Today was a good day. Your prayers have been heard and Nicole is being blessed. The fluid in her left lung is basically gone now. The swelling in her face continues to go down, and her color gets better and better.
She didn't respond to the tests today the way the doctor wanted, but they all enjoyed how she DID respond. When the doctor pushed on her chest and asked her to show him a thumbs up, she literally tried to push him away. It was a good sign. Not what they wanted, but good.
We are told to make our prayers specific so here is a prayer update:
1. still pray for reduced swelling in her checks and neck
2. pray that she will respond to her tests
And as always we are praying for a full recovery. Again, thank you so much.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
A Fast for Nicole
Rustin Update for September 7th
Nicole is breathing by herself today without any assistance from the respirator. Your prayers are totally working. Thank you. The swelling in her face continues to go down and her color continues to get better. She is still not responsive to her tests. She didn't move a lot today but was very fidgety this evening.
So here is the prayer update.
1. pray for a reducation in the swelling of the checks and neck.
2. there is a little liquid in her left lung - likely a bit of pneumonia. They are treating her for it, but it would be much better if it weren't there.
3. we would love it if she would start responding to her tests
And as always, we are praying for her brain to recover fully. Your prayers are working. Thank you so much!
So here is the prayer update.
1. pray for a reducation in the swelling of the checks and neck.
2. there is a little liquid in her left lung - likely a bit of pneumonia. They are treating her for it, but it would be much better if it weren't there.
3. we would love it if she would start responding to her tests
And as always, we are praying for her brain to recover fully. Your prayers are working. Thank you so much!
A Big Blessing!
This morning Nicole is breathing on her own! She is still hooked up to a breathing machine but now she is doing all the breathing independently. Her breaths are good and deep; not shallow. Surely prayers are helping her.
The breathing tube will remain in place for a while yet. Should it be removed and need to be inserted again; they may not be able to get it back in due to the extreme swelling throughout her head, neck and face. So it will stay in for a while yet.
She is still in intensive care. She is still in a coma; but it is wonderful to know she can breathe on her own.
The breathing tube will remain in place for a while yet. Should it be removed and need to be inserted again; they may not be able to get it back in due to the extreme swelling throughout her head, neck and face. So it will stay in for a while yet.
She is still in intensive care. She is still in a coma; but it is wonderful to know she can breathe on her own.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Rustin update for September 6th
We were told that on the third day after a severe trauma there is often some backsliding. Today for us was not especially bad or good. The swelling in Nicole's face has gone down some more and her color is very much improved. Today was the first time that she was not very responsive to the verbal command tests. She is moving and fidgeting a lot more when the nurses move her, and she tries to resolve areas of discomfort at that time.
The doctors have counseled us to keep her recovery area less stimulating and possibly confusing to her brain - no touching her or talking to her, or hovering over her. We need to hold off on visits to Nicole's room for a little bit. They will let us know when she can receive visitors again.
We need to change the focus of our prayers to four things:
1) We need the swelling in her neck and the lower part of her face to go down.
2) We need her to be able to wean herself off the respirator and breathe independently
3) She needs to respond to verbal commands.
4) Keep praying for a full recovery
Thank you again so much. Know that your prayers are working.
The doctors have counseled us to keep her recovery area less stimulating and possibly confusing to her brain - no touching her or talking to her, or hovering over her. We need to hold off on visits to Nicole's room for a little bit. They will let us know when she can receive visitors again.
We need to change the focus of our prayers to four things:
1) We need the swelling in her neck and the lower part of her face to go down.
2) We need her to be able to wean herself off the respirator and breathe independently
3) She needs to respond to verbal commands.
4) Keep praying for a full recovery
Thank you again so much. Know that your prayers are working.
Rustin update for Labor Day September 5th
Nicole is still in intensive care. She is still in a coma, but there are some positive signs. The swelling in her face as gone down some and we can discern her nose and even see some eyelashes. The doctors dropped her coma-inducing medication for a few minutes and asked her to raise two fingers and she was able to respond appropriately. The color is coming back to her skin; she is less ashen and more peachy. Looks good!
