Note From Jim and April

I can't begin to tell all of you how much your prayers and support have meant to Jim and me!!! I am happy to announce that Lai's surgery went very well. The doctor said he was able to close Lai's initial incision by 40%. He will be going in again on Saturday. He has been very honest in informing us that he may need to do this another time or two. In the meantime, they will continue to keep her sedated and on the ventilator. Her status is still critical, but she is better. We continue to praise the Almighty for His mercy in sparing Lai's life and are ever believing in her full recovery. We will keep you all posted
..
Blessings to you all!! Jim and April Upton

--
Visit our community site: http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/618611/

Lotsa Helping Hands

Lisa Ector told us about a website where April will be able to keep others informed of Laiel's progress. It also will enable people to volunteer to help with various needs that the family make have in the coming days. From now on, updates will be posted to the following web site.

"Lotsa Helping Hands — a simple, immediate way for friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to assist loved ones in need. It’s an easy-to-use, private group calendar, specifically designed for organizing helpers, where everyone can pitch in with meals delivery, rides, and other tasks necessary for life to run smoothly during times of medical crisis, end-of-life caring, or family caregiver exhaustion. It's also a place to keep these "circles of community" informed with status updates, photo galleries, message boards, and more."


--
Visit our community site: http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/618611/

Financial Gifts to the Uptons

Due to tax laws, we were advised that it is best to use an existing bank account for gifts to the Upton's.
Checks can be sent to:

The Church at Hill Haven
c/o 460 County Road 185
Athens TN 37303

Please note on the check "UPTONS."

Thursday Morning Update

April called this morning with more wonderful news! Laiel's vital signs continue to be good. She is still listed in critical condition, sedated, and on a ventilator. April is encouraged that the swelling in her face and upper body continues to go down. She said Laiel looks more like herself this morning. Her surgery is scheduled for this afternoon. April ask that we pray for God's timing in the ability for the doctor to close Laiel's abdominal area. They are in hopes the doctor can do so this afternoon. She also ask that we pray for another young lady named Shannon (24 year old with a 4 year old son) that is in the same unit as Laiel. She too was involved in an automobile accident. However, she had been in a coma for 7 weeks. They so appreciate your prayers!

Lessons

A young woman that is half my age and confined to a hospital bed has taught me a lot in the past 34 hours of my life. She's reminded me of many truths:

• It doesn't matter how much a helicopter cost
• A hair cut is not so important
• Trust the Holy Spirit's promptings
• Appointments can be broken
• As much as I dislike phones, I'm glad we had cell phones with charged batteries
• Keep gas in my vehicle
• My children are not really "mine"
• The words and strength of a godly mother in a time of crisis are indescribable.

The enemy would have me believe lies about the accident. Battles rage. But Oh! "The LORD is good, a stronghold (strength!) in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in him." Nahum 1:7

Wednesday Afternoon Update

April had good news to report. A CT scan done last night does not show any injury to Laiel's head or spine. Praise God! Her blood pressure is also continuing to rise today which is a good sign (it was dangerously low last night). The doctor has "backed off the breathing machine" some. God is good.... all the time.

Wednesday Morning Update

April was able to spend the night at Laiel's bedside. Laiel's vital signs are stable this morning. April said she had a good night. The physician feels it is best to postpone the additional surgery until tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully, some of the swelling in the abdominal area will be gone. He will check the liver and possible repack it if the laceration is still bleeding as well as do necessary work to her lungs. Plans are to keep Laiel sedated and on the breathing machine until Thursday afternoon.

Laiel Upton

Yesterday afternoon, Laiel was involved in a single car accident sometime around 2:30.She was in route to our house. Laiel was late and April and I could not contact her on her cell phone. When Isaac and I left the house, her van was just about a quarter of a mile from our driveway.

Laiel had to be transported from the scene of the accident since there was no place for a helicopter to land. She was flown to UT Medical Center where she was immediately taken to surgery. When April and Jim arrived at the hospital, Laiel was already in surgery. We were not certain why- because at the scene of the accident she was communicating.

Laiel suffered internal trauma that required the removal of her spleen. Her liver has been lacerated as well as several broken ribs and the probability of punctured lungs. She is in critical, life threatening condition. More surgery is planned for today.

I would ask that you pray for physical endurance for Jim and April. When I phoned April to tell her there had been an accident, her response to me was "She's in the Father's hands." Yes, and He is her Creator! He formed her and knit her together in her mother's womb. Laiel's needs are a small job to the Creator of the Universe.

I will post further updates as we watch God work in these coming days.

http://kimiskorner.blogspot.com/2009/07/date-night.html