(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTO BY KELLY SAWYERS) Amy, left, Jack and Bill Davis have a lot to be thankful for this Christmas. Son, Daniel, wasn’t available for the family picture.
By Kelly Sawyers
Publisher
Celebrating Christmas is a miracle for this Southside family. On July 26, Bill Davis, owner of B. Davis Remodeling, was talking on the phone to his Pella window rep about an upcoming project. The rep noticed him stammering his words, couldn’t understand what he was saying and told him to get to a hospital.
Davis recalled, “I don’t remember driving. I truly believe God was in the car with me and guided me there (Community South). I only remember the valet parking and going inside.” He told the hospital staff that it felt like an elephant was on his chest and was admitted. He needed immediate open-heart surgery and was transported to Community North, under the care of cardiologist, Dr. Bradley Litke.
Davis’ wife Amy and son, Jack, were vacationing in Michigan and immediately headed to Community North once they got word of the surgery, meeting older son Daniel. After the surgery, Dr. Litke shared that he had a torn mitral valve and two other valves that had to be repaired. Five weeks later, Davis finally woke up. He had gone into repeated cardiac arrest and underwent emergency open heart surgery again. During surgery, his doctor held his heart in his hand.
“Dr. Litke said I’m his miracle patient,” said Davis. Davis’ organs also started shutting down and was placed on dialysis for eight weeks. “Thank God I graduated and my kidneys started working again,” said Davis in a soft raspy voice, caused from a temporary tracheotomy. It took three weeks of therapy to re-learn how to walk and move. Davis has battled infections that are too many to count. He underwent two $17,000 IVs to get rid of the infections. He has had multiple blood infusions and has a low blood count.
He shared, “Dr. Litke told me that everything that can go wrong, did. Someone wants me here.” Three months to the day, Bill, 55 and a 1982 graduate of Roncalli, was able to return home and continue his long rehabilitation. He was asked about his journey.
How has your faith played a part in your healing?
“I thank the Lord every day and ask for the power to move forward and continue to heal. I received prayer, communion and Holy Oil while there. I know I need God in my mind and heart.”
What positives have come from this journey?
“I learned how much I love my wife Amy and sons Daniel and Jack. They were always on my mind and in my heart. I knew that I had to fight and couldn’t leave them alone, I am too young. It has brought my siblings (John, Diane, Kathy, Joe, Tom, Rick and Cary) closer together than ever before.
We all say “I love you when we meet”. My sisters Diane and Kathy went to bat for me. The staff couldn’t do anything to me without their knowledge or consent.” Learning how many friends, neighbors and customers I have in my life.
“I love them all. I felt so blessed to have had more than 120 visitors from the Southside. The outpouring of prayers, flowers and cards has been unbelievable. Don’t ever think you are alone in this world. You aren’t just here to simply move through life, you’re here to reach out and touch someone’s heart and soul.”
How is business?
Busy! Busy! Mike Hendricks and my son Daniel took over. I was there one day and asleep for five weeks. Daniel took off his senior year of college at IUPUI, to assist Mike, who took over right away. They won’t let me work much until my incision heals and I get my energy back.”
Down 60 pounds, Davis has Christmas spirit, thanks to son Jack and his friend Dylan Koglin, both freshmen at Roncalli High School. They decorated a Christmas tree across from the recliner that is used as his temporary bed until his chest incision is healed.
Their house is decorated beautifully for Christmas, so uplifting to visitors. Amy said, “Bill keeps himself busy watching Notre Dame games, game shows, Christmas and uplifting movies and has even been working an hour or two, here and there, in his home office.”
She also added that today (Wednesday) will be the third week in a row he’s been able to watch Jack’s CYO basketball game.
“Bill hasn’t had much of an appetite, but he’s enjoyed my grilled chicken, vegetables and salad.” said Amy.
While the doctor estimates a year of recovery, Davis is excited to celebrate Christmas Eve at his brother-in-law Brian Turk’s home with his family, and Amy’s mom, Jay Lawrie; then later to his mom’s (Katherine Davis) to celebrate with his family and later attend Mass at St. Jude Church. Davis, a long-time friend, let me share his story in hopes of touching others and showing how faith can get you through the hardest times and never underestimate the power of prayers.
