Oh how time flies when you don't have a loved one in a hospital bed. Just wanted to put up a quick update. Will is doing fantastic! Last Friday we meet with the neuropsychologist to review the test results, and they were perfect. I of course already knew that, but at least he was cleared to drive and all that good stuff. We have one more check up and then we are good to go.
What can I say, I married superman.

I feel so blessed to have such an amazing husband. And so many amazing friends and family members that are oh so willing to drop everything and lend a helping hand. I am grateful for the gospel in my life. Prayers are heard and answered. We are never alone in our trials.

"If you are helpless, He is not. If you are lost, He is not. If you don't know what to do next, He knows. It would take a miracle, you say? Well, if it takes a miracle, why not?"
~President Boyd K. Packer~

unexptected

Last Tuesday we went in for Will's first day of outpatient therapy. He had speech, occupational and physical therapy. Each came to the same verdict, Will no longer needs therapy! Wahoo! I hadn't even hoped for such a fast recovery, I was just glad to have him home. Friday he had another neuro evaluation for which we will get the results this Friday and go from there. The doctors and therapist all seem baffled. He is a walking miracle.

I had a fantastic birthday! We went shopping and went to Happy Sumo with some friends. I had a wonderful day with my miracle boys.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your prayers. Each one of you had a part in Will's speedy recovery.

11 Months

Our baby is almost a year old!!!!
I love him to pieces!!!!!
He has developed such a sweet and cuddly side the last few weeks. He loves giving hugs and kisses. He even gives himself kisses.
His bff is Zac
I love his blue eyes
He had his first hair cut!
I had to start putting bubbles in his bath so he couldn't pull the plug out and stick his fingers down the drain. I love watching him try to find his feet under the bubbles.

He has four (going on five) big chompers.

He has moved from pile driving Bosco (the cat), to attacking his friends at the preschool. Not so cute.

He recently learned how to clap.
It has been so much fun watching him grow the last year!
LOVE YOU LINCOLN!

Yet Another Miracle

I can hardly fathom how only two weeks ago I was sitting by Will's bed in the ICU wondering if he would ever wake up. Or if Lincoln would ever get a chance to see how great a man he was.

Now he is by my side watching Robin Hood. Like Will had mentioned in his earlier post, that is thanks to all of those who prayed for him. Oh how we prayed. I prayed for a miracle. I knew the odds. I knew what damage a 4,000 pound car could do.

Everyone's eyes looked sympathetic. The doctors, the nurses, the paramedics, they all seemed to say "I'm sorry." I kept praying, pleading for a miracle, telling God that I couldn't do this on my own. I needed Will by my side.

Now I wake up every morning and Will is laying next to me. I realize the anguish I would feel if he wasn't there. I am overcome with gratitude and relief. He probably thinks that I am weird because I randomly stare at him and start crying. I can't help it. I see him sitting on the couch, or at the table, and I think about how much I would long for his presence if......if things would have turned out differently.

Will is truly amazing. I was told he would take months to recover, however, he is setting his own pace. It will be interesting to see where we stand when he is re-evaluated in a few days. Other than his memory and a few small things, he is completely himself.
He is the same witty, compassionate, lovable man I married.

Thanks for fighting for me, baby. I know that you fought hard for me and Lincoln. Thanks for keeping your promise.

Thanks again for all of your prayers. Family, friends, and even strangers have showed an overwhelming amount of service, love, and compassion. I will never doubt that my family and I are loved.

To Those Who May Think Their Influence is Small

Good Morning All, (Its Will)

Have you ever tried to blow up an enormous air mattress with just your own breath? After one, two, ... twenty breaths, you still feel like that mattress is going to be a worthless sheet of plastic on which to sleep. However, somehow, after some amount of time and exhalations, undoubtedly, it becomes this functional tool that can support you through the night.

Recently, I felt similar to one of these deflated air mattresses. (Small pun intended). But with each one of your thoughts, prayers, and acts of kindness a breath of life was blown into me. Although, the nurses, doctors, and therapists were all extremely talented, I believe and, I'm pretty sure that many of them would agree, that there is no way that my recovery could have been so quick nor complete without the countless thoughts and prayers offered by friends, family, complete stranger blogstalkers, and so forth. So I thank of each of you for every single breath with which you replenished me over the last couple weeks. Even if you couldn't see the difference that it was making, I promise it was immense.

