Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2:30pm
It is now five weeks since the accident. Today, there are two main changes concerning Dustin and his care.
1) On Monday, the doctor who removed part of Dustin’s skull 5 weeks ago to give the brain room to swell replaced that portion of the skull. This means Dustin had to go in for surgery and has had some changes in his condition most likely related to that. For example, he has not opened his eyes again since Monday, though he does move his arms a little as he had before the surgery. He is running a little bit of a fever. He is a little bit swollen around the face and head — though nothing like what he was just after the accident and following the initial surgery. Again, these are not necessarily serious issues, but are hopefully just related to the surgery.
2) Dustin has been moved to a new facility. He is no longer at the Greenville Memorial Hospital in downtown Greenville, but is now in the North Greenville Hospital (room 307) just outside of Travelers Rest. He is able to be here indefinitely and there are many benefits to it. The main of which is drastically reduced drive time, from 25-30 minutes one way for Leigh Anne, to now she is only 2 miles from her husband. The kids will be able to visit with their daddy more frequently as well. The North Greenville Hospital is less than one mile North of Sunrift Adventures and the new Travelers Rest High School on 276, on the left. Click here for a map.
North Greenville Medical Campus
807 North Main St
Travelers Rest, SC 29690
864.834.5132
You are welcome to still send E-cards through the Greenville Hospital System’s website (www.ghs.org/egreeting.asp). Be sure to write in “Dustin Salter” and to select North Greenville Hospital and those will be delivered directly to Leigh Anne.
Pray that Dustin would recover from this most recent surgery. It can be discouraging to have seen his eyes for over a week and now for him to be keeping them closed. We’re trusting that he is simply needing to rest up from the surgery and will soon continue to do the things he had been doing before the surgery, and hopefully show signs of improvement generally, like consistently responding to commands.
Pressing on in prayer.
December 13th, 2006 at 3:46 pm
Hey Leigh Anne and kids,
Please know that we Rutherfords are praying for you daily. Leigh Anne, I feel like we were just getting to know each other better when you announced you were moving to Greenville. I was so disappointed! John and I are daily burdened for your long struggle and pray that Christ would sustain you and the kids during this time. Please tell Jacob and Nathan that “Mr. Rutherford” says hello and Meredith that Titus misses his friend! It has been quite encouraging to me to see the body of Christ pray for your miracle and to see the impact that Dustin has had on so many lives. You must be very proud! We will continue to pray and believe that our Father will restore Dustin to full health!
Love
John, Jennifer, Titus and Abraham Rutherford
December 13th, 2006 at 6:11 pm
Leigh Anne,I just want you to know that people all over the country are praying for you and Dustin and the kids. I’m a pastor in Albuquerque and I have been praying for you and we have prayed for you at church. May God sustain you through this very difficult time. God bless you all.
Mike McLaughlin
December 13th, 2006 at 7:47 pm
Beautiful Leigh Anne,
You’re in my thoughts. I put your family photo on my computer desktop at work–I see you many times over during the day and pray for you.
Much love,
Jacquelyn
December 13th, 2006 at 9:29 pm
Dear Leigh Anne-
We continue to pray for Dustin. We continue to pray that our Good Shepherd will carry you and your children close to His heart. Is. 40:11.
Love, Mark and Tara, Talmage, Baines and Zebulun Bakker
December 13th, 2006 at 10:37 pm
Leigh Anne -
I love and miss you and your family! My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you, Dustin, Jacob, Nathan, Meredith, your families, and the community with you in South Carolina.
I was looking at a napkin the other day and remembered how many times Dustin had doodled God’s truths on a napkin to answer whatever question of the season I was grappling with. It made me smile - I prefer napkins to theology books! I’m with you in prayer and hope.
Grace and Peace in Christ,
Ryan
December 13th, 2006 at 11:55 pm
Hi Leigh Anne:
You, Dustin and the kids are on our minds constantly. We pray for you throughout the day - and so do David and Stephen before they fall asleep. They miss their friends! We love you guys so much and wish somehow, some way that we could shoulder some of this burden for you.
