HOPE IS THE WHISPER DEEP WITHIN THAT SAYS "HOLD ON!...WE YET MAY WIN". -Joan Walsh Anglund

10/07/03

To begin, we want to express our thanks for your continual prayers and comments. We have so far to go, but with your prayers and love, we will make the journey together. Trey has had a great week. They have begun "capping" his tracheostomy. That is a way for them to prove that Trey is able to breath thru his upper airway without the help of the trach. Maybe soon they will remove it. He has both legs in casts from the knees down to correct the "foot drop" that often occurs with immobile patients. He is even showing signs of emotion (mostly anger) and the Doctors tell us it is a very good sign, because it shows he is aware of his environment. We hope you all got to see the Fox Sports Net show on Trey. Dave Knabler and his crew did a FANTASTIC job, and put in a tremendous amount of work. More importantly, they cared. They were meticulous with details, and wanted to be sure we were okay with all that was said. The amount of caring put into the piece means as much to us as does the fantastic finished product. As always God Bless You All For Caring!

With Love and Thankfullness,
Billy, Becky & Brittany Howell

-09/26/03

After fighting another mysterious fever, Trey is doing great. He spends over three hours a day with therapists, and is beginning to show emotions. He is even starting to make sounds again! We are very blessed. We also want everyone to know that Fox Sports Net is doing a story on Trey. It will air Sunday, October 5th @ 11:30am, and Monday, October 6th @ 6:30pm. As always thank you all so much for your comments and prayers.

God Bless,
Billy, Becky and Brittany Howell

-09/12/03

Finally! Trey has made enough progress medically that he was transferred to the rehab unit at Zale (8th Floor). He is fighting very hard. His determination is evident when the physical therapists tell him to hold his head up and he does! He is still running a fever and is weak, but somehow he finds the strength to do what they ask. He has lost a significant amount of weight, but yesterday they increased his feeding, and that will turn around soon. Today, it seemed he was trying very hard to communicate with his speech therapist. She's a precious woman named Ruth and reminds us of Mrs. Santa Claus. He really responded to the sound of her voice and we were amazed with how she was able to evoke responses from him. They are going to change his "trach" to one that will allow him to make noise. God willing, he will be able to speak before too long! As always we thank you all for your comments and your prayers.


Billy, Becky & Brittany Howell
 
 
     

-09/03/03

DALLAS - The condition of Billy "Trey" Howell III was upgraded Tuesday to stable and he's been moved to a private room out of the Intensive Care Unit at Zale Lipshy University Hospital.

"The only thing he took from the ICU room was the feeding tube and IV," said Sherri Dugan, Trey's aunt. "That's really good,"

Trey was thrown from his truck in a one-vehicle rollover July 7th in Midland. He's been in a coma ever since. He was listed in critical condition until he was upgraded Tuesday.

"This is major big news for us," Dugan said. "This is a milestone. We have a long way to go, we know that, but we're excited this is happening."

Dugan thanked the Odessa, Midland and the surrounding communities for persistent prayer and asked prayers continues.

Information taken from Odessa American

 

-08/15/03

After a series of setbacks, Billy “Trey” Howell III is still showing small signs of improvement, his family said Thursday.
“Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong, and he keeps fighting,” said Becky Howell, Trey’s mother.
Trey was still listed in critical condition Thursday night in the Intensive Care Unit at Zale Lipshy University Hospital in Dallas.

Monday, Trey had an abscess removed that was created by a spleenectomy surgery he’d had earlier.
“Infection from the abscess spread to his blood, but he’s currently receiving IV antibiotics to fight the infection,” Becky Howell said. “In spite of this setback, he is receiving physical therapy treatments daily and is showing signs of improvement.”

The 17-year-old Permian football player was thrown from his pickup in a one-vehicle rollover July 7 near the intersection of Highway 158 and Highway 191. He’s been in a coma ever since.

Sherri Dugan, Trey’s aunt, said she is grateful for the friends Trey has that are continuously checking up on him. Dugan said it is a comfort to her to know they still care, 39 days into his coma.

“They keep calling,” Dugan said. “They’ve never stopped. I’ve never seen kids that care as much as this group of kids. It’s been unbelievable. I’m excited for Trey to see the kind of kids they turn out to be —we’re talking true friends.”

Information taken from Odessa American

-07/31/03

DALLAS — Family members said Billy “Trey” Howell III raised two fingers on command several times Wednesday.
The official condition of the comatose 17-year-old Permian football player involved in a one-car rollover remained unchanged Wednesday night.
Trey was still listed in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit of Zale Lipshy University Hospital.
Trey was injured in a one-car rollover July 7 at Highway 158 and Highway 191.
Sherri Dugan, Trey’s aunt, said a nurse told her brother, Billy Howell Jr., Trey’s
dad, that he’d raised two fingers on his right hand when she’d asked him to.
“So Billy said, ‘Trey, raise your fingers,’ and he did,” Dugan said. “He did it twice for my brother.”
Dugan said Trey also performed the act for doctors.
“He’s still in a coma, but he’s responding,” Dugan said.
She said the family is pleased to see the progress Trey is making.
“It’s like a watching a baby take his first step,” Dugan said. “We just keep wanting more.”
Dugan said Trey is also trying to breathe on his own, sometimes combating the respirator that control his breaths.
“We just want to ask people to keep praying,” Dugan said. “We’re so appreciative for all that’s been done so far.”

