Coming Back Amid Laughter and Tears

Thursday Nicole asked Jeff is anyone else was hurt in the car accident.  He told her, "No, YOU were hurt in a motorscooter accident."

Friday Carole laid down next to her and at Nicole's request, told her what had happened.  Nicole talked to us a lot this day.  Her voice is high-pitched, soft and breathy but she was using it to interact with us more than she has since the accident.  Nicole remembered that she, Carole and Rustin had gone to dinner at the DoDo Restaurant in Sugarhouse for dinner.  Then to Red Mango where she remembered getting coconut yogurt for dessert.  She even remember riding past Dr. Van Slooten's chiropractic office but nothing after that.  After that was the accident.  We have been told that she probably will not remember it.  I think this is a blessing.  She also told Carole that during her therapy session when they told her that it was September 27th and 28th, she thought they were pulling her leg.  How could it be the end of September?  September had just barely begun for her.

I was with her Friday afternoon and evening.  She was becoming more and more aware of herself and what had happened to her.  Most of her head was shaved for the two brain surgeries.  Her face has been totally rebuilt in another surgery.  At Rustin's request, they left some long hair at the very back of her head.  So Nicole has been sporting a "mullet".  The icky part of this is that she hasn't been able to wash her hair.  During the coma and being in bed for 4 weeks, she developed a dredlock in the back of her remaining hair.  Jeff called it her "dreadful lock".  When she finally became aware of it on Friday she made us cut it out.  Then she was able to shower and wash her hair.  Clean hair feels so good.

After showering she flopped back into her hospital bed and announced in her tiny voice, "My armpits are all hairy and gross."  So for those of you who were wondering, yes, armpit hairs grow even while you are in a coma.  Straight away Rustin and Carole went to work on her.  Carole shaved her legs with this tiny little safety razor.  Rustin was drying between her toes - and Nicole laughed!  It tickled!  It was actually a high-pitched giggle but it was wonderful to hear.  We used the lovely lotions and treatments that dear ones have brought to her.  She told us she felt like she was at the spa.

Earlier that afternoon, two of her lifelong best friends came to visit.  They were delighted to find her awake and their love and enthusiasm for her healing filled the room.  Graciously their visit was not overly long.  Shortly after they left, I looked at Nicole.  I saw quiet tears coming down her face.  I imagine that she is coming to a realization of what happened and that she is now feeling the outpouring of profound love coming to her from so many she loves.  Acknowledging  all this within just a few hours was a lot to absorb.

The highlight of the day for me was hearing Nicole tell about Rustin.  For those who aren't aware, this sweet man has not left Nicole's side for any length of time since the accident.  Since she came out of the coma, he has slept in her hospital room every night.  He has done everything for her; including most of her nursing care.  He has carefully monitored her pain medication to make sure she hasn't suffered unnecessarily.  Carole told me that if she ever has to be in the hospital; she wants Rustin to come and take care of her.  Nicole's physical therapist told me that she had seen devoted husbands before, but nothing can match Rustin.  He has been ever-caring, ever-tender, ever-present.

Nicole is just beginning to recognize this.  She told me, "Everybody at this hospital thinks Rustin is wonderful.  They think he is Han Solo, the coolest guy in the galaxy.  They think he's like Luke Skywalker, who uses the Force."   Her comments are very pre-accident and now post-accident Nicole.

Rustin's is not the only hero.  Since her accident, someone in the family has been there with her 24/7.  I must mention her brother, Clark, who took nighttime duty every night to be with her while she was in ICU for two weeks.  Some of these nights she was peaceful; many she was not.  And her sisters, Carole and Amanda, who sometimes came to be with Clark and have often gone to do nighttime duty since she left ICU with Rustin.

Rustin's family has also been stellar.  His Mom & her husband come almost every evening.  Many times I find his sister and brother there.  I know his Dad has come from out of town to visit at least twice.  They are wonderful, supportive people we have been blessed to get to know well.  They have been with us through this adversity.

John 14: 8  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.  Nicole has never been alone.

Rustin Update for September 30th

Yesterday Nicole had her swallow test.  She passed everything but thin liquids:)  Again, thank you for your continued prayers.  For those of you that have visited and Nicole was sleeping, just keep on trying.  Ask those who caught her awake, it is so worth it.  We are trying to keep her evening strolls as consistent as we can.  Lately, it seems like 7:30 to 7:45 pm is the best time to show up.  Keep on praying for a full recovery.  Thanks.

The Force is with her - Finally, she can swallow a drink of water!

Yesterday morning I got this text from Rustin, "Nicole just swallowed some ice water for Megan during speech therapy!!!  She did it two more times after that too.  Very exciting; she is on her way."
Just try to imagine not having a drink for water for 23 days.  Think how parched your throat and mouth would be and how good some ice water would taste.  Nicole can tell you - almost.  She has begun talking and interacting with us a little more using a soft breathy voice.  But she is talking to us!  Hurray!  She seems to be more cognizant of who we are and when we are there and it is starting to feel like Nicole is with us again.

