They say, "It's About the Journey...."

How wonderful would it have been if Abi, would have only had minor injuries and then been released?!? She would have had a very quick recovery and it would have been awesome.  No frenzied prayers being sent up, no Camp Trauma Dragon in the waiting room, no bonding with friends new and old, no experiencing of the out pouring of love we received. We would not have experienced deep humbling fear, peace, love, joy. And we would not have been able to go on this journey.  A Long Journey for all of us, but mostly for lil' Abi.

 It is about the journey not the "getting there". 

We all learned things about ourselves. I won't speak for anyone else. But there were things that I learned along the way. Things I am still learning because of this accident. Faith and hope are real! I knew that, but sometimes you need a reminder. Sometimes we take life for granted and we live in the camp That-will-never-happen-to-my-family. Life can be so fragile, here one minute gone the next.

Something else I already knew but was really reminded of, We have a grand Designer! So many systems in the human body! And yet they all work together, wonderfully made. I was always amazed at the never ending tubes and needles, the monitors, the ventilator. The technology and the information we have to heal a human body, and yet we know so little about the brain. It amazes me that with all of the experts at hand, God still had this in hand and was working for His glory. Nothing was left to chance.

Remember the time they told us that Abi would be in a coma and not wake up for at least 4 weeks. Well they were wrong and she was awake on day 6. She was all hopped up on morphine and amnesia drugs but she was awake.  Then she got that horrible abdominal infection, she lost 30 lbs through out her hospital stay. But she is still here! She keeps on going. She is getting stronger too. Sure she might still run funny (don't tell her I said that) but she is running! She is motivated to eat, to get her butt back as well. Slowly she is gaining her weight back. It is amazing to me that she has not had any major setbacks or problems since she left the hospital. That is not Chance!

Before

 (taken July 18th)

 She has not caught a cold or the flu. And this is cold and flu season, and just try to keep Abi home! Not happening.  It is true that she gets really cold and has a hard time getting warmed up, but once she gets that butt back she won't have that problem any more.

Did any one notice that Abi's volume was affected? I thought that after being quiet for so many days she would have learned something about volume control. But I was wrong. I think they bumped up the volume in one of her surgeries or something.

On a more serious note. It is super hard to let Abi go off and be "Abi Before the Accident". I get upset and want to make her stay home. I don't want to see her do things that are dangerous, like walking across an icy sidewalk. Staying out late hanging out with her friends. Working. All those things are scary. We have had to learn again to let go! I witnessed a very fragile Abi. I don't think sometimes that she comprehends where she was at, and what happened to her. And yet I know she was the one that went through it. I don't know if she comprehends the severity of those first 12 days. She doesn't remember them. She has seen the pictures so she must know something. But we clearly had a more real, frightening experience those first days. She was asleep for most of it, For that I am very thankful!

As with any tragic event there have been so many lessons to learn, I just hope they stick! I don't imagine they will fade anytime soon. We have all been changed through this event. We have all had our eyes opened. Opened to our God, our mortality, our blessings, our strengths, our weaknesses, our hope!

After 

(Taken October 31st)

Halloween Alice in Wonderland

TWO MONTH UPDATE

Sorry that we haven't been keeping this updated every week or so, but we tried to get Abi to log on and post her own comments. She says she just doesn't know what to say. Now, if you know Abi, I know you find that hard to believe, as do we. I think she is just still overwelmed at the out pouring of Love and prayers that have gone out to her. Stacey has told me that she has started to read the comments here and on her e-mail account, and just starts to cry. So, lets just say that she is so very gratefull for all the prayers and thoughts of her over the past 4 months +.  Now for an Update.

