David’s Release Set for Thursday
29 Apr 2009 Leave a Comment
Hi All,
Just a quick update to let you know that David is set to be released from Cardinal Hill on Thursday, April 30. As stated in a previous post, David will be going to his in-law’s home which is outfitted for his rehabilitation needs for the time. I have to say, I am still amazed at his recovery and the speed in which he’s healing. I know it’s hard for an outsider to say that, I’m not feeling his physical discomfort or challenges, but I have a feeling that David’s strong determination and trust in the Lord heavily outweighs the reminder of his physical trials.
Again, we’re so thankful for your warm wishes and faithful prayers. We are honored, as a family, to have so many supporters for a loved one!
And he said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer, your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” Luke 8:48
Continued Progress and Birthday Wishes!
23 Apr 2009 1 Comment
Just a quick update on Uncle David. He is continuing to do well at Cardinal Hill and has been moving himself from his bed to wheelchair with little to no assistance. He is able to wheel himself around a bit with his good arm and has overall been making daily progress. He is really enjoying the visitors and phone calls; the uplifting is doing his soul good!
My mom mentioned that he will actually get to do a field trip of sorts tomorrow to U.K.’s arboretum with other physical rehabilitation patients. I’m sure he’s pining for the beautiful outdoors considering how much of an outdoor sportsman he is. The sunshine, warmth, and fresh air will hopefully do him even more good.
It’s looking like he will actually be released towards the end of next week to continue healing at home and doing home health rehabilitation for awhile. He won’t be able to return to his and Tina’s house just yet seeing as how it’s not outfitted as well for his rehabilitation needs. He will be going to his in-law’s home for an indefinite period to continue recovering in a comfortable setting.
Every day of David’s journey and recovery has proven to be a testimony to God’s faithfulness and His desire to use David purposefully to impact his kingdom. David has said he senses God’s presence near him in the hospital and at Cardinal Hill. As a caring and concerned family member from afar, this just gives me so much joy and peace in the midst of this trial. David is certainly able to rest in God’s sovereignty and draw strength from his unending power.
On a different and equally as joyful note, today is a special day in our family, as my Grandma (Dad and David’s momma) is celebrating her 80th birthday! She sounded so good and chipper this morning when I called to wish her a happy birthday. I know she is looking forward to visits with David when he’s back home and is as hopeful as we all are for the fullest recovery possible for her little (baby!) boy. You just have to know Grandma to understand and appreciate just how sharp her memory and vivid story telling is as well as how gracefully she’s “grown up”. My dad should feel AWFUL about telling her she’s older than dirt! (Ha! Inside joke, of course. He’s ornery, but not that ornery!)
Thanks for your continued prayers and thoughtful comments for David. I plan on printing them off to give to David for motivation in his journey ahead. We appreciate you all!
Update! David’s Progress
19 Apr 2009 1 Comment
As some of you may already know, just three weeks after his horrible car wreck, Uncle David was moved out of U.K. Hospital to Cardinal Hill on Friday for his rehabilitation journey. I don’t know much about his condition or how he’s been since moving out of the hospital, but this certainly seems to be a progressive move and is a strong signal of healing taking place. It’s good news, no doubt!
I know you’ll continue to pray for him as he begins the journey of ongoing therapy and hard work to gain strength and mobility back. I know it will be a work of patience and endurance and everyone’s encouragement is certainly welcome. I have faith that, through all of this, God is doing a work in David’s life and his family’s!
As soon as I get another update, I’ll be sure to post!
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:4
David: 3rd Surgery Update
14 Apr 2009 2 Comments
Yesterday was yet another surgery for David, we’re hopeful it’s the last, but time will tell. The surgery yesterday stretched somewhere between 5 to 6 hours, but the surgeon has indicated that all went well. David’s doctor said…
…a permanent plate was placed on one side of his ankle and it goes up the lower leg a few inches.
…no repairs were made to the left foot. At this point, with all the breaks, the surgeon will just monitor x-rays in the next couple of weeks to track for healing progress.
…the torn skin around the ankle from the compact fracture was sewn back together. The area still may require a skin graft; time will tell on how well it heals.
…all of the ‘hardware’ that was stabilizing David’s lower leg and ankle from his first surgery has been removed, so his leg is in a splint to protect it.
…all of David’s vital signs are improving nicely. His blood pressure and heart rate are great.
…his arm is healing well and they plan to remove stitches later at the end of the week.
I know several of you have visited with David and have seen for yourself the dramatic improvement of his condition over the past two weeks. The glory belongs to God! We appreciate your commitment to prayer for David and the unique ways you have shown your support. I know David, Tina, Tim, and Lance are thankful beyond words.
