My Dad got in a really bad accident about a week and a half ago. He was clearing woods and a big tree branch snapped or something and hit him in the face. He of course was probably in shock and he said he didn't know what to do, all he knew was he was bleeding bad. So, he got on his knees and prayed. And the Spirit helped him figure out what to do. He pressed the call button on his phone and it called whoever had called him last or who he had called last and it was his work. A secretary answered the phone and he said "help, I'm bleeding, I'm in the woods." I'm not sure if he said what woods or if they had to call my step-mom (because she knew where he was), but they went and found him and called 911 on their way. His nose was broken, sinuses crushed, cheekbone fractured, jaw broken, lip almost gone, and holes in his lip from his teeth. He had some major pain medicine and was sedated for surgery the next morning. He got 18 screws and 4 plates in his face. Dr. said he saved every piece of bone he could. His lip was all stitched back together and the Dr. may have saved 2 teeth... if they end up dying, he can always get fake ones put in. My first thought when my step-mom called and told me about the accident was if he was going to be the same person... mentally... would we still be able to talk and joke and laugh like we used to. So, I asked if there was any brain damage and Joy said the cat scan said no. I was so relieved, but still couldn't bare that he was in ICU and that he came so close to death. Had the branch hit any higher, it would've affected his eyes and brain... any lower, it would've hit his neck and his major artery & airway there. The first thing I did after hanging up the phone was I went and told my girls and we got on our knees and prayed. Allie seem concerned and said "Grandaddy got ouchies?" and Kailee just broke down in tears. She is so sweet. She has prayed for him so often since his accident. She says "please bless Grandaddy that he'll get better and heal fast so he can play with me this summer." She even prays for him at meal time. She asks randomly during the day or in the car if she can say her personal prayers just so she can pray for Grandaddy. She says them out loud and they are so sweet. I feel like things happen for a reason. I don't know what the reason is for this horrible accident, but it certainly has helped us to grow closer to the Lord in prayer lately and has strengthened our love for Grandaddy. :) The girls picked out fabric paint and I made us shirts in honor of him. They were soooo proud to wear their shirts and Kailee told all of her preschool friends about Grandaddy and how much she loves him. I think he was sedated for like 5 days and when they woke him up, he was still all swolen and his mouth still wired shut. They sent him home on Friday night and I think he got his wires out today and now has rubberbands in his mouth. They had him start slowly walking and he has a walker so he can gradually regain his strength. I'm so glad he is on the mend and slowly getting better. It was the hardest thing knowing that someone you love got in such a bad accident and was in so much pain. I wished so badly it had happened to me and not him. Though, you'll never find me with a chainsaw :) Anyways, just wanted to journal this b/c I think Kailee would enjoy going back and reading about it someday and seeing the proud shirt that she wore. Pics below!
A pic. from Dad's recent visit!
Love you Dad! Can't wait to talk to you again!
