Before a man opens his eyes everyone is positive. But after the eyes are open and they stare…and stare…and stare…people, nurses and doctors start to form opinions. Opinions which are based on large case studies and in most cases are probably highly accurate.
It was some time around 6 weeks into Vernon’s recovery and between candid conversations with nurses and a doctor. I asked the nurses one at a time to cut the sugar-coated responses and give me their straight opinion for his chances of recovery. I listened to the highly experienced SICU nurse’s opinion that Vernon at best might offer a faint smile from time to time but would most likely not recover to a coherent state of consciousness. I listened to a trusted doctor give me his opinion that Vernon had shown absolutely NO neurological progress and would most likely not progress any further. I even spoke with one highly experienced person who mentioned that in some cases it was better for the ambulance not to show up on time.
These may sound like dark conversations. But that is the reality with TBI cases. These are the conversations that take place. At least 4 men passed away while I was in the hospital with Vernon or shortly before I arrived. Many people said goodbye to sleeping friends, sons and brothers while we watched Vernon’s pulse, brain pressure and temperature.
The fact is that God saves some people and he lets other people pass away. He allows some to walk again and others to sit in a chair and drool for decades while they are cared for day in and day out. I struggle to accept that God would save someone who is prayed for more fervently than someone who doesn’t have the good fortune of having loads of Christian friends. If prayer is the key factor in someone’s recovery and we believe that, why do we not pray from the moment we wake ’til we rest our heads at night? Are Ali, Vernon, Justine and Maki worth that extra bump we can give by simply investing more into God’s bank of prayer? If it truly means the difference between recovering to 40% or 90%. Or perhaps the prayer of a righteous man availeth much and in that case we must allow the righteous man ample time to pray. Perhaps we pay his bills so he can pray without ceasing?
Being confronted with these mysteries head on I have been forced over the past few months to wrestle with my understanding of God and his methods of doing business.
Whether we have confidence in God’s course of action for our dear friend Vernon or not, in the united states the clock ticks over and medical care is provided. The patient either lives or dies. If he lives, he is tended to. If he has friends, he is visited. If he has none, he sits alone.
Some days are good, others are terrible. A son sits at home and longs for his father, he wonders why and how, perhaps he wonders how he can possibly focus on school at a time like this. But he must. A little girl waits patiently for the day Daddy will hold her again. She wants to curl up in his arms. But she can’t. A wife tries to figure out what the right thing to do is. Some decisions feel selfish and others feel justified. At the end of the day there are no good answers – no decisions that are good enough. Nothing replaces a daddy or a husband. No amount of time is short enough. Every minute is too long.
It’s like waiting at a train station for 4 1/2 months, hoping a train will come down the line carrying your daddy, your friend, your husband, your son, your brother. Knowing that there is a train on the track and it may never come back to your station. But you wait nonetheless. You must wait. You have no choice.
Then one day, a train pulls up. Today was that day for me. After 4 1/2 months. The train pulled up and Vernon was speaking. He was conversing. I suddenly have to be careful what I write about because he may wonder why he’s had such a profound impact on me and on so many others. The light is on. We just had no way of knowing. Until today.
When I walked in Vernon said: Hi…
I asked: How are you?
Good.
Do you remember me?
No, I don’t.
Do you know the font Pacifico?
Yes, I do.
Is that one of Dave Crossland’s fonts?
No, it’s one of mine.
Would you like me to bring up your iPad?
Yes, I would like that.
Do you know who your son is?
Yes…Maki.
Do you know what Glyphs software is?
Yes I do.
Is it on your mac?
No, it’s on my, um, laptop.
Do you think you could use it with your right hand?
Yeah.
And as I left I said “well, you are doing great, I’ll see you tomorrow. Is that ok?”
He replied “Yes, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Laptop from allison moore on Vimeo.
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Powerful stuff, Chris! There were some laughs in there today too though. Thats what sealed it fir me. What a day! Thank you for staying at the station waiting for this train to pull up all these months. He may not have remembered you at first, but he knows you now! 🙂
Fantastic!!
Awsome, what a relief this is! I am so, so amazed and happy. Looks like he is just skipping those waking up from coma stages we read about. Wonder if he remembers whats in his computer, I Guess youll see tomorrow. Thank you Chris for being there in the way you are, for Maki as well, you are great. Big hug
I can here the familiar tone to his voice, oh wow. Say hi from the tribe of Totty. Can we email him? Facebook him? Superstars all of you! He could not have done it without the full on support he has received.
Wow, I have been following you since day one. What an amazing miracle God has done through all of our prayers. God continue His blessings Allison.
Now I am at a loss for words! 😀 I dream about this day all the time, in my dream I walk in and Lil says “hi Auntie” as she rambles on I look around accusingly and demand to know why no one told me SHE COULD TALK! Its always the same. 135 days is nothing short of a miracle. Now the story is going to get really interesting!!!!!! Keep writing!!
At one point today Vernon was about to tug on an IV. I joked with him not to pull on it because that was the one that was directly into his blood supply and if he pulled it he would bleed out and that would be it.
He looked at me, reached for it and pretended to pull it out.
We all burst out in laughter.
What a day.
