Update

This morning the doctor’s office called and said we could take Luke’s neck brace off, again.  They reviewed the films from his CT Scan and decided that he is okay without the brace.  They want to do x-rays on December 1st to make sure everything is good.  Luke was super happy when I told him to take it off, and had to call his grandma in Florida to share the good news.  Of course we want to do whatever it takes to make sure Luke’s neck heals properly, it’s just been a rollercoaster, so thank you all for your prayers and support. 

~Lindsey

Prayer Request

About an hour after I posted the last entry we got a phone call from Dr. Elias’ office.  (He is the doctor making the final call on Luke’s neck injury) He looked over the CT Scan and based on that he asked that we put Luke’s neck brace back on.  He is getting with another C-Spine specialist to get another opinion and figure out what the next step will be.   They don’t have answers for us right now but will hopefully this week yet or Monday. 

Please pray for his neck and for Luke, he was very upset when we told him.  He is actually home sick from school today.  If it’s not one thing, it’s another.  Ben and I are disappointed and it feels like a hard blow to us.  I told Ben it’s like things just keep getting thrown at Luke, how much more can he take?  He has handled everything with such a great peace and has adjusted better than I know I would; but the up’s and down’s are starting to wear on him.  He just wants it to all be over and really just wants to play at recess with his friends again.   Pray also that Luke (and the rest of us) would be encouraged and strengthened-as good as all of these blog entries sound to everyone else, we are still living with what happened every single day.  Ben and I still struggle and the kids definitely do.  God is near to us and we feel Him, and He will continue to be our comfort and peace.

On a much brighter note: Yesterday, a very special person sent Luke 2 tickets to a Duke basketball game at Cameron!  We were going to wait to tell him until it got closer, but after the phone call from the doctor we showed him the tickets.  He was pretty happy!  This is the gift of someone who is a Duke fan and got a link to our blog-so cool!  We are thankful for this blessing and how it was able to lift his spirits today.

Results

We spent another afternoon at UVA on Tuesday to get the results from Luke’s CT Scan.  Dr Jane was glad to see Luke and said again how proud he is of Luke.  He said the skull fractures are healed and it’s just what he wanted to see.  They showed us the images on the computer-Amazing!  We are now waiting for the final word from Dr Elias on his C-Spine injury, hopefully he will call us this week.  Dr. Jane said that as far as the head is concerned Luke can return to normal activity-sports included! In saying that, of course his neck needs to be completely healed as well.  Until we get those results we will continue to pray and be patient.  I will post when we find out more.  Thanks for checking in!

Pictures

Sorry I am late getting some pictures on here. The days are

going by quickly. So these are all pictures since Luke’s neck brace came off on Tuesday. Also, you may notice he is sporting a new hair style. We had to buzz his hair so that the wounds from his halo would heal. He had a lot of hair before and the pin sights were not healing like the doctor said they should. It has already helped to have the hair gone. I think he looks handsome regardless, and he has grown to like it. We shaved it on Tuesday night and on Wednesday morning Andrew said he woke up and wondered who was sleeping in Luke’s bed. “Oh, it’s my brother!” he said. Andrew decided that morning that he would shave his head to be like Luke and that afternoon Ben shaved his as well! We go in on Tuesday to meet with Dr. Jane (neurologist) to find out the results of the CAT scan Luke had on Friday. The skull fractures and neck ligaments need to be completely healed before Luke can return to normal activity. Keep the prayers coming! Thanks so much!!! (You can click on the “Pictures” link at the top of the Home page to see this enlarged. Or just click the pics)

~Lindsey

Well, after 9 weeks Luke’s neck brace has finally come off!  He still has to refrain from rowdy activities until the results from this Friday’s scan come back.  Please pray for the neck ligament to be completely healed and also for all of his skull fractures to be healed.  Luke was so happy to finally take that “hunk of junk” (as he calls it) off!!!

We took all of the kids to yesterday’s appointment at UVA~Andrew and Maleah wanted to be there to see if his brace could come off, Andrew was praying hard!  It was a gorgeous day, so after the appointment we walked to the Rotunda on the UVA campus.  This kids played tag and ran around in the courtyard, they thouroughly enjoyed the time.  It was perfect for me, just to watch them together…to see Luke once again, uninhibited and free!  I also think it was a full-circle moment for Ben, as he spent a good amount of time in that courtyard in the early days after the accident…seeking God on Luke’s behalf.  Not knowing what was going to happen to Luke, and yesterday God gave us the gift of some very special family time in that same place!  I took some pictures of the day, so check back soon~I will try to post them tomorrow!

It has been awhile since we’ve posted…I guess that is a good thing!  I just wanted to update a little, and keep everyone informed.  Luke is in his 2nd week of  going to school for full days.  He is keeping up with everyone and is really having fun being back to a “normal” routine.  He participates in everything at school, except recess and PE – although sometimes he gets to referee,which he loves!  His energy level is increasing and he no longer takes naps during the day, but he does fall asleep pretty quick at night.

We are seeing more of his personality and feisty spirit these days.  I suspect once his neck brace comes off he will feel more free to be himself and not as cautious.  He has three appointments the beginning of November (3rd, 6th, and 10th)  with his neurologists and we will find out if it can come off and if the head fractures are completely healed. (prayer request!)  Luke does like to ride his bike, shoot hoops, dribble, throw ball, hit golf balls and play outside, he just has to be more careful until then.   He still  has been very sweet and doesn’t complain about much.  He is really into listening to worship music and memorizing scripture.  He has a heart for God’s word! 

