Updates on Sean « Journals of Journeys

23Jun/09Off

Good Intentions

Well it seems my intentions of putting up a photo essay entry about Tobias the Adequate, a comical magician we were entertained by at the Valhalla Renaissance Faire a few weeks ago have been sidelined by a number of things. First, the photos are just too big to put here and get the full effect, so that means there's a lot of work entailed in putting them up in a photo album online. In the meantime, I'm working on keeping things at an even keel in the homestead now that the kids are home full-time, the hubby is enduring night time construction (and bright lights, jackhammers, and the bleating of trucks as they throw the gears in reverse) right outside the station, and keeping pace with several works in progress manuscripts in preparation for a writing convention I'll be attending late next month. And if that's not enough to keep me on my toes, let's throw into the mix the work that's involved in keeping the fledgling writer's group going throughout the "leaner" months when the majority of the members take the time off to be with their family, travel and so forth.

Thankfully Mother Nature has been able to stave off the fire season this year with periodic rains. Whether that turns out to be a true blessing or just pushing us back a bit further for a more frantic, furious season has yet to be seen. It has made the wild grasses grow longer which means as the temperature rises such as it has within the last few days, those long grasses dry out and become horrific wicks. I doubt I'll be able to update my blog with details of any fires my husband is working on or pose a threat to our community, but I abide by the rule of never saying never, so we'll see how that pans out. In the chance I don't, here are some fairly good sources of fire information:

Cal-Fire Incident Web (formerly California Department of Forestry - Fire) at http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/
Inci-web: National Fire Incidents at http://inciweb.org/
Inci-web: California Fire Incidents at http://inciweb.org/state/5/
and California Fire News blog at http://calfire.blogspot.com/ (sporadically updated)

You can also subscribe to their feeds. If you're unable to find the feed information, leave me a comment and I'll provide you with the information.

Finally before I go back to transcribing my manuscript (which I spent upwards of an hour this morning at my weekly write-in having to restructure after I found a major flaw in the timeline-- rewarding to get it done, but frustrating to have to endure), a reminder. As you might recall, our friend and a fellow firefighter's young adult son, Sean, was critically injured in an accident at the end of May. He's been getting better and was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital down in the northern San Francisco Bay Area. However this has caused a lot of strain on their small and close family as his dad, Vince, has returned to duty. They're in the process of transferring him back home. I continue to post updates at Terri, Sean's mother, posts them. They can be found at the Angels Near and Far blog which is located at http://www.kathieleung.com/blog/ Please visit often and keep Sean and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Also, please keep two of my friends, Anne and Julie, in your thoughts and prayers as both of them are enduring many trials and tribulations that have come with news they have cancer - again. It's been amazing watching all three of these situations and the people in the center of them as their strength, their graciousness and their beautiful spirits have shone through so beautifully. It's been humbling as well and has caused me, for one, to learn it's important to balance things out, to appreciate what we have right around us and has served as a thump on my head to remind me the world does not revolved around me alone. And you'd think having teenagers would have done that just fine alone!

Filed under: 2009, Family, General, Information, Journals, Kathie, Parenting, Prayer Request, Summer, Thoughts, Updates on Sean, Writing, fire, travel No Comments

19May/09Off

Important Information Re: Updates On Sean

As Sean's care takes on many changes and his condition stabilizing, updates will be maintained on the Angels Near and Far blog. Past posts will be maintained on this blog by clicking the link at the top of this column, "Updates on Sean" or by bookmarking the page from here: http://ejourn.net/journal/archives/category/updates-on-sean.

It is not intended to depreciate the situation. As the family attempts to return to some semblance of normalcy, so shall the blog posts here. And I felt it was a more appropriate blog, too.

Filed under: 2009, Family, Important, Information, Thanks, Thoughts, Updates on Sean, fire No Comments

19May/09Off

When Science Interferes With Faith – Update on Sean

There are times when science can interfere with faith. It's when statistics bring about a reality that shakes the beliefs we have, our hopes, our faith. Terri and Vince struggled with this today and I doubt it will be one that will take its leave quickly but have all the faith in the world that they won't lose hope or faith, it just makes this part of the path more trying. Here's the latest update:

Keeping the faith

Posted at approximately 10:45pm PT
Sorry I didn't update earlier after I spoke with the Dr., But I had a much needed meltdown instead. When I spoke with the doc he told me that he would remove the ventriculostomy today and that Sean would get orthopedic surgery sometime this week. Also they will be giving Sean a tracheotomy because he still needs the ventilator and it has been down his throat to long.

I asked the Dr. what he thought of the fact that Sean opens his eyes and moves but doesn't respond to commands. He basically told me that it is way to early to tell. Sean could be blind or have no ability to speak. He said that some people never progress beyond where Sean is now and some people come all the way back. He said that in the CT it looks like the parts of the brain that are affected have to do with judgement, memory and personality. All in all He seemed pretty positive about Sean's prognosis, without offering promises. He said that most people would not have survived so that's saying a lot.

