learning and adapting to a new way of life. There has been good days and God knows there has been bad! There has been days filled with sadness, depression, and self pity; but out of the slumps there has arisen days of laughter, happiness, and acceptance. I have know idea of what my sister has been through; but I know the road has not been easy and honestly I COULD NEVER walk a mile in her shoes.
         In spite of everything the she been through; all the complications and surgeries, one thing has remained the same: her unwavering FAITH and COMMITMENT to God. Her faith, my faith, the faith of our family and friends has sustained her. To everyone that has prayed for her and who continues to keep her in their prayers, Thank you. For everyone who has stayed the night, brought a meal over, called or came by, encouraged her,  helped transport her or helped out in way, Thank you! We will never be able to say thank you enough to everyone, but please know we appreciate EVERYTHING.
        Please continue to pray for her health, strength, and faith as she continues on this journey that God placed her on. Not everyone could travel the road she is traveling; but God selects special people to take on special tasks and this is the task he gave to her; to overcome a life changing event (test) in order to be a testimony to others. I pray that at some point in the past year something has been written or said to inspire someone that is traveling on their on journey to keep fighting and believing that God will do the things he promised.
       Also please continue to pray for baby Emma who will turning ONE on March 16, 2011; my does time fly when you have a little angel in your presence.

"Walking in Faith"

Her and Greg (March 6, 2011)

At the hotel on her laptop (ATL; 3/6/2011)

 The beautiful smile we remember and missed so much in the past year. Glad to see its return. (3/6/2011)

this feels so good...

    Hello Everyone!  Scilla is doing VERY well. She has started to get out more and even enjoyed her first overnight trip this past weekend! She had a great time in Atlanta with her husband and daughter. Last week she came to visit me at work and got her hair colored at the Barber school where I work. Because our shampoo bowls are attached to the chairs, two of the male students had to lift her from her wheelchair into the shampoo bowl/chair. Once in the chair, she remarked "this feels so good!" I smiled and told her that she needs to find a chair where she can sit upright and straight more often because in the bed and wheel chair she slumps ( as most people do) when they do not have firm back support.  Also while sitting in the chair, her daughter said "you look normal", to which I said "she is normal".  We all knew what she meant and it did not offend her mother; so we just chuckled about it!

     I would like to say thank you to Crestin, Jermaine, and Randy for your assistance in transferring her from her wheelchair to the shampoo bowl and back. I really do appreciate you going above and beyond your duties to make it possible for her to get her hair colored.

Here are some pictures from her visit:

     In 14 days we will celebrate the 1 year  anniversary of Scilla's accident. I am not sure how or if we will celebrate it; but I just know that it is a blessing that God allowed her to still grace the earth with her presence and although the past year has been filled with trials and tribulations, she has grown to accept her disability and recognizes that it is by God's grace and mercy that she has made the progress that she has. 

      Also in 15 days baby Emma will celebrate her 1st birthday! Emma is doing great; she has master rolling to one side, gotten new shoes that fit her AFO's and will be getting her very own stander in the next few months.

God definitely has his angels surrounding these two beautiful girls!

Walking in Faith.                                                                                                                                                                                   

Happy Valentine's day!

         I know it has been far too long since I last posted; I promise to do better! On Sunday we celebrated the 1st birthday's of my niece and nephew and while there Scilla surprised everyone with a speech that went like this: "We would like to thank everyone for coming to the party and as you all know, I was in an accident last March; which is why I am in a wheelchair. My husband, Greg, could have left me, but he didn't and  I just wanted to tell my husband, Greg, thank you for taking care of me and being there for me whenever I need you." And then she gave him a gift...

Giving her speech

                                                         Hug and Thank you baby!

The new bling (i.e. the gift she got for him)

                                                                           The Hightower's

     The special moment shared between Scilla and Greg was an emotional one that left smiles upon the faces of everyone. Their love reminds me of 1 Corinthians 13, which says: Love is patient; love is kind

and envies no one. Love is never boastful, nor conceited, nor rude; never selfish, not quick to take offense.
There is nothing love cannot face; there is no limit to its faith, its hope, and endurance. In a word, there are three
things that last forever: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of them all is love. Their faith has been tested; their love has been tried, but because their faith has no limit and there is nothing their love can't face; they have fought and prayed and God is continuing to bless them and to keep their marriage strong. Oh how great it is to be loved by YOU!

"Walking in FAITH and LOVE..."

