UPDATE 1/31 PM

It is 11p.m. on Sunday, and we had a long, yet exciting day! So much has happened since our last email – it is like a week has gone by in a day.

The doctors successfully removed Michele’s breathing tube and put an oxygen mask on her. Needless to say, she didn’t like that. She kept pulling on her mask which forced us to stand next to her and hold an oxygen tube up to her nose for the remainder of the day. No one minded a bit! Michele tried to speak in whispers throughout the day. She asked for me as soon as she could speak. We had a tough time understanding her, but along with Michele, we came up with some sign language. One finger meant “yes”, two meant “no”, the pinky finger meant “I Love You” and waving her hand in the air meant “Whatever”. For those who know her well, she used that one a lot.

John John got to see his Mommy for the first time today. She was so excited when she saw him, she stretched out her legs in excitement. She smiled throughout the day at various things we said. She looked and waved at new people as they arrived for a visit. She was like her old self – just a groggier version.

Billy was at Michele’s side the entire day. He fanned her, held her tube up to her nose, fed her some water, and basically attended to her every need. I know what comfort she felt by having him there. We think there might be a career in there somewhere.

By 9 p.m., she was very ready to sleep, so the doctor gave her a sedative. Shortly afterwards, her temperature started to spike a bit so they gave something for that. Billy refused to leave until his Mom was comfortable and sleeping and her temp back to normal. We finally left shortly after 10 pm.

The docs said that she should be moving out of the ICU and in to a normal room Monday late morning or early afternoon. He said that she was progressing very well and that she could leave the Cancun hospital in a commercial airplane by the end of the week. He could not pin down a day, as they are taking it a day at a time. Based on the progress she’s made over the weekend, we are very optimistic. She would be able to go home at that time and work with her primary doctor on continuing medication and any physical therapy required. Based on what we’ve seen, motor skills, language and memory seems normal.

We are very excited about the progress made, and it honestly feels like we’ve been at the hospital for weeks – not days. We are so thankful for all of your prayers and good wishes. We will begin reading your emails to her after she gets settled in to her room. Check out a few pics we took throughout the day.

Thank you so much for your love, support and prayers. It means everything to me. We’ve got our Michele back.
John

UPDATE 1/31 - QUICK UPDATE

Just a quick email with amazing news. Michele is very alert this morning and is trying to sit up in bed. She is waving to those of us who are in the ICU waiting room looking through the window.

Our visit was short as the doctors are ready to remove her breathing tube. We’re hoping that she can sit up in a chair later today.

We will send another update soon.

Thank you all for your prayers.
Keep praying!
John

UPDATE 1/30 #2

Family and Friends,

AMAZING GRACE! HOW SWEET IT IS! Michele was awake when we arrived tonight for our visit. When I asked her questions, she looked at me and nodded in response. She was moving a lot, and even though she is still very groggy her right eye was open and she was responsive. I asked her to squeeze my hand to “tell me you love me” and her whole body squeezed my hand, it was with all she had. When I said goodnight, she motioned to me with her arms and hands as if to tell me “don’t leave!”

Everyone else was so excited to get into the room to talk to her, they couldn’t get their gowns and masks on fast enough. Alyssa came with us tonight and was so excited to talk and get response from her Mommy. We watched from the ICU waiting room window as Michele looked at her youngest daughter very alert and with a motherly eye (we’re going to work on that left eye tomorrow!). She made motions to move toward Alyssa.

Amy & Cindy spent time with their sister and she recognizes each and every one of us. We all ask questions, and she responds by nodding her head. We were jumping up and down with excitement. This is AMAZING. This is a MIRACLE. Michele’s Dad also visited with her and we all said Sr. Anne’s prayer (below) together before we left. We take this prayer with us every time we visit, holding hands in a circle. Please use the prayer along with us, it is beautiful and it is working!

After we left tonight, the nurses were going to sedate her a little so that she could sleep through the night and we expect even more amazing results from Michele tomorrow.

I appreciate all of your prayers and emails. I am saving everything and compiling a book for Michele to read during her recovery. Please send your thoughts and prayers for her to read later.

Sr. Anne’s Prayer:

The LIGHT of God surrounds Michele
The LOVE of God enfolds Michele
The POWER of God protects and strengthens Michele
The PRESENCE of God watches over Michele
Wherever Michele is
God is

I saw spirit in my Michele tonight. She’s coming back to us with a vengeance!

