Yuma Marine's wife blogs to update friends, family on injured husband's condition

  Back when his body was as strong as his formidable spirit, private and proud Andrew Langleywould never have wanted his most personal trials shared with the World Wide Web.

  But then the Yuman was thrust into a sudden battle for his life.

  That's when a seemingly simple and informative blog on the Internet became a chance to share an inspiring story with the entire world. Andrew's wife, Joye, sits down at her computer every day, sharing news of Andrew's progress and pointing to improvements that she says stand as clear proof of miracles - of God's hand at work.

  "We want to bring faith to people, to see that miracles do happen and that prayer does work," Joye said. "It's like in the Bible where Jesus performed miracles to bring faith to the people. Maybe this is God's plan for some of this."
 
 ** "I know he can do it, especially now that I see how determined he really is. We just need to keep praying ... God will heal him." **

  Andrew, a former Marine who had been working for the Arizona Department of Corrections in San Luis, suffered serious damage to his spinal chord after surgery involving arthritis. He has since successfully fought his way back to breathing without a ventilator but is still currently paralyzed below the shoulders.

  The Langleys are living in Denver, where he has been cared for at the well-known Craig Hospital since May 8.

  But Joye didn't set out to move hearts and inspire faith when she created her Internet diary on the well-known Blogspot Web site. Creating the blog was actually born out of a need to deliver updates about her popular husband.

  The hospital staff actually encouraged Joye to go digital. "They were getting 100 calls a day at the ICU. They wanted me to do this."

**  "...and I know there are probably a lot of you worried that 'Andrew' or 'Drew' or 'Langley' or 'Big Dog' (or whatever your favorite name for him is) has changed. I don't want you to be too worried. He's still a 'jokester' and he's still full of life." **

  Since then family and friends (and their family and friends) have touched base daily with Andrew and Joye from around the world by simply scrolling through the blog.

  "We know there are a lot of people reading in England," Joye said, explaining that Andrew grew up in that country. "One day I didn't post and people everywhere just panicked. They couldn't stand it. They thought something was wrong."

  Andrew might have objected when Joye started blogging, but his medical condition kept him mostly unaware.

  "When I first starting doing it, he was quite sedated. Later, when he was conscious more, he would ask me not to say certain things because he didn't want people to worry. It was an adjustment for him and his private nature. But then he started to see how many people were posting (comments). He couldn't believe how many people were reading and wanting to know about him."
 
**  "We have perfected our more advanced method for communication called 'the alphabet game.' He spells words by having me go through the alphabet and I stop on whichever letter he blinks on. It's pretty effective and not as time consuming as you might think." **

  Andrew, known to most friends as "Drew," grew up in England, although is family is Jamaican by heritage. He came to the United States in 1984 and eventually became a citizen.

  He spent eight years in the Marine Corps, including a deployment during Operation Desert Storm. He most currently worked as a sergeant for the Department of Corrections at its prison near San Luis, Ariz. The couple married in 2003.

**  "Although we have a 'new normal,' we are so thankful to have one another and we cherish our time together." **

  Andrew's medical problems began with arthritis. In November he began experiencing a tingling sensation in his arms and hands, according to Joye. A neurosurgeon eventually performed an upper-spine fusion because the bones were getting too close to the spinal cord.

  Then, in April, a blood clot formed along the surgery site, spelling serious trouble. The clot put a great deal of pressure on the spinal cord, causing a great deal of damage that left Andrew paralyzed.

**  "Please pray for Andrew to have the strength and the focus to begin to move his thumbs." **

  But when he was admitted to Craig Hospital after leaving a hospital in Phoenix, he was asked what goal he had in mind for his time at Craig.

  "He said 'To walk out of here,' " Joye said. "She said, 'If that can't happen, what is your next goal?' and he said 'To walk out of here.' "

  Andrew still can't walk, but he has reached another medical mountaintop. He is now able to breathe on his own, an accomplishment that only came after a long battle involving longer and longer periods off the ventilator.

  "We have had a miracle happen while we were here," Joye said, telling the story of how Andrew regained breathing capacity in a certain portion of his lungs, something doctors had thought impossible. "The doctors were amazed. They said 'This just doesn't happen.' There is no explanation for it. A respiratory therapist said she'd only seen it happen once before."

**  "During the times he was awake, I was able to read him all of the posts to the blog and he was happy to hear from all of you. I could see from his expressions that he was touched..." **

  Andrew was recently transferred from a regular room to a special apartment within Craig Hospital. Joye says he's currently slated to come home to Yuma in early September. The purpose of the apartment living is to give therapists the chance to train Joye how to care for Andrew. He is also learning how to use an electric wheelchair that uses sipping and puffing on a plastic straw to direct motion.

  Joye stressed her appreciation for friends, who have made extensive changes to the couple's home in preparation for Andrew's return.

  "We are very blessed. We have had a lot of help back in Yuma."

  As far as the future goes, Andrew's doctors say it's too early to predict much.

  "They don't call it permanent paralysis until two years post-injury," Joye explained. "You can still gain (movement) for up to two years. It doesn't mean you will, but it doesn't mean you won't, either."

  So in the meantime Andrew's faithful wife continues to write and continues asking for only one thing: prayer.

**  "Andrew and I resumed our study of the healing Scriptures today. We studied Philippians 2:13: "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to do for His good pleasure." **

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THE BLOG
To view Langley's blog, go to: www.drewlangley.
blogspot.com

FRIENDS PLANNING A BENEFIT FOR LANGLEY
WHAT: Dinner with live entertainment
WHEN: Oct. 11 at 6 p.m.
WHERE: Britain's Farm
TICKETS: $20 for adults and $10 children 12 and under; available at Horizon Moving Systems, 2333 S. Pacific Ave., and Todd Burch Realty Executives, 2589 E. 24th St., Suite 4
FOR INFO: Call 246-7140 or 580-4225
DONATIONS: Can be made at National Bank of Arizona

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Darin Fenger can be reached at
dfenger@yumasun.com or 539-6860.