Absolutely! You're at the top of my list.

Just got word that they are going to do surgery so please just keep the prayers going.

Hi Ed,

My name is John F., I am the founder and webmaster for Miracles In Progress Recovery Forums.  More important is that I am a recovering alcoholic/addict with over 15 years of sobriety, who like your son, I had a brain anurism in 2001.  Five inches of blood vessel in my brain literally popped one night, and flooded my brain with blood.  I was rushed to the hospital, (New Hanover Regional Trauma Center in Wilmington, NC), went into coma after arriving at the hospital, and came out of it 4 days later.  During this time, brain surgery was performed on me which included re- routing major blood passages in my brain so that my brain would get the oxgen it needs to function, and keep me from dying or becoming a vegatable.

As a result I was granted Social Security Disability, which ecomonically is a disability in and of itself, and I thought my life, or at least the quality of it was over.  My disability was set up for a 5 year review.

Two years later, I was employed full time as a Case Manager for a shelter that caters to homeless families with minor children, (as a result I was found to no longer qualify for disability),  3 years later I was able to start a residential pressure washing business that is realitively successful, and four years later, I have recently (a month ago) opened a Miracles In Progress Recovery House for alcoholics and addicts in early recovery.

I was told by medical professionals that I would suffer the same symtoms of a severe stroke victim.  Speech impediment or slurring language, weakness on left side of body, limp in left leg, hanging face on left side.

I went through neuro and physcolgoical therapy, which is for designed for stroke victims.  I was exposed to people who had been there for months, still none functional, in wheel chairs, unable to talk, uncontrollable body movements, etc.  After my third treatment I was wheeled back to my room and there I began to cry.  I asked God, "why did you let me live through this?  I can't live like this! I can't even use the bathroom alone, I can't put on hospital slippers, I hold the tie for the hospital rube in my hands and can't get my brain to bring my hands together to tie it so my body is covered !  I had so much to live for and this isn't going to be living at all!  You should have let me die!" Why? Why? Why?

Silent tears were rolling down my face as I lay in my hospital bed, and as clearly as I hear a voice, a tv, or radio, I heard a whisper that simply said..."because I'm not finished with you yet.  Stand with faith, walk with faith and I'll handle the rest."

Without a doubt getting through the first year was tough.  However, I should report that I suffer none of the symtoms the medical people indicated would be forthcoming.  I am a fully functioning, highly active, productive person today and the only way someone who doesn't know me would know that I have had an anurism and the brain surgery is if I tell them about it.

Stand in faith, pray and ask your son to walk in faith each day.  God isn't finished with him yet either.  He is a Miracle In Progress even if he doesn't feel like it, see it or sense it.  The Miracle is forthcoming.

Sincere prayers are being sent up for him, and for you.  One miracle I already see is a father who is not letting his son go this alone.  Many alcoholics have been shunned or disowned by their family and face these terrible experiences in life alone.   I would have been one of them had it not been for the members of AA who were there with me and sending many prayers up in my behalf.  AA members are my family today... that includes your son.

Yours in Healing and Recovery,

John F.

mip@12stepforums.net