Mothers Day/Carter

Happy Mothers Day Mom! Sorry I'm late, but thank you for everything. This isn't the greatest picture, but it kind of got everything I will wrap into this post. My mom REALLY is the greatest! She was so calm and pleasant on Mothers Day, even with my Grandparents not doing very well, and having/getting to drive to be with them all by herself, and with the call about Carter coming in the day before. For those of you who don't know, Carter, (the brother shown in this picture leaving for his mission in Independence Missouri) was in a tree, trimming it for a ward member. He is actually in Olathe, Kansas, not that that matters, but he stepped on a branch that didn't hold his weight like he thought it would, and it snapped, and went down with him. The fall was between 15 and 25 feet, we have heard both and everything in between! He had a lower skull fracture, broke his left wrist, and basically crushed the whole left eye socket. He also had a big gash that needed plastic surgery. "On Sunday, Carter had surgery on his optic nerve and they removed several bone fragments. The neurosurgeon is the only LDS neurosurgeon in the area and he "just happened" to be on call. He was pleased with the outcome and is optimistic that he will regain much if not all of his sight in his left eye. Carter's president is also a physician and he has been there for much of the medical decision making. We feel very blessed and that these are not coincidences. The orthopedist will do surgery to put a plate in Carter's left arm to correct the severe deformation of the radius. This will allow for healing with a splint rather than a cast. He will remain in ICU until Tuesday and it will be 4-6 weeks until we will know the full extent of his vision recovery. Before the surgery he could just see bright lights out of his left eye. I spoke with Carter this morning and he sounded very good. I asked him if his face hurt and he laughed. He said he remembers standing on a limb while helping one of the members trim his tree. He doesn't recall much after the limb broke. We are grateful for all your faith, prayers and fasting. You make a difference. We love you all and feel the Lord is directing Carter's care and recovery. President Van Kommen attended the Olathe Ward today which was fasting for Carter and reported to them on his condition. He said there was a great outpouring of love and concern and that Carter had won the hearts of the members there. We were not surprised." That was an email from my dad that basically sums things up. He is healing from the arm surgery, and should hopefully get to call home tomorrow since we didn't get to talk to him for Mothers' Day yet, because of anesthisia from surgery.