Saturday, June 30, 2007

New Schedule....

Dad has decided to change his schedule, or has done away with "early to bed, early to rise" lifestyle! Anybody that knows Gerald knows not to call after 7:30 p.m. because he is preparing to go to bed for the evening . He also usually gets up around 4 or 5:00 a.m. This week he has been awake until 3 and 4:00 a.m.!! He will never, ever believe this!
Dad has been off his pain meds since Tuesday, he is letting his healing powers do all the work. (That is his saying, not mine) Tuesday they did another CT scan on his head. Things are looking good, still some swelling on part of the brain. The area that is swollen effects his memory, he should have almost a full recovery of his memory within 6 months. Nurses and dr.'s cannot believe this is the same man that came into St. Francis 3 weeks ago.
Some of the things that Dad has requested this week are Bran Buds, a big calender, and a legal pad. The last 2 things should tell you how well Dad is progressing.
Dad got promoted out of Trauma ICU yesterday...Jackie and I weren't aware that it would take 3 hours to move up 1 floor!!
I want to thank everyone for the cards, prayers, and calls of concern. We are so fortunate to have so many people pulling for Dad and Vicki. A special thank you to Dennis and Trudi Moore for the outstanding snack baskets they put together for us, and to Leigh and David Verucchi for dinner for my family, and to Bev and Steve Loomis for dinner and an "out of this world" chocolate cake for my family. Of course, Pam has 50 gold stars by her name for all that she has done to keep everything running smoothly! I'd also like to thank all the dr.'s, nurses, and tech.'s at St. Francis, wow, what a job they have done.
I've come home for a few days, and Jackie is running the ship. Pray for strength and progress.
Say an extra prayer for Vicki, it's unbelievable that they have to redo her leg??

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

Love to all,

Jackie, Jerry, and Timi

Friday, June 29, 2007

I just returned from Tulsa this morning. So here's the update. Gerald is in rare form. I would love to video some of this stuff, but I pray/fear he will regain ALL of his strength one day and pay backs are h***. Vicky is going to have surgery on her leg again in the next few days, evidently the rod is not lined up exactly as it should be. It has also been determined that skin graphing will be necessary on her arms. Just when you think we're moving right a long there is a bump in the road. She and Gerald both have had a few visitors and that has been good for them. Thank you to those who have come by and for checking before you came. Anybody who is wanting to visit please check first. We would hate for some one to make the trip, only to have it not be a good time for a visit. At this point in recovery every day is different, some days are good and some are not, but there is evidence that your prayers are working.

Thank you,
Christy and Heather

Saturday, June 23, 2007

No, No, No

That's not how you spell trapeze. I hit enter instead of delete. By the way it's not 9:17 it's 11:48. Vic thought she might need a trapeze bed so she could "adjust herself" by herself. The doctor said with one arm locked at 90 degrees, one arm freshly reconnected with nuts and bolts, a broken shoulder and back, that would not be in her best interest. We really hope to get mother and Ger together sooner rather than later. We think she will benefit from Gerald being around to push her during physical therapy. Her attitude is really good most of the time, but she does get frustrated and sad, at least once a day. Next to pain management, keeping her spirits up, is high on our list of priorities. Thanks to all who have commented on the blog, sent cards and said prayers for our parents. We always relay the messages and read the cards. I will be back in Tulsa on Tuesday so Heather will be in charge of the next update which means you will probably here from Timi first!

Christy

She's needs a trapize bed!?

Friday, June 22, 2007

2 weeks tomorrow

I can't believe tomorrow will be the 2 week anniversary of the wreck. Dad and Vicki are both off of the critical list. Dad had surgery on his nose and cheekbones yesterday, and it went well. He was still a little groggy and disoriented today, but, that was to be expected. They put a cast on Dad's leg this morning and he'll have it on for at least 4 weeks. The dr.'s said everything is looking good on Dad. Vicki is recovering too, she is very aware of her injuries and the discomfort but, hanging tough. She requested her own pillow for her hospital room so she's definitely coming around. We're still working on getting Dad and Vicki to one hospital.
If everything goes well this weekend, they may start the long process of rehab late next week.
Pray for progress!
Have a great weekend.

Love,

Timi

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

What day is it?

I think it is still Wednesday, the days seem to run together. They were unable to put the ventilator back on Dad Monday evening because of swelling in his airways. He has been wearing a oxygen mask since then, but that is much better than jamming that ventilator back on him! He is improving, talking and showing his sense of humor. The nurse asked him if he was in pain and logically he answered her that he had 6 fractures. He just layed there and let her figure that answer out. It was pretty funny though. Dad will have more surgery tomorrow, this will be on his facial bones. I think this will be all of the surgeries for awhile if everything goes okay.
Christy told me that Vicki was asking the nurse how many calories the liquid food they're feeding her had? I don't think she needs to be too concerned since she hasn't had anything to eat in 11 days! I told this story to Dad and he got a kick out of it. Dr.'s are still working on pain management, so pray for Dad and Vicki's comfort.

Thanks for all the cards and prayers.

Much love,

Timi

What day is it?