Today they removed the bolt-like sensor that was measuring how intense the pressure was between her swollen brain and her skull. After surgery it was "20" - dangerously high. The next morning it was bout "16", by afternoon "14", and stabilized that evening at "12" the target number. She maintained that number over a long enough period of hours they felt it was safe to remove the bolt from her head. We watched those numbers come down with such joy!
In your prayers, please pray for enough oxygen to the brain, for brain healing and full recovery. We know that your prayers are working. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Today they removed the bolt-like sensor that was measuring how intense the pressure was between her swollen brain and her skull. After surgery it was "20" - dangerously high. The next morning it was bout "16", by afternoon "14", and stabilized that evening at "12" the target number. She maintained that number over a long enough period of hours they felt it was safe to remove the bolt from her head. We watched those numbers come down with such joy!
In your prayers, please pray for enough oxygen to the brain, for brain healing and full recovery. We know that your prayers are working. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
If it so be that ye should bring one soul unto me; how great shall be your joy
We sent out the call for prayers for Nicole as widely as we knew how. Many kind, good, friends have responded. Nicole's name is now on the prayer rolls of temples across Utah and Idaho. Thank you. Thank you.
Today we got a message that has brought tears of gratitude to our eyes. Nicole served a mission in Louisville, Kentucky. While there she had one convert; a young woman whom we have met and visited and love. She still lives in Kentucky. When she became aware of Nicole's situation, she called eighteen temples in the South and Midwest to put Nicole's name on their prayer rolls.
Today we got a message that has brought tears of gratitude to our eyes. Nicole served a mission in Louisville, Kentucky. While there she had one convert; a young woman whom we have met and visited and love. She still lives in Kentucky. When she became aware of Nicole's situation, she called eighteen temples in the South and Midwest to put Nicole's name on their prayer rolls.
Calling Down the powers of Heaven
We stayed in bed about three hours, but it was not restful. About 7:30 am Jeff and Carole and I sat on the bed and talked about what we could do. This was so horrible! We felt completely helpless. What could we do?
I knew I needed a blessing for comfort. Everyone agreed with that notion. We ALL needed blessings. Jeff called Uncle Tom our family patriarch, and Uncle Rich whose calling is a stake patriarch to come to our home.
In the meantime, I felt the only thing we could do was to pray for Nicole. But it was fast Sunday and what if others would join us in fasting and praying for Nicole? I hurriedly dressed and drove over to the 27th Ward. I knocked on the Bishop's door and saw four shocked faces above suits and ties as I went in. I told them we had an emergency and needed the prayers and faith of our Ward members in behalf of Nicole. They agreed to take care of it.
Then I drove to the Olympus Seminary building where the Bonneville Branch meets. This branch serves men just released from prison who reside at the halfway house. Sponsors pick them up and bring them to Sunday services where Jeff teaches the Gospels Essentials class and also helps each of them find employment. The building was open but no one was there. I saw some papers and a notebook on the table in the classroom. As I was writing a note, Stewart McLaren walked in. I told him what happened. The Bonneville Branch was onboard.
Rustin called the South Jordan River 3rd Ward, where he and Nicole work with the Young Men and Young Women. More prayers for Nicole. Carole and Mandy called Bishop Swenson of their Young Adults Ward. Additional prayers for Nicole.
I emailed all the family and friends I could think of at that moment, and and pled with them to pray for Nicole.
In Luke 18 Jesus tells the parable of the judge and the importunate widow. The widow gets consideration from the judge because of her persistent, continual requests. Jesus promises us that if a judge will reward the widow our Heavenly Father will do even more for us! This is our reason and faith in seeking your prayers to bless Nicole. You have our deepest heartfelt gratitude.
I knew I needed a blessing for comfort. Everyone agreed with that notion. We ALL needed blessings. Jeff called Uncle Tom our family patriarch, and Uncle Rich whose calling is a stake patriarch to come to our home.
In the meantime, I felt the only thing we could do was to pray for Nicole. But it was fast Sunday and what if others would join us in fasting and praying for Nicole? I hurriedly dressed and drove over to the 27th Ward. I knocked on the Bishop's door and saw four shocked faces above suits and ties as I went in. I told them we had an emergency and needed the prayers and faith of our Ward members in behalf of Nicole. They agreed to take care of it.
