The Three R's Part II..........

I'm gonna be experiencing the three "R"s beginning tomorrow. Headed out for a few days with my sister and definitely gonna be...
---resting (getting rid of baggage, so looking forward to doing nothing or doing what we want when we want)

and after resting comes...
---renewal (as we rest our bodies and our minds and begin seeking God then He begins to renew the things we lay at His feet)

and then comes....
--rededication (we give God what He wants from us)

Please pray for us as we get away from our normal routine of everyday life and seek Him in where He would have us to be in ourselves, with our husbands, with our children, with our families, with our church, with our jobs, and anywhere else He needs us to change in this 2011 year.

A quote from Lysa Terkeurst new Bible Study I started yesterday
"When the strains of life press against us, do we live as if Jesus really works"?
***Well, this is one of the purposes of this trip we take every year, for Jesus to renew us so that when we face each of the days God gives us to live that we are able to show the world that YES HE does!!!!

Prayer Request.....

My daughter is in the hospital right now. We are awaiting test results to find out what's going on, so I don't know anything more at this time.

Please just pray for God's intervention and that she would bounce back from what's going on.

Love ya'll. Will update later as I find out news

Day 448 Update on Michael....

OK everyone, here is a major update on Michael, he will be going to MUSC and will have surgery tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.

They are going to be putting his intestines back inside, and etc. and getting rid of the colostomy bag he's had since his head-on collision.

Please everyone be in prayer for the doctors and for recovery time, he will be there approx. 10 days.

Update on Michael.....

Ok here is an update from Michael's father-in-law:

We went to MUSC on Monday for Michael's doctor visit.

They are saying that with-in the next 6 weeks they will try to but his belly back together.
This will involve removing the grafted skin, reattaching his large intestine, removing the colostomy bag and pulling his abdomen skin back together.
They say that this surgery is horrible.
Michael has got to be in pretty good shape in order to endure this surgery.
He needs to lose about 15 pounds and try and be fit.
By fit they mean he needs to walk and exercise everyday for they say this surgery will be like fighting Mike Tyson.
We are encouraged by this pending surgery and we are hoping Michael's body will function normally when completed.
The down side to all of that is if it doesn't work out, then he will remain with a body function that won't be normal and could remain on the bags forever.

Now some more disturbing news but possible hope in the eventual outcome.
On Wednesday we went to the orthopedic doctors to look at his right leg. It remains as they say dead from the knee down. The main nerve (sciatic) is destroyed from the knee down. The remaining nerves if they grow back will only cause him extreme pain.
The bones were put back together as best they could but it is determined that they are not healing well.
His right foot is always cold and is useless.
He has to use the wheel chair for it is easier to get around rather than use the walker, even though he tries, but the result with a walker is that he just drags the right leg.
Their conclusions are to amputate the right leg from the knee down.
Trust me many tears were flowing at this news.
Granted, it is not the end of the story here.
With all the new advances in prosthetic devices, I am sure Michael will be far better off if the amputation is to occur.
Obviously Michael is going to seek a second opinion but we feel that the doctors are going to strongly emphasize the amputation.

Keep him in your prayers, there is an even longer road ahead.

One year ago...

It has been a year ago since Michael McDaniel's car accident...and he still has some areas that are not completely healed per say...

many of you prayed him through recovery....

many of you helped his family financially.......

many of you helped them move into a new home....

many of you have helped them with miscellaneous things since that day...

many of you went to visit him at MUSC....

many of you have continued to pray for complete recovery since that day...

Even though he's doing much better he still could use your prayers....as he is not 100% but you know what even if he never gets to 100% that's OK because you see God allowed him to still be here with his family and all of us....God had a reason then and I'm sure still has plans for Him now.

Pray as Michael seeks God for all those answers and continue to pray for further recovery.
Thanks Michael for allowing me to keep everyone informed of your progress over this year and I will be praying for further recovery.

Update on Michael Day 227.....

Here is an update from Jim Brown (Michael's father-in-law) on how Michael is doing.

For the most part they are doing fine and trying to adjust to their situation.
They have a comfortable home and Nikki is working hard to keep it all in one piece.
Michael has taken over the kitchen and is doing most of the cooking. Trust me, that is a good thing.

I chuckled a few weekends ago when I stopped by on a Saturday morning. Michael wheeled himself up next to the stove and was preparing to make pancakes for breakfast. Wyatt his two year old son, was so excited to have pancakes that he climbs right up Michael's wheels of his chair and perches himself right next to Daddy as he cooks.
It was a wonderful sight to see.

