Walter Ruh update

An email from Walter Ruh!!!

Hello All,

I just wanted to give an update on everything pertaining to me and my family. I first want to thank you for your prayers. They have been greatly appreciated. We have needed them. We still need them daily if you can continue. My wife is stressed and is the runner after work and that takes a toll.

I went to the Neurologist today and it was good in some aspects but I did not like it in others. First, they are not going to release me to drive which will effect me going back to work. Second, they think there is a possibility that I might be leaking inside my head where the incision was and it has not healed back properly. They had me go and do a CT Scan and soon another MRI. I had to do more blood work and I will have to go back for a EEG. I am still battling at times dizziness and my balance. I sometimes do too much b/c I want to get well so fast and I guess I overdo it. Because of that I put strain on where the surgery was. That is why the CT and MRI's. Third, they think that my scalp around the scarring and the staples were may be infected. I dont know the proper wording for that but they are putting me on strong antibiotics for 10 days b/c they believe it has now gotten infected. They dont w ant me to have to get that part infected which could lead to a whole new mess. I dont know when I will be driving again but the way she talked it will be sometime.

So, now I need you to desperately add that to your prayers. Not the driving persay but that fact that I have been out of work since Oct and I have no disability from work. I have called my county and called other various organizations and I have gotten turned down. Apparently I am not bad enough or there are other reasons. We almost had our Utilities turned off this week. We were two months behind but we had some close friends at an area church that got wind of my situation from me going to the Utility company pleading with them to keep our heat on and there church paid our heat bill. That was a true blessing from above. But this is tough and I am having a tough time with it..So, I desperately thank you for your prayers.

That is all I know for now and will keep you updated as I find out more. You are free to call me or stop by or email me anytime. Love to all.


Walter Ruh

Walter Ruh update 1-17-08

An email from Big Ray...

Thank you all so much for your continued prayers.
Walter Ruh had his follow-up with the surgeon in Atlanta yesterday. He said Walter Ruh was doing very well and as expected. One area of the incision is not healing as well as the doctor would like, but it should be better soon with continued cleaning.
Dr. Barrow stated Walter Ruh should now begin trying to do more activity. However, with this being the most traumatic surgery a person could have, he must use caution. Hopefully, he will be able to return to more normal activities within about 4 more weeks. Walter Ruh must be released by the neurologist in Knoxville before being able to drive. The seizures he had prior to surgery require a certain period of time without another one before driving can begin.
He is healing more each day and Dr. Barrow hoped he would see an even more dramatic improvement within the next 2-4 weeks. The headaches will most likely continue for some time. Remember, he just had major brain surgery 4 weeks ago.
Please continue praying for Shannon and the kids. This has been an extremely difficult time for them as well.
We love you all and look forward to greater news in the days ahead. God is so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Big Ray

Walter Ruh update

An email from Big Ray...

Hey, gang,
I have failed to send a recent update on Walter Ruh. I appreciate your prayers and ask that you please continue to remember him and his family.

He goes back to Atlanta on the 16th for a follow-up with the neurosurgeon. The 40 staples were removed last week and the stitches will eventually dissipate. There still are headaches and some days worse than others. However, we know these will eventually go away. He must continue to be very careful and take it easy.

Also, please pray for Shannon and the kids. She is working and having to get all of them to and from school and the after school activities. They surely have a plate full.

Again, we really cannot thank you enough for all of your calls, emails, cards, and especially the prayers. God has been so good to us. We only seek His guidance. We owe each of you a lot!

Love to all,
Big Ray

Update From Dad on Walter Ruh

An email from Stacie...

This is an email Dad sent out earlier today. Walter Ruh is home and resting. He said the trip home (4 hr drive) was hard on him. He took some medication and went to bed. Thank you again, everyone for your love, care, and prayers!
Stacie


HALLELUJAH!!!!!!
What an awesome God we serve! I could hardly wait to update you all. Walter Ruh's surgery lasted only 2 1/2 hours instead of 5 1/2. The bleed area was not as deep as first thought. The doctor was able to remove the old blood and correct the cavernous malformation. Even though he has 40 staples in his head and will still have a headache for a couple of weeks, he is coming home TODAY!
I cannot begin to tell you all how much the prayers were answered. We have received messages from people all over the country. The prayer network is amazing. God has truly blessed us and this will be a special Christmas remembered.
We can only thank you for your efforts and praise God for the results. Please continue praying that Walter Ruh will improve each day. His recovery time is expected to be about 2 months. Of course with you all praying, it will be sooner! Also, pray for Shannon and the family as they care for him. This has been a very difficult time for them.
We love you all and appreciate each one of you more than we could ever express.
God Bless!!!!!!
Big Ray and family

Hey, gang,
In my haste and excitement to send out the great report, I forgot to mention a HUGE answer to your prayers. There was absolutely NO paralysis or slurred speech after the surgery. As I had told you all last week, the doctor said this could happen, but it did not!
Again, what an awesome God we serve!
Big Ray

Update on Walter Ruh

An email from Stacie...

Walter Ruh is having surgery next Thursday (Dec. 13th) in Atlanta at Emory. The risks are great, but the doctor said the risks would be even greater if he DID NOT have the surgery. It would continue to only get worse. Please continue to pray for him. We are all very concerned, but we know that God is in control and will take care of him. We want to thank you all for your prayers, thoughts, cards, and phone calls. We have such amazing friends and family.
We love you!

The Herron Family