Miracles...you call it
Sometimes...not very often...we get to be part of something which defies everything we thought to be true. Sometimes...we get to witness a miracle and take part in the miraculous wonderment of the work of something bigger than ourselves. Right here...right now in this city such an event is unfolding before our eyes. Let me tell you the story of the fight of a lifetime...a story of the human spirit, the power of positive thinking, and the power of prayer.
On October 15th, 2010, a 30yr old man’s life changed course; his life and the lives of hundreds of others would be forever altered. Jeremy went to bed that night with a headache and time for him stood still. Sometime late in the night before the first hint of dawn a part of Jeremy's brain exploded. This sudden rupture spewed blood into his brain causing him to lose his ability to wake up, move, and communicate. His brain went black. The capacity to regulate his own bodily functions short circuited and he lay motionless as life seeped out of his body. By morning his body was lifeless and his breathing was very labored; only a weak flicker of life’s light remained.
EMS was summoned and responded with swift arrival and transport to the nearest hospital. Sirens blared and lights flashed as they came to an abrupt stop in the ambulance bay of St Luke’s Hospital. The ambulance doors flew open and the paramedics quickly crashed Jeremy’s gurney through the doors of the ER in to the trauma room for immediate attention. The ER doctors and nurses worked feverishly to establish life supporting connections. A tube was placed in his trachea allowing a machine to breathe for him. A catheter was placed into his brain to drain the blood and relieve some of the pressure. A central line was placed in his upper chest so fluids and medications could be given. And a catheter was placed in an artery in his wrist so his blood pressure could be closely monitored. Jeremy laid motionless; not responding to any of it. By all clinical signs, Jeremy's prognosis was very grim and the doctors held little, if any, hope for him. The next 72 hours would be telling. Time ticked by...every agonizing minute Jeremy slipped further and further away. The pressure in his head continued to be way too high which could lead to brain death. He had several different IV fluids being pumped into his body to try and help rekindle his life flame, but he continued to fade away. Soon the medications were no longer effective and the doctors called a meeting with the family. The 72 hour window had come and things were grave; some decisions needed to be made. The agony of his family and friends was palpable...a vortex of wrenching grief gripped everyone. Tears streamed down the faces of each person who tried to choke out the words to update others. Family came in from all over the country and friends from years of camaraderie flooded the waiting area; every one supporting each other. Word got out to others across the country. People sought out their friends, family, and congregations...people that didn't even know Jeremy began praying for him. Then those who heard his story brought in others from different cities and towns, even different countries to start praying for Jeremy.
Six agonizing days after Jeremy went to sleep that fateful night, things continued to get worse. The reports were in; he had been neurologically devastated. He would have no ability to function on any level, other than reflexive. Simply stated Jeremy would have no quality of life; he would be in a persistent vegetative state. Knowing his wish not to live without any quality of life and honoring the spirit of giving he lived out of, his desire was to be an organ donor. The family gathered at his bedside and holding hands they gave Jeremy permission to go if that's what he needed to do. They said their tearful, heart shattering goodbyes separately and as a family. Preparations were made to take him off the vent and allow his organs to give life to others who may need them. Continuing his essence of giving, this would be the ultimate gift.
While the day grew closer for his liberation, the family was brokenheartedly putting his memorial service together. Family and friends gathered to walk with Jeremy and stand with him as he transitioned from this earth. He was wheeled down to a surgical suite directly across from the OR theater where another team of doctors would harvest his organs. The procession moved somberly with him; tears flowed freely and the air in the room hung heavily on the shoulders of all. As the breathing tube was removed his family and friends were gathered around him while the gowned surgical team waited just outside the door. The room was deafeningly silent...a vacuum. Breathing for his family and friends felt difficult...but not for Jeremy...he kicked right in by himself with a loud snore. His mother tenderly cradled his chin to help support his airway while he breathed on his own. Minutes seemed like hours as the 90 minute window when organs can be recovered began its count down.
Mixed feelings of anxiety and hope swirled around in a blended matrix entangling everyone in the room as the time window closed and Jeremy’s heart continued to beat strong. A strange feeling of uncertainty and confusion about what to feel or do next played on the faces in the room as they prepared him for transfer to a regular hospital room. The anticipatory drama of intense grief and sadness awaiting the immediate loss of a loved one suddenly changed directions. There was almost a physical jolt as everyone suddenly slammed gears, down shifting as if an 18 wheeler barreling down a steep grade.
Silently the crowd filed out of the room and dispersed as Jeremy was moved out of the OR suite with his mother, father, and sister in procession. He was settled into what was called the palliative care floor; a place to keep him comfortable until he passed. His family was once again thrust back into the abyss of the unknown…the vast never ending waiting. While here Jeremy would only receive medications to help ensure he had no pain or anxiety…basically, to keep him comfortable.
