Tuesday, July 10, 2012 (530PM)

Here is a brief update from Tim. Emily is still in surgery...so we are waiting anxiously by the phone.
Emily’s should be out of surgery soon
It’s been over five hours now so I have some time to thank you all for
your many prayers and encouragement. Tina summarized all of the
emails, facebook responses and phone calls and sent it to me
yesterday. This was the last thing Emily read before she went into
surgery today around 11am. She was scared and this really lifted her
spirits to realize SO MANY people care for her and are praying for her.
It also really touched my heart.
I can share a few new things but its still way too early to determine
the extent of the spinal cord damage and if and when she will gain
feeling to her left leg. She has some feeling in her right and this is
very encouraging considering the damage to her back. It’s going to be
a long recovery with a month in the hospital and three to eighteen
more in rehab. SO THANK YOU IN ADVANCE for offering assistance with
our kids, our home in ATL, frequent flyer miles and the other things
including a home in Chicago for our family as we try to figure out
what Emily will need help and support with the next few months. These
many gifts from you are ALL answers to our prayers.
Today’s back surgery is to stabilize her lower and middle with a
hinged brace that is affixed to each of the vertebras from L4 to T6 so
there is no additional damage to the spinal cord. Specifically, it’s a
thoracic and lumbar posterior spinal fusion. After she recovers from
this in four to ten days, she will have a second surgery. This surgery
will be through the front where bone will be graft from her hip and
used to rebuild L4 that is completely destroyed as the fracture to T9
should heal on its own.
Tina has been wonderful these last few days as my amazing ambassador
so I can totally focus on Emily and stay by her side. I’m SO thankful
for this, as Emily was so surprised to see me the morning of her
accident. She really touched my heart yesterday by saying that she was
thankful to have her Dad all to herself for these last few days. Her
Mom, Sister and all the Grandparents arrive here tomorrow. We have
counted many blessings between a few crying moments. Most touching for
me was while I read her some Psalms this morning as we waited on the
call to pre-op.
Emily has been a real trooper for here nineteen years (turning twenty
this Friday). The staff and doctors have been great. Northwestern
Memorial is supposed to be the best in the State and many say the
country for spinal surgery and rehab.
Thanks again for your prayers and encouragement – I love you guys,
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