With your help, I was able to be home with my wife for our three year anniversary, as well as my son, who, as many of you may recall, was also a deflated mattress at one time that you helped bring to life. So, please, never forget your potential influence in the lives of those who are in need. Thank you all so much, especially my dear wife, family, and close friends, for your support, but also those whom I may not have even had a clue was thinking ab0ut me, and in some cases, I may not have even ever met before. May God bless each of you for being His Breath.

Coming home....

We were just informed that Will is coming home today! I feel slightly unprepared. Will has been recovering very quickly. His walking is pretty much back to normal. His double vision is getting better, and his memory is improving. But his next therapy won't be until TUESDAY. We will go to outpatient therapy 3 times a week for 3 hours a day.
I am overwhelmed by the amount of love and support we have recieved from friends and family. Thank you so much. I know that Will is doing so good because of all the people who were praying for him. And he is superman.

Rehabilitation

Will continues to progress with the rehab. He still has a few obstacles to overcome, but overall he is recovering very quickly. His memory is improving but still inconsistent, walking is slightly unsteady, and he has double vision.

I am just glad the waiting part is over. When they took me in the consultation room in the ER last Saturday, they told me it would be 2-3 days before they knew anything. I felt like my lungs were collapsing. You can't prepare for the unknown. We all waited and prayed for a miracle.

Now all we are waiting for is a release date. And I have yet again witnessed a miracle. I am over come with gratitude and relief.
Thank you, thank you, for all of your prayers.

Day 6

The last six days have all seemed to roll together. Today was the first day of rehab. Will has come a long way in the last few days. I can hardly believe that it was just last Saturday he was rushed to the ER, intubated, had a central line, an art line, 3 IVs, and going through hypothermic treatment. Six days ago I had no idea if he would remember who I was, or if he would be able to walk again, or if he would even live. Now he is walking on his own, talking, and even starting to play the guitar. He is still struggling with his short term memory and having double vision. He has an eye patch to help and every now and then he takes it off an says "Why do I have this on."
He pushes himself very hard in therapy and has an amazing attitude about everything. He would be in a completely different mind set if he didn't still have his sense of humor. He keeps me laughing, that's for sure.
Every day he will see a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a speech therapist, and a neuro therapist. They will work with him on everything from tying his shoes to regaining his memory. It will still be a long road to full recovery, but I am grateful I still have him to walk that road with me. Thank you so much for all of your continuous thoughts and prayers. I tend to keep my friends and family busy praying for us.

A special thank you to my sister Soni and my niece Andrea. They have truly been lifesavers! She not only saved me when Lincoln was in the hospital but made the 13 hour drive again to be here. I know that it has put Will at ease knowing she was here to take care of me. There are several people who have been lifesavers, I will have to make a list later. I just wanted to let them know how much I love them and appreciate all they do.

Slow but Steady

(This is Soni, Cara's sister) Yesterday Will was able to be moved to a regular room at the hospital. He continues to improve, and the doctors are amazed at his progress. However, he still has a long ways to go. He is experiencing some short term memory loss that we will hope will continue to improve as he gets stronger. He was able to visit with Lincoln a couple of times yesterday which was good for all of them. His body continues to heal and regain its strength, and we anticipate he will be moved to rehab soon to continue physical therapy. Cara will need to be with him for much of the day (between 9 am and 5 pm) learning how to care for him, and I will be leaving Sunday, so she will need help caring for Lincoln. To help minimize the stress on Lincoln she would like people to come to their home to care for him as much as possible. If you would be willing to come spend some time with this fabulous little boy please send Cara a message or leave a comment letting her know when you would be able to come. Thank you so much for all the continued support and prayers- it has made a huge difference through this difficult time.

Leaps and Bounds

I just realized that I can make a blogpost on my phone. So hopefully I can make more regular updates. Forgive me for typos. Will is doing great! He is talking in sentences, walking, and starting to drink fluids. They took out his central line this morning as well. They are planning on feeding him later today and possibly moving him out of the ICU! Which is wonderful because then he can see Lincoln. Trying to divide my time between the two of them is killing me. I cry on the way to the hospital because I am leaving Lincoln. Then I cry on the way home because I am leaving Will. sigh. Well enough about me. I am so grateful that Will is ok. The doctores are all amazed that he is recovering so fast! It is truely a miracle. Itls a miracle that he doesn't have any broken bones as well. Thank you for all of your prayers. They are heard and answered.