Prayers please!

Calling everyone
I have hesitated to post because ASKING for prayers is not really in my Catholic nature. But here I go…thanks to the blogosphere, I began following a friend of a friend years ago and now she needs your help.

Judy and her husband Keith are Texans that live in San Diego where she is a teacher and they were eagerly expecting their first child. Keith came to Texas for a bachelor party in early April. Judy stayed in San Diego as her school year was beginning to wrap up and her pregnancy was approaching its 8th month. Long story short, Keith left the bachelor party and was waiting for his buddies on the roof of a parking garage. He lost his balance and fell 7 floors onto a small patch of grass. Luckily, some people happened to see a figure fall and called 911 immediately. He has been in the hospital ever since.

Judy quickly came from CA to be with her husband in Austin and after receiving initial treatment they were transferred to Dallas. All the while, Judy was expecting their first child. A boy. She has since given birth to a happy, healthy son named Brooks and has been staying with her family while Keith has undergone more than his share of ups and downs. He has had multiple shunt surgeries, physical therapy, bedsores, liver toxicity, muscle and bone issues from a lack of movement, various room/hospital moves, tests, test, and more tests. All the while, Judy visits her husband, takes care of their new son, updates everyone daily, meets with countless doctors, nurses, and therapists, and is now being forced to deal with insurance company issues.

I can say that Keith has had very good days. Days where he obviously brightens when Judy is near. He knows her and Judy says it is clear that he recognizes the fragility of Brooks being a baby when he holds him. (Or rather when Brooks lays with him.) All that being said, while they have needed prayers through these three months, I got this email at 9:45 tonight:

Immediate prayer request – Judy is at the hospital with her father. Keith’s heart is not pumping properly and his heart is enlarged which is a very serious condition at this point. They have started him on the heart medication in order to try and get the heart to start pumping more and will monitor it over the next few hours. The doctor does not think Keith could survive any kind of surgery so please pray for decisions Judy may need to make. The doctor also does not think Keith may make it through the night. Immediate prayer request – for the heart to start pumping properly and to respond to the heart medication. Pray for Judy – she has completely surrendered to the Lord’s will. Lord Jesus, both Keith and Judy are in your hands – protect them.

If you have a facebook, you can find more information on the page set up by the family by searching Pray for Keith Beasley. The information about Austin and needing rooms, meals, etc. is out of date, but everything else you would need to know is there.

I know that prayer is strong and I know that prayer is healing - both for the sick and those that care for them.  I also know that many of you share this sentiment, so I turn to you.