Then I drove to the Olympus Seminary building where the Bonneville Branch meets. This branch serves men just released from prison who reside at the halfway house. Sponsors pick them up and bring them to Sunday services where Jeff teaches the Gospels Essentials class and also helps each of them find employment. The building was open but no one was there. I saw some papers and a notebook on the table in the classroom. As I was writing a note, Stewart McLaren walked in. I told him what happened. The Bonneville Branch was onboard.
Rustin called the South Jordan River 3rd Ward, where he and Nicole work with the Young Men and Young Women. More prayers for Nicole. Carole and Mandy called Bishop Swenson of their Young Adults Ward. Additional prayers for Nicole.
I emailed all the family and friends I could think of at that moment, and and pled with them to pray for Nicole.
In Luke 18 Jesus tells the parable of the judge and the importunate widow. The widow gets consideration from the judge because of her persistent, continual requests. Jesus promises us that if a judge will reward the widow our Heavenly Father will do even more for us! This is our reason and faith in seeking your prayers to bless Nicole. You have our deepest heartfelt gratitude.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Night Terrors
Jeff and I were at the beautiful wedding of Emily Bourne and Thayne Davis at the Salt Lake Country Club. We were visiting with friends when a staff member came and gave Jeff a message. It said, "Come to the Emergency Room on 5300 South and State. Your daughter has been in an accident."
When we got there, Carole, Clark, and Amanda were already there. Rustin was with Nicole. The emergency room's Dr. Nicolson was briefing us on Nicole's injuries and actions that were to be taken. The immediate concern was two hematoma's one on either side of her brain. Apparently, this type of injury resulted in actress, Natasha Richardson's, death after a skiing accident a year or so ago.
Nicole was unconscious, but as they were wheeling her to surgery, Jeff, Rustin and Clark administered a priesthood blessing. Neurosurgeon, Dr. Maughan, came to explain what would happen. Her skull is fractured on the left side. He would remove the fractured portion and extract the blood clot (hematoma). On the right side, he must cut into the skull to remove that hematoma. The most critical issue after this surgery is the bruised and jostled brain swelling and pressure building inside the skull with no outlet. Enough pressure of this kind can lead to death.
Rustin and his friends, Jen & Keric Kanistaneaux went back to search the scene of the accident to try to discern what happened. No one saw it. The rest of us were lead to a large empty waiting room on the second floor. We found a tiny consultation room and nearby and knealt together. There, each of us offered a prayer for Nicole. I wondered if she was so close to the veil that she may have had an out of body experience as I envisioned her watching us from above.
Then we waited.
About 3:00 am, Brayden Iwasaki brought our dog, Barkley to the hospital. He is a trained therapy dog who regularly visits hospital patients and was therefore allowed to come in. He came to the waiting room and went around to each of us with with a wagging tail and a nuzzle of love. I threw my arms around his big furry black neck and as I cried I felt a good portion of the tension and grief melt away into his soft black fur. He is truly part of our family and he came and anchored us with his affection.
Dr. Maughan came in and reported that the surgery had gone well. I asked about her prognosis and he could not give any answer other that we were looking at a slow day by day process. At this point Nicole's care was turned over to Dr. Van Boerum. He came in and reported her additional injuries; 2 broken ribs, bruised lungs, a fracture of the 4th cervical vertebrae in her neck, 2 compression fractures in her lower back vertebrae, concussion, skull fracture, breaks in all the bones of her face, a possible ruptured left ear drum.
As both doctors were talking to us, I could feel myself shaking uncontrollably inside. I think I was in shock.
Amanda asked if they would save Nicole's long hair when they shaved her head for surgery. The nurse told us it was pretty gory, but she would clean off and save what she could. She later bought in a long pony tail of Nicole's hair and gave it to Amanda.
She was returned to intensive care about 3:45 am. They warned us that her head was shaved, and extremely swollen. both eyes were black; basically she was unrecognizable. We were asked not to talk or touch her because any sensory stimulation would activate brain activity and increase the swelling that was so dangerously high.
We huddled together around her bed and said a prayer. Carole sat on the floor as she was feeling faint. Afterwards, Rustin stayed with Nicole at the hospital and the rest of us went home for a few hours.