Thank you, thank you for your prayers in Nicole's behalf.  On Sunday several brethren from the Bonneville Halfway House Branch, where Jeff fulfills his church calling, came up to me and told me they had been praying for Nicole.  These men are humble souls and no strangers to hard times and troubled pasts. I felt great empathy from them; I'm sure their prayers have been heard.

Our artist friend, Joe MacKay, took the poster that everyone signed at our home for Nicole and added some "forceful"  design to it.  Yoda's words to Nicole, "Recover, you must!" She IS recovering and we acknowledge how much prayers have been part of that process.

Rustin Update for September 24th

Yesterday was such a great day.  Nicole had an appointment with an ENT doctor.  Good news; neither of her ear drums are punctured or ruptured.  Her vocal chords are intact but movement on the right side is weak  She has fluid in her middle ears so they will not be able to test her hearing until that has resolved.

Rehab is going well; she improves every day.  In therapy she is starting to be able to say more words.  She even said a couple of sentences today.

The highlight of the week was when she kicked a soccer ball around with some of her favorite soccer buddies.  We will try to get the video out there.

Prayer-wise this is where we are now:
1.  There is a wound on top of her head that needs healing
2.  Pray for the bones in her ear to be protected and that the fluid will drain
3.  Pray the right vocal chord movement will be restored
4.  The swelling in her left eye needs more help
5.  She needs to be able to swallow so that she can get off the feeding tube and be able to drink fluids; she is soooo thirsty.

Thank you so much for all the visits.  Please keep them coming.  You have no idea how much they help.  She is so happy to see you and it makes her feel better and she does so much better in therapy.  plus there are very few things better in life right now than having Nicole wave "Hi" at you.  For those of you who caught her sleeping, just know it is hit and miss and try again; it is so worth it.  I am going to try and go back to evening updates next week.

Please keep praying for a full recovery and thank you so much!

While You were sleeping....Brain Healing Was Taking place

Barkley visited Nicole on his 6th birthday

Nicole has been VERY sleepy the past few days.  She gets two sessions of speech therapy a day; physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreational therapy.  By the time she has done all those therapies she is pretty tuckered out.  So she has slept and slept.  Her nurse told us that is good because while she is sleeping her brain is healing.

Today we saw that.  I was coming to the hospital for the afternoon so Rustin could go to work for a few hours.  Imagine my surprise when I saw Nicole, Rustin, and the three Kanistaneaux boys kicking a soccer ball around outside the hospital entrance.  She was with her physical therapist and enjoying being up and outside in the sunshine.  After a few minutes our little entourage went back up to the rehab floor.  Her sister, Carole,  and brother, Clark, joined us.  She kicked the soccer ball all round the halls with the boys and her joyful followers.

Now she is sleeping.

Yesterday they removed the internal splints from her nose reconstruction.  They were about 4 inches long! Kind of creepy to have those pulled out of your nose.  The feeding tube in her nose and the  external nose support remain for now.  They removed the stitches from along her eyebrow where the orbital surgery was done.  Hurray!  No more stitches on her face.

Today we visited the Ear, Nose and Throat doctor.  He did an assessment of the facial nerve, the one that controls all the muscle movement in her face.  He said the nerve was intact.  Right now the movement of her eyebrows, lips, tongue, cheeks is slow and labored.  It is difficult for her to stick out her tongue. although yesterday she did a great pucker when the therapist told her to give Rustin a kiss.  But with the facial nerve intact and therapy, in time her mobility will improve.

He looked at her vocal chords.  The left chord is moving well.  There is movement in the right vocal chord, but it is insufficient to close and meet the left chord.  He told us about some things they could do for her if that doesn't improve.  She doesn't have much of a voice at present; that is why.  But we are very happy with this positive prognosis.

I imagine that when she can finally talk again; she will have plenty to tell us.  And we will have plenty to tell her about the kindness, caring and prayers of so many good people.

Rustin Update for September 22nd

Yesterday Nicole was able to go outside for the first time since she has been here.  So exciting.  Rehabilitation is definitely doing some good.  She is still healing well.  Every day she looks better and better.  We are still getting used to the rigors of several rehab sessions daily.  These drain her energy and she sleeps a lot, which is good because they tell us that when she is sleeping her brain injury heals.  Thanks for all your notes and texts.  They are very much appreciated.

I came home two nights ago to find a small gift on my kitchen counter.  It was a plaque with a quote from Henry B. Eyring that said:

'You need never be discouraged or afraid.

The way through difficulties has always

been prepared for you

and you will find it

if you exercise faith." 

My heart is clinging to this saying each time I leave my home for the hospital.  Nicole came through the surgery like a champ.  It has been hard to see her in pain again, however, and some of the facial movement and visual coordination has regressed back to where it was when she first came out of the coma.  This is to be expected and the doctors have assured us that re-healing will occur, it just takes time.  

