This has been a good day! It started with Jacob, a PA who is very honest with us, visiting with a student PA to show her how to examine someone like Steve. My mom and I were there and listened as he commented about this and that being good. He got really excited about some responses and told us he thought Steve was trying to wake up, although of course there weren't any guarantees. Then he blinked...not where his eyes were open really, but just sort of a squishing of his eyelids together. Has done that many times throughout the day. His breathing and lung pressure are also doing well and they hope to do the trach tomorrow, as well as the feeding tube. Still have to check with one more doctor, but that's the plan. The respiratory therapist thinks he may be taken off the vent sooner than expected, too.
Danielle and I were just talking about priorities...what we were worried or thinking about a week ago, versus being excited about a blink!
Thanks for all your notes...I hope you know how much they mean to all of us.
Love, Linda
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'Tis better to hope, though clouds hang low,
And keep the eyes uplifted,
For the sweet blue sky will soon peep through,
When the ominous clouds are lifted
There was never a night without a day
Or an evening without a morning,
And the darkest hour, as the proverb goes,
Is the hour before the dawning.
Be well Steve. One day I will tell you of the love demonstrated by 5 remarkable people. Those who have been by your bedside, day and night, who have shown more strength than you or I could measure. Your mom and dad, grandma, Beth and Danielle have been an amazing team and I am honored to call them family. And on this day of hope, to a young man I do not know, thank you Matt.
Dear Linda and family,
I have been thinking of you all since I heard the news a week ago. I'm so happy that you are seeing progress today. I have some idea of what you are going through, having gone through Matt's illness, and I know how stressful and exhausting it is. Hang in there! You WILL get through this. Everyone here is sending their positive thoughts and prayers.
God bless you all,
Jan Cook
Steve-
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You and your family have been very kind to our son Thor while attending the U of Mich. We know you'll bounce back from this.
Always in our hearts,
The Fraser family
its brad from gulfport and everyone here is praying for steve and im extremely glad to hear he is doing good tell him i said to WAKE UP well i plan on seeing all of yall soon im praying for yall
love everyone in gulfport
What a wonderful gift, "The Blink". Our prayers are that Steve continues to gain strength and good health and for God to give all of you the strength you need to handle this crisis.
If you need anything in Detroit that we can help you out with please do not hesitate to call. Mr. Totten and I are available and willing. God be with all of you.
Love,
Mr. & Mrs. Totten
It is so so nice to hear such promising and positive news! i just found out about this blog.. Ive been frustrated and in the dark lately and this has really helped..
I want Steve's family, friends and Danielle to know that my every prayer is for them and Steve.
I am also grateful to have the address to his hospital room..
I love Steve and know he of all people will fight and be as strong as he can through this, just like all of you have been.. he's lucky to have such a strong support system there with him, wish i could be there and hug you all as long as possible.
-Andrea Roman
Hi Linda,
I just heard the news from Kit. I am happy you have seen a bit of progress the past few days. I will hope that soon Steve will be alert and look at you with that shy Steve smile I recall so well. Wish there was something I could do for you from this distance, but know that I have had you and your family in my thoughts since I heard the news.
Sue Matz
"For where two or three have gathered together in my name, I am there in their midst" Matthew 18:20
To Steve and the Percha family:
First of all, thank you so much for keeping us updated with these posts! It has taken me a long time to gather my thoughts into a coherent post, but I think I have finally found what I want to say:
Dear Steve,
I guess we go way back, kindof. Through middle and high school, and then at U-M, we weren't that close of friends. But your situation has affected me in a way that none of my closest friends ever have. You are a wonderful young man, always full of life and willing to give me a HUGE hug every time I see you. You are so intelligent and have soooo much to offer this world.
As I'm in my training to become a doctor, I often have to remind myself that God is so much bigger and capable of much more than anything any doctor could ever do for their patient. What are a couple of "dead" cells to the creator of the universe? He tells trees to grow, and they do. And I believe He will tell you to hang on, and you will. I believe in my heart that you will make a FULL recovery, regardless of what science and medicine say, because God is greater than that. I believe He has a purpose for your life, something absolutely amazing. His book says that when 2 or 3 are gathered, He is there...well we may not be gathered, but people all over this state and this country are in agreement in prayer for you, so He is most definitely with you, holding you in His arms.