November 16 she had an appointment with her back Doctor. He released her to go back to work, with a 25 lb lifting limit, the back brace is off, which she had only been using sparingly anyway. Now if I can just get her to take it out of my car and display it with all her plush animals or something. She is allowed to drive, again, she had been already. She also saw the pelvis Doctor and he said she  was doing great. She has a little lump in her stomach and needs to set up an appointment with the surgeon to see if it just a little hernia or what. Needless to say she didn't walk out of the office, she just kind of floated. When we left I was instructed to drive directly to JB's. When she walked through the door she started flashing her work release and said "let's get me on the Schedule". She started back to work on Saturday and Sunday and then again on Thanksgiving Day. Now, I have never in my $# year of life seen anyone that happy to be back to work. We have been able to spend a lot of time together at JB's and the customers have just enveloped her with their love and amazement of her healing. Oh, here release was just one day shy of 4 months from the date of her accident. Now, if you read the start of this Blog you will see that she was suppost to be in ICU for probably 6 weeks in and induced comma and would be in the hospital for 6 months. Truth was: out of ICU (both MICU and intermediat in a little over a week and out of the hospital in 35 days. Now, if that is not the power of God and prayer, I don't know what is. She is back to talking 90.5 miles per hour, holding two conversations at one time and texting. All I can say is "SHE'S BACK!!!" and Praise the Lord. When she forgets something, she says "remember I have a brain injury". Most everyone just tells her that it won't work, she was that way before her accident. I will get Stacey to post again as soon as she can, as Abi has been able to spend a lot of time with her and the kids and I'm sure she has some jucie tid bits that you would all love to hear.

As I end this, I sit here with big tears in my eyes sending a special pray out to each and everyone of you for the support you have been for Abi and all of her family and friends. It has indeed been a very humbleing experience for me and I'm sure all of you. How prescious life is and how soon things can change. We serve a living God and he is there for us when we ask. If you don't know the Lord Jesus as your personal saviour, he stands at the door and knocks, all you have to do is open the door and ask him into your life. If your not sure how to do this, feel free to call me, Charlette, Stacey or a born again believing church close to you. Don't ever think that you have to clean up some things in your life before you can come to Jesus. You come and he will clean you up. I did some twenty four years ago, and my life has never been the same God loves us all and wants us to end up in Heaven with him. Thank You again my brothers and sisters for the strength you have given Abi, her mother, brothers and sister and myself. God be with you all always.

In His Steps, Dave

Update from Abi's Facebook

Can't get Abi to keep up her blog, so I will just start to post from her facebook updates.

as of today, i can put FULL WEIGHT on my left leg!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) :) ahhh! its about time!!!! :) :) :) but i still have to walk with one crutch mostly for balance and stuff so i dont fall cuz apparently i walk with a limp! pfft. thats how gangstas walk dont you know doc!!!! :) hahahaha.

She has been doing really good and hopefully the clam shell cast will go away toward the middle of October. She has had a couple of emotional issues, but on one I took her to JB's and all was well. The other was a loss of one of her very good friends. She has visited the various churches that have been praying for her and they were blessed to see the miracle God has done with her. She came by my office yesterday and my fellow workers were so happy to see her.

We will keep trying to get her to post in her own words how she is doing.

Dave

ABI AT A LOSS FOR WORDS?????

Stacey and I have been trying to get Abi to post on her blog. She says she doesn't know what to say. Now, to me that is amazing. I didn't think I would ever hear that come from her. I have never knew her to be without words, especially the "last word".

She is doing well. Therapy is going good and she is progressing. She can get around on her crutches as long as she does not have a long way to go. If she is going to be going for a while she takes her wheelchair. She says she kind of likes the wheelchair, she is treated like a VIP, which if you know her, it fits right in. She has gone to a church every Sunday since she got out of the hospital. Different churches, but they have all been glad to see her and treat her as a VIP. She will have the clam shell for a least another month. The doctors seemed pretty pleased with her progress. She is eating better each day and Stacey has done a great job of caring for her while her mom is out of town. Tia and Ashton have been "baby sitting" her and keep reminding her that she used to baby sit them and now it is their turn.

Keep her in prayer as she continues to mend and get back to herself. She wants to really get back to JB's and they are looking forward to her return. She is trying to convince them that she can put a little table on her wheelchair and serve from there. We think that would be very interesting to watch.

