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Archive: Updates 2002

Pete is scheduled to come home Tuesday, November 26th!

This year will be a very special Thanksgiving for the Flynns. Pete will be home for the first time since July 6. Debbie's brother, Dave made some modifications and installed ramps in the house for Pete. Pete's dad made the doorways wider in the house, installed a couple of new doors, and completely remodeled his bathroom with all new plumbing and fixtures - it's perfect. Pete's sister, Maggie is home from Davis this weekend helping to make last minute preparations for his homecoming.

Debbie continues to battle the HMO. Last week she faxed out yet another package in support of Pete's transfer to New Start. This package had the most recent letter from Pete's doctor, a letter from New Start, 2 letters from Blue Shield Legal, a letter from the attorney and another letter from Debbie. This package's cc list included her Congressman, State Assemblyman, the Patient Advocate in Sacramento and KUSI Channel 9.

We know Debbie. She will continue to pursue this until Pete's best interests are met. It is both infuriating and heartbreaking that she has to spend an ounce of energy towards these means. If this last round of appeals fails to net a favorable disposition, a new "Call to Action" is in order.

Stay tuned for names, addresses, newspaper editorial contacts and details.Debbie is not alone.

Pete Update - November 8, 2002

A message from Debbie:

We are still battling for the referral to New Start in Northridge... we have not given up...

But our prayers are being heard and answered. Blue Shield of California and Centre for Health Care have decided to overturn their original equipment denial, so Pete will have the necessary equipment he needs at home! In fact, they even upgraded the equipment from manual and semi-electric to fully electric equipment - all I had to do was remind them that I am also on the health insurance policy, and tell them how old I am. There are benefits to being middle-aged after all !

Pete's spirits are good this week. His right arm and shoulder, which have remained surprisingly weak despite months of very focused therapy, are beginning to respond. We can all see a difference and it is beyond exciting. With functional strength in his right arm he can activate special switches and buttons such as a tracball/large button computer mouse, and the tilt switch on his wheelchair. Someday, with special equipment and lots of training, Pete may be able to drive a van himself.

On Saturday we had a special treat - Jim Ritter and his beautiful wife, Sandy, and daughter, Desiree, came to Sharp Rehab to visit with Pete. Jimmy is the quadriplegic gentleman, a dear friend of the Holeman family, who Kathy Parker described so eloquently at the "For Pete's Sake" dinner. He was inspirational to both of us, and a wonderful example of life after spinal cord injury. We prayed together for peace, comfort and strength. The Ritter family knows these are the things we need most of all. Jimmy spoke at a little church in Santee on Sunday morning and several of us went to hear his message of encouragement. He is an accomplished mouth painter and an inspired, gifted man of God. I think Jimmy had a lot to do with Pete's spirits this week.

Thank you for your prayers and friendship,
I love you.
Debbie

Pete and his sister's cat, Max

November 1 , 2002 - HMO Failure

What follows is an email I received from Debbie. Her HMO (Blue Shield of California) is denying Pete even the most basic of care and equipment!! Further, the HMO plans to send Pete home on November 7th even though his doctors say it's too soon and Pete requires more medical attention and rehabilitation! I don't know what we can do - but THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING! Please contact me with any ideas, resources, etc. And pray.

love, Carol

Hi Carol-

First of all, I want to send out my deepest thanks for all the prayers lifted up for Pete... Please continue in prayer...

I was hoping to have good news, but so far the HMO is winning. They denied our initial request for a referral to New Start and denied our first Appeal. Pete's doctor wrote a compelling letter, as did his Physical Therapist, but the HMO seems to know more than the experts.

They have also denied all the critical equipment for home use. It is important to understand that we are not asking for E-Stim and repetitive activity equipment; these are the devices that have brought about return of sensation and motor activity for Christopher Reeve. Mr. Reeve is fighting for insurance companies to begin funding this important equipment, but that will happen sometime in the future.

We were denied a Hoyer lift (which is how quadriplegic patients get in and out of bed), a shower/commode chair, a special mattress for the prevention of pressure sores (Pete has had three such sores in the hospital even while using this special mattress), and an extra-long bed, even though Pete does not fit in a standard bed. Our HMO considers these items to be "convenience items". The people at Sharp Rehab have never seen a denial for this equipment before. Of particular interest - the doctor and nurse who signed the initial denial have since left the company and the replacement doctor is on vacation this week. Pete is to be released from Sharp next week; the HMO also denied Pete's doctor's request to extend his stay at Sharp Rehab.

