Hi friends and family from Mary Cheyne, Ben DuVal's Mother-in-law 1/6/04

Ben was able to sit up yesterday. The only pain he
seemed to experience did not come from putting
pressure on his left hip, but from the stretching of
back muscles that have not been exercise for way too
long.  Ben was moved down to the fifth floor yesterday
(Monday) and his new address is:

Ben DuVal
UC Davis Medical Center
East 5, Room 5109
2315 Stockton Blvd.
Sacramento, CA  95817

His new phone number is available upon request.

The plan, according to a nurse, is to have him sit up
for 30 minutes this morning and again for 30 minutes
this afternoon. They will be evaluating him and if all
goes well he will go to the gym tomorrow (Wednesday)
and begin Rehab.  The plan at this point is for him to
go to the gym three times a day for 1 hour sessions.
Erika was told that patients often sleep when they are
not in Rehab because the sessions wear them out. Ben
is highly motivate to make the most of each session. 

Another blessing is that when he is able, Ben will be
allowed to leave the hospital for short periods of
time - go to dinner or a movie, see his family in the
area or just go outside and feel the sun and breeze on
his face.

Prayer request:
Ben has been experiencing some nausea lately.
Although he did not throw up yesterday as he had the
previous two days, he was nauseous and was given some
medication for it.  When that medication did not work
he was given a different medication that completely
knocked him out for most of the day.  We need him
awake and not sick if he is to get the most out of the
rehab days ahead. We are not sure what is causing it.
It could be that some of the supplements they have him
on are not agreeing with him. Please pray that the
cause will be determined and he will get over this.

I have looked at the answered prayer since Ben's
accident and I assure those of you who are praying,
you are being heard. Every obstacle has been overcome.


Thank you and God Bless you, Mary