Thank you all again for all your support. You have all been a blessing to all of us.

Dave

When the presure is on

When the presure is on, you will do whatever it takes. Abi is staying with Stacey while her mom is away. She has kinda her own room (Thank you Ashton). Stacey has her text her if she needs anything. Well, last night she needed to go to the restroom and sent a text to Stacey, but Stacey had put her phone on vibrate and didn't feel it and found out early this morning. Well, as the presure was on, Abi got her back brace on and was able to get the presure off. She says she didn't know how she did it, but the important thing is SHE DID IT. Way to go punkin, I knew you could do it. Abi is eating better, or at least she did yesterday. You keep going girl and you'll be slingin those vittles out to folks a JB's in no time.

Dave

Sorry it has been a while!

I am so sorry it has taken me so long to post. I am not going to bore you with all the STUFF I have been doing lately to get ready for the school year! Not to mention that my garden is out of control. What does all this have to do with ABI?

Not 1 single thing.

Abi is still doing home therapy and resting alot. She still is not eating like she should but she is doing a little better.   She has to use her crutches to get around and uses her wheel chair in public. Or if she is going to be out for a while. On Tuesday we went to the mall for a good long walk. Then it was home to my house to take a shower and then we headed out to the Tuesday Farmer's Market. On the way home I narrowly avoided her puking in my car! We have got to get that under control!!! LOL
I told her it is a combination of the medication and her texting while I am driving.  duh! She does not buy it though.
While we were at the Farmer's Market, Abi was given a beautiful gift. It was a mirror made by Spin. It was really cool talking to Spin and then he offered Abi any thing in his booth that she wanted. He was extremely generous. If any of you all happen to be down at the market stop by and see Spin!

This week Abi will be moving in with me for 10 days while my mom goes to see her sister. I am so excited!!! It is going to make shower time so much easier. I won't have to go pick her up! And I will get to have a sleep over with her. I am going to feed that girl!!! We are going to put some meat back on her bones! Just wait and see.
Ok like I said before I am going to have Abi start posting but I am really going to push it this time! I Promise!!!

She does a ton of Facebook posting. I think she lives her life around facebook right now. She is one of those that posts anything and everything that is newsworthy, and not so newsworthy! Hahahaha. So let's see if I can get her to put some of that energy into the blog.

 Thats all for tonight, Every one of you have a great Labor Day weekend!!!
Stacey

We had a party! It's gonna' be a photo filled post!

The Invitation!

The Cake(s)

I thought I had pics of the other 2 cakes but I don't.

The Guest of Honor

The Guests 

Surprise guest... freaked Abi out! Mr. Losee. ( sorry Mr. Losee I know I spelled your name wrong)

 There were so many friends, family and restaurant regulars that came to see Abi last night, I had a hard time keeping up with everyone. The party was from 6-9 pm and they kept coming in waves. It was so cool to see all the love and support in physical human form. I also know that those who showed up last night were just a fraction of the support she has. 

 THANK YOU ALL!!!!


Stacey

Don't forget about Abi's Party! and general update...

Just a little reminder about Abi's party details are in the post below.

Today Abi has been quite tired and not eating as much as she should. She has had a busy few days. She went to church and lunch yesterday and then slept for 5 hours. Then went for a short visit and ended up staying the night at my house. She slept through the night and had a good morning. Although not pain free it was fairly good. Then she went home about 1 to meet her new home health care nurse and therapist. She will be having a lot of in home therapies. She was pretty wiped out by the time we got her home. And she was in a lot more pain. Tonight she has been ill again. She gets really depressed when she starts feeling that way. It is hard to see her feeling like that. Keep praying for her. I know it makes all the difference in the world! Thank You all For your support! We Thrive on it!!!

We're having a party!!!! Wanna come?

You Are Invited

Date: Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Time: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm 

Place: JB's Family Restaurant on 

3500 south and 4800 west

West Valley City, Utah

Hosted by JB's and her family. 

 We wanted to make sure that Abi was installed at home comfortably and resting up from her move before we spring a welcome home party on her. 