A day of beauty...

     Today Prissy went to the salon and here are a few pictures of her under the dryer. I didn't get any finished pictures because I had to leave the salon.

not wanting to cooperate with my photo session

surfing the net....

actually she is facebook

They turned the dryer chair around and then turned the dryer hood to the back and she rolled and they propped up her feet.

Snow much fun!

   I hope 2011 began well for everyone! Scilla was excited for the new year because that meant a return to therapy for her. She was so disappointed that she missed her appointment on January 4th because of a mix-up with her new address, but she was able to go on Thursday. I called to see how it went and they really worked, which is what I was glad to hear since she really needs to work on improving her strength and getting stronger.

(A beautiful photo of the sunrise taken by my hubby, Eric; as I slept early Monday morning 1-10-11)

      The snowy weather today was beautiful, but Scilla was hoping that it would have held off until later this evening or tomorrow because she had to miss her appointment at the pain management center and she only had enough medication to make it through the morning! She resolved to stay in bed today and not move around in hopes that less movement would equal less pain. She tried to contact her doctor or a nurse, but got no answer; so I am hoping that she is able to get her medication on Tuesday.

As Always keep Scilla and Emma in your prayers.


"Walking in Faith..."

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Please Continue to be in prayer for Scilla; she is having a hard time this holiday season; but I pray God will continue to give her strength as she adjusts to life in her wheelchair.


"Walking in faith..."

Her Story

   On Thursday, Dec.16, Prissy had the opportunity to go to Greenville Hospital System to meet with some writers and photographers to tell her story.  The hospital contacted her and asked her if she would be willing to participate. She had a great time while there. They photographed her along with her doctor and therapists from Roger C. Peace and reluctantly her daughter, Kelle also was photographed (Kelle had no idea they were going to ask her to participate).

    So when and where will Scilla's story be featured? Scilla will be featured in a calendar for the hospital and she will also appear in literature and brochures for the hospital. They will mail us copies of the calendar when they are printed some time in the next 2 or 3 weeks and when they arrive I will put what I can here.

    Update on her surgery: She is doing very well with the tube in her kidney, it gives her more freedom and keeps her from having to go home every 3 to 4 hours to Cathe, so she can get some since of normalcy back without having to plan her day or activities around getting back home to Cathe.

     Please keep her and Emma in your prayers. Emma is doing well, her incision from surgery has completely healed, her shunt is functioning well and her severe diaper rash is healed. Thank you God for your many blessings; not only this holiday season, but everyday we are so grateful for your grace and mercy.

"Walking in faith..."

Surgery a success

     Scilla's surgery was successful. They were having trouble finding a vein for the IV, so they ended having to take her to the O.R. to give her gas and do the IV there.
      The tube was successfully placed, but there is a slight chance that she may have to have it removed if the latex the tube contains causes too much of an allergic reaction (she is allergic to latex). The doctor chose to go with the latex tube because of it's flexibility versus the other type of tube which is stiff like a PVC type tube. He thinks that this tube in the kidney will definitely make things much better for her and do away with the constant infections. She will have to go have the tube changed in 6 weeks in the doctors office and I am not sure how often after that.
      The tube is very easy to take care of; just clean daily with soap and water and also cover with gauze and tape down underneath her clothes. She is resting tonight and should be able to return to normal activity in 24 hours.

Thank you to everyone for your prayers. Please continue to pray for a fast recovery and that she can get back into therapy soon, she is on a waiting list because she lost her spot when she went to Columbia. She needs therapy to get stronger and become more independent, so I hope by January she is back in therapy.

"Walking in faith..."

Surgery on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2010

   A quick prayer for a successful surgery for Scilla. She will be having surgery on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2010 at 3 in the afternoon (The surgery was originally scheduled for Dec. 13, but they moved it up). She will be having a tube put in her kidney's ( sorry for TMI for what is about to come) so that she will not have to Cathe vaginally in hopes that the number of  CONSTANT urinary tract and candida infections that she experiences. Currently she is on a low dose antibiotic daily because of the above mentioned infections. 

    I am not exactly sure of how this surgery works or what is involved; I tried to unsuccessfully find out information online. The surgery is outpatient if everything goes as planned.  I will try to post tomorrow night to let everyone knows how it goes.


     Please pray for Scilla and the doctors performing her surgery on Tuesday. Also keep sweet, baby Emma in your prayers.


