A softball miracle in Rocky Mount....power of prayer

I am not sure if most of you know a guy named Jay Alford. He is an asst coach with the NC Challenger Silver team, and his daugther Laura pitches HS ball at Rocky Mount HS as well as the Challenger team.

His son's name is David and his wife is Jan. David's birthday is Oct 25th.
They arrived in Florida for the Rising Stars Fall showcase on Oct 24th, preparing for the start of the tournament on the 26th.

That's where the miracle starts...

I am gonna insert the story from Jay's own words... This will make you
appreciate all you have...



Dear Friends
You are all very special and have meant so much to me and my family, I'll never be able to express my gratitude enough. I do plan on thanking each of you personally though it may take me a while to get there. An old classmate living in Kentucky heard I passed away and called Jan to find out the arrangements. He was very surprised when I answered the phone to say the least.

So I figured I'll send out an update from the beginning as best as I can.

October 24, We're traveling to the Miami area for Laura to play in a softball college showcase starting on the 26th. We arrive late in the night on the 24th with intentions of taking the 25th (David's Birthday) to do something fun for him.
At around 2 am, after battling sharp pain in my back and chest for a couple hours, I decide to find a doctor. The hotel recommends Florida Medical Center, only 2 blocks away. So after getting everyone awake after only a couple hours sleep, we head to the FMC ER. Upon arriving they took me straight back and began evaluating me.

After hearing me describe the pain, Dr. Issacson knew right away what it was. First he had to rule out a heart attack, which he was sure was not happening. I knew that because I could hear him on the phone calling for the emergency thoracic team and an OR to be ready immediately. Amazing what you can overhear sometimes. I remember him saying to them, "this is a real emergency." That got my attention.

After the tests, Dr. Issacson came to tell us his initial concerns were right, that I had an aortic dissection. Now if you want all the details, Jan will have to give them to you. I became a bit overwhelmed when he told me I only had a one in a million chance of surviving.

How about if I wait a few hours before deciding about the surgery I asked. You won't make it that long I was told.
To make a long story short, I was told I had minutes to hours, at the most.

So that answered my question about the surgery.

Off we went. Again as I was whisked away I could overhear the doctor explaining to Jan, "You do realize there is a 99.something per cent fatality?" Dr Marco Bologna met us on the way to the OR.

He very matter of factly explained why he was there, what he would do, etc. Afterwards he asked if I had any questions. No, just a request, today is Oct 25, my son's birthday, keep me alive until the 26th, don't let me die on his birthday.
His whole demeanor changed, he looked me in the eye and took my hand and said with confidence " I won't let that happen". I believed him.

Skipping ahead, after experiencing heart stopping, brain activity stopping, and body cooled to 18 degree surgery, and 17 hours of other surgery, and over three weeks in the Florida Medical Center, I am still alive, no doctor I had will take credit for it. They all agree its a miracle. Your prayers worked.

Thank you.

Please keep Jan in your prayers, she has been everything to me. Staying in a strange city 800 and something miles from home, just to look after me. Taking over the burden of every aspect of running the family. Taking family leave from her work to be my nurse and still balancing a budget. And during all this, her dad had a stroke and has been in the hospital.

She has the strongest shoulders of anyone I know. I couldn't have made it without her, she has been my Angel from Heaven.

David never got his birthday this year, and has had to miss hunting season, but has not complained. He's matured into the man of the house.

Laura who hates to play without me there, ended her season throwing a no hitter.

I'm still recovering, still have tubes and still tied to an I V pole, but I'm home.

I'm so Happy to be in NC.

Some people have been curious what a near death experience is like. I don't mind talking about it, just ask.

Keep us in your prayers as I still have a ways to go.And I'll try to update soon.

Thanks so very much to all

Jay




What a miracle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take a look at your family...who we all take for granted sometimes....
Hold them tight........

 

I'm requesting permission to post this in the baseball forum. We have quite a few posters from the Rocky Mount area, but more important, it is a story we all benefit from reading

 

Braves..

I think that would be appropriate...
Jay has alot of friends across the state...

It is not very often we get to experience a miracle

 

Hey Bro...
Good Post...
KC is coming i think Next Week..
How were the Oysters

JD

 

Miracles

Wonderful story and proof that believing in prayer and the Lord will always bring the right result.

 

I copied this to our forum because we have quite a few posters in this area. Perhaps some of you know this gentleman.

 

A Great Man

A very good friend of mine. David and Laura both have played on the Stretchlon baseball and softball teams. Like I told Jay yesterday IF his kids ever need anything at anytime just let me know. Jay is a true gentleman and his wife Jan is an angel. The best to Jay as he continues to recover.

 

The Lord Truly Answers Prayer

This is a great testimony of how our Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST answered your prayers. I know you will never be the same after this experience in your life, I know you and your family's faith increased
greatly. Praise the Lord. The Lord will come again for us one day.