Days 1 & 2 - The waiting game (Wed. night 8/31 - Thurs morn)

They packaged him up and got him in the ambulance. They stabilized him and put a tube in his throat (intubated). They then started off for the local hospital. The police were wanting statements, my wife was wanting to ride with Isaac in the ambulance, and I was just trying to hold it in and maintain control.

Our friends took her to the hospital while my son, who found and alerted us to him, and I made out our statements. Once taken care of, and police pictures of my entire house (I'm still not sure why), we ushered everyone out and I drove to the hospital with my neighbor riding shotgun.


Outside, in the waiting room hallway, we found many friends and family we did not expect. We were too many for the waiting room, so they gave us a hallway of our own near the front of the building. I was never so comforted with so much support.


We made it past the trauma, as they simply started him on fluids and a sedative to relax him while we waited on a CT scan result and transport to Children's Hospital in Dallas. That being clear, mom rode with him in the ambulance, while sister and I doubled back to the house for supplies. I have been in hospitals before. I also know my wife, that she would not leave the hospital without medication, and that she was most likely wearing contacts.

Children's Hospital is the best hospital I have ever seen.....period!!!

We were treated with kindness everywhere, shown to his ICU room, shown to the family waiting room, shown how to find coffee, drinks, bathrooms, and how to get in and out of our part of the hospital upon arrival.

It was now just a waiting game to see if Isaac would respond. My little boy was trussed up with tubes and IVs, and now had to decide what was important.

Movements, mostly involuntary, kept our hopes up. Our team in the ICU was incredible with information, introductions, and explanations. They were very careful not to say something that could be construed as hopeful, since this is a very delicate and "case by case" situation.

We set the prayer chain in motion from the original hospital, both on Facebook and in text:

"This is an emergency. We need serious prayers. My 11 yo son, Isaac, somehow asphyxiated himself tonight as he was going to bed. I was able to get his heart started, but his breathing is ragged and just responsive. He is in the ER now. Please help me pray that he pulls through, I beg you."

The prayers began coming in from around the world.

Transported to Children's. His pupils started dilating and he started getting agitated at the straps just before they left. Good sign, but keep it up. He is not conscious yet.

Isaac started showing us he was there about 7am.

He is not awake yet. Got definitely angry when they turned him a couple hours ago. Didn't open his eyes. One foot spasms up to stimulus, the other down, but both respond. God is sending people to is we never would have imagined. HE is working, but we have to wait. We are in the neural ICU at Children's. Please continue praying.

Then at 5 pm we gave the following update:

He moved more today, some deliberately. He opened one eye, then later for the neurologist both eyes. He then opened them again on command, but all three times only for a few seconds. We are waiting while they do a 3D MRI to see if there is anything that was missed, or any damage not seen. Mostly he is hanging on, but these are food signs.

The hearts and prayers of people began pouring over us. I was able to keep it together while comforting my wife. She was able to see the progression, and that we were not going to lose him. We were taking solace in prayer and faith, and watching our son benefit from both.