"Walking by faith"

A great thanksgiving weekend

  Thanksgiving weekend was an awesome time filled with yummy food, family, and friends! This year we had a change of location for our family thanksgiving dinner, this year we held our family dinner at Scilla's house because it was the most accessible and convenient place for her. She could cath and do everything she needed to easily and in the comfort of her own home. She really had a good time and enjoyed herself, because she was able to easily move from room to room and in and out of the house independently. So we are thankful for that. Here are some pictures from our family gathering.

She is back; it was good to see her smiling and happy.

Being silly with mom...lol

IDK...

talking junk to Aunt Robbin

Heading outside...

We are so thankful that God blessed us this year and we definitely  had an awesome thanksgiving weekend. Please continue to pray for Prissy and Baby Emma.

"walking in faith..."

Birthday Pictures coming soon!

  I was out of town last week, on a small, but much needed vacation and I keep forgetting to bring my camera in this week, but birthday pictures from Prissy's surprise pizza party are coming very soon!

   Scilla is doing very well and becoming more independent, which is EXCELLENT! She has moved into her new house and is able to get in and out the house with no problem; she also is able to maneuver around the house in her wheelchair with great ease, because there are hardwood floors. She informed me on Sunday (November 7) that she cooked some of the best spaghetti that she has had in a very long time! I was glad to here that she was in the kitchen and cooking which is open and accessible and allows her to move around  and reach items in the kitchen.

   Some other new developments are that I read online that about 2 weeks ago they began a study using stem cells on new spinal cord injury patients; Great news and Great hope for the future!

    Also my sister said that my cousin's pastor prayed for her in September and that he told her she had been misdiagnosed. I say that to say this: My mom and Shakelle (Scilla's daughter) were pressing on her stomach and she said she could feel it; so they had her close her eyes and she was able to them where they were touching her and she also says she has had some feeling in her rectum. According to her current diagnosis; she has a complete injury with a completely severed spinal cord and is suppose to have no feeling below her breast bone area! So, if she truly has feeling as she says, how is it possible? or just maybe she has been misdiagnosed and her spinal cord is still intact somewhere that doctors can't see.

    But in any case only God has the final say so when it comes to healing and restoration, so I will continue to pray DAILY for her and baby Emma's healing because I know God has great things in store for those two ladies! So as I usually ask, please keep Scilla and Baby Emma in your prayers; pray that Emma gets over a cold she is dealing with and also if you are looking for a nice Town home in the Greenville area (a great location) Emma (well actually her parents) are selling theirs in hopes of purchasing a more accessible house for Emma. Check out the home on Emma's blog (which can be found on my blog roll).

"Walking in faith..."

Happy 40th Birthday!

     Today, November 2, 2010 is a very special day! Today we celebrate Scilla's 40th birthday and I am so thankful that God allowed her to still be here with us on today. We all know that on March 15, 2010, she was in an accident that forever changed our lives. She lost the ability to walk, but most importantly her life was spared and for that I thank God daily. HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRISSY, WE ALL LOVE YOU AND STILL HAVE FAITH THAT GOD IS GOING TO HEAL YOU AND GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART! LOVE YA BABE!

Early Birthday dinner...

   Today we went to Applebee's for an early 40th birthday dinner with Scilla and some of our family. We all enjoyed ourselves. Here are some pictures:

The birthday girl

 Mimi and Aunt Scilla

Scilla and Greg (I don't know why they look so dark...lol!)

Scilla and her daughter Shakelle

Scilla and Kelle being silly because her balloon flew away!

SEASONS....

   I don't normally write about me in this blog, but this entry is about the ending a season, in my life and the beginning of a new one. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 3:1 "For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven."
 
     In this new season of my life,I have taken on a 30 day challenge where I have been fasting and praying for God to act upon some of my desires. During this time of fasting and praying, a song by Bishop Paul Morton has been a song that I have sung so many times and it says " Lord, whatever you are doing in this season, don't do it without me; Lord, if you are HEALING in this season, don't do it without me; Lord, if you are BLESSING in this season, don't do it without me!" And although this song says don't do it without me, when I sing it I am singing out for some of the people who mean the most to me. Some family and friends are suffering financially; So many people need healing from various things and so I am crying out for everyone on my prayer list(which is growing lately).  I have so much faith in God that I honestly believe he is getting ready to do some great things in my life and the lives of the people I love most.

