Christopher Sparkman, who was working as a security guard when a gunman stormed a Kennesaw FedEx facility in April, has turned 29 and celebated his first wedding anniversary in the hospital, and faces an 18th surgery.
He will probably be in the hospital for another month, and it could be Christmas before he's able to eat again, due to the injuries to his internal organs.
"Christopher is heartbroken because of his love of all things edible, but he understands and is willing to do what it takes to help make a full recovery possible," the website used by his family to report updates on his condition reported on Sunday.
Sparkman's recovery has been slow but steady.
"His body is healing really well, and doctors are constantly praising his drive to get up and walk, and continue to keep his body moving," the family update said. "He has all the nurses laughing, and has even picked up so much medical jargon that he will give them the change-over report. It's pretty funny. :)"
Sparkman and his wife, Jamie Lynn Sparkman, met through a church youth group and asked her out on their first date while he was still deployed to Kuwait with the Army. The Thomasville native has lived in Acworth since he was a teenager. He joined the Army in 2009 and was pursuing a career in air traffic control at the time of the shooting.
While the family continues to request privacy they are grateful for supporters' prayers and messages of comfort.
"We have no doubt that God has woven our story into so many lives, and that Jesus is elated to see so many come together in His name," the family website said. "If I could shake your hand, give you a hug, or just raise up my hands and praise our God right beside you - it would be an honor for me. Thank you. Your stories are changing our lives."
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