Wednesday, February 7
Dustin is currently in the ICU at Harris Hospital (Downtown) in Fort Worth and will likely be there for the next several days. He continues to have a fever, as well as an elevated heart rate. The doctors have placed him on oxygen but are beginning to wean him from it. Though the cultures are still out, Dustin possibly has a variety of infections in addition to having pneumonia.
Please know that Dustin’s return to the hospital is answering some prayers.
First, Dustin is receiving physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Second, Leigh Ann is resting easy knowing that doctors are monitoring Dustin around the clock.
Today, after seeing Dustin, a physiatrist requested that a traumatic-brain-injury specialist examine Dustin within the next few days. Leigh Anne asked that we pray specifically for the time this specialist will spend with Dustin. Pray that Dustin shows accurate responsiveness to the specialist’s requests. Pray that the traumatic-brain-injury specialist is patient with Dustin and that he accurately reads Dustin’s responses.
Leigh Anne covets your continued prayers. She and the kids are handling the whirlwind transition to Fort Worth with grace–all are holding up well emotionally and physically.
February 7th, 2007 at 11:43 am
Leigh Anne, I was one of Dustin’s nurses @ North Greenville. It was a sad day for all of us the day we had to say goodbye to you and Dustin. I am truly happy for you guys to be back home, but you are both missed terribly. I’m sorry that Dustin is having difficulty right now, but I pray that it leads him to the support that he needs. In my opinion, all anyone needs to do is to see the way he responds to your voice to know that Dustin is still with us. Good luck to you. my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
February 7th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
Will have our church pray specifically for the specialists exam. Tell the boys “hey” and that I sent them an email through the hospital.
February 7th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Dear Leigh Ann,
My son, Jacob Sterenberg, was in ICU at Harris Methodist for his TBI. We were very happy with the traumatic brain injury specialist and the care that Jacob received. I think Dustin will have some of the best doctors attending him at Harris.
Our family keeps up with the updates and we are praying for Dustin, your children, and for your peace, and endurance.
Kim Sterenberg
February 7th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
I continue to pray for you and your family, that the Lord would restore you and comfort you all.
Diane McKinney (Evelyn’s mom)
February 8th, 2007 at 1:25 am
If this is what it takes to get Dustin into the right facility and get coverage for it, then that’s what I call a “Praise The Lord”!
Hang in there, Leigh Anne! Literally the whole world’s squarely behind you.
Love, Fran
February 8th, 2007 at 2:12 am
Leigh Anne:
I and others here in the Seattle area are still praying for Dustin and your family. We will not give up. It really helps to have the updates! I still have great hope that Dustin will return to himself and all of you and that you will be encouraged daily that you are not outside of our loving heavenly Father’s hands. He knows every minute of every day that He has ordained for Dustin and you and none of this is taking Him by surprise…Praise His beautiful name! Blessings and Love, Sharleen Larson
February 8th, 2007 at 5:35 am
Leigh Anne:
We continue our prayer for you all. Everyday, as we see your former home in Travelers Rest, we pray for its quick sale. Certainly we are encouraged by some of these recent developments and we pray accordingly.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never fails. It is new every mornng.
Great is your faithfulness, O Lord!”
Lamar McCarrell (The “trash” man.)
February 8th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Leigh Anne, I am so sorry to hear about Dustin’s current problems but am so relieved to know that he is in the hospital, receiving excellent care. I pray that this stay answers many prayers that we all have for you and Dustin and that you may rest somewhat easier right now, knowing he is being monitored so closely.
February 8th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Leigh Anne, know we are praying for you guys! Please call if I can help any! We miss you, but are glad you are in the Texas “system” now! Hang in there!
February 8th, 2007 at 11:58 pm
As always, we are praying for Dustin and his eventual recovery. We serve a great God who is holding you all in His merciful hands. The physical therapy, etc. is great news, as it has so helped my brother in law.
February 9th, 2007 at 8:55 am
Leigh Anne, It was great seeing you in January! I am so encouraged by your strength and trust! You are truly a living example of what it means to trust in the Lord with all your heart! I listen to Dustin’s sermon over and over and I love the fact that he points out that during Joseph’s struggle he did not know what was going to happen in chapter 41.. I love you
February 9th, 2007 at 10:28 am
Just letting you know you are never far from our thoughts and prayers. We will continue to pray for strength and peace for you and your family.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:26 am
Leigh Anne, you have our prayers for peace and comfort here in Ft. Worth; for Dustin’s progress to continue and for all of the hands that will be taking care of him at Harris; for your boys as they transition to new schools and new friends.
Much love,
Kendrick and Jennifer Arnett
(Friends of J & Rachael Kuper and Mark & Kat Phillips)
February 9th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Dear Leigh Ann,
Isn’t this whole thing such a tragedy when we are happy that our loved ones get moved back to ICU?
