Received via email:"Bri0nna in NC- Brionna is 14 years old and was a passenger involved in a single car accident. She has severe head trauma. She was taken to Charleston, SC. I have heard several different reports and cannot verify details but do know that this is very serious. I do not know the status of her relationship with God but pray that if she needs it, she will have opportunity and the right person to cross her path. I don't know how responsive she is at this point."
Received via email - "The latest I heard last night (from someone who spoke to Brianna's dad) is that the doctors are preparing her family for a tough day today. They said usually the third day is when there is the most swelling. They are keeping her sedated (comatose, I think) to reduce as much stress on her body as possible. So, please everybody, pray! A couple of the others in the accident were treated and released--I understand that one more may have been hospitalized but none of them received the damage Brianna did. I was also told that she broke every bone in her face (heard this from several people).Lord, I ask You to touch Brianna today in a way that no one, not even the doctors, can. Let her be a living testimony of Your power and mercy. Help her parents, her brother, other family members, and her friends. Comfort them as only You can. May You be glorified in this. I ask it in the name of Jesus. Amen."
Received via email on 5/14/07:"I wanted to give my prayer partners an update on Brionna Spivey. Brionna had not had a single setback in her recovery until Thursday when her temperature went to 103. Doctors began antibiotics and she began responding. Praise the Lord! When I spoke to her uncle yesterday afternoon, it had come down to 100.8. During some procedures on Friday, which evidently aroused her, her ICP (Inner Cranial Pressure - the thing that was at 18 and had come down to 10) shot up to 30!But, (thank the Lord for "buts") it was at 4 yesterday. God is so good!Today the doctors will do an MRI of Brionna 's head to try to determine the exact extent of her injuries.They also play to put a feeding tube in at this time. Her family wanted me to thank you for your prayers, and, of course, they are asking you to keep praying for her.Psalm 107:20 says "He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." As we speak God's word in prayer, let's join in believing for her full recovery - FOR HIS GLORY."
Received via email on 05/16/07:"PRAISE THE LORD!!! I am so excited! The doctors have started weaning Brionna off of the ventilator. She is breathing 75% of the time! The machine is breathing 4 breaths to Brionna's 17 breaths. One of the side effects of this is that her blood pressure is going up some. This is expected because her body is working harder to respond. They have done MRI's on her head and neck. The family asked the doctors when they thought she would "wake up" based on the extent of her injuries, and they said they have seen a very wide range of time before patients wake up. Some quickly - some quite a long time. It is a very individualized process. The care team will be removing the collar she has in order to put a trach in and will replace it with a little different collar. She will also receive a feeding tube in her stomach this week. (The tube is now down her throat.)We are confident God is hearing our prayers and we trust Him to manifest Brionna's full recovery in His timing. Thank you for every prayer you pray for this young girl and her family. May God bless you abundantly!"
Received via email from one of our prayer partners on 05/16/07:"I am praying that she will not receive the feeding tube, but will be able to eat and sit up before the week is out! Praise God for His Healing Touch!!"Received via email 05/21/07:"Brionna has had several good days. Her temperature and the pressure in her head have come down to normal. She underwent surgery Thursday morning for a trach and a feeding tube. Around 2:30 Thursday afternoon she opened her right eye twice! The news gets better...Brionna's daddy, Mike, called Saturday to say that she was not only COMPLETELY OFF OF THE VENTILATOR, but THEY HAVE TAKEN IT OUT OF HER ROOM! I hope I'll soon be telling you that she's awake and talking! Her family is tired but also very encouraged in all that God is doing. They ask me to thank you for your prayers. They see them manifested in Brionna and feel them as their Comfort continuously.Thank You, Father! Glory to Your Name."
