Samuel Updates

Sunday - 9:30 pm
I know it's been a while since I've sent an update, but we had several visitors. We got to see Samuel more this late afternoon and evening. He had a lot of procedures today and we couldn't be in there. Samuel has a few less tubes than he did before. He had some trouble passing the tests to get off the ventilator, but he has a fever that spikes and they are concerned about possible infection. They really need to remove as many tubes as possible to try to prevent sources of infection. His central line to his heart was also removed. He is on oxygen and having a hard time breathing. He also has some blockage that they cannot explain yet. It is causing him to throw up quite a bit, so they had to hook him back up to the GI tubes. He is awake for short periods of time, but even when his eyes are closed I think he can hear everything going on in the room. He is a little depressed and discouraged because he wants to make progress and it is coming slow. So.....please pray that they identify the source of the infection and that it is easy treated. Pray that they are able to deal with the blockage. The spine is still an issue, but not an immediate need. We are just addressing the most life threatening issues now and we will deal with the others as he begins to heal. Thank you for your prayers. I was pretty down this morning and I could feel the presence of people lifting our family up in prayer and it was comforting.

Sunday - 1:45 pm
I wish we had an update to share, but they are not letting us see him very much today. They said they are doing procedures and things that we can't be in the room for. Please keep praying. Rough day!

Sunday - 10:00 am
They didn't let us see Samuel for a while this morning. We did get to see him for about 30 minutes a little bit ago though. He was somewhat awake. The respiratory team would really like to take him off the ventilator to let him start breathing on his own, but so far he has failed the test three times. They will continue to try throughout the day. An oxygen mask would be so much better and would allow him to cough, which would help prevent pneumonia. He still has the fever today and he doesn't seem to have the fight in him that he had yesterday. They gave him a clip board to write to the nurses. Today he wrote, "I'm scared." His nurse explained that he is in the best place for trauma that he could be. I tried to tease him about not being there to teach his Sunday School class this morning and be motioned to write. On the pad he wrote, "No Miracle Farm boys are there today." I was surprised that he remembered that, and I think he may be right. His nurse told us that we should not worry about what he can't remember. She said that he will probably not even remember being in STICU when this is over.
Sunday - 7:30 am
We haven't seem Samuel yet this morning, but here is what I would like to ask everyone to specifically pray for: Pray that Samuel continues to improve and that today is a day of answers and progress. Pray that he gets stronger, remains calm and finds clarity in his thinking. Pray that we get good news about his spine. Pray that he is free of fever and the God puts a hedge of protection around his body so that he remains free from infection. Pray Samuel can get out of STICU. Hearing life-flight come in over and over again and the code blues during the night and watching the waiting room to see who it may be is really getting hard. Please pray we can leave this part of the hospital soon. Pray for peace. I feel so anxious today. Heading in to see him.....

Saturday - 10:30 pm
We don't have much to report at this time. Samuel had a few visitors. They will only allow two people in the room at one time and for very brief periods of time. Marcus and Ben Lawhon came to see Samuel and he was leaving for surgery so he was asleep. Chris Welch and Ricky Scurlock came by and

Saturday - 5:25 pm
Samuel is out of surgery and stable. He will remain in the shock-trauma ICU. He has not woke up yet and they will take it slow. We have a lot to be thankful for! There was no additional injuries in his abdomen and it looks much better than yesterday. They were able to close his abdomen. He will have drains for a while, but that is to be expected. His blood pressure is almost up in the normal range. The enzymes being made when breaking down muscle tissue have reduced to half of what it was yesterday. This will help the kidneys tremendously. Dialysis will not be needed. They removed the neck brace after more extensive scans showed it was safe. He does have significant injuries to his t-spine. They are calling the spine surgeons to see what they want to do about that. God is good and He has already answered many prayers. Samuel is on the road to recovery! It may be a long bumpy road, but he is headed in the right direction!!! Thanks for praying for him.