Holy cow! Did not realize that it has been nearly 1 year since I have updated the blog...How time flies!
As we are fast approaching Josh's 1 year anniversary since his accident, I look back at the remainder of 2009 and the first half of 2010 and it is such a blur!
Since Josh's discharge on January 27, 2010 we have kept fairly busy! I remember the day he came home like it was yesterday! I did not sleep a wink the night previous due to excitement! I was like a child on Christmas Eve! I thought I would just walk into Rehab and pack him up, throw him in the car and see ya later...did not happen as expected! It ended up being an all day event and after 4 trips back and forth, we were home around 7pm! Visiting Nurses Association became our very good friends too! We had VNA at the house every other day administering IV medication and changing out his open wound bandage. We had to wake up at 11pm, 2am and 5am to give his medication by IV...it was exhausting to say the least! After 2 weeks of being at home Josh started outpatient therapy. He coasted right along! We had appointment after appointment with each doctor that had seen Josh during his stay between Fletcher Allen and Rehab. He has gone through many classes, was reissued his license to drive and impresses the doctors and nurses! His battle wounds are pretty cool too!
Josh has done amazing and beat the odds and surpassed all his doctors expectations. As you all know, he did sustain Traumatic Brain Injury from his accident and we are currently working with his Rehab doctor. Everything is at Josh's pace at this point. To answer the constant question, "When is Josh going back to work?" We do not know at this point. As one of the doctors told me-Let me remind you that Josh was hit by a train...When the doctors and Josh feel that he is ready to handle the stress and mental and physical requirements, they will let us know. Until then, we just enjoy every single moment we have together. It can all be taken away in an instant and I know first hand...
The kids and I are doing great! Life has resumed to normal and we all talk about the accident openly. It was a hard time for the kids especially because Josh is such a wonderful father. I think they lost a part of themselves while he was gone. My eyes still well up when I think about the situation. Especially the phone conversation with the lady at UPS telling me that it was Josh and he is in and out of consciousness and barely breathing. That memory will never go away...Or Josh coming out of surgery in the recovery room asking me why I shoved him in a Christmas ornament!!!
Nearly one year later I am over the moon to be able to have Josh with us again. It was a trying time and nothing short of a miracle. I am so proud of how far Josh has come and his determination to gain his life back. We still have a few bumps in the road that need to be repaired but we are working on that...
I am anxious and excited for the holidays this year! We have so much making up for! I plan on starting our Christmas card picture soon so expect it in the mail!
A huge and heartfelt Thank You to all of those that stood behind us through this. Without your love and support, I would not have got this far. All the meals delivered to the house, monetary donations, our benefit dinner & dance, gifts and cards or a hug meant the world to all of us. I can never say enough Thank You's. Our family received cards from all over the U.S. It was so touching to see how people can come together in a time of need.
All you need is love, sweet love!
You all have our love!
XOXO
Josh, Carissa, Caydance, Cole and Cayne
*I can now have coffee again!! I really recommend every coffee drinker know how to make coffee...
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
January 25, 2010
I am sooooooo excited to let everyone know that Josh has a discharge date of Wednesday January 27, 2010! This is such great news for our family! This is the day we have been waiting for nearly two months and it is finally here. There was a point in the beginning that was questioning if Josh would ever come home, and he is!
He is doing amazing at Rehabilitation and exceeding the doctors expectations. His strength and will to get through this accident really says a lot about what kind of man Josh is. I am so proud of him.
Josh will go to out-patient therapy and we will have a nurse come to the house that will change his wound VAC dressings and administer his IV antibiotics and fluids. His pelvis incision is still open with clear plastic covering and sponges to cover the wound which attaches to the vacuum and drains fluid. I get to play nurse too by giving Josh his blood thinning shots daily! I will admit that I am nervous, though I did not tell him that! He is so motivated to recover from this accident and be the wonderful father and husband that he was before.
As you can imagine, the kids are over the top to have Daddy back home. Caydance started tearing up tonight when I told her only two more sleeps until Daddy will be home and she said- "They are tears of joy Mommy!" This has been a long road for Caydance and Cole. After 51 long and hard days, having him back home is all they have wanted and waited for.
