Late Week Update

Hi everybody! I got some good updates from Mom and Becky yesterday. Since no beds have opened up anywhere Mom will stay at Sparrow until Friday. On Friday a bed is opening up at the Medical Care Facility and she will get moved there. This is an answer to prayer - only one move and to the place she wants and needs to be.

Kim has had a busy week with therapy sessions and Dr's appointments. Becky said her physical therapist is pleased with her progress and she only needs to see her once a week for now. The occupational and speech therapists are doing some testing right now to determine the areas they need to focus on with Kim to get her back in top form - after that they will also be once a week appointments.

I am in an airport right now on my way to Orlando for work and Deb is off today to visit with her family for a few days. We'd appreciate you all checking in with Mom & Dad and Becky & Kirk to see how they're doing. I'll be touching base by phone and I'll do my best to get any new info up here for everyone.

Thanks for your continued prayers and help. One thing this experience has taught me is how important we are to each other and how much the little acts of kindness matter.

Keep Praying

Dan

Tuesday Blues

Hi everyone. Mixed day for Mom today. She is in good spirits but still frustrated to still be at the hospital. There are simply no beds open in rehab centers for her. Apparently there is a male bed available in one facility but for some reason Mom wasn't comfortable with that - go figure. Mom does have a much better roommate now. Some of you know the lady in there previously was challenging to say the least. The light at the end of the tunnel is that there is a bed opening up in Charlotte on Friday and she is slated for that spot.

Kimmy has some therapy sessions scheduled in Lansing today. I'm anxious to talk to Becky and Kirk and see how she's doing tonight. I'll let you know then.

Mom would love calls or visits. She has her cell phone with her so feel free to call that number. If you don't have it give Deb or me a call and we can get it for you.

Thanks for all your prayers.

Dan

Monday Updates

I took the weekend off from updates - Thanks for understanding. Deb and the Kids and I spent a lot of time re-charging from the events of the last week. Dad and I had a safe trip up north to the funeral on Friday. It was a good but sad day. Some of my cousins were there and my Dad's sisters. It was great to do some reconnecting.

Kim is doing well at home. She continues to gain strength and energy. She really wanted to go to church on Sunday so they snuck in a little late and snuck out early but she was there! She is working on her therapy exercises every day at home and has appointments on Tuesday and Wednesday this next week in Lansing with her speech/occupational/physical therapists. They are still trying to get a good handle on what short and long term effects she injuries may or may not have. She has some work ahead of her to get ready for school in the fall but that tough little girl is up to it!

Mom is very frustrated. She really does not need to be at the hospital anymore - she should be in a rehab setting - but there are not beds available right now. They are working on getting her into someplace closer to Charlotte but it is not happening quickly. Dad was able to talk to his insurance folks today to calm some of his fears about costs that some of the hospital personnel had raised. There are a lot of details that need to be taken care of and it is very hard sometimes to navigate the waters to the right people to handle those details. Please pray for clarity of mind for him as he tries to keep everything straight.

Deb is arranging meals for Becky and Kirk and a few for Dad and Mom starting this week. If you would like to help please give her a call and she can work that out with you. Thanks again to all of you for your prayers and continued support. We love you very much.

Keep Praying

Dan

Early Friday

Good morning everyone! Kimmy did come home yesterday. About 6:00pm she walked into Mom's room and said, "Granny! I get to go home!" I'll give their place a call later today and get a status report for you all up here when I can.

Dad and I are heading up north today for aunt Doris' funeral. Deb will be with Mom after VBS. Please continue to pray hard that a bed open up for Mom in the Medical Care Facility here in Charlotte. She is very ready to be moved.

Thanks for all your prayers.

Dan

Kimmy's Out of There!!!!!!

Got word at lunch today that Kim is going to be released from the hospital today! Amen!!!! They want her to go through her full schedule of therapy today but then she will be released to sleep in her own house tonight. The MRA showed the arteries were just fine. The MRI showed a legion on the inside of the skull from the injury but it didn't sound like that will cause any lasting issues. The EEG did have some irregularities on it that they will address over the next days and weeks but things look good overall.

The next days and weeks will include lots of doctor's visits and therapy to get her back to 100% as soon as possible. Visitors will be welcome but PLEASE CALL FIRST! Between appointments and much needed rest that will be important.

Mom is doing well and very ready to get moved into her rehab phase. She asked me to have you all be praying that a bed open up at the medical care facility as soon as possible. She wants to be there close to home and her family and church friends.

