A Special Thank You

I just wanted to say thank you to Kathy (aka David’s mom, Grammy), Bob (aka David’s dad, Grampy), & David.

Kathy has done a wonderful job caring for Josiah & Kacyn. Thank you, Kathy! I know it hasn’t been an easy task. Josiah is a normal 2 year old, rambunctious boy, not only trying to adjust to a new baby in the home but also having to deal with so many other changes in his life that I’m sure he doesn’t understand. I’m not sure what we would’ve done without her love & ability to care for the boys. She spent hours in the hospital with Kacyn, trying to learn how to feed him. His head & the bottle had to be held in just a certain way. A special technique had to be used to make sure he didn’t choke or the formula didn’t just run out of his mouth since sometimes his suck & swallow reflexes didn’t quite work together at the same time. She has spent many sleepless nights up with him. David said Kacyn’s “fussy time” is about 9:00pm- midnight! When David was released from the hospital, but unable to drive, she & Bob drove him back & forth to St Louis to see Jennifer & Kacyn. Sometimes Kathy would stay at home with Jo & Bob would take David to the hospital. When Josiah would come to the hospital, it would take all of us to keep him corralled & entertained! Once Kacyn was home from the hospital, the task of driving David back & forth to St Louis fell upon Bob alone. Kacyn needed to stay inside to prevent him from picking up any bugs, viruses, etc. Bob’s had some medical issues of his own over the past few years & the trip back & forth was very tiring for him. But he did it every day for David. Thank you, Bob!

And David…I can’t even imagine what it’s felt like to be in his shoes for the last 4 months. I can’t thank him enough. He was not only dealing with his own injuries & healing, but also dealing with almost losing his wife & baby. He spent his time at the hospital between Jennifer’s room & Kacyn’s. Jennifer needed him, but so did Kacyn. Kacyn needed the human interaction. Part of this time David was still in a wheelchair himself. Jennifer’s ICU room was so small, they had to leave the doors open so he could get in there. It never failed as soon as he got situated in her room, the nurses or drs would need in there & he’d have to get out of the way. When he was at home, he would call the hospital at all times of day & night, checking on Jennifer & Kacyn. I, personally, know of him calling Jen’s ICU at 2:00am when he should have been sleeping, but I’m sure he was unable to. I know he wanted to be with Jennifer more than he was able to, but was torn between home & the hospital. He needed to be both places at once which just wasn’t possible. He was also having to deal with getting their home ready for Kacyn, insurance, attorneys, etc…all without Jennifer’s input, as well as making all the decisions on Jennifer & Kacyn’s care. When Mom had to return to work & could no longer stay at Jennifer’s side all night, David took over that task. He then began spending the nights with Jennifer & driving home to the boys during the day when Jennifer was in therapy. He was still being torn between the 2 places, trying to take care of responsibilities at both places…he was also doing online schooling & has kept his grades up. At 25, David’s had to deal with more than most people ever will in their lifetimes. He’s handled everything better than most people would. Many times when the rest of us were breaking down, David was the strong one. They are all at home now. No one is in the hospital anymore. Praise the Lord! David is taking care of Jennifer, essentially doing everything for her as well as driving her to St Louis for therapy…and helping Grammy with the boys…and still doing school...and dealing with insurance, attorneys…and making the medical decisions for Jennifer & Kacyn. He is a true hero & a great man. I am very thankful that God sent him to my sister. God gave her a wonderful gift in David. I am very proud to say he’s my brother-in-law. I know he’ll probably read this & think he didn’t do anything special & that anyone would do what he did, but unfortunately not everyone would have done what he’s done or handled it as well as he has. My mom’s had several people ask her if Jennifer’s husband was still with her or if he’d left her. She said some of them have seemed surprised to hear her answer “no, he hasn't left her!”. What a crazy world we live in where people think this way. I know it’s David’s strong faith that has helped him be so strong & gives him the ability to take on these tasks & never complain…his faith as well as his strong love for Jennifer & their boys. He & Jennifer have faith stronger than anyone I’ve ever known. It’s also through the love, prayers, & support of all of you that he’s been able to make it through all of this. Thank you!

Thank you, Grammy!
Thank you, Grampy!
Thank you, David!

God bless you all!

David still has a long road ahead of him. The end still isn’t quite in sight yet, but it’s definitely closer than ever now. He’ll still need prayers to help him continue to be strong & make it through to the end. Please continue to pray for him. Please continue to pray for Jennifer’s complete healing as well as her morale. She needs to keep her spirits up & not get discouraged. Please pray for Kacyn & Josiah. Grammy needs prayers to stay strong & be able to love & take care of those boys. Grampy needs prayers as he not only travels back & forth between OH & MO, but also as he deals with his own medical issues right now. And we can’t forget my mom & dad & brother. Please continue to pray for strength & comfort for them & safe travels as they go back & forth to MO on their days off work.