The "After" Pictures

I've had some requests to post some pictures of Beefy since the accident. These were taken Friday of last week, about a week after he got home from the hospital, and about 2 1/2 weeks after the last pictures I posted of him. It has taken me a while to get these up because of my (still) lack of camera (Thanks "AM").

There is a little bit of scarring on his cheek and his forehead. He also still has a few scabby areas in his hair, but more of those go away every time I wash it.




As you can see, other than desperately needing a haircut, he is doing fabulous. If you didn't know that he had gotten hurt, you might never guess. And yes, he is eating the soccer ball in that last picture. Of course he is just as crazy as he was before, if not more so.

Technology

During one of my (many) recent "waiting-room" experiences, I came across a magazine article discussing how we, as a society, have become so dependent on our electronic devices. The article even highlighted a college student who spent every Sunday "gadget-free". This got me to thinking a little bit. Mostly because I had nothing better to do at the moment; I was, after all, in a waiting room. I have always considered myself to be a little bit un-Tech Savvy. Then I started counting up all of the technology that I depend on everyday, and would be lost (in some cases literally) without.

• GPS: This one makes me laugh a little bit still. When I didn't have it, I never even thought I would want one. Now that I do have one, I can't imagine living without it. I have a tendency to get lost easily, especially since I live in in the land of the most random road system ever. This has definitely saved me more than once.
  
• Cell Phone: This is kind of a given. I know very few people who can live without one of these. Being that mine is my only phone, I find it even more invaluable, and get very nervous if I go through any length of time with it missing.
• Ipod: This definitely saves me every time I have to fold laundry or clean my kids bedroom. Ironically, the ipod, like the gps was something that I never thought I wanted until I had one.
• Computer: I hate my computer. It is a pain in the butt sometimes, and my husband is always wanting to tear it apart and tinker with it. But, that being said, I couldn't live without it. I use it multiple times daily, and get really annoyed if it suffers any extended down time.

So really, my list of techno-dependency gadgets is small (yeah, I totally made that word up). But, I don't think I could live without them. Maybe for a day, once, but it would probably be really hard. Oh well, I guess it could be worse...the list could be longer. Anyway, enough rambling for now.

Some Photos (Not For the Weak of Stomach)

So, I don't have a lot of these, I was understandably camera shy for my son while he was hospitalized. I do have a few pictures from the ICU that my husband took on his phone that we finally were able to (figure out how to) transfer onto the computer. I don't want to seem morbid, but it is something that I want recorded, and since my blog kind of doubles as my journal, you all get to view it as well.

These were taken in the ICU, on his second day there (Monday), after the breathing tube was removed, but before he was taken off of the oxygen or any of his other monitors/wires/tubes.

This is him Sleeping (duh!), which he did a lot of for those first few days. We hated the crib he had to sleep in at that hospital. My husband called it "the kind of crib that you see in infomercials for third-world-country orphanages". The one we had at the children's hospital was much nicer. (on a side note, you can see behind him in the crib, the blanket that he received there, that I blogged about a few days ago)

That day was the first time we were able to hold him also. The "road rash" on his forehead actually looks a lot worse than it was. It was all surface scratches, but the nurses had put some ointment on it to help it heal fast (which it did), but it magnified the damage. His black eye was by far the most disturbing part.


Sleeping with Mickey. They gave him this to hold onto, so he wouldn't pull at his IV. He hasn't slept a night without it since. He's very attached.

Also, once again so that I can have record of it, and because I've had some questions, this is our house.

The boys room (aka the window in question) is the one over the garage, and consequentially the driveway. We love our house, but it has one huge design flaw. Namely, the gigantic windows that sit very near the floor. I have not yet fitted bars on the window (but believe me, I've thought about it...A LOT). Their bedroom window (along with all of the other windows in the house actually) is closed and locked, and will not be opened again until I find a suitable alternative to prison bars (I don't think the HOA would approve).

Putting this all in writing just reiterates to me how blessed we really are. I truly believe in the power of priesthood blessings, and many many prayers, and miracles. My son is living proof of that, and I am so grateful for that blessing.

A Tale of .....Something...

So, some of you have heard me talk about my neighborhood. Not all of my neighbors are crazy, in fact, I live by some of the nicest people I know. But, we also have our fair share of crazies in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, the following is a true story.

Once upon a time there was a person who amazingly enough didn't have enough to fill their day, so they liked to create drama. It was an unfortunate pastime, that didn't win this person a lot of friends. One day, said person decided to tell a few people (coincidentally, people with children) that a child had gone missing from a nearby, less than desirable, housing development.

As if this wasn't enough, the next day the story had evolved to the point that the child's body had been found in nearby fields. This story came at what was a bad time to begin with, causing only more anxiety on the part of all the people that heard it. Nobody had seen any police around, and there had been no "Amber Alerts" issued or messages sent around the neighborhood by schools or law enforcement. A call to the police was made to confirm the validity of the suspicious story.

