The Story Part 7

Dr. Speth had warned my parents about seeing Wes for the first time after surgery in the ICU. He would have a breathing tube down in throat and he would be sedated. He would also be in a strange bed. The bed was made for patients like Wesley. The head of the bed is about a foot higher than the foot of the bed. It tilts from side to side almost to the point that it looks like Wes was going to fall out. To keep him in place the bed was partitioned off each part of his body. Each limb was secured and his head was secured as well. Even though the bed was extremely uncomfortable it had major benefits:

-It prevented bed sores
-It keeps the body in constant motion
-It helps prevent blood clots
-It helps prolong muscle tone
-It helps prevent pneumonia by moving moisture in the lungs
-It keeps the blood circulating

Here is a picture that kind of shows the bed.

We were told that Wesley would have the breathing tube in for 4 to 6 days and he would be heavily sedated during that time.

My dad writes about walking into Wesley's room, "As we entered Wesley's room the doctor and nurses had prepared us by saying he would look terrible for a few days. As we saw him for the first time after the operation he looked beautiful to us. He was still alive and we had faith and hope on our side. Wes had IVs, drains, plastic lines, and cords everywhere. He was being monitored for everything that could possibly be tracked on the human body. His face was swollen and there was a large tube going down his throat taking oxygen to his lungs. His head was in a harness of steel that rocked sideways with his bed. We would walk from one side of the bed to the other as his bed moved so we could get a good look at him.

As we hugged him and pulled him close, he opened his eyes briefly and we were able to reassure him and tell him how much we loved him. He was very drugged to help him sleep and fight the pain. Karen and I watched him for 30 minutes and then we went into the ICU waiting room to sleep on chairs that pulled out into small beds. They had already been prepared by friends, complete with sheets, blankets, and pillows.

The last 12 hours had been the most exhausting and tragic in our lives. We lay in our beds and tried to get our brains to stop working. We silently prayed for our boy. When rest would not come for either of us Karen snuggled up to me in my bed. We held each other close, wondered about our boy's future, cried, and continued to pray in fitful rest.

Just holding Karen and enduring this together reminded me how bless I am to have my amazing wife and to be loved by her gives me added hope. We will make it through this together."

This next portion for tonight will be some notes by dad took as he pondered the situation. I am going to quote him almost exactly because I want you to see his thought process. He wrote this last Saturday, exactly one week after the accident.



"Exactly one week ago, Wes and I were headed to meet the group of boys from church and begin an adventure that would impact our family and all our dear friends; we do not know exactly what awaits us. We do KNOW that God is in control. This journey we are beginning will be exciting, challenging, and rewarding. It will refine all who are near. It will make us better and bring out the very best in all of us.

It teaches us in life that we must always look for the positive in every lesson, challenge, heartache and disaster. If we seek out the negative we are imprisoned and doomed to despair through a miserable existence. If we embrace the positive we are empowered and destine to be happy for the eternities.

I have been asked a few times why Wesley had to suffer when there are so many that are so undeserving. People who want to throw their lives away. In other words, why do devastating things happen to good people? I have pondered that thought for the last couple of days. I hope I can explain what I feel.

God did not cause Wesley's accident. He did not plan it out so that Wes or his family could learn important lessons.

Did God know about Wesley's accident? YES

Could he have prevented it? YES

Does God interfere with the choices we make? Very seldom, but it does happen.

If He interfered every time there was the potential for injury, death, or heartache we would fail to learn there are consequences for our actions. We would not learn wisdom or common sense. We would fail to learn from our mistakes or the mistakes of others. Without death, injury, or heartache, we, as a people, would be less compassionate, less understanding, and less able to serve others.

Wesley's accident has had a profound influence on hundreds and hundreds of people. IT has caused hundreds of people to hold their dear children closer, to thank their Heavenly Father for the safety of their little ones, to count blessings, to be united as a community, school, ward, and stake. It has moved us to be more compassionate, thoughtful, and empathetic. To judge less and love more. It has caused some to re-evaluate their lives and focus on what is most important and to draw closer to God.  It reminds us that as we serve others there is a great joy that comes to our hearts and often we forget about our own trials and heartaches. It teaches us the importance of our prayers and God's will. When tragedy strikes we look past ourselves and focus on doing everything in our power to help others. When we have these experiences it compels us to become what God would have us become.

So when I sometimes think how great it would be if God answered all of my prayers the way I want them answered, I am grateful he does not. He sees the big pictures and knows what he wants me to be and allows me to experience it, by not giving me everything I want.

We are praying for miracles and they have come and will continue to come. Just like the promise in Malachi- Prove me now here with, If I will not open you the window of heaven and pour you out a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.

I want you to know, that I know, because of the power of prayer God has already poured out these blessings and continues to do this for all the hundreds or thousands of people involved. All we need is the faith to see it.

If tragedy only happened to the bad, we would all assume they deserved it. When it happens to the good, we are compelled to help because of the light of Jesus Christ.

I am grateful God is focused on the big picture and by so doing gives me the opportunity to grow.

In the case of Wesley, He is truly aware and in control.

If it is to be that Wesley is handicapped all his life, he will always bring us great joy and happiness as he lives the gospel and as we celebrate his successes however big or small they are. Wes will always help bring others to Christ. I have learned through all of this so far that a hug, tears, and sincere feeling say more than words ever could. Some things are not meant to be explained."

Part 8 coming soon