JOURNAL

My daughter, Eliza, and Sophie are best friends. They have been in the same class/daycare together since they were just 8 months old.  They go to church together, play together...and fight like sisters!  Sophie's big sister, Delsie is also a babysitter to Eliza and my other daughter Macey.  JD and I have become great friends with their parents, John and Gina through the love our daughters share for each other.  Here are Eliza and Sophie Goofing off.

TRUST FUND- A trust fund has been set up at Integra Bank in the name of "Gina Phillips Benefit Account".  Several people ask what they can do to help John out and this is one way that could help the whole family.  You can deposit into the account from any Integra Bank.

Last night (10-15-08):  The doctors said that they were seeing improvements in John and they were optimistic about the brain test.  John does have brain activity and his blood pressure is stabilizing and they have stopped the bleeding.  They plan to look at his internal organs one more time today before closing up his abdomen.  Both legs were severely damaged in the accident so they plan to start work on his legs today as well.  Gina and Delsie were able to go back and be with him several times yesterday.  He is still sedated, but they say that his color looks much better.  They are all staying very positive.  He is at Vanderbilt in the trauma unit.  I will post more information as I hear it today.  I have also asked them to keep me informed of anything they might need.  Please post any messages to the family on my guestbook and I will take them all to Gina this weekend for her to read.

Thurs 10/16, 12:30pm- Just spoke with Delsie and John made it out of the OR where they cleaned his abdomen and put new packing in. The doctors say that everything is looking good and that they are going to do surgery on his leg tomorrow.  The have put him on a feeding tube for now.  I will send more updates later. 

Thurs 10/16 10:00pm- I just got off the phone with Gina and she sounded positive and is holding up well.  Delsie came back to Franklin for some rest tonight and Nancy Forshee is staying with Gina at the hospital.  They don't know what time John's surgery will be and they may not know until 5 am or so.  The plan is to work on his leg and maybe his pelvis and hip.  They will leave the abdomen open for a few more days.  It will be a long surgery, so pray extra hard tomorrow that the doctor's can do all they can to repair John's cycling legs. He is still sedated, but everyone is giving him encouragement and Gina told him about the website and all the messages.  Keep them coming! Sophie says that she is spending the night with us tomorrow. For those of you who know Sophie, she doesn't like to go a night without Mommy or Grandmommy.  Pray for her...this has got to be hard on her and I know she misses her Mommy and Daddy so much.  I promise to have her back at Grandmommy's house first thing Saturday morning.

Friday, 10/17 2:00pm - Just got off the phone with Gina and they have decided to postpone John's surgery on his leg that was planned for today.  Since he has had 2 surgeries so close together, they feel that his body needs some time to rest.  Gina said that his vital signs and brain pressure remain good.  She will keep me posted and let me know when they do decide to do the surgery.  She wanted me to let you all know that words can't explain how thankful she is for the calls and the prayers they are receiving.  She is feeling God's love through each person reaching out to her and the girls.

Saturday, 10/18, 6 pm- Today has been a postive day for Gina and Delsie.  The doctors decided to take the vent out of his throat and do a trach and give him the vent that way.  They were grateful to be able to see his face and even saw him move his lips.  I just got a message from Delsie that said that he opened his eyes briefly and Gina was with him.  They continue to let him get stronger before they plan the next surgery.  They are taking it day by day...and today was a good one for Gina and Delsie. (and...Sophie made it just fine spending the night with us last night....but I cheated a little by taking she and Eliza to Chuck E Cheese....what kid wouldn't like that???)

