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Parker Allen

always4bama

always4bama

1st Team
Dec 14, 2006
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Decatur, Alabama, United States
Please pray for Parker - he and his family are AL fans (though at this moment that is not important) Parker is a student at Auburn and was in a serious car accident last night and life flight transported him to Columbus, GA. He is stable but has sustained head injuries. He had surgery, they removed a blood clot from the brain and part of his skull so the brain could swell without pressure. Currently vtals are stable.

Some of you in Decatur or Morgan County may know his grandparents Jack and Betty Allen or his dad Stewart Allen.
 
Re: Parker -update

The doctors are still saying it is a day by day wait. Parker is breathing on his own, his temp will spike every now and then. They will but him on the vent in the evening to give him some rest. He does have some response with his eyes and he also reacts to having his face washed.

Please continue to pray for Parker and the family.
 
always4bama said:
Parker has been moved to a private room at Columbus Medical Center - though his condition remains about the same.

For those that would like to you may send the family an email to:

www.http://columbusregional.com/email_a_patient


The emails are printed and delivered to the family M-F.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the updates always4bama. Please continue to let us know how Parker is doing. I sent him an email. RTR
 
Parker has been running a temp for a couple of days now. The news is that the temp is caused from an intestinal infection caused from antibiotics. They are working towards getting this taken care of by changing meds. There are also some blood clots in the legs, they are not overly concerned with this because they have the mesh in place to catch them in case they move.

Once the temp is gone they hope to move him to UAB. They were also looking at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta - for now UAB seems to be the next location hopefully this will happen next week.

The family is still in need of prayers.
 
always4bama said:
Parker has been running a temp for a couple of days now. The news is that the temp is caused from an intestinal infection caused from antibiotics. They are working towards getting this taken care of by changing meds. There are also some blood clots in the legs, they are not overly concerned with this because they have the mesh in place to catch them in case they move.

Once the temp is gone they hope to move him to UAB. They were also looking at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta - for now UAB seems to be the next location hopefully this will happen next week.

The family is still in need of prayers.
Click to expand...

Again, thank you for the update and please continue to post as you get new info. Parker and his family continue in our prayers. :BigA:
 
The following post is from Stuart and Roslyn (Parker's parents) posted on CaringBridge their most recent update.



To the many friends of Parker,
Thank you for taking the time to show us your concern. Hopefully, sometime soon, we will be able to thank all of you personally. Your faith has encouraged us so much.
Parker has finished two days of therapy, rehab, tests, etc. here at Spain Rehab at UAB. He has done well, but is very limited in what he is able to do. He is still in a marked coma, which as I understand it, means he responds to some stimulation, but is unable to respond to simple commands w/ no vocalization. Parker's day consists of speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy during the morning in the room. In the afternoon, we get him in a wheelchair and take him to therapy for 2 1/2 hours on the floor. It is a very exhausting day for him, as well as us. Does anyone know of a good chiropractor that makes in-hospital visits and works cheap?
The program we are in is a Pre-rehab / Family training program where Parker receives therapy and Roslyn and I are taught how to take care of him when we take him home. We will probably be here for another week and then go from there, depending on his progress. Please continue to pray for Parker to progress and improve. Thanks to God for how far he has come to this point.

Stuart and Roslyn
 
Stuart's latest journal entry in regards to Parker;s progress:

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']We are so thankful and appreciative for all the many words of encouragement we have received from all of you. This is only one of the ways God is using Parker's accident. His plan has been evident since the first few hours after we got the news he had been in a serious car accident. The Lord has provided every step of the way and your encouragement is a part of that. Please accept our thanks.[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Parker has had two good days of therapy. He continues to make small steps of progress. He lifted his head a few times today and was able to control it and lay it back down. It takes so much energy for him to do something like this, that seems so small. He is beginning to push against pressure with his arms, as we do his range of motion exercises. Roslyn and I are being trained by the staff on how to take care of him. As would be expected, her grade is much better than mine. I wish you could all see how much she loves Parker. It is truly amazing and a great inspiration. Parker and Hunter are so blessed to have her as their mother.[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Just a note, this will probably be a long process of recovery. Don't get discouraged if the results are slow in coming. Keep praying. I don't know how this will all turn out, but I believe that God is doing something great that will bring glory to His name. The signs are everywhere.[/FONT]

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']In Christ,[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Stuart[/FONT]
 
Below once again is Stuart's update from the online journal. Parker's grand-daddy said yesterday that due to the progress Parker showed this week they will keep him in re-hab for two more weeks. The original discharge date wold have been this week.


