The night after the two surgeries was a struggle for Jimmy.  It was touch and go for several hours.  The doctors were able to "stabilize" him.  Because he wasn't really improving they decieded to add another medication and his body did not respond well. 

The doctors called the family into a private conference room to explain that nothing was working.  He was at the best trauma center in Texas with many specialty doctors available.  They tried everything but there was nothing else they could do.

Jimmy/Dad had told us long before that if anything ever happened, he did not want to be kept alive by machines.  That wasn't the quality of life that he wanted.  Although it was a very tough decision, we decided to let him go naturally.

The doctors were able to keep him alive for us to say our goodbyes. He was surrounded by family and friends when the machines were turned off and disconnected.  He went peacefully into the arms of angels where he joined the rest of his family.

It is hard to express in words how much each and everyone of you and your expression of love and care has meant to us.  Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support.

Arrangements

Visitation, Saturday April 14th
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
West-Hurtt Funeral Home
217 S Hampton Rd
DeSoto, TX 75115

Celebration of Life and Faith
Sunday April 15th
2:00 p.m.
First Baptist Church
5744 FM66 (Not on Trice St)
Maypearl, TX 76064

Graveside
Maypearl Cemetery
Hwy 157
Maypearl, TX 76064

If you are physically able, please park at the high school to allow those who are not to park closer.

Jimbo - Day 1 (April 10th - Surgeries)

At 3:45 am on April 10th Jimmy Dale was badly injured in an automobile accident on interstate 35 near Sterret Rd.  He rear ended an 18wheeler trailer parked on the should of the road.  They had to use the jaws of life to get him out from the wreckage. He was careflighted to Parkland Trauma Center around 5am. 

After arrival the trauma doctors did several xrays and a CAT scan.  They found that his right ankle had been dislocated and several broken bones.  Both of his femurs were broke in half.  His right femur where it connects to the hip bone was broken around the bottom of the ball.  The hip bone was also cracked above the ball and several pieces of the bone were broken off between the ball and the hip socket.  He also had several broken ribs. 

While the trauma doctors were getting ready for surgery to repair the femur they found an unknown number of tears on the inside of his aorta (the major artery going into the heart).  There was some internal bleeding coming from an unknown source and they could not determine how severe it was.  The trauma doctors had to prioratize where to start first.  They decieded to start the first surgery with the aorta. 

They moved him from the ER to ICU and that was when his blood pressure went extremely high. Before they could take him into surgery they had to get his blood pressure stabilized. They gave him medicine and when they did his blood pressure dropped really low.  After they got him somewhat stabilized the took him into surgery. That was a little after 2:00 pm.

He came out of the first surgery ok after they had placed a 7 inch stent in the aorta to help repair two tears. They also put in a 2 inch stent as a filter on the undamaged side of the aorta to help catch blood clots and prevent stroke. 

He was doing well enough that they went ahead and did the second surgery on his stomach tow look for the internal bleeding.  Thankfully, there was no major damge to his spleen, pancreas, or liver but severe bruising.  They did find a tear in his colon and a hole in his intestine that they fixed. He was out of surgery and back in ICU by 7:30pm.  Will update more later.

This is from the Eastwood Family to let everyone know what is going on.  More updates will be posted later. Thank you for everything. PLEASE keep the prayers coming.