Smith’s Story

Site created on June 5, 2019

We have been overwhelmed with the love and support we have received in the last few days as we  have been preparing  for Smith's  Ravitch  Procedure (https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/ravitch-procedure.html).  So many friends and loved ones have expressed concern and  have asked to be updated  along the way.  Because our top priority during the next few weeks is caring for Smith physically, emotionally, and spiritually we decided  that it would be easiest for us to use this site to keep you all updated in one place. We appreciate your love, support , and prayers! 

Smith developed pectus excavatum (inverted sternum) in the fall of 2017 when his cartilage grew more quickly than the rest of his chest cavity. The rapid growth of the cartilage causes it to become arthritic. As he has continued to grow  it has worsened to the point that it causes him chest pain and shortness of breath due to the over crowding in his chest caused from his sternum "caving in." He is having chest reconstruction surgery to remove all of the arthritic cartilage in this chest cavity and to break and reshape his sternum. We will be in the hospital between 7-10 days, with at least the first day being ICU. The full recovery period is 3-4 months. We are trusting the Lord, but definitely covet your prayers during that entire time! Surgery is set for Wednesday, June 5th at UMC- tentatively set to start at 11:00, and will last until around 2:00.

The first several days are going to be incredibly difficult pain wise. Because of that, it has been recommend that we have no visitors until Saturday. However, we would love to see any of you who want to come after that! Once Smith is able to have visitors...if you do decide to visit, please check with us before you come to ensure that we get to see you and aren't scheduled to be at PT during that time.

We will be updating this page at some point each day. No news is good news. 
Thank you again for your love, prayers, and support-
Josh and Haley

"Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, shall keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7


Newest Update

September 6, 2019

Journal entry by Haley and Josh Wooten —

Hello from the Wootens!

Hope all of you had a great summer and are settling into your fall schedules. We want to update you on Smith. He has been released completely! He's now cleared by Dr. Kogon to do WHATEVER he wants to do!! More importantly he's been cleared for baseball and that has him smiling big! Ayers and Prather are excited to have their "wrestle mania" partner back on the trampoline, and Josh and Smith were out already tonight tossing the baseball! All of this means he can also help take out the trash and bring in groceries again, which has Haley very happy. 😉 TWICE this summer she went to the grocery store to grab a few essentials and got home only to forget about the milk and eggs in back of the car. Upon discovering the spoiled groceries the next day in the hot car,  we all realized just how much of a help Smith is to us everyday!

Smith asked Dr. Kogon if he was released to slide head first. He replied ,"You are cleared to do that, but I can't figure out why anyone would ever want to do that. That's just crazy." Smith replied, "Well, no offense but you cut into people by choice for a living so I don't know if I am the crazy one." 😆

Smith has handled this journey so well, and the Lord has used it to mature and grow him in many ways.  We are thankful for his progress and healing. We are looking forward to him doing normal things again...like playing outside, riding in the front seat, and even DRIVING now!! Thank you so much for the encouragement and support you have shown us. The Lord has answered the prayers of so so many!! We are blessed to have such amazing friends who care so deeply for us. Thank you seems so simple, but really-from the  bottom of our hearts we are beyond grateful for the prayers and concern everyone has shown- not just for Smith, but for our entire family during this period. As nuts as this sounds, Smith's surgery has grown our family closer to each other this summer. We bonded in a deeper way, and we witnessed once again that God uses ALL things to work for our good. 

We are signing off now to polish our cowbells in preparation for Mississippi State's first home game of the season tomorrow! Of course, kickoff is smack dab in the middle of a heat advisory. Would we expect anything less for football season in the South? 

"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy!" 
Psalm 126:3

"I thank my God every time I remember you."
Philippians 1:3


Read More of the journal titled "September 6, 2019"
  • We are so thankful for Dr. Kogon and his amazing staff! 
    We are so thankful for Dr. Kogon and his amazing staff!
  • Back in the front seat-and without the chest plate! 
    Back in the front seat-and without the chest plate!
  • Doing what you want doesn't include "hardcore parkour" in the den!
    Doing what you want doesn't include "hardcore parkour" in the ...
  • Put me in coach... I'm ready to play! 
    Put me in coach... I'm ready to play!
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