Received via email 5/24/07:"The Lord continues to be merciful and gracious to Brionna Spivey.She has been moved to a regular room and is getting wonderful care from the team at MUSC.Yesterday the doctors reviewed the X-rays and were planning to begin "some" of the surgeries in her face.But, the Potter has molded her face to His original fashion! "Surgeries" will not be necessary. PTLMike, Brionna's dad called this morning to say that the nurses have shown Melody (Brionna's mother) how to care for the trach if she needs to. She was attending to it in some way yesterday and Brionna began opening and closing her eyes. She opened them 5-6 times. Her mother, of course, was so excited. This was an awesome encouragement for all the family and friends.Good morning, Holy Spirit. How we adore You and praise You for Your mighty works. Your love and mercy are all around us.May we never cease to give You the honor You are so worthy of. Lord Jesus, I pray that You will continue this good work that You have begun in Brionna. I thank You right now, Lord, that You will bring every memory and thought back together. I pray that you will allow Bree to wake up to know the Wonders of Your Mighty Hand.I pray against any defects or setbacks and that she will see with both of her eyes and speak/sing of Your Great Love.God, we want to share "You" with someone TODAY. Prepare that heart and open the door of opportunity.May they see Jesus in all we do and say. For Your Glory!Now, Father, we are trusting You. You have shown over and over that we can. Guide us in all Truth.Amen"
Received via email on 5/31/07:"Please lift Brionna in prayer today. Her temperature has shot up again yesterday and they can't seem to find out why and are not able to get it down. They have removed all foreign lines that might be a source of infection. So, at this point, they are stumped.I talked with Mike, Brionna's Dad, Tuesday and he said that she was beginning to move her legs! Her heart rate had gone up along with this movement and the doctors are encouraged by it. They say that if her blood pressure had gone up, they would associate it with PAIN. But, since her heart rate went up, they think it is from HER TRYING TO MOVE! Thank you, Father.Also, please continue to remember Brionna's parents. Her mother, Melody has only had 3 hours of sleep at any given time. This Saturday will be 4 weeks, and she is exhausted.Thank you for your love and prayers. It means everything.~Donna"
Received via email on 06/04/07:"GOOD -We visited with Brionna Saturday. The doctors had started giving her a muscle relaxer (Her hands and feet had begun to draw in.) and it has relaxed her and helped with the physical therapy AND it caused her fever to drop. She is still opening her right eye (groggily) and when I talked with her, she would move her head toward my voice about an inch. I was so excited! They are putting her up in a wheel chair 1 hour out of 3 to stimulate her and she is completely off of the oxygen, although she still has the trach. SHE HAS MET THE CRITERIA FOR REHAB! If all goes well, she will be moved to Charlotte this Wednesday or Thursday. This was very encouraging news to Brionna's family. It was a good visit.AND NOT SO GOOD-I got a call last night that Brionna has pneumonia in her right lung. I called and talked with Mike and he said that the doctor was afraid at first that her lung was collapsing, but after getting the results from the lab, he determined it was pneumonia. They have started her on a very aggressive antibiotic and are hopeful that it will clear up in 2-3 days. Her temperature was 103 last night.When I first heard the news of the pneumonia, I was sad and I asked God why. She had not had any setbacks and now when rehab was so close - pneumonia. Immediately, He told me He had a reason. I believe it is for her good. You never know, this antibiotic may help in ways we don't see that she needs. He is All Sufficient. I trust Him to continue her healing process.Thank you for your prayers.~Donna"
Received via email on 6/11/07:"Brionna is clear of pneumonia and she is going to be moved to Charlotte today at 10 a.m. for re-hab!Thank the Lord.This weekend, her temperature stayed down and she did not get agitated very much causing her heart rate to go up.(This comes from muscle spasms.)God has continued to be so wonderful and merciful.Please pray for a safe and smooth transition to Charlotte. (Both for Brionna and the parents.) The family has been told that we will be amazed at the difference we'll see in just one week.I receive that in the precious name of Jesus. He is All Sufficient.THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS.Also, please pray for me and the many friends of Brionna who are hosting the Spaghetti Benefit for her this Friday from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.I'm nervous about such a large undertaking. Sponsors and volunteers have been wonderful.We want to praise the Lord for all He's done for Bree and in this small way be a blessing to her family."
