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I am home! Rie came got me about a hour ago, thank God we were down in this area. I have a call in to my son's wife and soon as I talk to her, I will start on a plan to get to Virginia.. I don't know where to even get a airline ticket too until I talk to someone up there.. This is horriabl, horriable news and needless to say, I am extreemly upset and stressed. PT prayers work miracles so keep them coming as hard and as many as you can. I will be pacing the floor until I decide what I am going to do....

Good thoughts and prayers on the way Laura. :(

Of course plenty of prayers will be coming your way Laura! I'm guessing something really scary has happened on your end for you to bail ship, and fly to Virginia. :( (((HUGS))) and let us know what's up if you can, or will. ;) :(

See Rie-Ries thread here for those who don't realize Rie is my daughter...

http://67.15.70.205/talk/showthread....threadid=78356

This is the post of the bad thing that happened.
http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthre...threadid=78356
Good luck and prayers are on their way!

oh ((((Laura)))):( I am so sorry - but how wonderful that you were close enough to get home. When you call for your airfare - be sure and have the name of the hospital where Eddie is and you will receive what they call "compassionate" airfare - a very good discount on your ticket. I hope you are there by tonight!!

I am praying, Laura. Right now, and will keep thinking of this and asking God for more help. ((((HUGS))))

Prayers,are on the way,for Eddie,and we pray,that he can recover,and persevere,through,the therapy,that is going,to be needed,for the healing process.In the name,of Our Just,and Merciful Lord,we beseech you.

Oh Laura, I really am so sorry to hear this. Thoughts and prayers are going out for Eddie and your entire family. Please keep us informed.

Here is a picture of him and his wife when they renewed their vows (25th annivesary) Last June..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...newingvows.jpg

He is in the Sentara Norfolk General Hopsital.. I am on the phone with my daughter in law now..

oh Laura!! He will be glad to have "Mom" there for him!! What a frightening thing to have happen!

But...he is alive and will heal. I know you want to be ewith him as soon as possible. More prayers and (((HUGS)))) to you.

That picture from last June is very nice:) They are and will continue to be a happy and handsome couple.

Oh Laura, my prayers are with you and your dear son. I am so glad that you were able to come home to be with him. Please keep us updated as often as you can. Sending BIG prayers and BIG HUGS!!!

Hang in there, sweetheart!

Love you,
Kim

Sorry I am so late getting back to post but it has been a hectic day.. My daughter in law sounded a lot better than I had expected her to sound. She is staying at the hospital around the clock, they do not want her to leave since if they need to do something, someone has to be there to sign the paper work. This will get pretty grafic so if you have a weak stomack, skip the rest of this post..

They are pouring fluids into him so his body is swelling which is making his vains collasps so they have had to split his arms and sides open. He is being fed through a tube in his nose and she said his lungs too, were burned so they are most likely going to put a tube in his throat. Phenemonia and infection are what we have to fear the most. He has a lot of skin that has to be removed and will need many surgeries and skin grafts. (I offered some of my old loose skin but they don't want skin from live donars)

His blood pressure keeps bottoming out on them so they have to cut back on his pain meds which leaves him in a lot of pain... BUT, when they come in to change his bandages, he trys to help them remove the bandages!

She said it is not difficult looking at him because it is like it is not really him. He looks nothing like he use to and reality has not set in with her yet. NCIS is doing a investigation into what happened since he worked on a Naval Base and they are holding meetings everywhere, trying to find out how this happened.

She said the hospital rents rooms for $25 a day for family and that is how she is staying there around the clock and that I can share the room with her, has 2 twin beds and if Kevlin and Rie go, we can get them a room there too. The food at the cafeteria is good and it is cheap so that will help out a lot. The hospital is 1 1/2 hours from where they live so it is best to stay there. Her Mom and step Dad drove in from Atlanta last night and her Dad is coming soon as he can get a military hop that will get him there. I am booking a flight soon as I find out if I need one for 1 or 2... Keep the prayers coming and I will try to post updates on our family web sight after I get there if I don't have time to post everywhere and do emails all over.

