Brandon McCauley
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Brandon
Dear Lord you know the tragedy putting Brandon in harm's way
we bring him to the foot of the cross seeking your healing powers today.
Let him walk in the sunshine and run in the gentle rain
give him strength to feel the joy of playing basketball again.
Please hold his family in your arms for there's nothing harder than the wait
consumed with worry and heartache from the uncertainty of a child's fate.
We ask for a healing miracle Lord and believe your will will be done
strengthen our faith as you do your work, for you are the Almighty Physician.
Amen
İEileen Breedlove 08 April 2002
Be Happy
23 Feb 02: Brandon McCauley, my nephew, was struck by a careless driver on 22 February 2002 as he was returning home from basketball practice. Brandon lies unconscious in the Intensive Care Unit at Washington Hospital Center where he was taken by helicopter shortly after the accident. Young Brandon is not a member of the military, but should he choose to take his life in that direction after surviving this ordeal, there could be no finer member of the profession. Brandon is special. I would appreciate it, if those of you passing through these pages would pause a moment to say a prayer for Brandon. Your prayers, and his courage, will surely pull him through. 2:00 PM EST 27 Feb 02: Notified that Brandon just woke up and waved to his mother. The nurse made everyone leave because he was becoming excited. The power of prayer. 1 Mar 02: Brandon has his eyes open and squeezes his mother's hand in response to questions. He hasn't spoken. The entire family appreciates your prayers and asks that you continue them on Brandon's behalf. The doctors had told his parents that he would not survive; so far, he has proven them wrong. God Bless you all. 2 Mar 02: Brandon continues to improve; he recognizes and touches family members, although he still hasn't spoken. The facial swelling has almost gone. 5 Mar 02: Brandon underwent successful surgery yesterday; larger tubes were inserted to facilitate his breathing and feeding. His condition has remained essentially unchanged. I have been away on vacation in Florida. 24 Mar 02: Brandon's condition has not changed significantly. 26 Mar 02: Brandon has been moved to the National Rehabilitation Center. Yesterday, he said, "Hi,to his mother. 09 Apr 02: Brandon's rehabilitation continues, although he is still unable to carry on a conversation or walk. 11 Apr 02: Brandon's mother reports, "Brandon is scheduled to have surgery next week to place a shunt in his head so that there will be no more fluid. This shunt will be a very good thing because with the added pressure gone form the brain , Brandon will be able to do so much more. 17 Apr 02: From Valencia: "Good morning, the surgery went well and next week he will be having the bone replaced back in. The very last surgery (THANK GOD ) that he will have to have. Uncle Thurman, Brandon is so strong; I am always holding his hand and massaging it but yesterday when I entered the room he waved at me and I held his hand and he started to massage mine; can you believe that, he was comforting me!!!!! God is good and faithful all the time. I told my husband that no offense but Brandon sure has the Woodfork spirit and endurance. I will keep you updated and please share this with others. Thanks!"---Valencia 02 May 02: From Valencia: Good morning, Brandon is doing wonderful. He has begun to use a pen and paper to communicate with the family. The first thing that Brandon wrote was his name ( April 25,2002) and on yesterday he was concerned about his sister and he asked me why did I have a sad face in the inside. I told Brandon that I wasn't sad in the inside that I am happy that he is getting better. My heart immediately ached that he was so concerned about his family in his condition but after all this is Brandon's character. Brandon also motioned for me to come here and when I did he proceeded to give me a kiss, 8 of them to be exact!!! What a joy, something Brandon has not been able to do. He is also blowing kisses at his aunts ( making everyone cry; happy tears). Brandon has gained two pounds as of Monday (thank God) and he is always pointing upward saying that he loves God and that God loves him. Brandon has written that he has spoken to the Lord but he has not gone into the discussion, it's ok because I will wait. Uncle Thurman thank you for your support and for keeping a report on Brandon so soon and very soon he will be able to look back and see where God has brought him from. Love you always!!---Valencia 08 May 02: Good morning Uncle Thurman, Brandon is doing just great, on Sunday he laughed for the very first time when he saw his dad dancing (who by the way can not dance at all) this was such a joy! I had spoken with the doctor on yesterday and they are contemplating on removing the trachea tube this week or next week. God is good! Brandon's upper extremities are getting stronger also and he has begun to move his head from left to right. The therapist is working on Brandon standing up with the help of his dad and the therapist. He has really gotten tall!!! Below is a website that Michele has done for him, so please feel free to send this to as many people as possible so that they can sign his guest book. Thank you always for your support.
