I just got a phone call that my mom and dad were in a motorcycle accident near Galax, VA when a deer ran out in front of their motorcycle. My mom is ok, but she has a broken arm. My dad has ruptured his spleen and is bleeding internally. That’s everything I know right now, but we need prayers. Please take a moment to pray for my family right now. Thanks.
UPDATE:
My dad was life-flighted to Winston Salem, NC and is now in surgery. It looks like he’s broken 3-4 ribs and ruptured his spleen, but he’s stable. The doctor did say that he was awake and didn’t appear to have any head trauma, but he couldn’t say for sure. My mom is still back in Virginia at the hospital, but they said that she will be joining my dad in NC soon. That’s all I know for now, I will post another update when the surgeon calls back. Keep praying.
UPDATE 2:
He’s out of surgery and the surgeon said that he’s stable. His spleen was removed and all of the internal bleeding has stopped. He has 3 broken ribs and a broken collar bone. The surgeon mentioned that at one point my dad was talking, so it seems like there is no serious head trauma to be concerned about. My mom is now at the Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital in the ER area waiting to get some more X-Rays taken, but she seems to be doing well and she is being kept up to date of my dad’s condition. They said that she probably wouldn’t be put in a room for another couple of hours, but when I get room numbers for both of them, I will post them. Please keep praying…
UPDATE 3:
I just got a phone call from my mom this morning. She said that the doctors think my dad will be moved out of ICU and into a regular room today. Praise the Lord! So, it looks like things are turning around. I talked with my mom for just a few minutes before her pain medication starting to kick in again, and she told me that she broke her left humerus and she’s scraped up quite a bit. She said that the deer came out of nowhere and they did actually hit it, but she was thrown off of the side of the bike.
Brad and Cory arrived in Winston Salem last night with several of the elders from Grace Chapel. It’s hard being far away from family when something like this happens, but I’m glad to know that there are many people that are at the hospital with them that love them.
I have also just found out what rooms my parents are in:
Kurt Picker
ICU Room #5B
WFUBMC
Medical Center Boulevard
Winston-Salem, NC 27157
*See updated address below
Roxy Picker
Room #75
WFUBMC
Medical Center Boulevard
Winston-Salem, NC 27157
* She’s checking out today!
I’m so thankful to everyone who has prayed for them. As evidenced by all of the comments that everyone has left on this blog, there were many prayers being sent up from around the world over the past several hours. The Lord hears his children!
UPDATE 4:
My dad is now in a regular room. I got to speak with him for just a moment, and he sounds good. Here’s the address where cards & flowers can be sent:
Kurt Picker
Room #1111
WFUBMC
Medical Center Boulevard
Winston-Salem, NC 27157
Thanks to all of you for your encouraging comments. I have been amazed by the outpouring of concern and prayer on behalf of my parents, and I know that they will feel very loved once they read all of these encouraging comments here. I can’t imagine not having a family of believers to rely on for encouragement when hard times come. Praise the Lord for His body of believers!
UPDATE 5:
I was able to talk to both of my parents this morning and they seemed to be in good spirits. I told them how many people have left comments on this site and they were absolutely amazed. I also found out that my mom will be released from the hospital today, and she will be staying with Cory in a hotel in Winston Salem in order to be close to my dad. After talking with my dad, I found out that it looks like he will at least have to stay in the hospital through the weekend. My grandparents are on their way up to be with them in North Carolina.
Again, we thank all of you for praying and please continue to pray for my parents’ recovery…
UPDATE 6:
Well, my dad is finally out of the hospital, and they are on their way home. The Turners from Grace Chapel have allowed them to go home in their RV so my dad could be more comfortable. It’s about a five hour drive back to Atlanta, but I know that my parents will both be extremely glad to be back home. We’ll be going down to see them soon and help them recover. Thanks again everyone for your prayers, God has really seen our family through this hardship.
My dad is finally back home! He was released from the hospital this morning, and he sounded very glad to be out of there. He’s still on the feeding tube, but at least he can relax in a comfortable setting.
Well, on Saturday in the middle of the night my dad pulled out the drainage tube in his nose. He must have done it in his sleep because he said that he didn’t remember doing it. They also had him on some other medication that made him a little “loopy” so that might have contributed to it as well. After hearing this, the doctor decided just to wait and see how he responds without the tube. It’s been about 72 hours and he’s now doing great!