Michael will soon be having some work done to his right leg. The doctors need to map the nerves in the leg in order to see how much damage there is and try to give a prognosis of how long it will take for the nerves to heal or find a different path in order for Michael to start using the right leg.

They say that the nerves are one of two things in the human body that can regenerate themselves. They can grow an inch a month.
So maybe in 15 months or so his toes on that right leg may work.
Time will tell.
The verdict is still out on whether or not the large intestine can be put back together. The last I heard the doctors may look into this in a few months from now.

Michael and Nikki are taking photography courses in the evenings in the hopes of starting a business for themselves. Nikki remains employed with the school district as a 3rd grade teacher.

As far as our family we've had some difficulty too, recently my wife Becky was a victim of this economic downturn and is now unemployed.

Love to all of you
---The Brown/McDaniel Family

Hey Everyone, Please pray that God will show His plan to these two families and when He speaks they will be ready to listen.
---thanks to all of you who have been keeping up with Michael and keeping them lifted in prayers

Update on Michael Day 209....

Michael's family came home today and he was there practicing going up steps.
You go Michael.

We are still lifting you up in prayer.

Update on Michael...Day 155...

Update from Jim Brown (Michael's father-in-law)

Michael came home 7 days before Christmas and this was great.
Becky, Nikki, a few friends and I all worked to move them into their new house which has worked out well.

Michael has settled into a routine of healing at home now.
He is happy and seems to be adjusting well.
The latest news from the physical therapists that come to their home is that his right leg may have to be re-broken via surgery in order for it to bend better.
Seems it maybe a small price to pay in order to use both legs.
His left leg is great.
He can shuffle his body from the wheel chair onto the couch or the bathroom facilities or even in and out of the car.
He has gone with Nikki a few times to church and visiting friends.
He is pretty self sufficient for the most part being Nikki had to return to work after the Holidays. His Grandma continues to come to the house to tend to him if needed.
We will still anticipate his intestines being put together and eliminate the colostomy bag he currently wears.
We are unsure of the time frame for all of that but we hold out hope for it.

We (Becky, Nikki and I) continue to work through the mountain of paperwork in order to gain insurance and liability along with social security and pain / suffering payments to all 3 of them.
It truly is astounding how much you have to do in order for our government to realize that he is actually disabled and worthy of being taken care of.
We will keep trying.

All in all, this young family is happy to be together despite the tough times ahead.

We did receive some bad news about the guy that hit them. Seems he has signed himself out of the hospital in North Carolina and has disappeared. Warrants are out for his arrest.

Great Update on Michael's Homecoming...19 weeks 3 Days

I hope everyone REALLY enjoys hearing this great update on Michael (from Jim his father-in-law)

Everyone,

The day is here! Michael is coming home.

As of this morning Michael will be released from the rehabilitation center into Nikki's hands.
They will be traveling (yes by car) to MUSC for a check up with the surgeons and Michael will be sent home.
I believe he is very nervous about being in a car and rightly so.

Michael has been able to walk (assisted) a little bit this week and seems to be in good spirits.
The doctors have mentioned they are a little concerned about his gallbladder and it may have to be removed, but the verdict is still out on that one. His belly is still in the healing process and they do not want to go back in for fear of hurting the intestines more.

Michael will have an in-home physical therapist visiting the home 3 times a week to continue working with him.

Nikki has been able to secure a home for themselves. It has a wheel chair ramp and all.
It is located just 4 miles from my house, so that is good.
Becky, Nikki, Ashley and I along with a few friends have painted the entire place this past weekend and we are working every night this week to move all their belongings into the home.
We are very happy that chapter 3 for Michael, Nikki and Wyatt is at hand.
Christmas shall be so much more sweeter now.

Becky and I are so glad that we can see a finality to all of this, but we understand that with Michael being home it will present more challenges and this young family will need continued help.

I am so thankful to you all for all you have done to help us along through this mess.

Please know that we are overjoyed this Holiday season and are so blessed.

To you and your loved ones... Merry Christmas,
Jim

Update on Michael - Day 115...

Update from Jim (Michael's father-in-law)

There is some real promising news on Michael's recovery this week.
As of the last 2 days while Michael has been in Waccamaw Rehabilitation Center, he has been able to stand and take a few steps.
On Tuesday he was able to walk while holding onto the parallel hand rails for the length of the rails.
I believe this was 5 to 6 steps.
On Wednesday Michael told me he tried a walker and even though walking is very painful for him, he has done well.

