Thank you SO much for the donations! We have enough now to pay all of the costs of our funeral and medical expenses. Thank you SO, SO much. We appreciate it! Love you all! 

This is my son Joshua Arthur Kerby. He's 16.

Joshua was born with aortic stenosis and was in and out of the hospital all his life. About 2-1/2 years ago, he had a valve replacement for his heart that was supposed to last into his adult years. We were excited that it would allow him to finally live a more "normal" life, unlimited by heart restrictions. He began playing sports like Volleyball and basketball. he worked out in the gym and also got straight A's. He even had a beautiful girlfriend and had a good job working at Home Depot. He worked hard and really wanted to make a difference in the lives of other people. We have been so proud of how hard he has worked to become such an amazing person!

Unfortunately, Josh got sick, and started vomiting uncontrollably. He became dehydrated and was finally brought into Riverton hospital. The doctors were hesitant to admit him with his heart diagnosis and encouraged us to evaluate him at Primary Children's Hospital instead. We weren't too concerned about his heart, thinking it was more about just getting him rehydrated, and we didn't want the costs associated with an ambulance ride up to Primary Children's if it wasn't absolutely necessary. We had almost convinced the doctors that we could at least drive him up there ourselves, when Joshua suddenly suffered a stroke.  He wasn't able to move the right side of his body and he was having a hard time communicating.

No longer worried about expenses, doctors ordered a life flight up to Primary Children's.  Just before he left, Joshua's dad and Grandpa were able to give Joshua a priesthood blessing that promised that though he would have to deal with some limitations, in the end he would have a full recovery.

The doctors did a CT scan and found that he had a blood clot that was stopping blood flow to a small portion of his brain. In less than four hours from when Joshua had the stroke, he was in surgery to remove the clot and hopefully get the blood flowing again. It was really a miracle that he was there in the hospital when it happened and was able to get into surgery so quickly.

The doctors were able to remove the clot and restore the blood flow. Doctors told us that the damaged part of Joshua's brain would likely affect his ability to understand and comprehend what was going on around him but that it could be regained through speech and other kinds of therapy. After surgery however, it was clear that Josh wasn't having any problems understanding what was going on and what we were telling him, but he still couldn't communicate with us.

"I want... " he would try to tell us, but the words he would say didn't match with what he was trying to articulate. It was so frustrating to him, and I wished there was something we could do to help him.

We prayed for miracles. I relied on the blessing Joshua had been given, and also on the song God had inspired me to write called,  "Thy Will Be Done". I had just performed it the day before, and felt like it was a blessing to help me know things were going to be okay and that this was all part of God's plan. 

Joshua had an EKG done to try and figure out what had caused the stroke in the first place, and while looking at his heart valve, they discovered blood clots and a major staff infection. Worried that some of these clots might lead to more bleeding in the brain, the doctors recommended open heart surgery to take out the infected heart valve. They wanted to get it out and replace it with a new mechanical one. Unfortunately, his platelet count was low, and his levels were such that the doctors wanted to wait a few days before performing the surgery on his heart.

Over the next few days, Joshua was getting more and more mobility in his arms and legs. He still had a hard time using his phone, and really wanted so much to tell his friends and family members how much he appreciated their comments and love. He wanted to let them know what was going on, but didn't want mom or dad to help him.

On the day of the surgery, Joshua's communication was getting better and better. his platelets were at a better level and the doctors felt comfortable moving forward. We were so grateful for the miracles.

We couldn't have been in a better place. I was amazed at all the efforts to combine teams with neurology, cardiology, radiology, blood people, therapists, nurses, and a hundred other teams it seemed. They worked so hard and we were so appreciative of their efforts to help him.

On the day of the surgery, Joshua couldn't wait to go back. He knew it was the next step to recovery and he couldn't get there soon enough.

The surgery was a success, and his new heart valve worked great. It was an adult valve, and would allow him to use it way into adulthood. it seemed a blessing that we would no longer have to worry about bringing him back for a later valve replacement.

He kept trying to use his fingers to text his friends, but it was going to take a little while still. He was able to send at least a selfie to his girlfriend that had been so sweet and supportive to the family. She had sent him some cookies, and he was excited to work with the speech therapists to be able to eat those cookies she had sent him.

