A lot has happened in the last ten days Adam has started walking on crutches, has been transferred to Wounded Warrior Battalion West at Camp Pendleton. Adam’s new address is listed below. Julia will be leaving to come home on Monday and driving back with a friend, Julia is having a hard time leaving, Adam is having a hard time being by him self and have to start doing things on his own again. I have added pictures of Adam walking on crutches and pictures of his room at Camp Pendleton.
His first day at WWB Julia and Adam had to wait three or four hours at the pharmacy to pick up his medicine. Then the next morning he woke up in pain and took his meds fell back to sleep and missed breakfast. He is have some problems with his stomach its getting upset because he is not being feed by the feeding tube any more and his stomach is having to learn how to digest food again. He is still eating puréed food and soups and shakes. After Julia leaves I think he is going to have to eat what ever they give on base no more shakes or soup maybe not sure what they are going to feed him but I doubt that they will momma him like Julia did. Early this morning he had a problem with the feeding tube (it has not yet been removed) and was feeling sick again this morning he tried to call Julia to come and take care of him all that could be done was for Julia to call the ER on base to take care of him this morning. Julia is over an hour away from base now. He now has to learn how to take care of him self there no one to bring him his meds or food, and to make to all his appointments. Well see how this all goes on Monday but from this point on there is nothing that Julia and I can do to make sure he being taken care of it all up to the Marines now.
They have allowed Julia to come on base and help Adam get settled in to his new room. Adam is in the medicinal holding and will be re-evaluated in about two weeks. I not sure of what his PT will include but I am sure that there will be some type of PT. One of the nurses from the hospital has taken a liking to Adam, imagine that, but any way she lives close to Camp Pendleton is going to visit him and help him out while he is at WWB.
P.O. Box 555191
Camp Pendleton,
CA 92055
Wounded Warrior PFC Adam Abshire
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
October 9, 2008 (Day 26)
Well hello everyone, its Thursday to day was almost a normal day for us. I took off work a little early to watch Addison play football today it felt good to relax and not be so worried about Julia and Adam. I think that Addison and Awna enjoyed the time together too. I tried to yell real loud for Addison because his mother was not there to do it like she would.
Well I got pictures today of Adam walking and he got his cast for his wrist today. When I saw his cast I asked if he could pick up HDTV with it. It looks like a serious bit of rubber bands and wire. Not sure of all the details of the cast I think he can remove it and put it back on. I also got a great picture of him walking with a walker now. This is just great steps, I can only imagine how hard it is for him. I am happy that Julia is there to help him through all the difficult humps that he has to over come every day. Make sure you look at the pictures of Adam walking and his hand.
Julia health is so-so and I am not going to be able to go up there the next two weekends to give her a break so please keep Julia in your prayers to give her the health and strength to make it through the next two weeks. By the end of the day when I get to talk to her she is so exhausted that she is going back to the hotel to go to sleep. I know that she misses all her friends and this is really taking a toll on her.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30
Well I got pictures today of Adam walking and he got his cast for his wrist today. When I saw his cast I asked if he could pick up HDTV with it. It looks like a serious bit of rubber bands and wire. Not sure of all the details of the cast I think he can remove it and put it back on. I also got a great picture of him walking with a walker now. This is just great steps, I can only imagine how hard it is for him. I am happy that Julia is there to help him through all the difficult humps that he has to over come every day. Make sure you look at the pictures of Adam walking and his hand.
Julia health is so-so and I am not going to be able to go up there the next two weekends to give her a break so please keep Julia in your prayers to give her the health and strength to make it through the next two weeks. By the end of the day when I get to talk to her she is so exhausted that she is going back to the hotel to go to sleep. I know that she misses all her friends and this is really taking a toll on her.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
October 7, 2008 (Day 24)
Just a quick up date, I hate going home it seems that ever time I go home he does something that is just amazing. I got a picture from Julia today that I want to share with everyone. I left and the update that I sent yesterday just seemed like glom and doom but look at the picture I got today. I talked to Adam today and he says that he is going to walk with a walker tomorrow. The Lord is a great Lord he took Adam bones and mended them back together and gives him the strength to push himself to make it through this.
I talked to Julia tonight and se says that in the next few days he going to get a special cast for his wrist that has wires and bands on it so that it will keep his wrist in the right position and let the nerves heal so that he will be able to use his wrist again and that the nerves will heal correctly. There are some more things that they will be doing this week to help him Julia is going to send me a list of every thing that they are going to do this week. When I get the list I will pass it on. I am just so happy to see him standing and walking even if it with the help of the bars. Last weekend was so hard on me having to pick him up to move him to the bathroom.
Some day I hope this makes a great testimony of how power God is and the power of prey.
We still don’t know what the out come of all this will be if he will be able to stay in the Marines or if he gets to come home to do rehabilitation here at a local VA or if they will allow him to go to Wounded Worrier Battalion in California, I just want what Adam wants. I know he loves the Marines and that is where he wants to be.
All your cards and letter I giving him happiness and gives him something to look forward each day.
I talked to Julia tonight and se says that in the next few days he going to get a special cast for his wrist that has wires and bands on it so that it will keep his wrist in the right position and let the nerves heal so that he will be able to use his wrist again and that the nerves will heal correctly. There are some more things that they will be doing this week to help him Julia is going to send me a list of every thing that they are going to do this week. When I get the list I will pass it on. I am just so happy to see him standing and walking even if it with the help of the bars. Last weekend was so hard on me having to pick him up to move him to the bathroom.