Josh still has a long road ahead of him with his leg and pelvis. He will not have use of his left leg for a minimum of four months. This is especially going to be hard on him not being able to move around and play with the kids like he used to .
We spoke with the nurse the other day and she was informing Josh and I that things may come up where he feels uneasy and nervous and that may be because something is triggering memories of the accident and it is normal. Josh is obviously going to have lasting effects from the accident.
I will forever be changed from December 8, 2009. After going through such a traumatic accident and almost losing my other half, I have a whole new outlook on life. I feel like my heart can continue to beat and I can breathe again. I never knew you could love someone as much as I love Josh, I can't explain it. It is amazing how the things that we take for granted takes almost losing them to make you appreciate what you have and be thankful every single day. I am thankful.
He is doing amazing at Rehabilitation and exceeding the doctors expectations. His strength and will to get through this accident really says a lot about what kind of man Josh is. I am so proud of him.
Josh will go to out-patient therapy and we will have a nurse come to the house that will change his wound VAC dressings and administer his IV antibiotics and fluids. His pelvis incision is still open with clear plastic covering and sponges to cover the wound which attaches to the vacuum and drains fluid. I get to play nurse too by giving Josh his blood thinning shots daily! I will admit that I am nervous, though I did not tell him that! He is so motivated to recover from this accident and be the wonderful father and husband that he was before.
As you can imagine, the kids are over the top to have Daddy back home. Caydance started tearing up tonight when I told her only two more sleeps until Daddy will be home and she said- "They are tears of joy Mommy!" This has been a long road for Caydance and Cole. After 51 long and hard days, having him back home is all they have wanted and waited for.
Josh still has a long road ahead of him with his leg and pelvis. He will not have use of his left leg for a minimum of four months. This is especially going to be hard on him not being able to move around and play with the kids like he used to .
We spoke with the nurse the other day and she was informing Josh and I that things may come up where he feels uneasy and nervous and that may be because something is triggering memories of the accident and it is normal. Josh is obviously going to have lasting effects from the accident.
I will forever be changed from December 8, 2009. After going through such a traumatic accident and almost losing my other half, I have a whole new outlook on life. I feel like my heart can continue to beat and I can breathe again. I never knew you could love someone as much as I love Josh, I can't explain it. It is amazing how the things that we take for granted takes almost losing them to make you appreciate what you have and be thankful every single day. I am thankful.
Monday, January 18, 2010
January 18, 2010
I have not updated the blog recently because no real changes have happened. Josh is still fighting his infection and his last surgery was Thursday evening. Currently, the Doctors are waiting for blood results and cultures before they will be confident that his infection is healing. At this point we do not know if Josh will have any more surgeries. He will go back in for an MRI and CT Scan this week . We are praying that everything is going to look "normal" and he can continue on with his recovery and rehabilitation. This is precautionary to see if they are missing anything when they take him into the operating room. Josh is slowly regaining his memory and improving daily. He definitely misses being home with his family.
Caydance and Cole ask me multiple times a day when Daddy is going to be home. My heart aches not only for Josh but for our children. Every now and again, I have to remember that this is real. I feel like my heart stops when I think about the accident. Josh and I have made a great life for our family and it can just be taken away in an instant. I know that we will move forward from this and go back to our lives but when? One of the hardest parts of this is not knowing. I wish that the Doctors could write it down and give me a time line. Unfortunately, that is not reality. I cannot help but wonder why something like this would happen to Josh, he is such a wonderful man. His children are the most important part of his life, he wants nothing but to make them happy. Josh lives for Caydance, Cole and Cayne. My hope is that Josh will be the same man he was before 4pm on December 8, 2009.
After seven surgeries, Josh is still keeping his head held high. He holds a high standard for himself and pushes every single day. Just recently he has been using a walker to take a few steps in the hallway. The Doctors have told him that he may not put his left foot down on the floor. Caydance pushed her Daddy all around the halls this weekend in his wheelchair while Cole chased them and they enjoyed every second of it! He holds Cayne and lifts him up and down to strengthen his arms! Josh was able to go outside on Saturday in his chair to breathe in fresh air. Words cannot describe how I felt to see him outside even though it was just for a moment!
