Posted on 12/22/2004 9:12:51 PM PST by rapture-me
(Wednesday 12/22/2004)
Tonight I received the following email from a very dear friend & and am asking for your help.
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To everyone who has been wondering about my brother, Roger and to the ones I want to let know who can pray for him.
I am writing to all my friends and family members that have been asking about and praying for my brother who was seriously injured in the attack at Mosul, Iraq to give you an update of the situation.
I now have the information of what my brothers condition is. He's critical but stable which is better than critical.
My brothers daughter is a nurse and was able to get through and talk to the doctor that is taking care of my brother who is now in Germany recovering from a second surgery.
When I first heard the news yesterday, 12-21-2004 I was told my brother was in serious condition and had a stomach wound. Which was true. Only we didn't have any idea of what was wrong.
Noon today: I spoke with my mom and she said that my brother was very critical and that they had done surgery on him in Iraq and now he was on his way to Germany. That is all she new. Also that they possibly suspected that this might have been a suicide bombing where someone may have walked in with a bomb on. They were not for sure because there was a body that was not American or British and he was unidentified. So they were investigating it more to see if this might have been a person who had a bomb on.
Around 2pm today: I got another call which gave the details of my brothers condition. His intestines were full of shrapnel and they were going in (in Germany) to do a second surgery to resection his intestines and try to save as much as they could and repair any that could be repaired. They were also doing surgery on his colon. I'm not sure what was being done there. He also has an injury to the back side of his right leg. I talked with a doctor friend of mine and he said that what they probably did in Iraq was open him up and get the bleeding stopped and sewed up the inside wall. (they left him open they said after the first surgery) Then when he arrived in Germany they took him back into surgery to do the resectioning and repairs of the intestines and I guess the colon maybe. He is on a ventilator at this time due to the fact that they are keeping him heavily sedated right now. My doctor friend and others said this is not uncommon. They want to keep the pain down and keep them still for awhile but still keep him breathing strong. He should come off that eventually.
3pm: I received word that Roger was out of surgery and he was still critical but stable. His blood pressure was up and they were working on that too. They were able to piece the intestines back together and they think it will be okay. I don't know about the shrapnel if they removed all of it or what, they didn't say. He does not have a colostomy bag I understand.
The main thing right now is to pray that he won't get any infection from all this. That's what you really have to watch for in this kind of wound. Also bleeding. Please continue to pray and that they'll get his blood pressure under control.
Praise the Lord his upper body was okay they said. No head injury. We still have a ways to go, but God has been with us through all of it and we are still hanging on to peace that God still hasn't something for my brother to do here. I'm thankful he allowed him to stay a little while longer.
I want to thank everyone for all your precious prayers that you've prayed for Roger. I ask that you would please pray not only for him though, but for all the people whose lives are on the line in Iraq and especially for those who lost a loved one. This is going to be a hard Christmas for many people. A lot have already lost loved ones earlier in the war. Just remember them all. God bless all them and I pray the peace of God keeps them through all of this.
I appreciate all of you and thank you for all your kindness and care and concern. It means a lot to me.
Carol in Texas
Carolyn
Prayers for him and for you all, too. Please keep us posted.
Prayers...
My sister and I will be praying for Roger and the family members also. And yes, lets remember to really hunker down and pray even more for our troops safety and for the families who have lost dear loved ones. God Bless you and much love.
Prayers being sent to all our brave troops.
Prayers on the way that he be healed quickly and completely. Also prayers for the others in Iraq and their families.
Prayers that Roger has a painless and quick recovery.
Prayers for a speedy, infection-free recovery.
Heavenly Father, I humbly pray that you will hear our prayers for the healing, in body and mind, of Roger and all of our injured, and for the families of those who wait and worry and those who are bearing terrible loss in this, the season of your Son's birth. Have mercy on them, oh Lord.
Sending prayers right now. Dear Lord, please watch over and protect Roger.
Prayers offered for this soldier.
I pray for Roger that God lay His hands upon him, and also to all that are wounded. I pray that all our soldiers are brought home safely.
Prayers for his recovery.
Lord, please protect and bless all of our soldiers fighting this war because we love and worship you. May Your hands be wrapped around them, keeping them safe and strong. Amen
Prayers being sent. I pray that he recovers. I feel such sorrow for those families who have just lost loved ones. This is, indeed, going to be a very hard Christmas for them. It breaks my heart to think about it.
I pray that this thing will be over with sooner than is anticipated. This is an evil enemy we are fighting. In fact, we are fighting evil itself. A freeper posted the following prayer once, and I keep it taped to my desk:
WALKING IN GOD'S ARMOR
(A Prayer for our USA Service)
Lord, we bring before You -
though we may not know each name -
The men and women called to serve.
Lord, they seek no reward or fame.
Lord, grant them wisdom to know Your Word,
And to hide in Your Secret Place.
Keep them in the shelter of Your arms;
Help them seek Your Holy Face.
Though the world may come against them,
Let the arrow that flies by day
Be trampled under feet shod with peace
As they walk in Your steadfast Way.
When they see destruction at noonday,
Lord, give them courage to stand
Holding the Shield of Faith You give
To protect our beautiful land.
Terror may come in the nighttime -
Thousands may fall at their side,
But, Lord we pray You'll protect them -
That in your grace they'll abide.
Help them wield the sword of Your Spirit
To fight for the freedom you give
Whether on the shores of our enemies,
Or in the land where we live.
We know You have heard our prayers, Dear Lord,
As our soldiers take the helmet of salvation.
Guide them in Your righteousness
As they stand proudly defending our nation.
Praying for all of them and their families.
Prayers said for you, your brother and family.
Carol, we're praying real hard!
I am praying for Roger.
Prayers for all.
Prayers for your brave brother, Roger and for all the soldiers and their families. My friends mother is currently in the hospital for repair to her intestines and colon so I am familiar with that surgery and its complications and recuperation. It sounds like he is getting the same treatment, (ie, wound left open, ventilator, heavy sedation, etc.) She is coming through it and I am sure your brother is much younger and stronger. It is wonderful that they did not have to install the bag. That is a good indication. But....the bag is a small price to pay too. Sometimes they even put it in temporarily.
Please keep us updated on his progress.
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