I have enlisted the help of our Congressman, Duke Cunningham, and our State Assemblyman, Mark Wyland. Both of these gentlemen assigned a caseworker and made phone calls to the HMO within 4 hours. I received a call that same day from a state agency that provides advocate services to people like us. I wrote another very strong letter. I filed for an Independent External Medical Review. The owner and Director of New Start, Mary Williams, flew to Sacramento last week and included Pete's situation in the Counsel meeting agenda. Mary is proposing New Start be a model for treatment and training for spinal cord injury patients. Mary has asked me to meet with one of the counsel men personally, and I agreed.

At this point, the only service or equipment our HMO will approve is a permanent placement to a nursing home facility. They will not fund a training program proven to dramatically improve the overall health, independence and happiness of patients with devastating injuries. They simply write these patients off.

If Pete had no insurance, Medi-CAL would fund all of this equipment AND the program at New Start. However, as I understand it, Medi-CAL will not over-rule the HMO's decision and denied appeal for this referral.

I believe in my heart that Pete will get to New Start. I know absolutely he will have all the equipment he needs at home. We have the love and support of family and friends, and we have prayer warriors waging this righteous battle. God ALWAYS answers our prayers. In His time, in His way. My son will help pave the way for those who follow with spinal cord injuries. We are strong and optimistic and we will fight as long as it takes.

Some people wonder where they will find the strength - I know where I find mine. Thank you for your prayers. I love you, Debbie

October 29, 2002
"For Pete's Sake" makes this dream a reality...

These are the items that we believe, after extensive research, will help to keep Pete's body strong and maybe even restore some function, while we wait and pray for a cure. No purchases have been made yet - we are still weighing options and balancing benefits. The home modifications are coming along thanks to Pete Sr. - Pete's room and bathroom will be a comfortable, functional retreat when he returns home! The van repairs continue as well. Pete remains hopeful, he is truly amazing. He has moments and days of total despair, but he climbs out and finds himself again. Last night he laughed with some of his closest friends for hours - what a blessing his friends are. We do not pray for acceptance. We pray for peace and hope and answers. And good decisions.

Orion Stim Master FES Bike (the one used by Christopher Reeve)
Neuropulse E-Stim device
Easy Stand 5000 standing frame
Uppertone gym designed by another C4/5 Quad
Quad Trac trackball for Quadriplegic use

We will be making final choices when Pete's formal rehabilitation is complete and we understand his needs and capabilities.

This is probably a good place for this promise -- if any of you ever face this challenge, or know someone who suffers a spinal cord injury, I will be here to share everything I've learned, I will be a shoulder to cry on, and I will continue to fight for the rights of these truly heroic individuals. And I will pray forever.

I love you.
Debbie

IMMEDIATE PRAYER REQUEST

October 9, 2002

Pete is in all our prayers every day. But today, please stop and make a special plea for Pete and Debbie. It's Prayer vs. HMO. We can do it. Please see Debbie's email below. -carol

Hi Carol-
We have a special prayer request -
I visited a great rehab facility a couple of weeks ago and I feel in my heart this is the very best "next step" for Pete. It's called "New Start" and they offer special training for spinal cord injury patients. Pete would be there for about three months, and he would stay in a residential setting with other young men with similar injuries. New Start is in Northridge, which is so far away - I would only see him on weekends. You know I'm with him until 10 or 11 every night, so this is a huge step for us. I just don't feel he's ready to come home yet. I think he needs more therapy and training in order to be as independent, and happy, as possible. It used to be that people with Pete's level of injury were in rehab for a year! Pete has been at Sharp for only 8 weeks, and he battles with illness and severe pain every day. Even so, he gets up out of bed and goes to his therapy sessions. His doctor and therapists at Sharp are pushing along with us to process this referral. The obstacle, of course, is the HMO. This type of secondary training is so vital to Pete's recovery, but still a relatively new concept. Insurance companies don't always embrace new concepts. So I'm asking for prayer. Please pray that we will be able to convince the insurance company that New Start is the best place for Pete. Please pray that Pete will get stronger and healthier so he can work hard and see a difference. Please pray that Our Father will show us the way and remove all the obstacles; I just need to have faith that He will lead us.
Pete is learning to use the power wheelchair using his left bicep and shoulder to drive. He can sit up for about an hour now. He is making progress - slow and steady progress. All glory to God. Thank you for your prayers.
I love you,
Debbie

From the Heart

In one of my favorite movies, "It's a Wonderful Life," Jimmy Stewart discovers in the end just how many people care about him and his family. One memorable angel shows him the truth.