The elders from Fort Worth Pres were blessed to serve communion at the worship service for the national RUF training session last night. To say that Dustin was on our minds would be a huge understatement. What a tremendous ministry RUF is! Dustin and RUF are inextricably linked in my mind and always will be.
Be encouraged Leigh Anne! We serve a God who loves us deeply and has never, never, NEVER failed his people! Not even once! Praise God that you and Dustin are counted among his people. We have a High Priest whose priesthood is built on the power of an indestructible life - and it is He who constantly intercedes for you. His mighty hand is at work amongst us…
May the LORD bless you and keep you.
Ken
December 14th, 2006 at 3:19 am
Hi, Leigh Ann!
What an blessing that you could find a local facility that will take Dustin. One of my concerns was that you’d have to leave your wonderful church family for…where? That’s one less life change you’ll have to deal with.
In this season, that has to be the best possible Christmas gift you could have–at least this side of Dustin’s coming out of his coma!
When I visited the Kleins in Taylors last spring, Judy introduced me to some of the folks at Redeemer. If they’re any sample, you’re in the best possible earthly hands–and that’s everything. However things turn out with Dustin, a lifetime will be too short for the thanks and gratitude for all that Redeemer is giving. (And those in other places, too.)
As I’ve said before, I pray to return to Taylors. I’ll certainly want to meet you, your kids–and hopefully Dustin. And to witness the tsunami of love and support that’s surrounded you.
My love, not only to you and the kids, but for all those walking beside you. I know they’ll be there *every* step of the way! Isa. 40:31
Love, Fran
December 14th, 2006 at 4:44 am
Hi Leigh Anne,
You don’t know me, but I am Eric Levenhagen’s younger brother. Dustin had such a huge impact on Eric’s life and I will forever be grateful to the man who helped my brother grow so much in his faith. I just wanted you to know that Dustin is constantly in my thoughts and prayers. God bless!
Nick Levenhagen
December 14th, 2006 at 2:31 pm
continuing to pray here in memphis…
December 14th, 2006 at 2:36 pm
Leigh Anne,
We just had a Christmas party with a bunch of our friends at your old house (currently the Kuper’s house). You can imagine all of the memories that we were able to recall. Your family has touched so many of our lives in ways that you could never comprehend. All of the emials and letters that you receive only scratch the surface of the impact that you guys have had.
Every single person at the party (a picture is on the way) was changed in one way or another by Dustin. The blessings we have received from your family will be passed on to our children and our grandchildren. Only time will tell the true magnitude of your family’s ministry.
Tim Bates
December 14th, 2006 at 2:37 pm
Would it be possible to post a picture of Dustin and the family? There are some folks at St. Paul’s who knew Dustin while a student at RTS, while most know him/them only vaguely. We are praying and keeping Dustin before the congregation but thought a picture might help jog people’s memories.
Tom
December 14th, 2006 at 3:38 pm
Hi Leigh Anne and family,
I just wanted to check in and let you know that Dustin, you, and the kids are constantly in our thoughts and prayers. We are continuing to remember you all in our special prayers at church, too. Everyone around is so genuinely concerned about Dustin and his progress. Just know that you all are being held up in prayer by thousands and thousands of people, and that God hears each and every one and will answer them in his own time. We love you all dearly. If you need anything, please do no hesitate to give us a call.
Lisa and Lauren Taylor
Jeremiah 29:11
Gilbertown, AL
December 14th, 2006 at 5:00 pm
Hello Leigh Anne,
It has been some time now since we all got together immediately after the accident, but my caring for Dustin, you, and your family continues to grow. I am grateful that God has brought you to mind so frequently and that we have a good God to whom we can turn for strength. To say that I am in continual prayer for your family would not be an understatement.
I am praying for Dustin’s healing and that God would give you strength, patience, endurance, and peace. I also pray specifically for Jacob, Nathan, and little Meredith. God is God; by definition he is merciful and kind. May He give you the desires of your heart.
