Sunday, June 15, 2008

If you are squeemish, Don't look at this...

OK, Today is starting off better than yesterday. Jessie had a good night, and is mostly awake today. She isn't saying much, and still has a blank expression on her face. They are slowly raising her head of her bed to about 30 degrees.

They have removed the catheter today as well as the arterial line. So less tubes means that the doctors think that things are better, and we agree.

We continue to pray that she will begin speaking more and we will start seeing more cognitive abilities.


She has had no more fever (which is very common for this type of surgery), and no seizures, which is also very common.



Here is a picture with some of her stuffed animals which were sent by all of you. She definitely has the most "PINK" room in the Pediatric ICU. She named the surgeon animal "Dr. Carson". He got a kick out of the fact that he was pink.


This next picture is pretty graphic, so if you don't want to look, don't. Since we have been all about truth an reality and sharing this experience, I decided that most of you would want to see this. Maybe not a good picture to share with the young ones. I think that she will win "Scar Comparisons" for the rest of her life....except for maybe with shark attack victims.

Honestly, the closure is very pretty and done quite well.


I know that today is the last day of the 24 hour Prayer Vigil that was started at our church, New River Fellowship. We so much appreciate all of you who signed up and lifted Jessie up in prayer. We also appreciate those of you who are praying on your own and who I know will continue to pray. As Dr. Carson says, "I know it works, I have seen it work".

God Bless each one of you.

Cris

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the pictures. It helps to feel a little closer. Since we can't visit her, it gives us a sense of being there with her. Cris and Kristi, you look more rested! I hope you are! My
7th grade Sunday School class prayed for Jessie this morning and I know we were one of many across Texas and the Nation. Blessings of another good day and "baby" steps of healing for Jessie.
Tracey Britton
Aledo

Anonymous said...

Thank you for keeping us updated and sending us pictures of our sweet Jessie.. She will have the coolest scar in town... Keep getting stronger sweet girl... Kristi and Cris... you guys are awesome.. we love you.. stay strong and let us know if we can do anything for you.. love susie

Anonymous said...

Cris and Kristi,
tell Jessie we are thinking about her daily. I am so glad you find the time to keep everyone up to date. We really appreciate it.

Paige and Addie Kaye

Anonymous said...

Thank You for the update, we check daily. Those scars will be her "Badge of Courage"! We pray daily(me being a Mom I pray hourly :) ) for Jessie, YOU her amazing parents and her "Cool" big brothers!
Little steps soon become big steps! One day at time soon becomes weeks! Blessings of hope, love, faith and prayer coming your way!
The Jones Family
Randy, Ann Marie, Tyler & Ryder
Aledo, Tx

Anonymous said...

You couldn't have asked for a better Father's Day!!! The incision looks GREAT!!! I can't help but watch this wonderful miracle!!! What a blessing, it makes everything else in the world seem so trivial!! Thank you so much for giving all of us the miracle of life to experience and be a part of! We continue to pray for Jessy and your family.

Love,

Jane, Samie & Nickie
Baltimore

Anonymous said...

Like many others, I have checked the WJZ website and a couple of the blogs daily, and I am pleased that while progress is slow, and patience will be the watch word for many days to come, the reports are positive and uplifting. I will continue to monitor Jessie's progress, and my prayers are with all of you and the medical team following Jessie.

Vanessa

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful girl. Our son played on Jessie's basketball team and we have been praying for you and your family each day. It seems that everytime we get together with friends, a main topic of conversation is Jessie and the strength that both she and your family has. We will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Happy Father's Day!

The Kitson's

scottyjsmom said...

I saw Jessie's story on the news the eve of her surgery here in Dallas and have been praying/reading your blog ever since. Your family is amazing and she is one strong girl. God Bless you, Dr. Carson, and all of the staff that created and prepared such a wonderful plan that God gave them the talents to carry out.

Praying in Plano

ps- I have been an OR and recovery room nurse for years and that is one beautiful scar. Skillful hands that Miss Jessie had working on her.

Have a wonderful Father's Day!

Anonymous said...

You must be so excited to have her awake. She looks great! Prayers will defintely continue!!!

Happy Fathers Day Cris!!!

Chris R. said...

Hi Cris - Happy Father's day. I know the best gift is to have Jessie continue to improve and get better every day. Gabby and I were just sitting here and reading the blog together so we wanted to say hello to you guys.... keep the faith! We will check in again with you soon.

Love,

Chris R.

Anonymous said...

The hardest thing is having patience while healing occurs. Jessie will amaze you all because children heal quickly. I will continue praying for all of you. She looks great!

Anonymous said...

hello to you and your family. i so glad to see jessie doing better and making that progress ,i will contenue to keep up with her and your family thur your blog. iand my church will keep you in our hearts and keep praying that she would keep getting better to . i hope you remeber that story about my daughter i told you couple days ago . well she came to my church today walk in with her af. legs and walker that was the frist time since she got out of her wheelchair .that was a blessing well i let you know that our god is so big and strong that he will help you go though the darkess day and see you thur it because he do that for me and i know he will do the same for you . my heart and prayes and my love goes to you and jessie . thanks for let me be a part of your life. you are a blessing

Anonymous said...

Happy Father's Day Cris!