Received via email on 6/20/07:"GREAT NEWS FROM BRIONNA!(Attached is an e-mail from Donald Cribb's wife Cheryle. Donald is the deacon from Clarendon Baptist Church that "cares" for Brionna's family.They are assigned many families to inner act with. He talks with them everyday.)"If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."GOD IS ANSWERING OUR PRAYERS NOW!Thank you ... Donna McPherson Good day everyone.....12:04 June 20thThis is my disclaimer......I do my very best to pass along only information that either I or Donald have received directly from either Mike, Melodyor Diane. and then do my very best to relay and explain as it was it was explained to me, not adding to or exaggerating any details. Informationfrom any other source will be documented as such. If you have confirmed knowledge that any of the information received in these e-mails is incorrect or has changed, please reply back to me directly so I can made corrections. Melody has explained to Donald that their day is very busy....and the best time for him to call is in the evening....so information I forwardwill most likely be from the previous evening. Also, if at any time you wish to be removed from this list, please just let me know. Otherwise....just keep praying.CheryleDonald spoke with Melody yesterday late evening......and reports the following........They've removed the cast from her feet that was in place to help her gain the correct foot posture.The report from the doctor was she has regained 20% and this is more than they've ever seen anyone regain at once.Another cast was placed to continue the process.A Comfort Brace for her hands and arms are being made to size to accomplish the same in her hands....although this brace is removable.Her temp, bp, and heart rate are all within normal ranges. They're going to remove her current trachea and replace with a smaller one.She is still opening her right eye....but not so much the left. She is showing facial expressions in response to direct stimuli. An example would be when the therapist is working with her and it's painful, she looks as if she wants to cry. The doc's say this is a good sign.It was explained to me that this could be showing that she is not only feeling the stimuli but the brain is receiving thepain signal and she is expressing her discomfort in her face. "THIS IS GOOD"Also, the therapist put a sucker to her lips. She didn't immediately go to sucking on it....BUT...she did move her tongue as to taste it. Donald said that sucker had to have been like a steak to her. .....another positive improvement.The speech therapist is working with her with sounds and smells. She's got a regular routine now also. Her days begins around 7:30. It's a shower and get dressed. The therapist want her dressed as with as much of a normal routine wouldbe as possible. "NOW FOR THE BEST PART"....or at least I think so...........she has made some sounds. Melody described themas the sounds a baby might make before they can actually talk. "ISN'T THAT GREAT"!!!! Now I'm really excited aboutthat. Keep praying friends..............God's Blessings To You All!!Cheryle"
Received via email on 6/20/07:"I cried when I read this praise report...this is a miracle of healing from God! I will keep praying that Brionna will continue to receive healing just as God healed me after my MVA. I suffered a brain injury as well as other injuries, but by His stripes, I am healed! Blessings, Cathy J""That is awesome! Isn't God GREAT!!!!! i'm so glad she is doing better! ...Ashley"
Received via email on 6/25/07:"I was able to visit with Brionna this weekend. As always, it was a wonderful blessing for me. She is making more facial expressions.I THINK SHE KNEW I WAS THERE LOVIN' ON HER!Her rehab is very rigorous. 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The doctors say she is "Storming". This is a recovery process when the patient is trying to wake up. Due to damaged brain cells, the good cells have to work harder (before new ones are replenished). This is a very positive process, but is very tiring to Brionna.Please pray today specifically for the process of injecting botox in several areas of Bri's arms, neck/shoulder, legs, and feet. It will relax the muscles and ligaments that have drawn causing her to respond more rapidly to the physical therapy. However, IT IS VERY PAINFUL FOR HER TO RECEIVE. It burns for quite a while. This will be a milestone in her recovery. Help me pray for her to endure the pain and that God would even use this pain to wake her up!Thank you for your continued prayers for Brionna and her family.~Donna McPherson"