Sunday, 10/19 8 pm- I truely feel blessed to be a part of a wonderful church family at First United Methodist Church in Franklin.  I actually felt the love in church today as we all stood together to pray for John, Gina, Delsie and Sophie.  I went to the hospital this afternoon and visited with Gina and with John.  He is still in the trauma unit, but today was another positive day.  They took him into surgery to close up his abdomen and the surgery went well.  Actually, on the way to the OR John opened his eyes and gave a little smile to one of the nurses.  I stood by him and told him about how the whole church prayed for him and his family today and I told him how well Sophie was doing.  (Then I made fun of him for flirting with the nurses on the way to the OR!) I was trying to get him to open his eyes again, but he was resting after the surgery.  He looked much better than when I saw him Tuesday night after the accident and Gina felt like she could see improvements.  He even moved his foot a little when the nurse touched his foot. 

Monday, Oct 20, 3:48pm- Time to pray...I just got the word that they are taking John into surgery on his right leg now.  He was responsive to the girls this morning moving his fingers for them and he gave Delsie a smile.  They didn't think they would get him into surgery, but I just got the word that he is going in and Delsie will let me know when he is out!  (and I know that my email said that it would be hip surgery...but right before they took him down they decide to work on the right legs instead of left hip).

Tuesday, Oct 21, 8:00 am - John got out of surgery on his right leg about 10:30 last night.  The doctors told Gina that the surgery went well and Gina got to see him at the 1 am visitation and she said he looked good.  They might do surgery on his hip Thursday or Friday, I will do another post when he does have surgery. Please continue to keep them in your prayers.  John has proven that he is a fighter and God has proven that he intends for John to keep fighting!

Thurs, Oct 23rd- No new news from the Phillips family today.  I know that drs. were letting John rest over the past couple of days before they scheduled the next surgery.  It is possible that the surgery will be today or tomorrow and I will post something after he has had the surgery and I am updated by the family.  Just continue to pray that the Lord be with John, Gina, Delsie and Sophie and that he is especially with the doctors on staff at Vanderbilt. 

Thursday, Oct 23rd, 1:00 pm- I just heard from Delsie and John had surgery today on his hip.  The surgery went well and the docters put a plate and some pins in his hip.  They say that he is holding strong and looking good. The doctors were pleased with what they were able to do.  Gina said that they will next talk about rehabilitation for John.  Praise the Lord!  I will keep you posted if John is moved out of the trauma unit and what the next steps will be in his recovery.

Friday, Oct 24th - John is holding up well after his surgery.  He was responsive last night and rested some this morning. Gina sounded very positive about his progress.  She is reading the website and your words encourage her...they encourage me...This is such a supportive community. I will post again after the weekend to give another update.  Just so you know, since I put this post up about John a week and a half ago, there have been over 2200 visitors to the site.  That is amazing.  Please see the info listed below regarding the benefit supper and blood drive.

Monday - Oct 27th- This weekend John developed Pneumonia, which was expected considering his condition.  He also developed an infection around the feeding tube.  The doctors went in and moved the tube and are treating the infection and the pneumonia with strong antibiotics.  They did take him out of the trauma unit and put him in an isolated room to keep him safe from other possible germs, etc.  Last night Delsie said that the drs. feel strongly that they have both conditions under control.  I also got word from a church member this weekend that (and I quote) "a gazillion" bike riders took information about the blood drive and fund raiser schedule for Nov 16th and they will be passing out the info and posting it on their website at bglob.com (Bowling Green League of Bicyclists).  How awesome is that???

Tuesday, Oct 28th - This is the post I never wanted to write and I have prayed all morning for the right words to say.  Today, our friend John, is riding his bike in Heaven. 

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8

"Dear Lord, please be with Gina.  Be with her today and everyday to come and help her understand that it was your will and in your plan.  Help Delsie and Sophie to understand that you love them and you love John and you were ready for him to come home to you.  Wrap your loving arms around their entire family and heal their hearts.  Thank you, Lord, for placing this wonderful family in my life and in the life of many people in this community.  Let them understand that we are all there for them to help them in any way we can.  Please be with Tommy and JoAnn.  Help them realize that their son was an inspiration to many people and they raised him to be a wonderful father to his girls. Also, please be withNancy as she witnesses her daughter going through this time of loss.  Give her strength and the right words to say to bring comfort to Gina, Delsie and Sophie.  And Lord, please give us, her friends and family, the right words to say and ways to comfort to help this family with their loss.  In your most gracious name we all pray, Amen."