I asked him how long until we get an idea where Sean is at and he told me that it will be many months before we know anything. That made me cry.

To be honest, I felt like he punched me in the gut. At the beginning of this we thought that we would have Sean home and healing in a month. recently we had resolved ourselves to the fact that it might take two months. Never ever did we think that this would go on for many months. I have been so tired and depleted the last few days. I honestly thought at that moment, I can't do this. I felt helpless. So I prayed then I went home to Vince and cried my eyes out.

Then Vince and I talked about the next leg of this marathon and how we can best handle it. We have decided that we will not do night shifts anymore. If Sean needs us the hospital will call us. We are going to visit after 8 then go home, spend the evening and go to bed together. We are still going to spend our days at the hospital (hey one step at a time). We also talked about Vince returning to work soon. Probably next week.

We will re-evaluate then, one day at a time. I also called a couple who went through a very similar experience as ours with their daughter. We are going to get together with them this week and I think that will be very helpful.

When we were getting ready to leave the house one of Sean's good friends called. We had such a nice talk. This is a young man who has been through an extremely painful life experience and I have always greatly admired him and his amazing family. He gave me some very sound advice, and we are going to take it.

Remember how I have talked about how God keeps putting the right person at the right place at the right time? Well He did it again today in the people I spoke with on the phone, my go to girls who came to my rescue today, Kiersten's friends who were with her today and Vince's running buddies who he went to run with today.

Someone told me today that we are helpless in this and that is exactly why we need to lean on and trust God. Well she is so right and when we were so low today God met us there and gave us new hope and strength. God truly never ceases to amaze me!

Sooo what you want to know about is how did Sean's day go. Weelllll, he got the vent out and did very well. He has been awake most of the day and although he doesn't respond to commands, he is so expressive. I know that he understands much of what is going on. It's just going to take awhile for his brain to start putting things together, like command=response.

God has seen him thus far and He wont leave him now. What you could specifically pray for this week is that Sean's tracheotomy and orthopedic surgery go smoothly (we don't know what day those will be yet, I will keep you posted). Pray that Sean's ICP, heart rate and Bp [blood pressure] stay low. Also please pray for God to comfort Sean's mind, sometimes he looks so scared and stressed.

Thank you for listening to me ramble. I work out a lot of my worry on these pages. Mainly thank you for your love, support and unending prayers. Keep the faith!

Love,
Terri, Vince, Sean & Kiersten

Filed under: 2009, Family, Important, Information, Thanks, Thoughts, Updates on Sean, fire No Comments

17May/09Off

A New Journey – An Update on Sean

There was an update last night by Terri's friend, Sue, but it was merely a "don't worry, all is well" type note so I didn't post it.

Three weeks

Posted at approximately 7:00 AM PT
Well we are on day 21 today and Sean continues to improve. I'm sitting by his bedside as he rests. We are listening to Lorena McKennit. During the night his nurse was able to lower his meds more. He is nearly off of the versed. Everyone seems to think that the doctor will want to remove his ventriculostomy today. If that happens it will be after 3pm because it has to be 12 hours after his last dose of anti-coagulant. I will know more after [the doctor] comes in. I'll keep you posted. Sean is opening his eyes a little more and he shows emotion in his expressions but he is still not responding to commands. I think that is probably a combo of drugs and Sean being obstinate.

We are starting to feel a little worn out. We are rejoicing with the positive changes but we are tired. This journey that we are on is an arduous one. If anything we are spending more time here then before because as Sean becomes more alert we want him to see a familiar face and hear a familiar voice. Please pray for strength and stamina for us as we enter the next leg of this race. Don't get me wrong, I haven't lost my gratitude for all that God is doing for Sean and how he has sustained us thus far. I'm just keeping it real folks. Personally, I need my go to girls. You know who you are (I've told you) and I need you right now to prop me up a little. I know I can count on you ladies because you are all amazing in your strength and comfort.

Well that's it for now, I will post a little more after the Dr. comes in.
Have a blessed day beautiful people. Keep believing, keep praying.

Love,
Terri, Vince, Sean & Kiersten

Filed under: 2009, Family, Important, Information, Thanks, Thoughts, Updates on Sean, fire No Comments

16May/09Off

Update on Sean

A little more Sean

Posted approximately 10:00 pm PT

Well, Sean had another good day today. His ICP's stayed fairly low...around 14-20. He is very responsive with his eyes and eyebrows, its actually hilarious. You can tell when he isn't enjoying a procedure, or when its too loud in the room because he glares and puts his angry face on. Everyday we get to see more and more of Sean, and its amazing.

As for now, we are just hoping for a calm night, and for more of Sean's awesome personality tomorrow. My mom and dad are very thankful for all your support, but for now my mom is getting some much need sleep, and my dad is chillin' with my bro. We will update you ASAP tomorrow. Have a great night, and thank you.

Love,
The [family]