If you know abi, love abi, been praying for abi, want to see how she is doing, or just in general want to stand around and gawk at her, this will be your opportunity! 

If you would like to have dinner at JB's, Kids eat free! 

Rumor has it JB's will be providing drinks and the family will be serving Happy Your Home Cake!

Please post a comment here if you think you might be attending so we have an idea of how much room we will need!

 thanks, 

Stacey

Bustin' out of this joint!

Abi gets released today!!!!! She is so excited she can barely contain herself!  These are some of her Facebook posts and comments!

Tomorrow is the day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) :) :) i get to go home!!!!!!!!! 34 days i have been in this hospital!! and day 35 is my discharge day!!!! :) :) :) :)

 yes!! my doctors just came in a few minutes ago and said im going home tomorrow unless something completely unexpected happens!!!! :) :) :)

I also got a text from her this morning @ 8:30 am while I was soundly enjoying my Saturday Sleep In. 

It read

" Today is the day!!:) Next time I see you it wont be in this stupid place. You won't have to drive across Salt Lake just to see me! just down the street:) 

She forgot to mention it was the stupid place that saved her life! LOL

They took out her feeding tube yesterday and she was so happy about it. 

  She said her goodbyes to some of the patients that she has befriended. She said her goodbyes and thank yous to her nurses and favorite staff. My mom had 2 huge cakes made for the staff on the IMCU floor and the Rehab floor. Her friend Cathy made the full sheet size Pea Pickin' Cakes, and delivered them last night.

When Abi gets home today she is going to be exhausted. It makes her ill to travel, even in the hospital with her wheel chair.  Abi got a brand new wheel chair last night and new crutches, these will be her new wheels for a while.  She will want to have visitors but make sure you call first so that she is not away at a therapy session or a doctor's appt. 

Stacey

GETTING OUT

Abi is being discharged to home tomorrow. 35 Days. Please call her to see if she is up to visiters.

DAVE

A Field Trip

Abi got to go on a field trip today! Her occupational and recreational therapists took her out of the hospital for a field trip to Abi's work place. She was all smiles. It was really good to see her in a different environment. I am going to post 1 picture and then tomorrow Abi is going to help me blog post about this outing..... So until then enjoy this sneak peak.

Stacey

small as a wee lad!

I went up to give Abi her shower last night. While getting her dressed I noticed that the size of her work out shorts were really tiny. I looked again at the tag and it said L(10/12). I was confused for a half a second until I realized that these shorts were for a little boy! She wears  little boys shorts, and they fit her perfectly well. My son is 12 and he just outgrew that size.  Abi WAS a size 3 in womens. She is starting to eat more. Last night she ate 1/2 of her Wendy's crispy chicken sandwich.  She is definitely drinking a lot more, 44 ounces or more every day!

After her shower and we got her all prettied up, the guy visiting his dad in the next room came over and asked Abi if she wanted to go for a stroll on the patio. It was so cute! Abi even gets a date in rehab! OK so it wasn't a date it was just a bored teen asking another if she wanted to get some fresh air. But Abi was all too happy to go and get a change of scenery. We put her in her chair, gave her a Mt. Dew for the road, wheeled her over to the next room and let her go.  I did however make Shelton say he would protect Abi with his very life and he had to hold up his right hand and make a solemn oath.(ok not really but I would have had I thot of it)

That is all I have to report today. Other than, I know Abi is going on a field trip today with recreational therapy! I am not at liberty to say where she is going, but she will have a good time! And tomorrow I will tell you all about it!
Have a great day!!!
Stacey

Are you out of your mind?

I did not get to see Abi yesterday as I was sick and did not want to get her sick. But I did hear a few things.

Her Occupational therapist tried to insist that she put her brace on by herself! This is difficult to say the least because it is big and bulky. Also she is not allowed to lay higher than a 30 degree angle or sit up or stand up with out it on. She can only log roll and she is not allowed to bend or twist at the waist with out it on.  That presents a problem! All of the things she has been told she can not do would require being done to get it on. No worries though! Abi got her feisty on, and she let that therapist know exactly what she thought!!!