Over the next four days his mother and sister stayed by his side; bathed him daily, washed his hair, and kept him as comfortable as possible. There were moments of great tenderness as they stroked his hair and reminisced; telling stories as the room filled and emptied with friends and family around the clock. His mother would curl up at his side holding his hand through the night to be with him letting him know he wasn't alone and not to be scared in case he might slip away during the night. During this time he was not receiving food or fluids; he was not awake and was not responsive to anything. On the second day, Jeremy’s respiratory rate slowed way down. He was breathing only 5 to 6 times a minute although the oxygen level in his blood remained within acceptable limits. Jeremy was an enigma to his doctors and nurses. They continued to give him outstanding care and compassion, but were sure his time was now very short. Being only days before his 31st birthday, the thought was he might be waiting for his birthday to leave his earthly home. His family and friends continued to congregate by his side, determined to be with him when he decided to let go.
The night before his birthday was very difficult for his mother. Along with his sister, she sat with him late into the night finally laying her head at his side and falling asleep holding his hand. About two hours later, she woke up to see her son with his eyes open appearing to be looking out the window. She crawled up beside him and whispered quietly in his ear for the next hour or so. Jeremy’s mom reminisced with him about that day 31 years ago when they were together bringing him into the world. And she would now be with him if he decided to leave. Dawn broke. Jeremy’s mother and sister bathed, shaved, and shampooed him for his birthday while playing the music of his childhood in the background. Shampoo whipped through his hair to the rhythm of "Beat It" and “lotioned” his body down to the likes of "Thriller”.
Fairly soon after his pampering “spa day”, the doctor came into the room. It had now been four days without any food or fluids, but remarkably Jeremy's breathing had improved. When the doctor came in and stood at the foot of the bed to review Jeremy’s progress we all were surprised and amazed by the improvement in his breathing. The doctor suggested that given Jeremy’s miraculous survival, his apparent determination, and will to fight through this devastating condition, then it was reasonable to support him with nutrition and hydration to see if it might improve his recovery. Just to double check, Jeremy’s mom leaned down to him and states, “Jeremy, if you want to fight, if you want us to feed you, please let us know. Give us a “thumbs up". There was a slight stir of his hand, a quiver of his fingers…could it be…we all stared in total disbelief. Jeremy slowly, weakly lifted his thumb. Suddenly all the air in the room rushed out as his mother, sister, and doctor gasped in complete shock. Recomposing himself, the doctor quickly stated that could just be a reflex. So, we asked him again…and again…each time he rendered a “thumbs up”. Suddenly the room exploded with excitement and the decision to fight for his life had been declared. The fight was on and the feelings of elation and apprehension ruptured within all of us. But now…Jeremy had made the call.
Jeremy was moved to a skilled floor (a floor where patients get fluids, tests, and medications). Labs were drawn and miraculously his blood work came back perfect. Feedings and fluids were started and the fight of his life was on. With each passing day Jeremy showed improvement, slowly he started his journey back. He would open his eyes, first had a distant look but in a few days there were flickers of Jeremy when you looked in his eyes. Yes, he is still in there. As days passes by, more of Jeremy’s personality would show itself in flashes of familiarity. Dr Rendell, his Neurosurgeon, became one of Jeremy's many fans, and joined the fight to support his struggle. Dr. Rendell and his team began planning the steps needed to treat his AVM (arteriovenous malformation: a tangled abnormal formation of vessels), the source of his bleed. Again his friends and family rallied to help him recover; at first his recognition of things was distant. After a few days he became more awake and interactive…still a long, long way to go…but progress. Thoughts and well wishes continued to pour in from all over the world.
At the two week mark, it was apparent he would need to have some very specialized care to obtain the optimal recovery toward which he was starting to show potential. The decision was made to transfer him to a hospital more equipped to handle his care and treatment. He was transferred to KU Medical Center where Dr. Rendell and his team would care for him. Within days of being there his progress continued to grow. He still was not really verbal, although he spoke a few sporadic words and began following some commands. This was exciting news because it indicated he had the ability to have cognitive thought. He continued to astound everyone and began showing signs of his personality and sense of humor.
At week four after his bleed, the repair phase is now underway; it is a staged process. There will be three different types of brain surgeries he will need to survive: an embolization (injection of glue substance to close down specific vessels) of as many vessels of the AVM as they can get to in two separate procedures followed by the actual removal of the AVM through a craniotomy (removing the AVM through a circular opening surgically created in the skull). Jeremy needs to endure these procedures, and then begin his rehabilitation. So his road is still very long and the fight is far from over...he has literally come from death’s door and with the help of all those praying and wishing him well, his journey will be supported by all that strength.
As you offer prayers of Thanksgiving this week, I ask that you consider adding Jeremy’s miraculous fight and his opportunity to reestablish his life to your gratitude list. I believe in the strength of numbers and the power of positive thought; therefore, my hope is that any of you who wish to support Jeremy’s recovery will join in and keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Tell your family, friends, and neighbors Jeremy’s story and ask them to also pray for him. Send Jeremy your thoughts and wishes to the KU Medical Center, Neuro ICU.
Yes, Kansas City...there really are Miracles.........you just have to believe.