Brandon cannot speak; İCharles L. Weatherford 24 May 02: If all goes well, Brandon is scheduled to be released from the hospital on 28 June 2002. |
28 May 02: Good morning and thank you and Foxy. Brandon had a wonderful weekend, he sat up by himself and was walking so good with his dad and the therapist assisting him. The smiles and laughter that came from Brandon melted all hearts .--Valencia 5 June 02: A verbatim report from my niece Stephanie Woodfork - Brandon spoke yesterday for the first time since Feb. 22 (day when car hit him)! His mom was telling him a about a funny situation that happened to his sister and dad and he started laughing so hard.......he said "she's a mess" referring to his little sister! Well, you can just imagine what this did to his mom! She ran out the room crying and the nurse asked her what's the matter? She told her that Brandon just spoke, then the nurse got excited and started crying and the word quickly spread on that floor. 7 June 02: Good morning and thank you for the beautiful emails. It has been a joy to 11 June 02: Good morning, I just wanted to give you a brief update on Brandon. Brandon 11 July 02: Brandon remains at the National Rehabilitation Center; his going home date was set back because of difficulty he has swallowing, so he remains on a mostly liquid diet. He is once again scheduled to be released at the end of the month. He is walking now, although he requires some help. An eventual return to basketball remains a possibility. 26 July 02: Brandon enjoyed an outing at Haines Point last weekend with the family. Valencia says that she could see the old Brandon again. 01 Aug 02: Brandon has been released from the hospital and is now back home. 16 Aug 02: Brandon had to return to the hospital briefly to have some medications adjusted. Brandon's parents, Valencia and Lenny, are much encouraged by the support they're receiving from so many concerned people and wish to express their sincere gratitude to all. 17 October 02: Brandon is now walking fairly well unaided and speaking clearly. He's begun to exercise vigorously on his own and plans to return to regular school as soon as possible. He ultimate aim is to become a doctor. 01 November 02: Brandon has been cleared to return to school in December. 27 November 02: Brandon spent a short time back in the hospital. He had a seizure, but that was taken care of by adjusting his medication. It seems that his recent weight gains had necessitated the readjustment. 1 Jun 04: I just wanted to touch basis with you and pray that all is fine with you. The family is doing pretty good. Brandon is really making excellent progress. He has made the Honor Roll, has appeared in the Red Cross Newspaper in Baltimore, MD for assisting in the blood drive, has appeared at a Women's Advance in MD to speak on his ordeal (which I helped to interpret because of his speech.) Brandon has been playing basketball again and is back to " cheating when we play checkers and bingo". It's such a blessing to see his sense of humor return. Brianna is doing pretty good also, remaining on the honor roll and being selected by her school to go to New York to be a special quest at the Lion King Play (all expenses paid.) God has indeed blessed us richly. I am just recovering from surgery myself. My dentist found a cyst on my gum, which was full of infection. The surgery took 2hrs. to perform and later I felt as though I had locked jaw. Now that things are becoming more normal at home I am able to focus on my book that everyone is encouraging me to write, even Brandon's Doctors. I have kept a journal of Brandon's ordeal and now I just need to pull it all together to make some sense out it. I do not have a clue as to writing a book and even getting it published (research, here I come). I wanted to thank you for getting the word out about Brandon, all of the prayers have truly been heard. Please extend a heartfelt thank you to all your Veteran Friends! Forever grateful! |
June 2005
Prayers for Brandon
The time left to us young man
is your time.
May God choose the direction
of all our souls,
and should he choose so,....
.. we shall forever be your heart,
your legs running,
your tears of remembrance.
....and you shall be the bright future that we
will never know.
Should you choose to remember us,
..........say that we were Brothers
in a war
long ago.
Say that we learned the love
that you carry in heart.
Say, Brandon,
that you are a Son of freedom,
and remember us
in the silence of your heart.
CAL.......02 Merry Christmas Brandon!
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