FW: Libby Paul Update - Day 8 Part 3!

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Good News await those who read on!  At the end see how to continue to pray for them….

Subject: Libby Paul Update - Day 8 Part 3!

Hello Fellow Prayer Warriors,

Dorsey called back a little while ago with an additional update~ And a very unexpected one!!

It looks like the Pauls will be flying back to Kansas City TOMORROW!!! :)  Yep, as it stands now, a MedWay air ambulance will fly all three Pauls still in Savannah back home.  They contacted them shortly after we had sent out the previous prayer update and that group had a flight open for tomorrow and was less than half the cost of the other options. 

The doctors agreed on this even after they thought they'd have to wait three days for the bowel movements.  Again, shortly after we asked for prayer on that!  Children's Mercy agreed to receive her and just quarantine her from other children until they have cleared her of viruses.  The doctors also want to start physical therapy right away with the group that will be her long-term team.  She is stable enough to come home, so she is coming home!  Dr. McKee has cleared her to be released for this 2 1/2-3 hour flight back, which means an ambulance will take them to the airportn at roughly 10am, they'll fly on MedWay to the Kansas City airport, and an ambulance will take them straight downtown to Children's Mercy Hospital!! YAY!!! 

*FYI, please wait to visit the Paul's until Saturday or after, as they're leaving Friday night for their families to greet them.  Also, remember that Libby can't be stimulated a great deal.  We will probably be seeing Troy and Dorsey in the visitor lobby and Libby at a later time.  That will all depend on how she is doing, timing and staff recommendations, etc.  We'll keep you posted on that.

OK, here's the number for Children's Mercy ~ (816) 234-3000.  The address is 2401 Gilham Road, Kansas City, MO  64108.  I know you're going to keep those love packages coming!

A HUGE thank you to so many of you who offered to secure a private plane for the Pauls, and they would have been thrilled to take you up on your offer except that the doctor specified that it had to be an air ambulance only.

Many of you have asked about the expense of this transfer.  Here is the net-net.  Their insurance policy only covers a transport to the original hospital, not subsequent transfers between hospitals.  This is a very big additional expense for the Pauls, but it was their only option to safely get Libby transferred from one hospital to another.  Dr. McKee even personally called the insurance carrier and asked for an exemption.  They declined.  Ugh!

A couple of prayer requests.  First, for a safe trip to Children's Mercy, with as little stress and trauma to Libby (and family) as possible. 

Second, and this is a pretty big one, Dorsey asked me to ask you all for prayer for Libby's agitation.  She's scared, as she's piecing together what happened to her.  She asked them, "Why am I in the hospital?"  She's been yelling and crying continually.  She's mentioned 'falling', and they're wondering with all her screaming if she's reliving the accident in some way.  This evening, I was talking to Troy and she awoke and was screaming, "GET OUT, GO AWAY", repeatedly.  Troy was trying to figure out what she needed and she yelled "THE ALLIGATORS ARE GETTING ME IN THE ELEVATOR, STOP THEM!!!".  He ran out of the room as if running them off and came back in and said they were gone.  She immediately calmed down. 

Her physical therapist came in their room today, and Libby yelled, "I don't want to exercise!"  So the therapist said, "OK, well then, I'm going to Walmart!"  Then she turned around and asked Libby, "Do you need anything from Walmart?"  And Libby said to her, "I want to go to Walmart with you!" :)  Isn't that hilarious?  And totally amazing?!

Also, many are asking for tangible ways to support the Paul's.  They will need food.  One of their dear friends Mandy Hill has graciously offered to coordinate their meals while at CMH and after.  For those of you in the KC area that are interested and willing to bring them a meal upon their return,  email mandy at Mandy@everestkc.net.  She will set up the schedule. Please include in your email your phone number and if there are certain nights of the week that do/do not work for you.  Hopefully food will be at least one thing they don't have to worry about.
We will have numerous other opportunities, and if you think of something else, feel free to give it!! 

Final thought of the day.

Has anyone ever questioned whether or not prayers are truly answered or life just happens?  How do we know how specific to bein our prayers?  Does God really answer specific prayers?  Why do things like this happen to the innocent?  Well if you have ever had questions like that then this past eight days should be able to answer many of those questions. 

A little girl named Libby has touched so many or our lives, in such a short period of time, in such a deep and profound way.  God has used this little girl to challenge our faith.  He has called upon the Body of Christ to pray and see His Glory, and we have.  If we allow this time in our lives, the lessons we have learned, and the changes God has asked out of each one of us to pass, then it was possibly all for not.  Dorsey has said many times, "I just want my old life back.".  While I want to see Libby fully restored, and I believe she will be, I have to admit that I DON'T want my old life back.  I want to forever be changed by this experience.  I pray that God challenges each of you to your very core to ask that same question of yourselves.  Do you really want to be the same as you were a week ago?

Until tomorrow, with deep gratitude to all of you,

Dru and Joy Shiner