You are all my Clarence - hundreds of angels surrounding us with love and support. God tells us to "Bear each other's burdens," to "Weep together" and to "Love one another deeply from the heart." You have done all of those things for us - and more.

To my friends who organized this event and made the magic happen: I will never be able to thank you enough. I love you so much.

To Pete's friends: You are my new heroes. He is the happiest with you, and you have been there for Pete from the first day. What a blessing you are to both of us.

God commands each of us to "Go and be the light of the world." During our darkest hour you all have been our light. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I love you.
God Bless you.
Debbie

Pete Update - September 16, 2002

Courage, Strength and Pete

Pete broke his own record September 9th at the "For Pete's Sake" Golf Tournament. (A resounding success!) He came up from rehab in San Diego to the Escondido Country Club and back to San Diego again - 6 plus hours!! Debbie writes:

Monday was not only his first outing, but also the longest chair-time by far - six hours. He really enjoyed the food - ate two plates - and commented that the chicken was better than Oscars. His compliments to the chef! He was pleased that so many of his friends were there, and I think he'll remember this night for the rest of his life. Pete hates being the center of attention, so this was a pretty big decision for him to want to be there. And he did want to be there - his first goal accomplished. I can't wait to get him home.

Maggie took her puppy down to meet Pete a few days ago - Jeremiah licked him all over the face and Pete was delighted. Maggie is down at Sharp this morning at his request, he loves having her there with him. We'll take the puppy back for a visit before she returns to Davis.

I'm still overwhelmed by Monday - we all are. Overwhelmed by love. I can't tell you what it means to us to know that Pete will have the extra things - the voice activated phone and computer, the van and wheelchair lift, all the special rehab equipment to enhance his therapy and improve his recovery - things that insurance and Medi-CAL won't cover. Pete will have these things now rather than later - thanks to all of our angels. I told him I found a voice-activated TV remote control. Definitely got his attention. I also told him that next year maybe I would play golf, and maybe he could go out on the cart path for a while. He's thinking about it.

We will be basking in the memories of Monday for a long, long time.
I love you,
Debbie

For Pete's Sake Golf Tournament - September 12, 2002

Yesterday's golf event and dinner was beyond successful! We had a goal of $30,000, after expenses, to purchase a wheelchair accessible van for Pete. All that went out the window when the 'Purdue Family' donated a Ford van with a wheelchair lift! Next the hole sponsors went crazy and sponsored twenty holes. Additionally many individuals and companies sponsored the BBQ lunch, beverage carts and dinner. Sponsorship totaling $28,000. Holy cow! Now if that wasn't enough, the silent auction, opportunity drawing and mysterious envelopes of cash totaled $6,542.00!!! It didn't stop there. There have been personal contributions in excess of $9,000.00 prior to the event. Add in golfers & dinner guests and the total exceeds $52,000 to the "Pete Flynn Recovery Fund."

-Bret Gann

Pete Update - August 26, 2002

 

Pete is adjusting to Rehab. He is making great progress on his breathing and is able to move around without the oxygen tank. He can breathe room air only for many hours without getting too tired. They hope to be able to remove the trach this week. His cough is strong and effective and his voice is back completely.

Pete is making this progress while enduring disabling pain in his shoulders and neck. Last Thursday they had their first of a weekly conference with Pete's doctor, physical therapist, occupational therapist, nurse and social worker. They all agreed the primary focus now is to manage Pete's pain and that everything else is secondary. They have tried dozens of new drugs and techniques in this effort, so Debbie hopes they're getting closer to a solution. The pain has been so overwhelming that Pete's program to strengthen the muscles in his neck and arms and shoulders has been delayed. Pete really wants to take charge and begin this hard work so this is both frustrating and disappointing to him.

