I know I said I would do better...

I need to turn this over to my mom so that you can get daily progress reports from her. And I think she is almost getting to the point that she would be able and would actually want to. We had a little set back this past weekend, they sent mom back to the hospital on Friday. Her hurt leg was still pretty swollen and they were worried about it so they did an ultra sound and found a clot that was in a vein that ran the length of her thigh. Thankfully they caught it and were able to get her to the hospital to have a filter put in. They have her on blood thinners and it's kind of a guessing game as to how long it will take and the right amount of medication before they will release her back to the rehab. Mom was pretty frustrated at first she was doing so well in her physical therapy it was hard to be stuck in bed again, but she does her reps and is trying not to lose the muscle. Another little bleep in the progress but definately one to be grateful for considering the alternative. Christmas is close and we are so grateful she will be here to spend it with us. Hope yours is happy as well!

The things we take for granted...

Mom continues to improve. She is working hard. She says that she has had to change the way she thinks and moves. Something as simple as moving a leg takes a lot more thought. Things you and I don't have to think about, we just do, Mom has to take a few minutes to figure out in her head first and then focus on the right muscles to make it all work. Who would have thought that you need timing to stand up? Mom is finding this all out. She is able to transfer her self from the bed to her chair using just a sliding board (basically a bridge to shimmy across from the chair to the bed) And she is able to put more weight on her good leg. She's not quite standing on it yet but she should be soon. Lacey is a tough task master and Mom says she needs a whip but we all love her for it. She's gonna make Mom better whether she likes it or not. She is able to balance the right amount of love with enough butt kickin' that my Mom admits she needs. Thanks for checking up on us, hope all is well!

Busy, Busy, Busy

This new rehab is so great! It has been a totally different experience then before. She wakes up, showers, gets dressed, has breakfast then is busy all day with doctors, therapists and all the other things they have her doing. She has been having a hard time sleeping at night because of all the time she was spending in bed at the other rehab. She was so exhausted when I left last night though that hopefully she actually got some rest. She says she has a much better attitude about her recovery now too. She can see what she needs to do and there is an end in sight which makes the whole thing a little more bearable. She has a sweet new motorized wheel chair to help get her around and right now they are focusing on building muscle in the good arm and leg. She's definitely making progress!

Transfers...

Mom will be transfered to a rehab up north tomorrow!! I went and saw it the other day and it is awesome. Totally different from where she is now. We can't wait! Thank you for the feed back, we appreciate it, and I'm sure my mom will too!

HaPpY 30Th AnNiVeRsArY!!

Glad you two got married so we could be born and so impressed that you still can stand each other! We love you, you're the best parents ever!



My Mom and Dad were supposed to be on a Mexican cruise this week for their anniversary. So us kiddos decided to bring Mexico to them! (Thanks for the help Myrna!)




No my mom didn't grow a mustache in rehab...that's fake. It's bad in there but it's not THAT bad! (Sorry about the pix they were taken with a cell phone and the other one is old)

"You spin me right round, baby, right round"....

First off SO SORRY it took me so long to do another post. She was bounced around so many times I wasn't sure what to say. It was a roller coaster for us so I was waiting til it stopped so you all wouldn't have to ride it too! They released mom to a rehab and when she was there they were doing her physical evaluation she was complaining of pain in the leg that wasn't hurt in the accident. They were concerned about a possible broken back, or nerve damage. Also she was still slurring her speech and not remembering things that she should so they sent her back to the hospital...but not the same one she was in before. She was there for two days waiting for an MRI then when they finally did get her in they only MRI-ed her head so she had to go in again for her back. On the first try they dropped her and ripped off her cast! So the ortho surgeon had to check her wrist to make sure that it was still OK and to recast it! What a circus! The MRIs where clean though, she does have some nerve damage in her back which they say is fixable just not right now. She is OK for rehab it will just take a little longer. Anyway now she is back at the original rehab and doing well. She has been in a wheel chair and sitting up in bed, which is huge when you've been on your back for 2 weeks! We are still hoping to get her closer to home later on, but for now she'll be there until we can finish her follow up appointments for her surgeries. So now your current and I promise to do better in the future! To make it up to you, I have a surprise......Straight from her rehab bed, sitting in an open back gown....