Some day I hope this makes a great testimony of how power God is and the power of prey.
We still don’t know what the out come of all this will be if he will be able to stay in the Marines or if he gets to come home to do rehabilitation here at a local VA or if they will allow him to go to Wounded Worrier Battalion in California, I just want what Adam wants. I know he loves the Marines and that is where he wants to be.
All your cards and letter I giving him happiness and gives him something to look forward each day.
Monday, October 6, 2008
October 6, 2008 (Day 23)
Well it’s been a long weekend it was good to see Adam again. He is approving by leaps and bounds if you compare to three weeks ago and it really does seem like a long time ago. He is doing PT in the morning and OT in the afternoon and then more PT in the afternoon.
I have to explain the reason for the delays it has been really hard to deal with Adam injuries if you knew how much energy and full of life Adam is its hard to see him in this shape his PT in the morning is to raise his left and right leg about 10 inches off the table which he struggles with and needs help with his right leg. It takes him about one hour to do three reps of ten. Then it takes one hour for him to do OT in which he has to lay flat on his back and with his arm on a skate like device he has to move his arm to a 90 degree with his shoulder it is so hard on him to do this. In the afternoon PT they have only been able to get him to stand up once for a short time on Sunday.
They took the track out of his neck on Saturday morning, took the wires out of his mouth on Sunday and put rubber bands back in his mouth. He is only able to open his mouth sixteenth to an eighth of an inches. He only able to eat puréed food if any one has been in a hospital and had to eat hospital food just image eating it after its been smashed to baby food yum.
The hardest thing for me is that seeing him surfer like he is I just want to scope him up and hold him and tell him that it is going to be ok and that I will take care of everything but I cant he has to do it all on his own and there is nothing that anyone can do but him.
After he finishes his PT and OT by the end of the day he is so exhausted he is virtually unable to do any thing on his own. I took him out side a couple of times while I was there just getting him in the wheel chair is an ordeal not to mention going to the bath room taking a bath and all the other things that we take for granted.
He is getting better and its going to take a long time for him to get better I am scared for him. He still wants to be a marine and to go back and I hope for him that he does.
This weekend he kept telling me that he love me and his mom and thank you for being there.
Talking about Julia she got some well deserved rest I think after I got her back to the hotel on early Friday morning she slept 12 hours at the hotel while I stayed with Adam. On the Friday night I went back and stayed at the hotel with her and got up early and stayed with Adam on Saturday while Julia slept some more. I just think with Julia health and all the stress she was just exhausted and by Sunday she was felling a lot better.
The updates will be along Adam progress as I learn of his progress each day. They have a meeting once a week where all the doctors and PT get together and have a discussion about his progress I am going to see if they can conference me in on the meetings to see what is going on.
I have to explain the reason for the delays it has been really hard to deal with Adam injuries if you knew how much energy and full of life Adam is its hard to see him in this shape his PT in the morning is to raise his left and right leg about 10 inches off the table which he struggles with and needs help with his right leg. It takes him about one hour to do three reps of ten. Then it takes one hour for him to do OT in which he has to lay flat on his back and with his arm on a skate like device he has to move his arm to a 90 degree with his shoulder it is so hard on him to do this. In the afternoon PT they have only been able to get him to stand up once for a short time on Sunday.
They took the track out of his neck on Saturday morning, took the wires out of his mouth on Sunday and put rubber bands back in his mouth. He is only able to open his mouth sixteenth to an eighth of an inches. He only able to eat puréed food if any one has been in a hospital and had to eat hospital food just image eating it after its been smashed to baby food yum.
The hardest thing for me is that seeing him surfer like he is I just want to scope him up and hold him and tell him that it is going to be ok and that I will take care of everything but I cant he has to do it all on his own and there is nothing that anyone can do but him.
After he finishes his PT and OT by the end of the day he is so exhausted he is virtually unable to do any thing on his own. I took him out side a couple of times while I was there just getting him in the wheel chair is an ordeal not to mention going to the bath room taking a bath and all the other things that we take for granted.
He is getting better and its going to take a long time for him to get better I am scared for him. He still wants to be a marine and to go back and I hope for him that he does.
This weekend he kept telling me that he love me and his mom and thank you for being there.
Talking about Julia she got some well deserved rest I think after I got her back to the hotel on early Friday morning she slept 12 hours at the hotel while I stayed with Adam. On the Friday night I went back and stayed at the hotel with her and got up early and stayed with Adam on Saturday while Julia slept some more. I just think with Julia health and all the stress she was just exhausted and by Sunday she was felling a lot better.
The updates will be along Adam progress as I learn of his progress each day. They have a meeting once a week where all the doctors and PT get together and have a discussion about his progress I am going to see if they can conference me in on the meetings to see what is going on.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Tuesday September 30, 2008 (Day 17)
On Monday night Adam got moved to the seventh floor out of CCU now that he off the respirator, today he got moved to the ninth floor, to acute rehab where he learns how to walk talk eat all the stuff that we take for granted in our day to day lives. He gets three hours a day of rehab. I got a phone call from him today Adam was talking through his teeth it was great. To here him it just like him I leave and he starts to wake up I leave the next time and he starts to talk. You can only image how happy I am, the first day I saw him I did not know if he was his out come was going to be. Now he talking and they got him setting up in a wheel chair I could not believe that this was the same kid 17 days ago.
He is going to stay in California at Palomar Medical Center for his acute rehab he hopes that he gets to Wounded Warrior Battalion West at Camp Pendleton, California to complete his therapy and after he is fully recovered he wants to go back to his training in the Marine he is working hard on complete this goal.