Debbie's email from this morning:

This week we think they will remove the trach. It's a little bit scary because he's not moving around much (because of the pain), so his lungs aren't getting the exercise they require to stay strong. Every decision has a fear factor. We just push on and pray for the best. Sometimes the sadness is just overwhelming. Mostly I'm on my knees grateful to have him still. God is so good.

A bright spot in every day is reading e-mails and cards and notes from friends and family, and following the golf tournament progress.

My friend Jessica showed me a verse. It's on Pete's wall by his bed,

The Lord's Answer
"Look at the nations and watch -
and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told." Habakkuk 1:5

We believe in miracles.
I love you,
Debbie

Rehab! - August 13, 2002

 

Pete transfers to Rehab

Pete was admitted to Sharp Rehab this afternoon. He will begin his first therapy session tomorrow morning. They estimate his stay to be approximately 8-10 weeks

Pete, Debbie and Pete Sr. are, of course, a bit apprehensive - this will be the first night Pete has been without them since the accident. Tonight will be a very difficult, very large, very lonely step for them all. Debbie said she wished they could just sleep in the parking lot until morning.

My heart aches so deeply for them I can say only this: There isn't a mother or father among us who would not have brought them a blanket.

Please continue your prayers for hope and healing.

Carol

Pete Update - August 12, 2002

 

Pete is still in the Critical Care Unit at Palomar Medical Center. He had hoped to be at Sharp Rehab by now, but there have been a couple minor setbacks. His right lung is still not completely healed and doctors continue to explore the problem's source. Last week he developed a urinary tract infection (which is very common in these conditions) that has since been cleared. Friday, doctors noticed a "bug" in his blood, which has him on a broad-range antibiotic and they hope to have that remedied very soon. Pete has been in the hospital for 36 days. As we know, any hospital stay will produce new infections. The fact that Pete has had only these minor complications in this lengthy amount of time speaks well to his strength, determination and courage.

Debbie's email of last week:

"Last night we heard his voice for the first time; he talked with his Dad and me for almost an hour. Music to my ears. The truth is he has found wonderful ways to communicate from the very first day. But the sound of his voice is such a beautiful part of our conversations."

Debbie did sneak Ruby (Pete's 103 pound dog) up to see him. Pete was outside on the terrace for some fresh air and sunshine and Debbie and Ruby snuck into and up the back elevator to the terrace. Ruby was so excited to see Pete she just jumped up on top of him in his bed. And then they kissed.

And again, In True Debbie Fashion
After the Ruby visit, I doubt the nurses were surprised at Debbie's next step to provide for Pete's comfort. Debbie's longtime and dear friend, Annie, was here last week from Arizona. Annie is an exceptional hair dresser (you'll note each time Debbie returns from visiting Annie in Scottsdale her hair has been cut blonde again….;-)

Pete wanted his hair cut. So Annie brought her tools to Pete's hospital room and cut his hair. Debbie knows you can't have errant hair floating around ICU, so she was right behind Annie's every cut with her Dust Buster! Vacuuming Pete's head! The noise had the hospital staff running to Pete's room to find out what the problem was. Luckily they have grown to love Debbie as much as we do - a visit to the 6th floor confirms it - and wisely acquiesced to the program.

Your Prayers
You know Debbie was told Pete would never have sensation or movement below his neck. From Minute One Debbie refused to believe that. She knows the power of prayer. Everyone prayed. Pete was added to your Prayer Chains everywhere. And we have seen those prayers answered. He is breathing on his own. His voice is back. He has feeling to about 2 inches above his elbow. We know he was able to flex one bicep and then both. And now he has his triceps! Debbie says is best:

"When Pete straightened his arm I thought the physical therapist was going to wake up every patient in the hospital! We knew Pete could bend his arm (bicep), but straightening the arm is much different, and we didn't know Pete had this ability. In truth, he did not have this ability a week ago. My chart from Sharp Hospital indicates that C5 and C6 patients cannot straighten their arms - this is a C7 function. Pete had been categorized as C5/6. So it seems Our Father believes Pete to be beyond our worldly expectations. The blessing is that we truly celebrate every victory, every achievement, without expecting more. Pete already has so much more than we originally thought he had. Answered prayers. Heavenly miracles. Thank you Father, and family, and friends. I love you.
Debbie"

A Truth….
When you come to the edge of all the light you know
And are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown,
Faith is knowing one of two things will happen:
There will be something solid to stand on
Or you will be taught how to fly.