We all here are so proud of his courage and strength.

We are looking forward to the eventual return to home for Michael.
He will be traveling back to MUSC for his review by the surgeons there on Dec. 15th.
He will then return to Waccamaw Rehab Center.
The assessment team at Waccamaw have stated that if he continues on the current path of recovery as soon as Dec. 17th he maybe able to come home.

Once home Michael will most likely have in-home health care workers visiting him and maintaining his recovery.

Kindly keep your prayers lifted up for the Christmas homecoming.

A world of thanks to all of you for your prayers and help.
We appreciate everything everyone has done for the family.

We hope you have a wonderful Holiday season,
Jim & family

Now Hear this good news...update on Michael...

Michael will finally be leaving MUSC tomorrow. YAY Lord! thanks for your faithfulness to Michael and his family.

He will be going to Waccamaw Rehab in Murrells Inlet (so close to home - Aynor SC)

YAY Michael. It will now be time for people to go visit him and pump him up to continue with his recovery. Come on ya'll get out there and go see him, help lift his spirits.

Let him know that I will be there when I get a moment. I love you all who have kept him in your prayers and I really appreciate your support for this family. Don't forget they also could use your financial help. So anybody who has a few bucks laying around why not send it their way.

I'll keep you posted when I hear more.....

Update on Michael on Day 92....

More information from Jim - Michael's father-in-law

Michael for the most part is doing a good bit better. In saying better I am referring to his attitude and out look for the moment.
He seems to be adjusting well to his surroundings. He watches a lot of TV and sleeps a great deal.
Don't we all wish we could do that...chuckles.
The doctors did try to give him solid food recently but, that didn't go over well and they stopped all solid food feedings.
Michael remains on a liquid diet for now.
The reason is that the small intestine is almost healed but not quite. It continues to leak just a bit.
We are hopeful that solid food will be in his future.
The large intestine remains in the colostomy bag on his side.

The doctors did do a skin graft to his abdomen. They now have half of the opening closed.
They will leave the other have open for now in case they need to go back in for any reason.

The skin graft to his ankle seems to have taken well and is healing.

The tracheotomy tube is out along with the tube in his nose.
Michael is able to speak a lot better now.

The therapists continue to try and do physical therapy on him while he remains in bed.
They work his arms and hands.
They have him sit up and attempt to dangle his feet off the side of the bed.
From what I understand this is very painful for him.
They would like for him to start to put weight on his legs and are working towards doing this.

The talk on the streets now is for his future recovery.
It has been stated here in the last week by the doctors and nurses that soon Michael maybe able to leave MUSC and go into a rehabilitation facility.
At this time we are not sure of what or where this facility will be.

In order to not go into too many details of financial issues with his care and recovery.
We have no clue as to how any of the rehabilitation will be paid for once he leaves MUSC.

The car insurance folks are working hard to settle with MUSC in order for Michaels medical care there to be taken care of and his balance will be zero when he leaves.
Allow me to say, his care is well over a million dollars to date at MUSC.

I have nothing but praise for the doctors, nurses and staff of MUSC.
They were able to take this young man, basically crushed from the waist down in dire life threatening situations and keep him alive, none the less allow all of us to sit and talk with him 92 days later.
It truly is a miracle.

We have begun some correspondence with the South Carolina Social Security Administration in order to see if Michael can be classified as disabled.
I hate to say it but, it is a reality.
This may go a long way in helping this young family to be able to support themselves and move forward with their lives.
We will hope for Medicaid relief for Michael.

I told Michael the last time I went to see him, of all the folks near and far that have been praying for him. Of all the folks that helped. Of all the kindness and support we all have been given by people, some we don't even know. Along with all the pledges of future help to come.

Michael looked me straight in the eye with a tear himself and said to tell you all, "thank you".
Then the tears were flowing like crazy.

We all remain so very much in your debt for all the kindness you have shown.

We know there still is a long road ahead.

We hope that we can have Michael home or at least closer to home for Christmas.

Thank you and peace to you all,
Jim

Update on Michael...Day 79....

New update information on Michael from his father-in-law (Jim Brown) Please continue to pray for him and his family.

Last Thursday they removed Michael's tracheotomy tube from his throat. Which was great news. He was able to speak a little better along with allowing him to finally try and take some clear liquids via mouth.

