This is a hard post to write as I have so much to share and I'm not quite sure where to start and I know I'll leave a lot out. It's a shame really, but here goes!
Sunday, March 4, 2018 I was looking at my calendar for the week and expressed to Travis that it wasn't too full and in fact my Monday was empty other than volunteering for 45 min in the morning. I realized that I'd have to work at filling my day so that boredom wouldn't set in.
Monday, the 5th, Kedzie didn't feel great so I decided to let her sleep in until she woke. Therefore, I cancelled my volunteering and snuggled up on the couch. She woke up around 8:15 (when I was supposed to be volunteering) and began to get ready for school. At 8:20ish, my friend Rachel Bjorkman called me and said her husband Tom had been in an accident. She asked if I knew who could rush to the hospital to give him a blessing. Knowing Travis was only ten minutes away, I said he'd be there and told her that I'd meet her at the hospital in 30 minutes as well. Miracle #1 of 100's for me was that I was home and answered the phone, able to help my friend Rachel in her darkest hour. You'll see the hand of God in all the details of this story. I promise that God is real. He loves each of us. He sends people to us when we need them. He gives us answers and hope when we need them. God has been in the details of this entire experience. It's been a faith builder for me and many others. Although I wish Tom weren't in the hospital, broken and bruised, I'm grateful for this experience to be able to serve and love and grow. I decided sometime this last week that Tom was in the pre-existence and when God told us that someone had to be in a car accident in order to increase the faith in God of others, he raised his hand and said "I'll take one for the team." He's incredible. My love for Tom and Rachel is exponential. What an experience.
Travis was at the hospital the moment the doctors told Rachel all of the damage Tom had survived. First, he survived! And he did it well. The only internal damage was to his spleen which after prayer, stopped bleeding. And a small brain bleed which after prayer also stopped bleeding. But, he is severely broken from head to pelvis. His frontal lobe is broken, jaw is shattered, sternum broken, lungs bruised, bladder bruised, tear in his urethra, pelvis broken, and many breaks in his spine. None of which cause paralysis. Miracle. And no broken legs or arms.
Erin took Kedzie to school and I rushed to the hospital where I became Rachel's brain and emotional support. We needed each other. I helped her and was there from Monday through Monday. Taking Saturday off. I was able to help siblings find rides and places to stay. Able to help arrange meals and help his work know what was going on. I was there to witness each miracle that came Tom's way. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to serve and help Rachel. It's been hard, I'll be honest, to detach myself, now that more family is around and she is stronger. But, she is doing it right and taking care of herself and her kids and her husband and all the other things that are thrown at her. She's quite remarkable.
So from being intubated with a brain bleed on Monday and Tuesday, to today, he is able to stand on one leg, he is still pretty drugged because of the pain, but he's able to sit in a chair for hours, and he's been able to finally connect emotionally with Rachel which she needed the most. It's incredible. He still needs to work on swallowing and getting off oxygen, in order to go to the next level of care. But, he's working toward getting better. He's one of the greatest men I know.
My Heavenly Father blessed me with a week that I could clear out, with children who could be independent for a few hours each day, with friends who were there to get my kids after school, to becoming Rachel's eternal friend. Tom has a long road ahead of him. Months of rehab, at least one month in a rehab hospital, but he's going to make it. I'm upset with him because he and Rachel won't be going to trek with us. Kinda mad!!!
Tom was t-boned when he pulled out in front of a truck with two teenage girls driving about 45mph. He really is lucky to be alive. Rachel's parents came out immediately to watch her kids. Her girl friends were able to keep her occupied during Tom's six hour surgery. Tom's brother Steve showed up at the time we needed someone to start taking charge of all the business stuff. Tom's boss could come in and talk with him so Tom wouldn't worry about work. Tom is able to write notes that are so precious and meaningful and humorous. Tom's mom and dad got here last night from their mission in Germany. And all siblings are able to come and support Tom in his recovery. Just a few of the wonderful things happening through this awful experience. The ward has fasted and prayed, provided lunch and many dinners. Work and friends have started funding accounts and they are nearly at $10,000. He was even paying into his long term disability. For a bad thing, there have been so many good things. So much love from distant friends and family on social media. It's just all rather incredible. So much love.
I just had to write some of my experience down. My life has been changed for the better. I'm grateful that I could be there for Rachel, Tom and their family when they needed me. I continue to pray for Tom and his recovery and strength for their family.
Wednesday after the accident
One of his first notes. We agree
Rachel, Tom, Karen and Steve (siblings)
Friday when we finally realized things were getting better.
Today is March 28, 2018 and I have a few things to update. The following pictures represent a miracle! I walked into the hospital to see Rachel and Tom a few weeks after the accident and walked in on the best thing ever! Tom, in a wheelchair, trying to push himself down the hall. And then, we were able to take a walk outside! It was the best gift ever. I was sooooo happy. What a blessing.
Sense I wrote the previous post, Tom has been moved to his rehab hospital, has seen his kids, has gotten off oxygen, had his wires removed from his mouth, is wearing comfy clothes-no more hospital gown, and filled out his March Madness bracket! He's got the best attitude about the entire situation and simply wants to make sure that he doesn't miss anything that he's supposed to learn through the experience. Rachel continues to be a rock star as well. She continues to balance her life beautifully. she has to balance her time between home with her five kids and the hospital with Tom and everything that goes along with being a wife and mother. She has a wonderful support staff in her family. I'm sure there are still dark moments in this journey, but Tom and Rachel are such an incredible example to me of faith, family and determination. I miss being around them regularly! I have to text and stalk them to get my Bjorkman love! I'm grateful for this experience and the fact that I know God answers prayers and He is in the details.
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