http://www.Octoberroadsstudio.com/

October Roads Studio, Texarkana, AR (2026)

10/31/2026

Update David 10/31/26 AM

Good morning, everyone! ❤️ I missed yesterday’s update, so we have a LOT to catch up on—and thankfully, most of it is good!

David is officially OUT OF THE ICU!

After being in the ICU at Baylor University Medical Center from October 18 through October 30, he moved to the trauma step-down unit yesterday. Please don’t misunderstand—he still has a long road ahead, but he is making encouraging progress. He has fewer tubes connected to him and is talking so much better!

Before leaving the ICU, his physical therapist came to work with him. His OT partner was off, so he asked whether I minded helping under his direction. Of course, I said yes!

David sat up at the edge of the bed, we got his socks and shoes on, and then, with assistance, a walker, and a support belt, he stood.

And THEN, y’all… he walked approximately 20 feet down the ICU hallway with our assistance and a wheelchair nearby!

Can you say miracle???

If you had told me when this accident happened that I would be helping my husband walk down a hallway 17 days later, I would have had a hard time imagining it. Watching him take those steps after everything he has endured was overwhelming in the best way. I am so proud of him.

After that workout, he was worn out and settled in for a good nap.

We knew he would be moving to a step-down unit soon, but we didn’t know when or where. Several nurses had told me wonderful things about Truett 6. We had also been told his PT, OT, and speech pathologist would continue working with him there, along with some of the doctors already involved in his care.

Having familiar people continue caring for him mattered so much to me. But it all depended on bed availability and other moving parts, so my anxiety was pretty high. Even a positive change can feel unsettling when there are so many unknowns.

Then our amazing nurse, Alexa, came in and announced that his transfer orders were in—and he was going to Truett 6!

I instantly felt so much relief.

Now, I had been warned that the rooms were smaller, but we would have a bathroom and a SHOWER. I was absolutely okay with that! We were also told I wouldn’t have to leave for the daily visitor closure, visiting would be more flexible, and I could finally have my own food and drinks in his room.

Y’all, those everyday comforts mean a whole lot after living in the ICU. I have struggled to drink enough water, and being able to keep a drink beside me is something I will appreciate!

Most importantly, this move means David is progressing. But having a few more comforts as we continue this journey is a blessing, too.

We were also blessed with special visitors yesterday: David’s cousin Jason and his wife, Terry. David thoroughly enjoyed every minute of their visit!

He and Jason talked about their childhood and shared so many memories. It was wonderful to hear David talking, but hearing him recall those familiar stories was especially encouraging. After so many days of longing to hear his voice, I could have listened to them all afternoon.

Around 3 p.m., Alexa came in and said it was time to move.

I was grateful Jason and Terry were there because we had accumulated a LOT of stuff! All three of us were loaded down as we made our way to Truett 6.

And everyone who warned me about the room size? They sure weren’t lying! David’s bed barely fit! 😂 But we were happy to be out of the ICU, especially because it meant he was ready for this next step.

Last night, for the first time, I traded places with someone. Baylee stayed with David while I went to spend the night with one of my daughters.

She did an incredible job caring for him throughout the night and gave me the opportunity to sleep in an actual bed. I wish I could say I got a wonderful night’s rest, but I was restless and didn’t sleep well. Being away from David during this time just didn’t sit well with me.

But I enjoyed being with my daughter, and I know David enjoyed his time with Baylee. Overall, it was a good thing, and I am thankful she could be there.

Then came my little heart-stopping moment this morning.

I returned just before 8 a.m., went to David’s room, and it was EMPTY.

Can you say my heart dropped to my feet???

I immediately hurried to the nurses’ station in a panic. The nurse was so calm and said, “Oh, Mrs. Johnson, we decided he needed a bigger room, so we moved him.”

If I had been paying attention to my phone, I would have known—because Baylee was ON IT! She had already texted me the information. I just hadn’t heard it! 🤦🏼‍♀️😂

But let me tell you about the new room…

Ummmm… AMAZING!

The bathroom is huge, the room is comfortable, and there is space for us to settle in. It feels perfect for us. After that initial scare, I was thankful for the surprise!