Hi all-
Glad to be back in the land of the living! Just a quick note...Thank you so much for the love, prayers and support for me and my family. The prayers are felt and much needed. My kids have told me about the blog but I haven't been able to see it yet. They have told me how great you all of have been and I look forward to reading the comments. I hope to be home soon and am working hard to get there. I'm thankful for my life, my family and friends, and especially my grand kids! Also my loving husband who has not left me for 2 weeks. Hope this finds you and your families well and I hope to see you soon.
Much Thanks!
Donna

ReLeAsEd!

They are releasing my mom from the TICU tonight! The hospital bureaucracy has been a challenge but what can you do. The ortho surgeons want her to stay close for a few days so they can make sure she is mending well so she is at a rehab there in town. We are hoping that she will be able to learn what we need to in the next few days and that she will be able to go home after that and just be taken to physical therapy appointments, but we won't know until after they evaluate her. Mom is in good spirits and is anxious to get home. I asked her tonight if she was ready for visitors and she said not quite. I think she's worried about what she might do or say while she's on the pain meds. She's been pretty funny. Anyway, hopefully we will be able to talk her into letting us post some pictures soon. It's probably a little morbid but I want everyone to see her war wounds. We'll post more when we know more. Thanks for everything!

Movin' up in the world...

Mom continues to improve. The feeding tube has been removed, the neck brace has been removed, she's not on the morphine anymore so the bad dreams have stopped. They are talking about releasing her from the trauma unit sometime today, but we are still looking at another week in the hospital. She's not quite ready for visitors yet but that should be coming shortly. We do need some help though...After the hospital my mom will be released to an impatient long term acute care rehab center. Basically its a rehab that can still care for her medical needs as well as start her rehab when she's ready for it. We don't know anything about rehab centers so we are hoping some of you have had experiences either yourselves or with family that we can learn from. Positive and negative feedback would be appreciated. We have been purposely vague in the blog as to not give an exact location because of crazies in the blogging world but we are looking at going either north or south from where my parents live so if you know anything about centers at either place please share! Thank you again for all you have done. We are so grateful, and continue to be amazed at so many peoples acts of kindness. Thank you!

TALK TALK TALK

well moms awake and talking the spirits in the family are up and we are smiling more she is still very sore and very groggy she says things that she doesnt think all the way through that makes us laugh she still doesnt remember much like me having a son but she has sat up in her bed and is even playing tricks on dad. she even gets to have her so deserved diet pepsi and she gives the longest sigh in approval dad still wont leave her but ITS FINALLY GETTING BETTER

Itty bitty, teeny weeny, small, petite, little, baby steps

That's what it feels like. My mom is making progress and it feels so painfully slow. The air tube has made her so sore she still can't talk. She wants to and she tries but you still can only understand a word or two. They still haven't been able to take the neck brace off because my mom can't tell them where it does and doesn't hurt. They did get her sat up tonight for a few hours, and while she didn't get a chance to pass the swallow test she is able to do the things they would ask her to do when my Dad or I ask her. She is able to nod yes or no questions and she is slowly coming out of it. We just have to keep waiting....and patience is not a strong virtue for our family. Thanks for all the support. Keep thinkin' about us. We love you for it.

We've been extubated!!!!........that's a good thing!!

Do you know how you just know certain things about your family? Well I know for a fact, absolutely no question in my mind my Mom does not like a tube down her throat! And they finally took it out. This is great news! They've had to wait a few extra days to take it out because the patient has to be coherent and pass a few breathing tests and the way my Mom's body has been reacting to the medication has prevented her from waking up enough to pass the tests. They will also be taking the neck brace off tonight which she doesn't like either. It seems like its taken forever but things are finally moving. Hopefully she will be talking tomorrow!

