An Arm for Eric

"With GOD all things are POSSIBLE" Mark 10:27

Hi Everyone!
I know many of you know our story, but in case you don't...

Friday Aug. 4th, Eric, Lorena, and I went down to Southern IL to visit friends. On Saturday the 5th, before meeting our other friends in St. Louis, Eric tried out our friend's 4-wheeler. Things were fine, until Eric was making a sharp turn to go back down the drive, when he lost control. The 4-wheeler ran into the back of our parked van. Eric put his arm out, in order to stabilize himself, but the back came up and landed on him. Our 4 year old daughter was riding in front of him. When he put his arm out, it gave Lorena a second to roll off the 4-wheeler and under the van. She walked away with just road rash. 
Unfortunately, being in the outer parts of town, Eric needed to be driven to the Hospital in Alton, IL. His left arm had a compound fracture, elbow dislocation, and was almost completely severed. He also broke his foot in 3 places, and had some severe lacerations on his legs. Eric was transported to St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
The 1st surgery, Saturday night, they repaired the artery, but were unable to find the nerve to reattach it. We were hopeful that the Doctors were going to be able to save some function of the arm, but Eric was unable to move his hand/fingers. He also had no feeling in them as well.
The 2nd surgery was to go in and see what needed to be done to regain function. They were able to find the nerve, that actually snapped at the upper arm. They used a nerve from his right leg to fix it. Although, the Doctors found a blood clot, and some of the muscle had died in the underside of his forearm.
The 3rd surgery was to clean out all the dead tissue they could. Which went well, but the Doctors said we would just have to wait and see what would survive and what could be saved.
The 4th was to put in a metal plate and screws where the forearm was broken in order to stabilize the arm. After this surgery, Eric was at risk for an artery burst, since the arteries/arm had been through so much trauma/surgeries. Everything was going well, and the Doctors were thinking about a possible muscle transfer from Eric's leg to his arm, to give some function to the hand.
The day of surgery #5, Eric told me I needed to go home to be with our daughter, and that he would be fine. This surgery was just to go in the arm and clean out more dead tissue so they could get a good idea of what was left of the arm and how to proceed with the possible muscle transfer.
As I was kissing him goodbye, I just happened to look down at his wrapped arm. There was a pool of blood under it. I immediately remembered what I needed to do, since I badgered the nurse about it 2 days prior. 
-Push call button
-Look for someone in the hall
-Call for help
I needed to do all of those. After calling for help the nurses came running. They were amazing, and took control of the situation. The Doctors were called and Eric went into emergency surgery. 
After surgery when the Hand surgeon came to see me, I knew it wasn't what we were hoping to hear. Eric's brachial artery had burst. He could have bled out and died if I had not seen the blood and walked out the door. Unfortunately, the burst happened where the artery had already been patched in the very first surgery. Therefore, the arm had to be amputated on August 15th. 
Eric is going through surgery #6 as I type this. It is to finish the amputation process. In a week or so, we hope for Eric to come home for Rehab. We are counting down the days! 
It has been a long 2 weeks, and I know our Journey will be longer, but I'm so happy to have the support network we have! 
Our Family, Church Family, and Friends have been so amazing, and helpful through this and I know they will continue to be. 
Thank you for reading our Story, and donating, if you felt compelled to do so! 

The money donated will go to Medical Expenses, Rehabilitation, and An Arm for Eric.