Information taken from Odessa American

-07/29/03

DALLAS — Billy “Trey” Howell III is scheduled to have a tracheotomy surgery this morning at Zale Lipshy University Hospital in Dallas.
At 11 a.m., doctors are set to take the breathing tubes out of Trey’s mouth and throat and surgically put them in his neck.
The comatose 17-year-old Permian football player involved in a one-car rollover remained unchanged Monday night. Trey was still listed in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit.
Trey’s been in a coma for 22 days. He was injured in a one-car rollover July 7 at Highway 158 and Highway 191.
Becky Howell, Trey’s mother, has repeatedly said she believes the tracheotomy will spur him to get better.
“As soon as they move tube to his neck; they said that’s what’s holding him back. It hurts his throat and he responds to pain,” Becky Howell said previously. “Once it moves there, he will be more comfortable and they can wean him off the respirator. He can get better once he’s not so uncomfortable.”
Becky Howell said she believes once the trach tube is in, and Trey’s responding well, he could be moved out of ICU and into a regular room.
“Hopefully after (today) we’ll know something really good,” said Sherri Dugan, Trey’s aunt. “If it goes as it’s supposed to, then hopefully he will be moved to his own room. It takes about three days to see how that goes.”
Becky Howell said more than 75 people from the Permian Basin, including former Permian football player Joe Beene, who was critically injured November 2000, visited Trey in Dallas this weekend.

Information taken from Odessa American

 
           
   
-07/23/03

DALLAS — A battery of tests in a Dallas hospital shows that Billy “Trey” Howell III is improving, and family members are optimistic he will awaken from his 16-day coma.

“He’s doing well; he’s fighting,” said Becky Howell, Trey’s mother.

Trey, a 17-year-old Permian football player, was listed in critical condition Tuesday night at Zale Lipshy University Hospital in Dallas.

Howell was thrown from his truck in a one-vehicle rollover accident July 7 near o Highway 191 and Highway 158. He’s been in a coma ever since.

But Becky Howell said the results of an MRI that came back Tuesday allowed doctors to identify the type of brain injury Trey has.

“Basically, the brain twisted on itself,” Becky Howell said. “It’s the one brain injury they can’t give us an outcome on. It either heals itself or it doesn’t, but the fact that he’s young and healthy is in his favor.”

But other tests, including a CAT scan and an EEG, show Trey is steadily improving, Becky Howell said.

“He’s definitely responding to stimuli such as pain,” Becky Howell said. “His lungs are healing wonderfully. He had a broken pelvis, but they told us here that it’s a non weight-bearing bone, and they’re already seeing new growth.”

But beyond what the doctors see, Becky Howell said Trey’s family is glad to see any advance.

“He’s yawned two days in a row,” Becky Howell said Tuesday night. “Just to see him yawn is like watching his first step. We’re so excited.”

Sherri Dugan, Trey’s aunt, said she attributes Trey’s improvement to the prayers of the Permian Basin communities.

“We know he’s got a long way to go,” Dugan said. “But there’s the power of prayer, and God’s listening right now. We know it’s just a matter of time. God’s hearing these prayers.”

Becky Howell also expressed her thanks for the prayers and the community support for her son.

“Trey’s going to be the greatest success story because he’s fighting and everyone’s praying,” Becky Howell said.

Becky Howell said though there is nothing doctors can do surgically for Trey, the medical staff is optimistic about his recovery.

“It’s up to Trey and his brain and God and prayers,” Becky Howell said.

Dugan encouraged the community to continue its prayers.

“We’ve got a long road ahead,” Dugan said. “People, don’t quit praying. God hears those prayers.”

Information taken from Odessa American

 
         
             

-07/21/03

On Monday, July 7th, 2003 Permian High School senior and starting defensive back for the Permian Panthers, Trey Howell, 17, was involved in a one-car rollover in Midland County just west of Highway 191 on Highway 158. Since that time Trey has been listed in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit of Midland Memorial Hospital. Trey was thrown from his vehicle and suffered a fracture on the back of his skull, a spinal injury, broken ribs and a broken pelvis.

Although Trey remains in a coma his family and friends have continued to gather around him in prayer and hopes that he will soon show signs of improvement. Kyndra Watson, 16, one of Trey's friends, said she is very much encouraged to see the massive turnout of friends, family, teachers and coaches to visit Trey in the hospital. "He's an awesome person," Kyndra said. "If you're ever down, he would get you in a good mood. He's never negative about anything - he's always happy. He's awesome in every way. He has no enemies. If you meet him, you have to like him."

Drew Peterson, one of Trey's football teammates said that besides family, about 100 people a day have visited the hospital. Sherri Dugan, Trey's aunt stated that, "He has great friends. The people at Permian are great, too. He's had teacher all the way from elementary up come to see him - and coaches, too. We're seeing the love flow in for him, and we hope he knows."

On Sunday, July 13th, more that 500 family, friends and community members - many wearing white T-shirts emblazoned "Pray for Trey" gathered outside the Permian High School field house to honor and pray for Bill "Trey" Howell III. Many hugs and tears flowed through the audience as Permian's Black Magic choir sang hymns in his honor. Edward Barcena, a family friend, said the Howell family has been greatly encouraged by the community's support and the prayers going out for Trey. "One of the most incredible things I've seen this week is how many friends Trey has - young, old, male and female," Barcena said. "I wish he could be here so bad." Joey Ellis, a family friend, said he has no doubt Trey will wake up. "Trey is a winner; he's a fighter; he's a hard worker; he's what you'd call a good kid."

Information taken from Odessa American

   
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