If they keep getting better like this I may be out of job here with this blog - won't that be great!

Keep Praying!

Dan

Today's News

New updates/changes for this evening.

Kim was able to have her MRI/MRA tonight. She slept through it with out sedation and it went real smooth. Results should be in sometime tomorrow. I want to remind everyone - please no visitors for the next few days unless Becky or Kirk OK it.

Mom continues to gain strength but by the end of the day she is very tired and feeling some pain. This afternoon Mom and Dad discussed rehab options and have actually decided to try to go with their original hopes of the Medical Care Facility in Charlotte rather than the rehab floor at Sparrow that I mentioned earlier. It looks like she may be making that move as early as Friday. As they discussed it they really feel that it would be better for her to be close to everyone. She is not going to be very mobile anyway after she gets home - what's a few extra days in a rehab center.

Mom and Kim would both enjoy cards or letters. I've put the address for the hospital below - include the appropriate name and room #.

Thanks for the offers of help for Friday - everything is taken care of. Many of you have asked about Ty - he is fine, no broken bones just a strain.

Thanks for everything folks. Keep praying and I'll keep you updated.

Dan


Sparrow Hospital
Margie Wilson - Patient rm 417
Kim Rickerd - patient rm 533
1215 E. Michigan Avenue
Lansing, Michigan 48912

Heads up for Tomorrow

Hi everybody. I'll get a full update up later tonight but I wanted to let everyone know something early as well. Kim's doctors and Kirk and Becky are asking that tomorrow there be a bare minimum of visitors. Kim has really enjoyed seeing the people who have come up but they tire her out and it is then hard for them to see just how strong she is and how she is progressing. We really need to give them some space for the next 24-48 hours. She is doing well and visitors will be welcome soon.

Thanks everyone for your understanding and your continued prayers. More to come soon.

Dan

Help for Friday

As I mentioned yesterday Dad and I are going up north for Aunt Doris' funeral on Friday. After VBS Deb is planning on going up to sit with Mom but needs someone to watch the kids for the afternoon and possibly into the evening. If you can help give her a call at our house or send an e-mail our way.

Thanks

Dan

Wednesday at Lunch

I went up to the hospital at lunch again today. As I was walking onto Kim's floor I see her with her physical therapist and Kirk and Becky walking down the hall. Becky said "Kim do you see who that is?" Kim smiled and said, "Hi uncle Danny!" (yes I'll always be Danny to a lot of folks) I got to go to the "gym" with her and watch her session. She played basketball and soccer and walked on a balance beam (it was a painted 2x4 on the ground). She is gaining every day but her left side is lagging behind a little bit and her reaction time is diminished right now. It was a lot of fun to be included in that time.

Mom looked real strong today. As I got to her room they were talking with one of her doctors about rehab options. It sound like they are leaning towards her transferring to the rehab floor right there in Sparrow Hospital. The intensive therapy they will be able to give there will help get her home sooner. She may be transferred to that floor later this week and they would expect her to be there 7-10 days and then home at that point.

This really isn't a Tyler update page but here is one anyway. The hospital called this morning and his arm wasn't broken but they did not get the x-rays they needed to check out his shoulder so Deb and I are going up to get that done this afternoon.

Thanks for everything folks. Keep up the prayers and encouragement! Talk to you soon.

Dan

Another Wild Day!

Well this afternoon Tyler decided Granny shouldn't be the only one with bandaged up limbs so when his older sister was watching him he decided to take a dive off the bed. He is OK. Deb took him in to get checked out and he may have a "green fracture" in his arm. They wrapped his arm just in case and Deb will get final word when the doctor sees the x-rays in the morning. It will have to stay bandaged for a bit but then everything will be fine. It just seemed the icing on the cake today.

Kim had another strong afternoon according to my Dad. They did the EEG tonight and the results will come tomorrow. They had to put off the MRI/MRA till tomorrow at 5:00 pm because one of the personnel they needed was not available today. Kim ate a great lunch and dinner and seemed in good spirits.

Mom had a tough afternoon it sounded like. I think the pain and stress is taking its toll. Dad said she was getting startled by loud noises and was getting pretty agitated. Pray for good rest and a calm day tomorrow.

We got word that My Aunt Doris' funeral will be Friday afternoon in Traverse City. Dad and I will be going up for the day.

More news tomorrow, thanks for your prayers.