Julia is having to stay in California to help Adam I sure all of this is hard on her to be the only one there and to have to be there with Adam for the hard times and to keep his sprits up and to keep him motivated. (Way to go Julia you the best I love you).
I was not there when they got him in the wheel chair and setting up for the first time. I would think that it was not an easy task to complete and took several people helping him. Look at the picture he’s a pink belt.
I don’t know how much usage of his arm if any and leg that he has know he says he can move them a little, and has no strength in them yet. They have put in a smaller trach in with a one way type valve it allows him to breathe in but it does not allow him to breathe out. With the valve and smaller trach it allows more air over his vocal cords allowing him to talk through his teeth.
I said baby steps and everyday he approves it seems by leaps and bounds. Adam has always impressed me when he sets his mind to something he does not let any thing stop him.
If you don’t believe in the power of prayer just ask me I will tell you how great it is. God is a great God.
I have to think that God has some special purpose for Adam. Let’s keep in prayers that God looks over Adam and Julia during the difficult times of rehab and give them the strength to make it through this. I thank God for all that he has done to help Adam. I know if it was not for all us praying that he would not be recovering this fast.
Adam new room is 911B here is the address again.
Palomar Medical Center555 E. Valley Pkwy RM 911BEscondido CA 92025
He is going to stay in California at Palomar Medical Center for his acute rehab he hopes that he gets to Wounded Warrior Battalion West at Camp Pendleton, California to complete his therapy and after he is fully recovered he wants to go back to his training in the Marine he is working hard on complete this goal.
Julia is having to stay in California to help Adam I sure all of this is hard on her to be the only one there and to have to be there with Adam for the hard times and to keep his sprits up and to keep him motivated. (Way to go Julia you the best I love you).
I was not there when they got him in the wheel chair and setting up for the first time. I would think that it was not an easy task to complete and took several people helping him. Look at the picture he’s a pink belt.
I don’t know how much usage of his arm if any and leg that he has know he says he can move them a little, and has no strength in them yet. They have put in a smaller trach in with a one way type valve it allows him to breathe in but it does not allow him to breathe out. With the valve and smaller trach it allows more air over his vocal cords allowing him to talk through his teeth.
I said baby steps and everyday he approves it seems by leaps and bounds. Adam has always impressed me when he sets his mind to something he does not let any thing stop him.
If you don’t believe in the power of prayer just ask me I will tell you how great it is. God is a great God.
I have to think that God has some special purpose for Adam. Let’s keep in prayers that God looks over Adam and Julia during the difficult times of rehab and give them the strength to make it through this. I thank God for all that he has done to help Adam. I know if it was not for all us praying that he would not be recovering this fast.
Adam new room is 911B here is the address again.
Palomar Medical Center555 E. Valley Pkwy RM 911BEscondido CA 92025
Monday, September 29, 2008
Monday September 29, 2008 (Day 16)
I have to say I am sorry that I have not sent out any post. I am sure that everyone understands I have been non stop since Thursday night and I just now have got ten minutes to my self before I have to start work.
So a quick up date, I will give a full update later tonight. Thursday he breathed on his own for 15 minutes, Friday two hours, Saturday he started on his own at 9:00 AM and hasn’t stopped. He did about two hours of therapy on his leg Friday, and seven hours on Saturday. His therapy on his leg is a machine that moves it to a 45 degree angle and then down about 5 degrees and back up 5 degree. I spent the night with him at the hospital Saturday night he complained that his leg hurt all night. Did I mention he’s awake now? It was a big surprise to me when I got to the hospital.
Well when I left on Sunday they were going to move him to a new room. They but a valve on his tracheotomy he can now make sounds his mouth is still wired shut though.
I will give a more in depth update later tonight when I get home from work. Keep the praying that he has an easy time with Physical Therapy and a full recovery.
So a quick up date, I will give a full update later tonight. Thursday he breathed on his own for 15 minutes, Friday two hours, Saturday he started on his own at 9:00 AM and hasn’t stopped. He did about two hours of therapy on his leg Friday, and seven hours on Saturday. His therapy on his leg is a machine that moves it to a 45 degree angle and then down about 5 degrees and back up 5 degree. I spent the night with him at the hospital Saturday night he complained that his leg hurt all night. Did I mention he’s awake now? It was a big surprise to me when I got to the hospital.
Well when I left on Sunday they were going to move him to a new room. They but a valve on his tracheotomy he can now make sounds his mouth is still wired shut though.
I will give a more in depth update later tonight when I get home from work. Keep the praying that he has an easy time with Physical Therapy and a full recovery.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Sunday September 28, 2008 (Day 15)
See that he off the respirator and did seven hours of therapy they did not have him do any more Addison and Awna got to hang out with him all day his room. I went back to the hotel to get a little sleep before leaving. After backing all the bags I went back up to the hospital to say good by. While we were say good by we found out that he was going to get to be moved to another room out of ICU. I got a page early Monday morning that he finely got moved to another room. On the 7 floor I thank not sure they may be moving him soon to another floor for acute therapy unit I thank is what it called on the ninth floor.
Well its good news and hopefully they will have him up a bit and moving around soon. Its wonderful the power of God. I hope you are all felling they same wonderful feeling that I am feeling.