I’ll be sure to keep you all posted!
2 Week David Update
10 Apr 2009 Leave a Comment
It’s been a quiet few days. I talked to Tina for a bit yesterday (Thursday) and at the time, David was sleeping. She said he was continuing to talk some and was still managing well on the new pain medication. Eating is still going slow and good nutrition is key to his body repairing, so we can pray that he is able to eat well, especially leading up to his next surgery.
Lance and Tim have both returned to work this past week and Tina is working part-time hours as well. They are surviving on little sleep and yet keeping very positive attitudes. I think goodbyes between the four of them are a little hard because as David becomes more aware of his accident and the time that has since passed, he is even more ready, in spirit, to be at home with his family.
As Tina and I were wrapping up our talk, David was being awakened to recieve more shots. Due to his body’s reaction to trauma, he is on insulin and a variety of other meds. He certainly has many physical, biological, and metabolical challenges to overcome. The medical staff is having David work quite diligently on three different breathing exercises. It’s critical that he keeps his lungs functioning and strengthening and avoiding pneumonia at all costs. As David’s upcoming surgery draws nearer, your continued prayers are very much appreciated. Tina said she can really sense your prayers and your heartfelt concern.
From our family to yours, we wish you a blessed Easter celebration as we remember and rejoice in our Savior’s life that was given, the grave that couldn’t hold him, and the resurrection that brought forth freedom for us, sanctifying sinners into saints!
But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5
David’s Tuesday Report
07 Apr 2009 1 Comment
I’ve got a few details to pass along about the next surgery as well as some very specific prayer needs.
First, another great sign of improvement is David getting to eat REAL FOOD today. I remember thinking a week ago when I spent the night at UK Hospital just how miserable All. Those. Tubes. looked that were supplying David with nutrition, fluids, pain meds, the PICC line in his chest, even one keeping his left lung inflated, and the ventilator for breathing assistance. Most disheartening was the tube with the liquified food! Being a lover of food, I can say I take for granted the “tasting and seeing” of all the Lord has given us in the area of good food. I remember telling Tim or Lance one, how for David’s sake, I couldn’t wait until he was well enough to eat REAL FOOD! (Especially the mangos he loves so much.) Well, it looks like he’s well on his way; almost All. Those. Tubes. are gone!
The date for David’s next surgery is Monday. I imagine it will be scheduled for first thing in the morning like the last one, barring no traumas roll in that would take the O.R. he’s scheduled for.
David will definitely need extensive therapy and rehabilitation in the near future. There are two centers that he could possibly be sent to, the closer being Cardinal Hill in Lexington, the other a place in Louisville. Obviously, the Lexington location would be optimal given the close proximity to Irvine and his home, thus the driving and visits that Tina and the boys, as well as others will make, will be made easier.
The two specific prayer needs on top of David’s ongoing recovery are for: Monday’s surgery and praying favor for the Cardinal Hill/Lexington location for David’s therapy. And I would personally like to add Bart Jones as well; David’s passenger in the wreck. I’m not sure on all the details, but I do know that there are some concerns about his vision and the eye injury he sustained during the accident. We can all be in agreement for a full restoration to his sight!
Again, these are just todays highlights. As you can imagine, there are immediate changes happening in Tina, Tim & Ashley, and Lance’s lifestyles and there is undoubtedly exhaustion and emotions that we can pray for God’s grace to be their covering. Obviously, not every detail regarding this situation are at full disclosure, but we all can rest in knowing that God knows, he cares, he loves, and he has a plan.
We are all appreciating your prayers and the depth of your love through all of this!
A Good Monday Update
06 Apr 2009 2 Comments
I have some really good news to share regarding David’s condition today. He is awake, alert, responsive, and improving greatly! He has been talking some, his voice is still raspy from the long intubation period, but he is communicating, coherent, and able to answer questions.
David has also been moved out of the ICU to a room. If you would like to send something to him or if you’re local and you plan on visiting, he is currently in room 560. You can get the hospital’s address or driving directions by clicking here.
As with anyone that’s hospitalized with such critical injuries, his recovery is dependent upon quality rest. While visitors are welcome in his room, David may tire easily. I hear he can really snore, so I’m guessing that if you hear that mid-conversation into your visit, that would be a cue to let him doze and rest up! (David, when you read his someday, your boys totally ratted you out! Ha! Your sweet darling niece would never publicly ‘out’ your sleeping habits. Oh, wait…whoops!)
Still no word on the date of the next surgery, but I will keep you posted!
Without a doubt, if you’re reading this, you’re as excited as I am at the news of David’s ongoing improvements. Isn’t thankfulness a good feeling?! I know David and his family are so appreciative of those of you visiting, praying, checking in, and calling. Your encouragement has been wings for them to rest in. Thanks for being the hands and feet of Christ by serving them this way. May the blessing return to you a hundredfold!
Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; Save me and I shall be saved, for You are my praise. Jeremiah 17:14
Great Update on David!
04 Apr 2009 5 Comments
It’s Saturday afternoon, 1 week and 1 day after David’s wreck and I just got the best news in a long, long week. DAVID IS OFF THE VENTILATOR! Praise God, he is breathing on his own!
Lance just called to tell me they had taken him off the ventilator, taken out the breathing tube, and that he actually is speaking. He told Lance he loved him and missed him. If that doesn’t make you want to do cartwheels then I don’t know what would!
We all needed this ‘ray of good light’! David needed it most!
My dad and mom, Ralph and Debbie, spent last night at the hospital with David. Dad updated me this morning reporting:
David’s…
- fever was still present, but the temp was low
- pain medication had been changed and he seemed to be doing okay
- culture on the PICC site was ran (A PICC is an intravenous line access put in the upper chest, near the heart, for meds and fluids. After severe trauma, arm and leg veins can be difficult to access and can easily become infiltrated). The test on the culture came back negative…no sign of infection at the site! They then moved the IV back to his arm.
- next step would be coming off the ventilator, ✓ CHECK MARK!, and waking up.
- swelling, especially in right arm, would be treated with lasix drugs to reduce the fluid retention
One of the current hurdles David has to cross is continuing the breathing with the pain of all the broken ribs. (If you’ve even had a pulled muscle around your ribcage before and you know how badly it hurts to breathe, then just imagine all your ribs on one side being broken!) But, he’s survived this tragic accident, he can do this!
Surgery for the ankle will be sometime next week. I’ll give more details for that as they become available!
I’m thrilled to share this update today! I’m praising God and I’m so thankful; asking Him for continued improvements and strength for each moment. He is able!
Thanks for all the encouragement you’ve been showing David and his family!
1 Week, David Update
03 Apr 2009 Leave a Comment
Today makes one week since the horrific car accident. The calls that were made for emergency help, calls to the family, calls about David’s unknown condition in the wee hours of Saturday morning…it’s all still way too fresh. Yet, at the same time, it seems like years have been added to our lives as we’ve all waited with bated breath for news of hope, plans of action, and assurance that we still have David with us.
I believe your prayers are reaching heaven and making a difference. On behalf of David and our entire family, thank you! Just knowing that all of this matters enough for you to seek God for peace and healing along with us means so much. The fact that there isn’t much news to report today is hopefully good news.
David’s temperature is reported to be improving. They’ve also changed his pain medication from morphine to something else. Not sure if this indicates anything along the lines of improvement, but I’m just thankful for anything that helps him not feel the deep pain that is associated with his injuries and surgeries.
Please say a prayer for Tina today. She isn’t feeling well and I know there’s a lot of exhaustion there, too. Pray for strength for all of them!
That’s about all for now. You know I’ll keep you posted!
David Update, Thursday, Apr. 2
02 Apr 2009 2 Comments
Hello, All.
Not much in the way of updates today. We went to see David this afternoon and given all that he’s having to recover from, he was looking good. I had noticed there was practically no brain/head swelling now. After yesterday’s surgery, they have his left leg in a suspended sling and I think that’s causing him to shift towards the end of the bed even more…which looks uncomfortable! Those of you that know my Uncle David, his sons, my dad and brother, and other Arvin boys, you know that their 6′ 1″ and taller frames just don’t jibe with the average hospital bed!
David has also had a fever today. The numbers were coming down this afternoon, but his body is obviously fighting something off. That can be our prayer going into the next few days…that the temperature would return to normal. Tina also said she should be told tomorrow (Friday) when David’s next surgery is, which will be on his ankle.
The reality is, there are many things that Tina and the boys are going to start facing as they enter into the next several weeks of David’s ongoing recovery: returning to work, housework, paying bills, juggling travel demands and tiredness, getting through all the paperwork regarding the accident, and much more. They could really use encouragement and prayers for strength.
It’s so hard to see this person you know, care about, and love going through this. I thought about my role as a wife, a mother, a daughter, and a sibling and how I especially hurt for Tina, my grandma, Tim & Lance, and my dad and his brothers. I wish these people I loved weren’t having to go through this, but I’m thankful for the strength we can depend on and receive from the One who hold’s David in his hands.
Thanks to those of you who are posting your comments here. You don’t have to know me to post, but if you have something to say to David and his family, please do so. Tina is eager for me to print all this out and let her look through it for encouragement. Most of all, she thinks David would be encouraged, too!
Good night!
