Another Prayer Answered

My mom wanted me to share this story from last night. Sam was in pain and asked the nurse for some pain medication. She took the pills and they both felt like they got stuck in her throat. She was panicked because she could not get them to come up or go down. She tried drinking and eating and everything to get it down. The nurse left for a moment. Right when she closed the door my mom said a prayer and immediately the pills went down. Sam immediately felt comfortable and quickly fell asleep and had a great night. So many prayers have been answered in so many ways. It is so comforting to know that our Father in Heaven is aware of even something small like this. He has been with Sam throughout this ordeal and I know that he will continue to be by her side. We are so thankful for the power of prayer.

U of U Rehab

Sam was evaluated by someone from the University of Utah rehab unit today. My mom said they were amazing! She said the lady who visited was so fantastic. She was so positive and honest with Sam. She told her that it would be hard and there would be terrible days, but that they were going to help her and that she could make amazing progress. She said that it will be like a full time job. She will be out of her room all day until four, working and doing therapy. She said that Sam will make be with other patients and will become friends with the people she is working with. There is an entire team for neuro rehab and she said that the work is the main doctor's passion. My mom and Sam both loved her. It made my mom really excited for Sam to get started.  I know she will be amazing in rehab. She is an athlete and knows how to work hard to get better. I can't wait for her to get started!
She will probably be transferred sometime this week. Medically she is doing really well. She hasn't been on oxygen all day and her other vital signs are completely stable. She still has a lot of pain at times, but that will still be a problem for a while and won't prevent her from going to rehab.
So many miracles are happening for my amazing sister. I am so happy she is progressing and getting ready to move to the next level of care. Thanks again to everyone for their love and support. Your kindness and generosity is truly being appreciated. We are overwhelmed with how kind people have been. Thanks and we love you all!

sunshine

Sam was a little down earlier this morning but both the MD and I thought it would be nice for her to  a few visitors.  The MD stopped visitors for a few days because he could see Sam concentrating too much on them and not on herself. Her spirits picked up quite a bit with a couple friends. She ate some orange chicken from Panda and had a watermelon slushie from Sonic.  Her friends helped update her facebook.  Part of her therapy today was going outside.  The therapist put her in an adjustable chair and wheeled her outside. I don't think she wanted to go but was glad she did.  Her neck pain has been better controlled today. They have had her in the stiff neck brace.  She will be really glad to get that off in a couple of months. Its almost 8pm and she is resting comfortably.  On a personal note if it weren't for the prayers and support of  many friends and family, this time in our life would be overwhelming.  Although Sam has made progress I hope all of you would continue to ask Heavenly Father for continued blessings in her behalf. I would also request prayers in behalf of all the other patients that need those blessings.  Thank you, Bob (dad)

Feet!

Sam had a good day yesterday. She was really worn out from her physical therapy and slept a lot of the day. Late in the day she mentioned to Jordan that she moved her feet! We all freaked out! My dad couldn't believe that she didn't tell us. She said she was just tired and forgot. But, during physical therapy they were pushing her legs to her chest. They told her to push her feet down and she did it! She couldn't totally feel it, but the therapist told her to keep going because she really was doing it on her own! She also was able to feel when they touched her legs. The left leg she felt every time they touched her. Her right leg wasn't quite as good, but she could feel most of the touch on that leg. She isn't quite able to localize the touch, but we are just so happy that she has any feeling at all.
Medically speaking Sam is doing a lot better. The first few days she was on a levophed drip so her blood pressure did not stay too low. She is off that drip and her blood pressure has been really good. Her lungs are also doing a lot better. She didn't have any oxygen on at all during physical therapy. Later in the day she was on just a little bit and at night they are still having her wear the bipap, but overall her lungs are a lot better.
My mom wanted me to share this story. A few months ago my mom, Kellsi, and Sam were in my mom's bathroom getting ready. As they all stood there Sam noticed how much bigger her neck was and said, "Why is my neck so huge compared to yours?" They just laughed about it. Well, last night Sam told my mom, "Now I know why my neck is so big. It had to be big to protect my spine." It is pretty remarkable that her cord was not severed at all and she is probably right that her big, strong neck did protect it.
The nurse let me take the boys in to see Sam. I had set up Skype and told my mom to see if Sam was ready to see the boys on Skype. She told my mom she just really wished she could see them. So, my mom asked the nurse and he said it would be okay for a few minutes. So, I took them in. I think she loved seeing them and Jackson was SO happy to see her! It was just a short visit, but it was really good for them to see each other.
Sam will probably be leaving the ICU and going to rehab sometime this week. She will likely be moving to the University of Utah rehab. This definitely isn't as convenient for my parents, but the physical therapist said it really is the best rehab and we think that is where my parents insurance will cover. I think she will do so well in rehab. She is such a hard worker and I think it will help her to really start progressing physically.
Sam seems a little bit down yesterday and today. I can't imagine what she is going through emotionally. She is pretty hesitant to talk about things with us so I told my dad to get the social worker in to visit with her. Please continue to keep her in your prayers-for both of her emotional and physical health.

Sam's Room

The night of the accident I could not sleep and I started to read my scriptures. I just opened them randomly to Moroni chapter 7. The entire chapter is wonderful, but verse 22 really hit me- "For behold, God knowing all thing, being from everlasting to everlasting, behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing." The spirit let me know that angels were indeed with Samantha. I truly believe this. The feeling in her hospital room is so sacred. There is an obvious difference when going from the hallway into her room. She is truly being watched over and protected. Her stake president came to visit and when he left he hugged me and said, "There are good things happening in that room." I think what makes it possible for the spirit to be so strong is Sam. She is so good. She is not angry or bitter. She told my mom she was a little bit sad, but definitely not mad. How amazing is she. I always knew Sam was great, but I did not realize how truly strong her spirit is. I am so thankful that she is allowing the spirit to comfort and strengthen her so we can all feel it as well. I am so thankful for a loving and caring Heavenly Father who is helping all of us through this.