Dan

Midday on Tuesday

Though I would give everyone a mid-day update. One thing I forgot to mention last night is that Kim has been moved out of the Pediatric ICU into a normal room. This is a great thing. She is not up for visitors yet other than family. Becky and Kirk will let us know when others can come to see her.

Her MRA/MRI is scheduled for 5:00pm today, they are going to do an EEG as well. We will probably not hear any results from that until tomorrow. This morning she opened her birthday presents. She is excited to have some new books and blankets and games. Her morning has been busy again with therapy and doctors. I sat with her a while today while she rested and Becky and Kirk went to get a bite to eat. When I left they were about to do a "mad-lib" out of one of her new books.

Please pray for the doctors as they work on getting good evaluations of her status and progress. In some ways they are just now discovering the full extent of her brain injury and its effects. The discovery process is frustrating. They do the tests and then they have to talk it over with six other doctors before they can do anything or even tell Beck and Kirk what the status is.

Mom looked good but was tired and in some pain when I saw her. More therapy this morning and afternoon for her. She has appreciated the visits, cards and flowers.

Many of you know there has been some other things going on with Dad's family as well this last week. The same day as the accident Dad's twin brother Don fell off a scaffolding and broke his ankle and will require surgery to fix it. His oldest sister Doris has been fighting cancer and early last week we got word that they called in hospice care for her. Late last night we got word that she had passed away so sometime later this week Dad and I will be going up to Traverse City for the funeral.

Pray for endurance and strength for Becky and Kirk and Dad. They are immersed in this 24/7 right now. It can get overwhelming.

That's all for now. I'll try to get another update up before I go to sleep tonight.

Keep praying!

Dan

Monday Night

Dad stopped over late tonight and I just got off the phone with Becky. Kim & Mom both had very busy but very good days today. Mom has had some occupational therapy sessions. She is working on getting from bed into a wheelchair and back as well as simple things like putting on a pair of pants. Imagine putting on a pair of pants without being able to stand up while wearing moon boots on both your feet - sounds exciting huh!

Kim had six different therapy sessions and met with an eye doctor. She played basketball (Gramps said she was shootin' pretty well!) keplunk and don't break the ice. She read through all the cards folks sent to her and dictated a letter to Becky for the kids at bible school this week. As I wrote earlier they did take the feeding tube out today. They told her if she didn't eat enough they would have to put it back in and so for dinner tonight our little Kimmy was almost force feeding herself. She ate a huge portion of mashed potatoes, some apple sauce and a piece of cake.

Tomorrow they are planning on doing an MRI and an MRA (don't ask me the difference I just write what they tell me). These will take a look at both the brain and the arteries. They did not end up doing the CT scan I mentioned yesterday. She was doing so well they just did the x-ray to look at her neck and these tests tomorrow will give them the next pieces of information they need.

As far as what's next for Mom they have started talking about where she will go as an interim step between the hospital and home. We are hoping there is space at the Medical Care Facility here in Charlotte - please be in prayer to this end.

Thanks again for all the prayers, cards and help. It means so much.

Dan

Lunchtime Update

I went up to see Mom and Kimmy at lunch today. When I went to Mom's room it was empty. They had taken her down to physical therapy and after that were taking her to see Kim. I got to the entrance of Kim's floor just as they were opening the door and letting Mom in. While we were there they took out the feeding tube from Kim's nose - she is eating on her own now! She climbed in and out of bed on her own to give Granny a kiss. Here is a picture of Kim's beautiful smile!


After a bit I took Mom back down to her room. Her lunch was there and she ate a bit and was drowsing in her wheelchair when I left. I went back to Kim's room for a minute to ask Becky a question and Kim was sitting up in bed getting ready to eat real food for lunch. She said "I'm going to watch 'The Ice Princess'." They had brought in a small TV and she was excited to watch a movie.

Thanks for your prayers, we'll keep you updated.

Dan

Good Morning Everyone!

Just got off the phone with Kirk for a morning update. Kim had a good day yesterday. As the day wore on she got more and more tired and it was harder for her to respond but this morning she was very alert and awake again during her waking moments. They did an X-ray on her neck and cleared her to get her brace taken off. That should really help her be more comfortable.

Please pray for her today - she has a busy day in store for her. Several appointments with therapists and tests. Depending on what the speech therapist says they may remove her feeding tube today. This would be a great step!