So please hold on, because the world is a brighter place with you in it. And I'll continue to keep you and your family in my prayers, until the next time I get one of those HUGE hugs :)
In God's Love,
Jacki Fisher
Morning Steve,
Fresh powder has hit the ground here in Michigan, and it looks like a clean blanket ready for a new day. I read your mom's posting and it sound like you may have a busy day ahead of you, so I wish you well, and am always praying for you. Keep in your thoughts the enjoyment you get from the newly fallen snow, the smell of those freshly cut hedges at grams, the sound of the waves at Lake Michigan, and the soft wet feel from Nia's sloppy kisses (that's his dog). Those thoughts will get you through this. God's Peace, Love, and Grace be with you my friend. Love you!
Dear Percha family,
I am so grateful for the blog and all of the information. I am sending many hugs and prayers to all of you. I hope Steve will be responding with many more blinks and other responses to your attentions to him.
God bless,
Linda Moore
Lord watch over your child today as he awaits some procedures that will help his journey to recovery. May your healing hands rest upon him now and every day forward. May your Spirit guide the hands of those who attend to him. And may your Grace and Peace be with those who are at his side. Amen
Our family's prayers and thoughts are with your family and Steve. Melissa is not able to write currently but she is praying daily for Steve. Lauren has gotten the entire Athletes in Action at miami Univ praying for Steve.
We are delighted to hear that Steve is giving you some good signs and seems to be fighting. I can't imagine what this is like for you. Steve is an amazing young man.
We hope he continues to fight as we all know he can and continues to improve quicker than doctors expect. I want to see him again at a race at MIS.
tell Steve to keep fighting and that our thoughts are with him.
God be with you.
The Jarmans
From Danielle Stone's mom: I feel the need to express what so many of you already know. As a result of this tragic incident, I have been able to witness, and find comfort in, the immense love and strength of Steve’s family. We hadn’t met the Percha family prior to his accident, and would have obviously preferred to meet under more favorable circumstances. Through Danielle’s and Steve’s stories, we had been able to gain glimpses into those who compose his immediate and extended family, and we admired Steve’s obvious love and respect for them. Since meeting his family, however, you who know them well will understand our gratefulness for the ease in which they welcomed Dani into their family fold. It became clear to me, very quickly, that the characteristics that make up this incredible young man are a direct reflection of his family. To me, Steve is a fascinating combination of Rob’s seemingly endless optimism and his friendly, spirited disposition; Linda’s calm and nurturing nature; Beth’s intelligence and refreshing curiosity; and Mary’s (Gramma’s) humor and unpretentious wisdom. At a time when a desire to retreat from the rest of the world to concentrate on their own family’s immediate needs would be understandable to most, these are people that find comfort in providing knowledge, comfort and hope to the rest of us. We all hope you, Percha family, know how much we appreciate that.
You all understand, I'm sure, that it didn’t take long for Steve to win over our hearts!! Tim (Dad), Jessie (Sister) and I are so grateful for the happiness Steve gives to our Dani, and believe with our whole hearts that they will soon be able to embrace again. We are extremely appreciative for the manner in which Steve’s family has taken Dani in, almost as “one of their own.” To Rob, Linda, Beth and Mary - as hard as it was to leave Dani in Maryland, observing your tender care and selfless concern for her made it so much easier – thank you.
I also had the honor of meeting two of Steve’s friends – Matt and Kira. Please keep these two incredible young people in your thoughts, and pray that the realization that so many are grateful to their crucial actions in helping save Steve’s life will bring some peace to their heavy hearts.
Rick – thank you for creating this blog. It helps all of us truly feel the healing power of love and prayer, and provides a connection not only for Steve’s family and friends, but for Danielle’s family and friends as well. I wish I could express the magnitude of our gratitude for this.