Merry Christmas!
Publisher
Celebrating Christmas is a miracle for this Southside family. On July 26, Bill Davis, owner of B. Davis Remodeling, was talking on the phone to his Pella window rep about an upcoming project. The rep noticed him stammering his words, couldn’t understand what he was saying and told him to get to a hospital.
Davis recalled, “I don’t remember driving. I truly believe God was in the car with me and guided me there (Community South). I only remember the valet parking and going inside.” He told the hospital staff that it felt like an elephant was on his chest and was admitted. He needed immediate open-heart surgery and was transported to Community North, under the care of cardiologist, Dr. Bradley Litke.
Davis’ wife Amy and son, Jack, were vacationing in Michigan and immediately headed to Community North once they got word of the surgery, meeting older son Daniel. After the surgery, Dr. Litke shared that he had a torn mitral valve and two other valves that had to be repaired. Five weeks later, Davis finally woke up. He had gone into repeated cardiac arrest and underwent emergency open heart surgery again. During surgery, his doctor held his heart in his hand.
“Dr. Litke said I’m his miracle patient,” said Davis. Davis’ organs also started shutting down and was placed on dialysis for eight weeks. “Thank God I graduated and my kidneys started working again,” said Davis in a soft raspy voice, caused from a temporary tracheotomy. It took three weeks of therapy to re-learn how to walk and move. Davis has battled infections that are too many to count. He underwent two $17,000 IVs to get rid of the infections. He has had multiple blood infusions and has a low blood count.
He shared, “Dr. Litke told me that everything that can go wrong, did. Someone wants me here.” Three months to the day, Bill, 55 and a 1982 graduate of Roncalli, was able to return home and continue his long rehabilitation. He was asked about his journey.
How has your faith played a part in your healing?
“I thank the Lord every day and ask for the power to move forward and continue to heal. I received prayer, communion and Holy Oil while there. I know I need God in my mind and heart.”
What positives have come from this journey?
“I learned how much I love my wife Amy and sons Daniel and Jack. They were always on my mind and in my heart. I knew that I had to fight and couldn’t leave them alone, I am too young. It has brought my siblings (John, Diane, Kathy, Joe, Tom, Rick and Cary) closer together than ever before.
We all say “I love you when we meet”. My sisters Diane and Kathy went to bat for me. The staff couldn’t do anything to me without their knowledge or consent.” Learning how many friends, neighbors and customers I have in my life.
“I love them all. I felt so blessed to have had more than 120 visitors from the Southside. The outpouring of prayers, flowers and cards has been unbelievable. Don’t ever think you are alone in this world. You aren’t just here to simply move through life, you’re here to reach out and touch someone’s heart and soul.”
How is business?
Busy! Busy! Mike Hendricks and my son Daniel took over. I was there one day and asleep for five weeks. Daniel took off his senior year of college at IUPUI, to assist Mike, who took over right away. They won’t let me work much until my incision heals and I get my energy back.”
Down 60 pounds, Davis has Christmas spirit, thanks to son Jack and his friend Dylan Koglin, both freshmen at Roncalli High School. They decorated a Christmas tree across from the recliner that is used as his temporary bed until his chest incision is healed.
Their house is decorated beautifully for Christmas, so uplifting to visitors. Amy said, “Bill keeps himself busy watching Notre Dame games, game shows, Christmas and uplifting movies and has even been working an hour or two, here and there, in his home office.”
She also added that today (Wednesday) will be the third week in a row he’s been able to watch Jack’s CYO basketball game.
“Bill hasn’t had much of an appetite, but he’s enjoyed my grilled chicken, vegetables and salad.” said Amy.
While the doctor estimates a year of recovery, Davis is excited to celebrate Christmas Eve at his brother-in-law Brian Turk’s home with his family, and Amy’s mom, Jay Lawrie; then later to his mom’s (Katherine Davis) to celebrate with his family and later attend Mass at St. Jude Church. Davis, a long-time friend, let me share his story in hopes of touching others and showing how faith can get you through the hardest times and never underestimate the power of prayers.
Merry Christmas!
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