Monday, June 18, 2007

Vicki's coming along...slowly

We haven't quite made this a habit yet...Thank goodness for Timi. Although Vicki is improving, she is now more aware of her injuries and the pain that comes with them. But at least with pain management you get a little humor thrown in. I tried to tell her she was off the boat and let's just say she didn't believe me. But she has also been frighten by the memories or maybe flashbacks of the accident. Physical therapy wants to get her moving, but she made it clear that her legs were not really ready to hold her up just yet. With so many things going our way, the doctors are still reminding us that we are not completely out of the dark. Less sedation means less rest, more easily agitated and slower healing. In addition to a whole new set of health issues as she starts to enter the next phase of recovery. We're going to measure recovery by which hospital unit she is in and she hasn't left the original floor yet! Doctors and hospital staff have been lenient this far but are now, (in their best interest) requesting only immediate family and at this point that is Heather and me, for Gerald that would be Timi, Jackie and Jerry. Plus, we all agree they both would not be comfortable letting people see them in this state. Thank you for understanding and your prayers, they both still really need them.

Christy and Heather

Back on Vent

Sorry, news changed fast...Dad was having to work too hard without the ventilator so they put it back on. I may not be able to post again until the weekend, I'm going over to Tulsa early in the morning and will return early Friday morning.

Timi

OFF THE VENTILATOR

Kevin went over this afternoon and spent the day with Dad. They have taken the ventilator off. Jackie said it's still hard for him to breathe comfortably but they are working on getting things smoothed out. We want Dad to be able to relax and concentrate on getting better, so we would ask visitors to be limited to family only at this time. Once Dad is better he'll be thrilled to see everyone.
Continue your prayers for Dad and Vicki.

Love,
Timi

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the dad's. We are so thankful to have Dad with us this Father's Day.
Jackie has been with Dad this weekend, and I went over for the afternoon. I just had to see his eyes open. When I stood by his bed he winked at me, and that told me he knew who I was. I was so excited to see his eyes open, but, was not prepared to see the pain in them. Dad and Vicki are in so much pain, so please pray for their comfort. There has not been much change in Dad or Vicki over the weekend. The nurses did sit Vicki up on the side of the bed. That doesn't sound like a big thing, but it was! On a funny note, Vicki asked Christy to get her off the boat. I guess she thinks she's on another cruise! Later, she told Christy to call Pam and have her come pick her up immediately. Vicki may be in bad shape but, like the rest of us, we know Pam can definitely get things taken care of. Ha!
They are going to monitor Dad tonight, and possibly try to get him off the ventilator tomorrow. One of the big things right now is pain management. I'm sure the nurses are growing tired of Jackie, Christy, Heather and I requesting more pain medicine for Dad and Vicki. Oh well, I think it's just part of our job...
Please keep those prayers coming.
Love to all,

Timi

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Saturday

Jackie just called and told me that Gerald opened his eyes twice this morning.
Lets keep praying for them.

Timi

Friday, June 15, 2007

Roller Coaster Ride

I named the update "Roller Coaster Ride" because that's exactly what it's like with trauma patients. Vicki is doing better but had some setbacks last night pertaining to her internal injuries. Vicki is off the ventilator but, is still fighting the fluid in her chest. Their plan now, is to try and get her out of bed tomorrow. Things change fast so, we'll just have to wait and see. Vicki is talking some, very hoarse, but talking and asking questions. She is in a tremendous amount of pain which is understandable with her injuries.
Dad (Gerald) had some setbacks today too. Last night and this morning he was breathing on his own, but they had to turn the ventilator back on because of the distress he was in. Fluid built up in his lungs, and it was making it hard for him to breathe. They did get the fluid flushed through with some medication. I learned that when one thing gets out of whack, it effects about 5 other things. That is kind of how our day went. This evening he as resting peacefully, and stats were looking good again. Dad has still not woke up yet, but trauma team doesn't want to rush things. He took quite a blow to the head and the brain is of course still healing along with the other parts of his body. It is remarkable to me that the accident was almost a week ago. Daddy's face is healing nicely,and he's starting to look like his old self.
We've gotten a tremendous amount of cards, and I know Gerald and Vicki will enjoy reading them once they are up and at it.
Thanks to everyone for their prayers, kinds words, calls, and acts of kindness. We have so many people helping out with all kinds of things and we appreciate everything.
Please continue to pray for their recovery.
Timi

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Update for Vicki

First we would like to thank everyone for all the support and prayers. Vicki is stable, but still in a critical condition. They are beginning to wen her off the ventilator. She is breathing about 70% on her own, but is still unable to take the deep breath that is needed to remove it completely. All her of surgeries have been successful.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Gerald and Vicki's update....

It's Tuesday evening, and there has not been much change in either Gerald or Vicki. They are both critical, yet stable. Their dr.'s are trying to wein them off of their ventilators, slowly. Gerald was breathing 60% on his own this afternoon. I do not have an accurate count on Vicki.
They are both under heavy sedation at this point, and will remain so for the next few days. I will be heading back over to Tulsa tomorrow and will continue to keep everyone updated as progress is made. Please keep Gerald and Vicki in your prayers.

Timi

Pray for Gerald and Vicki

Gerald and Vicki Harp of Springdale -- were injured in a four-vehicle accident Saturday along Interstate 44 near Catoosa in Rogers County.

Gerald Harp was flown by Life Flight to St. Francis Hospital at Tulsa, Okla., where he was reported in critical condition, according to a hospital spokeswoman on Sunday.

Vicki Harp was transported to St. John Hospital in Tulsa, where her condition was unavailable, according to a hospital spokeswoman on Sunday.

Both Harps were admitted with internal injuries and arm and leg injuries, according to the highway patrol report.