Earlier this blog reported on Cameron Howell, son of Pastor Greg and Colleen Howell of the Grace Brethren church in Goldendale, Washington. Greg now sends this update:
Colleen, Rebekah, Rachel, and I were able to visit him in the Naval hospital in San Diego, April 11-16. He has had two surgeries to repair the damage to his right upper arm inflicted by an enemy sniper while serving as a Navy Corpsman with a Marine Engineering unit in Afghanistan.
He was in good spirits and we were able to take him out of the hospital for some day trips to Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. Our oldest son, Austin, was also able to get hardship leave from his Navy duty in Djibouti, Africa, and be there for the first surgery and still be there a couple of days after we arrived. Austin was a great help attending to Cameron’s needs. The nurses said they would have to do more when he left.
Cameron has one more surgical time, May 4. They will “jump start” his ulnar nerve at his wrist to speed its rejuvenation and allow him to begin exercising his ring finger and pinky. He visited his storage unit and retrieved his X-box and old phone. He told us that using them was therapeutic because they make him use both hands.
He should be up here with us most of June for 30 days convalescent leave and then light duty for 5-6 months. No one has said anything about him not being able to complete his commitment which ends April 15, 2012, nor have they indicated that he would or would not be deployed again. By the way, he was the only one seriously injured during this last tour. The rest of his battalion should arrive state-side next week.
Thank you for your prayers for him and for us. Please continue. We saw several at the physical therapy clinic at the Naval hospital that had lost fingers and limbs. Cameron is aware and thankful that God did and is protecting him.
Ghowell