Update on Greg and Casey

Update
Tuesday, October 7th, 2008
Hey everyone,

Greg and Casey are doing well. They have been super busy since returning to base last Friday. Family was there all weekend helping them get settled and everyone left yesterday. Greg and Casey were meeting with the Army yesterday about next steps and all he details regarding their care. They were supposed to meet with the Coroner today about funeral arrangements for Bree. So like I said they are very busy. I got to talk to Greg Sunday night and he sounded great. His voice is very raspy but said he was doing okay. His hands are hurting him and will take some time to heal. His lungs also are still in the process of healing as well.

Casey is doing very well. She found out today that a close friend who was like her second Mom passed away yesterday so she is very discouraged and I am sure questioning why all this happening right now. We need to pray for peace and understanding big time.

That is all I really know at this time and will update as I get any information.

thanks again for all your prayers!

Friday
Saturday, October 4th, 2008

Well it has been a whirlwind of two days for Greg and Casey. Getting released from the hospital today was a huge success. They were transported back to the base at Ft. Jackson where the army has a beautiful 2 bedroom fully furnished apartment. I heard it looks beautiful. They also stocked the fridge and pantry with food. Greg and Casey are doing well. Greg is in a lot of pain mainly from his hands. They of course are very tired from the last two days. The move, the emotions, the healing still taking place.

Over the next few days they will have some time to settle in, visit the clinic and get set up with nurses there, get thier prescriptions, etc. Right now they need to rest and it will be good when they can spend some quality time with each other as well.

As far as the injuries goes their lungs continue to look good and heal, their burns are healing nice as well. Greg’s hands are the greatest concerns right now and they will take good care of them.

It has been difficult as they begin processing Bree’s death, and all that it entails and we need to pray for peace and comfort that only God can give right now.

Thanks once again for your continued prayers!

Thursday night
Thursday, October 2nd, 2008

Well it just keeps getting better. They were told today that the Army will be taking good care of them however long they needed. They will have a furnished apartment and they made a list of the food they like and the fridge and cupboards will be stocked. They will also have gift cards provided from the the Warriors fun that will help buy them all new clothes. The general at Ft. Jackson made it very clear that they will be taken care of. Greg fought for this country three times in Iraq and that will not be taken lightly.

It is so cool that God is providing! They were put together in a room tonight and were doing great. They might be possibly be transported from the hospital tomorrow to the base in SC. They are resting well tonight.

The family seemed super excited today about the progress and how well they are doing. Everyone is in good spirits!

Thursday
Thursday, October 2nd, 2008

What an awesome day. The has been filled with tons of good news. Greg and Casey are both free from all the tubes, iv’s, etc and free from their beds. They actually got to sit up in a chair today and were asking for a hamburger and fries. Greg and Casey got to spend some quality time together, and spent most it just holding onto each other and crying. They were in the process of getting them both back in a room together.

They have talked about actually letting them go home soon so they can properly heal. The army has a apartment set up for them that is completely furnished and even comes with housekeeping, how about that. They both are dealing with the news of Bree and the only thing that seems to calm them is the fact that she is in heaven fulfulling her purpose there now.

We cannot thank everyone enough for all your prayers and support, and the road is just beginning. They will continue to need each one of us as they pick up the peices and move forward. I am so thankful to be apart of Greg and Casey’s life and I know that God has a plan for them.

On the funny side, Greg was in rare form apparently and giving the nurses a hard time and he was very happy that the tube finally came out of his butt.

Wednesday Night
Thursday, October 2nd, 2008

Well it has been very busy day. Greg and Casey both came off the ventilator and Casey is free from all tubes and wires. She is still being restrained to her bed because she is very adamate that she is getting out and getting to Greg. Hopefully, they will be together soon.

Greg is doing very good. They got to peel most of the pigskin off of his face, ears and neck today and his skin looks good and is healing nicely. He was much more alert tonight and was talking quite a bit. He is still very agitated about the tube in areas he doesn’t like. He told the nurse today, “I am a soldier in the US Army, and a drill Seargent, and you need to get this tube out of my ass.” It was great to hear and see Greg back to his fighting self LOL Kim got to help the nurses today alot with shaving, peeling off skin, and getting him to be more comfortable and keep him in the bed. He was trying to get out most of the day. He did share with Kim tonight that he went back into the house several times trying to find Bree. He said, “it was so hot, and I could feel my face burning, and my lungs were on fire.” He counted 6-8 times that he kept going in, and out catching his breath and trying to find her. Kim shared that Bree was needed up in Heaven right now to asssit God, and Greg said that he could deal with that, tears streamed down his face alot today.

