Brian Murray

But now, this is what the Lord says - he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

I forget why I had this scripture as my status September 27, 2016. However, today I post it again and this will not be one that I forget.

On Saturday, September 25, we took Brian to the hospital after 2 doctor visits to treat what we were told was vertigo based on his symptoms. After a CT scan it was discovered that Brian had suffered a mild stroke. Specifically a vertebral dissection cerebellum infarct. This means that there was an artery at the right side of back of head that was damaged somehow. We do not know what caused this or when it actually happened. The result was blood flow stopped going to that part of brain and caused his symptoms that mimicked vertigo: nausea, dizziness, headache. He was flown to UCHealth Colorado where an amazing team has been working with him. Fortunately Brian’s parents were visiting us to help watch Owen as I had just completed one week back at work from maternity leave. They helped me pack what we could and drove to Colorado while the doctors started Brian’s first surgery - an external ventricular device that helps drain CSF (cerebral spinal fluid) so pressure can be relieved. We had hoped this would be all he would need. However, as is common in this situation, he ended up needing an additional surgery, craniectomy, where they removed the back part of his skull to allow the swelling of his brain to have more room. This surgery was successful and for the time being, he is on a ventilator and feeding tube until the doctors reassess. This all has seemed to affect the right side of his body. We hope and pray that he will become more alert and awake so that the extra help of machines can go away and we can start what will likely be a long recovery.

We have been so blessed by the thoughts and prayers that so many across the country have shared. I am speechless and in awe of how our community and family and friends have come together. I don’t have all the answers and have some of the same questions you will have as you read through all of this. Here is what I do know and believe with all my heart: We are taking things day by day and trusting in God’s promises that: he will walk with us; never leave us nor forsake us; His ways are higher than ours; he hears us when we call on Him; his steadfast love will never fail us. All I have to do is look at all of the times in the past God has provided for us. His love endures forever and his promises are new each day. To God be the glory.

He is able, more than able, to handle anything that comes my way.

A CaringBridge Site was created for Brian. It‘s a caring social network to help people stay connected with family and friends during a health event.

Visit Brian's Site: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/murrayfamilyupdates

Site Name: murrayfamilyupdates

Your prayers are appreciated. Please know and understand that I may not be able to respond to individual texts or messages but I see them at just the time God needs me to.