News from Kris!!

Dear friends and loved ones!

We have said our good-byes to everyone in southeastern PA near Hershey, and are so sincerely grateful to all who came to our various gospel concerts and country shows while we were there.  Many, many thanks for your love, your support and... most of all... your prayers!  You cannot know how deeply were have been blessed by your kindnesses and the outpouring of love.  Thank you so much!

We left the Hershey area yesterday, and have traveled to the Gaslight RV Resort in Emlenton, PA, which is located at Exit 42 along I-80.  That means we are 42 miles from the Ohio line and 4-1/2 hours or so closer to Texas!  We'll give our country show here Saturday night, then go to the Nevin Memorial United Church of Christ at New Bethlehem, PA to present our gospel concert Sunday night.  Monday morning, bright and early, we'll head out and likely take two full days to get close enough to Austin to pull into the RV park there about mid Wednesday.  Hard and fast travel in the motorhome pulling our van is rough on two older folks like us, so pulling in during daylight hours is a whole lot easier on us and on Precious (the RV!).  (She's no spring chicken either!!!) 

Now for the REALLY important GOOD NEWS!  Our oldest daughter, Diana, flew out to Austin this past Sunday and will stay there with Kris until this coming Sunday.  She wanted to do that to help bridge the gap in time until we get there, and spend as much of that time working with, talking to and just being near Kris as possible.  It's working!!!  Last week one nurse said she thought Kris squeezed her hand, and the neurologist working with Kris said he sure thought she squeezed his finger.  Late Tuesday afternoon, Diana said Kris squeezed her hand in response to something she said or did, and there was no doubt!!!  That's VERY good news!  Diana also said Kris has started groaning when something bugs her (i.e., being moved from the bed into the geri-chair or wheelchair, or being showered or washed, or being cold, etc.).  Diana kiddingly told Kris she was going to be there to "bug" her until she kicked her out, and Kris moved her leg!!!  We are just praising God for every tiny little "good thing" that is happening now and, of course, we can't wait to get there!!!

On the more in depth side, Kris is far from being "out of the woods."  She remains in a coma for now (which is not nor has it been medically induced) and we do believe she continues to heal because of it.  The neurologist said the plate will not be put into her head until she is awake; they do not want to risk anesthesia while she is in the coma.  After doing some "Googling" on right side brain trauma (and this is far from text book accurate, I'm sure), it would appear some rammifications will be communication loss, some skills in comprehension or speaking or even continuous conversation may suffer.  She may not be able to understand commands or follow directions, or be able to stay focused on lengthy programming or conversation.  Right side vision could suffer (which will likely be the case anyway since her right eye appears to not be improving).  But all these things can and will be intensely and scrupulously challenged by the highly trained therapy staff at the neuro center, and re-training will begin as soon as Kris wakes up. 

Your prayers... your WONDERFUL prayers... are the key.  Please, please keep them coming (or going UP, as the true case may be!) and we will continue to update you on her condition, her status and, of course,... WHEN SHE WAKES UP!!!  God is so good and I know in my heart she will laugh and smile and talk and walk and know who we are very soon.  I will hear her voice again and hear her say, "Hey, Mom... what's goin' on?"  It will be my joy to help care for her until that time, and then help with her recuperation.  Whatever that involves, it will surely be my joy.  I know Diana is enjoying being with her now and she would be thrilled if Kris wakes up on her "watch."  I would be delighted, too, and thrilled beyond words!!!  Her younger sister, Stephanie, is also planning a return trip to see Kris at the end of June, so we won't rest until Kris is on the mend.  But prayers are the most important thing right now, so please continue to remember Kris as often as possible when you speak with God.  I'm sure He knows who she is... 'cause EVERYONE is praying!  And we are so sincerely grateful!!!

Blessings to you all, and much love,

Carol and George   

If any of you are in the area in PA where Carol and George will be this weekend,  please go see them and tell them “Hello” for us.  You will be glad you went…. you will be blessed.