Stickman’s Ugly Stories,Terry Ewing Updates

08/10/2024

We are asking for prayers for Terry again. Most recently he has had two infections back to back. His body seems to be having trouble fighting for him. So we ask for prayers to strengthen his body’s ability to fight back against infection of any kind, as well as for Terry and Shaun to be able to stand in the midst of this ongoing battle while feeling the love of the Lord! Thanks for praying!!

06/09/2024

An update from Shaun!

Tonight my guy is back in the saddle! The new season of Soul Care started and Terry is teaching. Maybe a little dizzy? Probably! Blood pressure high from over-exerted brain? Yep! Weary body? For sure! Absolutely dependent on others to help field questions and translate misunderstood words? That’s right! But he is there, and excited to do what he loves best! It is a struggle, people...this new life of ours. But we are making it, and grateful for each day.

Terry looks great, walks 1.5 miles a day, does some household chores, can hear phone calls if the caller speaks slowly and clearly, hears one-on-one conversations very well, and can work at his computer some days for up to an hour at a time.

As far as his hearing, his audiologist is working with him each month to adjust the settings on his implants to improve the quality of sound. My voice is less like a squeaky robot (better than a dripping faucet, right?) and a bit more human sounding. That will improve with time as his brain (and Lindsey) make more adjustments. Please continue to pray for restored strength, for his blood pressure to continue to respond to the new medications, for supernatural protection from outside illnesses as he is very vulnerable, and for patience. 😊

To say we appreciate all that’s been done for us just sounds silly. It is so much more than that. It has been life-giving, life sustaining and life changing. We are truly blessed.

29/08/2024

Remember the old song, “Somebody’s Praying?” Its lyrics are so sweet as it reminded us that somebody was praying while the hardest things in life were happening. Terry is in the ER for his blood pressure and we ask you to keep praying! His BP has been dangerously high for several days and is not responding to medication.

22/08/2024

We are asking for your prayers again. Terry has shared his blood pressure is struggling to be controlled by medication. We ask you to join us in prayer asking God to bring the healing or reveal the cause if it needs to be known. The doctors are evaluating and running tests, but let’s join together asking the Great Physician for healing!

15/08/2024

Thank you all for caring for Shaun and Terry! We would love it if you’d join us in praying Terry’s progress will be enough to allow him to return to teaching in September. He is definitely working hard towards this goal. Additionally, please keep praying for his brain and ears to work in sync together.

12/08/2024

Good morning Everyone!

Terry is making good progress! His brain is working to learn to translate language and his body is getting stronger. He is up moving around and since he has his implants he has even been able to drive a little bit. He still has a ways to go, but we are SO THANKFUL for this progress and

As you all know, this has been quite a journey for both Terry and Shaun. The medical bills are beginning to roll in and they are adjusting to this new normal. Thank you for your continued prayers and support as we cheer on Terry and Shaun. Please keep them coming!!

If you feel led to give, please see the GoFundMe link below or I can give you the mailing address to send a check. If you’d like to donate anonymously that can be arranged as well.

On the morning of Monday, May 13th our friend, Terry Ewing was hosp… Bandl Merrill needs your support for Help Terry Overcome his Spinal Meningitis Ugly Story

23/07/2024

Great News!! Shaun stopped by and shared that while Terry is exhausted from his visit today and went home to sleep/rest, it sounds as though things could not have gone better. The devices are activated and doing well! He said it is like hearing a conversation in Spanish and every now and then you can understand a word. The doctor was very pleased! They go back in two weeks for adjustments and will continue to monitor his progress. They are still anticipating three to six months minimum while his brain works to learn the signals from the device.

Yay!! So excited to hear this!!

23/07/2024

It’s been a while since our last update, but here is some good news and a reason to keep praying! If you’d like to help out financially please see the GoFundMe at the top of this page or reach out to Liz Merrill for ways to help.

From Shaun Ewing

Today is the day Terry gets the attachments for his cochlear implants. We will have extensive visits with the audiologist who will tweak and train until they work perfectly for him. There are many recipients who experience migraines and other complications, so please pray he adjusts well and his body doesn’t revolt with the renewed sounds bombarding his brain.
He is physically stronger each day. He can walk ALL THE WAY around the block now without my help. The first time, I almost lugged him home. 🥴 He exercises each day, and watching him wears me out. This man is determined!
We are grateful for each meal, phone call, visit, gift, and ALL the very kind things done for us during this journey. Thank you from the deepest part of our hearts!

14/06/2024

Good morning! Thank you to ALL who have prayed, brought food, gift cards, words of encouragement, mowed lawns, or given gifts! The outpouring of love has been tremendous and so amazing to watch.

As you all know, medical expenses add up quickly. If you are being called to give, we would love you to consider giving to Terry and Shaun. If you don’t prefer to use GoFundMe, please reach out to me (Liz Merrill at 918-853-4653 ) and I’ll provide you other methods to contribute.

On the morning of Monday, May 13th our friend, Terry Ewing was hosp… Bandl Merrill needs your support for Help Terry Overcome his Spinal Meningitis Ugly Story

14/06/2024

Update from Shaun this evening:

A day-full of blessings. A holy day. The start of Terry’s brand new journey as a cochlear implant recipient. Dr. Spencer Voth is a dedicated and masterful surgeon, but also a man of compassion and faith. At our first meeting with him on Friday last week, our family felt a connection - a sense that he was the perfect doctor for Terry. We were immediately at peace that God was working and bringing everything together to create the best scenario for his hearing to be restored. Thanks to Dr. Voth, surgery was scheduled to take place in just a few days instead of months, as originally thought. The implants and accessories were ordered and delivered, and insurance approval all came through in three business days! An act of God!
So, today was the day. We were covered in prayer by our family and friends, but also by medical professionals who had heard Terry’s meningitis story and were cheering Dr. Voth on! From the very second we walked through the pre-op door, we were met with tears and encouragement and blessings and sweet moments of tenderness. Truly, God had strategically placed people to care for Terry in the most profound ways.
We are home and settled. And now we wait for the month of healing to hurry and pass so the implants can be activated and tweaked to fit Terry in the best way possible.
God is good. His steadfast love never comes to an end. We will praise his name forever.

13/06/2024

For all of you praying with us today, here is an update from Shaun! So thankful!!

Doc just left us. We prayed with him and he got teary. He is so great! We have been so blessed through this entire process. Everything went perfectly and Terry is in recovery.

12/06/2024

Good morning!! Did you hear that rumble a bit ago? That was the mountain of insurance being moved out of the way! 😉

Insurance has approved the dual cochlear implant surgery and Terry and Shaun go tomorrow morning at 10am for the outpatient procedure. Please keep praying! 🙏

We rejoice in seeing all these obstacles fall away, and the path has been cleared. Praying for a successful surgery, healing and hearing in a few weeks!