Sun, August 29, 2010 4:15:14 PM    — Jackson

From Melinda: NEWS JUST IN!  Jackson opened his eyes!!  Just after the doc left…He is groggy but he opened his eyes!  Thanks be to God! And to all of you who have prayed and prayed.. Keep ’em coming!

Jackson update  Sun, August 29, 2010 11:57:18 AM

From Melinda: WOOHOO!  Thank you, Lord!  Jackson was taken off the vent this morning.  He had one bout of apnea thru the night but there are alarms for that in place now.  No vent; I’m excited.  The neuro doc this morning says that he does not believe that Jackson has Nonketotic Hyperglycinemeia. More good news.  Also, Jackson started reacting to light last night.  And this morning he reacted by squinting when the doc did the shine test with his light.  Thank you kind, sweet Lord!

He did gain six ounces, which is because of all the fluid he is getting and the kidneys flushing.  They gave him Lasix and he is getting rid of the fluid.  Another good sign!

They also told them that they have a small tape player and they want Steve and Ashley to talk to him or sing or read or make noises that they have been making to him so that when they are not in there for a while that he will hear their voices and be comforted.

Ashley and Steve actually slept last night.  They went to bed and just died…slept like logs for a few hours.  They did better yesterday because they had some sleep and hopefully, will be more able to deal with things today because of the sleep.  They checked on Jackson and came home to do some things and re-pack.  Allison made them baked spaghetti, garlic bread and salad. And she is helping Ashley with the breast pump before they head back to Knoxville.  Pray for the new parents; Steve has not really had a major breakdown and he is heading that way.  I am afraid that anger will trigger his so pray that he will be able to allow God to take care of him and shed some much-needed tears and then can go on.  Ashley cried her eyes out when she went into Jackson’s room today and they are going to go back into it later and pray.  This is just so hard!

Remember, MRI and spinal tap tomorrow, Monday, August 30.   Thanks for all the prayers!  God bless all of you; and keep them coming!  Melinda

Good Sunday Morning.

We have another update from Melinda regarding Jackson.   I’ll give you a portion of Melinda’s message below and you may read the entire message here.

Please pray for Jackson to awaken and to do all the things he is supposed to do.  They will be rechecking all the tests the pediatrician did on Wednesday morning.  Pray for him to do well and to be our normal little boy.  Pray he will heal.  Pray for his parents and his loved ones.  They need strength, faith, and forebearance.  Pray for the answers the doctors need; pray for the proper treatments; pray for them to be knowledgeable and able.

Thanks to all of you.  I love you for your caring and your prayers.  More as I get it.  Melinda

We are about to rush out the door with our 8 year old GRAND to get our 3 year old GRAND to head to Waffle House for breakfast!! But I just couldn’t leave without passing on word that came this morning to my In-Box about Legrand Strickland!   Note his Unit will be home tomorrow.  Pray for them too, please.

Holy hugs and thank you(s),

Kat. . .

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Legrand’s surgery for the plate implant has been rescheduled for September 14th.

He has not gotten his legs yet because while they were gone to AR for the month of July, Brooke Medical Center received so many wounded soldiers, that they were overwhelmed and behind schedule. He will get them when he returns.

From where, you ask? Well, he and Noah are flying to Ft. Bragg, NC, as we speak for a reunion with Grand’s unit returning from their year in Afghanistan. They will return on Sunday, and in the meantime, they will have some quality father/son time together.

Carrie and Nathan stayed in San Antonio. She says her days aren’t long enough to get everything accomplished and is looking forward to some R&R herself.

Please continue to remember them in your daily prayers. They covet those petitions to our Lord and God.

Rom 11:36 “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.”