Well its good news and hopefully they will have him up a bit and moving around soon. Its wonderful the power of God. I hope you are all felling they same wonderful feeling that I am feeling.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Wednesday September 24, 2008 (Day 11)
Last night did not start out good after the surgery on his face, hip, and pelvic. I know that the last update said that all went well. It did but after the drugs started to ware off from the surgery his blood pressure started going up and he was in bad pain the nurses gave him more morphine to control his pain. Julia called me about two in the morning letting me know that they got his pain under control. He slept the rest of the night with Julia by his side all night. He was in surgery from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Central Time. He had little blood loss I do not thank that they gave him any blood during this surgery and if they have no one has told me so. They had to restrain his hands so that he would touch his had or pull out his tracheotomy until they got his pain under control. When he was better they undid the restrains. He now has signs on his room door hanging above his head and on his chest not to touch his face, because they went and set more bones in place in his face, while he was out for his hip and pelvic.
Later in the morning he woke up and they allowed him to sit up now that his hip has been plated and pined not sure of what they exactly did I have not seen the x-rays. He is getting frustrated at trying to communicate to Julia. So she went to Big Lots, yes they are in
Once Adam is off the respirator completely I thank they are going to start him on physical therapy trying to get him using his right hand and leg not sure what all this is going to acquire I really haven’t talked to any of the doctors about this. Julia and I were only worried about if we were going to have the Adam that we all knew and love.
Let’s talk about work a bit Julia has but here massage business on hold so that she can take care of Adam. So if anyone need a massage I’m sorry you will have to wait till she gets back. I have been asked by several people why I’m not able take time off from work under the FMLA well I took a new job in December of last year and under the FMLA you have to be employed for twelve months before you are permitted to take the FMLA time off. The company that I am work for has been understanding about the condition of my son and how I fell, they allowed me to take off a week and a half with out asking any questions. They are also allowing me to work 10 hour days and take four day weekends every other weekend. I am excited about this weekend I am driving Julia’s car to
I not sure what is to follow and I have not really talked about the rest of Adam recovery this is what I understand so far however. If he recovers well and can walk, use his arm, hands, tie his shoes, and feed him self that he will properly stay in
The power of prayer has given my Adam a speedy recovery from surgery most of the doctors and nurses are amazed at how well he is doing. Let’s not stop now he still has a long way to go and he is going to need the strength that only God can give to get through what’s to follow.
Again I can't tell every one how wonderful it is to have friends and family like you all.
David Abshire
Richard and Linda
I have thought about this quite a bit and even talked to Julia about this and called Robert Lawler about this, it’s more of a prided thing with me.
After talking to Julia and that she is not working while in
This has become some what of a unplanned financial burden on Julia and my self and we are asking our self what we are going to do. We would not be able to do what we have done if it was not for friends all ready and so many people have all ready helped us so mush and given us so mush I just hate to ask for help like this.
If some people are compelled to send money into my account I not going to say that I want use it or even give it to Adam if he should need something to help him manage with any disability he may have later in life. It would be greatly appreciated I can not my self ask for this help because of my pride and the reasonability of being able to take care of your family. I ask myself if I am doing something wrong, it almost feels like an old country song if it was not for bad luck I would not have any luck at all.
Thanks for your understanding and help.
David Abshire
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Tuesday September 23, 2008 (Day 10)
Well I am back in Dallas and I am sitting by the phone waiting on the phone call I talked to Julia this morning. It was great she was in the room with Adam and he could grunt I LOVE YOU he did to me over the phone and I got a call later from my mother that he said it to her too. He is aware of where he is at and what is going on around him. From what I understand he is still having some problems with communicating bit, getting better. I hope that today’s surgery does not set him back and have to start over again.
They now have his right hand in a plastic brace to keep his fingers and arm from curling up. There are other parts that are hurting him but I want talk about them just incase he reads this one day. A prayer blanket came today thank you very much for the blanket. He not moving his right leg very much, anytime anyone moves his leg he’s not a happy about it. Still have to remind him each time he wakes up what happen but I thank he starting to remember more and more. He went into surgery about 10 o’clock Central Time Zone I have not heard a lot back yet I keep calling Julia and asking how she is doing and if the doctors have called and told her anything yet. I now feel like you all waiting on an update. The surgery is going to run about 6 to 10 hours and I image that it will be late, I will try to send out a quick email when I find out how it all went and how he is doing. I just about to send this email when I got a phone call from Julia. Adam did fine during surgery he lost little blood. He will be sleeping for a while for a while Julia is leaving the hotel and on her way to the hospital now. I will give a short update when I know more.
It’s amazing to me the way that people come together and help each other out I owe you all so much for support and praying for Adam and my family. I am in a constant state of prayer. I was told by some in a prayer group that God made red lights to pray I know what they meant by that know.
God Bless all of you
They now have his right hand in a plastic brace to keep his fingers and arm from curling up. There are other parts that are hurting him but I want talk about them just incase he reads this one day. A prayer blanket came today thank you very much for the blanket. He not moving his right leg very much, anytime anyone moves his leg he’s not a happy about it. Still have to remind him each time he wakes up what happen but I thank he starting to remember more and more. He went into surgery about 10 o’clock Central Time Zone I have not heard a lot back yet I keep calling Julia and asking how she is doing and if the doctors have called and told her anything yet. I now feel like you all waiting on an update. The surgery is going to run about 6 to 10 hours and I image that it will be late, I will try to send out a quick email when I find out how it all went and how he is doing. I just about to send this email when I got a phone call from Julia. Adam did fine during surgery he lost little blood. He will be sleeping for a while for a while Julia is leaving the hotel and on her way to the hospital now. I will give a short update when I know more.
