John Mills

Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2011 9:44 AM

Can you send another Family Update out today, we need to start up the prayer chain for John Mills. He's having surgery today in Hawaii to fuse his spine. Years of jumping out of planes fighting for our freedom has done its damage on this hero. It just breaks my heart that Michelle is so far away from her family at a time of need. I'm forwarding Michelle's email to me explaining the surgery, feel free to forward it on. If anyone wants to send a card, their home address is:

The Mills Family

2515 Pu'u Hapapa Loop

Wahiawa, HI 96786

Please ask everyone to pray for Michelle, John and Elijah, they are going to need our support in the coming months.. It's going to be a long road to recovery for everyone.

Thanks, Tish

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Johns having a spinal fusion of the L4 L5 to S1. They will be removing the discs L4 and L5 and replacing it with bone graph that is made up of Johns bone they cut out and mixed with cadaver bone, that area is pinned together with titanium rods and screws. They will make 4 incisions instead of one big cut. Surgery should take about 4 hours.He has one of the best Army Orthopedic Surgeons operating, thankfully! I talked to the surgeon today about the chances of John staying active duty... chances arent good ... he's done his part, and we are both ok with the fact that his career is about over. He may leave the Army but the Army soldier will never leave him. John tried to call you twice, he was trying to call to say goodbye, god forbid something happens to him, he had me in tears last night, I hate that he has to think about the bad but if it makes him feel better then by all means I support it!

His surgery isnt scheduled until 11:15 so by the time he's out of surgery you guys will probably be in bed. Honestly if you dont hear from me than just remember NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS! I am going to be exhausted when I get home tomorrow and dont know that I will get online. He is only going to be in the hospital for 4 days, it will be up and around ASAP. They are putting him in a progressive unit ( a step down from ICU and a step up from a regular room ) because he has been on morphine so long they think he may need extra narcotics to help with the pain.

I am so excited to get John in better health and move onto the next step in our life together. East Coast feels so far away right now, but I know everyone is just a phone call away.

Miss You and Love You Lots.