January 9, 2020

Today’s schedule for Hunter at Craig Hospital was full, exhausting, challenging and yet also hopeful. I saw a glimpse into what his coming weeks and months of rehab will consist of and how much potential there is for improvement. And of course, we're praying for miracles.

Hunter started his day in a circuit training workout. It was similar to Crossfit training. There are three levels, “buttercup, puppy and big dog.” Each level increases weight and reps.

Hunter said there was no way he was starting on buttercup and went for puppy first. He has a goal to drop a minute off his time next week and said next week I will do it with him. I am starting as a buttercup, no shame.

As we were leaving the gym to get to his next class, Hunter spotted a basketball and said he had to take a couple of shots. The picture today is of the moment he said, “I need to end on a make.” And right after I snapped this, the ball swished in.

Over his Christmas break from college, Hunter planned to coach a 6th-grade girl’s basketball team with his sisters on the team. He had asked my dad to be his assistant. Their first tournament is this Saturday. Early on the morning of Dec. 28, 2019, following his eight-hour surgery, Nathan and I had our most difficult role ever as parents as we shared with Hunter the severity of his injuries. I have since journaled what Hunter said to us as I always want to cherish his sincerity and words. One of those things was “Grandpa Fred” was going to need to take over the team and to let the girls know he would be back and play with them, just differently. As I type this my throat tightens and I feel the same emotion coming on that I felt at that moment with Hunter. The team has practiced with my dad and another dad friend and this Saturday will debut with pride. Hunter will be cheering them on from afar.

Seeing Hunter shoot a basketball today flooded me with memories throughout the day, thankful for the journey we’ve traveled and also looking ahead to what is different but also still in our future. My niece, age six, is playing her first basketball this winter and said to us last weekend when she left the hospital with my sister, brother-in-law and her brothers, “Bye, Hunter. Bye, Auntie. See you at my game!” It’s a winter goal to eventually get to one of her games as Hunter’s rehab progresses, about an hour from Craig Hospital.

As I wrote down notes in my journal today the verse at the bottom read, “The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121:8

The coming and going of 2020 have taken a different path than we had planned. I think any of us can relate to our lives being rerouted. With all of our hearts and being, we know and feel the Lord is watching over us and guiding our path.

Another highlight of Hunter’s day was his first recreational therapy appointment. Hunter loves building and design, all sports, all things outdoors like hunting and fishing and he loves farming. Rec therapy will utilize what Hunter is learning in PT and OT and help him apply those skills to activities that he enjoys.

When considering an air rifle target shooting activity he said, “Do I get to compete against people?” I smiled. His competitive spirit shines and will fast track his progress I think. I also have zero experience with spinal cord injury rehab and am simply Hunter’s mom cheering him on. But I find it all a learning experience, difficult, numbing at times but also full of new opportunities.

During wheelchair class, I texted Nathan, who has returned to North Dakota to joyfully be reunited with our daughters and work in our small business. He will return again soon and stay for extended periods of time this winter. Nathan texted me a reply, “Two weeks ago, we didn’t know about wheelchair class.”

We did not. But Hunter is literally rolling with it and not complaining. With a big smile, Hunter pointed out by the end of class that “college football weight and wheeling weight needs to be different!” I have a feeling his future weeks of “big dog” circuit training will help.

For those of you purchasing #pinkestrong items (thank you), Proverbs 16:9 is highlighted on the shirts, decals, and wristbands. From his ICU bed, with his eyes closed, Hunter chose that verse.

“A man’s heart plans his way,

But the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

God clearly put that verse on Hunter’s heart at least two weeks ahead of his Dec. 27 accident. We know that from a series of events now further shown to us.

We know the Lord is directing our steps. Hunter is wheeling his steps right now, the Lord knows what is next and we trust Him.

The Lord is directing your steps, your coming and going too. This group has shown us your strength and willingness to share your faith and grow in faith with others around you.

As I’ve shared before, we’re forever changed by the last two weeks. We’ve experienced all the emotions and have a long, unknown to us but known to God, road ahead. Over the weekend, I will share another update and from there we’re moving to detailed weekly updates.

I’ll still pop in and share photos, videos and short bits of our days. But as Hunter needs more time to focus, so will I in my days with Hunter and in my work. I plan to return to work part-time next week, working remotely in hours before and in between my time with Hunter. Flexible hours and a fabulous employer makes this journey possible for me to stay with Hunter. I also miss our girls terribly as I have never been away from them like this and our family reuniting happens later next week!

Thank you to all who are faithfully praying, lifting up our family and the Todd Stoneberg family in prayers, financial support, kindness, care, comfort and willingness to serve and fill in the gaps of our lives in any and all ways.

Specific prayer requests:

For Hunter to gain more strength and use of his core/ abdomen

For Hunter to increase the mobility of his shoulders

For patience and perseverance in each day

For wisdom and direction for the entire medical team

For continued protection and comfort to our entire family, groups of friends and those impacted by this accident and its aftermath. A lot has changed for many close to Hunter also. Everyone shows their emotions differently but know we are thinking of you and praying for you. God sees, hears and loves you.

For fellow spinal cord injury friend, Todd Stoneberg to continue to gain strength and healing to be able to come to Craig Hospital next week for his rehab path and journey.

This is by far the longest update. Thank you for staying with us, every day. As the lyrics of this Jeremy Camp song says, we will not be overtaken. We will not be overcome.

https://youtu.be/InsifiZxVXU

We have hope. We know greater things are in store.

-Katie