We Love Nate.

It pains me to have to bear such news in the paltry form of this weblog. Last night Nathan Graybill died. I just got back from the hospital myself, and it is after six-thirty AM right now. There were complications due to a clot in Nate's brain last night, and he was declared brain-dead fairly early in the evening. The doctors and nurses kept his body respirated and his heart beating in order to sustain Nate's organs so that they could be donated to others. Even in death, Nate gave selflessly.

I myself have been overwhelmed by the amount of support for Nate. In coming together to show how much we love Nate, I think we've also seen how much we love each other. That's the kind of person that Nate was. I thank God that we all got these six days to spend time with Nate; to remember him and say our goodbyes. We will remember him always as a true son, brother and friend.

I or someone else will be posting information about Nate's funeral on this blog, and I am considering leaving it open for now so that people can share support and stories about Nate. Please continue to support the Graybills and each other in communication, in the flesh and in prayer. Share encouragement, share stories of being with Nate, share this time together. And remember what brought all of us together over this past week: our love for Nate. Nate brought brightness into all of our lives in the short time that he was on this earth, and he will be sorely missed.


We Love You Nate!


--Keith

URGENT

There aren't words to break news like this: I just heard from Dan Kenyon, who is at the hospital with the Graybills, that Nate is dying. I know that there have been complications, but I don't know any details. The doctors and nurses said that Nate will most likely die within the next twelve hours. If you would like to go to see Nate and say a final goodbye, I suggest you leave right now.

Please continue to pray for Nate, as we were told before that he had 12 hours to live and he made it through that. We know that God can do anything. It has been clear through this whole process that Nate was very loved by many different people. If our beloved friend does leave us, remember the love and laughter that he brought to our lives. We all love you, Nate Graybill--if you take anything with you from this earth, take that.


--Keith

... Until Now!

I just received an update from Dan Kenyon that Nate's surgery was a success! The surgery that Nate received today consisted of three parts:

1) A trachiotomy
2) Insertion of a feeding tube
3) Placement of a filter in Nate's leg

Dan said that Mrs. Graybill told him that all three of these parts of the surgery were successful, and that because of this operation the doctors and nurses were able to remove some of the apparatus to which Nate was connected, so that he looks a little more like himself again. I know that the insertion of the feeding tube is key, as Nate is unable to eat and will need a stable method of obtaining nourishment since he became a miracle and is still alive today.

Also, I've been told that the filter in Nate's leg is a preventative measure against blood clotting. Apparently when someone sits still as long as Nate has, there is a tendency for clots to develop in the legs, and the filter placed in Nate's leg will prevent such clots from getting to the lungs, where the damage could be devastating. All of this is really good news, and perhaps because the operation was successfully completed, people will be allowed to visit Nate now (although I'm not positive, they may still not want visitors until tomorrow and you may want to get in touch with someone who knows that for a fact).

Thanks for the update Dan! And thanks everyone for praying and continuing to support Nate, his family and each other!


--Keith

No News ...

I haven't received any news on this end about Nate for a while, which I suppose can be expected. As Nate's condition has *somewhat* stabilized, we can't expect constant updates, but that's a good thing! One thing I do want to say is that there are a lot more pictures on the dotphoto.com website if you haven't been there in a while. People really jumped at the opportunity to upload pictures of Nate, and there are some really nice pictures (as well as some hysterical ones), so go check it out! Check the previous post "Photo Website!" if you're not sure how to go there and look at the pictures.

Either the Graybills, Eric Danielson or I will post when we have updates, and I'll throw a post up once in a while to let all of you know that I haven't forgot about this also, and to keep encouraging! It's clear that the huge response to Nate's accident shows what a special person he is and how he was at the center of very special groups, in both high school and college.

--Keith