Keep praying,
John

UPDATE 1/30

Family and Friends,

This morning, we arrived at the hospital at visiting hours (around 10:00). The nurses were giving her a bath when we arrived and they began reducing the amount of medication they were giving her. About an hour later, she began moving her right leg and right arm (which is significant for a left-hemisphere hematoma) and began moving her head and mouth – trying to get the respirator tube out of her mouth. We were able to go in one at a time and sometimes two at a time and were allowed to hold her hands and talk to her. Soon, she began responding to our voices – she would move when we would talk to her about the kids or something she could relate to. She would also take deep breaths on her own. A couple of times, when we asked her to, she would attempt to open her right eye. She does have movement in her left leg and shoulder, and recently, twitched her left wrist. We are told that this will be a very slow process, but 2 hours into it, we are extremely hopeful.

We’ve told her how many people are thinking of her and please continue to pray. We are very optimistic.

We’ll continue to provide information as she progresses. You should hear something from us later today.

PLEASE KEEP PRAYING!

John

UPDATE 1/29 #2

To our Family and Friends,

Your prayers are working! Michele is showing amazing signs of improvement. The neurologist looked at the cat scan results and feels it’s time to start slowing bringing her back. The doctors will meet sometime today to discuss the new plan of her recovery as things are looking good. Hopefully tonight at our 10:30 pm visit, the doctors will relate the plan to us. We believe they will start to decrease her sedation tomorrow morning and bring her back very slowly, monitoring her responses.

As I was saying my goodbye to her this afternoon, her arm and hand moved significantly as if she was waving to me. We know she can hear us and we know that your prayers are working.

Please keep praying,
John

UPDATE 1/29

Great news today. Our beautiful Michele is looking very good. Her skin tone is back and she just looks so much better. We spoke to the neurosurgeon who performed her surgery and he said that everything looks good. She had a cat scan done and there is no additional swelling. Her brain has moved back to center, whereas it was shifted to the left on the first scan prior to surgery. This is excellent news. The doctors are very optimistic.

She will remain under heavy sedation in a coma for the next 48 hours and her doctors will continue to monitor all of her vital signs. So far so good. All we can do now is wait, pray, and pray some more.

Thank you all for your prayers. We are so happy for the news today.

Keep praying,
John

UPDATE 1/28

Family and friends,

Some of you may be hearing this news for the first time, and it is important for us to get word to you. While on vacation in Cancun, Michele slipped and fell yesterday causing severe head trauma to the brain. Surgery was required to relieve the amount of pressure on her brain.

Thank you all for keeping our beautiful Michele in your prayers. She is receiving the best care possible and we are very confident with her doctors.

As of this evening, Michele is in ICU and remains to be monitored around the clock. Every hour several important measures of her recovery are checked by her doctors. All of these measures are good, and she is progressing in her recovery as expected. The report this evening was very good and very positive. Although she is on a respirator, she is taking breaths on her own.

During our visits with Michele we talk to her and let her know that all of you are praying for her and that you love her. Although she is not out of the woods, the continued positive results give us great optimism knowing her willingness to FIGHT and that gives us confidence that she will come out of this.

Please forward to family and friends. We will send emails as more news is available, and keep you all updated on her recovery.

Please keep praying.
John

I am blessed. I sat here this evening and thought about how truly blessed I am. My blessings began when I met John. He rocked my world back in 1986. And he still does rock my world to this day in 2010. I have had the joy of bringing 4 beautiful children into this world. My children: I live and breathe for. My life would not be as complete without them.

I have lost some important people in my life. My Grandfather, Casey, who was so special to me growing up, especially when he wore his socks on his ears, sitting in our rocking chair at our home on Spotted Horse Trail. And my Grandmother, Nana, who loved to sew and never go the opportunity to meet her Great Grandson, John, but little John was there when we spread Nana's ashes in the Rocky Mountain Forest where we used to have many picnics. Finally, I lost my Father-in-law, too young and too soon. He was my rock, my inspiration, and someone I could call no matter what, no matter when or what time. He was a man that stopped by my house, made fresh orange juice, and we talked for hours about nothing much, sitting in the family room in the middle of the afternoon.

I am blessed to have people in my life that mean so much to me. My sisters are my best friends. I am blessed with 4 sisters. Cindy, Amy, Brenda and Annette. Some say blood is thicker than water, but the bond is the thickest. I am blessed that my sisters have always been there for me, listening no matter what and the amazing "girl" time we have had together.

I have some true friends. Karen is my soul mate, we live and breathe each other and connect in ways that no one can describe. I thank her for her never ending friendship. Dori is my best friend. We sometimes go weeks without talking, but the minute we pick up the phone with each other, it was like we spoke just an hour ago. She is the Godmother to my son, and truly and inspiration.

So here I am. At a time in my life that I am truly happy, comfortable and content. I thank all of you for being on this journey in my life with me. I wouldn't be here without all of you. To sum it up in one word: Thanks.

Love you all!
Michele

The LIGHT of God surrounds Michele
The LOVE of God enfolds Michele
The POWER of God protects and strengthens Michele
The PRESENCE of God watches over Michele
Wherever Michele is God is