On Memorial Day, Josh was doing really well. He had gotten into the wheel chair twice with hardly any help (he was always ready to go before the nurses were ready with his lines in place!)  A friend from seminary called him, and he was able to take the call and have at least a bit of a conversation with him. Joshua gave me the phone to try and communicate better with his friend. As I told him how much he appreciate the love and support and prayers, Joshua kept nodding his head. He really has felt the support of friends and loved ones. He couldn't wait to communicate it and share something on his Instagram page. 

Josh was asked to do some inhalation exercises and started complaining about a pain he was feeling in his eyes and ears. It hurt him a lot. The doctors tried to adjust his pain medication and after awhile, Josh was able to calm and went to sleep. We felt it was good for him to rest.

About a half an hour later, the neurologist came to check his pupils and found they were dilated. She tried to wake him up, but he wasn't responding. I tried to wake him up too, but we weren't getting any reaction. She alerted the other doctors and told them that Joshua's pupils were dilated and that he was seizing.

I watched as doctors and teams sprang into action again, all doing what they could to try and help him. They did another CT scan, and found that he had suffered another stroke. This was a massive one and blood encompassed the entire left side of his brain. I could tell from the doctor's and neurologists faces that this wasn't good. 

As they tried to explain the situation, they told me that if Joshua was a 50 or 60 year old man, they would tell me that there wasn't nothing they could do. We really just had two options - to do nothing - knowing he'd been through so much already, or to remove part of Joshua's skull to allow for the pressure he was having in his brain.

We made the easy decision to give Joshua that chance. Joshua's dad, Thom,  was miraculously able to make it to the hospital in time to be with him before the procedure and then he was wheeled away.

While waiting in the ICU waiting room, Joshua's dad could feel Joshua's spirit. He felt like he was in the room with us. He felt like Joshua had been given a choice, and that the choice he had made wasn't the one we were hoping for. I didn't want that answer, I prayed he would still come back and make the difficult decision to be with us!

 The surgeon came out, and though he was able to do what he had purposed to do, he said it really was just a waiting game. It would be up to Joshua if he came back. The rest of the day we waited. Joshua was giving no signs of coherency, and wasn't responding to any of the pain tests they gave him. I had a moment alone to talk with Joshua. I wanted him to know how much I loved him and that if he wanted to fight this fight, I would be with him every step of the way. I would be there to help him.

I also told Joshua that if he didn't want to, I also understood. I wanted him to know I would be okay and that I really wanted it to be his decision, though I prayed he wanted to come back. I really wanted that miracle.

I could tell the doctors weren't expecting any change from that point, and I told Joshua if he was going to stay and fight, he needed to show them and let them know! The doctor did another test and put a stick in his mouth to try and get a gag response. In that moment, Joshua bit the stick!! His arm I had been holding - moved.

I took it as a sign that he wanted to fight and that he was going to work to get better! However, afterwards there were no movements, no reactions.  He was gone.

I wonder now if that was Joshua's way of letting me know that he was there, and that he loved me too. 

At 2 months old, Joshua was diagnosed with Aortic Stenosis. I worried that with his first procedure he had to go through, that I would only get to be with him for 2 months. Instead, I got to be with him for 16 years. He's been a wonderful son, and has touched the hearts of many people. 

He will be so missed!

He experienced limitations, and we believe that Joshua is enjoying a fully restored body, completely recovered. He will be a valiant fighter in this stage of life. Though we will miss him terribly, we are sure he is in a much better place and we look forward to when he can see him again.

Because Joshua suffered a brain death, he is in the best place to be able to donate organs. We are excited that at least something good can come out of this. He will be able to make such a difference in the lives of others struggling just as we have. By donating, Joshua can be part of many miracles for others. We believe it's what Joshua would have wanted, and we are humbled to think of Joshua continuing on in this way.

Thank you for all the prayers, love and support. For those that have reached out wondering what they can do, I have set up this campaign. It will definitely be needed to help pay so many expenses. We did have insurance but not a great one, and we have a very high deductible. Any help will be greatly received.

Thank you so much for your support.

All my love, 

Lindy Kerby