"And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things." (1 Nephi 11:17)
We met with out Family Home Evening friends last night and shared scriptures and remembrances of our dear friend, Kathy Wood. It was a special evening. Dan and I have known the Woods for almost 16 years, so we have a lot of memories of their family and many shared experiences including our trip to the Holy Land. Dan and I have both been fielding many, many phone calls and emails from concerned friends. Yesterday I talked to people in our stake, people in other stakes, and the Folsom Telegraph. Dan has communicated with Kent's former missionary companions and even got a call from the First Presidency's office. Our ward and stake have rallied to help the family by forming committees which will provide meals, other grocery shopping, house cleaning, yardwork, and work at their ranch. The High Priests are providing 2-hour shifts so someone is always at his bedside. It is so wonderful to see how quickly and thoroughly everything is taken care of. The nurses and staff have commented that they have never had a patient who has so many people visiting him. One of them asked our friend, Regis: Who IS this man? Sunday evening Dan and I visited him and we were the only ones there. He recognized us and acknowledged us and was able to squeeze our hands and even wave to us when we left. Earlier a friend had shared that a nurse had said: Even though most of our patients in this area of the ER are heavily sedated, we can still feel the character of the person. The nurse on our shift said: This man is an angel!
Dan has taken it upon himself to provide updates about the family on our Stake website. Here are some of them with the final one including a link to a blog at which their oldest son, Daniel, will continue to provide updates.
President and Sister Wood: You may have heard of the tragic car accident that occurred Friday night as President and Sister Wood returned from Girls Camp. Both of them had spoken to the girls and borne strong testimonies of our Savior Jesus Christ. Just before they got home, on Highway 50, a car accident occurred that took Sister Wood's life immediately. President Wood is in critical condition in the UC Davis Medical Center. He has multiple injuries including bone fractures in his neck and back, a collapsed lung, and others injuries. Doctors are guarded as they describe his condition and prognosis, but it appears that all his injuries are treatable. Families and members throughout the stake are invited to join a stakewide fast this Tuesday on behalf of President Wood and the family. All of your faith and prayers are appreciated.
Dear Brethren and Sisters, Saturday evening brought encouraging news about President Wood's condition. While he does have serious injuries, including broken vertebrae in his neck and back, it appears his spinal cord is not damaged and he is responding favorably to the care of doctors. We are very hopeful that he will recover more quickly than seemed possible this morning. He continues breathing with the help of a ventilator and is receiving constant care and much loving support. We feel so keenly the loss of our dear friend, Kathy Wood. President Wood has not yet been informed of her passing. Family members will share this with him when he is a little stronger, a little more alert, and hopefully when he is breathing on his own. Your continuing love, faith and prayers are so needed and appreciated. With love, Dan Harrison
We have a little new information about President Wood's condition. First, early on doctors feared he had suffered serious neck and back injuries. Now they know those injuries are not as serious as they first thought. He is in serious condition, continues breathing with the help of a ventilator and has a punctured lung and several broken ribs. While he cannot speak, mainly due to the ventilator, he recognizes and responds to his family. He continues to be treated in the emergency room because there are no beds available in the intensive care unit.
Since so many people desire to follow his progress, the family has decided to start a blog where they will post updates regularly. The blog will also provide an opportunity for friends to post recollections or messages. In addition, the stake will use the information posted by the family to provide a recorded message for those who wish to telephone for status reports. The number to call will be 916-554-7101. Both of these methods for communication should be operational by the end of the day today (Tuesday). A link to the blog will be distributed when it is available and the URL will be posted on the front page of the stake web site
https://secure.lds.org/units/stake/1,9780,606-1-5-504696,00.html.
Thank you for your concern and for your love and prayers.
With love, Dan Harrison and Kirk Norman
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
For the most complete, accurate and up to date information on President Wood's condition, please go to:
http://kentandkathywood.blogspot.com/
The family is providing this site as a way to communicate with so many interested friends and relatives. Early this morning, President Wood was transferred from the emergency room to the intensive care unit. We expect this will be more comfortable and restful.
Thank you for your concern and for your love and prayers.
With love, Dan Harrison and Kirk Norman