Our pastor from WPBC quoted this passage today in his message, and we thought of you. It's from II Corinthians 1:2-4, "Grace be to you; and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."

May you today be comforted by the "Father of mercies and the God of all comfort", and also as you comfort those around you in the PICU. Jessie, and your boys, are lucky to have you as a Dad! (And Kristi, we can't forget you on Father's Day; Jessie's first words out of surgery were I want my mommy!) You are very special parents, and we are thinking of you, and praying for you.

Love from Aledo,
The Owens

Vicki said...

Such good news that Jessie is progressing with each day! Great smiles on the faces of mom and dad as well. Thank you for sharing the pictures--no matter how graphic. When Kellie (youngest daughter)fell 4 years ago in May, she had 38 staples in her scalp "putting her back together." Prayers and the grace of God gave her an almost complete recovery. The prayers for Jessie and her family are being answered.

Cousin from Kansas

Vicki

Anonymous said...

We just got home from lunch and I had to check on our Hall family. Thank you for the pictures. You all look great. Our daily walk each day includes special prayers for you all. Hang in there. It is quite evident the prayers are being heard and answered! Happy Father's Day! Love, The Lawley Family

The Meiers said...

Thanks for posting the pictures. Zachary and Jessie's incision are almost identical. He also had a flat affect initially and once he was able to get up out of bed (with assistance, of course), he did not want to look in the mirror which surprised us (with him being a boy and not really caring about his hair). But Jason and I both remember the day before we went home we watched the movie, Elf and Zachary just giggled and giggled outloud several times which was so encouraging. He was very sleepy the first few weeks, so I think that was another reason he was not as expressive. We prayed for Jessie & your family this morning in Sunday School and know God is healing her and holding you all in the palm of His hands.
Our e-mail is: zachsotmom@yahoo.com if you have any questions at all about what to expect. I kept a journal each day of his recovery. I know each child is different, but it sure helped us to have someone to talk to who had been through it.
God Bless!
Jason, Mary Lou, Zachary and Lexi Meier

Anonymous said...

Dear Hall Family,
Your 1709 McDavid Ct. neighbors with you all the best! We coninue to pray for you and Jessie each day! We know God is doing great things in Jessie's recovery each and every day! Lance, Andrea, Skylar, and Jack Nelson

Anonymous said...

I am so glad they removed all those tubes and her head is kind a raise, and that scar is amazing, and that she is doing better! Praise to god! She still in my prayers. I still keep lifting her up. I will be away this week. I will still keep her in prayers with the lord. God bless Tonia

Anonymous said...

It is great to see her with her eyes open. She looks great! It is so great you are able to keep us updated. You have many "cheerleaders" who think of you daily, including this one.

Most Sincerely,

Ann

Anonymous said...

We check for updates daily and are inspired by your faith, strength and positive spirit. You are all in our thoughts daily and Chris a special prayer for you today in honor of the GREAT father that you are!

We have many friends and family in Maryland who are following Jessie's story on both WJZ and the blog. You have made us all appreciate our blessings!

Bill, Lee Ann, Austin, Matt & Maddy Jones (Aledo)

Anonymous said...

Happy Father's Day, Cris! How wonderful to see pictures of Jessie AND with her eyes open!! One precious child and two terrific parents! God bless all of you. My prayers are will you many times throughout the days and nights. Rest in the Lord.
J Jones family from Mesa, AZ

Anonymous said...

Dear Jessie- I love you very very much. You are very very sweet. You are the best little girl in the world Jessie Hall. You have the best little pictures in the newspaper and on T.V. You are a rockstar Jessie Hall!!! I love you jessie hall. love alexandra

Anonymous said...

Cris,

As Chris R. and others have said... Happy Fathers Day! Especially with the sudden passing of Tim Russert on Friday... we just never know when He says it's our time. On August 4th, 2007, He said it was time for Jessie's story to begin. What a journey for you all! Hang in there and know that we love you all.

Eddie S.

Anonymous said...

Cris and Kristi, you both are truly amazing parents! You both have a very beautiful, courageous little angel. I'm so happy to see that Jessie's doing well, as can be expected! Please know that my family and I are constantly thinking of her and praying for her recovery! I pray to God that one day I can meet you and your family! You all are truly inspirational!! God Bless!!! Get well baby girl!

Anonymous said...

Happy Father's Day, Cris!! No doubt this one will be etched in your brain forever. Give Jessie a kiss for us!!

Dee Dee

Angelsong said...

I had no problem looking at the pictures. I would think Jessie's hair would grow back to cover most of the scar, or she could wear a wig. She can think of that scar as a "battle scar...and let it be a reminder that with the grace of God, she won the battle against that Rassmussen's. In any case, to be free of seizures is more than worth the scar. I thank God every day that Jessie is on the path to healing. He has great plans for her, I am sure.

Karen C.
Jarrell, Texas

Anonymous said...

Dear Jessie, I love you. Your pictures are really good and I am not scared to look at your scars and wires. You are still my best friend no matter what you look like. I will be sending you somethings in the mail soon. It is going to be a surprise -you are going to like all of the things I send. I love you jessie hall . love alexandra.

Anonymous said...

thank you so much for sharing the pictures. it is a little frightening to see the scares but in time they will heal and be covered with hair! :-)i hope people continue praying for jessie!