November 7th, 2006 by Atomictumor
I had given up on sleeping, and was catching up on email and comments and all of you wonderful people, when the phone rang.
ADRENALINE. OH SHIT. IT ISN’T WORKING!
Answered, it was BJ’s dad. He called to tell me they bumped into the doctor, and everythings going fine.
Its working. Oh shit, its working. Theres good news. I don’t have to say bye.
I don’t have a lot of feeling in me to write with emotion now. Because of my wrath earlier, and my headache, and my fatigue.
My guilt for not seeing her at 3. My guilt for not seeing her before the surgery.
My absolute relief. GAC, honey, when you read this, oh jesus, it will be more than I could possibly deserve. If I’m there, when you read this, if you can do it, let me know. Just say “jake, baby, I read it. I’m OK”. Let me hear you’re voice tell me this.
I’ll cry. I’ll hold you. I’ll probably squeeze you too tightly, so be ready.
BJ, god, woman, I love you so much more than I can.
—
We’re not out of the woods yet. She’s still more sick than alive. I’m so glad this is working, tho, because if I lost this hope today, I don’t know if I’d have made it. I really don’t.
There is nothing to fear, nothing to doubt.
I love you. So. Much.
November 7th, 2006 at 5:38 pm
Dayum. Good news. Hang in there.
November 7th, 2006 at 5:46 pm
GREAT news! No, she’s not on her way home just yet, picking up a six-pack of left-hand milk stout along the way, but this is very, very good news.
November 7th, 2006 at 5:47 pm
I am so happy to hear things are looking up. All my prayers and well wishes to you, your wife, and your family.
November 7th, 2006 at 5:49 pm
That is great news brother, Hang in there and stay sane, we are in constant
prayer for her…
November 7th, 2006 at 6:18 pm
Still here, still reading, still hoping and praying.
November 7th, 2006 at 6:28 pm
Ditto what Lynne said! I’m home with a sick kid and I keep thinking of y’all and say a little prayer each time. My lil guy noticed me praying and asked what I was doing. I told him about BJ and how sick she is and how much her family loves her and wants her to get well and now he prays with me. “God, take care of BJ and her family.” Short sweet and to the point. Kids… gotta love em
November 7th, 2006 at 6:29 pm
I found you from Busy Mom. I just wanted to say I’ll be keeping your wife and your family in my prayers.
Hang in there.
November 7th, 2006 at 6:31 pm
Praying the rosary every day for both of you.
November 7th, 2006 at 6:42 pm
Damn right, guys. Things are the best they’ve been. I haven’t gotten any more news yet, but oh, its a relief.
NM, “picking up a six-pack of left-hand milk stout along the way”
That says it all. I’m so happy you know her that well.
November 7th, 2006 at 6:54 pm
Man, what good news! Don’t know what else to say…what good news!
November 7th, 2006 at 7:34 pm
I just found this blog through another blogger…Dude, I am so pulling for your wife right now. Y’all don’t know me from a brick in the wall, but I (and tons of other lurkers, I’m sure) have been reading and are pulling hard.
November 7th, 2006 at 7:39 pm
Such good news…God is so good…will continue our prayers for manifest wholeness in her healing!We’re also praying that He will keep pouring strength and courage into you and that His love like a blanket will wrap around you
November 7th, 2006 at 7:43 pm
Smiling… big toothy smile…
November 7th, 2006 at 7:57 pm
Keep hoping and keep praying. We will do the same.
November 7th, 2006 at 7:59 pm
Wow, I’m so glad to read good news. Hope it just keeps getting better and better - I’ll continue praying and thinking of you guys.
November 7th, 2006 at 8:08 pm
You SCARED the CRAP outta me!!!! but I am soooooooo glad that it is working!!!I will continue to pray for both of you and the kids…I hope to continue to get the good news.
November 7th, 2006 at 8:09 pm
Good to hear this news! I am so sick, I have been following this and now I have to leave on a trip I had planned. Get to drive across the country, something I have wanted to do for a long time. Now, however, I will spend much of that time on the road wondering how things are going.
I told my wife I would be calling quite a bit for her to check the site for updates. Best of luck!
November 7th, 2006 at 8:26 pm
Still praying with you and for you. Hang in there, all of you. I am praying for a complete recovery.
November 7th, 2006 at 8:29 pm
Great to hear that BJ is getting better and not getting worse. We are still all praying for her to get out of the woods ASAP, but it is great to hear that the dialysis is working some. We will continue to pray for you, her, your family, her parents, and your close friends. God is working in and through this situation. He does care, He does listen, and He is involved. All of Team Swap, our web friends, and our offline friends are going to keep praying.
November 7th, 2006 at 8:42 pm
Lots of loving, healing thoughts and prayers sent your way!
November 7th, 2006 at 8:56 pm
Finally some good news. 29 YOA is a long way from the end. Youth and vigor will overcome this problem. Keep pluggin’, working and doing what you have been doing. It appears to be the correct formula.
Tell the old man with the clipboard, he is not a part of the healing process, just a PITA.