Mr. A#1 detective called back and confirmed that this story was indeed 100% false. There had been no missing children in our area, let alone any bodies found, and if there were he would have to disclose it because it would be public information. Thanks to the return call from the police, many people were able to rest easy again from what could have been a potentially horrifying story.

THE END

Now I ask you dear readers: What kind of a person really does this?

My Idea

While Beefy was in the ICU at the trauma center, he got a quilt. It wasn't the cutest blanket I've ever seen, and he didn't really get super attached to it; but, it was a cute blanket, and it gave me a little added measure of comfort to see him (although strapped to the bed, and on a breathing tube) wrapped in a "real blanket" and not a hospital blanket, or just left out in the open. As we went through the next few days I saw signs of these (what I am assuming are donated) blankets with other patients around the ICU and on the pediatric floor. They just looked so nice and comforting for these kids that were going through such horrible ordeals.

Seeing this reminded me of a tiny knitted hat that we received when Buggy was a baby and in the Newborn ICU. It was also something that was donated (I believe by a local church group) for the preemies in that unit.

This got me thinking. I'm not a millionaire, I can't donate loads of money as a "thank you" to these hospitals that did such an amazing job at caring for my child. But, I can make a quilt or two (or more). I can also donate some toys to the Rehabilitation unit at Children's hospital, so that other kids that have to go through what we went through will have something new and fun to play with too.

I haven't yet looked into the criteria for a donation of these sorts, it is just still a newly forming idea in my mind, but when I thought of it something just clicked and made me think that this would be a good thing to try. The specifics may be too daunting for someone of my limited resources and knowledge, but at least I will have given it a shot - so wish me luck.

It is not my intention to solicit comrades on this mission of mine, but if there is anyone that reads my blog and would like to be involved too, let me know - the more the merrier. Also, if any of you have any experience with this kind of a project, I could use some advice. My goal is to contact the hospitals and by the end of the week hopefully have some criteria to work with (especially on the quilts, because I don't know what kind of specifics they require). I'm sure this will not be a quick project either, but hopefully someday in the not too far distant future I will have done something with this. It is the best way I can think of to thank all of those who helped our family, and to maybe help another child in the process.

Home!

I am writing from home tonight. Both of my children are upstairs tucked into their beds, and I will shortly be doing the same.

Let me back up a little bit. Beefy's team of doctors met with me on Tuesday morning and told me that they had watched his progress over the weekend, and how well he was doing, and decided that (pending any major disaster) we should go home after his evaluation meeting today. With someone as little as him, as soon as the therapy seems to be doing its job (which it was doing for him) it is best to get him home and into an environment that he is comfortable with. So, with that being said, we got to come home this afternoon. It was a pretty amazing thing considering at the beginning we were told to plan at least 3 weeks. They joked that he was setting new records around there - they never get to see a head injury patient go home from rehab after less than a week.

As I mentioned in my last post, we will still be continuing speech therapy and occupational therapy on an outpatient, one to two times a week, basis.

We are so glad to be home. I can't wait to see Beefy continue to improve now that he is in an environment that he knows and trusts.

And again, I can't emphasize how much we appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers that we have received on Beefy's behalf. We are truly blessed.

Therapy, Day 4

My posts are few and far between, but I have access to a computer for a few minutes so I wanted to catch everyone up on what we've been doing. Beefy just finished his 3rd official day of therapy. We've been here for 4 1/2 days now, but he got Sunday and Friday off. He is doing amazing. He is definitely not the same kid we brought in here last week. Since he started therapy he is walking, and he has started to talk again. His right side is still a little weak (his head injury was on the left side of the brain, which affects the right side of the body) but the weakness is hardly noticable, except when he is eating, and using some of the more fine motor skills. Overall, we couldn't be happier with his progress.

Life here at the hospital is busy. Where before we spent our days rocking (and snuggling, and napping, and filling the hours), we now find ourselves very busy. Beefy has 3 hours of therapy a day; plus meals, naps, and playtime. There are so many great amentities for us here. Today he and Buggy got to go swimming; and, they have made good use of the playroom and the outdoor playground.

As long as things continue to progress the way they have been, we will most likely be heading home at the end of the week (YAY!!!). We will then start outpaitent therapy for speech and occupational therapy. Thankfully those sessions will take place much closer to home. We can't wait to get back home and back to our normal routines.

We are so grateful for our little miracle. Every time I look at him I realize how lucky we are to have him. If I didn't have a testimony before, I definitely have one now. Miracles do happen, and he is proof that blessings and prayers really work. Thank you again to everyone who has been thinking of us and praying for us (we know there have been lots of you). It means the world to us that so many people care about our little boy.