     I decided to write about seasons because I chose not to return to my job as a teacher in the After School program with the City of Greenville in September. This was the perfect job for me; for 3 years it allowed me to be the mother/wife I wanted to be and allowed me the flexibility to do some of the things that I wanted to do. Most importantly, during the time of Scilla's accident; my co-workers were not only understanding, they were great at accommodating me! I was out of work days or weeks at a time dealing with stuff related to Scilla's accident. I would go to work, only to get a call from Scilla that she needed me, could I come to the hospital and my immediate supervisor worked with me, she would let me leave and do what I needed to do in order to be there for Scilla, my mother, and my family.
 
      I am forever indebted to my co-workers for being a source of relief from the hectic-ness and stress that came along with Scilla's accident. I worked with 4 beautiful, smart, and talented women. Each of these women touched and forever my changed my life in some way. They may not know it; but they made life a little easier for me, their smiling faces and jokes that made me laugh were the highlight of many stressful days and sleepless nights. I will never be able explain it, but for some reason; I just felt my time working with "the city" was up; I felt like it was my time to move on to the next season of my life. I prayed hard and long before making the decision to not return in September.

    But I am forever grateful and thankful for my "season" with the "the city" because they provided healing for me during one the most life changing times in my life; theses ladies made Scilla's accident easier for me to handle. They would listen to my daily updates, my worries and my fears; they allowed me to talk about the accident and listened and gave encouraging advice; they were my therapists and played a big role in MY healing and in helping me to be strong for Scilla. They allowed me to just let it all out and for that I appreciate them. So to Ms. Octavia Jones, Ms. Katrina Wofford, Ms. Ereaka Binns, and Mrs. E. Wofford; I LOVE each of you and I miss you dearly and I am thankful that I had you all during this very difficult "season" of my life. I was glad to have the opportunity to work alongside each of you, but more importantly, I made friendships to last a lifetime.

       As I mentioned I have been fasting and praying and God has delivered on my one of my desires and I have been offered a job here in Greenville; if things work out, I am hoping to start early/mid November. I am so excited about this new season in my life and the new season in Scilla's life with her going to the rehab facility and gaining the therapy, insight, and healing that she needs and ALSO for HER STILL BEING HERE WITH US TO CELEBRATE HER 40TH BIRTHDAY ON NOVEMBER 2ND! Her life was spared and she is entering a new season; a new stage of her life.

     As always, please continue to pray for Scilla and baby Emma (whom I received the most adorable photo's of ). I am also requesting prayer for me and my new job (specifically that we come to terms on a good salary and that I am able to get everything done to start in November).

Oh yea, I forgot to mention Scilla got a new camera, so we should have some photo's of her and the work she is doing in rehab very soon!

"Walking in faith..."

  

Happy Birthday Mom!

We are so blessed to celebrate my mother, Patricia Booker's birthday on today. She is an awesome mom and we are so blessed to have her in our lives. WE LOVE YOU MOMMA!

"WALKING IN FAITH..."

10-10-10

      So today is the 10th day, of the 10th month of the 2010th year; otherwise 10-10-10. They were so many weddings going on today that it was RIDICULOUS! But the number 10 in Chinese culture is considered perfect and in some cultures lucky; biblically The number 10 represents COMPLETENESS - DIVINE ORDER; There were 10 Commandments, We are commanded to give the 10th of all income, A new world order/promise came out of Noah (the 10th generation) [thanks to Pastor Lenny Gaines for the biblical insight] so I guess today was the perfect day for Scilla to start the 2nd leg of her rehabilitation journey at a facility in Columbia. She left Greenville around noon en route to Columbia where she will spend the next 6 weeks in a rehab facility; participating in all kinds of therapy including water therapy and maybe even learning to drive. I am super excited for her and can't wait to call her later in the week to see how it is going and how she likes it. I hope this facility gives her the tools to properly heal. I pray for her healing daily, but not just for physical healing; but for mental and emotional healing. I know that some days are mentally and emotionally are harder for her and I think that once she is able to come to terms with her injury, she will be truly healed.

     Please continue to be in prayer for her healing and pray that she comes out this with a new outlook and ready to take on the world. I know she is going to do great!

     Also remember to keep sweet, baby Emma in your prayers. She is doing well and is such a cutie!
     
     Scilla will be coming home this weekend  to move some things into her new home and to celebrate my mother's birthday on October 15.

"Walking in faith"