John Flannagan' s Road To Recovery
The FULL story
Friends I ask for your prayers for my brother John. Thursday Septmeber 7th he became choked on a piece of steak and in the process of trying to get the steak up he tore is esophagus. Our family has a history of a narrow esophagus. He was in Forrest with his fiance Ashley. She called 911 and he was taken by ambulance to Bedford Memorial. They felt the need to airlift him to Roanoke Memorial.
He has been sedated and on a ventilator since last Thursday. Once the doctor realize the extent of the damage Thursday evening he told my mom he would do everything he could to save his life. The repair has been made but we still don't know if it will hold. If it doesn't he could lose his esophagus and will have to have one made from his body.
When they tried to lower his sedation last Friday he became aggitated and pulled out his vent tube and stomach tubes and had to go back to surgery Saturday. Things have been very slow going trying to reduce his sedation to get him off the ventilator.
This evening upon shifting him in the bed, he began to have fluid coming out from his abdominal binder. He will be going back in for yet another surgery to see what is going. My family needs prayers for my brother for healing and to be able to get off the ventilator.
John is out of surgery. Thankfully they did not see any infection, did remove some new excess fluid and re-stiched and reattached the area that had become undone. Please continue to pray for his healing, ability to get off the ventilator and no more issues.
He has now been through three more additional surgeries. Mutiple x-rays and CT's.
September 20th he was extubated and remained in the icu, confused and sedated.
He had the last surgery Sept 28th to find out where he was bleeding from and while in there they clamped a tear in the repair site.
He was moved to a set down on monday October 2nd and tuesday had a CT that showed no leaks! Praise the lord.
He has been allowed liquid for the first time in a month. But it is very slow going. He is expected to be in the hospital for the next 2 to 4 weeks.
With all that being said John has not been working for a month and we have no idea the extent of his medical bills. He could use any help possible.
Thank you to everyone who has called, texted, facebook message us during this very difficult and stressful time. We are praying that the repair continues to hold and that his mental and physical abilties continue to improve.
Much thanks and appreciation!
Hunter Flannagan Johnston
Debbie and Mike Flannagan
John Flannagan