Arrangements for John Powell Phillips

Visitation:  Friday, October 31, 2008 from 2:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. and from 6:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. Saturday, November 1, 2008 at Booker-Gilbert Funeral Home.

The body will lie in state at First United Methodist Church from 11:30 until funeral service time Saturday.

Service:  Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 1:00 P.M. at Franklin First United Methodist Church.

Memorials:  Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross or to the Franklin First United Methodist Church.

Also, the there was a trust fund set up at Integra Bank in the name of "Gina Phillips Benefit Account".

For full obituary visit www.bookergilberfh.com

We will still proceed with the blood drive and benefit supper in John's honor on November 16th (details below).  I will keep the website up until that day so I can send reminders and you can continue to post messages to the family. I was with Gina last night.  She is a very strong person and is remaining that way for her girls.  Please continue to pray for their strength and healing.  Several people have mentioned getting bike groups together to ride to the benefit supper in John's honor.  I think that would be a wonderful idea depending on the time of day and if the daylight allows. 

Thurs, Nov 6th- I am seeing that many of you are still checking the website, so I thought I would send you an update.  I spent the night with Gina and the girls last night to keep them company.  Gina is still being so strong and remains the rock of the family.  However, Delsieis very strong as well.  They are both amazing women.  They speak often of John and love to relive the memories.  Delsie went back to school yesterday and people are being so supportive.  Gina is planning to return to work next week.  Again, your support and prayers are felt.  She sat last night re-reading the cards that had been sent in the mail. 

Monday, Nov 17th- WOW.  That is the only word I know to describe what I experienced yesterday.  The blood drive/Benefit supper and auction were a huge success.  We never dreamed that the turn out would be so powerful.  We had 64 people come out to donate blood and the Red Cross was able to use 53 pints of blood in John's honor.  This was amazing.  It truely was an experience to watch each of you come in to donate and visit with Tommy and JoAnn Phillips as you waited to give blood.  The soup supper and benefit auction raised over $5K for the Phillips Trust Fund.  The day was so emotional as we watched people from the community come to help and be a service to the Phillips family.  Just the feeling that was in the room all day was a feeling I can not describe and will never forget.  Gina does not have the words to show how much she appreciates each of you.  When we called her afterwards, she was overwhelmed.  The family feels blessed to have such wonderful support from the community. Thanks to everyone who supported by giving items for the auction, for those who came out to bid on the items or participate in the soup supper, thanks to those who stood in line to give blood, and to those who devoted time to help out with everything that was going on (like pouring soup, washing dishes, and cleaning up afterwards).  Also, thanks to those who were unable to participate, but prayed for the family and their healing.  I assure you that Gina is feeling all of your prayers.  Here are some pictures from the benefit supper and auction:

BENEFIT SUPPER/SILENT AUTION IN HONOR OF THE PHILLIPS FAMILY  A benefit supper has been planned for John and Gina and we would like to extend an invitation for everyone to attend.  The soup supper will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Franklin, KY on Sunday evening, November 16th at 5:00pm.  Anyone wanting to prepare a basket for the silent auction, or help with cooking the supper, or donate goods for the supper, please contact Sheryl Brady 270-776-2629 or Julie Walters at 270-776-3934.  All proceeds will be placed in the trust fund at Integra Bank.

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE IN HONOR OF JOHN PHILLIPS - Also, on November 16th, the Red Cross Bloodmobile will be at the First United Methodist Church in Franklin from 12:30 - 5:30 pm.  There will be a brunch provided by the church before the blood drive. 

If you want to have an email sent to you every time I update, you can add your address by clicking on "Sign up for Updates" at the bottom of this page. There are also more pictures of the Phillips girls in the photo gallery.

Thanks for visiting,

Joel David, Carrie, Eliza & Macey Cook