Update on Uncle Buck

I just received a text from Martha.  Uncle Buck is out of surgery.  The surgery went well, but it was a very LARGE tumor.  They will not know if he will have to have Chemo until the path report comes back…typically 3 days to get those results.  He will be in ICU for the next 48-72 hours.

Martha is there and is currently trying to talk Aunt B into getting a hotel room across the street.

Will update when I hear more.

Prayers for Daddy

The last time that I asked for prayers was Saturday night, April 5th in 1980 about 10:00pm, just after I was told that Whitney was being rushed to NICU in Monroe just hours after birth. I always thought it was a sign of my personal weakness – that I could not handle things on my own.

Fast forward 30 years and I ask that each of you say a prayer for Daddy. We were told today that he has colon cancer. He will have surgery to remove approximatley 1/3 to 1/4 of his colon within the next few days. The doctor said we needed to proceed quickly on this.

Having the doctor tell you that your love one has cancer sends a rush of emotions/thougths through you like nothing else.
I remember all the air being sucked for the room.
I remember that when I heard cancer I reached for Mother’s hand – she held on so tight with her soft hand.
I remember that I asked the doctor if he told Daddy yet and he said no.
I remember going back to waiting room sitting there thinking of my Daddy having cancer – while most of the people in there were complaining about being all “pooped” out – literally.
I remember thinking how to tell my Daddy that he has cancer. THAT WAS HARD.

So I come to each of you for prayers for Daddy. But I also ask prayers for all the people that are being told they have cancer. The doctor told me that Daddy was the 4th one this week to have cancer – today is only Wednesday. When have got to do something about this disease.

Thanks for each of you.

Paul’s family

Photos are always a comfort for me, so I snagged this one off Aunt Denise’s facebook page. Updates for Alahna will continue to be in the other post, with all the other updates…so just scroll down for those.

For those wanting to send flowers…

Many have asked about flowers, etc, for the family. Instead, a fund has been set up at:

Memphis School of Preaching, 3950 Forest Hill-Irene Road, Memphis, TN 38125

I was able to snag another photo today. Alahna & Stone

Prayers Needed!!!

We don’t know much at this point, but Paul’s wife Vanessa and kids were in a car wreck this morning.  I’ll be updating as we learn anything.  Please know that details are coming thru various people, so there may be some variation in the updates.  We’re doing our best to keep this as up to date as possible.

Many have asked about flowers, etc, for the family. Instead, a fund has been set up at:

Memphis School of Preaching, 3950 Forest Hill-Irene Road, Memphis, TN 38125

THURS 4:30p: via Aunt Denise: For about 24 hours after Alahna came out of ICU she was very confused & upset, BUT, yesterday and last night were GREAT. She is not having as much pain meds. The Occupational Therapist & Speech Therapist have come by to work with her. She is making great progress. Later today she will move to the rehab section of the hospital & will begin going to physical therapy daily. Right now she is watching Finding Nemo with Papa (my daddy:) God continues to bless us!!!

WED 8:00a: via Neal Pollard: After having a good Monday, in which Alahna was alert, talking, watching cartoons, and even joking, she experienced more pain and discomfort yesterday. Her positive response and signs of normal brain activity are all cause for great hope, but she is still on the “critical” list. She was thrown with considerable force during the wreck, so she has much mending and healing yet to do. She still has pneumonia, but this seems to be improving. She looks to remain in the hospital for several more days. Please pray for her and her sweet family, who continue to shine their lights through this difficult circumstance. –Neal

MON 7:15p: via Aunt Denise: A wonderful day today!!! Alahna is going to be moving out of ICU this evening! They were finally able to cast her leg and she is not having to have as much morphine. She and Pa (Jerry) actually watched a few cartoons this afternoon and she was laughing as hard as he was. She is still a little confused (she thinks since Jerry was there that she is in Memphis) but that should clear up soon. God continues to shower His blessing upon us!!!

SUN 10:10p: via Aunt Denise: We had a great day worshiping with the East Alameda Church of Christ. The Christians there, at the Bear Valley congregation, and throughout the Denver metro area have flooded us with food, offers to let us use their vehicles or their homes, and many other acts of kindness. At the hospital, Alahna was in a lot of pain, so morphine every little bit. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. Thanks for your continued prayers!

SAT 8:30p: via Aunt Denise: We have rejoicing news. Alahna had a wonderful day! The chest tube came out this morning and the ventilator/respirator tube came out about 30 minutes ago. Jerry and I got to go in and see her and she knew who we were. When we said we loved her she whispered that she loved us, too. She is in a lot of pain and has pneumonia but the doctors are keeping a close eye on that. We are truely rejoicing (Phil 4:4)!!!

SAT 2:30p: Elsie spoke with Jerry Lee today. He said that they are so thankful for everyone’s support and prayers. Alahna is still slowly improving. The doctors have removed the chest tube from her collapsed lung, and her lung is working as it should, which is great. While Jerry Lee was on the phone they were doing xrays, and if everything looked good, the are going to try and remove the ventilator.

SAT 1:00am (ish): Vanessa Martin update on Alahna: she looked into my eyes tonight, praise God. She is in pain, but is a tough girl. Her CT scan tonight looked great. Swelling in brain has gone down. We are hopeful for her breathing tube to come out tomorrow. She squeezes my hand and struggles when not fully sedated. All good signs. Keep praying.:)

FRI 11:52am: via Aunt Denise: Vanessa’s mom stayed with Alahna last night said Alahna rested well and said she opened her eyes for a while this morning. She is still not talking but is not agitated or having to be restrained so the morphine must be doing what they wanted it to. Paul and Vanessa were able to get a full night’s sleep in the family …hospitality room thanks to the memory foam topper that Neal Pollard brought. Thanks very much!

