August 29, 2007 Update
I woke up this morning and looked outside. The weather seemed changed a bit and I reflected on what I was doing a year ago - driving everyday to LDS Hospital to be with Jess while she was in shock trauma. We were all so uncertain about Jessica’s future and if she would even survive. What a frightening time. It still seems to unreal and yet very real!
The first entry in the journal I kept was on September 2, 2006. I see that I was fervently taking notes on her vital signs, watching the machines for hours. I got very good at reading the numbers on the machines. I knew what they all meant. It was my lifeline to my daughter at the time. The next entry was on September 5, 2006. I wrote… “Jessica’s eyes opened for about 5 minutes then blinked. Her Grandma and Grandpa Krehbiel cam to visit.” An eye opening, a blink. It was a sure sign of a miracle. Now a year later, can I think of the good things that surrounded me at that time? How about the baby lullaby’s that were played over the hospital intercom everytime a baby was born. What a blessing that was. A shining moment in a traumatic situation. A reminder of God’s love for his children on the earth.
I remember the wonderful loving friends that rallied around us, that didn’t smother us, but let us know of their love and concern. The many unselfish kind deeds. The words of encouragement and hope that were sent to us through Jessica’s website. This website has gotten us as a family through some very lonely hard times. Lance Black whose idea to have a website and design it. What a blessing.
I remember the people I would run into at the hospital, total strangers that would start talking to me and say something or do something very profound, and I would walk away knowing that an Angel had been put in my path to get me through that moment. The nurse on floor six that whispered in my ear on September 9, 2006, “I know she’s going to be OK, I know it”. Little things like the weather being good so I could find the courage to drive to Salt Lake. The many prayers and blessings for Jess are unforgettable. I often wonder what can I do to repay? I wonder about the other families that were in shock trauma because of a loved one that was hurt. My heart goes out to them everyday.
Jessica is still very active in her therapy and like I mentioned in the last update, September will be very busy. We are adding one more day to therapy. Jessica’s balance is really improving and she is getting stronger. She has given up her walker around the house. She walks around the house reaching for furniture. It feels like she’s being independent, but the reaching for furniture is not a good thing, so we are told. It’s kinda dangerous and it isn’t teaching her correct walking patterns. She won’t use the walker around the house or in public. What a dilemma!
Jessica did get her brace for the left leg. The results of that were only OK. There are still some glitches in it that need to be fixed. We will be going back for more evaluation around the first week in September. The brace does help to keep her left knee from hyper-extending back. I think it will take some time to get the brace thing exactly right.
Jessica continues to go to Peggy’s. They visit and sew and make quilts. She finished the quilts for the girls in Colorado. We hope it helped them.
Tutoring is going well. We have sent away for her transcripts and are thinking about trying some online courses to see how she does. Stephanie, Jessica’s tutor, has offered Jessica a job at her new school in Springville working at the front desk helping out. I think she’s a little excited about this. This is great community integration stuff and good hands on experience. I know she will do great!
We did go to the “Rush” concert together as a family. It was really fun. Jess thought it was old school. She’s having lots of good experiences and fun times in spite of all the therapy. She’s gone to movies, out to eat, and to the pool to catch some rays. Thank you to the friends that find the time and open up their hearts to Jess. We love and appreciate you.
Jessica’s attitude stays positive most of the time. But there are moments of frustration. She’s mad at times that this happened to her. I never thought that I would be living in the world of a handicap. It sure is a view from a different window and at times feels like an unfair place to be. I’ve thought about it allot and society always hopes it never happens to them, or they think it always happens to someone else. It’s called fear.
We don’t know what to say about Mr. Pennsylvania other than it has been a little awkward as expected. And yet, not as we expected. He never saw Jessica through her progression stages, so I don’t think he understands her and maybe right now isn’t the right time. There’s obviously allot going on and alot of catching up to do. We wish him much success with all his endeavors in life and we thank him for his support to Jess throughout his mission.
We appreciate all of you that write into Jessica’s website. We love reading the words of encouragement. We hope in some small way we can help those who may need it. We believe what goes around comes around.
“You will be amazed at what might happen when in faith, you take a step forward. -Gordon B. Hinckley
“I hope you will do what you can do in the best way you know how. If you do so, you will witness miracles come to pass.” -Gordon B. Hinckley
There are some some pictures that will get uploaded in the next couple of days to the photo gallery. They are pictures of the quilts jess made, the Rush concert, Lagoon with Dad, etc.
Love the Krehbiels
Always dedicated to Jessica’s recovery and her bright future.
Tim, Geri, Sara(Kade), Samantha and Ben