We know all too well the relief you feel that Dustin is in ICU. We fight every day to get Brian back there. It is a peace that is not felt in a regular room or nursing home.
I hope and pray that Dustin will recover from this setback quickly. It is definitely a marathon not a sprint - and I know you are exhausted. But just when it seems to be too tough of a road, God helps us along.
Know that I think of you and pray for you daily. And I am cheering Dustin along from Marietta, GA.
Tell him “Good Luck” from me on the exam with the brain specialist.
May God bless you and your family during this time.
With love,
Jamie Corona
Marietta, GA
February 9th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Leigh Ann,
I praise God for the ways He has recently used evil (sickness and possible infection) for good (improved medical facilities and care). I will be praying for Dustin’s time with the traumatic-brain-injury specialist as well as his healing from this recent illness. Please know that I regularly plead for your family in my prayers, which are most certainly heard by the Father because of Christ.
Peace,
Jonathan Carter
Greenville, SC
February 10th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
Leigh Anne,
I think of you all so often and I am so glad to hear you all are settling into Fort Worth. Dustin, the boys, Meredith, and you are constantly in my prayers - I pray that the Lord continues to heal Dustin’s infections and that the examinations go well. Send my love to everyone.
Love, McLean
February 10th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Hey, Gang!
Just saw a tv ad announcing that on, I think Feb. 20 (?) or 27th, there will be a documentary by Bob Woodruff, the ABC reporter shot in Iraq. That was a TBI to remember.
The fact that he recovered enuf to make this documentary and is scheduled to return to work is the biggest, fattest, encouragement I can think of. If he can, so can Dustin.
Check local tv listings for exact time, but I just saw the teaser and wanted to pass this along.
Love, Fran
February 11th, 2007 at 1:22 am
Hey Leigh Anne, Jacob, Nathan & Meredith,
Praying for you guys every day, as always. Glad to hear that you’re back in Fort Worth.
Love,
Kevin & Kara
February 11th, 2007 at 1:43 am
Dear sweet Leighanne,
I loved the encouraging words from the nurse that wrote. I can just imagine how your family has impacted those who have helped you. My family and church (Mountain Brook Community Church) is praying for you too. Tonight, after reading all the comments ( I read them all:), I am compelled to pray Romans 8 for you, especially the verse that says…..”for often we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Holy Spirit himself intercedes w/ groanings to deep for words. ” Is it better for Dustin to stay somewhat sick so he will get better care or is good health the road to recovery? Thankfully, God does know and has the power to intervene.
I too, have been impacted by the sermon. I copied it to friends along w/ these emails so that others could be impacted and pray for you also. I have teachers stop me at school and ask me how yall are doing.
Last night, Weyman and I took around 20 kids (in 4 cars) to Winter Jam w/ Newsong, Stephen Curtis Chapman, Jeremy Camp, etc…Just yesterday, my mom was sent to an oyncologist for possible bone cancer–sp? She is in a lot of pain. The concert was wonderful, but I couldn’t get my mom off my mind, and as I watched all the young people singing and praising God, I could picture my frail mom in heaven one day, dancing and praising the Lord for eternity, it made me smile. (I think I told you she became a Christian at 79.- a whole other story)
My prayer tonight is that you wil fix your eyes on Jesus ,the author and perfecter, consider him, and not grow weary and lose heart, because He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Jesus! And Lord knows you are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses!:) You are loved and prayed for all over the world.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
February 12th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
Leigh Anne,
Hey girl, please know we are still praying for you guys. Specifically, I wanted you to know that a friend of my parents’ from Arlington is really wanting to get in touch with you. Her husband suffered a very similar head injury a few years ago and he was there in Ft. Worth. They are such godly people and she would so love to encourage you as a sister who has been where you are. If you are interested in letting her get in touch with you (I am sure you are overwhelmed right now), please let us know,,,,through JT or email,or however. I feel like she would be an asset spiritually, emotionally and just to have someone who might be able to talk you through some of the logistics of insurance, facilities, etc…… By the way, her husband made a very miraculous recovery after being given very grim prospects by the doctors.
We love you both…
Amy and Steve
February 12th, 2007 at 11:19 pm
The tv show on Bob Woodruff’s TBI is scheduled for Feb. 27th, at 10/9 on ABC. Hope everyone seeing this is able to watch.
Love, Fran
March 3rd, 2007 at 12:09 am
Leigh Anne,
I just can’t stop thinking about you tonight. Just want you to know I love you.
“When I survey life’s varied scene
Amid the darkest hours
Sweet rays of comfort shine between
And thorns are mixed with flowers”
This is a line from a hymn that Anne Steele wrote… thought of you when I read it, and of course I had to keep with the hymn theme.
Love You,
Kenz