My wife and I took Wyatt to see his Daddy again. Wyatt is such a good little guy. He knew where we were going and was anxious to see his Daddy. He picked out a ghost type stuffed animal for his Daddy to take to him for the upcoming Halloween. As we walked down the hallway heading for Michael's room, Wyatt was all excited and kept saying as we passed the other patients rooms, "not my Daddy". Meaning that these were not Daddy's rooms. When we got to Michael's room Wyatt declared, "there's my Daddy" and Michael turned his head and waved and said hello to Wyatt. They both spent a good bit of time talking and generally having a good time.

Michael's lunch then arrived. It consisted of some chicken broth, iced tea, grape juice and a popsicle.
His Grandma told me to go ahead and feed him if I would like. I guess on Thursday when he had his first lunch without the tracheotomy tube, he was using a straw and took too much liquid at one time and it made its way into his lungs, being the hole from the tracheotomy tube isn't healed over yet. So, by Friday when we were there the nurses insisted that all liquids be given to him with a spoon.

Michael's hands continue to shake due to weakness so he has to be helped with the feedings.
I began to give him a couple spoonfuls of broth then some tea and he looked right at Grandma and said, "Nana feed me".
Well now, who am I to stand in the way...chuckles.
I guess I was doing something wrong. No big deal though on my part. I stepped to the side and let Grandma continue with his feeding.
The amazing thing about his lunch was after about 4 or 5 spoonfuls of broth, 3 or 4 spoons of tea and one piece of chopped up popsicle he was full.
Seems his stomach has shrunk down so much that a mouse size meal is all he can handle.

We were so very happy to see him be able to have some liquids by mouth though.
It was kind of funny in which he has stated the whole time he has been awake that he wanted a mountain dew. Well, Grandma got him one and gave him a spoonful of it and he didn't like it. I am not sure if it was the strong taste or if it was the carbonation, but boy he sure didn't want that after all. We all kind of chuckled at that one.

The skin graft that was done to one of his ankles has taken well.
He also has been having some physical therapy in his bed. They are working his arms and hands to help him gain strength along with trying to get him to bend his knees.
He is in great pain through out these sessions, but it will go a long way in helping him to gain some strength.

Yesterday we were told that his abdomen is leaking still and that they are going to stop the liquid diet that he was allowed since last Thursday.
This is fairly disappointing. We are not quite sure where the leaks are coming from but the assumption is that it is from the small intestine.
It is amazing how long it takes for wounds to the intestines to heal.
His large intestine remains outside his body in the colostomy bag.

Tomorrow they are going to skin graft part of the opening that remains in his belly. They feel they can close up half of the opening for now and allow that part to start healing.
During this surgery tomorrow they are most likely going to place a couple of drain tubes into the abdomen to allow the leaks to drain.
We are not yet sure when he will be allowed to have liquids again by mouth but we hold out hope that it won't be for too long.

All in all Michael seems to be in good spirits. He asked if he could have his X-box gaming system hooked up to the TV so that he can play some. I think in the long run it will be a good thing to have it for it will help him to use his hands and gain some strength.

We hope and pray this surgery tomorrow and subsequent looks into the abdomen will produce good results.

It seems even though 11 weeks have passed that there remains a long long road ahead.

We as a family continue to receive all kinds of prayers, support, well wishes and such kind generosity that it leaves us in tears sometimes. Folks we don't even know that have heard of the accident are coming forward with help.

You all are a great inspiration to us and we thank you; from the bottom of our hearts.
Jim and Becky Brown


Let me also put a request in for this family (Michael McDaniel) for anyone who may like to help financially. Here is a link to his church website http://www.rockc3.com so you can look there and get the address to the church or call them and get an address of where you could send your help. I'm sure after 79 days and who knows how many more this family could use whatever help you could offer.
Thanks for your prayers and what help you have already given.

Continue to pray for Michael...

Everyone please continue to pray for Michael.

He still has a long road to recovery in order to be able to come home in the future. Could be 6 months or longer still, just unsure at this time.
His son got to see him this past weekend YAY!

He has lost quite a bit of weight. He has a lot of therapy to try and get his muscles strong again. He still has a lot of healing in the abdomen area.

They say he has a feisty spirit and is ready to come home, so if he keeps that outlook up maybe it will be sooner than 6 months.

Keep those prayers lifted up to Him because we know when God is ready for him to be completely well it could happen in the "twinkling of an eye"

Thanks for your continued prayers for this family....

Prayer for our Group of Bible Study Ladies.....