FRI 8:00am: via Aunt Denise: Not a lot of change in Alahna yesterday. The doctors are trying to find a balance in keeping her pain under control while still allowing her to be awake and alert. So, they were going to switch her from phentenol to morphine overnight. We will send another update after we get back to the hospital later this morning.

THURS 4:00pm: Alahna is slowing coming out of the drug-induced coma. She is very agitated and trying to pull the ventilator tube out so they have had to keep her restrained. It is hard to watch but is indication of improvement so we are very thankful. When Paul arrived last night he asked her to open her eyes and s…he did briefly. ……Baby steps, but we’ll take them! God is so good!

Many have asked about arrangements for Stone. Paul & Vanessa donated what they could; his internal organs were too damaged but they were able to harvest his eyes, heart valve, skin (for skin grafts) and bones. They will have a memorial service in Meeker when Alahna has recovered. Another fund has been set up at the Memphis School of Preaching, 3950 Forest Hill-Irene Road, Memphis, TN 38125

WED 3:00pm: Denise Martin Update on Alahna. She is still unconscious but they are cutting the medication that has kept her in a coma and hope she begins to wake up in the next few hours. She is still on a ventilator because she has a collapsed lung and a drain tube for the fluid around her lung. She continues to run a fever. However, she is stable and we are so thankful!

WED 10:00am:  Stone has passed away.
Denise Martin Stone went to be with the Lord about 30 minutes ago. Vanessa’s mom and I were with Vanessa on speaker phone with Paul, Jerry and Chad when they turned off life support. I am so thankful for the hope of heaven. Please continue to pray for Alahna. I have never known two siblings who were closer or loved each other more.

UPDATE WED 8:45am: Again, this is copied directly from Jerry and Denise’s facebook status.
Jerry L. Martin I’m not sure how things got misconstrued but Stone has not passed away. The doctor did say that he only has about 4 more hours. So please continue to pray for Paul and Vanessa as they face the coming days.

UPDATE WED 4:45am: This is copied directly from Jerry and Denise’s facebook status and comments.
Alahna just came out of surgery to repair a tear in the bowel and to drain off about a litre of blood. She has started running a fever but that is to be expected. Still keeping her heavily sedated. Stone is holding on but BP is down to 30/25. They will check for brain activity in a few hours and decide whethe…r to continue life support. Thanks again for all of your wonderful prayers and well wishes.

Update WED 12am (ish):
Update from Denise: “We made it to Denver this afternoon. Jerry is driving now to Grand Junction to be with Stone & Paul. I am at Children’s Hosp in Denver with Alahna & Vanessa. She is still not conscious but is stable. Stone is still in very serious condition. BP is down to 34/27 with much internal bleeding. Thanks for all the prayers.”

UPDATE TUES 5:30pm: Jerry Lee spoke with Ann.  He and Denise have landed in Denver.  Alahna is being air flighted to Denver.  She has internal injuries, collapsed or punctured lung (not sure), and is currently in a coma.   Both kids are in very, very critical condition.  Stone’s condition is very dire.   The doctor’s are giving them a little more hope for Alahna, but her condition is very, very serious.

UPDATE 3:00pm: Ann spoke with Vanessa.  Vanessa is with Alahna, who is in and out.  Paul is with Stone in Grand Junction.  They’re having a very hard time keeping him breathing.  Stone is in extremely critical condition.  Vanessa said, it was in God’s hands now.

As far as the wreck:  Vanessa’s car slipped off the road and another car hit them.  Alahna was thrown from the car.  Vanessa is banged up, but otherwise, she’s physically ok.  Jerry and Denise are on their way out to Colorado, as is Vanessa’s mom.

Here’s Denise’s facebook status from this morning (Tues):
EVERYONE PLEASE PRAY FOR MY SON, PAUL, AND HIS FAMILY. Vanessa, Alahna and Stone were in a car wreck this morning and the kids were hurt very bad. Stone is critical. Alahna is in X-ray right now and is semi-conscious…crying out in pain. Stone is bleeding internally. The Flight for Life helicopter is on the way t o pick him up and take him from Meeker to Grand Junction.

Show Your Love

Friends show their love in times of trouble…”

Real friend

A real friend is one who walks in when rest of world walks out.

Prepare for Life

The best way is to prepare for life is to live.

Postings

Whitney – I thank you for being so faithful with your daily posting. Somewhere along the way – I stopped posting the monthly birthdays.

tell me something good that happened today?

I was on facebook earlier today, and Whitney started chatting with me.  Her greeting was:  “tell me something good that happened today?”  I went on to tell her that today was our last day of VBS, and that over the course of the week, Rea has learned to say and sign the Lord’s prayer.  It’s a much simplified version of course, but still I think a great accomplishment for a 4 year old.  Whitney wants to see Rea sign it the next time we’re in Crossett.  We didn’t get to chat for long, but Whitney’s question has lingered with me all afternoon.  Isn’t it a wonderful way to start a conversation?  I love it!  So, I thought I would pass it along to all of you.  Now, I know this will involve you guys actually having to write a comment back, but I have faith in you….I know you can do it! 

Tell me something good that happened to you today?

Life’s Discouragements

Don’t let life discourage you; everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was.