Our life is becoming pretty normal, though we have stayed very busy, and have had lots of family and friends around and we  have been gone too.  Last week we were in Georgia with Ben’s brother Chris and his family, and then went to North Carolina for a Yoder family reuinion.  It was good time of catching up and spending time together.    This weekend my parents came along with Jeff and his family, Sheila (Ben’s sis) and her family, and Chris and two of his kids.  It was again busy, but so good.  Sheila and Phil live in Florida and they had not seen Luke since the PICU, they left right before his ventilator was removed.  Sheila came with me to pick the boys up at school and it was awesome for her to see Luke walk out and get in the car.  She was such a rock for me during the first few weeks, and it was refreshing and uplifting to be with her again!  The kids all had fun together making up skits and doing some singing for us adults-pretty cute!

Also, a lot of you are wondering about Carson.  He doesn’t wear a cast or boot anymore.   He is getting around well and really likes  his new school in North Carolina.  We are thankful for his healing and progress.  At the reunion there was a very high climbing course that was at the camp and we were able to use it one day.  The guy would harness and helmet the person climbing and then have people belaying with ropes.  Carson climbed it three times with ease.  I was very proud of him!

Good Family Time

Fall is here and we enjoyed a fun weekend as a family.  Kelby (my brother), Jill, and Ella came to visit from Florida.  They came up right after the accident and stayed for a week, so they had not seen Luke since his halo first went on.  They could not wait to get up here give Luke a squeeze and spend some time with us! It was good to be together.      Luke was especially excited to play with Ella again.  He loves babies, and says that she is one of his best friends…plus he says he is good at making her smile.                                                                                               

Luke and Ella

On Sunday our family went for a hike at Humpback Rocks.  It was a gorgeous fall day to be outdoors.  Hiking is one of our  favorite activities to do together, and Ben and I were so thankful to be able to take ALL of our kids!  God is so good!!  Luke did awesome, he took a few breaks and Ben gave him a piggy-back ride twice, but he pressed on and was determined to get to the top.  We are so proud of him and really had such a fun day together. 

All of us on top of Humpback Rocks

The guys

 

 

 

Luke has been back at school for a week now, and is loving it.  (Although, Maleah is missing him at home.) His energy and stamina continue to increase and he says he can’t wait until he can stay for full days.  The school has been wonderful and the kids have been loving and so glad to have him there again.  What a blessing for Luke and our family!  This Friday, we go to UVA for an endocrine appointment.  Luke is currently taking a hormone for his sodium level to remain within the normal limits, he will have a full blood work up done to see if he needs to continue taking his pill.  Since he has been home, it has been normal so we are praying he can stop taking it.  Also, keep praying for his vision to improve (that big appointment is in Dec), and also for his neck and skull fractures to completely heal.  He has a 3-D scan November 6th and that will determine if the brace can come off and Luke can be “turned loose” (docs words).   

Thank you, thank you for the continued support and prayers…we are just so thankful.  Everyday, we are aware of how blessed we are to be all together again, and to have such love surrounding us!  

Bless you all, enjoy this beautiful time of harvest!!! We are!

~Lindsey

Update

Sorry for the delay with an update, we have been busy.  First of all, we had a wonderful night of worship on Saturday night.   Thank you to Darrel and Heather Baker and all who participated on the worship team.   It was an awesome time of praising God and celebrating Luke’s life!

 Well, Luke is back in school for half days.  He started on Monday and is really doing well.  He is adjusting well to the new schedule and likes how well he can see with his new glasses.  His teacher says he is keeping up academically with the class and is working hard.   After school I make him lay down for a rest, otherwise he has a good amount of energy.    He had a very warm, excited welcome from his classmates…Luke missed them all a lot! 

Night of Worship

Come celebrate the goodness of the Lord with us!

Saturday, September 19th, 7:00 pm at the

First Church of the Nazarene on Port Republic Rd, Harrisonburg, VA.

This night of worship is hosted by Family Worship Center worship team.

For more details contact Darrel or Heather Baker at (540)289-5925

We are taking it day by day, and Luke is getting stronger and stronger.  The plan as of now is for him to start half days at school next week.  We are waiting for his reading glasses to come in.  His energy is increasing and he is wanting to get out and be more active.  The transition to school, even for half a day, will be tiring for him so we are praying for increased stamina and strength for his body.  He is still healing-mind and body. 

Last Thursday, I took Luke to visit his class for about an hour.  Wow, what a welcome he received!  The kids from all grades were so excited to see him and just showed him so much love, we were both surprised.  Faculty and staff had hugs and words of encouragement for him.  It makes me feel better knowing that he will be in the care of so many godly people who love him and will watch out for him.  But it will still be hard to let him go, so I ask for prayer for peace and trust.  I thought it would be good to let you all see some recent pictures of his visit to school. 

Luke and Mrs. Barlow

 

Thank you for your continued support and prayer, thanks for staying connected!  It’s pretty amazing how many people care and are impacted by Luke’s story.  I have found that we can’t go many places without someone knowing about him.  He’s getting pretty good at explaining it all and gives God the glory for his healing….Awesome!

~Lindsey