The Phone Call

It started with a Facebook post from Ryley, around the second week of August 2011 that read.” I just had a seizure. That was weird.” 

The last time we spoke with Ry, was around the first of August and he sounded a little strange. He was talking about memories that weren’t his but his brother’s. He was angry, frustrated and confused. I asked if he was OK but he just brushed it off.  Then to read this post on his Facebook page a few days later terrified me. Something was wrong, but what?  It wouldn’t be until August 18^th that I would speak with Ryley.

I will never forget the phone call. It was a summer day in Washington.  I was working at a church at the time when Ryley called. I ran outside so I could speak with him privately. He sounded discombobulated and agitated. He was calling from the hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan where he was medically evacuated due to grand maul seizures. From what I gathered he and the doctors were unsure as to why he was having the seizures. I asked, “Ry, did you hit your head?” he said, “Yeah, something fell on it, but they don’t think that is the cause of the seizures.”  We chatted a few more minutes before he had to go, When I got off the phone with Ry, I was more confused and afraid. I went into the sanctuary and cried out to God. I wept so hard and so heavy my body hurt. I explained to one of our pastor what was going with Ry and shared what little information I had. He then prayed with me and sent me home for the day. I called Joe and told him all that I had heard from Ry. It was a waiting game now.

While he was in Kandahar he continued to have the seizures. He spent a month or so in the Kandahar Air force Base (KAF) hospital being treated and undergoing test. They then sent him to Germany around the first week of September, which was the first time we spoke with an Army doctor.  It was late at night when the German Hospital called. The doctor informed us that Ryley’s symptoms and seizures were classic signs of a head trauma. I didn’t understand, Ry said they didn’t think it was a head trauma. Now this doctor is telling us it one. The confusion grew and so did our frustration. What in the world was going on? And why wasn't the Army informing us of everything? The answers would slowly unfold and they broke my heart.
_____________________________________________________-

I’ve heard it said once, “You’re only as happy as your saddest child.” This statement screams volumes to me. The range of emotions that were flooding me, was a direct result as to what I perceived in Ryley; sorrow, anger and fear.

 The TBI was just the tip of the iceberg. As a mom I wanted to make it all better but I couldn’t kiss this boo boo away. Yes, time does heal all wounds, but it takes more than time to heal a broken spirit or a troubled mind. Those types of wounds require the Creator of time. The Prince of Peace. The Comforter and Oh how we needed him.

 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm 34:18 NLT

 It was Ryley’s crushed spirit that had me anxious and it would be an atmosphere of peace that would be the healing balm on a shattered heart.