Post Surgery Update + Benefit Concert

The surgery, though it was done in two parts over two days, was successful, as we reported yesterday. Dr. Peters, Thomas' father, was there during the surgery, and reports that when the surgeons directly visualized the injury, they found considerably more tissue damage than had showed up previously. "I take that discovery as yet more evidence that something—I am thinking a guardian angel—extraordinary must have stopped those bone fragments from doing great damage to the more delicate spinal cord itself." The CT scan showed that everything was in order following the surgery. 

Immediately following the surgery, Thomas was in a lot of pain. It was a rough evening, as they sorted out how best to manage the pain. He was able to visit for a while with his dad and two brothers, who left yesterday morning. 

Thomas slept pretty well through the night, and by morning he had been weaned off all sedation. Unfortunately he woke up in excruciating pain once more. The staff are working hard to finesse the right balance of meds + dose times. (They went through the same thing after his halo was installed — we'll get there!) Once he was more comfortable, they got him right back to his usual morning respiratory treatments, just like before his surgery. He did great.  

Physical therapy spent 45 minutes stretching out his lower body. Meanwhile, Natalie translated for Thomas as he asked the therapists questions about therapy goals while in the hospital and what rehab is like.  After PT they sat him up in his wheelchair—Natalie says: "you should have seen the look on his face when they told him they wanted to do this: 'are you crazy? do you realize I just had surgery?' 'can we discuss this!?'  They really get ya moving in this place!" He sat up for about 2 hours, and he did well, but was very ready to get back to bed.  For the rest of the afternoon and evening he was off of the ventilator for eight hours, resting and chatting. A friend stopped by with the latest stack of get well cards, which Natalie read to Thomas.

BENEFIT CONCERT

Meanwhile, we were busy in Washington DC. The Catholic Information Center hosted a benefit concert for Thomas and Natalie. Featuring the acoustic singer/songwriter, Luke Spehar, the benefit drew a over 100 people to a beautiful rooftop in downtown Washington, DC, and raised over $4,000!

Luke, who is about to issue his third album, talked about how touched he was by the story of Thomas and Natalie—their young marriage and their incredible faith. He sang mostly new work which will be part of a new album release later this fall (we'll let you know). Luke gave an intimate, captivating and rich performance—deeply personal, faithful, and encouraging to Thomas and Natalie, and to all those present.

When my body feels like giving in, 

oh my mind is at a breaking point, 

oh my legs refuse to take another step, 

I know you’ll pull me through, 

for my strength it lies in You

— The Champion (video)

We're very grateful for Luke coming—he drove through the night to get to DC in time for this show. You can purchase his albums by clicking their titles: NO OTHER WAY + BE STILL. (This is an Amazon affiliate link, and a small percentage of your purchase will go to Thomas and Natalie.) He also donated part of the proceeds from album sales at the event to Thomas and Natalie.

Many thanks to Meghan Marie Photography for capturing this great evening! (You can click the photos to see larger images.) Meghan's own brother, Austin, suffered a similar injury last year, and was paralyzed from the shoulders down. He is now walking! So, we are especially grateful for her support and encouragement. (And do say a quick prayer for Austin, while you're at it!)

Join us in prayer!