"THE DONNATRON"

THE DONNATRON....... THIS IS THE NAME THAT I (JANTEN) HAVE SO LOVINGLY DUBBED MY MOTHER FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS AND THE REASON FOR IT IS THAT I UNCONSCIOUSLY THOUGHT THAT MY MOTHER IS UNTOUCHABLE WELL THIS HAS BEEN THE HARDEST PART IN MY LIFE TO THIS POINT FOR ONE I'M TORN, MY MIND CANNOT DECIDE IF THIS IS THE HAPPIEST WEEK IN MY LIFE DUE TO THE BIRTH OF MY BIG HEALTHY BABY BOY THAT I ADORE TO NO END OR THE SADDEST THREE DAYS LATTER GETTING THE NEWS THAT MY MOTHER HAS BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND MY WORLD TURNED UP SIDE DOWN THE HARDEST PART IS WATCHING MY SISTERS AND FATHER BEAT THEMSELVES UP NIGHT AFTER NIGHT AND MYSELF INCLUDED TRYING TO HELP HEAL MY MOTHER WITH OUR LOVE HOPING AND PRAYING THAT IF WE JUST STAY BY HER AND SHE HEARS OUR VOICES SHE WILL OPEN HER EYES AND SAY THOSE WORDS THAT DAD SISTERS AND ME LONG FOR THE MOST A SIMPLE "I LOVE YOU" FROM THE CENTER OF OUR UNIVERSE OUR MOTHER THE BACKBONE TO THE FAMILY. THE THING ABOUT THIS WHOLE MESS IS THAT I AM LEARNING NEW THINGS ABOUT MYSELF FOR INSTANCE MY ATTITUDE ABOUT SIMPLE CAR SAFETY I FIND MYSELF WEARING MY SEAT BELT AND DRIVING SLOWER THAN THE SPEED LIMIT AND ASKING EVERY ONE TO BE CAREFUL. SO FOR ANY OF THOSE WHO WORRY ABOUT ME IN THIS WHOLE MESS I'M NOT OK....ANY SONS OUT THERE WILL AGREE WITH ME THE LOVE OF A SON FOR HIS MOTHER IS LIKE NO OTHER I WONT BE OKAY EITHER UNTIL MY MOMMY CAN WRAP HER ARMS AROUND ME AND HOLD ME TIGHT AND WHISPER I LOVE YOU........... P.S. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAD THE SAME IMPRESSION THAT SHE WAS UNTOUCHABLE, SHE IS HUMAN BUT ONE THINGS STILL THE SAME SHE STILL HAS THAT BIG HEART MADE OF GOLD. LOVE YOU MOMMA

Letters to Mom

Hey Mom,
Its been 4 days since your accident and we are here just waiting (impatiently) for you to wake up. You will open your eyes and lift your hand ever once in a while but it's pretty obvious that your not there yet. They are saying that they will wait until tomorrow to do the MRI so they're are not in a big hurry to wake you up yet. We want them too so bad but we understand that its better to let you do it in your own time. Lacey described it perfectly when she said its like delaying Christmas. ......In the mean time I just wanted to let you know that Dad is lost with out you, we all are. I don't think it ever occurred to any of us that you could get hurt. You are super mom. You always know what to do to fix any situation. If you say things will be OK then it will. Dad wouldn't leave you right after the accident and later would only leave if one of us kids were there. It was never for very long though. There were a few times that he couldn't stay because of surgery or stitches and I thought he would crawl out of his skin he was so antsy. There were a few times that he went back when he wasn't supposed to, he just couldn't stand waiting anymore. He asked us to keep people out of the hospital because he felt obligated to be out in the lobby when all he wanted was to be in the room with you. He talks to you while you sleep and is constantly moving tubes and wires to make you more comfortable. It is a side of him I have never seen before. It sucks right now but I think in the long run it will benefit us all. Make us appreciate you and each other more. Dad asked me the other day to teach him to run the laundry cuz he had never learned with the front loading :) Rest a little longer, because its almost time. We love you. See you soon.

Lookin' Good!

Mom is out of surgery and things are looking good. The doctors said that they feel good about the surgeries and expect things to heal well. She is still out of it and the nurse says she probably will be until tomorrow but all of us should be able to get in there and see her soon. They have her scheduled for an MRI but other than that we are almost in the clear as far as the super serious stuff goes. We still have a long way to go but there is an end in sight. Thank you again to all of you who have been with us, we love you!

Lacey needs her MOMMA!!!!

