July 26, 2005
July 26, 2005 | Updates
Today is one of what we would might call a harder day. Samuel’s posturing is getting worse (as expected) and it is hard to watch. Even though it is part of his recovery, the constant pain, muscle spasms & fright, on his face is more than a parent can bare. The good note to this is that the medication he is on is also an amnesiac & will cause that he not remember any of this. WOW! is that a relief. Teresa and I have realy had a hard time with it. The doctors have also mentioned that becasue the damage was to the basil ganglia portion of the brain, it is not likley that it will not have permanent effects. They say the effects could be close to that of a person with Parkinson’s disease. Apparently another word for Parkinson’s disease is Basil Ganglia disease. In other words, we may have the wonderful experiance of raising a handicapped son. It will be difficult to get used to, but we are MORE than willing to take it on, IF that is what God wants for us. However, we have not had even close to the final verdict yet, and are still hopeful of the best. After all he does have a chance of recovering most of the way as well. To us, we heard, “he has a 100% chance of being happy” (smile). The hardest part of acxcepting the worst, is the fact that the Samuel we knew may not be with us for a while - maybe for just a short time, or maybe until the after life. If that happens, WE WILL MISS HIM! But we will look forward to raising the new Samuel or getting the old one back. The Lord will be the decider of that. Not our will, but his be done!Again, word scannot express ALL the love and appreacition we have for all of you. The support has been overwhelming. We saw the picture of our house with the flags around it and cannot keep our composure when looking @ it. Please let us know who to thank for that. Our thanks will not be enough, our gratitude is not suffice, and may the merciful God of this world bless you like he ALWAYS has, and still blessess us. Tom
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July 26th, 2005 at 11:02 am, Bocka Gardner Says:
Samuel’s brothers
Are you interested in having the boys stay at the “Gardner Ranch”? They could stay as long as they wanted. I didn’t know if they needed a change of scenery or some recreation? Thought I would offer because our kids would have a great time together and I think they would feel safe here. Brian could help me entertain them. Anyway, know the offer stands indefinately. Sure love you guys!
Love, Becca
July 26th, 2005 at 12:39 pm, Jill Kramer Says:
FUNDRAISING AUCTION
Date: August 1st, 2005
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: 120 South 700 West Logan UT
Event: Fundraising Auction
Cause: Raise money to help pay medical bills for Samuel Jewkes
We are trying to raise money for the accruing medical bills that are starting to pile up for Samuel’s care. We will be holding an auction Monday night at The GoodTimber Fine Log Furnishings 120 South 700 West in Logan. We are going to auction off log beds, nightstands, a dresser, and carvings. Please stop by or call 753-8001 to register for an auction number. We thank you for your prayers and support and hope that this auction will help Samuel and his family.
Any questions, please contact Jill at 753-8001 or 755-7114, or Jon at 753-8001.
July 26th, 2005 at 3:17 pm, Cynthia McKay Says:
Thinking of you…
Tom, Teresa, and family
We are continually thinking of you and praying for Samuel’s recovery. Please remember that we are here for you if you need anything. Tom, if you need to come back to Logan for work and need the boys to stay at our house while you are at work we’d love to have them. Jordan and Rachelle love to be with Tanner and Wes. Let us know if there is a way we can help get the word out on the upcoming auction. We would like to help in any way. I wanted to mention that if you could play some hymns or primary songs for Samuel it might ease his suffering when he is posturing. I know that music has power to relieve suffering and thought it might help you and Samuel feel more at peace.
We love you lots,
Dave and Cynthia
July 26th, 2005 at 3:58 pm, Becky James Says:
Where can we bring stuff for the garage sale?
We have a bunch of stuff for the garage sale in Orem that I can bring up tomorrow if I can find out where to take it.
It’s so wonderful to read all the support for Tom and Teresa and their family!!!
We spent Sunday up at the Jewkes reunion and Wesley and Ben and Breanna and Shalina had their own testimony meeting before the adult one. They took turns bearing testimony and closed with prayer. what an example of both the strength of these wonderful children being sent down in these last days and the good upbringing they are getting.
We so appreciate the example of Tom and family. They have really helped our family. (luckily my kids don’t remember those early years), but the things Tom and Teresa have learned and come through with are wonderful and they never hesitate to use them to help others which is the most important of all. Like Dad said in a talk when they were serving in their Substance Abuse mission. “There are no bad experiences as long as you learn from them.”
I know the Lord will bless them with whatever they need to get through this trial. If they stay close to him even when it’s the hardest. I’ve seen families where these kinds of experiences have brought them closer to him than anything else could have.
May the Lord bless each of us to learn from this. “Let not the trials be in Vain.”