The kids and I are anxiously awaiting the day that we can take Daddy home with us. I tried to get him to leave the other day!! Can you get in trouble for taking a patient that is not discharged? (JUST KIDDING) One of Josh's nurses gave Caydance a "Nurse Kit." She told me that it is to take care of Daddy when he gets home! Josh is Caydance's right arm, she is so close to him and I know how badly she misses Josh. We are missing the most important part of our family-we need you back Josh.
Thank You to everyone that has been providing meals. It is still so much appreciated. I told Josh how much everyone has been helping out and he said-"How am I going to Thank all these people for what they have been doing?" Thank You to All that have helped our family. Your continued support is greatly needed and appreciated.
XOXO
Josh, Carissa, Caydance, Cole & Cayne
Sunday, January 10, 2010
January 10, 2010
HAPPY 29TH BIRTHDAY JOSHUA!!
The blog today is to let everyone know that you are invited to send your Birthday wishes to Josh. We would like to make this a very special and important day for Josh as he is. We will be celebrating with some cake and ice cream, for those of you interested you can call me and I will gladly let you know the details. The numbers for info are 434-2626, 434-4043, 922-4266.
As he continues with his surgeries we would like to take this day and try to make some Happy moments for him to remember, and maybe try to forget about his situation even if just for a minute.
Thanks to all, and I will update on Josh's condition tomorrow.
Love, Carissa
The blog today is to let everyone know that you are invited to send your Birthday wishes to Josh. We would like to make this a very special and important day for Josh as he is. We will be celebrating with some cake and ice cream, for those of you interested you can call me and I will gladly let you know the details. The numbers for info are 434-2626, 434-4043, 922-4266.
As he continues with his surgeries we would like to take this day and try to make some Happy moments for him to remember, and maybe try to forget about his situation even if just for a minute.
Thanks to all, and I will update on Josh's condition tomorrow.
Love, Carissa
Monday, January 4, 2010
January 4th, 2010
Josh just got out of surgery from changing out his sponges and cleaning out the infected area again. His drains were moved up a small amount so that his wounds could attempt to heal from the inside out. The bad news is that he will have to go into the operating room 2 more times to do this. Hopefully by the 6th surgery they will be able to close this area and Josh can go to rehab to continue with his recovery. Unfortunately his recovery time for his pelvis and left leg healing has just doubled to 4 months because they continue to operate in the same area, due to the bacteria and infection.
Needless to say this is a major setback for Josh and I. I'm sure by the time the doctors speak with Josh after the anesthesia wears off he will be one unhappy patient.
On a good note, Josh did get to be moved to a wheelchair for an hour today, and seeing him sitting up was a welcome change.
We are praying that this will hopefully be the last speed bump in what has been a very trying time for all of us. As always thank you for your thoughts, kind words and prayers.
XOXO
Carissa
Needless to say this is a major setback for Josh and I. I'm sure by the time the doctors speak with Josh after the anesthesia wears off he will be one unhappy patient.
On a good note, Josh did get to be moved to a wheelchair for an hour today, and seeing him sitting up was a welcome change.
We are praying that this will hopefully be the last speed bump in what has been a very trying time for all of us. As always thank you for your thoughts, kind words and prayers.
XOXO
Carissa
Friday, January 1, 2010
January 1, 2010
Happy New Year to All!
This week we have hit a few setbacks. During Josh's Rehab, the Doctors discovered fluid and bacteria in his pelvic area where his surgery was performed. They did a CT Scan on Wednesday because Josh was in excruciating pain. He also had a fever so they did a chest x-ray and discovered he had pneumonia which they are treating with antibiotics.
Unfortunately Josh has underwent a second major surgery for the bacteria and fluid in his pelvis late last night. With this recent surgery they are keeping the incision open with a drain and sponges until tomorrow morning when he will go again to surgery to change out the sponges and clean the infected area again. Infectious Disease Doctors have mentioned that Josh may need the hardware that was just placed in his pelvis removed after his bones have healed. Needless to say at this point Josh is very frustrated and is begging me to take him home and be done with this. I have been trying my hardest to keep him positive. I assure him that we will be by his side every minute to get him through this and he is not alone. His 100% goal is to get home to his wife and kids.