-Barbara J. Winter

Pete Update: Good News! - August 2, 2002

 

Pete passed his radiology swallow test. He had sort of "ejected" the feeding tube by himself and wouldn't let anyone put it back in. Then he ate half a grilled cheese sandwich, some vegetable soup broth, strawberry yogurt and two bottles of juice! Debbie says it was supposed to be days and days before he could do this!

I stopped by the hospital yesterday after work. Debbie and Pete were having dinner! Pete was eating mashed potatoes and gravy, drinking juice and even arguing with his mom a bit! He looks so much better. He was sitting up, the machines aren't beeping, and the tubes and wires are nearly gone. Your prayers are in that hospital room and they were smiling yesterday.

Debbie's Email of August 1

…..He is resting now, breathing oxygen rich air WITHOUT the ventilator! Two hours so far today - it's getting easier for him. He drank about a gallon of apple juice this morning - he wants that last IV tube gone. Pete is taking charge of his own care and recovery, I guess. His eyes are so sad; he's had sparkley eyes since the day he was born, but the sparkle is gone now. I'll know he's okay when they sparkle again, and they will.

Tomorrow one of the nurses is going to take Pete out to the 6th floor courtyard - I'm to bring sunglasses and a hat - for a little time outside. Then, I'm going to sneak Ruby Dog up the back elevator to see him! Isn't that great?! If that doesn't get a smile out of Pete I'll be very surprised! I'll take a camera.

We are on accelerated recovery mode, hoping to get to Sharp Rehab Monday. Pray for continued improvement and no breathing setbacks. He has trained his abdominal muscles to cough - getting stronger everyday. Who needs a diaphragm? Not Pete.

Every day, all day, I thank God for my family and my friends. He is using you to hold us up. Pete Sr.'s sister arrives today for a short visit. Then my friend, Ann, comes to help for a week. So we have lots of support at home. Phil (Gan of FCI) brought us gourmet meals for four days, and did yard work - what a guy!
I am so blessed.
I love you,
Debbie

Debbie and Pete Update - July 31, 2002

 

Pete has two challenges before he is able to transfer to rehab:

· To breathe without respiratory support
· To be able to clear his lungs on his own

And he is making progress.

Pete is being "weaned" from full ventilator support. First, he was able to process enriched oxygen with ventilator assistance - but utilizing his own muscles. Pete accomplished this for about 10 hours this past weekend. And - for short periods of time - is now able to breathe without mechanical support. This exhausts him, but he continues to make improvement.

A critical part of Pete's recovery is his ability to cough.

"Persons with paralysis at the mid-thoracic level and higher will have trouble taking a deep breath and exhaling forcefully. Because they don't have use of abdominal or intercostal muscles, these people have also lost the ability to forcefully cough."

Coughing is necessary for Pete to clear fluid from his lungs to prevent lung congestion and respiratory infections. Pete continues to make improvement and is strengthening his ability to cough independently.

Pray for Pete's Hope
Debbie says Pete gets sadder and sadder with each day. Knowing this is to be expected doesn't ease her heartache. She says that Pete's sadness is the hardest thing she's had to go through so far. She continues to stay near his side all day and his father does the same all night. They hope he is able to go to rehab soon where he'll be busy and perhaps that will ease some of his overwhelming emotional burden.

This site has a link to email Pete ("Write to Pete!"). Debbie reads him his messages. Please send Pete your messages of support and encouragement.

For Pete's Sake
We had our Golf Tournament planning meeting Monday (7/29) and "put the wheels on the wagon." Committees were formed, goals identified and processes defined. Please continue to offer your ideas, contacts, and time. Once again, we all know this is just the beginning!

A Note
I am going to indulge in a personal second here to say how proud I am to be associated with this extraordinary business community. You have overwhelmingly embraced this matter of the heart of a woman we all love with unconditional compassion and commitment. Fierce competitors continuing to compete, but working together to support one of our own. It is, quite simply, breathtaking to witness and be a part of this collective human spirit. You are an inspiring, brilliant and wonderful group of people.