This is by far the craziest thing I have ever had to deal with. It is a roller coaster of emotions from complete confusion and fear, to laughing and bonding with the people I love the most! (ya that's right it's you the fam!)Yesterday was the worst day of my whole life.....I listened to how my Dad and Sister talked to my Mom even in her drunken state and honestly I was jealous. So I begged for a chance to hang out with my mom for the night. Late that night they decided to keep the breathing tube in her throat, which also means they had to keep her under heavy medication to keep her comfortable. In the morning they wanted to take the breathing tube out. I called my dad and had him come over. As soon as they let him in I gave him a second and got some gum from the vending machine out in the lobby.(the way this works is you have to get a badge from a guard to get through a remote controlled door to get to the area where my mom is. They only let two people in the room at a time)I ask for my badge back and they won't give one to me. Only one person can be in the room for a three hour period........Since I was told about this accident I have never been able to tell my mom how much she means to me. I miss my mom so much my chest just burns and my body just wants to give up. I feel like she has no idea I am even here. I never told her, and maybe never realized how dependant I am on my mom. I love her guts. Just looking at her face makes my heart not hurt so bad. Last night my dad and I were in the room talking and I had my mom's hand and I said," mom it's Lacey.Mom if you know I love you squeeze my hand one time." AND SHE DID!! We got so excited!! I said."If you think Dad loves you more than me squeeze my hand 14 times." hahahahahahah -Mom even in so much pain you knew exactly what "I" needed I don't really know what to do without you when I'm sad?! You're who I go to, to make it better.I love you Mom and we all need you. Thank you everyone who has helped me. Your acts of kindness are truly appreciated.

Pelvis is done and looking good

These are pictures on my mom's pelvis after surgery. She ended up doing 3 screws in her back and the metal plate in the front. It seems to have went well and they are working on the arm now. It should be done shortly. The other picture is a the scene of the accident. The fire ball is my mom's bike.

Bumped up

They decided to take my mom into surgery on her pelvis earlier. She is in surgery now. They will start on the pins in her back and as long as things are stable will continue to the plate in front and then start working on her hand. The nurse estimated getting her awake and the air tube out around 5 or 6 tonight, however it could be much later. We will post when she is out and how the surgery went. We might get to talk to my mom tonight!

Pelvis is a go

They heard from the pelvis specialist. He is ready to do surgery. They will try to do it tomorrow at the same time as the arm, if its not working out then it will for sure be done on Wednesday. The specialist said that she will need 2 pins in her back and either a metal plate or the stabilizing bar in the front. The risks are hitting nerves and other general surgery risks. They estimate that it will be 4 weeks until she can go from a bed to a wheel chair and after 8 weeks she will be able to try to start using both the pelvis and the leg again, assuming all goes well. I'm not sure where in that time frame she will be able to come home or if she will be able to at all. This is a big one. Please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers, I know that it has helped and we have felt and seen the effects of your support! We'll post as soon as we know more tomorrow. G'nite.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Let's start with the ugly.....OK quick like a band aid...Some things that some well wishers need to understand. My Mom is in serious critical condition. She is in the TICU. She is stable but still critical. She is not and has not been coherent since the accident. Please, please, please do not call my Dad asking if you can come visit, she can not have visitors. Do not give others my Dad's cell number. Do not come to the hospital. Do not call the hospital looking for my mother. We appreciate the gesture but it makes my Dad feel obligated to be out in the lobby when all he wants is to be with my mom. We apologize and don't intend to offend however some well wishers have not had accurate information and were under the impression that my mom was just hanging out in the hospital with a cast which is not the case. We appreciate what you are trying to do but please stop. We know how to ask for help and we WILL call you if and when we need you...
Which leads me to the bad....Dad and Lacey got more information tonight. They have not taken the neck brace off of my Mom yet and we were told tonight it is because of a concern for one of her vertebrae. I don't know why whether it broken or what but if the doctors are concerned then we are concerned. The pelvis is serious. We were also told that timing is important with this type of injury if they operate to early it could mean surgery after surgery. So it is important to have a good long look by the specialist. He might want to operate right away he might want to look again in a week he might look again in a month. We don't know but it is not something that should or can be rushed.
And finally the good....the nurses say considering her injuries she is doing very very well. They said that she is doing better than others they have seen in similar situations. The arm specialist came and she is scheduled for her arm surgery tomorrow. Because of the pending surgery they decided to leave the air tube in and they re-sedated her. My Dad is in better spirits and we are feeling a little less shocked and a little more in control of ourselves. Its still up and down but better. Once again and always thank you, and please excuse the rantings and strong worded requests of a worried daughter.

