Saturday, September 06, 2008

Gustav Aftermath - Saturday update









More of the city has some power restored, I'd say we are getting closer to half, and about half of gas stations are operational thanks to the swift and strong hand of our governor taking the situation by the reigns to assure the people of this state they have adequate access to essential needs. His actions and public statements to the power companies that four to six weeks to restore power was not acceptable I think has helped calm the fears and anxieties of the people in this state. It's at times like this you see the best and worst in people, we have seen both ends of the spectrum, but mostly we are seeing be extra kind to one another. I am hoping the city of Baton Rouge will rise to the occasion and refuses to host a setting to the likes we saw post-Katrina, we are determined to make things better than that.

Our house is surrounded by restored neighborhoods to power, but our one little patch remains in the dark. Our house would lose power about 3 times a week for no real reason, so we are hoping that whatever small issue was creating the frequent power loss has been broken in a manner that will allow it to be fixed at full capacity without the inconvenience of resetting the clocks all the time.

I was trying to come up with language to accurately describe what we have seen, as the pictures just don't do it justice. It's like we got a huge hailstorm of very large tree branches - they were EVERYWHERE. Most of my pictures are post-storm and after some clean-up has already taken place. But you couldn't look anywhere without seeing huge tree branches everywhere, like some kind of tree-branch forest for miles. Neighborhoods that looked perfectly normal at one time, look like overgrown dead-end country roads, resembling nothing like they did pre-storm. You can see just how some of these HUGE trees have roots as tall as a house, and they still toppled in the storm! It's surreal in some ways, like you woke up in another country with new landscape, new politics, no power, no food, crumbling homes, and an uncertain future for improvement.

Braden is scheduled for surgery Monday mid-morning, so we can really use your overtime prayers during that time. He will not likely be taken to "recovery", since he won't be waking up for four days. They will be giving him muscle blockers to keep him perfectly still while the trach heals in, so he will be "out" for about five days or so.

God continues to bless our family with the fortune of the love of friends. The Heckerts brought Braden a new monkey and a new frog friend to keep him company in his crib. Tonight as he was awake until almost 11pm, he was getting friendly with his new monkey, while enjoying his old one too. We are most grateful and overwhelmed by the love the Breaux family has showered upon us. The trach surgery brings more responsibilities and is more involved than Braden even is now. It wouldn't be fair to assume that Latacia and Kidz Korner would be willing to accommodate to Braden's new level of needs. But God wrapped His arms around us tonight as when they were given the news about the trach and we asked them if they would still be willing to care for him, the response was, "Don't you dare take our Braden from us, he's our family too". The worry we had about the burden this could be, was immediately lifted in love by our extended family of friends here. Without a doubt, we are blessed beyond our own comprehension.

We thank you for your notes of support, posts on the blog, phone calls, cards, and all that you do to let us know we are not alone in our journey of uncertainty. We hope by sharing our story with others, that just maybe others can be blessed too. Thanks for sharing the journey with us,
The Wilson's

7 comments:

Doris Glass Heckert - Jackson's Mommy said...

I am glad Braden loves the new monkey....and the old one---we will be praying double overtime for all you and your medical team---

Anonymous said...

Brad and Kodi,

I cannot even imagine dealing with the storm, much less the "storm" you have endured throughout little Braden's life. You always continue to sound so positive and I admire your attitudes immensely. You and Braden will be in my prayers tomorrow, and I do hope that things go well and you'll have peace as you wait through the induced coma time he'll need to begin healing.

God's blessings,
Kathy, Ben and family

Anonymous said...

I am praying for all of you in overtime! Your family and adopted families inspire me daily. I know you deserve all of the love and support you receive as you give more than anyone else I know. I miss you all! Hang in there - this too will make you all stronger!

Love,
Antie Victoria

Anonymous said...

Brad, Kodi and Braden,

You are all in our prayers and thoughts.

We are so impressed with Mom and Dad.....not only do you have the results of the storm to contend with you have your own "storm" going on. Just hang in there, we are doing the only thing we can do at this time "praying for you."

Ray and Dorothy

Anonymous said...

Braden, Sis and BW,
We are praying as is the entire SHCS. They are going to hold a prayer service this morning for you all.
I certainly hope that you were able to hold baby bee yesterday and today before the procedure. I will continue to hold faith strong that god is going to get all of this through it. I tell you, being so far away and feeling helpless are feelings that I would soon like to forget! Know that we are all right by your sides as you endure today and the next weeks worth of recovery. There will not be a moment that goes by, that we are all not there with you in spirit and faith.
WE love you all very much. Kiss the baby for me and Pax.

Katerina Ralli said...

Just read the blog here at work at UT. I'm praying right now!!!

Kathy Romberg

Anonymous said...

Hey Braden,

We are praying for you and your recovery. You are just so precious!

Love,

Ashley, Brady, and Avery Bagwell