It’s amazing to me the way that people come together and help each other out I owe you all so much for support and praying for Adam and my family. I am in a constant state of prayer. I was told by some in a prayer group that God made red lights to pray I know what they meant by that know.
God Bless all of you
Monday, September 22, 2008
Monday September 22, 2008 (Day 9)
Good news everyone
I went to the hospital early today I wanted to spend as much time I could possibly could before I left to come back home. It funny what you call home, while I was in California I called the hotel home. I did miss Awna and Addison after being with Adam and in the shape that he is in it makes me hold them closer and tighter.
This morning visit with Adam was some what more promising then the other days. When I got there they had just finished giving him a bath. And he was some what aware of things. I talked to him and as I have done every day I explained to him where he was at what happen and all his injuries and his surgeries that he had. Today as I was telling him about his plates in his face and jaws and about how his jaw was 2 millimeters out (oh that reminds me the plastic surgeon called, the risk out way the benefits on doing more surgery on his face I get to all this later) as I was explaining about his jaws being wired shut he stuck his finger in his mouth to fill the wires. That tells me at least he might understand what I am telling him. I told him about his arm and leg and back. He got pretty upset when I told him about his back. I told him that it would heal and we would be fine. I asked him if he knew where he was and all I got was a blank stare I told him about the car accident again. I told him about Zack his best friend that was driving the car. He started to point to his chest I thought something was hurting him and I would ask him question after question trying to figure out what was wrong. I finally figured it out when I asked him if we wanted to know if Zack was still in the hospital I had to explain to him no that Zack got out six days ago, I don’t know if he was happy that Zack was not hurt as bad or sad that he was still in the hospital I like to thank that he was glad that Zack was not as badly hurt. A little while later he started to move his hand back and forth with his hand in a shape of a “C” I could not tell what he wanted I asked and asked until we were both to the point of giving up with tears in our eyes. I then found out he wanted a drink of water well with a tracheotomy in your neck you can’t have anything to drink. I asked the nurses to if I could run ice chips back and forth on his lips and I was told yes. As I was running the ice chips on his lips he smiled and seemed to feel good to him. About this time the sun is starting to come up and I asked him if he wanted me to open the blinds on the windows so he could see and feel the sun light he shook his head yes this is a on going battle between me and the nurses I open the blinds in the morning and they close them in the afternoon I usually don’t say anything because the sun is pretty bright there in the afternoon but I go back and crack them after they close them. While I almost forgot this part as I was opening the blinds he tried to snap his fingers for me to give him more ice chips.
I however made one mistake today while trying to talk to him I told him that we were going to have to find a different way to communicate with each other. After I said that he stopped doing everything just laid there. After trying to talk to him I found that he thought I meant he was never going to be able to talk again and after I explained that it was just temperately until they remove the tracheotomy and unwire his jaw he would be able to start talking again. He does not like the feeding tube in the side of his belly either he keeps scratching at it.
Well the other news the CT came back and the lower jaw bone has not moved any and we are not going to do the surgery on placing plates on his lower jaw. The major benefit that we get from adding plates to his bottom jaw is that he gets have his jaw unwired a week. The risk are having the side of your face paralyzed I thank we can live with a little miss alignment and not take a chance of having his face paralyzed. However he is having hip and pelvic surgery tomorrow I do not know what time yet. While they are doing surgery on his hip and pelvic they are going to do some work on the bridge of his nose, they are also going to rewire his jaw to adjust some of the alignment. I just hope its not another eight hour surgery tomorrow don’t know if I can wait that long not being there.
Well that’s it for today and I am back in Dallas for a while and THE PRAYERS ARE WORKING I SEE ADAM GETTING BETTER EVER DAY PLEASE NOT STOP SENDING YOUR PRAYERS.
I went to the hospital early today I wanted to spend as much time I could possibly could before I left to come back home. It funny what you call home, while I was in California I called the hotel home. I did miss Awna and Addison after being with Adam and in the shape that he is in it makes me hold them closer and tighter.
This morning visit with Adam was some what more promising then the other days. When I got there they had just finished giving him a bath. And he was some what aware of things. I talked to him and as I have done every day I explained to him where he was at what happen and all his injuries and his surgeries that he had. Today as I was telling him about his plates in his face and jaws and about how his jaw was 2 millimeters out (oh that reminds me the plastic surgeon called, the risk out way the benefits on doing more surgery on his face I get to all this later) as I was explaining about his jaws being wired shut he stuck his finger in his mouth to fill the wires. That tells me at least he might understand what I am telling him. I told him about his arm and leg and back. He got pretty upset when I told him about his back. I told him that it would heal and we would be fine. I asked him if he knew where he was and all I got was a blank stare I told him about the car accident again. I told him about Zack his best friend that was driving the car. He started to point to his chest I thought something was hurting him and I would ask him question after question trying to figure out what was wrong. I finally figured it out when I asked him if we wanted to know if Zack was still in the hospital I had to explain to him no that Zack got out six days ago, I don’t know if he was happy that Zack was not hurt as bad or sad that he was still in the hospital I like to thank that he was glad that Zack was not as badly hurt. A little while later he started to move his hand back and forth with his hand in a shape of a “C” I could not tell what he wanted I asked and asked until we were both to the point of giving up with tears in our eyes. I then found out he wanted a drink of water well with a tracheotomy in your neck you can’t have anything to drink. I asked the nurses to if I could run ice chips back and forth on his lips and I was told yes. As I was running the ice chips on his lips he smiled and seemed to feel good to him. About this time the sun is starting to come up and I asked him if he wanted me to open the blinds on the windows so he could see and feel the sun light he shook his head yes this is a on going battle between me and the nurses I open the blinds in the morning and they close them in the afternoon I usually don’t say anything because the sun is pretty bright there in the afternoon but I go back and crack them after they close them. While I almost forgot this part as I was opening the blinds he tried to snap his fingers for me to give him more ice chips.