As of 9 this morning, David reached another encouraging milestone: he was able to swallow tiny pills rather than needing them crushed and given through his feeding tube!

That feels HUGE after the swallowing difficulties he has been working through. We are continuing to follow his team’s instructions about what he can safely swallow, but I am celebrating this step forward.

We got Baylee on her way, settled David in for a nap, and Chandler is on his way to visit today, too. I am grateful the kids have been able to spend this time with him.

I am including a picture of David with our wonderful ICU nurse, Alexa, as she helped get him safely transferred to Truett 6. She cared for him for three day shifts and did such a wonderful job. She was a sweetheart, and we appreciate the kindness and care she showed both of us.

We appreciate you, Alexa! ❤️

And David’s joke for the day yesterday?

“I have my own private Alexa!” 😂

Hearing his humor again, watching him walk with assistance, and seeing him move out of the ICU have given us so much to be thankful for. There is still hard work ahead, but today, we have precious progress to celebrate.

Thank you for continuing to pray for David and for all of us. Please keep praying for his breathing, swallowing, strength, and memory as he continues healing. Your love, encouragement, and support mean more than we can say.

I will update this evening and let y’all know the latest. We love and appreciate you all so very much! ❤️

~Toni

10/31/2026

I have so many things to update yall on about David and it is all good but this wife is worn out so I will be making up for it tomorrow morning! Please keep the prayers coming! Thank you~Toni

10/30/2026

Update David - 10/30/26 AM

Good morning, everyone! ❤️ Here is a recap of yesterday and how David is doing this morning.

Yesterday was mainly a day of rest after he hadn’t slept well the night before, although his therapy teams made sure he got a workout in, too!

Speech pathology stopped by and repeated his swallow assessment to confirm her findings. She is continuing him on thickened liquids, with his feeding tube providing nutrition.

He has been craving his favorite drink, Pepsi Zero, and she cleared him to have it as long as we added the thickener to get it to the consistency she prescribed.

Y’all, he thought it was the BEST thing ever! 😂 After more than two weeks without his favorite drink, that little taste of something familiar made him so happy. Who knew thickened Pepsi Zero would become something we would celebrate?

After speech pathology left, PT and OT arrived, and they gave him a workout. I mean, David worked HARD for about an hour!

They started with warm-up exercises, then slowly helped him sit on the side of the bed. They put his shoes on, helped him stand, and then helped him pivot into a wheelchair.

And then—with IV poles, feeding tubes, and all his fancy medical accessories along for the trip—they took him for a stroll around the ICU!

He was so excited to be sitting upright, seeing people, and looking at something other than the four walls of his room. Watching him enjoy that change of scenery meant so much to me.

I cannot imagine how he would feel if he had been awake and aware of his surroundings through this entire hospital stay. I think he would feel like a caged animal! Seriously, being confined to a hospital room can take a toll in ways you never really understand until you experience it. If you have been there, you know what I mean.

After his workout and little ICU outing, he was wore smooth out. He spent the rest of the day resting and sleeping. We both settled in for bed as soon as the 7 p.m. shift change was over. Between the rough night before and everything during the day, we were exhausted.

During rounds yesterday, we were told he would be moving to a step-down unit, but the team later decided to hold off. They wanted him working on his breathing exercises with the incentive spirometer, with a goal of 10 breaths each hour as directed by his team.

He has been working on that intermittently overnight and into this morning, and he is doing really well with it.

One of the doctors stopped by this morning and said today would probably be the day he gets transferred. I am hopeful, but I’m not holding my breath because we have heard that for the last couple of days! There are a lot of moving parts, and I appreciate how carefully his team considers each step.

But when that move does happen, I will be SUPER excited—not only because it will be another step forward for David, but because I am told the step-down rooms have bathrooms with SHOWERS!

Y’all, I haven’t had a shower in six days. SIX. Hospital life is keeping me humble, and that shower is going to feel like a luxury vacation! 😂

I’m not sure whether I mentioned it in an earlier update, but I was able to shave David’s face, which made him feel so much better. Yesterday, I tackled trimming his mustache.

