Help Joe Blackstone

*Updates at the bottom* Joe is a young 39 year old with amazing talents as an artist, tattoo artist, musician, and cook. He is a son, grandson, brother, uncle, friend and a loving and supportive clergy spouse to his wife Laura. He is a vital part of sustaining the life of the church. On Wednesday, May 17th Joe was life flighted from Buffalo Wyoming to Billings Montana after suffering a severe stroke. In the following hours and days we have learned that 2/3 of his right brain is now dead and irrecoverable which means he has no feeling or movement on the left side of his body (arm and leg). If Joe survives the stroke, he will have permanent disability in both his left leg and arm. It is likely that a wheelchair will be needed permanently for Joe. However, the best case scenario at this point (after rigorous and intensive physical therapy) would be limited movement in his left leg and arm. For his leg, this may mean being able to stand and walk some on his own but tasks like climbing stairs will not likely be a reality. For his arm, this may mean being able to use his fingers enough to hold a cup or open a door. He has lost peripheral vision in his left eye. The neurologist said he will no longer have the ability to drive. Joe’s brain continued to swell while in the ICU, creating a large amount of pressure against his surviving left-brain tissue. On Saturday morning Joe was unresponsive and the nurses and doctors made the decision to intubate and put in a drain to relieve the pressure on the brain. On Sunday morning Joe became unresponsive again and went in for a craniotomy, the neurologist said he did well and is stable. As of now we know he will spend at least 7 more days in the ICU. We will update more as we hear more. Joe’s loving wife Laura and his Dad Mark are at his bedside, while all of Joe’s family and friends are sending their love from across the states. Joe is one of the most caring and empathetic men anyone could ever be blessed to encounter in this world. All who have met Joe are better for knowing him. We pray that Joe will recover so that he can continue to share his kindness and love with others. Joseph’s road to recovery will be an intense, painful and expensive. His family is still trying to assess what his insurance will cover, but the costs are expected to climb. Psalm 121 ***UPDATE*** Thank you so much to everyone who has donated, shared this post and prayed for Joe. Joe has been in a medically induced coma for 14 days and is scheduled to be taken off the ventilator on Friday when he’ll receive a longer term breathing apparatus and feeding tube. They plan to try to begin waking him on Friday as well. Please continue praying for his health and recovery. He is making progress and we are all grateful to God and proud of him for every step he’s made toward healing. He has a long road of recovery ahead; and Joe’s wife, Laura, and all of his family is hopeful and are so grateful for the support, kind words, prayers and donations. We ask that you continue to share this GFM because anything and everything helps. God bless you. **UPDATE AS OF JUNE 12th*** Joe was moved to a facility down the street from the trauma center he has been at (still in Montana). It’s a step down from the ICU but he will still be closely monitored. Joe is off the sedatives but it will still take time for them to flush out of his system. The neurologist is very happy with Joe’s progress so far. He is not able to talk yet do to the tracheotomy he had last week but he is giving a thumbs up or head nod’s. Rest is still very important at this time along with all the prayers. Joe will need intense physical therapy soon. All of your donations will be going towards his medical bills, physical therapy facilities and whatever equipment he may need. Please continue to share his GFM account. Please keep Joe in your prayers. Thank you to everyone who has supported him and for loving him. He is a fighter and with everyone behind him he can only get better. God is good. ****UPDATE AS OF JUNE 25th******Joe had some set backs from the last update but he is now stable and still trying to shake off the heavy sedatives. From the last update Joe had to be sedated again because he was “brainstorming” and his body was in overdrive. They also had to limit his visitations. After a couple days of heavy sedation they took him off the sedatives and he has been making strong eye contact with his wife Laura and communicating with her via some sign language that she taught him. Please say an extra prayer for Joe and his wife Laura, today is there first wedding anniversary. This is not an ideal way to spend it but God is good and Joe has been stable and making progress! He is able to smirk, give a thumbs up or down and head nods. The past couple weeks have been focused on Joe resting. They are still running tests on him for answers. Thank you all so much for your continued support, words of encouragement, prayers and donations. Please continue to pray for Joe and share his GFM. We will update as things continue to change and Joe meets more milestones in his recovery.