Our family web sight and they are "The Smiths"

http://www.aimoo.com/forum/freeboard.cfm?id=649433

that's horrible Laura :( you and your family will be in my prayers

(((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))

Oh Laura I'm late but please know that you have all the prayers I can possibly send going out for your son. I just know there is another miracle coming to such a wonderful family. God bless you and your family Laura. You will be continually in my thoughts.
Hang in there Laura and know we are here for you if you need us. Let us know what you can when you can and if there is anything at all we can do to help.

God Bless you all!

I am so sorry that this has happened . . .

You & your family are in my prayers!

Oh Laura, this just brings me to tears!:( :( :(
I have no doubt that his poor wife is still in shock ... what an awful sight for her to see. I feel so for you right now, Laura ... I wish there were something I could do. My love and prayers are with you, dear friend!

HUGS,
Kim

I'm so sorry to hear this news! You and your children are in my prayers.

I'm in shock by your description of what's happened to your son so far. :( :eek: I hope you got a flight out to Virginia, and will be able to cope with all that's been happening. I'm there for you too if you need to cry, or scream or whatever...you have my number. Please try and keep us posted. (((HUGS))) and many prayers being said for Eddie.

I'll be keeping your son and you and other family and friends in my prayers as well. This has got to be so stressful for you right now. I'll check in on your website, and will continue to keep the prayers coming....

(((Hugs)))

I will keep your brother in my prayers.


Also, if it can be of any help to you....Sentara Norfolk General is the best hospital in that area. They are what's known as a Level 1 Trauma Center which means they are well equipped to deal with serious stuff like burns and car accidents and shootings and whatnot.

I have a ton of family who lives down there and if any of them were hurt, I'd want them in that hospital.

Good luck and I will keep praying for him as hard as I can.

Oh Laura, I'm so sorry. :( I know burns are nasty nasty things and it sounds down right horrible what your son is going through. :( Him, you and your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers.

God give you all the strength to overcome this tragedy. With a wonderful family beside him, he will have reason to heal.

Sevens, thanks for the thumbs up on the hospital. I feel better hearing that. I think it is just awesome that we can rent rooms and get discounts on our meals right there in the hospital. My daughter in law said that everyone has just bent over backwards ready to help and the offers are continuing to pour in for anything any of us may need, even money is being given to help her with her room and meals.

My sister just called, Brandon is her grandson and she just went through pretty much the same thing and she had lots of good advice to help me through this. There is nothing like having a sister, is there? I am the one she leans on but this time, I am leaning on her but she says she is sure I will handle it and be alright in dealing with whatever there is to come.

My strength will come from the Lord and I will trust Him to see me this rough time. Through HIM, all things are possiable!

Oh Laura, now I have read everything. I'm so very sorry that your family, and especially your son, are having to deal with this. He will have a long, hard recovery, but bless his heart, it sounds like he is a fighter and with all of you there cheering for him, he will get through this.

Our prayers and best thoughts are with you all.

Logan

If it is any comfort to you at all, the prayers have started and will continue each and every day. Eddie will be a prayer concern at my church during our Sunday service this week and well into the future. You and Rie are also in our prayer concern. Trust in God, He's always there and be sure He is always with you. Bless all of you! When you are able, please let us know how things are going.

Today was another thrilling day. They let Eddie become more awake than before and I know he heard us and reconized our voices. He would cut his eyes in the direction we spoke from. When I talked to him, I told him that all I wanted was to see those big brown eyes and I swear, he opened his eyes even wider. He batted his eyes at us the whole time we would talk to him and several times he looked like he was trying to talk...but has that tube in so he can't.

They are not going to keep him as deep in a coma as they have been but still on heavy pain medications. Regina asked him to wiggle his toes and he did... she told him to wiggle his other toes and he did.. SO folks, I got to see his brown eyes, groggy and weak, but I am thrilled to death.. He knows we are here!!!

Oh gosh Laura, you got me in tears again.

How thrilling for you and the family to see Eddie's beautiful brown eyes.

It will be a long road for him, but he IS going to be just fine.
With a fabulous family like you guys, how could he not be.

Prayers still on the way for Eddie and his family.

