Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Update on John
Hey everyone, I just wanted to update on John. He has definately had good and bad days, which is to be expected. Last thursday was an exciting day because he was sitting up with physical therapy when my parents came in to see him, and he sat and "talked" (he was hard to understand some of what he said) with them for the first time since this happened. Either way this was a good sign because he is showing he knows what is going on. That night they decided to do surgery and put his skull flap in, the surgery itself went fine, but he started to get swelling again, or hydrocephalus. Monday they put a shunt in which will help release the fluid. He seems to be doing good again, and will now hopefully be on the downhilll climb. Please continue to keep him and our family in your prayers. There are many other "issues" that the family is dealing with and the only thing we can ask is prayers. I will continue to update as there are changes. I am going to add easter pics tonight so leave some comments:)
Thursday, March 20, 2008
On John...
Well just wanted to write and let everyone know that John seems to be doing well. I think for awhile the posts will seem to stay the same as it is hard to take huge leaps forward with this kind of injury. He has been "waking" up some, but it is still hard to tell what he understands and what he doesn't. They took his tracheotomy c0completely out on Monday night so that is a good thing.
To his friends, for those who have not directly talked to one of us and have asked to see him, right now it would be best to give him the chance to have time to let his body heal. One of the symptoms of brain injury is aggitation. When therapies come to work with him, plus family visits it just wears him out. Some of you have also asked about if what he seems to be going through is normal, and it really is for traumatic brain injuries. To get more info, check out www.traumaticbraininjury.com or there are many of other great sites of info on the web. The problem is, every brain injury is different, and in all honestly, nobody knows what the outcome will be. All we can do is look at the steps forward that he takes, and understand there will be many steps backwards. Also his recovery will take at least a year, to get to the "John/CJ" that we will all come to know now.
Also please understand that for John's privacy I have not told every detail of things as I am updating, because unless you are personally there, I do not feel it is appropriate to tell everything. Some day when John is well and has been told of all of this, he can update you all as he will and show his scars left over, until then please understand.
To his friends, for those who have not directly talked to one of us and have asked to see him, right now it would be best to give him the chance to have time to let his body heal. One of the symptoms of brain injury is aggitation. When therapies come to work with him, plus family visits it just wears him out. Some of you have also asked about if what he seems to be going through is normal, and it really is for traumatic brain injuries. To get more info, check out www.traumaticbraininjury.com or there are many of other great sites of info on the web. The problem is, every brain injury is different, and in all honestly, nobody knows what the outcome will be. All we can do is look at the steps forward that he takes, and understand there will be many steps backwards. Also his recovery will take at least a year, to get to the "John/CJ" that we will all come to know now.
Also please understand that for John's privacy I have not told every detail of things as I am updating, because unless you are personally there, I do not feel it is appropriate to tell everything. Some day when John is well and has been told of all of this, he can update you all as he will and show his scars left over, until then please understand.
Who is Jesus?
Who is Jesus? HE IS JESUS WHO IS HE? IN CHEMISTRY, HE TURNED WATER TO WINE. IN BIOLOGY, HE WAS BORN WITHOUT THE NORMAL CONCEPTION; IN PHYSICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF GRAVITY WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN; IN ECONOMICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF DIMINISHI NG RETURN BY FEEDING 5000 MEN WITH TWO FISHES & 5 LOAVES OF BREAD; IN MEDICINE, HE CURED THE SICK AND THE BLIND WITHOUT ADMINISTERING A SINGLE DOSE OF DRUGS, IN HISTORY, HE IS THE BEGINNING AND THE END; IN GOVERNMENT, HE SAID THAT HE SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELO R, PRINCE OF PEACE; IN RELIGION, HE SAID NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM; SO. WHO IS HE? HE IS JESUS! JOIN ME AND LET'S CELEBRATE HIM; HE IS WORTHY. THE EYES BEHOLDI NG THIS MESSAGE SHALL NOT BEHOLD EVIL, THE HAND THAT WILL SEND THIS MESSAGE TO EVERYBODY SHALL NOT LABOR IN VAIN, AND THE MOUTH SAYING AMEN TO THIS PRAYER SHALL SMILE FOREVER. REMAIN IN GOD AND SEEK HIS FACE ALWAYS. AMEN IN GOD I'VE FOUND EVERYTHING! The Greatest Man in History Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master. Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher. Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today. I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us! If you believe in God and in Jesus Christ His Son .. send this to all on your buddy list. If not just ignore it. If you ignore it, just remember that Jesus said . 'If you deny me before man, I will deny you before my Father in Heaven
'We exist to share the good news of Jesus Christ'
'We exist to share the good news of Jesus Christ'
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Food for thought
I was reading something today that encouraged me just a little bit, and I just wanted to share... I am not going to tell the entire story for privacy reasons, but...
A local man was enouraged when, after a tragic accident and loss, God spoke to him and said, no matter how much pain you are having and as bad as your heart is hurting, You need to know that my love for you is even bigger than your hurt and that His light is bigger than our darkness.
I think so often when things get tough we tend to forget that. I know right now that was encouraging for me, because in the midst of all that is going on in our lives, it makes it seem smaller to know that God loves us, and although times get tough he will always be there and love us more than anything we can feel here on earth.