November 7th, 2006 at 9:21 pm
Amen Jacket!
More and more prayers coming your way. Look at all of these people - most of them strangers like me - praying and pulling for your wife and your family.
This has renewed my faith in US as a people…as a community…as a family.
November 7th, 2006 at 9:31 pm
Hey AT,
I have been lurking here for a few days. I wanted to let you know my family and I are praying for you and yours. 18 months ago my first grandchild was born. The next morning she sufferred two massive strokes. She was transferred to a Children’s specialty hospital. On the third day they suggested we remove her feeding and breathing tubes as the MRI showed damage so massive there was no hope. My daughter (and I…the entire family actually) refused. She improved and came home, but they said she would be paralized and mentally challenged. Last Monday, she had a follow up visit with her neurologist. She has no, I repeat, NO problems at all. The neuro says if she hadn’t seen her in the hospital and seen the MRI she would not believe it was her. The just kept waiting for something to be wrong…can’t crawl…can…can’t walk…can…can’t talk…talks (although Elmo is her favorite word. The reason I am telling you all this is because at the time, although I didn’t have a blog, I had met many, many freinds on the internet via Pogo (don’t laugh). As a release because I couldnt deal at home, I would go online every chance I got and tell them what was happening. Soon there were so many prayer rings going. My daughter, although raised by me (a religious ed teacher), did not believe in God at the time. But now we know. Miracles DO HAPPEN, even the specialists call it a miracle. Hang in there and keep up talking to all your internet buddies. It helps, I understand.
Love and prayers from Vickie in San Diego…
PS My brother lives in Franklin, is that far from you?
November 7th, 2006 at 9:52 pm
Prayers are coming your way from over here near Nashville too
Gretchen
November 7th, 2006 at 9:57 pm
Where ever we find ourselves, SomeOne is all ready there.
November 7th, 2006 at 9:59 pm
Vickie, that was such a moving and inspiring post. AT is my brother and GAC is one of my best friends. When he first started sharing this I had my reservations - it seemed almost irreverent. But after reading all the many posts, simple ones from people sharing their prayers, and those like yours that are deeper, I understand better. Support from a person’s family and friends is important, but for him to get support like this from strangers across the world is nothing short of miraculous. I pray that God blesses all of you for showing up here and supporting this family.
November 7th, 2006 at 10:02 pm
Not sure I ever believed in journals, but this is one moving piece of reading. My heart goes out to you and your family, and we will join in the ranks of the praying. Despite my own questions, I do pray. Sometimes prayers get answered.
November 7th, 2006 at 10:08 pm
Vickie,
Franklin, TN is a little over 100 miles west of Oak Ridge. Franklin is just south of Nashville, TN.
November 7th, 2006 at 10:47 pm
Found you in the blogosphere… My thoughts go out to you and yours. Your love is touching and I hope that all will be well for you and yours.
Cheers.
November 7th, 2006 at 10:48 pm
Jenwright,
Your words actually made me cry. I knew my post was going long, but the reason I came out from lurkdom was just for that reason. I can’t write like many bloggers can, but I understand them for some reason. I have been addicted to some blogs for quite awhile and it is something my family does not really understand. Yesterday I told my husband about what I had been reading her and he said he just didn’t understand how AT could do it….”what is he getting from it?” So explained to him about how it helps to be able to put your feelings out there, actually its easier than sharing them with your loving and supportive family for some reason when you are going through something so horrid (I really related when AT said he couldn’t talk on the phone, I remember that..phone conversations detroyed my stoic facade that I needed to keep up for my daughter). I just wanted AT to know I get it and I understand. The love and support you receive from the internet community is huge and global and that amazed me 18 months ago and now I see it again. It restores my faith in humanity. And Mrs. Eaves thanks for the orientation, I don’t know why but I like to know where things are, lol. I just hope my story helps everyone in your families to keep the faith. Miracles do happen. And they seem to be aided by prayers from around the world by complete strangers.
November 7th, 2006 at 10:49 pm
I have read your name numerous times today in other blogs and came by to let you know I am thinking about your family. You are all in my thoughts and am sending healthy vibes to your dear wife.
November 7th, 2006 at 10:52 pm
I’m SOOOO glad to hear that she’s improving..
Sending many, many prayers..
November 7th, 2006 at 11:00 pm
Go GAC Go! Keep getting better. I can’t wait to be able to talk to you. You seem like a person with a lot to say - I’m catching up on your old posts in the meantime.
Still praying.
November 7th, 2006 at 11:01 pm
I am so happy to hear this. Still praying really hard, though.
November 8th, 2006 at 1:11 am
my heart goes out to you … i can’t stop praying for bj! thanks for keeping us posted!
November 8th, 2006 at 3:06 am
Sumgurl, it makes me so happy to see you on here. Thank you for your prayers and support!!
November 8th, 2006 at 8:46 am
Vickie, I’m afraid your comment was erased mistakenly while I was dealing with some spam. I’m so sorry and if you could re-create it, that’d be great.
bos.