This website was created on 11/26/02 by friends of Forrest Johnson to provide the latest accurate updates on his illness.  It remains as a tribute to one of God's special children. 

  The Latest   

      Just a note to let you know this website will remain, including the guestbook, as a testimony to the many lives that Forrest touched.  If you have thoughts to include in the guestbook, it remains open to be signed. We know that you will continue to pray for Jodi, Taylor, Lange, Billy, Mandy, Amanda, and their extended families.  
     As was said during the service on Friday, Forrest's greatest wish was that everyone would know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and like him, receive the gift of everlasting life.  

     The Johnson family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6 to 8 PM at the Camden United Methodist Church.  The funeral will be at 11 AM Friday at the Camden United Methodist Church. The church is located at the corner of Broad and Clifton Streets in downtown Camden.

     The family has said that they will accept flowers or if you choose a memorial gift can be made to either the Camden United Methodist Church Building Fund (PO Box 157, Camden AL 36726) or to Wilcox Academy (PO Box 1149, Camden AL 36726). Camden's florist is Albritton's Florist and can be reached at 334-682-4018.    

     You may also remember Jodi and the girls by way of the accounts at our two local banks mentioned elsewhere on this page.

     Cards or other mail can be addressed to the Johnsons at 631 Clifton St. Camden AL 36726.       

Tuesday, December 10, 2002 - 2:20PM

     Forrest lost his courageous battle sometime around 2 PM this afternoon.  Please continue to pray for strength for his family during these trying times.  
     Once arrangements are finalized we will post those details here.    

Tuesday, December 10, 2002 - 12:15PM

     Amanda called.  Forrest has not had a good morning.  Due to an irregular heartbeat, the defibrillator was needed twice in order to get his heartbeat corrected.  His kidneys are not functioning properly at this time and he was started on dialysis.  But he's still hanging in there and he still needs you.    
     Please keep praying that God will heal Forrest.  Please pray for strength for his family.  

Monday, December 9, 2002 - 11:45AM

     Amanda called and said that this morning a component of the blood oxygen monitor was changed out.  It was then learned that the readings that have been received were inflated by about 20 points due to some error in the equipment.  Though his condition has not changed, his blood oxygen readings are now correct and actually in the mid 60s. This indicates Forrest is in worse condition than previously believed.  We do not have any information in regards to how long the readings have been incorrect.  Everything else remains the same.    

Sunday, December 8, 2002 - 6:00PM

     As of this afternoon there have been no major changes.  They continue to monitor Forrest's blood oxygen concentration, blood gases, and carbon dioxide.  This afternoon his blood oxygen reading was 86.
     Forrest's family is able to visit him four times a day for 30 minutes each visit.  As he is heavily sedated, there is no way to know for sure if he knows they are there or if he hears them.  However, fluctuations in his stats during their visits strongly indicate that he is aware of their presence.  In his room of the ICU, there's a CD player softly playing.  Pictures of Jodi, Taylor and Lange are taped to the walls, and a pink teddy bear with Amanda Lange written on it is lying on Forrest's chest.    
     The guestbook signatures (73 pages worth) were printed and put into a binder and delivered on Saturday.  The Johnsons take a lot of comfort in these messages and read them over and over.  We'll continue to deliver these messages about once a week.  Your support really means a lot to Forrest's family.        

Friday, December 6, 2002 - 6:00PM

     Amanda said this evening that Forrest had a little better day.  His blood gases have improved though they still are not where they need to be (at 53, should be about 60).  He is not retaining quite as much carbon dioxide.  His blood oxygen level was 87 at last report today.   An updated copy of the guestbook, as of noon today, will be delivered to the hospital on Saturday.  Thank you for the words of support and encouragement.   
     As stated earlier, Forrest's recovery is going to be very slow.  It could be days, weeks, or months.  We don't know.  He is being supported until such time that his lungs heal.  He remains heavily sedated and likely will be until he gets much better.  There are a lot of prayers being said for Forrest.  Every one counts.  Please do not tire through this ordeal.  Forrest will, as he always has at everything he has done, give it all he has.  He's tough.  Always has been.  Hang in there and keep praying for his healing and recovery.  Pray specifically that the equipment supporting him will not fail.  Continue to pray for strength for his family.  On behalf of his family and many friends, thank you very much.  

     We also ask for your prayers for another family from Camden that is sharing the same waiting room at UAB and also has an ailing son.  Todd & Mary Shannon Cooper's son (less than 1 year old) has undergone heart surgery.  He is also in the ICU and is fighting for his life as well.  Please pray for little Clayton Cooper, his mother and father Todd & Mary Shannon, and sister Cameron.  

