The White House

The White House

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

The First Four Days

This is my son’s head at 4:38am July 22, 2011 after  being clothes-lined while riding a motorcycle without a helmet. He had just returned from getting a CAT Scan to confirm a fractured skull. Preparations were being made to fly him to Anchorage for surgery. Our local hospital doesn’t have neurosurgery capabilities. In fact, anything major life-threating gets you a million dollar flight 360 miles away. Okay, probably not a million dollars, but  close.
IMAG0350
After that my cell phone went dead so I don’t have anything to document the ambulance ride to the plane, the flight or the ambulance ride to Providence Hospital. At this point it is 9:36am and he is in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit headed for an hour and half MRI.
IMAG0353
The collar was in place because the extent of his injuries was still unknown.
IMAG0354
At 11:12am the collar was removed. He did not have a spinal injury. We were in hurry-up-and-wait mode waiting for an open operating room. I walked him down to surgery at noon. He came out of surgery at 3:00 and at 3:30pm I was taken down to recovery to help him wake up as he wasn’t doing it for the nurses. I guess my Mom Voice is pretty powerful.
IMAG0355
He was able to hear me through his anesthesia and exhaustion to wake enough to get released back to his room. This is my baby sleeping at 5:24pm. I had only been asleep for an hour when the call came that my son had crashed his motorcycle and “suffered a laceration to the head, but was going to be fine” and I could meet him at the hospital (Troopers should not ever ever ever play doctor and give a bullshit roadside diagnosis at 3am to a mom). I had been up at about 10am that day so at this point I’m operating on one hour’s sleep in 31.5 hours and don’t even realize it. I finally got to sleep 11 hours later at 4:30am. Best four hours you could imagine.
IMAG0356
At 1:39pm less than 24 hours after the operation we sat him up on the side of the bed. Take note of how his right eye is completely normal.
IMAG0362
At 5:39pm the dressing was abandoned. A man and woman worked miracles putting pieces of skull together like a jigsaw puzzle on a piece of mesh to be inserted back into the hole in his head, but no one can figure out a way to dress the wound. (Multiple things were tried and failed over the following days).
IMAG0368
At 10:57am on the 24th, two days after the accident, the nurse and I got him up into a chair. His pain and nausea are obvious. He cried and I had to sit there talking him through the 20 minutes he was going to be forced to sit there while the nurse took care of other patients. My ability to be mean when necessary came in handy, but it was a very long 20 minutes.
IMAG0373
After this he was allowed to move out of the ICU to a regular pediatric room which just happens to be my right when taking this photo. It wasn’t very far literally, but figuratively it was a big step.
IMAG0375
Homer and Nick arrived at the hospital, but for some reason I don’t have any photos. It was good for Elijah to have them there. Then at 4:49pm three of his friends stopped in for less than five minutes while on their way to Soldotna for football camp. Elijah remembers, but doesn’t. Two days later he thought he had been in a bigger, different room when they were there. Ironically, a day later the young man in the yellow took a blind hit at camp and had his collar bone broken. Life changes in a split second.
IMAG0377
At 7:23pm that night you can see how the fluid in his brain is settling into the left side of his face. He slept with that side down and the head wound up. It actually was scary to watch. Blood, broken bones, etc. are things that I can handle. The brain stuff scares me. (Note another failed head wrap).
IMAG0378
And wrap number three. It came right off when he moved.
IMAG0380
At 10:17am on the 25th Homer, Nick and I went with Elijah to get a CAT Scan of his head to see how things went. You can see the swelling in his face getting worse and his eye becoming red. Homer decided to stay a few more days so Nick flew back home at 1:30pm to tend to the animals and play in the soccer tournament that my team was in. Let me tell you, I was very bummed about missing it. My ex showed up after that with Emily and they were at the hospital for a very short time before going shopping and to their hotel.
IMAG0381
This photo was taken at 5:34pm that night. A mom drove her son and his friends 360 miles for a ten minute visit and then drove back home. Elijah was so happy to see them, but then so depressed to realize his limitations. At this point Elijah hadn’t moved his right foot at all and had very limited movement of the right arm.
IMAG0382
Sleeping at 12:04am. After what I thought was three days, but apparently only one day of asking for clippers I was brought a pair from surgery. I took this photo to show the hair I was going to cut off in the morning. Then I was told I had to return the clippers by morning so at 2:00am I began shaving his head. Unfortunately, his headache got too bad to continue so only half was finished.
IMAG0383
Totally uncool haircut by Mom. At 9:36am on the 26th Elijah was taken on his first walk. A bandage was used to tie his toe to his calf in the up position so he would do a peg-leg kind of shuffle. She’s helping his keep his right hand on the walker. He didn’t have a grip or strength and it would fall off.
IMAG0384
10:17am and he’s already back in bed for breakfast. Those first few walks weren’t very far. Homer was a life saver those couple of days getting Elijah eating. He’s been through his own accident and hospital stay and totally “got it”. Elijah really responded to him.
IMAG0385
Em came back up to the hospital for a moment to say goodbye. They were already driving back home. At 1:30pm it was time for walk number two. I played photographer while Homer helped with the IV.
IMAG0386
Those first days were filled with wiping his tears, scratching his nose, running back and forth to the ice machine for sips of water, covering and uncovering, etc. etc. There wasn’t much sleep as he refused or couldn’t or wouldn’t ask the nurses for anything. It had to be mom day and night. I’m thankful now that I at least was aware enough to take photos to document our journey. The hours went by pretty quickly and the days blended together. All families should be handed a notebook upon arrival and told to write it down. Homer got me one when he came to town so a lot of what went on I was able to put into words. Someday I hope to put together a book for Elijah because Lord knows he doesn’t remember all this.
I’m at home now and it is over-whelming. My concern and stress level to keep Elijah safe is all consuming. My duties as a mother to four other children are ever present. My home still needs tended to. My gardens are screwed. I wish it could rain in the greenhouse because I haven’t even gone in there. Emily, all without being asked, took care of the animals. All of them..feeding and watering the rabbit, 30 chickens, a sheep, 3 dogs, her bird and Olivia’s guinea pig. And collected over 40 eggs. My little 11-year old stepped up to the plate all on her own and helped get through this first day home.
This is part one. I will follow with up with the rest of our journey when I can. I’m hoping I can steal a few moments each evening, but late arrives faster than I realized. It’s already 11:37pm and only a fraction of what needed done today is done. Adjusting the lives of seven people is going to take a lot of work. And now I have to get my son something to eat so he can sleep.  Good night.

