Josue Reyes

How could this possibly happen to a man like Josue I continue to ask God?  Josue is exactly the kind of person this world needs more. 


Josue was involved in a rock climbing accident yesterday, August 27th.  He was sport climbing at Lake Louise in Canada and took a fall. He was flipped upside down and hit his head, knocked unconscious.  By some miracle he woke up and was able to hike out and get to a small ED where things began to deteriorate quickly.  He was then flown to a hospital in Calgary, Canada where he was taken emergently to the OR to have a craniotomy for a large epidural hematoma.  He survived surgery and the follow up CT was much improved, but still not where I would like it.  Today was day one and Josue is not able to open his eyes or follow commands which is frightening.  It is promising however that his CT was improved post surgery, his reflexes are intact, and his vitals are fairly stable.  I find good reason to remain incredibly optimistic for tomorrow and the many days to come.  


What a roller coaster of a day starting shortly after midnight with a phone call from Josue's guardian angel Katie.  Its hard to imagine what she was going through all alone up here while Josue was being flown to Calgary and operated on in the OR.  I immediately knew I had to get up here as soon as possible and jumped on the first flight out of Salt Lake.  I was struggling immensely with negative thoughts, assuming the absolute worse.  No matter how hard I tried, I could not shake these thoughts.  I felt like Josue had already left us.   I found myself talking out loud saying, "Josue is the last guy something like this should happen to," and "God, you've made a mistake, put me in his place because Josue does not deserve this." Upon arriving at the hospital though I suddenly felt this feeling of optimism and calmness.  I felt this little feeling called hope and this hope has only grown since arriving.  I still see Josue there in that bed, fighting the fight to stay with us.  I see an improved CT scan and I see reflexes that are still intact.  I see a mountain Josue must climb, but Josue seems willing and brave enough to attempt it.   I also see an outpouring of love and support from a community that spans the entire country.  People sending text messages, calling, posting on Facebook, and donating to the gofundme accounts.   It's an absolute beautiful thing, and it continues to provide me with hope.  I also want to say thank you to all those who have donated.  Being hospitalized is expensive, but being hospitalized in Canada is even more expensive.  I am sure every penny will be greatly appreciated by the family, who indeed have a long road ahead of them. 


It has been an incredibly long day, and its time for me to get some sleep.  This concludes day one, a roller coaster of a day that ends with optimism and hope.  Please join me in a little prayer before bed.


"God, we love you and thank you for walking with Josue from that crag today to get him to a hospital.  It is a miracle in itself that he was able to wake up and hike out. We know you have a plan, and sometimes that plan is hard to understand, but WE PRAY that plan is for Josue to have a full recovery.  God, this planet needs more people like Josue on it, now is not his time.  Please be with Josue during this tough time and give him the strength to fight for life, and the ability to heal.  Please be the support his family needs and do not abandon them during this difficult time. Amen."