Now, that was a little challenging. There are so many tubes in the way that I had to be very careful. Plus, I am super short, and that hospital bed only lowers so far! 😂 But I tried, and he said it feels better. That is what matters.

I hope he knows how much I love him.

Having him awake has been such a relief. I didn’t fully realize how much I missed his voice until I could hear it again—especially hearing him call my name. After so many days of talking to him and longing for a response, those familiar words mean more than I can explain.

There is still uncertainty ahead. We are learning what recovery will look like and taking each day as it comes. But today, I feel blessed that we have more time to do life together. Time to talk, laugh, enjoy a little thickened Pepsi Zero, and figure out how to trim a mustache around hospital tubing.

These moments are precious to me. Even with the unknowns, I am hopeful.

Please continue praying for David’s lungs, his swallowing, his strength, and his continued healing. Pray for rest for both of us and patience as we navigate each next step.

Thank you for continuing to pray for us and with us. Your love, generosity, and encouragement bring so much comfort into this hospital room. We love you all so very much. ❤️

~Toni

10/30/2026

Sleepless Night of Heavy Random Thoughts.... 10/30/26

A tender topic tonight: prayer, healing, and the grief of those whose loved ones that did not come home. ❤️

As I sit beside David, watching his progress and thanking God for another day with him, there is something weighing on my heart.

We have asked so many of you to pray for him—to pray that he would survive this accident, overcome his injuries, and have more days here with the people who love him. You have prayed faithfully alongside us, and I feel that our prayers are being answered. I am deeply grateful.

But I am also aware that someone reading these updates may have prayed just as desperately for someone they loved and experienced a very different outcome.

Someone else sat beside a hospital bed, held a hand, gathered prayer warriors, and pleaded with God. And their person did not come home.

I want to be thoughtful about that when I write, “God is answering our prayers” or “God is so good.” Because I believe God is good all the time, including in circumstances I cannot begin to understand. His goodness cannot depend only on whether we receive the outcome we begged for.

Please know that when I share my gratitude for David’s progress, I am not saying that we prayed harder, had more faith, or were somehow more deserving. Your prayers were no less heartfelt. Your faith was no less meaningful. Your loved one was no less precious.

I do not know why our stories unfold differently.

Why does one family get another day while another has to say goodbye? Why does the patient in one room begin to recover while the family next door receives devastating news?

I don’t have an answer, and I don’t want to offer an easy explanation for something that carries so much pain.

I can tell you that I am thankful to hear my husband’s voice again. I am thankful to hold his hand and feel him squeeze mine. I am thankful to watch him stand with help, crack a joke, and work toward recovery. Those moments have brought me to tears.

And I can hold that gratitude while remembering the person who would give anything for one more ordinary moment with someone they miss.

Romans 12:15 says, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”

That verse feels especially important to me right now. There is room to celebrate David’s progress and to grieve with families whose stories have been heartbreaking. I don’t want my joy to make anyone feel that their sorrow has been forgotten.

I have found myself thinking that David still has a purpose here, and I pray that he has many more years with us. But I also recognize how words like “God isn’t finished with him” might land on someone who lost a child, a spouse, a parent, or a friend. Their person had dreams, relationships, and so much love still to give, too.

So perhaps the most honest way I can say it is this: I am grateful David is here. I am praying for his continued healing. And I hope that, together, we can someday use what we are learning through this experience to bring comfort and help to someone else.

I cannot explain why he survived or tell another family why their loved one did not.

What I can do is thank God for today, keep praying, and remember that faith also makes room for tears and questions.

Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.”

If these updates have touched a tender place in your grief, I want you to know that I am thinking of you. You do not owe anyone a cheerful response to our good news. You are allowed to feel whatever this brings up for you.

Thank you for continuing to pray for David and for us. Tonight, I am also holding in my heart the families sitting beside hospital beds, those facing difficult news, and those learning how to live with an empty place beside them.

May we hold our gratitude with humility and one another’s grief with love. ❤️

~Toni

10/29/2026

Update 10/29/26 David Early AM

It is about 4:30 IN THE MORNING, and here I am with a middle-of-the-night update on David and a recap of yesterday! ❤️

Yesterday marked two weeks since his accident. These have somehow been the shortest and longest days of my life. When I look at where he was and what he is doing now, I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

Just before noon, speech pathology came in for an official swallow test. They brought a fancy-dancy machine that let them see exactly where the things he swallowed were going. They tested water, regular apple juice, applesauce, and thickened apple juice.

