Update on John Stumbo

by Robb Childs, Executive Pastor

In an attempt to keep people updated on Pastor John Stumbo, we will be posting information on this site as often as we have updates to share. The most current update is posted first.

Friday, January 30, 2009

9:00 a.m.

As we announced at our services this past weekend, John was discharged from the Rehab Center on Saturday, January 24th and is now home for the first time in over two months! God has answered your prayers in so many ways as John’s life has been spared and as he continues the long journey of recovery. Obviously God can heal John instantaneously at any point along the way, but so far God has chosen instead for John’s recovery to take a slower, steadier course. But even that is a gift from God for which we give Him praise.

John is receiving home health nursing assistance several times a week, but will not start outpatient physical therapy until he gets a bit stronger. In the mean time he does work on a variety of exercises at home. On their way home from the Rehab Center after John was discharged last Saturday, they (John, Joanna & Drew) stopped at a local sporting goods store to buy some weights for John to use at home. While they were there they ran into a Salem Alliance Church family and had a tearful reunion. For those of you that live in the Salem/Keizer area be on the lookout as you, too, may have a John sighting when you least expect it. To help you be on the watch for John in his wheelchair or walker, we’ve included with this update a photo that was taken last week when our Pastoral Management Team met with John and Joanna while he was still in the Rehab Center.

John & Joanna Stumbo (January 22, 2009)

Here are ways for you to continue to pray specifically for John and Joanna:

1) His swallowing function still has not fully returned. They are having him do specific facial exercises to loosen up his swallowing muscles. Since there are 40 different muscles involved in swallowing it sometimes takes time for those to fully return to normal. Pray that his swallowing muscles would regain enough strength for him to swallow again soon.

2) I’ve mentioned in the past that the site of the second muscle biopsy (on his right leg) had developed a chronic bacterial infection. This past Tuesday John had an appointment with a surgeon and had the wound opened and cleaned. It was worse than expected and they had to remove quite a bit of junk from the wound. The wound has been sealed so that it can heal and be suctioned off regularly with an automatic pump. But this was a bit of a setback that was somewhat discouraging for John this week. Pray that this wound will fully heal in time without any additional intervention.

3) His glands (salivary, pituitary, etc.) are still not working normally. Pray that his glands would return to normal function.

4) Pray that John will continue to gain stamina and strength daily.

5) Pray that God would continue to give him encouragement and hope and that John would experience regular progress, however small.

6) Pray also for strength and stamina for Joanna. Plans are being made for Joanna to go back and visit her mom in Ohio in mid to late February. One of John’s sisters will be flying out to Salem to be with John while Joanna is gone for a few days.

7) And keep Drew, Josiah (in college in Minnesota), and Anna and Jeff (in Phoenix) in your prayers, too.

Thank you for your continued concern and love and prayers for John and his family. They will continue to need your fervent prayers during the months ahead.

Click here to read the archive of updates on John's condition, going back to November 2008.