Received via email on 7/10/07:"My husband, Jack talked with Brionna's dad last night.Bri' is back at the rehab facility. As it turns out, she was taken to the "hospital" portion of Carolina's Medical Center for a lumbar procedure. While she was there, the doctors did other tests that could not be done on the "rehab" side. Thank God, all tests came back good. They seem to think that the temperature she keeps getting is coming from the head trauma since everything else is checking out OK.She is still holding her eyes open for 20 minutes or so. And she has once followed her mother with her eyes when she walked around the bed. The doctor had hoped for a little better results from the Botox, but says he has "other tricks up his sleeve" to help her. Brionna was fitted yesterday for a wheelchair. This was somewhat depressing for her parents. But, I'm believing that by the time they get it made - she won't need it.Doctors had projected that if she had not made significant progress by July 11 (tomorrow), they would send her home. But, thank the Lord, she has made enough progress to push that date back to the 20th. Hopefully, they'll keep pushin' it back!.I feel very strongly that it's a critical time to pray for Brionna.I believe it's God's will to restore her. We have to have faith...otherwise we cannot please Him.THANK YOU, Donna"
Received via email on 8/2/07:"Pastor Chrisa: Here are a couple of praise reports for Brionna. ~TerriBrionna came home yesterday. She did great! She tolerated the looooong ride home. (Her mama and daddy kept stopping: Wal-Mart, to get butter beans, to get her medicine and a few grocery.) Then all the company came in and she did great again! She was calm - looking around and was very pleasant. I talked with Mike this morning and she had a very restful night as well. I think she knows she's "home". Thanks for your concern with both of these folks who mean so much to me. LYL (Love you lots!)Donna
Praise God, Brionna is home!! In early May, I e-mailed those that I know BELIEVE in the power of prayer and in God's ability to perform miracles. Well, Brionna is a living miracle and testament of God's awesome power. She continues to improve daily, so keep those prayers flowing. Please join me in thanking GOD for her return to her home where she is surrounded by family and friends who love her so very much. She is our sister in Christ and I know that we all love her and pray for God's will to be done in her life. Please continue to pray for her parents and brother as they attend to her needs. It has been a long road for them, and while they still have a long way to go, they're in it for the long haul because they believe in HIS power as well.Brionna was one of the lead characters in a play to be performed by the youth of our church when she was in the car accident in May. Naturally, the play was delayed. When the family asked that we go ahead with the play and find someone else to fill in for Brionna because they felt it was what she would want, the youth complied. God knew what was in the future at that moment. No one on Earth knew that the date for which the play was rescheduled would fall on the Friday after Brionna's return home...but, God knew. Thank God she will be with us for the play on Friday and hopefully Saturday and for church on Sunday!!!! Again, GOD is so awesome. I love HIM so much, as I know you do, too. I am so thankful that when we fall on our face and carry our burdens to HIM, He answers us and yet again shows us just how much HE loves us. Have a great weekend!!Katrina"
Received via email on 11/16/07:"Brionna has very good use of her right hand and arm. She can drive!....her wheelchair! and the golf cart! But hey, that's great!She is able to go to the bathroom. No more diapers! Yay God! Brionna is continuing to learn to talk. Her mischievous, delightful personality is shining through. She and her dad constantly pick on each other. Watching that is an awesome blessing too.Her physical therapists continue to work trying to strengthen her legs. Her mother is believing for Brionna to walk for Christmas! I come in agreement with that for the glory of our Great God! (Boy, I get excited talking about all He has done and is doing.)Brionna will go back to Charleston on November 26 for 3 weeks of intensive therapy. She will get more botox injections, so hopefully that left hand will be movin' freely soon. She still has a feeding tube and has been labeled "a silent aspirator". Doctors will be doing some electric shock on her throat and hopefully she will be eating and talking when she comes home. Full recovery is close. I just know it. Hallelujah! How I feel His Presence just telling of this precious miracle child. Blessings to you and yours-Donna"
Received via email on 11/28/07:"Things have been going well with Brionna. God has continued to bless with strength and mobility.She is able to drive her wheel chair (and the family golf cart!), she is talking a little more distinctively, and has eaten some ice cream, a few French fries, and some bites of chicken McNuggets! PTL!This past Monday, Brionna went back to Charlotte for 3 weeks of intensive rehab.She received botox again in her left hand and arm which are quite drawn.Then doctors extended it and cast it for at least a week. (Sounds painful!) I'll be honest - I'm not sure what all the doctors are planning to do, but I know it will be rough.Brionna wasn't conscious during rehab before. She will be very aware of everything this time.I am very encouraged that the doctors are aggressively working to help her.Once again, please join me in praying for Brionna Spivey, her family, and the doctors caring for her.I'm believing for Brionna to be able to eat meals, talk and laugh, and walk for the glory of our Great God!Be Blessed-Donna"