Father God,
As our group met tonite for Bible Study, oh the amazing things you showed me personally for my life. You showed me how to deal with some issues I have going on in my life and exactly what I need to do and I want to say Thank you Lord!

God I want to lift up in prayer to you each lady and the requests they made to you tonite for different things that are going on with them personally or in their families. I pray that you will shower each one of them with your answers Lord, show them your power at work God, bring them peace and comfort through each trial or valley they may be facing.

God love on them and continue to bring them closer to you Lord as they seek your face daily during this particular study and their own personal time with you God. I pray that you help them to see when they can carve out time in their day to spend with you Lord.

Fill their needs God, fill their cups overflowing with renewed joy this week and help us to understand how we should NEVER cease to rejoice!

In your name I give these requests,
Your daughther,
Beverly

Awesome News on Michael...

As of this past Sunday Michael has pretty much been awake.
They have reduced his pain medicines to enable him to be more coherent.

They will be adding a voice box to his tracheotomy tube to help him talk.

Nikki was able to talk to Michael for a good long time this past weekend.
She says he remembers the accident, he can recall most of the people that have come to visit him.
He is aware of where he is and the severity of his injuries.

He watched the Carolina Panthers football game Sunday and told Nikki to move at one point because She was in his way of the TV screen...chuckles.

He is doing well with all the instructions the doctors are giving him and he appears to be co-operating in his recovery now.

So, it seems Michael is all there and still has a sense of humor.

Michael will need a lot more support from friends and family now that he is awake, so that depression doesn't set in.

Some of the greatest news since he first went into ICU, Michael has now been moved to the sixth floor so now they can bring Wyatt to see his Dad! Thanks God for showing us your power!

New Update on Michael

This morning we were told that Michael was awake all night. He was able to sit in the chair next to his ICU bed.

They have reduced his pain medication, which should bring him around a bit more mentally.
Or, at least allow him to be a bit more coherent.
His belly seems to be healing and working some for him.

The hope today is that he will remain stable.
If he is able to remain stable and in the current condition of being awake and alert, the greatest news of all was heard.
That they may be able to move him to a step down, out of the ICU.

This will be just fantastic, because then we will be able to take Wyatt to see his Daddy.

Keep your fingers crossed that all will be ok and the move to the step down will happen here shortly.

Newest update on Michael

Today is day 44 for Michael being in the ICU unit of MUSC.

We have been told that they have placed a large lounge chair in Michael's ICU room and throughout today they will attempt to get Michael up out of bed and allow him to sit in the chair.
This will go a long way in helping his lungs be in a different position in order to help clear them.
He has been off the ventilator now for 2 1/2 days.

Michael first woke last Thursday 9/18/08.
He pretty much is aware of himself. He has been told where he is and that Nikki and Wyatt are ok.

Beyond that, we were instructed to not bring up any conversations that may agitate him. Such as about the accident, or mention current events at home that he may feel he is missing.
We were allowed to ask simple questions of him and to inform him that everything is fine and he is ok and so fourth.
He basically without speaking would shake his head yes or no to simple questions.
He has tried to speak, but we feel that the tubes that remain in his throat are preventing this.

His Grandma, Mom, Becky and Nikki all have been to see him this past weekend and he recognized them all.

So, I believe this is very good news for today if it all goes well.
I am sure there will be a great deal of pain in trying to get out of bed and sit in a chair.
But, these are the first steps in getting him out of the ICU and into a normal room.

Thus, the truly anticipated day when we can bring Wyatt into see his Daddy.

I will try to keep you all updated as this progresses.

Thanks so much for all your well wishes and prayers.

Pray, Pray, Pray for Michael...

From information I just received this morning Michael has taken a turn for the worst.

He has another tear in his intestines and doctors are not going to do surgery to fix it, because they say that he has been through so many surgeries that his body will not take it.

So either his body will fix it on it's own or he won't make it through.

Please everyone pray for God to intervene and heal him. We know that what doctors can't do , "God can" and so let's pray for that faithfully today and see God bring Michael through another hardship. Pray for his family as I'm sure this is shocking news for them to have to hear and accept.

God they are in your hands! Show them once again your power of healing Lord!

I give Michael to you today and ask you to fix him, heal him Lord in the power of your name I pray!

Update on Michael...

Michael's stomach has some fluid coming out of it, so he may have another hole in his intestines.

But he was fully awake today and moved and was able to give his grandmother a kiss.

Hopefully more good news to come. Everyone pray.......