Backtrack

While the blog is to keep everyone updated, I'd also like for it to be a journal of sorts for Mom to see later and hopefully to be able to write her own thoughts and experiences when she is feeling better so I hope any readers are OK with some personal experiences and thoughts along the way. There were a few things I wanted to add that happened before we got the blog up that I wanted to remember...

When Mom was first brought to the hospital she was the one who was most stable so she was bumped to the end of the surgery list, plus she was having multiple surgeries. Dad wasn't gonna leave mom so the kids split up taking care of Dad. I (Brooke) got to stay with them the first night. In the daily grind I forgot how selfless my mom is but I was reminded of it constantly that night. For the first part every time Mom would wake up the first words out of her mouth were out of concern for who she might have hurt. At first she thought she was on the bus and that she had hurt the kids. Then she was afraid that she was in the car and when she saw me she was afraid that she's had her grand kids with her, after that she was asking about the other guy involved. A lot of the time she talked about her family and how much she loved us and while there are some very personal experiences that happened that are inappropriate to share in a blog there are a few "Donna-isms" I don't want to forget. Mom would wake up for literally 15-45 seconds and then sleep for the same span of time. Often we would have to repeat information that we had just told her 60 seconds ago. These are prime examples of why Donna, drugs, and concussions don't mix:

#1
Wakes up
Mom: "Did you ride in the ambulance with me?"
Dad: "No, you were life flighted in a helicopter."
Mom: "I was?! Oh, I missed it!"
Out cold
Repeated about 3 times then,
Mom: "Oh I remember!"
Brooke: "What?"
Mom: "I came on a train!"
Giggles and smiles from me and Dad.
Mom: "Oh wait... I didn't come on a train... did I? Was I on a train?"
Out Cold

#2
Wakes up
Mom: "Bevan?"
Dad jolts from head-bobbing sleep: "Yes?"
Mom: "Tell the ladies I can't make Bunco... wait can I go to Bunco?"
Out cold

#3
Wakes up
Mom looking worried: "Bevan was it my fault?"
Dad: "No, honey it wasn't your fault."
After a pause looking even more worried "Are we gonna sue? We're not suing are we?"
Out cold

#4
Wakes up
Brooke: "Mom, you were in an accident."
Mom: "I was? Was I assaulted?"
Brooke: "No mom, you were in a motorcycle accident."
Mom: "Oh, cause I made a report, and they're looking for me"
Brooke: "Who's looking for you?
Mom: "Mesquite Police"
Out cold

#5
Wakes up
Mom: "All I want, all that I wish I could have was a great big diet Pepsi."
Out cold

Later when she was a little more coherent she told me that she was having dreams all night which was crazy considering it was never more than a few seconds that her eye's would close. She kept the doctors and nurses pretty entertained with little comments she made to everything they said. She was pretty loopy!

Mom never let us sleep in...

This morning at 5 they started trying to wake Mom up. She's taking her time waking up though. She has to be breathing with out the air tube before they will take it out, so it has not been removed yet but should be soon. There are not any surgeries scheduled right now. They are waiting to hear back from the hand specialist and they say the pelvis specialist has been on vacation and should be back today. So it looks like today will probably be a recoop day, which is good. Dad is looking a little better after actually getting some sleep in a real bed (thanks family for all the options of places to stay) Lacey held down the fort so Dad wouldn't worry. We still have a long way to go but there is some relief with one successful surgery down. Many thanks for all the comments and interest I know it will be as moving for our parents as it has been for us to see the show of love and concern when they are able to read them. We are so grateful!

Until morning.......

Donna came through the surgery well. The doctors were thinking about taking the tube out of her throat, but decided to keep her intebated until morning. She is pretty sedated to help her get some rest. The kids were able to see her and Bevan will be staying with her tonight. That's all for tonight. Another update will be posted in the morning after we talk to the doctors. Again, we thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers.

First Surgery

After 5 hours of surgery to repair her broken leg, Donna has a pin through her femur bone, and 2 screws in her ankle. She is still intebated, but is expected to have air tube removed later tonight. Surgery seemed successful. Still no word on when pelvis surgery or arm surgery will take place. We appreciate the concern, and due to time limits and call volume (and for my dad's sake), please continue to check the blog for updates.