One of the things Deb and Dad have been trying to get done over the last few days is to get into the van to try and find Mom and Kim's glasses and Mom's cell phone and a few personal things. It sound like Dad will be able to do that today. Mom wants desperately to go see Kim. I don't know if that will be able to happen today or not. Please pray for her spirits, she sounded a bit down when I talked to her this morning.

So many of you have called and emailed or caught us at church yesterday saying you are praying and asking how you can help. Thank you so much! Right now there are no immediate needs in the family. We will let you know when there are ways you can help. One of the things church family can do is to call the church and see how you can help there. Many things are coming up that Mom cares about and usually takes care of - it would be awesome to be able to tell her how her church family is stepping up to make ministry continue to happen!

In the next few days and weeks Deb is planning on coordinating meals in for Kirk and Becky and later for Mom and Dad. If you want to help in that way get word to her (call or e-mail) and she will get that worked out when it's needed.

Thanks for your prayers and support.

Dan

Quick Evening Update

No major news tonight. Talked to Mom a bit ago and she sounded good. She had two sessions of physical therapy today and they took a lot out of her but she was in good spirits.

Kim had a good day and continues to gain. She had another ct scan this afternoon but I have not talked to Becky and Kirk since this morning for more detailed updates. I will talk to them in the morning and be up to visit mid-day tomorrow.

Dan

Leaving Comments

Thanks to those of you who have left messages and sent e-mails - it has been great. I have changed some setting on the comments that should make it easier to leave one if you want. If you have any problems please let me know.

Thanks, Keep praying

Dan

Sunday Morning News

I'm actually up at the hospital right now. Mom is doing great this morning. Her head is clear from both medication and pain right now and she seems to be doing real well. She was eating breakfast while I was in.

Kim was awake when I stopped by her room. She was up going to the bathroom and she gave me a hug before climbing back into bed. She still has a neck brace on but they will take it off her today (they just need to get permission from the right person). Until she was responsive enough to tell them what she was feeling they couldn't remove it without doing an MRI and they didn't what to put her through that particular test.

The quote of the day from yesterday concerning Kim was "Her bell got rung harder than we thought." They are watching her close but every one is still very positive!!!! All in all things are still heading the right direction. They will hear more later in the day about the blood on Kim's brain and what's happening there.

Keep Praying

Dan

Late Night Update

Just talked to Dad. He got home after a long day and we had a chance to get all the details on Mom's surgery and how Kim is doing. (I was not able to make it up to the hospital this evening and while I talked to others who had it was great to get it right from the "horse's mouth".)

The surgery took about the full five hours and Mom spent three and half hours after that in recovery. The doctor was very pleased with what they were able to do. He completed everything he was hoping to do. He repaired the left and right feet and completed both of the things he wanted to on the right feet. Dad has x-rays showing all the pins and stuff for those of you who like that sort of thing. Much of the swelling had gone down and the skin health looked good - this was a concern going in. The doctor said he was glad they did the surgery on a Saturday. He got a good night's sleep the night before and hadn't worked a whole day before doing the surgery. Pastor was there and said, "there were a lot of folks praying that you got a good night's sleep." Your prayers were much appreciated!

Mom got back to her room about 8:00pm. She was hungry and ate some jello and half a PB&J sandwich. I pretty sure this is the first thing she has had to eat since the accident. It is great that her appetite is coming back. She has been moved from the four person room she was in to a semi-private room. Right now the second bed is empty. Dad said that Zack spent some time in it watching hockey tonight but I don't think he's a long term guest.

Speaking of Zack I got an update on his soccer tournament today. The first game they won by forfeit, The second game they won 2 to 1 and the third game they lost 4 to 2. According to Zack their opponent's in the third game were "the size of my Dad"(Kirk).

Kim continues to gain. Dad said she was up out of bed several time to go to the bathroom and is having real waking moments more and more. I have not heard further news about the blood on the brain - in the morning I'll talk to Becky and Kirk and get more info there.

Thanks for you prayers, visits and offers of help. It is much appreciated.

Dan

Out of Surgery

Just got a call from the hospital. Mom is out of surgery - they were able to do both feet and she is doing well. We'll get more details a little later but things look good right now! Amen!

This after noon Kimmy was awake for 45 minutes. She brushed her hair and got up and went to the bathroom. She wrote her name and talked for a little bit. The therapist was in and able to interact with her for some of that time.

Good news all around to report right now! All we're waiting on is the score for Zack's soccer game.

Thanks for your continued prayers.

