CaringBridge Journal

Good & Bad News

I (Kathryn) got to spend an extended time at the hospital with Anne today. I prayed this morning that God would encourage me today. He answered that prayer:-)

Eric’s life-long friend Howe who lives in Princeton, NJ flew down for the weekend and attended the early morning prayer service for us and then stayed for church. Howe is like family to us, so it was very meaningful for him to meet some of our church family in Atlanta.

I had many sweet friends visit in the hospital today. Last night was volatile b/c they dropped so many meds, but today she remained relatively stable. But most encouraging of all was… her pupils responded to light; I saw her cough, and lastly, she lightly squeezed my finger. I would say that God answered my prayer – abundantly!

So when we met with Anne’s neurosurgeon, and he said he had both good and bad news… I was prepared. God had shown me throughout the day, that He is our good, loving Father, and I can trust Him.

I’ll let Eric describe the good and bad news. He’s better at the technical stuff than I am. Basically, the good news is that the left side of her brain appears healthy. The bad news, is that there is ambiguity regarding the right side of her brain. So we wait…

Thank you for waiting and praying with us. I’m going to sleep :-)

kathryn

Please pray…

We are upon a new phase in Anne’s journey. . . .Now that the initial swelling has reduced, the sedation meds that have produced the drug-induced coma have been dramatically tapered back. Therefore, Anne will begin the slow process of waking up over the next 7 days. Now it is a balancing act of keeping her sedated enough for healing, and letting Anne lead in how quickly she can handle the reduction of the pain and sedation meds.

Pray:

  1. she does wake up
  2. her loss of function will return quickly
  3. that our little family can know God’s pleasure and joy through this journey and understand that He is working out His good plan through this difficulty
  4.  Anne would somehow experience God’s joy through this process
  5.  that we would know what to pray

eric

Staying in the present

I am feeling a bit better today and am able to spend some time with Anne. The swelling in her face (so evident the last time I saw her on Thursday) has subsided and her cranial pressure numbers are still low and stable for the moment.

They are reducing some of her medications – the first step in a long process to evaluate the extent of damage caused by the swelling.

We are striving to stay in the present, and today is a good day. Anne looks so peaceful and small in her big hospital bed. Our Lord, Jesus is with her – I feel that deep within me – His presence sustains me, Eric, Anne and the children.

I’ve read every guestbook entry and am so thankful for every word of encouragement and support. Thank you all!

kathryn

I say to you, “Arise.”

The Culpeppers wrote us a note with Mark 5:41. Below is section of Mark 5:

He said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.

Fullness of His Joy

Anne’s vital signs remained steady last night and she continued the trend that her brain swelling has reduced. We will talk to the doctors this morning to find out what is in store next.

Little Anne is so beautiful laying here this morning, and i just pray that she will be able to know the fullness of God’s joy. Anne has loved Jesus for some time and i know HE is close!

eric

Prayers and Praises

Anne is really hanging in there! She always has been a fighter with a strong spirit. She is still in a drug-induced coma, but she has shown significant improvement today in several key indicators. Thanks so much for your prayers. These are good signs that the swelling in her brain is reducing and that in the next few days some of the medications may be able to be reduced. God is answering the prayers of so many who are praying!! We should praise his name for the small victory of today!

eric

Flashback

Flashback to the accident: Kathryn turned her head to look out of her drivers side window as she awoke (after being knocked out from the impact). She saw a Smyrna police officer in rescue mode. In a moment of motherly desperation, she reached out and grasped his arm tightly and asked him – “Are you a Christian?” He said “Yes maam, I am”. Kathryn then blurted out “Oh, Please pray for my children” — The police officer did not skip a beat — he prayed a lightning quick prayer, holding Kathryn’s hand, and ended the prayer, “In Jesus’ name. Amen.” He then went about his business of rescuing the children!! These guys are HEROES!

eric

Anne’s blanket

Grandmom requested the policemen retrieve Anne’s pink blanket from the wreckage. Not only did they find the blanket, but two Smyrna police officers delivered the blanket in person to our home! The Smyrna police have been so great and so caring. We are very proud of them.

eric

Quick Update

Anne has had a rough 24hrs with her condition still very critical.  She has not been stable despite the incredible attention and swift action taken by all of the medical staff here.  The medical staff has been so responsive and caring for Anne.  The doctor reminded me today that Anne’s condition (with this type of injury) is likely to get worse before it gets better.  We are hopeful this morning that she will begin to improve. 

I have been so thoroughly blessed by all those that have come by to pray with me and by those who have emailed or called telling me they are praying.  Keep lifting up Anne in your prayers.  I know God is in full control and is GOOD.  We are resting in Him through the many friends and family that are His hands and feet.

eric