I however made one mistake today while trying to talk to him I told him that we were going to have to find a different way to communicate with each other. After I said that he stopped doing everything just laid there. After trying to talk to him I found that he thought I meant he was never going to be able to talk again and after I explained that it was just temperately until they remove the tracheotomy and unwire his jaw he would be able to start talking again. He does not like the feeding tube in the side of his belly either he keeps scratching at it.
Well the other news the CT came back and the lower jaw bone has not moved any and we are not going to do the surgery on placing plates on his lower jaw. The major benefit that we get from adding plates to his bottom jaw is that he gets have his jaw unwired a week. The risk are having the side of your face paralyzed I thank we can live with a little miss alignment and not take a chance of having his face paralyzed. However he is having hip and pelvic surgery tomorrow I do not know what time yet. While they are doing surgery on his hip and pelvic they are going to do some work on the bridge of his nose, they are also going to rewire his jaw to adjust some of the alignment. I just hope its not another eight hour surgery tomorrow don’t know if I can wait that long not being there.
Well that’s it for today and I am back in Dallas for a while and THE PRAYERS ARE WORKING I SEE ADAM GETTING BETTER EVER DAY PLEASE NOT STOP SENDING YOUR PRAYERS.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Sunday September 21, 2008 (Day 8)
It’s getting harder to keep track of the days they all seam to run into one long day that never ends. You sleep when you can and you eat when you can. We found this real nice cafe by the hospital its called Charlie's they let us order what ever we want more or less, all the people that work there are very friendly plus there food is the old fashion kind of cooking that you makes you feel good.
There is no new real new update on Adam this morning at six I have not talked to any doctors. He is less sedated and they are trying to manage his pain more. When we talk to him there is more of a blank stare for 30 seconds that he has his eyes open. He moves his left arm up and down quite a bit and his left leg. His left leg keeps falling from the bed as he moves it. This has to be very hard on him, I know its hard on Julia and myself. He may be becoming aware of his injuries and pain. We thank that he hates the tracheotomy but how wouldn't like that and not being able to talk or communicate with anyone.
We talked to the plastic surgeon this morning. The lower right jaw is not lining up straight and it’s out of alignment about two millimeters. They are going to do another CT today and we are going to make our choice about having another surgery on his face or not. There is also some issues with his nose and when they go for surgery on his hip Tuesday they are considering doing surgery on his nose at the same time.
During the day to day he pulled this tracheotomy apart from the connection. They said if he did it again that he would have to be restrained to keep from doing that. They had to restrain his hand while cleaning his face and his mouth. Just for all those that are wondering if he still has his good looks well he has about six stitches across the bridge of his nose and about a dozen from the center of his right eye brow down to the corner of his right eye and about an half an inch past the corner of his right eye. It looks almost like a single crows foot coming from his right eye.
I am flying back to Dallas this Monday to take care of Addison and Awna. It’s a hard choice that I have to do, my other two kids are in need of there family. We are going to try to fly them out here in a couple of weeks to see there brother as soon as I get everything taken care of at work. Please make sure that you keep Julia in your prayers all the time by the end of the week she will be out here by here self for a couple of weeks or so. I will be in contact each day. I will try to do my best to keep the updates coming I have been asked by several people to do so. I can’t thank Linda and Danny McMullen enough for every thing that they have done for me and my family.
Some of Adams friends have got a face book page that his friends are blogging on http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=26707181307&ref=mf if you don’t have an account you will have to create one to be able to logon or even read the blog.
We have also meet real nice women Chaplin Castle and her husband has been helping us spiritual. She and her husband are some very special people they help out with the Marines and when there is a terrible accident like this they help out with the family and making sure that they are met with all the spiritual needs. They are some wonderful people. They have been praying with us and over Adam everyday. God Bless them.
There is no new real new update on Adam this morning at six I have not talked to any doctors. He is less sedated and they are trying to manage his pain more. When we talk to him there is more of a blank stare for 30 seconds that he has his eyes open. He moves his left arm up and down quite a bit and his left leg. His left leg keeps falling from the bed as he moves it. This has to be very hard on him, I know its hard on Julia and myself. He may be becoming aware of his injuries and pain. We thank that he hates the tracheotomy but how wouldn't like that and not being able to talk or communicate with anyone.
We talked to the plastic surgeon this morning. The lower right jaw is not lining up straight and it’s out of alignment about two millimeters. They are going to do another CT today and we are going to make our choice about having another surgery on his face or not. There is also some issues with his nose and when they go for surgery on his hip Tuesday they are considering doing surgery on his nose at the same time.
During the day to day he pulled this tracheotomy apart from the connection. They said if he did it again that he would have to be restrained to keep from doing that. They had to restrain his hand while cleaning his face and his mouth. Just for all those that are wondering if he still has his good looks well he has about six stitches across the bridge of his nose and about a dozen from the center of his right eye brow down to the corner of his right eye and about an half an inch past the corner of his right eye. It looks almost like a single crows foot coming from his right eye.