As I walked into my darkened bedroom at 4:30 am I wondered what kind of darkness Nicole was in. Was her world of sensation black? Was she in horrendous pain? Was her spirit in darkness or light? I couldn't sleep. Once I laid down the inner trembling returned and I was cold despite the covers. Jeff held me and for the first time in our married life of forty years, he broke down and sobbed.
When we got there, Carole, Clark, and Amanda were already there. Rustin was with Nicole. The emergency room's Dr. Nicolson was briefing us on Nicole's injuries and actions that were to be taken. The immediate concern was two hematoma's one on either side of her brain. Apparently, this type of injury resulted in actress, Natasha Richardson's, death after a skiing accident a year or so ago.
Nicole was unconscious, but as they were wheeling her to surgery, Jeff, Rustin and Clark administered a priesthood blessing. Neurosurgeon, Dr. Maughan, came to explain what would happen. Her skull is fractured on the left side. He would remove the fractured portion and extract the blood clot (hematoma). On the right side, he must cut into the skull to remove that hematoma. The most critical issue after this surgery is the bruised and jostled brain swelling and pressure building inside the skull with no outlet. Enough pressure of this kind can lead to death.
Rustin and his friends, Jen & Keric Kanistaneaux went back to search the scene of the accident to try to discern what happened. No one saw it. The rest of us were lead to a large empty waiting room on the second floor. We found a tiny consultation room and nearby and knealt together. There, each of us offered a prayer for Nicole. I wondered if she was so close to the veil that she may have had an out of body experience as I envisioned her watching us from above.
Then we waited.
About 3:00 am, Brayden Iwasaki brought our dog, Barkley to the hospital. He is a trained therapy dog who regularly visits hospital patients and was therefore allowed to come in. He came to the waiting room and went around to each of us with with a wagging tail and a nuzzle of love. I threw my arms around his big furry black neck and as I cried I felt a good portion of the tension and grief melt away into his soft black fur. He is truly part of our family and he came and anchored us with his affection.
Dr. Maughan came in and reported that the surgery had gone well. I asked about her prognosis and he could not give any answer other that we were looking at a slow day by day process. At this point Nicole's care was turned over to Dr. Van Boerum. He came in and reported her additional injuries; 2 broken ribs, bruised lungs, a fracture of the 4th cervical vertebrae in her neck, 2 compression fractures in her lower back vertebrae, concussion, skull fracture, breaks in all the bones of her face, a possible ruptured left ear drum.
As both doctors were talking to us, I could feel myself shaking uncontrollably inside. I think I was in shock.
Amanda asked if they would save Nicole's long hair when they shaved her head for surgery. The nurse told us it was pretty gory, but she would clean off and save what she could. She later bought in a long pony tail of Nicole's hair and gave it to Amanda.
She was returned to intensive care about 3:45 am. They warned us that her head was shaved, and extremely swollen. both eyes were black; basically she was unrecognizable. We were asked not to talk or touch her because any sensory stimulation would activate brain activity and increase the swelling that was so dangerously high.
We huddled together around her bed and said a prayer. Carole sat on the floor as she was feeling faint. Afterwards, Rustin stayed with Nicole at the hospital and the rest of us went home for a few hours.
As I walked into my darkened bedroom at 4:30 am I wondered what kind of darkness Nicole was in. Was her world of sensation black? Was she in horrendous pain? Was her spirit in darkness or light? I couldn't sleep. Once I laid down the inner trembling returned and I was cold despite the covers. Jeff held me and for the first time in our married life of forty years, he broke down and sobbed.
Nicole's Accident September 3, 2011
Saturday at 6pm, Rustin brought Nicole to our house after work and unveiled the scooter he had refurbished for her. He had matched the sparkly blue paint to the color of the beloved beach cruiser bike she calls "Tina Sparkle". He had custom made the leather seat - half white, half red with a circle star design in the center; reminiscent of Captain America. Rustin and friend, Brayden Iwasaki has worked all day to make sure everything mechanically was in tip top shape. Nicole was thrilled and delighted with this personalized gift.
To celebrate Carole, Rustin and Nicole decided to go to dinner at the Dodo in Sugarhouse. They rode their scooters on back roads with little traffic. They enjoyed their dinner together and started for home. About 9:00pm, as they were traveling south around the "S" shaped curve between the church and OC Tanner's property on 2700 East between 33rd and 39th south, the unthinkable happened.
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