He did well with the applesauce and thickened juice, but the thinner liquids went into his airway toward his lungs. His team explained that this creates concerns about aspiration and could worsen his pneumonia. For now, they are continuing his feeding tube and allowing only what they have specifically cleared him to swallow.

He did get some approved thickened apple juice for dinner. Y’all, I didn’t even know such a thing existed! I will include a picture so you can let that sink in! 😂

They also dyed the applesauce green so they could see it more clearly during the test. Can I take a second to acknowledge how remarkable medical technology is? There are things helping my husband right now that I would never have dreamed existed. Just wow.

After that, PT and OT came in and worked through different exercises with him in bed. Then came a moment I will not soon forget.

David was eager to do more and asked if he could sit on the side of the bed. His therapists said, “If you feel up to it, let’s give it a try.”

And he did!

But he wasn’t finished asking. Next came, “Can I stand up, even for a few seconds?”

I quickly got his shoes out of the closet—the ones I thankfully washed at Marshall and Tara’s—and helped get his new socks on. Within a few minutes, with the help of both therapists and a walker, my husband was standing upright, shoulders held high.

He said he felt “like a million bucks.”

Y’all, he could not stop talking about how good it felt to be up and out of that bed. He stood for almost TWO MINUTES! After the days we spent watching a ventilator support his breathing, seeing him on his feet, talking to us, and participating in therapy was something I cannot fully put into words.

In my book, that is a huge win. I am so proud of his determination and willingness to do the hard work.

Hebrews 12:1 reminds us, “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”

Yesterday, that race looked like standing beside a hospital bed for almost two minutes. Endurance is taking on a new meaning for me. Sometimes it is finding the courage to try, accepting the help you need, and recognizing when it is time to rest.

His body tired quickly, and that was difficult to watch. In his mind, he was ready to do more. His body was telling him it was time to stop. As his wife, seeing that gap between what he wanted to do and what he could physically manage was heartbreaking. I wanted to celebrate with him and somehow make the hard part easier, too.

He still has no recollection of the wreck. He asks about when and where it happened and struggles to hold on to the details we share with him.

I showed him some pictures of the accident site and the truck. As he looked through them, I could see how puzzled he was and how hard he was trying to remember. When I noticed him becoming frustrated, I changed the subject to something lighter—the green applesauce from his swallowing test.

I also spoke with his doctor about his short-term memory because he has been asking some of the same questions repeatedly. It reminds me a little of “50 First Dates,” although not quite that extreme.

His team believes these difficulties are lingering effects of his traumatic brain injuries and everything he has been through. They explained that healing takes time and that they will continue watching his recovery. We don’t have every answer yet, but I am grateful to be able to ask questions and have his team listen and explain.

During morning rounds, they also discussed moving him to the trauma step-down unit soon. Thank you, Lord!

The move hasn’t happened yet. I plan to ask during rounds when they think it might happen. I am hopeful it could be today, but there are so many moving parts, and his team is being careful with each step.

I appreciate how thorough they are. His care team is absolutely amazing.

And, on a practical note, the move may mean access to a bathroom and shower in his room and being allowed to bring food in to eat. The rules in this ICU are strict. I respect them, but that doesn’t mean I have to like them, right? 😂 A few everyday comforts would mean a whole lot right now.

For the rest of yesterday, I resumed my very important position as David’s professional ice-chip feeder, following his team’s instructions! ❤️

I am grateful that I get to love him, serve him, and be here beside him. After so many days of wishing I could do more, even offering an ice chip or helping him get his socks on means something to me.

Romans 12:12 says, “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.”

That verse feels especially close to my heart right now. We are rejoicing over his progress, learning patience through the difficult moments, and continuing to pray through all of it. Some days I feel strong, and other days I am worn out. I am thankful I can bring both to God and ask for the strength to keep showing up.

Each day brings its own challenges, but watching his progress brings me so much joy. Yesterday, I got to watch my husband stand up and hear him tell us how wonderful it felt. That is a moment I will carry with me.