I love you all.
Your Yankee friend from MN,
Eric Levenhagen
December 14th, 2006 at 7:37 pm
Add our names to the list of those who have been thinking and praying for you and Dustin! We love you guys and miss you too!
Steve & Cheryl White and kids
December 14th, 2006 at 10:51 pm
I was thinking about you all evening and wishing I could see Jacob and Nathan in their school play! Good night, my dear friend. I love you! Holly
December 15th, 2006 at 3:38 pm
Hi Leigh Anne, I have been praying for you daily since Dustin’s accident five weeks ago! I am a friend of Beth Marchette who daughter, Rachel, suffered a TBI several years ago. I watched in amazement as our wonderful God healed Rachel and moved in the lives of those around her. She is now a happy, thriving, young person at Clemson University. My own father also suffered a TBI due to surgery to remove an Aneurysm. I know that the past 5 weeks have been a roller coaster of emotion, pain, tiredness, joy and fear. 1 John 4:16 states, “We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” God truly loves Dustin and I continue to place him in the hands of the Father for there he is truly whole! May the Prince of Peace reign in your heart and the hearts of your family.
Lynn
December 15th, 2006 at 7:17 pm
Dear Salter family:
We are praying with confidence for your family. Nothing in all of creation can keep the love of God in Christ away from you. May the Church surround you with love and comfort and may Dustin’s recovery come quickly!
Peace
Batts family
December 15th, 2006 at 9:40 pm
Hey Leigh Anne, Jacob, Nathan and Meredith:
Kara and I are praying for you guys every day and for our good friend, Dustin.
love,
Kevin & Kara
December 15th, 2006 at 9:51 pm
Hi Sweet friend:
Ken and I were sitting here talking about all of you a few minutes ago…I glanced at my desktop and your “light was green.” I told Ken, quick, let me just say hi…and then….my computer went wacko. I had to restart the whole thing and by the time it re-booted, you were off. (Sounds like something that could be made into a movie:) )
We sure think of you guys constantly. Stephen had one of those “stomach virus” type days yesterday, logging in 8 “episodes” in all! I thought about the fact, he couldn’t have even gone to the school play if we were there!!! We’re looking forward to hearing about it when you get a chance.
Please know that you are VERY LOVED!!!
Pleasant dreams my friend,
Love,
Karen
December 16th, 2006 at 8:46 pm
….continuing to pray in Americus. We have now goten most of the PCA churches in our Presbytery (if not all) storming the gates of Heaven and lifting up your family… Hug those kids from their “Americus E-mail Buddy”.
December 17th, 2006 at 11:59 pm
Leigh Anne,
I am an RUF student at the University of Virginia, and my brother is an RUF student at Harvard. Both of our campus ministers have asked us to pray, and I just wanted to let you know that we have been, are, and will be hoping and praying for and with your family, along with many many RUF students around the country.
Grace and peace, Sarah
December 18th, 2006 at 4:35 am
Leigh Anne,
Lifting you up and praying for your STILL! WE WILL NOT CEASE PRAYING! DAY AND NIGHT!
In Christ’s Grace and Love,
The Earl Family
December 18th, 2006 at 4:36 am
Leigh Anne,
Still praying. We will not CEASE! DAY AND NIGHT!
The Earl Family
December 18th, 2006 at 10:59 am
Thank you so much for the picture of the Salter family.
For those of us that do not personally know you all, it is nice to see what a beautiful family you are.
Leigh Ann,
Today I pray that you will feel a sense of peace, knowing that people all over the country are keeping you close to their hearts.
Love,
Jamie Corona
Marietta, GA
December 18th, 2006 at 12:31 pm
Leigh Anne,
I just wanted to let you know that you and your family have been in my thoughts and prayers consistantly since the accident. You and Dustin were such a wonderful part of my TCU experience. I pray that the Lord would give you a deep comfort that cannot be taken away from you. Love you Leigh Anne!
Love,
Nora Whiteis