"A Call to Action" - July 24, 2002

 

Mark you calendars with the following 2 important dates (and leave calendar room for more to come)!

Monday, July 29
Monday, September 9
Several things are in place.
Several more are being coordinated.
Even more than that are in the planning stages.
And this is just the beginning!
THE CALL TO ACTION

IN PLACE:
The "For Pete's Sake" Golf Tournament is scheduled for SEPTEMBER 9, 2002 at the Escondido Country Club. 12:30 tee time.
· $150 donation per participant includes lunch, dinner, golf cart and green fees.
· Dinner only available for non-golfers: $40
· Hole Sponsor donation: $1000
· 50's theme
· Opportunity Drawing
· This will be a HUGE event!

www.peteflynn.org will be in operation soon - VERY soon. (Pete's website design is being donated by web designer Ryan Denny)

BEING COORDINATED:
· Flyer in development for use in soliciting donations
· Identification of raffle prize donors
· Organization of activities at each hole
· Radio/Media coverage being sought
· Sponsor identification
· Volunteers recruited
· Committees being formed

IN THE PLANNING STAGES:
· Other ideas for this event
· Everything else for the next several events.

because
THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING!

THE CALL TO ACTION:
· Everyone meet at the TTI office Monday, July 29 at 5:00. At that time we will form volunteer teams, get progress updates on current activities and identify deadlines, ideas, and resources.

For further information please contact Carol Holeman or Kathy Parker (TTI); Bret Gann (Falcon Sales); Bryan Murphy (Avnet); Craig Wenzlick or Stephanie Secord (Luscombe); Susan Green or Katie Taylor (Arrow); Phil Gan (FCI).

DIRECTIONS TO TTI:
15 NORTH EXIT POWAY RD EAST (RIGHT)
1ST LIGHT IS SABRE SPRINGS TURN LEFT
2ND LIGHT IS EVENING CREEK DR. S. TURN LEFT
UP THE HILL JUST PAST THE RETIREMENT CENTER, TURN LEFT INTO PARKING LOT RIGHT BEFORE THE FED EX BOX.
13220 EVENING CREEK DR. S. SUITE 101
PARK IN THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING. TTI ENTRANCE AT SIDE

Debbie and Pete Update - July 24, 2002

 

It's been a week of ups and downs for Pete and Debbie. Pete now breathes with the aid of a ventilator through a tube in his trachea which is so much better than before. His voice is not yet strong, but Debbie can talk to him by reading his lips and listening to his whisper. While he is not able to breathe on his own yet, he is making small progresses during the day but is on full ventilator support at night.

He still runs a slight fever but it hasn't exceeded 100 degrees for several days. The doctors performed a multitude of tests and found no infection to explain the fever. There is the possibility that the fever is a result of spinal fluid in Pete's blood which appears may be the case, as the cessation of the antibiotics had no negative effect.

His lungs are still Pete's biggest problem. He's just not strong enough to clear them himself. The daily bronchoscopies are wearing him down and he needs a lot of strength to cough. This is necessary for Pete to breathe on his own and enter rehab. Pete knows this and is so so discouraged. He really wants to move on to rehab.

And have Gatorade and Gingerale.

Saturday he was sitting up in his multi-function bed just watching his biceps move, and he ever-so-slightly turned his wrist. Debbie asked him to do it again, and he did. She asked him to try the right arm and he did!

No one among us is surprised by Debbie's compassion, her courage or her strength. I am continually humbled by this truly amazing, beautiful woman with an unmatched compassion and a faith that moves mountains.

Her email from last night speaks to that and to the power of the prayers we share for her and Pete:

Hi Carol-
Pete was moved last night to another room, still in the CCU. Our angel nurse, Beverly, thought he needed a change of scenery. So now he has a huge window with a mountain view, and his bed is angled so he's looking out the window. I think this helps abate his disappointment in not moving to rehab as expected. He will probably be in CCU for another week at least - #652. He felt a tickle on his upper arm yesterday; both arms have some sensation to about 2 inches above his elbow. These are the very arms that would never have feeling or movement again, remember? We serve a great and loving and Powerful God. I love you.

