Things are continuing to improve.  Looking at trying to move him out of ICU maybe as early as tomorrow.  And beginning discussions on possibly transferring him back to Cox early next week.  YAY!

I just wanted to take a moment and let each of you know how grateful we are for your prayers.  We believe prayer changes things and everyone's prayers have been essential to Dan's recovery.  We have heard from so many people, some whom we've never even met who share that they're praying for Dan.  I don't even know how to put into words to explain how God has sustained each of us during this time.  God has given Dan a peace and a strength for every moment that passes all understanding.  To watch him endure what he has and see God miraculously give him what he needs to make it through it has been incredible.  Our kids and I have experienced God carrying us through these last 2 weeks when there were (and still are) times we didn't think we could stand any more.  He has been so faithful and He is answering the prayers of His people who are interceeding for Dan and our family.  Things happen sometimes that we don't understand, but we have to believe that God is true to His Word and will bring good out of this somehow.  Our family, friends, and even strangers who heard about Dan, have been ministering to us in such incredible ways and we pray that you receive blessings 7 fold in return for what you've done for us.  We pray that if you're reading this and don't have a relationship with Jesus Christ that this situation would be a testimony of an amazing and wonderful God we serve.  Isaiah 41:10 says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  God Bless ~    

Today has been very productive.  They took the chest tube out today.  That has caused quite a bit of discomfort b/c of how the tube was in his back so everytime they had to roll or move him it put pressure on that spot.  The Dr said, now this is the proper way to pull out the chest tube not what you did the other night!  They also were able to take him off the ventilator today and his breathing has been good.  Not near as rapid as it had been.  He's been awake and very alert and  is back to himself today.  This morning they were slowing bringing him out of the sedation so they could do a test to see if he could have the vent out.  The Resp Therapist said, "Now when the Dr comes in you need to show off for her so she will see that you're ready to go off the vent."  The Dr walked in and said hello and there he laid, eyes closed and all, and he started swinging his wrist and snapping his fingers like you would to music.  The therapist said, "He's showing off for you!"  LOL  We all cracked up!  His spirits have been good today which has been so good to see after what went on the last 2 days.  They got him up to the chair and then pivoted back to the bed and he did real well.  The infection is still there and Dr said he's not out of the woods with it, but things are definitely going the right direction.  After a discouraging setback, he's bouncing back!  It's been a good day !  

Talked with the Drs this morning and we're headed in the right direction.  The plan they worked on through the night is working and his numbers are coming down.  Whew!  It's taken an army to get this guy lined out!  I'm not kidding!  (I probably shouldn't be surprised.)  The ole' fart pulled his chest tube (the 2nd one) out in the night after about 2 hrs after the surgeon put it in, but they think it worked enough to be ok.  Because of all that, he'll be "sleeping" the day today so they can keep this stuff working and get over this hump. :)  It's all gonna be good, though.  It just set him back a couple of days.  I'm standing on the promise that NO weapon that forms against Dan is going to prosper; and all that rises up against him will have to bow at the name of JESUS!

We've backed up a little.  Dan has developed an infection in his colon and it's causing problems.  One thing leads to another and before you know it, things can be out of control.  They ran a series of ultrasounds and CT scans to determine the problem and now feel they know how to tackle it.  They had to take him back now and put him on the vent again because his breathing is so labored.  While in there they are working to drain his right lung again because it has more fluid in it.  He has really been through it yesterday and today.  I almost didn't post anything tonight, because I don't want it to be negative.  Dan just really needs us to continue to pray and not let up.  He's in a fight for his life and we can stand in the gap for him.  We need for these things to get lined out so he can keep moving forward.  I know that God is still in the miracle business and nothing is too difficult for Him!   

Things aren't going very well this morning.  He's having some complications and so they are doing some more blood work, an ultrasound and a CT scan on his chest and stomach to see if there is some internal damage that is just now showing up.  He's very disoriented today and it's different than how it's been with the medication.  I can tell it's something else going on.  My phone broke so if I don't respond to a call or text that's why.    I'm trying to figure out how to get this little one to work w/o all my info in it!  I'll keep you posted ~

Sigh ... He's back in ICU.  He began having some complications last night and this morning so the Drs decided it was necessary to move him back to ICU.  I'm not gonna lie, it was a little disheartening, but, they are able monitor him more closely there.  They spent the day working on getting things lined out.  They remind us regularly that he's still at risk for things and we can have setbacks.  Just have to stay focused and keep pushing forward.  Our goal is to get him stronger and be able to finish his treatment and rehab back in Springfield closer to home.  I made a fast trip home today to spend some time with the kids and get some things situated.  Gosh, I miss them terribly.  They've never been away from us for half this length of time so it's hard for all of us.  There's no way around it.  It really stinks.  Logan said , "I just need to keep hugging you!"  I have to know, though, that we will be stronger and it will bring us closer than we already are.  Scripture says we will be hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  This is by far the toughest thing we've walked through, but we know God is faithful and true to His Word ... so we stand.  I can't even begin to thank all the people who have helped us and prayed for us.  We're hearing from people from all over the place.  I pray you receive blessings beyond measure, shaken together, pressed down, and overflowing!