We believe that this has been a really good week for Parker. He has been alot more alert and responsive the past several days, especially to touch and sound. He is beginning to be able to follow commands, at times. When he is concentrating on moving or following a command, he has to work so hard. We have been greatly encouraged this week. I think the Lord knew that we needed it. Just as He has from the beginning of this ordeal, His timing has been perfect. A word of encouragement, a phone call, a card, an email, a visit, a gift, a meal, something Parker does ... coming at just the time when we're in need of a lift. God's grace is truly amazing. In times like this, you are faced to do the things you should always do. I know my priorities have changed 180 degrees since March 3rd. I know I will never be the same. We are so thankful for everything you all are doing for us. Let me say this... some of you have paid me some very nice compliments on here and I thank you for your kind words. So there is no confusion, Jesus Christ receives all the glory and honor for anything I may say or do. He is abundant in mercy and without Him, I am without hope. God has sustained Roslyn and I this entire time. His hedge of protection and healing power is the reason Parker survived the accident and is with us today. Pray that whatever happens out of this, that the name of Jesus would receive all praise, glory, and honor. Please continue to lift up Parker and our family in your prayers.
Thank You,
Stuart, Roslyn, Parker, and Hunter Allen
 
Copy from journal

Dear Friends,
Thank you for your kindness and for taking the time to show your concern. I believe that the many prayers that are being offered to the Lord on our behalf are truly making a difference. Please continue to pray for God's grace to sustain us and for Parker's healing. Also, the past few days, Parker has really be struggling with what is termed "storming". His muscles tense, he sweats, his heart rate and breathing increase, etc. We are told it is something that is normal for persons with traumatic brain injuries and he is being treated with medicine for it. However, it effects his ability to relax and be in a state where he can concentrate and learn / re-learn. I think as he has become more alert, he is having these episodes more often. I tell you this to ask you to pray for the Lord to help Parker be able to relax and rest.
Otherwise, today was a good day for Parker. Last week, he had improved to the moderate coma level on the Rappaport Coma Scale. There are 5 levels on this scale: 4) Extreme Coma, 3) Marked Coma, 2) Moderate Coma, 1)Near Coma, and 0) No Coma. The Moderate level means he was inconsistently responsive to stimulation presented to 2 or 3 sensory modalities but not responsive to simple commands. Today when he was tested by the speech therapist, he scored at the Near Coma level. That means he was consistently responsive to stimulus presented to 2 sensory modalities and/or inconsistently or partially responsive to simple commands. Praise the Lord for the progress. The doctors, nurses, medical staff, emergency personnel, maybe even family have watered, but only God causes growth. Roslyn and I are so blessed to be able to spend this time together and to care for Parker. We thank God every day that He brought him through the accident and has given us this opportunity.
Thank all of you.
Stuart and Roslyn
 
Update from Stuart:

One thing the family did not list in the journal update is the need they will have for transportation for Parker. Parker will be confined to a wheelchair for mobility purposes. If any one knows of an affordable handicap van or a non-profit that helps in this area please forward info to ben@southsidebaptist.net. The Allen family still has a long and expensive road ahead any help will be appreciated.

Thanks


What is a friend? Even if we are really blessed, we only have a few of them. Sometimes people who we thought were our friends are not there when we need them. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going. It's time to step up. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." We have heard them all. I can list many names of people, that in our darkest hour, have stepped up for us big time. Without your love and support, we could not have made it through to this point. Above all, the Friend that sticks closer than a brother, the Lord Jesus has been there every minute. As the Bible says, even when we are faithless He is faithful. Thank God for His grace and mercy. Many of you have displayed the love of Christ in how you have responded to our situation. May He richly bless you.
Right now, it looks like Parker will be discharged and we will be taking him home some time next week. It has been a long time since March 3rd. That is the last time that I slept in my house. It is because of the love of God that we are going home. It has not been easy, but Parker has come so far. The road ahead will be hard. It won't be for the faint of heart. He has Severe Traumatic Brain Injury. I am sure they gave it that name for a reason. It is not a good thing. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." We need a God that nothing is to big for. May we all see His glory displayed.
In Christ,
Stuart
 
Parker has had a set back this week-end he has a urinary trac infection and running a temp. Without complete healing this will set back his release from rehab. Please pray that God will grant th relief he needs and bring him healing.
 
Good News - Parker had an EEG yesterday and the doctors believe that the storming that Parker has been experiencing was caused by the discomfort he was experiencing due to the Urinary Trac infection and not because of problems related to the brain. The infection is under control and Parker is now expected to be discharged tomorrow as originally planned.
 