Debbie and Pete Update - July 16, 2002

 

The doctors were extremely pleased with the results of Pete's surgery last Thursday. They installed a steel plate in the back of Pete's neck to offer stability, and using bone taken from Pete's hip, fused it across the broken vertebras in his spinal column. To aid in the fusion, they also installed a (and I quote Debbie, here) "a thingy with a battery in it" which will promote faster bone growth. This electronic "thingy" will be removed at a much later time.

The immediate goal now is for Pete to breathe on his own. Currently he is breathing with the help of a ventilator, which is extremely uncomfortable for him and makes it impossible for him to speak. It will take some days to see if he will be able to breathe on his own. (Right now, Pete is able to breathe in, but cannot breathe out.) They had hoped to be able replace the ventilator with a tube inserted through the trachea. This would be much more comfortable for Pete and allow him to talk.

Unfortunately there has been a slight setback in these efforts. Pete contracted pneumonia suffering a collapsed right lung. They performed a bronchoscopy and much of the weekend was spent trying to bring down his fever and make sure that pneumonia was the only contributing factor. His fever was 103 degrees Friday through Sunday, but last night it had dropped to 101. Debbie hopes they can perform the trachea procedure today. Pete is coughing which strengthens his diaphragm, getting him closer to breathing on his own.

And about your prayers? Pete has use of both biceps. He can (by flexing his biceps) lift his arms. On command - over and over! He has no sensation so he doesn't feel that he is doing it and at first didn't believe he was. When he realized he really was doing it, he performed this for his Grandmother and smiled heartily.

I will keep these updates…..well, updated. As best I can. I get confused with some of the information, so I appreciate your patience as I try to sort it all out. We are still working on setting up the right account for contributions and fundraising efforts. That's coming along. If anyone knows how these things are set up, please do contact me, or Kathy Parker (TTI) or Bryan Murphy (Avnet) or Bret Gann (Falcon Sales).

I'll close with the email I received from Debbie Sunday night.

Pete is struggling with his right lung but had a fairly peaceful day. One bronchoscopy, which is difficult for him but provides breathing relief. We are praying for restored health to his lung so doctors can try to remove the breathing tubes and ventilator. His G'mama and I spent the whole day with him and I'm home to sleep tonight - His father will spend the night at the hospital. We are with him every moment; I can't bear to leave him alone so I'm glad to have extra family. Maggie is visiting Pete tonight for a few hours - she will return to Davis tomorrow. Her grandfather is helping her purchase a new puppy; she has her eye on an 8-week old German Shepherd from a breeder near school. This puppy will be Maggie's focus for a while, and I'll worry less about her. I feel your strength and your prayers. Just knowing how many people are praying for my beautiful Pete is carrying me through each day. My Lord has lifted me beyond the most terrible pain of this and I feel strong enough to handle every day. I could not do this without my friends and I thank God for all of them.

Original Letter - July 12, 2002

 ………PLEASE PASS THIS ON………

Those of us who are fortunate enough to know Debbie Flynn know these things about her: her great compassion, her endless kindness, her humor and her love for her children. We know of her pride in Maggie, 21, who is a student of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis. And we know 20-year old Pete, who has outgrown those teenage-year struggles and makes Debbie prouder with each passing day. None of this changed this past Friday, July 5……But everything changed.

Pete was an unfortunate passenger involved in a tragic automobile accident. The young man driving sustained very minor injuries, the other passenger is in critical condition and we pray for his continued improvement. Pete, though, suffered a "complete" spinal cord injury resulting in a quadriplegic paralysis.

The expenses for these injuries and Pete's rehabilitation will be insurmountable. What lies ahead for Debbie and Pete will require all our prayers, love and support.

We are in the process of establishing the Pete Flynn Recovery Fund and should have the details available within a week. Account details will follow as soon as they are available.

Debbie is having a prayer vigil outside Palomar Hospital tonight for Pete. He is undergoing another surgery tomorrow which we hope may bring some mobility to his right side. At 7:00 this evening please stop doing whatever you are doing for the moment and offer your prayers for Pete.

Cards and letters of support can be sent to Debbie and Pete at:
Box 441
306-N West El Norte Parkway
Escondido, CA 92026

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