Update on Tucker

On Christmas night, my little brother, Tucker Hoss, attempted to end his life. We were having a Christmas party at Savannah's house, and he went home without much notice, which isn't unusual for Tucker. He was found on the floor with a bullet wound and a gun lying beside him. He was still alert but in pain. 911 was called and he was brought to Goodland. There he was intubated and sedated so he would be calm, and relieved from his pain. After a few hours of waiting, Tucker was flown to Denver where he is currently receiving treatment. He seems to be stable, and the bulk of his treatment is pain management and infection prevention. Mentally, Tucker seems fine. He's been cracking jokes, flirting with his nurses, and talking with his family members. Tucker's biggest challenges now are some bleeding in the brain, heavy swelling of his eyes and face, the possibility of permanent blindness, and anxiety relating to not being able to see where he is.

When Tucker was alert enough to talk, Mom and Dad told him about why he's in the hospital--by the suggestion of his psychiatrist--Tucker told them that he had been thinking of suicide but didn't think he would go through with it. No one noticed any warning signs, or anything strange.

It's hard to see him in so much phsyical pain. It's unbearable to know that prior to the incident that he was in so much mental pain he felt suicide was the only way to make it stop... and so sad that he didn't talk to us so we could let him know how much we love him or so we could get him help.

Even though Tucker has a long way to recovery, we're so glad that he's still with us, so that now we can tell him how much we love him. God worked a miracle by keeping him with us this long, and I can't thank God enough for that miracle.

Please, take the time to pray for him. Pray for his recovery--mentally and physically, pray that he can feel God's overwhelming, restorative love, that he will know how many people care for him, that some of his sight will return, and that he will keep progressing towards living a full, long, healthy life.