Yesterday she was moved from the trauma floor to rehabilitation.  They are planning a full regimen of therapies for her and told us she will likely be exhausted by it but they want all her strength and focus to be on her rehabilitation.   Translation from medical staff - please no visitors.  

She keeps her eyes closed most of the time and they are very sensitive to the light - after all the surgery done around her eye sockets, that is no surprise.  They will be doing evaluations on her hearing, her ability to smell, and her vision and her ability to speak which has been effected by having a breathing tube in her throat for ten days.  

So we begin anew.  We are taking baby steps.  We are taking one day at a time.  

Today Nicole got up and dressed herself, with some assistance.  No more hospital gowns.  Hurray!  My heart leapt with joy because yesterday she spoke to us!  In a very breathy voice she said, "I want to go to the car."    Translation - I've had my fill of being in the hospital; let's get outa here!  But hold on a minute - She needs to be able to swallow and get off a feeding tube before she can leave, so gaining back control and use of her lips, tongue and vocal cords is something to pray for.  You are so wonderful at prayer!

Thanksgiving for Prayers Answered - Rustin September 17, 2011

I am so glad that these last 48 hours are finally over!  Just imagine trying to tell Nicole in the state that she is in and after what she has been through, to basically stay on her back for two days, all the while protecting her precious head.  Not fun.
I am going to ask everyone to say a different kind of prayer for Nicole tonight.  We are not going to ask for anything, just give thanks.
Here is what we give thanks for:
1.  that her brain swelling went down so quickly
2.  that the oxygen levels in her brain were maintained at a healthy level
3.  that the swelling in her face and in her neck reduced quickly
4.  that she was able to breathe after coming out of a coma on her own
5.  that the fluid in her left lung was removed and the lung remained strong and clear
6.  that her mother was comforted in her time of need
7.  that Nicole responded!  Remember how awesome that was!
8.  that her ability to communicate was increased
9.  that leaking cerebrospinal fluid was sealed
10. that the surgical wounds in her mouth sealed so quickly no infection occurred
11  that the surgeons' hands were blessed
12. that the surgery went so well
13. that Nicole's pain was manageable; she was helped through it
14, that the facial bones were kept in a state ready for the surgery

A side note that you should know.  The day after surgery Dr. Ferguson came in and did a follow-up with Nicole.  As he was leaving the room, he said, as if in passing, how surprised he and the other surgeon were at how malleable the bones in her face were for the surgery.  Nicole's father and I did not say a word.  We just looked at each other beaming.   Another prayer answered.

Another 48 hours

They took Nicole down for reconstructive surgery on her face about 2:15 pm Thursday.  Surgery began at 2:45 pm.  And so we waited, and waited.  So much wonderful food had been graciously delivered to our home, that I packed up sandwiches and fruit and breads, etc. etc. etc..  Aunt Kathleen had the same idea and so we had a double feast.  And then after a while we waited and waited.

Both surgeons kindly came in and counseled with us regarding the surgery.  It appeared that Nicole took most of the force of her accident from mid to left front of her face.  Luckily the jaw bone was not broken.  However, they described the bones above as very smashed and in tiny pieces- like a hard boiled egg you pound on a hard surface.  The bones were pushed back and rotated upward.  They had to bring them forward, down, align them  and pin them in place.

Titanium plates were put in on both sides of the face and on both orbital floors.  Her nose was repaired on the inside and is splinted on the outside.  To repair the orbital bones the surgeon made an incision in a crease under each eye and along the brow line - scarring should be almost invisible.  To repair the upper mandible, they went in from inside her mouth.  No outside scars.

So what's in store for the next 48 hours?  She must keep her head elevated.  She cannot sleep on the side of her face.  This is the time where she will experience maximum swelling and pain.  All are looking forward to the end of these 48 hours.  Let the healing begin!

September 15th Surgery Report from Rustin

2:20 pm
They just came to pick up Nicole for surgery.  We walked down with her and watched as they rolled her bed into the cavernous surgical area through the huge double doors.  We were left on the outside to wait.

 8:48 pm
Dr. Dal Canto, the ocular surgeon just came in and updated us,  The ocular part went well and Nicole has done well during the surgery up to this point.  The other surgeon is wrapping up.  Should be just a couple more hours.

9:52 pm
Dr. Ferguson, the Maxillofacial reconstructive plastic surgeon, just came in.  Everything went well.  Depending on how she wakes up, she will either come back to her room or go the the intensive care unit.  We will let you know soon.

11:30pm
She's back!  She is doing well enough to come back to her room.  We need to hold off on visits because the next few days are critical with her swelling and trying to control her pain - not a good visiting situation.
Here is what we need to pray for Nicole now:
1,  please pray to help Nicole with the pain
2.  please pray for the sutures in her mouth the heal quickly and make a protective barrier needed so that the plates they put in don't get infected.
I will update more tomorrow.  I just wanted to get this out to you all tonight.