On another note, Josh also had his MRI on Wednesday. His Doctor said that his brain took blunt force from the impact therefore there is damage on his brain. There is considerable and maybe irreversible damage on the frontal lobe. This may or may not be permanent, the Doctors will not know as they say he is only 24 days post accident.
On a lighter note, his Doctors expect that 90 days post accident he will have 80% recovery but there is no guarantee as there may be more unexpected speed bumps along his recovery.
In the meantime, I am constantly making Josh aware of our family and friends that are here to support him, myself and our kids!
XOXO
Carissa
This week we have hit a few setbacks. During Josh's Rehab, the Doctors discovered fluid and bacteria in his pelvic area where his surgery was performed. They did a CT Scan on Wednesday because Josh was in excruciating pain. He also had a fever so they did a chest x-ray and discovered he had pneumonia which they are treating with antibiotics.
Unfortunately Josh has underwent a second major surgery for the bacteria and fluid in his pelvis late last night. With this recent surgery they are keeping the incision open with a drain and sponges until tomorrow morning when he will go again to surgery to change out the sponges and clean the infected area again. Infectious Disease Doctors have mentioned that Josh may need the hardware that was just placed in his pelvis removed after his bones have healed. Needless to say at this point Josh is very frustrated and is begging me to take him home and be done with this. I have been trying my hardest to keep him positive. I assure him that we will be by his side every minute to get him through this and he is not alone. His 100% goal is to get home to his wife and kids.
On another note, Josh also had his MRI on Wednesday. His Doctor said that his brain took blunt force from the impact therefore there is damage on his brain. There is considerable and maybe irreversible damage on the frontal lobe. This may or may not be permanent, the Doctors will not know as they say he is only 24 days post accident.
On a lighter note, his Doctors expect that 90 days post accident he will have 80% recovery but there is no guarantee as there may be more unexpected speed bumps along his recovery.
In the meantime, I am constantly making Josh aware of our family and friends that are here to support him, myself and our kids!
XOXO
Carissa
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Sunday 12/27/09
I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas.
Josh was disappointed that he didn't realize it was Christmas when we had dinner with him. There is not much to update on his rehabilitation as it will be a long process which is repetitious.
Today, I realized that Josh will have many good days and many bad days. On Christmas, he was in a lot of pain and could not make it through dinner. He is in pain when sitting in his wheelchair or lying in bed.
Today though, he had a great day when we were visiting and he was in good spirits. He did have all of his staples removed from his surgery incision and the wound on his head and leg. He will definitely have a nice battle wound from his belly all the way around to his backside, I am sure this will be his bragging rights in the future!
Josh has a window in his room and he was trying to figure out the exact location where he was, as I was explaining to him he rattled off the exact address!!! (Typical UPS Driver!)
As I write in this blog, I feel a weight has been lifted compared to the first blog that I wrote while tears were running down my face as I now see a future again with my husband.
To all of you who have shown your support through this, I Thank You from the bottom of my heart. When Josh is home and I feel he is capable, he will hear a list of names of every single person that has shown support to his wife and children.
XOXO
Carissa
Josh was disappointed that he didn't realize it was Christmas when we had dinner with him. There is not much to update on his rehabilitation as it will be a long process which is repetitious.
Today, I realized that Josh will have many good days and many bad days. On Christmas, he was in a lot of pain and could not make it through dinner. He is in pain when sitting in his wheelchair or lying in bed.
Today though, he had a great day when we were visiting and he was in good spirits. He did have all of his staples removed from his surgery incision and the wound on his head and leg. He will definitely have a nice battle wound from his belly all the way around to his backside, I am sure this will be his bragging rights in the future!
Josh has a window in his room and he was trying to figure out the exact location where he was, as I was explaining to him he rattled off the exact address!!! (Typical UPS Driver!)
As I write in this blog, I feel a weight has been lifted compared to the first blog that I wrote while tears were running down my face as I now see a future again with my husband.
To all of you who have shown your support through this, I Thank You from the bottom of my heart. When Josh is home and I feel he is capable, he will hear a list of names of every single person that has shown support to his wife and children.
XOXO
Carissa
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