How on earth did I miss this whole saga? I am so sorry for your son and your family. Great news to hear that he wasalert enough to recognise everyone's prescence! I'm sending extra prayers your way!

That is great Laura that Eddie knows you are there and recognises you all. I know it's just a little step with lots more little steps to come but with all your support and lots of extra prayers from your PT family it will all happen. He will be good as new and be so happy he has such a wonderful family. You are amazing and strong and he is a lucky lucky man to have such a marvellous mother beside him to help him on his road to recovery. Lots more prayers and angels and good vibes coming for Eddie and the rest of the family.

More Prayers,are on thier way,and we pray,that Eddie,wiill be able,to recover,and regain,his health.What a terrible thing,to have happen,to that Gentleman.

Oh Laura...lots of hugs and prayers being sent your way, sweetie. (((((HUGS))))))

It must have been so great to be able to see your son's eyes and see him be able to respond.

Hugs, Kelly

Laura, We all know it's going to be tough to get through this, but if any family can, it sounds like yours can, and will. I'm so glad to hear Eddie is more alert, and he knows his family is with him. ;) Still praying for Eddie, and the rest of your family, and will continue to. I can't wait to hear some more happy news from you. (((HUGS)))!

Kevlin and Rhonda are on their way and should be in sometime today!

Nothing much is happening with Eddie today. Whoever told Regina that he was scheduled for surgery today told her wrong. Things are still about the same, meaning, no setbacks.

I told Marie today that our prayers now should be for progress to continue going forward with NO setbacks!! Each day is a miracle!

Someone from his work told us yesterday that as a result of this, they are now looking into getting fire retardand clothing for these guys to wear to work. That is a great thing and it may save someone else from ever being burned this bad.

Keep the prayers coming!!

More prayers on the way.I will keep it up.

Kevlin and Rhonda arrived yesterday around 4 pm. Shortely after he got here, he got a call, his Dad was put in the hospital for a possiable spider bite.. DARN! This family is catching is right and left these days for some reason... believe me, this is highly unusual for us.

Rie caught her airplane back home this morning and I will miss her for sure!

Eddie is off the resperator now and they said next to go will be the feeding tube. Looks like his deep coma is over with dispite what they told us earlier. He is responding to us a lot now but our concern is how much pain he is in and if he is suffering. He has to nod "yes" to the question "are you in pain" before they will give him more and heris PO'ed and stubborn and won't nod for them. He got highly upset when they told Regina she HAD to leave last night. I know his mind is foggy and he is so confused and don't understand what is happening and why he can't talk..

Oh my gosh Laura, if it doesn't rain, it pours.

How much more can one family endure.:( I pray that Kelvin's Dad will be okay.

This must be so hard on Eddie, not understanding what is going on. Hopefully in a short time he realize what had happened.

All of you are still in my prayers.

Thanks for updating us when you can Laura.

Prayers still coming for all of your family, Laura. ((((((((HUGS)))))))

Kim

Positive thoughts and many prayers continue for EVERYONE

Ok, the news is GREAT, he gets food tomorrow! He has been awake and very talkitive today even making a sad, frowning face when I told him Kevlin had left this morning. He pulled a joke on Kevlin yesterday even.. His eyes are clearing and as each minute passes, I see more and more of my beautiful brown eyes boy there!!

His supervisor called yesterday to tell us the story of when it happened and the heros, that saved Eddies life. After the explosion, Eddie walked down a hallway ON FIRE saying "Help me, I am on fire!". These men, jumped up and ran to him, throwing him to the floor, pounding out the fire with their hands, burning their hands and ripping his burning clothes off of him and poured water on him to cool him down. The explosion set the building on fire so it had to be evacuated but these men refused to leave him telling the people and fire department that they would not leave the building without him.. These men stayed in that burning building with Eddie until the EMT's came and took him out.. Then they said, they didn't do anything special....:eek: These guys are HEROS to those of us who love Eddie and we sure hope we get to see them very soon!!

Wow... what a story. Those men ARE heros. I have goosbumps reading what they did. They are special human beongs and will be rewarded in life beyond their dreams for their act of selflessness and love.

I am so happy to hear about his progress. It must be excruciating to see him in this condition.