Dan

Afternoon Update

Mom went into surgery this morning at around 11:00 am. The surgeon said her expects it to last about 5 hours. We have no updates at this time. He is hoping to fix everything in both feet but is unsure if the swelling in her right foot will have gone down enough to finish everything her need to do there. I will get more info up this evening when we find out more.

Kimmy is waking up more and more. During her waking moments she recognizes every one and can name her aunts and uncles. She woke up around noon, sat up and started brushing her hair. The only tubes she is still hooked up to is her IV and a tube through her nose which they are feeding her through. The hemorrhage has started to bleed slightly again. The original bleeding was between the skull and the skin - this newer bleeding is between the skull and the brain - this is very serious and they are watching it very closely. If the brain starts moving inside the skull because of the pressure they will have to do surgery to remove some of the blood and relieve the pressure. The hospital staff today said she may be there through the week.

I am going back up this evening and will get updates then and as I get phone calls.

Keep Praying

Dan

Kimmy!!!!!!!!

Just got a call from Dad who got a call from Becky and Kirk - did you catch that? :-) In that last few hours Kimmy has been waking up - saying "mommy" and "daddy" and responding to them. It doesn't sound like she's all the way awake yet but it's a great start! Praise God!

Keep Praying!

Dan

Evening Update

I just got back from the hospital. Grandma and Grandpa Jenkins (mom's mom) came over this afternoon and we went up together. She is medicated (wheeeee!!!!!) right now and pain free. She is feelin' fine! This morning and last night they really struggled to keep her resting and pain free - by late afternoon today they had gotten things stabilized and she was doing much better.

Mom will have surgery on her feet tomorrow morning. They will try to do everything they need to on both feet - hopefully they will not have to do any additional procedures but that is a possibility. She is looking at a very significant recovery time. It looks like 4-6 weeks with no weight on either foot (think wheelchair bound). We will obviously know more about this as the days go by.

Kimmy is progressing. The doctors and nurses say she is trying to wake up and everything she is going through is perfectly normal and expected for what has happened. She may wake up in the next few hours or the next few days. She is unhooked from almost all the "equipment" and off all the medication except some pain medication. When I walked in to see her tonight Becky said "Look, she's breathing 'room air'" She doesn't even need the oxygen she has been on.

Zack saw their family doctor this afternoon as a follow up. He is all checked out - the doctor even cleared him to play in his soccer tournament tomorrow. Zack you rock man!

A huge "thank you" for all you prayers and for those of you that have given and offered help. Thanks to those who came and sat with Mom today to give Dad some time with Kim and a break for meals.

When we know more tomorrow I will get some more info out. Keep praying!

Dan

Mom Update

I just got a call from someone who has been up at the hospital with Mom this afternoon. The surgeon was in and scheduled her to have surgery on her feet tomorrow. They may or may not be able to do every thing they want to on the right foot - it may take another procedure to do that but they will do some work on that foot and also do what they need to on the left. I'm getting this second hand so I may need to amend this info later this evening but that is what I know right now.

Kimmy is off all her drugs except pain medication and they are just waiting for her to wake up - she is supposed to have the ct scan this afternoon.

Thanks for all your prayers and offers of support and help. You are all much loved.

Dan

Kim Update

I just talked with Dad and Kirk. We are still in a wait and see mode. The original spot on the brain they were watching has not grown since late last night - this is a positive sign. They did, however, find a smaller spot that they need to check out as well. They are doing another ct scan this morning for her. Her breathing tube is now out and she is breathing well on her own but she is not quite awake yet.

Thanks for your prayers!

Accident Updates

This page is an attempt to try to get out info to the family, church and friends of Mom, Kim & Zack.

They were in a very serious car accident on Thursday June 15th. Zack is released from the hospital with bumps and bruises but Kim and Mom were more seriously hurt and have been admitted to Sparrow hospital in Lansing.

Kim has subdural heatoma (sp ?) basically a bruise on the brain. They have kept her asleep and have been monitering her for swelling on the brain. She had a good night last night and they are trying to wake her up this morning to check her out further.

Mom's feet and ankles were both severely injured - the doctors are especially concerned about her right foot. The bones in her right heel were broken as were some of the other bones in the middle of both feet. after the swelling goes down they will be doing surgeries to repair the damage but this may not happen for a few days or a few weeks.

I will try to keep updates up here as often as possible for folks. Also feel free to call First Baptist Church at 517-543-6900. They will be updated as well.