This is the Price family Small Group. We want to communicate with our church family and loved ones what is happening with our dear friends, the Cummings.
Back in the spring of 2017, they discovered that their son, John, who was 4 at the time, had a heart condition known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. He was put on medication, and they were told to be careful to avoid sports and strenuous athletics, as it could aggravate his condition and cause his heart to act up. But the doctors weren't super concerned about normal childhood play, as long as he was careful.
Yesterday, December 22nd, John was racing with his brothers, when he suddenly fell over. It was discovered that he had suffered a form of cardiac arrest. His heart stopped and the EMT's had to perform CPR and defibrillate him to restart it . John was not able to breathe on his own and was unconscious. He was placed on a ventilator at Park West and then transferred to East Tennessee Children's Hospital in Knoxville.
At this time, John's heart is beating on its own again. He is able to take some breaths on his own, but is still relying on the ventilator for most of his oxygen. The main concern at this time is his neurological stability, as his brain was without oxygen for some time while his heart was stopped. The doctors who have been monitoring him today are encouraged and have seen several positive signs, but the next 48 hours will be crucial.
Doctors have also discussed giving John an internal defibrillator to try to help avoid this type of episode moving forward.
While he is currently stable, and currently sedated to help while his body recovers, John is in serious condition. We ask for your prayers for his condition to continue to improve and that he would begin breathing on his own. We also ask for prayer that there would be no brain damage and that he would wake up with full neurological function.
We are trusting in God with John's life. We've seen His grace and faithfulness in so many ways already. Please pray with us as we ask God to restore John's health. Please pray for the medical staff involved, that they would be guided with skill and love to help John. Please pray for the Cummings family, who are all desperate to have John wake up and be with us again. Please pray that they would trust the Lord fully with John's life.
We know there are many people who love the Cummings dearly and want to help them in any way possible. At this time, it would best serve them to be blessed with your prayers. As practical needs arise, we will communicate those. For now, we're asking everyone to respect their privacy and family time by not texting or calling, but by directing your love and concern through the message board on this page.
Praise the Lord!!! We’re home!!! Just so, so thankful for God’s faithful kindness to us. It is so humbling- we are so aware of His grace to us. Thank you all for your prayers!!
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