The feeding tube, and the other tubes were still in, but plans are to take those out tomorrow. They were going to try to have him sit up on the edge of the bed tonight. He has been complaining most of the day about his back hurting.

All in all it was an awesome day, and Greg and Casey are both fighters and when you add that with prayer, you get a miracle. God has healed them in a big way and we pray that they will soon relaize that God is going to use them in a big way.

On a side note, we found out tonight a church in Kingsport where some family attend are going to dedicate a picture and pass out smoke alarms at a Harvest Festival they are having. That is way cool! When I find out more about that I will post it on the site.

Thanks for your continued prayers and we will update you tomorrow.

A smile that changed us!
Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

I took this just a few months ago when Greg, Casey and Bree were in Florida. I think Bree must have ate like 10 freezy pops. I couldn’t resist that smile






Wednesday mid-day
Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

Well, it’s been a great day!!! They took out the ventilator and Greg is doing well. He is breathing good, and they even were giving him ice chips. He is still pretty sedated and on pain medicine, so it out of it. They are going to get him cleaned up today, shaved, some more of the skin peeled off and then we will see. Wow, thank God for such a quick time and now he can begin the healing process. Having him off the ventilator is huge!!! They were also busy trying to get Casey off as well. She is in the room with an older lady, so they have been trying to get that settled down so they can get to Casey.

The plan is to get Greg and Casey in the same room. It will be important so that they can help each other deal with their loss.

Our prayers are for continued healing and also now Greg and Casey dealing with the death of Bree. They will begin asking questions and it appeared as if Greg was mouthing “Bree” this afternoon when everyone was in seeing him.

They both continue to be agitated, which shows they are fighting, so that is a good thing.

This is going to be a difficult time and through our prayers they will make it through.

On another note, I believe they were going back to the house today to see what else they could obtain, but the damage is pretty severe. They did find out that they had only minimal insurance to cover the contents, so it will be important that we can help support them and get them back on their feet.

Thanks for all that you are doing: your prayers, thoughts, emails and calls are so appreciated.

Wednesday Morning
Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

Jeff, his brother, and also some help from the Army were able to go inside Greg and Casey’s house yesterday and recover some pictures, papers, etc. There is quite a bit of water damage so not sure what is going to be salvageable. They are waiting to meet with the insurance folks. We know that the Army will make sure they have somewhere to go of course, but they have experienced a great loss. Their vehicles are okay and will be stored on base. We will let you know more details as they become available.

We have set up an account and I would encourage you to let people know that this is how they can help. Greg and Casey will have to start over. They will need furniture, clothes, and all the things they need. Any gift given will be tax deductible, and be used in this endeavor.

Again thank you for your prayers, support and any gift you could give to help them.


Brionna’s Hope
Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

We have set up an account to benefit Greg and Casey and also be an instrument to help other children of burn vicitms. All monies donated are tax-deductible and will go to Greg and Casey, and a benefit of their choice to help children of burn victims.

If you have any questions, please let us know and we will be happy to assist you.

Thanks for your prayers, support, and sacrifice as we all help Greg and Casey.

Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

Well as many of you know we were all aware that there would be up and down’s. Today was kind of a down day since we thought they would be coming off the ventilator, but they decided to keep them both on. Casey has become more and more agitated and continues to get sedated to help her stay calm. She is doing very well though and it should be soon that she can come off.
Greg continues to be stable and coughing up lots of the junk in his lungs. Both of them had “junky sounding” lungs today. They both have lots of soot and black stuff that will be coming out for awhile. Greg had to be restrained today as well, as he became agitated and they want to prevent them from pulling out anything. They both continue to respond to our voices and open their eyes often. The skin on Greg’s face is looking great and they have been able to peel back and cutt some of the skin off, which is good. His skin underneath looks great and you can’t even tell it has been burned. His hands continue to be a concern, they are unsure as of yet the exact damage because they have been wrapped since they arrived.
Please continue to pray for their lungs and breathing. That really is the key!
On another note, Casey’s father and Uncle were able to go over to Columbia and get into the house to secure some of Greg and Casey’s personal belongings. I will update you when we find out more about that.