Please continue praying for his lungs, his swallowing, his strength, and his memory. Pray for patience and reassurance when he feels frustrated, and for wisdom for his team as they guide his next steps. Please pray for endurance for both of us as we learn to face this recovery one day at a time.

Thank you for every prayer and every bit of love and support you continue to send our way. We feel it, and we are so grateful.

Now, since it is very much the middle of the night, I am going to jump off here and try to get a little more rest. I’ll check back in later. ❤️

~Toni

10/28/2026

Update 10/28/26 David AM

Good morning, everyone! ❤️

David and I both actually got some rest last night—well, as much as you can with the nurse coming in and out and his additional breathing treatments. I am grateful for every bit of rest we were able to get!

Yesterday brought some encouraging moments that I am excited to share.

PT and OT—physical and occupational therapy—came by to work with David, and he was so ready to sit up and get his arms and legs moving. He completed all of the exercises they asked him to do. Then they helped him sit on the edge of the bed and said, “Let’s shoot for 10 minutes.”

David’s response? “No, longer!”

Y’all, he sat there for 25 minutes! They didn’t have to hold him upright, either. They stayed in front of and behind him in case he lost his balance, but he was holding himself up. I am so proud of him. After everything his body has been through, watching him sit up and work so hard meant so much.

Overnight, he was transitioned to a regular nasal cannula for his oxygen. He also still has an NG feeding tube providing nutrition. He certainly isn’t a fan of the tubes, but he is tolerating them.

He is anxious to get moving and do ALL the things. He wants to sit up, walk, and, if we’re being completely honest, walk right out of this hospital and go home! 😂 Something y’all should know about these Johnsons—they are STUBBORN!! I love his determination, but we’re reminding him that he needs to take the time to heal and let his team help him get there safely.

The speech-language pathology team also came by yesterday to check his swallowing. He did not pass the test with a teaspoon of water, but when they tried some vanilla pudding, he did great!

His response? “That is the best pudding I have ever had!”

We all laughed. Such a simple thing, but such a sweet moment. ❤️

His team cleared him to have ice chips throughout the day, following their instructions. So guess what my job was yesterday?

You got it—his personal waitress, feeding him ice chips! And I was over-the-moon grateful for the opportunity. After so many days of wishing I could do more for him, being able to give him that little bit of comfort felt like a gift.

As the ICU quiet hours approached, I talked with David and reassured him that I would return. I reminded him that I was only leaving because I had to follow the ICU’s visitation rules.

He promised he wouldn’t try to go AWOL to find me this time! 😂❤️ After what happened the day before, I wanted him to know that even when I have to step out, I am coming back.

While I was away last night, I was blessed by a sweet friend from my SOAR Business Coaching Group. Her name is Christi, and she lives in the area. She offered to take me to get something to eat and pick up a few things we needed.

I wanted to get some things for David because, y’all, the only clothing I had here for him was his shoes! I washed those at Marshall and Tara’s on Saturday, but obviously, the man is going to need more than shoes! 😂

So, off to Ross we went! We found two outfits, socks, and underoos. I also picked up the cologne spray he wears every day and some clippers so I can tidy up the scruffiness on that handsome face.

Now that he is more alert and aware of his surroundings, he has mentioned that his face is itchy. So today, we are taking care of that! Maybe I can sneak in a couple of before-and-after pictures! 😉

A big shout-out to Christi for taking time out of her evening to feed me, chauffeur me around, and help me get what we needed. Having someone show up and help with those everyday things meant so much.

And a very big thank-you to everyone who has given financially. I would not have been able to buy the things David needed yesterday without your help. Your generosity is making a difference in our daily lives—clean clothes, familiar comforts, and the chance to help him feel a little more like himself.

Now, for one more lighter moment!

When I was with Marshall on Saturday, I was looking for some lotion for David’s feet. Marshall pointed out one they use, and I thought, “Why not give it a try?”

Oh. My. Heck. Y’all, this stuff is amazing! It’s made by EOS, it feels so smooth, and it smells SO good. People keep walking into David’s room saying, “It smells really good in here!” 😂

Thanks, Marsh, for the recommendation! I’ll try to share a link on my octoberroadsstudio.com page so you can find it and try it, too. Apparently, I went looking for foot lotion and found the room’s new signature scent!