I also heard that she ate half of a chicken breast last night! I am so happy for her. She told me she drank a Carnation instant breakfast too!  Hopefully she is on her way to start feeling hungry. If she gets her appetite back that would be wonderful.

Saturday is the tentative discharge date! It is going to be a long hard day for her if that is the case but she is going to be so much more comfy at home!

I will keep you all posted!
Stacey

Tuesday 8/17

Abi had a pretty busy day yesterday. She walked 580 ft for her Physical Therapist. Occupational Therapy we a challenge and the Therapist found out that Abi wasn't afraid to voice her thoughts and that they really need to listen to her the 1st time she speaks. She was pretty warn out after the morning sessions and got a couple of hours rest until the afternoon. Overall she is doing well.  Caleb got her to eat a few bites of chicken last night and she has been doing well on her liquids. Charlette has given Caleb the assignment to come up every evening to get Abi to eat. Charlette said that she had a pretty good night. No nausia and she got a sleeping pill, so she slept well.

Stacey tells me that there is some confusion as to who is doing the blog posts. If it makes total sense, it is Stacey. If it is kinda rambling, it is me (Dave). When Stacey posts it shows her name at the end of the blog. When it shows "weloveyouabi" then it is mine. Stacey says there is a way for me to sign, so I will try it. Hopefully in the next day or two Abi will post on her blog.

The Point

Today I took my kids to see Aunt Abi. They decided it was time to take a game up and play with her. We took Apples to Apples, and had a great time. Then we took Abi for a ride in her wheel chair, to The Point Restaurant.  The Point is an amazing restaurant in the Huntsman Cancer Hospital. It looks out over the entire valley and has an incredible view.  The cool thing about University Hospital is that it is connected to the Primary Children's Hospital and the Huntsman Cancer Institute. There are indoor sky walks to take you where ever you want to go.

In other news, Abi had the desire to eat a bread roll today! She ate about half of it with a few strawberries. She also drank 44 ounces of fluids today. A lot of it was Mt. Dew, but she also had some OJ, and some water and lemonade. That was what she had before 6 pm. She was very nauseated when we left. They were about to turn on her feeding tube when they brought dinner in to her. I asked if they thought that she would want to try any of her dinner if her feeding tube was on and they told me no. So I convinced them to hold off for a bit so she might try her dinner.  It makes no sense to me that they would want to start her feeding tube right when they bring dinner in to her.

The Hendrin Family brought Abi a Photo of her Air Med Helicopter at Jordanelle Res. It is a photo that they got from the KSL.   They had it matted so that her friends and family could sign it.  They also brought a frame for it. It is really cool.

Oh and Abi won our game of Apples to Apples!

Abi walked 580 ft today and did about 20 steps. It was extremely hard work!!

They have brought in a heating pad for her lower back, it helps with the pain tremendously.

I guess that is all for now.
 Have a wonderful evening,
Stacey

4 Weeks

Today is the 4th week since Abi's accident. By all accounts she should be just coming out of an induced comma and moving to the ICMU. But our Lord is indeed the Master Mender, and here she is maybe a week away from discharge. When I got here this afternoon Josh and Caleb were here and they were trying to put in an IV. She has not been able to eat so they are giving her IV fluids and starting the feeding tube again. The nurse was unable to get a vain, due to dehydration, and stopped. They call for an Air Med nurse. Charlette and Bill came and Josh and Caleb left. Charlette and I went up and seen Terah. Please when you are praying for Abi also pray for her. She is a sister in the Lord and has been a friend or our family for many years. The Air Med nurse came and in no time and the pain was minmal. She slept of and on for several hours. The nurse came in and gave her meds through her feeding tube, but it really upset her stomach and she returned them to the little yellow bucket. They are giving her some nausia meds and will redo her meds that she return a little later. They are going to start her feeding at a low level and then ramp them up as she can handle it. She still needs to be eating before she can go home. She is really anxious to get out of this hospital, and she tries to eat a little, but I think the fear of throwing up makes her hesitant. They changed the dressing on her stomach and said it is really healing well. Charlette is staying with her tonight and Abi will be back at her therapy sessions tomorrow.

