God always knows best

"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that

have no might he increaseth strength"

(Isaiah 40:29)

My birthday certainly didn't turn out the way I had planned. Early yesterday morning, I got a frantic call from my youngest daughter Ashlie saying that Cody had fallen off a roof while helping a friend fix his shed. He was about an hour away from home in Arkansas and was being taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital. She took off with her in-laws and her 2 little boys expecting to find Cody bruised but okay. After 4 hours in the hospital waiting for results of the x-rays, they discovered that Cody had broken several vertebrae, ruptured 2 discs and needed surgery. He was then taken by ambulance to Shreveport, La, which is about 3 hours from their home in NE Louisiana. 

Ashlie didn't get to ride in the ambulance with Cody as she is almost 35 weeks pregnant, so her father-in-law went with him and she made a flying trip home to get some clothes for her and the boys and to drop those precious boys off at my house for me to keep. They were hoping for surgery last night, but it didn't happen.They had several emergencies come in last night and things in the OR have been backed up. After he arrived in Shreveport, the hospital did all those tests again. X-rays, MRI, EKG and all that good stuff. He has 3 broken vertebrae. T10 is the worst break and it is pretty bad according to the neurosurgeon. The other two are fractured but not near as bad. They will go in and put screws and possibly a plate and do the repair work on the ruptured disc. He also has a broken piece of bone protruding into the spine but is not causing any damage. He can move all his extremities and so all is fine there.

Surgery didn't happen last night. Or today. And it likely will not happen tomorrow. They came in this evening and said that they would be discussing his case at conference tomorrow to make sure they had the best fix for his problems. They are debating about whether or not to go up 1 or 2 vertebrae and down 1 or 2 vertebrae with the screws and plates. (or something like that)... So in the meantime, they have him in a neck/back brace and he is a little more comfortable. They are giving him morphine every 4 hours and for the most part it is keeping him fairly comfortable. 

Jimbo and I made the trip here today to bring the boys to see their daddy and mama. They really miss her and she misses them terribly! When we got here we still weren't sure about surgery, but after we found out it wouldn't be today or tomorrow, we had planned on going back home this evening. My precious little daughter just fell apart. She has had so much to deal with and she has been so strong, but she has just reached  her limit. She is only 21 years old and dealing with an injured husband, the unknown of his work status for awhile, a 4 year old and a 2 year old, and a little girl that is to be born in 5 weeks. She is tired and emotional and just plain stressed out. When she just finally broke down, it really got to me and I just couldn't leave her. I got a hotel room for me and the boys. We will stay here near the hospital so that Ashlie can see the boys and I can be here to comfort my sweet girl. Jimbo had to head back home to take care of some business but will come back Friday.

Please keep them all in your prayers. Cody is doing a little better this evening, but is so ready to get this surgery done so he can begin to recover. I know that God is in control and He has a reason for the delay that we don't understand, but that we know is for our good. I am so thankful that we have a loving God that holds us and strengthens us and carries us when we are are weak and sinking fast. He upholds us with His power and Might and He bestows His mercy and grace on us just as we need it. He dispenses that amazing strength at just the right time and in just the right amount. He is so awesome. Thank you all for your prayers. I feel them and need them more than you will ever know. It is so wonderful to have Christian friends that stand in the gap for you. 

Having fun at Nana's house in our pajamas.... and then needing a second bath that day.

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Modeling the coonskin hats that Aunt Megan sent home from Pennsylvania.

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Being very careful while sitting on daddy's bed for just a few minutes.

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Having fun at the hotel with Nana. A good bath and then coke and M & M's in the bed.... shhh.. don't tell their mama...

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"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they

shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not

be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint"

(Isaiah 40:31)