And now, I am going to go get my laundry out of the dryer, and sneak back our room. Hopfully Beefy is asleep, so that I can sleep too. Good Night!

Another Update

I am very tired tonight. My husband offered to stay at the hospital tonight so that I could sleep at home for a night. Before I go crash into my nice soft bed though, I thought I would add an update on Beefy's progress.

Friday we moved from Harborview Medical Center, to Children's Hospital for inpatient rehabilitation. He will be getting therapy twice a day with a physical therapist (working on gross motor skills like walking and playing), an occupational therapist (fine motor skills, like eating, writing, and dressing himself), and a speech therapist (to help him communicate, non-verbally at first, and then with words again). It is an amazing facility, and is designed for long-term stays; which means a private room, and a shower more often than every two days. Yay!! It is also very kid friendly, an obvious bonus after a week in a trauma center. Overall, we are grateful to be there.

After a week of therapy, we have a meeting with his therapists and doctors to discuss the progress he is making, and what specific goals we have before he will be able to come home. Unfortunately, the rehab in all likelihood be a very long term thing. Hopefully only a few weeks, in inpatient; but then there will likely be outpatient therapy for a while after we get home.

My parents have been here this week to help us with Buggy (what a lifesaver), so that my husband can be with Beefy and me, and so he can go back to work some. We are trying to work out a way for my mother-in-law to come sometime next week, when they have to go home.

Beefy is making good progress. Everyday he gets a little bit stronger and starts to do a little bit more. The recovery from a head injury of his magnitude takes a long time, and everybody is very pleased and surprised that he is doing so well after such a short time. Hopefully, someday very soon we will be able to have our old, happy, Beefy back again.

For all of the many people who have offered help-don't worry.....I will be taking you up on your offers for sure. Right now we are still at the hospital almost all the time, but as life gets back to normal hopefully we will be able to see and talk to those of you that we haven't been able to as of yet. Phone calls are always appreciated and welcome, and so far he seems to be tolerating visitors pretty well too.

We are grateful for the many prayers that have been offered on our behalf. He is truly proof that prayers are answered and miracles do happen. Thanks to all who have offered support during this difficult event.

Beefy Update

Once again, my dear husband decided that it was time for me to take a break from the hospital, and sent me home for a few hours; so, I decided it would be a good time to write a quick update on Beefy.

He was released from the ICU on Tuesday afternoon, and has spent the last two days in a bed on the pediatric floor. He is still really tired but is healing, slowly but surely. In the last two days he has made lots of improvements, eating solid food, sitting up on his own, and staying awake for longer periods of time (up to 1 - 1 1/2 hours). He still sleeps alot, and requires a fair bit of pain medication, but overall we feel very blessed that he is doing so well.

He isn't yet talking or walking well, and is still struggling with interactions, so within the next few days he will probably be transferred to Children's Hospital to undergo inpatient rehabilitation for a while to ensure that he suffers no developmental delays from his injuries.

Once again we feel so very blessed that he is doing so well. We really appreciate all of your thoughts, phone calls, offers of help, and especially all of your prayers on our behalf. We have really seen a huge outpouring of support that we just couldn't be more grateful for. Again, as I find time, I will try to put some updates on here. Thanks!

My Worst Nightmare

As I sit here typing this, my baby is sitting in the ICU of a hospital 30 minutes away. My husband made me come home to rest for a few minutes, and shower, etc. I will be leaving again soon.

Sunday afternoon, the boys went upstairs to play in their room, something that they do all the time, that I usually don't worry about. Their window was open a crack and the blinds were closed. Suddenly I heard Buggy yelling at me that Beefy went out the window. My heart stopped and I ran as fast as I could out the front door. There was my baby laying on the pavement on top of the window screen. I yelled to my husband to call 911, and soon after I got to him he started to cry (a good sign).

Fast Forward to lots of fire trucks a couple of ambulances and the world's longest ambulance ride ever, to the trauma center in downtown Seattle. Lots of hours in the ER later, we found out that we were very lucky. He has two small skull fractures, a pretty scratched up face, and one heck of a black eye. He has no bleeding or swelling around the brain, and no other broken bones, or other internal injuries.

They sent him to the Pediatric ICU on Sunday night to watch him, he had breathing tubes in, helping him to breathe so he didn't have to work so hard. The breathing tube came out yesterday morning, and he was completely off of oxygen by late last night. This morning he got the okay to be weaned off of the IV.

He is still extremely tired, and is only awake for a few minutes at a time, but things are looking better and better all the time. We are hoping that he will be out of ICU by the end of the day today.

There are many important family and friends that we haven't been able to call and tell about this. If that is you, please understand that you aren't forgotten. I decided that a quick blog entry would be the best way to let everyone know what is happening. We so very much appreciate all of the prayers and support that we have received through this difficult time. We are able to accept phone calls, so feel free to call. I will update as I can, but probably won't be home much to do so.