A local man was enouraged when, after a tragic accident and loss, God spoke to him and said, no matter how much pain you are having and as bad as your heart is hurting, You need to know that my love for you is even bigger than your hurt and that His light is bigger than our darkness.
I think so often when things get tough we tend to forget that. I know right now that was encouraging for me, because in the midst of all that is going on in our lives, it makes it seem smaller to know that God loves us, and although times get tough he will always be there and love us more than anything we can feel here on earth.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Almost spring..
Well just a little update on us right now... Life seems to be crazy lately, if definately pours, and happens all at once. But God won't hand us more than we can handle right? Our family seems to be being tested right now. John seems to be doing better as the days go on, but each day brings a new challenge. He has been moving much more and seems to be responding more regularly since he first got the infection. He will be on antibiotics until friday, then will be reevaluated. We are just taking things one day at a time, and hoping that each day brings something new and even if it is not huge improvements, with brain injuries, rest and calm days are sometimes a good thing. Also my sister in law, Emily, was in a car accident the other day. She is doing ok, but just keep them in your prayers. As for us personally, we are doing ok. Trying to get back to some form of normalcy. But that seems hard to do when we can't sleep normally, and everything is just overwhelming. Jake has been getting home sick. I am sure he is really missing Halia. I am amazed by how much she has changed and learned just in the few weeks he has been gone. As for me, I am just trying to feel somewhat like I am doing ok. I am trying to get back to work and get things taken care of around the house.
We have had a chance to get out some though, Halia and I went to the park and went shopping. We also went with some friends and did a Easter party and egg hunt. I added some pics, and will add more again soon.
Halia got some eggs
All the girls
We have had a chance to get out some though, Halia and I went to the park and went shopping. We also went with some friends and did a Easter party and egg hunt. I added some pics, and will add more again soon.
Halia got some eggs
All the girlsThursday, March 13, 2008
A Brother's Song
I thought this is pretty fitting of our current situation. It helps remind us that we never know the capabilities one can have, and the power of God. Keep our faith and all openness to possiblities.
A BROTHER'S SONG - "You are My Sunshine, My only Sunshine"Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They found out that the new baby was going be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in mommy's tummy. He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her. The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of the Pan ther <>Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown , Tennessee . In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes, every three, every minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor. Would a C-section be required? Finally, after a long struggle, Michael's little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition.
With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville , Tennessee . The days inched by. The little girl got worse. The pediatrician had to tell the parents there is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst. Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot. They had fixed up a special room in their house for their new baby but now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral. Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister. I want to sing to her, he kept saying. Week t wo in intensive care looked as if a funeral would come before the week was over. Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. Karen decided to take Michael whether they liked it or not. If he didn't see his sister right then, he may never see her alive. She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket. The head nurse recognized him as a child and bellowed, "Get that kid out of here now. No children are allowed." The mother rose up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed right into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. "He is not leaving until he sings to his sister" she stated. Then Karen towed Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. After a moment, he began to sing. In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang: "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray." Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond. The pulse rate began to calm down and become steady. "Keep on singing, Michael," encouraged Karen with tears in her eyes. "You never know, dear, how much I love you, please don't take my sunshine away." As Michael sang to his sister, the baby's ragged, strained bre athing became as smooth as a kitten's purr. "Keep on singing, sweetheart." "The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms." Michael's little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her. "Keep on singing, Michael." Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glowed. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't take my sunshine away..." The next day...the very next day...the little girl was well enough to go home. Woman's Day Magazine called it "The Miracle of a Brother's Song.". The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God's love. NEVER GIVE UP ON THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE. LOVE IS SO INCREDIBLY POWERFUL.
A BROTHER'S SONG - "You are My Sunshine, My only Sunshine"Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They found out that the new baby was going be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in mommy's tummy. He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her. The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of the Pan ther <>Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown , Tennessee . In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes, every three, every minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor. Would a C-section be required? Finally, after a long struggle, Michael's little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition.
With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville , Tennessee . The days inched by. The little girl got worse. The pediatrician had to tell the parents there is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst. Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot. They had fixed up a special room in their house for their new baby but now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral. Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister. I want to sing to her, he kept saying. Week t wo in intensive care looked as if a funeral would come before the week was over. Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. Karen decided to take Michael whether they liked it or not. If he didn't see his sister right then, he may never see her alive. She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket. The head nurse recognized him as a child and bellowed, "Get that kid out of here now. No children are allowed." The mother rose up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed right into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. "He is not leaving until he sings to his sister" she stated. Then Karen towed Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. After a moment, he began to sing. In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang: "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray." Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond. The pulse rate began to calm down and become steady. "Keep on singing, Michael," encouraged Karen with tears in her eyes. "You never know, dear, how much I love you, please don't take my sunshine away." As Michael sang to his sister, the baby's ragged, strained bre athing became as smooth as a kitten's purr. "Keep on singing, sweetheart." "The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms." Michael's little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her. "Keep on singing, Michael." Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glowed. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't take my sunshine away..." The next day...the very next day...the little girl was well enough to go home. Woman's Day Magazine called it "The Miracle of a Brother's Song.". The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God's love. NEVER GIVE UP ON THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE. LOVE IS SO INCREDIBLY POWERFUL.
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