Saturday Night

Abi had a pretty good afternoon after her shower and having her hair done. She slept for part of the afternoon. I found out the one of our friends from Life Church was in the Emergency Room at the U, so I went there to see her family. Josh brought Abi down in her wheel chair, as most of them know her and have been praying for her. She was a very big inspiration to all of them as to the healing powers of our Lord. She was in pain, but came down anyway. She got a little sick going back up, but felt better after getting her pain meds on board. As I was leaving the hospital she ask me to come back up. She was feeling really blue that being in the hospital was such a disruption to peoples lives. I assured her that it was okay, that our are okay and that is a blessing to come and be with her. I know she is getting tired of being on her back all the time, as most of you know she has always been a social butterfly and was always on the go. We know that God will have her back on her feet in no time. Thank you all again for the prayers.

Saturday is Group Therapy Day

Today Abi had a physical therapy session and right after she had a occupational/recreational therapy session.
In PT she was learning to use crutches. They want her on crutches not on the walker. We know that she is not ready for the crutches yet. Her balance and muscle strength is not there yet. She is just too weak to keep herself upright and balanced. The walker is good for now. During OT/RT they lined up all of the patients on the back lawn for a game of Bocce Ball. Abi is the youngest patient and had a good time besting all the older folks.

She is eating a little bit, but not much. They have given her 2 nights break from her feeding tube hoping her appetite would pick up. She ate 1/5 of her chicken wrap for lunch today. She is drinking more, but not near enough. When I left Josh was trying to force her to eat a snickers bar. She had eaten a 1/4 of it. I told her she had to choose the highest calorie snack off the snack cart when it came around. She asked if that was a fat joke. I said "no it's a skinny joke!"

Abi weighed 125 pounds when she arrived at the hospital. She now weighs 97 pounds.  She really needs to eat some high calorie foods.  She was scared this morning and crying because of her weight.  The problem is that she really has no appetite to speak of. We have decided she just needs to eat regardless of whether she wants to or not, she is just going to have to do it and eventually her appetite will come back.
If the doctors are not satisfied with her caloric and fluid intake by morning they will be giving her an IV again and hooking her feeding tube up again.

Tonight Josh will be staying with her. It will be good for them to spend time together.
I promise to take up my camera and get more pics of Abi, just as soon as I remember!!!

catching up!

Wow if it weren't for Dave helping with this blog I don't think you would have any updates! It is a good thing we make a great team  LOL!

I got to stay the night with Abi last night and I forgot to take my camera. I was bummed about it. I really want some pictures of her walking. Even though she thinks she looks like a granny with a walker.

 Today I was able to get Abi to drink 7 ounces of a carnation instant breakfast. But it has to be chocolate or she won't touch it! I had to push it constantly, even in therapy, when she was taking breaks. She ate a few potato chips for me also. When I talked to her a few minutes ago she said she ate a few bites of her chicken at dinner. They finally have her feeding tube turned way down at night. Hopefully after a few nights of this she will start to get an appetite. She has no desire for any kind of food whatsoever, so we just have to force her to try a few bites. The problem with not taking in enough calories is that her body will start to consume itself with the energy it needs to recover from her therapies.

I am also hoping that she can start blogging just a bit every few days. I think it will be therapeutic for her. You can now catch her on facebook as well once or twice a day. She wears out extremely easily so she won't spend much time on it, mostly she wants to sleep more than anything.

Recreational and occupational therapy want to take her to the gateway shopping. She said it would ruin her reputation to be caught down there in a walker. Then they said they should go out to lunch at a restaurant and she said she wasn't hungry.  They suggested going for a ride on the Trax train but it seemed too overwhelming of a thought for her. Maybe next week some of these ideas will seem more appealing. Mostly I think her lack of energy eclipses everything else in her life!