Wow! So precious Allison……can’t think of words to describe what’s going through my heart and mind for you guys. But I guess “Love” could define them all.
with tears of thanksgiving, Prayers of Hope and Praise to our Great God!!!
oh allison – amazing!!! continued prayers…
Sooooooooo blessed to read your report Chris! Allison stopped by and I got to watch the video in….disbelief! We pray and pray and pray, believing God can heal. When you are watching a miracle, you simultaneously calculate the odds and involuntarily your jaw drops as you overhear yourself uttering “WOW.”
AMAZING!! 🙂
Whoa. I am without words.
The font conversation made my day. Such amazing news! All the best to everyone there. Still praying.
This is such exciting news Alison! Chris, you have been there for such a time as this! We are rejoicing as we knew God was going to do SOMETHING BIG because He is a big God and He has promised He will honor fervent prayer. Eddie said a few weeks ago not to put our trust in “fear facts” and I believe even tho Vernon has had some big mountains to climb he is entering a beautiful meadow! Lets keep up the prayers!
Thank you for this great update. Continuing prayer Thank you Lord.
Txs Allison!
My best wishes for V’s recovery.
Greetings from Argentina!
Oh, My, Allison. That slow train is in sight, coming into the station. Merciful, loving God.
Only God-such an amazing report…Love and prayers always, Candy
I had a big fat tear rolling down my face….. but a huge smile smile as well 🙂
Allison,
We belive as you and Vernon do that he is in the hands of a mighty God. He can bring him all the way back or somewhere along the way. Our prayers are with you and Vernon and Justine and Maki. Just keep your eyes on the cross He did it all for me and you and your family.
Love,
Becky
I’ve read it twice now and even more excited to come and get to “talk” with Vernon!! I bet he’s got a lot to teach us thru all of this.
I’ve used the train so often to come down from LA to see Ali and her family that the train metaphor is so perfect. Thank God Vernon is making huge progress and I know while there’s a long way to go, the train has pulled into a new location, with humor!! and the ability to actually tell those who are loving and helping him what he needs at this station.
Bravo Vernon and all of you who are so dedicated in your faithful love and care. Continuing to pray for more miracles and the ability to jump brain hurdles as well.
Hoping I’ll get to see you this weekend Vernon.
God bless you and the miracle you are,
Melissa
Hallelujah! Chris, you are incredible!!! Allison, I rejoice at the possibilities and will keep praying….
So much to take in…crying and laughing and just amazed. Of course Vernon is talking…this is happening! Vernon is coming back and I believe prayer works! I believe Vernon, Allison, Maki and Justine’s story is changing hearts and lives…it’s changing mine. Chris thank you for all you shared today. Just so moved. Love K
What fantastic improvement! So happy for you all. I have a feeling that he’ll improve even faster when he gets his laptop and tries to get back into some of his work that he was doing before the accident. Go Vernon! And hugs to you, Allison. xo
Holy Toledo! What a fantastic couple of days eh? I can only imagine the joy in your hearts…
Sending love & light and hopes for many more days of unexpected joy!
OHHHHH Allison! You don’t really know me because I am a friend of your parents! But I have been following your blogging about your precious husband’s recovery and your precious family and how they are managing! I have been praying regularly, trusting, standing with you for the Lord’s will in the case of Vernon’s life being restored! I was in tears today—-tears of utter joy! PRAISING PRAISING PRAISING FOR THIS AMAZING NEWS! THANK YOU LORD! YOU ARE THE GREAT HEALER AND MAGNIFICENT IN EVERY WAY! THANK YOU FOR HEARING US, FOR ANSWERING THIS PRAYER IN THIS WAY! CONTINUE TO KEEP THIS FAMILY UNDER JESUS’S BLOODLINE OF PROTECTION, HEALING, BLESSINGS, ABUNDANCE, PROTECTION AND FAVOR. THANK YOU LORD! AMEN Lisa Hoyt
Face to face with God’s Sovereignty… you have been blessed. We, none of us, deserve it. And so we praise. Simply praise. Amen.
Tears, tears, tears of joy and thankfulness for all of you! Thank you Hyatt for sharing the joy and continued prayers for all your family. More prayers, more joy to you all !
I don’t know about Robert but I am amazed. Speechless. And anticipating even greater recovery. Thank you Beloved Father for this particular miracle, of all you do everyday, this one means so much.
Wow, this is such a miraculous moment. I pray he continues to have daily progress and full recovery. Praise God. This is a faith booster for all of us. So happy for your family.
So happy that words can’t describe. Wow. Praise God!
Chris…….I felt like I was sitting with you and you were sharing all this….I read every word and felt your emotions here………I smiled…..& cried as well. Prayer, a powerful thing……and God is hearing and responding to the prayers of many for Vernon & his family & friends. Blessings to you, his faithful friend.
Wow! As a neuroscience nurse expert, I have followed Vernon’s & his family’s journey with cautious optimism… NEVER doubt the power of the human brain to recover! Prayers help too 😉
Hi Allison, Darlene and I have been praying for your husband, and, to the extent I can, I’ve followed your husband’s progress. I’ve lived long enough to realize God is full of surprises. As an associate pastor in a very large church (beginning my ministry) I made over a 1,000 hospital visits to families/ members/friends, and saw God do things that could be considered miraculous. God’s timetable is vastly different from ours but He is a good God and plays no favorites. Rest assured of our continued prayers. We care about you as well as Vernon.