From Colleen Patterson on Fb, 4/04/18: Update on Troy Patterson: He is stable for now, breathing tube is out, surgery again tomorrow on lower left leg.
Troy was T-boned by a car and thrown into the air. Bike is totaled! Waiting to speak with crash team sergeant for exact details. We have lots of work to do and contacts to make for insurance, coordination of care and family in and out, so sorry if we can’t keep in touch as much. I’m trying to make sure he doesn’t lose everything that he’s worked hard for!
Just know, he is at the Best Level 1 Trauma Center! For his protection, please, he doesn’t need to know what happened — for a long while! We have to keep his level of agitation down; we do not want any strain on his kidneys or his heart with fluctuating vital signs. We all want to bring up memories and things but he does have a severe head injury. His brain is swollen and he’s under anesthesia and sedation. He is talking but very limited. He will be doing surgeries every other day. This is going to be a very long haul – he will be months and months of recovery and 10 to 30 surgeries if they can even save his le which is an open wound. We don’t want him to have any setbacks or infection. Prayers still needed!
He was totally transfused, he lost all of his blood and he may need more transfusions as his leg is still bleeding! We all offered to donate and they told us there was no time to match it or screen it so any blood donations to any Bonfils or Red Cross works! We are taking this hour by hour and day by day. He is still very critical. We all know what a good strong man he is and I have to tell you – I’m so thankful for all of your prayers because I know that is what got him through the night!
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Jason Heathman: Thankful for Health and Life
Jason Heathman on Fb, 4/01/18: On this day in 1996 I had surgery. The upper lobe of my right lung was removed because there was a golf ball sized tumor in my lung. I was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma. My surgery was followed by six months of chemotherapy. A few months after chemo the cancer was back and spread through my whole body. I had a bone marrow transplant in February of 1997. I developed scar tissue in my lungs and eventually medication I had taken caused blood supply to my femur head in my hips to stop. I fractured both hips. I had to have both replaced. I was forced at the time to retire from my profession. Three years went by and I returned to work. The lessons I learned changed my life. I’m here today because of faith, effort, reliance on others, prayer, and grace. It’s not lost on me that I’ve been kept around for a bit longer. 22 years later and I’ve been priviledged to experience so much life and meet so many awesome people. God is great.
This Easter is a little extra special. I was so focused on playing well (drums in our worship band) that I forgot about this anniversary. I was also not appropriately focused on Easter until I got up early this morning and remembered a few things. I’m reminded to not take any moment for granted. And it is not a coincidence you are reading this. Each one of you is a blessing.