Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.
Our son, Matthew Branch, was involved in a near-fatal hunting accident on Friday 12/28/18 in Mississippi. A group of family members and friends were on a duck hunt. They had wrapped up a successful hunt and had gathered to decide what to do next. Shotguns were loaded and one of the duck dogs jumped in the Ranger which unexpectantly caused a gun to misfire which hit Matt in his femoral artery at close range. A split second freak hunting accident. Everyone got still in confusion until Matt yelled out and dropped to the ground. His buddies and cousin immediately responded beyond their normal abilities. 9-1-1 was called and Matt was driven out of the duck blind to the nearest point on the highway to meet up with an EMT response team. No one realized the amount of blood that was being lost because it was flowing through his waders into his boots. His friends worked hard to keep him conscious on the way to the highway which wasn't an easy task. Once they got there, two of them were able to lift this 6'6" solidly built, former LSU Offensive Lineman out of the Ranger and onto a hillside to keep his leg elevated. He was then transported to the nearest Medical Facility - Merit Medical Center in Vicksburg. There, he was immediately taken into surgery to save his life by attempting to stop the bleeding. They were able to stabilize him enough to have him flown to University Medical Center in Jackson, MS - the state's only Trauma Center. He's been in ICU at University since Friday evening and in order to save his life, we had to make the choice to amputate his lower left leg. He's not out of the woods yet and its a long road to recovery, but we're getting positive signs by the hour. We're so thankful to everyone who has called, texted, and put him on their prayer lists and chains. We believe in the power of GOD. It's miraculous that he's made it this far and I believe there's a purpose for all of it.
I will be posting notes about his progress daily as we go through this journey. Please feel free to add comments or messages of encouragement here on this site.
"Jesus replied, what is impossible with man is possible with God." Luke 18:27
"Everything is possible for one who believes." Mark 9:23
"For no word from God will ever fail", Luke 1:37
"I am the Lord of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" Jeremiah 32:27
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139: 13-14
"Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid, just believe and she shall be healed." Luke 8:50