I am flying back to Dallas this Monday to take care of Addison and Awna. It’s a hard choice that I have to do, my other two kids are in need of there family. We are going to try to fly them out here in a couple of weeks to see there brother as soon as I get everything taken care of at work. Please make sure that you keep Julia in your prayers all the time by the end of the week she will be out here by here self for a couple of weeks or so. I will be in contact each day. I will try to do my best to keep the updates coming I have been asked by several people to do so. I can’t thank Linda and Danny McMullen enough for every thing that they have done for me and my family.
Some of Adams friends have got a face book page that his friends are blogging on http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=26707181307&ref=mf if you don’t have an account you will have to create one to be able to logon or even read the blog.
We have also meet real nice women Chaplin Castle and her husband has been helping us spiritual. She and her husband are some very special people they help out with the Marines and when there is a terrible accident like this they help out with the family and making sure that they are met with all the spiritual needs. They are some wonderful people. They have been praying with us and over Adam everyday. God Bless them.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Saturday September 20, 2008 (Day 7)
Adam had surgery last night on his right arm and one his lower back. He did well they gave him 1 unit of blood before and 1 during. After he came out of surgery his face was face down in a halo for about 6.5 hours. His face was swollen petty bad after surgery. His blood pressure was up and his fever was up a bit but not as bad the night before.Today was a day of rest for Adam, Julia and I. It was well needed rest after the last six days. The next step is that they are going to start winging him off his sedation meds and more of pain meds. He will hopefully be more awake. However this is when we find out how his brain is working and if he can see and remember who we are. He is barley wiggling his toes once or twice a day and he is still having problems on his right side. He can give us a half way thumbs up on his left hand and barley move his fingers on his left hand a mill meter. Please don't stop the prayers. They are not only helping Adam get better but they help Julia and I as well knowing that we are all praying for him each day. Today I did not email everyone will you please forward this to everyone thanks for all your help.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Friday September 19, 2008 (Day 6)
Talked to the orthopedic doctor last night. They are going to do surgery on his arm and back today around 2 Cali time for those that are time zone challenged that's going to be 4 Texas time. He did well through the night. The CT from yesterday came back and is worried about some other problems in his face and is talking about doing more surgery on his face we have another meeting with plastic soon don't know when will update as I can. Yesterday Julia and I went to see the car and where the accident happens it was properly one of the hardest things that I have ever done. I have seen car wrecks before it was different when it is your son in that was in the car. Where the accident happen the medical supplies laying scattered on the ground along with parts of the car still there and some of Adam's personal belongings. I can not begin to explain the feelings that I felt or Julia felt. I only pray to God that no one ever again has to experience the feelings that I felt yesterday. We also meet with the commanding officer yesterday the military is being very helpful in keeping us informed on what is going on. I have learned that there is another boy that was diving into the ocean on some of his time off in broke his neck he was paralyzed from the neck down and is now only from the waist down. Adam friend Zack that was driving the car is having a hard time with what has happen. I am asking that you remember the two kids in your prayers too. I have been asked what we can do to help and there is so many asking. I do not know the answer your prayers and support has been so helpful. A couple of things are Adam has had a lot of blood and if you are one that donates at Carter or Red Cross here is his account no. Carter is SPON047067 Red Cross blood bank # is 91533. The Red Cross I not sure but from the few phone calls I have made they do not have a blood bank to donate blood to. Carter you just need to give them the no. The other thing is you can send cards and letters to him we read them to him as he gets them. He seems to enjoy the letters and cards I am sure he will be here for at least the next couple of weeks the hospital address isPalomar Medical Center555 E. Valley Pkwy Rm 635Escondido CA 92025 Thank you all your help and support.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Thursday September 18, 2008 (Day 5)
First of all I would like to say thank you to every one for all the prayers it means so much to Julia and me. If you are squeamish you may want to skip to the end. Second today surgery was about 8 hours long and he came out well. The placed plates on the left and right sides of his face by his eyes. The best I can explain is that they pulled his nose and the bridge back out to open his sinus cavity up. Then the placed plates in the roof of his mouth to keep his upper jaw together and then they re attached is upper jaw back to his skull. After that the added plates to the front of his lower jaw. The doctor did not put plates on the side of his lower jaw do to the possible nerve damage he did a line his jaw and wire the lower jaw to the upper jaw. To keep them together, they are going to do another CT in the morning to check and make sure all is in good alignment. There is some chance of him infection in his face do to the injuries in his mouth. He is still in heavily drugged and has many more surgeries to go. His commander officer and the staff Sgt came to the hospital and gave Julia and I his diploma for Assault Amphibian Crew man Course and his Operator's Identification Card for Assault Amphibian Vehicles A friend sent me this today; Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. (Matt 18:19) Please keep sending the prayers he has a long from being out of the woods.
Julia and I went and looked at the car today all I can say is that God was watching over him and must have some great plans for him.
Julia and I went and looked at the car today all I can say is that God was watching over him and must have some great plans for him.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Wednesday September 17, 2008 (Day 4)
Quick updates meet with plastic surgeon this morning. I got to see the CT scans of his face. He has fractions on his left and right side of his face where his eyes are at. The bones behind his nose are completely crushed his upper jaw under his nose is broke and goes all the way inside his mouth the left and right side of his upper jaw is broke. His lower jaw is broke in three places as well. He will have plates in his face and jaw. His jaw will be wired shut. The surgery will take min 6 hours and they just took him back to surgery. The prayers are working and he is getting better. Day by day thank you every one.