     We'll update again on Sunday, hopefully around noon.      
       

Wednesday, December 4, 2002 - 8:15PM

Amanda says...

"I talked to mama a little while ago.  At the 1:00 PM visit one of the doctors told Mama and Daddy that Forrest had come down with pneumonia that is commonly contracted while in the hospital.  His oxygen level had dropped into the 70s last night."  (It was as high as the low 90s early Tuesday).  "It is back in the low 80s to mid 80s now.  Mama commented that this was another set back that is expected with this illness.  Everything else is basically the same.  Tell everyone to keep praying.  We thank everyone for the prayers and generosity.  It means more than anyone could ever know."

Monday, December 2, 2002 - 7PM

     Amanda said that Forrest is overall about the same.  His blood gas numbers are slightly better.  He had been retaining too much carbon dioxide.  That issue is just a little better as well.  His blood oxygen level has been from the mid 80s to lower 90s.  Recovery from the condition that Forrest is in is going to be slow.  Thank you for your many prayers.  Please continue to pray that his lungs will begin to heal.  Pray too for Forrest's parents, Mandy & Billy Johnson.  They have been literally camped out in the ICU waiting room for three weeks now.  Pray for their strength and health as well as wife Jodi, sister Amanda, and daughters Taylor and Lange.    
     Information concerning the benefit fund that has been established for Forrest & Jodi has been added to this website. We have had 235 entries in the guestbook and over 2250 visits to the site in 6 days.  Thanks to everyone for spreading the word to "pray for our friend Forrest."  God bless all of you!

Saturday, November 30, 2002 - 10AM

     The doctors say that Forrest is ever so slightly better today.  He's definitely not worse, though still in critical condition.  His doctors weaned him off the nitric oxide.  This is one of the treatments the doctors were experimenting with to treat ARDS.  Other treatments are being used.  They did not see that the nitric oxide was helping Forrest's situation.  Also, they removed the swan-ganz catheter.  It was used to monitor the nitric oxide treatment that they discontinued.  They successfully weaned Forrest off his blood pressure medicine.  He's still on 100% oxygen and his blood oxygen level continues to range in the 80s.  The blood oxygen levels need to come up in order to reduce his (PEEP) pressure.  Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) is a special setting on the ventilator that keeps the lungs expanded to help get oxygen from the lungs into the bloodstream.  Not only are they giving Forrest 100% oxygen, they are giving it to him at a very high force in order for Forrest to get the oxygen he needs.  There is a concern that Forrest's ventilator tube may fail over time due to this high (PEEP) pressure.  The doctors believe that it is more risky to change the tube out at this point and are relying on the one he has.  Please pray that Forrest's blood oxygen levels continue to rise so that the doctors may reduce the pressure at which his oxygen is being delivered therefore reducing the pressure in his ventilator tube.  Also pray that the tube does not fail.  Every prayer that goes up is another angel in Forrest's army.  A copy of the guest book was delivered to the Johnsons at UAB today.  Thank you for all the encouraging remarks.    

Thursday, November 28, 2002 - 10PM

     We understand there is no significant change in Forrest's condition.  Thanks for all who have signed the guestbook.  We will get those entries printed and delivered to the Johnsons periodically.  

Tuesday, November 26, 2002 - 11AM

  BACKGROUND  


     Forrest was involved in an automobile accident in May of 2002.  He was hit head-on by another vehicle he met in a curve of the road.  The other vehicle was in Forrest's lane and a collision was unavoidable.  Forrest pulled himself from the cab of his truck before it burned. 
     Forrest spent a couple of weeks in the hospital with serious injuries to his lower legs.  After several surgeries and many hours of physical therapy, his left foot healed satisfactorily.  He was able to progress from a wheelchair to a walker and then to the use of only a cane.  Forrest continued to battle an open wound on his right foot.  His doctors were experimenting with different therapies in an effort to heal the wound and prevent amputation of his right foot.
     Forrest's life was returning somewhat to normal.  He was driving a little, working out, and even went out deer hunting in early November.  He was looking forward to the birth of his second daughter, due in late November.
     On Saturday, November 9th, Forrest awoke with difficulty breathing.  He was rushed to a hospital in Selma where he spent two days before being flown to University of Alabama-Birmingham Hospital where he was admitted into cardiac ICU on November 11.

ARDS Information:  www.ards.org
UAB Hospital:  www.health.uab.edu 

William Forrest Johnson
9/21/1969 - 12/10/2002

Billy, Mandy, Amanda

Forrest & Jodi

Forrest & "Harley"

Forrest

Nov. 22, 2002 - Amanda Lange Johnson was born.

Lange Johnson

Lange's big sister, Taylor