Roberta Townsend’s Road to Recovery

Almost 2 weeks ago, Roberta was taken by ambulance thinking she was having a heart attack after experiencing severe shortness of breath. Fortunately, Roberta listened to her body immediately and knew something was wrong and asked Larry to call 911. What turned out to be likely medication induced pneumonia at the beginning, quickly led to her fighting for her life on ECMO for days, followed by multiple surgeries including an open-heart surgery to replace her heart valve. On two separate occasions, doctors called in her immediate family telling them it was time to say their goodbyes, and both times, God intervened. Doctors from all over Tennessee came in to see Roberta’s case as they couldn’t believe how her situation turned around, but as we know, she had many prayer warriors working on her behalf and we know Jesus heard our prayers for her life. At this time, though the outcome isn’t promised, we know God is in control here and we believe He saved her and worked a miracle in her life. Tomorrow, 3/14, will mark one week post open heart surgery and most of the days following surgery were spent with her on the ventilator. Though she is now breathing on her own, and had most of the weekend with some alertness, the latest report is that she was back in A-Fib today and infection has set in and the doctors aren’t 100% sure where it’s coming from, but they are working to treat both. We know that God has the power to heal her completely and that’s what we are continuing to trust and pray for.

The doctors are making no promises as to what recovery will look like as she has to learn to do even the most basic things all over again.

Many have reached out asking how they can help as Roberta has touched so many lives of so many families and children over the years through her work in the church, children’s ministries and horseback riding lessons at their family ranch. As this time has already proved to be financially impactful because of Roberta being out of work, Larry needing to take time to be at the hospital with her, and the medical bills that are already mounting, etc., the Townsend family would appreciate any help that is given as we don’t yet know exactly what the road ahead looks like as she recovers.