Surgery on his Face eight hours of surgery
Surgery on his Face eight hours of surgery
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Tuesday September 16, 2008 (Day 3)
They removed the feeding tube from his mouth and added it into his stomach to be able to remove the feeding tube from his mouth to be able to do surgery on his face, on Wednesday.
Update just got a phone call from plastic surgeon going to do surgery in the morning on his jaw it will be wired shut. There are serve breaks that they have to re a line and there are a couple of breaks that are going to be hard to get to we are meeting with the doctor at 600 in the morning.
Update just got a phone call from plastic surgeon going to do surgery in the morning on his jaw it will be wired shut. There are serve breaks that they have to re a line and there are a couple of breaks that are going to be hard to get to we are meeting with the doctor at 600 in the morning.
Monday September 15, 2008 (Day 2)
Removed breathing tube from his mouth and did a tracheotomy in his neck for breathing. Basket in his vain, the basket lowers the odds of getting a blood clog from his leg to his lungs. Still to unstable for surgery waiting.
Thank you all, the hospital that Adam is at is
Palomar Medical Center
555 E. Valley Pkwy.,
Escondido CA 92025
I will send an email as soon as possible. Again thank you all he needs your prayers.
Thank you all, the hospital that Adam is at is
Palomar Medical Center
555 E. Valley Pkwy.,
Escondido CA 92025
I will send an email as soon as possible. Again thank you all he needs your prayers.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Sunday September 14, 2008 (Day 1)
Wait to see if he is going to stable, got a scare when we though that he had got a blood clog in his lung, took him to do a CT real quick on him. Luckily it was only a mucus plug, but we have to watch for ARDS it’s a breathing disorder when the blood in his lungs starts to pool and makes it hard to breath. You can also have this problem from laying on your back for a long time and the fluid starts to build up in your lungs. This often leads to pneumonia. It was a long day of uncertain.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Saturday September 13, 2008 (Day 0)
9:23 AM
Coming home from dropping some items off at the dump received phone call from Marie Jochim Adam’s girlfriend at about asking if we have heard from Adam that there was an accident.
9:29 AM
Called Adam no answer on his phone.
9:40 AM
Called MSgt Hunt left a voice message on his phone.
Arrived at home had a message phone call on the voice mail from the plastic surgeon about the Adam being at the hospital.
10:00 AM
Shortly after getting home and hearing the message we got a phone call from SSgt Borges, Stephanie A. HQMC Casualty Notification notify us of the accident and what happen and that Adam was listed as critical and that we had orders to fly or drive to the Hospital we told them that we would fly.
11:19 AM
MSgt called me back and said he had got word of the accident and was heading to the hospital.
12:02 PM
Received confirmation of our flight and when and where it was leaving from. We received the information from SSgt Borges, Stephanie A. HQMC Casualty Notification.
3:10 PM
On board flight # 1321 to San Diego airport.
4:32 PM (now on Pacific Time Zone)
Landed in San Diego Sgt Hill was calling and waiting to pick us up at the air port
SSgt Hill took us straight to the hospital where we meet MSgt Hunt he escorted us to Adam ICU room where the doctors were at and started to go over all his injuries.
List of injuries
Face Pan Fracture
left and right side of eyes
bridge of nose
upper jaw left and right side
front of upper jaw into roof of mouth
lower jaw left and right side
chin from front teeth to bottom of chin
Brain Swelling
Scapula
Humerus
Rips (not sure of all or which ones)
Lungs
Liver
Spleen
L2 (Lumbar Vertebrae L2)
Hip Bone & Pelvic
Femur
Tibia
Fibula
The doctors did surgery right away on his lower legs some time between 4:00 AM and 6:00 AM Pacific Time Zone. They placed two rods in his right leg one from his ankle to his knee and from his knee to his hip to repair the long bones.
Coming home from dropping some items off at the dump received phone call from Marie Jochim Adam’s girlfriend at about asking if we have heard from Adam that there was an accident.
9:29 AM
Called Adam no answer on his phone.
9:40 AM
Called MSgt Hunt left a voice message on his phone.
Arrived at home had a message phone call on the voice mail from the plastic surgeon about the Adam being at the hospital.
10:00 AM
Shortly after getting home and hearing the message we got a phone call from SSgt Borges, Stephanie A. HQMC Casualty Notification notify us of the accident and what happen and that Adam was listed as critical and that we had orders to fly or drive to the Hospital we told them that we would fly.
11:19 AM
MSgt called me back and said he had got word of the accident and was heading to the hospital.
12:02 PM
Received confirmation of our flight and when and where it was leaving from. We received the information from SSgt Borges, Stephanie A. HQMC Casualty Notification.
3:10 PM
On board flight # 1321 to San Diego airport.
4:32 PM (now on Pacific Time Zone)
Landed in San Diego Sgt Hill was calling and waiting to pick us up at the air port
SSgt Hill took us straight to the hospital where we meet MSgt Hunt he escorted us to Adam ICU room where the doctors were at and started to go over all his injuries.
List of injuries
Face Pan Fracture
left and right side of eyes
bridge of nose
upper jaw left and right side
front of upper jaw into roof of mouth
lower jaw left and right side
chin from front teeth to bottom of chin
Brain Swelling
Scapula
Humerus
Rips (not sure of all or which ones)
Lungs
Liver
Spleen
L2 (Lumbar Vertebrae L2)
Hip Bone & Pelvic
Femur
Tibia
Fibula
The doctors did surgery right away on his lower legs some time between 4:00 AM and 6:00 AM Pacific Time Zone. They placed two rods in his right leg one from his ankle to his knee and from his knee to his hip to repair the long bones.
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