Update on Sam May (03.18.10)

Been 10 days since my last full update on dad. A lot of you have been asking for one... sorry for the delay. I'll tell you what the doctors and nurses told us: No news is good news!

But, I know you're still wondering... so, here it goes:

Until today dad has been pretty unresponsive. Since coming thru the surgeries, he's mostly been tired and seemingly out of it. Honestly, that was hard to take. When all you have to connect with someone are blinking eyes, it's killer when they stop. Thankfully, today was a different story. He's bright-eyed once again and attempting to spell words... "attempt" means we got TROOP, LWC, CLATH TOWEL and LENTR out of him. We're working with the Pentagon to break the code! :)

Selina helped some with deciphering things, suggesting that maybe the LEN in LENTR could stand for G-LEN BECK. So, I asked dad if he wanted us to just shut up and turn up the volume on Fox News to which he blinked a definitive "YES"! We took the hint and considered it a break through...

As for his medical condition... he's on blood thinners now for the clotting that formed yesterday, is relying less and less on the wall C-PAP, and seems to be overcoming a second bout with pneumonia. He is opening and closing his mouth on command and "attempts" to smile when asked (although it more closely resembles an Elvis impersonation than any smile I've ever seen).

The hospital plans to keep him for a few more days to monitor his clots before discharging him to a longer term hospital nearby, still in Chattanooga. As we know more, we'll let you know more.

As always, thanks for the prayers, comments, and concern. We love you all and are ever-grateful for your support! God bless!! For those of you in Chattanooga, FYI... I'll be back in the pulpit on Sunday. Looking forward to it!

A Sigh of Relief

The day we've all been avoiding finally came: We brought dad into the discussion on how he would like to proceed. As a family we always hope our loved one will choose to fight no matter what may come, but you never fully know until you ask.

We knew we had to ask dad what he wanted to do, as we are facing the need to trache him today at 2pm and looking at two separate surgeries this coming week. So, this morning mom, Scott, and I approached him. Scott eloquently laid out what was going on to him and then asked dad if he was wanting to fight no matter what. Before Scott could finish the question dad was strongly responding "yes"! We confirmed his response and all breathed a sigh of relief.

Dad admitted he was scared, but is believing for a miracle. As for progress... today he had both eyes opened and was able to follow left to right to see us on both sides of his bed (this is a first and the latest miracle in a string of unbelievable moments as we begin Week 2).

If you do not live in the Chattanooga area and unable to attend the Prayer Meeting scheduled for 4pm today at Oakwood Baptist, please take time during that hour to lift dad up in prayer. We love you all and are looking forward to the future!!

The lastest on Sam May...

Hello my beloved family and friends. So many of you are asking for the latest on my dad's condition... Here it is: Our initial conclusion was that the accident was a result of falling asleep at the wheel. It appears my dad had a stroke and that caused the accident. The stroke left irreparable damage to the main arteries going from his brain stem to his body. This means all information the brain is sending out is not being received. This is permanent and will affect his quality of life, ultimately resulting in his death. The term they gave us is "locked in"... this means he has full cognitive ability and can think, hear, and respond with blinks. But, that's the extent. His brain is "locked in" his body.

As you can imagine, this is shocking and terrible news. We ask you to pray for a miracle. That my dad’s body will be restored in the land of the living... We are believing for such. Yet, we also pray the words of Christ: "Not my will, but yours Father." As followers of Christ we know there is only one way... the way of the cross. As I said in my sermon on Sunday, if His will lines up with our way, praise God! If it does not... we must still go the way of the cross! For we are not merely called to live as disciples of Christ... we are also called to die along side Him. May God get the glory in whatever He chooses to do! Pray for all you are worth and together let us release this to the Lord. Thank you for your ongoing love and support!