Re: Parker Allen-he is home!!

From Stuart

Well, we made it home today. Tonight marks 8 weeks since Parker's accident. It truly has been an experience of a lifetime. It has been very difficult at times, but God has shown Himself faithful in every doubt, fear, worry, and tear. He has sent so many people to bring us His love, just when we needed it most. His grace really is amazing.
It is good to be back home with Hunter. He has been staying here with Roslyn's mother for several weeks now. We have missed him so much. This will be the first time the four of us have lived together since Parker left to go to Auburn 2 years ago. It is a great homecoming for all of us.
Parker is trying so hard. More and more each day, I am convinced that he is very aware of everything that goes on around him. We just have to keep working to find those things that will help him respond more consistently. Please keep praying that Parker will be able to find rest and comfort each day. That is the biggest obstacle for him right now. We want his muscles to move when he tells them to, not out of some reflexive action. In man's thinking, we may be facing a hopeless situation. But with God, nothing is impossible. Please Lord, just let us have faith the size of a mustard seed, so we can see You move this mountain.
In the good times, Praise His Name.
In the bad times, do the same.
In everything, give the King of Kings all the thanks.

Love,
Stuart, Roslyn, Parker, and Hunter Allen
 
Stuarts update

Dear Friends,
We continue to thank God for all of you that continually encourage and strengthen us. If we have not been able to thank you personally yet, please accept this as a down payment on our future personal greeting. So many have done so much for us, that it really is a humbling experience. We all have heard the platitudes about the goodness and grace of God, but in our case, I hope you all know that our words and feelings of thankfulness are from our hearts. We do believe, that those of you that have given to us in so many ways, are giving to us a true blessing sent from the Lord Himself.
We have spent three nights at home now and we are thankful to be here. Parker continues to do little things every few days that we have not seen him to do since his accident. He moved his arms and hands a little yesterday. Boy, do we rejoice over the least little signs of improvement. When his muscles are able to relax and he can concentrate, we know Parker can make progress. He is fighting so hard. I told him last night that he is the bravest person I know. Please pray that the Lord will continue to make Isaiah 40 be alive and active in Parker. Phillipians 4:13 is not just a verse any more, but it is our life. This puts an entirely different focus on everything. Pray that the Lord Jesus will make Parker aware of His presence.
Love,
Stuart, Roslyn, Parker, and Hunter
 
Update from Stuart and Roslyn:

Today marks 10 weeks since the morning that we learned of Parker's accident and condition. WE WILL NEVER FORGET! We won't forget the feelings of despair, fear, pain, etc. Nor will we forget in this lifetime, the painful memories of how he looked and how he must have suffered in those first few hours and days following. During those first few days and even now, I think we have run the cycle of human emotions. We also will never forget the great people and great care he has received in both of his hospital stays (@Columbus and UAB Spain). We will be back to see you when his condition permits. We are so thankful for the Ronald McDonald House staff's compassion and hospitality. We will take with us forever the wonderful memories of the many who have supported us in so many ways since Parker's accident.
I remember reading a story about Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski during his first couple of years at the school. Coach K was on the hot seat early on in his tenure at Duke, in fact there was a movement among some to try to have him removed as basketball coach. During that early period, Duke played Virginia in the ACC tournament and was beaten badly, I think by something like 40 points. At a gathering of Duke alumni and supporters following the game, a booster made a toast to never remembering the Virginia loss. Coach K disagreed with him and corrected the toast and said something like, " here's to NEVER forgetting this night." There are those who probably think I have gone over the edge, but I feel the same way. May we never forget all that God has done before, during, and since that terrible night.
I believe God is saying many things to us through this situation. I wanted to mention a couple today: 1) IT IS NOT OVER! God has not had the last word yet. Many of you that know how the Lord operates can see His hand at work. Just when it seems there is no hope... there is God. 2) NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD - a certain doctor told us a couple of weeks after the accident that Parker would never wake up. His opinion was based on his experience and knowledge along with Parker's brain injuries. Well, our son who we were told would never wake up, has been trying to sit up in the bed and make vocal sounds today. Granted, Parker's injuries look bad on paper. But there is One who has the last say on the final outcome. We are so blessed that so many people are being led to pray for Parker's healing and that we know that He hears these prayers. I was just thinking the other day about how if I am feeling this much love for Parker, how much more Jesus must love him. I am going to finish with a little chorus, Signs and Wonders:
God is moving, by His spirit
moving in all the earth.
Signs and wonders, as God moveth,
move, oh Lord, in me.

Thank you,
Stuart, Roslyn, Parker, and Hunter
 
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