Love,
Becky (one of Tom’s sisters)
July 26th, 2005 at 5:58 pm, Michael Fitzgerald Says:
Well, Crap!
Of all the gosh-darned poopy things to have happen! The Alaskan Fitzgeralds have been vicariously experiencing your ordeal from afar. There are so many things to be thankful for, and reasons to be hopeful. The many positive, inspirational and encouraging thoughts actually recorded here are only the tip of the iceberg relative to the (unrecorded) prayers and conversations in your behalf that are taking place in households around the world (including ours).
But SHEEZ! Just for the record, this is an unimaginably terrible thing to have happen. I am so sorry that you are having to go through this. I’m sure the worst is the not knowing. Considering all of the “what-if”s can grind you down. You deserve to be bummed. You need to allow yourself to be disappointed–who wouldn’t be? This is really crappy, and it’s going to stay crappy for who knows how long. You must know that we grieve for you while we grieve with you.
It is refreshing and encouraging to witness your faith throughout this ordeal. Not just your faith in a good outcome, but the faith that comes from years of righteous preparations for whatever “the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon” you. Check out this scripture (Mosiah 3:19):
“For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.”
You guys are way down the road to becoming saints. You have our sincerest sympathy, our earnest prayers and our deepest respect. Hats off to both of you.
Michael, Kathy, Jamie, Adam and Sarah
July 26th, 2005 at 6:08 pm, Tiffanie Novakovich Says:
Love from Alaska
Tiffanie Novakovich July 26, 2005 at 06:08 PM MDT
Thank you for the updates. We have been worried and are sad to be so far away. You are constantly in our thoughts and prayers and we have faith that Samuel will pull through in due time and your family will be well and happy. Josh and Liz pray everyday for Baby Samuel to get better and be able to play with the kids again soon. He will.
I have always admired your family for your strength, patience and spirituality. Please be strong and patient and remember the Savior and He will do the rest for you. Heavenly Father knows his children and is mindful of them always. Samuel is his precious child, as are you, Tom and your boys. He is watching over all of you and will heal you according to his plan. It will just take time. Be faithful and obedient and all will be well.
I wish I could hug you right now. I’ll see you soon. We love you! Tiffanie, Matt, Josh & Liz
April 24th, 2007 at 8:37 pm, admin Says:
Love the Gardners
Becca, thanks so much for the offer, we may take you up on it, however right now they are just fine. Linda & Bob are taking GREAT care of them, just like we knew they would. She may get tired of them or need a break. After all she is watching 8 kids with her’s included. Or maybe the kids could use a change @ some point, (who knows). Also I will be needing to go home to catch up on some work before to long, and I may want to take them home for a wile. It is SOOOOO nice to have you offer. We will remember it. We all love the Gardners. Love the Jewkes
April 24th, 2007 at 8:37 pm, admin Says:
Beautiful Jill
What else is there to say!! (smile)
April 24th, 2007 at 8:38 pm, admin Says:
Hearing
Mckay’s we got your letter, it just showed up in our room and were not even sure how it got here? (floated from heaven I guess) Thank you for all your wise words and support. We will see you soon. The Jewkes
April 24th, 2007 at 8:39 pm, Gary & Shelly Saxton Says:
The Power of the Hymns
Shelly Saxton July 27, 2005 at 09:33 AM MDT
Tom and Teresa,
Dave and Cynthia mentioned the power of music. If you have access to the Ensign there is a beautiful article in the July 2005 Ensign titled the Power of the Hymns. Our prayers will continue to be with you and your family. We love you.
Gary and Shelly
April 24th, 2007 at 8:41 pm, admin Says:
Garage sale items
Teresa’s Mom & Dad in Orem are managing the sale. Call them they will know what to do? Thanks you for your support, you are a great sister!
April 24th, 2007 at 8:41 pm, admin Says:
Reply to “Well, Crap” a perfectley fine and dandy Mormon swear word.
Mike Fitzgerald Family, I’m pretty sure were not saints or even close in ANY way. But we sure appreciate your saying so. Mosiah 3:19 just so happens to be one of my very faviorite scripture. What a good thing it is to be reminded of it once again. And a good time @ that! Your prayers way from Alaska are heard hear in the lower state of Utah very very well. Teresa has a sister in anchorage, so we love the folks up there. Will you be @ the Spendlove reunion this year? Hope so. See you soon, and thanks again. Love the Jewkes
April 24th, 2007 at 8:42 pm, admin Says:
reply to “Love from Alaska”
Hey Little Swift, its good to hear from you. It’s good to hear little Liz & Josher is praying for Samuel. Like I tell my kids, there’s no greater prayer than the prayer of a child. Thanks for your testomony and love. Teresa appreciates your support very much so. Love, The Jewkes