My Point of View

*This is really long and kind of a journal post so I can remember the first few days. There is kind of a lot of detail, so you don't have to read if you don't want to :)*

I thought I would share the story from my point of view to start out and then keep on going with the updates. Tuesday night I was watching TV with Jackson and Alex when I got the call from my mom. I immediately knew something was wrong because my mom was crying. All she said was, "Samantha was in an accident." I wasn't even sure if she was alive for a few moments until my mom was able to compose herself enough to say she was alive. At this point we had no idea what had happened or what type of injuries she had sustained. My mom had called Sam's phone and one of the other girls answered. My mom heard Sam in the background saying, "I can't feel my legs! Am I paralyzed?" I was so freaked out. I wanted to immediately leave for Nephi, but I decided to wait to see what was going on. 

About an hour later I got a call from my mom saying that they were life flighting Sam to Utah Valley. At this point things didn't sound too bad. I talked to Jordan on the phone and then tried to go to sleep. I was so anxious, but I was able to sleep for about an hour. Then, Jordan texted me and said to call him right away. I called Jordan and he was sobbing. The neurosurgeon had just told my family that Samantha would probably never walk again. I was so heartbroken. I cried and cried. I couldn't breathe and my heart was racing. I kept trying to sleep, but I just could not. My heart literally hurt and I was just so terrified for my little sister. That was definitely the worst night of my life.

Finally the night ended and I quickly got ready to go to Provo. I was in charge of a baby shower that night and I felt so bad about not having everything ready. I got as much ready as I could and then headed to Utah Valley. I cried for a lot of the drive. I would be okay for a second and then it would hit me again full force. I don't think I have ever prayed harder. I tried to compose myself as I walked to the Surgery waiting room. But, when I saw my mom I lost it. I was so scared and sad and anxious. Sam was about half way through surgery when I arrived. Two nurses came to show us what had been done so far. I went with my dad to see the x-rays. She had fractured C6 and C7, two vertebrae in her neck. They surgeon fused together C5, 6, and 7. After talking to the nurses I took my boys to Jordan and Cindy's apartment. Cindy was so amazing and watched my boys all day so I could be at the hospital. I appreciated it so much. 

When I got back to the hospital the surgeon was talking to my family. He said that while the surgery went well things did not look good. He said that the only function she currently had was bicep flexion and wrist flexion. We were devastated. Waiting to see her was one of the hardest times ever. It made me physically ill to think of Sam being unable to walk or use her hands. Many, many tears were shed. My sweet cousin Heather sat by me and rubbed my back and cried with me. 

Finally Sam came back from surgery. I did not want to be a mess when I saw her and I physically had to force myself not to cry. It was so good to see her. She was pretty exhausted, but so kind and sweet. She had many visitors throughout the day. She was kind and welcoming to each one. I was amazed at how she could be so positive and upbeat, considering what she had just been through. That night I stayed over with Sam in the hospital. I loved just being able to sit with her-I was just so thankful she was alive.I told her how amazed I was with her. I said, "You could be so grumpy and mean to everyone and you are not. You are so nice!" I asked her if she felt grumpy and she said, "Just a little." She amazes me. The nurse was fabulous and took great care of her. Every two hours they would reposition her and do a neuro check. I think I cried every time they touched her legs and she said she couldn't feel it. It was a hard night, but Sam was able to sleep pretty well. 

The next morning I stayed until around 10 and then went to take a short nap. After I napped I got to spend more time with her. I had been such a mess the previous day and I really wanted to be strong for my family and for Sam. I prayed and prayed that I could keep myself more composed. I have never felt prayers so strongly as I did this day. I felt such peace. My prayers were most definitely answered. We had so many friends and family visit this day. It was so wonderful to feel their love and support and to be able to hug them and cry with them. That night I had to go home because I had work the next two days.

Going to work was so hard. I missed Sam and hated not being nearby for immediate updates. But, I love my  job and coworkers and it was nice to be distracted a little bit. Friday night Sam had a rough night. I called my Aunt Connie to check on Sam and was able to talk to the nurse. Sam's oxygen saturation had dropped to the 70s and they had to put her on bipap. The bipap helps her breathe and helps her get oxygen to all parts of her lung. After she was on this she was able to sleep comfortably again. It was hard being away when she was having a hard time.Thankfully, I had confidence in her great nurse (it was the same as the night before when I was there) to give her good care. 

I worked Friday and Saturday night and then went to sacrament meeting. I was able to talk to my friend Tracy, my friend Amber, and a couple of my amazing young women. They were so comforting and let me just get it all out. Then, I took a nap and then headed back to Provo to spend time with Sam.

Seeing Sam after two days was fantastic! She looked so good! She was able to stay awake and have an actual conversation. First it was Sam, my dad, Maddie, and me in the room. She was just her normal self-laughing, being sarcastic, and making fun of my dad. It felt so good to see her in such good spirits. After a while Jordan and Cindy joined the party. It really was so wonderful. I loved seeing her be so positive and in less pain. It was definitely a good night.

That pretty much catches you up to right now!

a quick update in pictures.

sam is having a better day today.

she was smiling for all the pictures we took of her :)

keep the prayers coming,

every day she is getting a little stronger & stronger.

-cindy