8/01/2008

PRAYER request from Tina Conerly

Graceyn has been at Shriner's hospital in PA since the 15th doing therapy with her new braces which were specially made for her. She is able to walk with them using a walker. They have also taught her how to swim without floaties and she is thrilled about this. She is using her upper body and arms to do all the swimming, as for now, she is still paralyzed. Holly has pictures on her phone we would love to give to the church for Wednesday night prayer. We just want you all to see God's faithfulness in answering all prayers being lifted up on her behalf.
Graceyn and Lane (daddy) left PA Friday, the 25th, traveling to Kennedy Krieger hospital in Baltimore, Maryland which is said to be the best in the world for spinal cord injuries. Monday, the 28th, they got settled in at the hospital, after many tests and evaluations, Lane received some disappointing news. They say Graceyn's injuries are complete and agree with Shriner's that she has only a 5 percent chance of regaining anything. They said Lane and Holly are doing all they can at this point to help their baby girl.
A few weeks ago, Lane spoke with a man there, in Maryland, who was paralyzed and they used umbilical cord blood to help him walk again. Since we received that info, we were sadly informed that his procedure didn't take place at Kennedy Krieger but they still think they can help Graceyn. Doctors say it will be 3 - 4 years before this technology is available in the US and reaches the point that they can use umbilical cord blood to heal her injuries enabling her to fully recover and walk again.
While at Shriner's hospital, she was going through difficult physical therapy which involved moving her whole body with just her arms. At one point she had a huge meltdown, refusing to take another step....but God in His faithfulness carried her through. We think this was beneficial because she finally let out emotions pent up inside since the wreck. Now, instead of the 2 hour physical therapy work outs, she is undergoing more intense PT involving 5 hours of hard work. They say this intense, aggressive PT along with the special bike she uses for her legs is the only things they have had success with involving injuries like Graceyn has.
The doctors are conducting a bone density test to determine if Graceyn's bones have already become brittle. (This is a common problem with patients having such spinal cord injuries.) Lane and Holly may be facing a difficult decision due to the outcome of the tests. If her bones are becoming brittle the only option would be to use an experimental drug which has unknown side effects and the long term effects are also unknown. They just discovered some concern with her hips today which would cause her to need to wear more special braces while in her wheelchair and at night when she is sleeping. She hates anything mashing or putting pressure on her tummy. This is a huge prayer need.
An interesting fact that was also discovered is her spinal cord was not bent/snapped but instead was stretched up at impact.
Pray for Lane as it is so hard to be away from his wife and other girls and as he tries to encourage Graceyn in all that is going on. He is really feeling isolated and discouraged....and even feels alone. The pressures of the whole trip and their basic needs, being so far away from home without family or church support are taking a toll on him. Thank you for undergirding him in prayer for supernatural strength, comfort and wisdom to get through these last couple of weeks.
This family cannot thank you enough for your constant and faithful prayers, and all else you have done and are doing to help in this season of their lives! They pray God's richest blessing upon each of you!
Serving our Savior with joy, Tina
NOTHING is impossible with God! Mark 10:27

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