Yes, this is the same date as the previous post. We were having dinner celebrating my friend Rachelle's birthday, and I get a phone call from my eldest daughter Kimberly Irene. Told us about the accident. Kelly Jean was going into surgery, didn't know how it looked, but all were hopeful. Barbara and I skipped the rest of the festivities of course. Needed to make plans to head to the city, call relatives, etc. This is the one nice thing about writing in the present about the past. Got a pretty good idea how it all turns out. And all appears to be well. She was fitted with a "halo" so as not to move her head and neck and thereby letting her crushed vertebra's titanium replacement take it's place in her body. She wore it three months to the day, had it removed on December 12. She now wears a neck brace for another two or three months. Lots of physical therapy, she needs to learn to walk again, but she is young and healthy and a bit stubborn, has a good attitude, and we expect a complete recovery. 
Sorry, don't like looking at this car, but for illustration of how close tragedy can come.
We, the wife and I, went down that weekend for a couple days. Here's Kelly and her Mother Kimberly. The "halo" in place, screwed into her head...ish. But necessary. At this point we were hoping that she would not be paralyzed. She could not move her legs. Kelly be a trooper though, expecting the worst, but hoping for the best...just like us all.
Showing a little spunk, Kelly knowing her photo is being taken gives her version of a "thumbs up". She kept a sense of humor, giving her grandfather a little bit of sarcasm when he suggested that this might be a good time for reflection. She's doing okay.
Grandpa Michael and Grandma Barb pose with their granddaughter Kelly Jean. And she smiles.
Good news. This blurry photo is of Kelly moving her toes. Yes! A good sign. She's proud of it, gives her even more spunk and the rest of us a lot of hope.
Everything is more difficult with a "halo". Here a nurse washes Kelly's hair.
Lots of support for Kelly. Many of her friends stopped by that weekend and a bunch of relatives too. Here Grandma Barb gives her a farewell kiss, and we'll keep checking up on her over the next couple. A month later she is out of the hospital, moving her legs and staying at her Mother's home using a walker. Lots of physical therapy, and soon she is walking on her own. Three months later she is out of the halo, recovering fast and expecting a full recovery. Just talked to her Mother a few days ago, and Kelly is thinking about getting a car. Get back up on that horse I guess.
Sorry, don't like looking at this car, but for illustration of how close tragedy can come.
We, the wife and I, went down that weekend for a couple days. Here's Kelly and her Mother Kimberly. The "halo" in place, screwed into her head...ish. But necessary. At this point we were hoping that she would not be paralyzed. She could not move her legs. Kelly be a trooper though, expecting the worst, but hoping for the best...just like us all.
Showing a little spunk, Kelly knowing her photo is being taken gives her version of a "thumbs up". She kept a sense of humor, giving her grandfather a little bit of sarcasm when he suggested that this might be a good time for reflection. She's doing okay.
Grandpa Michael and Grandma Barb pose with their granddaughter Kelly Jean. And she smiles.
Good news. This blurry photo is of Kelly moving her toes. Yes! A good sign. She's proud of it, gives her even more spunk and the rest of us a lot of hope.
Everything is more difficult with a "halo". Here a nurse washes Kelly's hair.
Lots of support for Kelly. Many of her friends stopped by that weekend and a bunch of relatives too. Here Grandma Barb gives her a farewell kiss, and we'll keep checking up on her over the next couple. A month later she is out of the hospital, moving her legs and staying at her Mother's home using a walker. Lots of physical therapy, and soon she is walking on her own. Three months later she is out of the halo, recovering fast and expecting a full recovery. Just talked to her Mother a few days ago, and Kelly is thinking about getting a car. Get back up on that horse I guess.
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1 comment:
This brings a tear to my eye. I'm so happy it turned out as it did. What a life changing experience to go through. Well written post, thanks so much for sharing.
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