(Thank you for all your well wishes. I’ll address my wonderful blogging family as I walk you through the last 12 days).

14 comments:

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Dear, dear Gayle ~ It was such a relief to see your post this morning when I first got in here. You've been on my mind a lot the past couple of days, especially since not hearing anything.

Thank you for taking the time to post this first part of your journey.

Bless Emily's heart for taking care of all of the animals.

I take it that Elijah is now home and this is the best place where healing can continue, in familiar, loving surroundings, with family and friends close by.

Love and hugs to all of you,

FlowerLady

gpc said...

How difficult but how wonderful that he was able to get up and try to walk so quickly, surely evidence that he is strong and healing! And God bless Emily, she is a treasure! My heart goes out to you, try to take care of yourself, too.

Gail said...

Thank God your son is improving!! My thoughts are with you.

Lori Skoog said...

Gayle...those last 12 days were incredible! Thank you for getting us up to speed and I hope Elijah is doing better now. That Emily has a great sense of responsibility and is a very special girl. When did you get home?

sandy said...

hi gayle,,,am so glad you are home but it puts the huge responsibility on you. House comes last in my opinion of all the things you have to worry about right now. We check your blog and facebook everyday for updates. Thank you so much for taking the time to keep us updated.

Sally said...

Thinking of you and your family as you pull together in this crisis. Hope all will be well.

RottenMom said...

I have to admit, I couldn't look at the photos of your sweet boy. I scrolled to the bottom and read the last paragraph only.

I know you know how lucky he is to have survived. I can hardly believe I typed that. You are such a powerful strong Mama and no doubt, your encouragement and strength has pulled him through the rough times.

You must be so relived to have him home. I so wish I were near to help you with your household and other kids, Thank GOD you have such great kids and an amazing husband to chip in and get things done.

Love and prayers as always for Elijah, and an extra big hug for you my friend. Hang in there sweet pea, XO

Not a Granny said...

I am so glad you posted, I was getting very worried!! Hugs to you and your family. Prayers have been and will continue to be sent for each of you!!

Little Black Scrap Cat said...

OMG!! I've been out of state and out of touch! My heart goes out to you and your entire family. My little brother had an accident that left him with brain injuries on three sites of his brain. He lost one leg below the knee, but managed to recover (for the most part) from the brain injuries. All my best wishes and hopes to you for Elijah's full recovery. It will be a long, hard road, but there is a light at the end!!!

Deb said...

Holy cow Gayle!!! It's been such a long time since I've been here - I was horrified to read of Elijah's accident! I'll send tons of positive energy and prayers for your entire family.
I hope they all know how lucky they are to have you :)

Take good care of yourself...

Deb

Corey~living and loving said...

WOW! it is all so overwhelming to read...and see the pics. I can not imagine what you have been through. I'm thinking of you often. sending healing thoughts.

Janie said...

Oh, Gayle, I'm so sorry to read about the injury and the terrible stress your whole family must be under. My thoughts and prayers are with you, the family, and Elijah.

Holly said...

Like everyone else, I've been thinking of you and your family so much the last few days. I'm so very glad to hear Elijah is improving. Emily clearly takes after you in her ability & willingness to step up and take responsibility for things when necessary, well done her!
Honestly? the house can go hang, bit of mess never hurt anyone. The garden can be messy, doesn't matter. If Em & the others can keep on top of the animal feeding/care, thats enough. You ensure you look after yourself as well as everyone else - take the time to sleep enough, and relax occasionally, rather than go all-out and end up getting all run-down yourself.
Hang in there, we're all thinking of you

patty said...

It took me forever to read this as I couldnt see through my tears. That one picture of Elijah, where yes, you can see the pain he is in, just about did me under. Elijan is so so lucky to have you as his mom.

Emily rocks! She is so totally like you Gayle!

Homer rocks! Elijah is lucky to have him for a step father!

Gayle, call me and let me know what night you want pizza ordered to your house. I want to do it and Im serious...I know cooking is the last thing you need to worry about. Please call or text me and let me do this.