We believe that Steve’s physical and mental strength, willpower and determination make nothing short of an incredible recovery an option for him. While we cannot begin to understand the reason for this now, we believe God will reveal those to us in due time. Keep your thoughts and prayers coming!
Laury Stone
Dear Linda and Family,
I love the proverb uncle rick has posted. It sounds like there is a lot to hope for. After reading all your postings, it is encouraging that so much is going right! Steve and your family are in my prayers.
Linda Kargela
God can do all things, where two or more are gathered in prayer God is in the mix. I'm in prayer with all of you, let God's will be done!
Although we have not yet met Steve, by the enthusiam and respect for him and his family that reach our ears by way of Tim, Laury, and Dani, we clearly see and understand how special he and they are. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all daily. God bless you and thankyou for this blog. We love you Dani!
Uncle Ted and son Jack
STILL PRAYING HARD IN MISSISSIPPI. HOPING YOU WAKE UP SO WE CAN CELEBRATE YOUR BIRTHDAY!
LOVE YA, AUNT KATHIE
I work at the Duderstadt Bldg and have known Steve when he worked at Mujo and now for DC Facilities.
I am shocked to hear about Steve's accident. He always exhibited such confidence, so I am positive, he will come through this ordeal.
To Steve's family: stay strong and be positive. You now have an extended family out there that is keeping you in our prayers and we are all pulling for Steve.
Thank you for the updates.
Verena Ward, AAE LIbraryivamfzgt
Linda & Rob, Beth, Danielle,
I have been thinking of all of you since Kathie told me about Steve. I know most of you don't know me but I feel as if I know ya'll thru Kathie. Please know that there are many who are praying for ya'll and Steve.
Debbie and Rick in Biloxi
Dear Percha Family
My name is Megan (Massey) Hildebrandt and I went to high school with Steve. I want you to know that my heart goes out to your family..Your strength shows through every blog you wirte. I want to thank you for keeping us all informed on Steve's progress. Though I didnt know Steve very well in high school ( only through a few classes we had together) I want you to know that I am thinking and praying for your family everyday. Stay strong Steve, we are all praying for you.
Megan Massey-Hildebrandt
Dear Percha Family
My name is Megan (Massey) Hildebrandt and I went to high school with Steve. I want you to know that my heart goes out to your family..Your strength shows through every blog you wirte. I want to thank you for keeping us all informed on Steve's progress. Though I didnt know Steve very well in high school ( only through a few classes we had together) I want you to know that I am thinking and praying for your family everyday. Stay strong Steve, we are all praying for you.
Megan Massey-Hildebrandt
Dear Steve, the entire Percha family, Kira and Matt;
Our children enjoyed Oakley Park Elementary together as well as many school district activities throughout the years.
When the email arrived sharing this very shocking news, it made me immediately envision the MIGHTY OAKS of OPE. The strength with which those trees stand is the visualization I have for your dear body, Steve, and for the strength with which your family and the medical angels are nurturing your recovery. You have a huge circle of prayer enveloping you all, and hope for all to be well again is palpable.
Love and deepest concern and prayers,
Kendra & Barry Hurd, Kelly and Brian
Dear Linda and Family,
Steve and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that Steve continues to progress toward a full recovery. I hope he finds strength in the people who are surrounding him with love and prayer and that you find strength in the people who are surrounding you with love and prayer.
Fondly, and in my thoughts,
Joan Malak
Dear Percha Family
We just heard the news about Steve today. We are sending our prayers and positive thoughts your way. We know he is a strong young man and will pull through. Just remember you have alot of people who are praying for Steve and wishing him well. We are right down the street from your house so PLEASE let us know if you need anything. We are more than happy to help.
Take care and God Bless,
Mary and Steve Zechar
Dear Percha Family,
Thank you for taking the time to update us on Steve's progress. Here in Raleigh, we hang on each of your words and find hope in your comments, constantly re-reading your blog for any information we may have missed. Our spirits lifted when we read the encouraging news in your last post. Our thoughts are always close to you and Steve and we are sending up prayers for you all each day.
The Estrada Family
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