Hello!  Not too much to report today.  He's doing good.  He was up again today and was able to stand with the walker and pivot to a special chair.  He didn't think he would be able to last very long, but he did.  He was completely worn out afterwards and has been asleep ever since.  We are beginning to notice some problems with his foot so please pray for that.  It wants to just fall down and he's not able to flex it or his toes forward at all.  They are on it, though, and looking to see what's going on, if there's some nerve damage or something that's causing that.  Just taking things one day at a time and looking for small victories everywhere we can!  Thank you for praying!!!

WE ARE OUT OF ICU!  Started off the day today thinking it would probably be another day or so before they moved him out of ICU, but late this afternoon he was doing good and was able to move to the floor.  We have had to correct what the nurses are doing this shift a few times so we've got to stay on top of our game!  Ah!  Besides that, it's good to know that he's improving and getting stronger.  He still is at high risk for a few things and they are being very up front about that, but his progress is good and he's getting stronger each day.  The other big thing today was that the PTs worked with him to get him to sit on the side of the bed and then he stood with a walker for about 30 sec.  It was really good!  He can't have any weight on his left leg (it will be that way for a min of 3 months) so it's a challenge to hold his weight up with his upper body because he's so weak.  Yesterday was the first day he was able to use his arms for anything because they've been so sore and stiff from the impact.  He did it though and each day he'll get stronger.  God Bless ~

Today has been a good day!  He has been in good spirits today and we even had a moment when the nurse was in the room that got the 3 of us tickled. lol  It's been a week since we've been able to laugh at anything and it felt good.  They came in to begin to get him up and he was able to sit on the side of the bed for a minute.  That was all he was able to do today, but it was still encouraging.  We'll try again tomorrow, and I know Dan, and he will push it beyond that.  He has good circulation in his foot which is so encouraging when you consider the damage that's been done to his leg.  We are very excited about it showing good blood supply and circulation moving through all of it.  His chest is causing the most discomfort off all, even above the leg.  Originally, we were told broken ribs on just the left side, but found out yesterday that they are all broken on right as well, it's just the left was so much worse that it required the plates being put in.  So as you can imagine, every breath hurts.  He is doing good, though, and I'm so proud of how he's handling it all.  He's cracked a joke with the nurse a time or two and that's the Dan we know!  Hoping to move out of ICU in the next couple days as long as we keep seeing improvment.  Thank you to all who care about how he's doing.  I continue to share it with him when he wakes and it's encouraging to him.  I'll keep you posted ~

Praise Reports!  Kaden, our 7 yr old,  has had a lot of fear about the accident and struggles to be away from Dan and I.  Yesterday morning he wasn't able to go to school because he was so upset.  A dear friend let him spend the day with her and then our precious pastor spent time with him talking through things and helping him cope.  I just called on people to pray and I was praying w/o ceasing for this.  Got a call this morning and talked w/ his teacher and he's doing much, much better.  There's a big difference.  Also, got a call yesterday that Landon was hurt and needed to go the chiropractor.  Went to prayer again.  Not only do we have an amazing Principal, but an awesome Dr who both saw to it that he was taken care of and is doing much better.  It's hard being so far away from them and I'm so grateful for those who are stepping in for me while I can't be there.

Last night was a sleepless night for Dan.  Unfortunately, he remembers every detail of the accident and was having dreams about it.  They let me come in for a couple hrs to be with him so I just began to sing and pray over him.  God's presence began to fill this dark room as we began to praise Him.  Everytime I turn around and think it seems more overwhelming that what we can endure, there He is reminding me we are not alone.  He is walking and carrying us through this and I know our family will be able to testify of God's mercy and grace and healing.

Dan had his 3rd surgery today, and this one was to repair his thigh and to remove quite a bit of fluid that was in his lungs.  The Drs are very pleased with the success of the surgeries thus far and are optimistic.  He remains in ICU.  As insurmountable as all of this has seemed, we count our blessings because there are 2 patients here that were also in vehicle accidents and they are suffering brain damage along with other trauma.  We are trusting in God and relying on Him to meet each need.  Our hearts are heavy tonight when we learned the news of an Aurora family suffering a great loss today.  We are praying for them as well and our community tonight.    

They told us Dan would have good days and not so good days.  Today has been a not so good day.  Today he was in quite a bit of pain.  They adjusted his meds and it helped make him more comfortable though.  He's been amazing through it all and has handled it all quite well.  We are so thankful for all that God is doing and we're trusting that He's going to work all this out for good.  He is scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning at 7:00.  We thank you so much for your prayers.

Kerrie Roberts- No Matter What **With Lyrics**

Today was a good day.  They were able to take Dan off the ventilator and remove the neck brace.  This was a big step because it allows him to communicate with us about what he needs.  There has been so much progress in the last 24 hrs and I know it's because of prayer!

In this you greatly rejoice, though for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.   1 Peter 1:5-7

Saturday Morning

Just a quick update... Dan is doing very well. Surgery yesterday went very well. They were able to do the 1st of 2 surgeries to repair his knee and lower leg, redo the pins and rods in his femur, and put the plates in his chest to repair several broken ribs. 

The surgery to repair his femur will take place early next week. He remains in ICU and remains completely sedated to keep him comfortable. They were very pleased to be able to accomplish as much as they did yesterday and now we'll just take it little bit at a time with the surgeries to follow.

Words cannot express how grateful we are for your constant prayers, your generosity, and all the help so many people have shown. Please continue to pray against any infection, etc and just continued healing. He's got a really long road ahead of him, but God is doing incredibly more than we could even ask of Him. Thank You!