There is still healing and hard work ahead, but I am grateful for these moments: watching David sit up, hearing him joke about pudding, feeding him ice chips, and helping him feel comfortable. Things that once seemed so ordinary mean more than I can explain right now.

Please continue praying for his breathing, his strength, and his recovery. Please also pray for patience and peace as we take each next step.

We truly feel the love and prayers being poured into us. The kids, David, and I are all so deeply grateful for every prayer, message, visit, and act of generosity. Thank you for caring so much and for continuing to walk beside us. ❤️

~Toni

10/27/2026

Update on David 10/27/26 AM

Good morning, everyone. ❤️ David had a somewhat restful night after a day filled with incredible progress, but also some very difficult moments.

Let me start with the progress.

Yesterday afternoon, the trauma team decided David was ready to be extubated—to have his breathing tube removed. I was so happy, but also shocked that the moment had arrived!

The process went smoothly. They raised his bed until he was almost sitting up, and then he turned his head toward me and spoke his first words:

“I love you.”

Y’all. My heart melted. That was the first time I had heard my husband speak in 12 days. His eyes were open, and he was talking to me. It was such a different picture from that morning, when he had still been so out of it.

I believe his recovery reflects determination, faith, endurance, and the power of prayer. So many people are praying for David and sending love and encouragement. In moments like that, I find myself in absolute awe. These are the tender mercies that help carry me through the days.

After the tube came out, he had lots of questions. He does not remember the wreck at all. When I explained what had happened, one of the first things he asked was, “Did anyone else get hurt?”

That is my husband. Even while trying to understand his own injuries, he wanted to know whether someone else was hurt. He is one of the most caring people I have ever known.

I reassured him that it was a single semi-truck accident and that he had struck a cement culvert about four to five feet wide. He asked where it happened and was surprised to learn he had been only about seven miles from home. He was already on the clock and headed to pick up his first load.

I could see him trying to remember, but he couldn’t. His doctors explained that memory gaps can happen with his brain injuries and everything his body has been through.

Then came the harder part of our day.

At 3 p.m., I had to leave with the other visitors for the ICU’s daily closure from 3–5 p.m. David became very anxious. He didn’t understand why I had to leave, and the nurse came in to give him medication for his anxiety.

I went to the waiting room and was talking with my mom on the phone. At 5:01, I returned to his room and walked into something I was not prepared to see.

There was blood on his bed, his gown, his face, and his arms. No one was in the room with him at that moment, and then I noticed his hands were restrained.

When I asked what had happened, he told me, “This is cruel and unusual punishment.”

I immediately went to find his nurse. When we returned to the room, she explained that around 4:45, David had become so anxious that he decided he was going to leave and find me. In trying to get up, he had pulled out his arterial line and disconnected other lines and equipment. She told me she had not yet had time to clean him up.

Can y’all imagine the panic I felt walking into that room? Seeing him like that, frightened and trying to make sense of what had happened, shook both of us.

I called Steve, who spoke to David firmly but lovingly, reminding him that he needed to listen to the nurses and to me because we are there to help him. Baylee talked with him, too, offering the same reassurance—with a little shaking of her teacher finger through the phone for good measure. ❤️

By the time everything settled, David and I were both physically and emotionally exhausted. That is why I took a break from writing last night. I needed a little time to process a day that held so much joy and so much distress.

This morning, though, he has been doing well. He has been cracking jokes, answering the questions his team asks, and he even apologized to everyone for trying to “escape” yesterday!

Gosh, I love this man.

We are still in the trauma ICU, but we are praying and staying hopeful that he will be ready to move to the trauma step-down unit soon. For now, I am grateful to hear his voice, see his personality coming through, and watch him continue along his road to recovery.

Please keep praying for his healing, for calm and reassurance when he feels afraid, and for strength for both of us as we navigate each new day.

Thank you for your continued prayers, love, and support. Having so many people care about David and walk beside us means more than I can put into words. ❤️

~Toni

October Roads Studio

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