Ryan's Surgeries

Ryan's surgeries start Saturday morning around 7:30am (eastern time) please be praying for him.  For sure his hip, pelvic are going to get done,  possibly his left arm and maybe even his jaw.  They said there is a lot on the agenda and the surgery could go as late as 3-4 in the afternoon.  Jan, Ryan's mom, will be down there for them.
If they get to the jaw, they will be wiring it shut.  So prayers that he does not get sick after the surgery. 
Thanks for the prayers!

Angie

Moving Out

Here's a picture of the entourage Michelle had when she was checking out of the hospital this afternoon.  We went straight from this hospital to Ryan's hospital in Flint.  The doctor said if Michelle was up for the drive, he thought she should be okay.  We told her if we get started and if at anytime she wanted to turn around to let us know and we would take her home.  She made it!  I rolled her into his room and he was surprised to see her.  He didn't even know she had been released at this point.  She started crying a little and he said, "What are you crying for little lady?"  I got her situated to talk to him and then left them to have some privacy.  I went back up about 20 minutes later and we stayed another hour! 
Michelle told me that during their private time she said, "Just think Ryan, we were only 20 minutes away from home.  20 minutes from unpacking our cars and going to bed together.  Just 20 minutes away from normal."  And that's when Ryan said, "Yeah, but I am just so blessed and thankful that the kids are all okay and you're okay.  I am thankful I got the worst of it."  He said he has had long recovery's before so he knows what's in store and he's ready to get started.
Before we left, I snagged a picture of the two of them.  I haven't posted any pictures up to this point because I felt I wanted Michelle to give me the okay . . . well tonight she thought it would be okay to post the picture.

We made it home and a friend had Aidan and Moriah out at the mall and a family member had Emma at the movies.  We had time to get Michelle situated and comfortable, pick up her prescriptions and get a cane/bathing chair from the American Legion before they came home.  The kids are so excited to have her home and even Aidan is willing to help out.  I got this picture of him helping his mom put on her slippers.

~  Angie Peterson

Released

Michelle has been released from the hospital.  Mike and I are going down to pick her up as soon as we can. 

Who Lives In A Pineapple Under The Sea?

I noticed this sticker on Michelle's gown the night we arrived.  It was midnight, we were all tired and being the first time I was seeing her I felt there was other things to discuss.  When some nurses came in to adjust her positioning in bed, I heard one of them ask, "Did you get that sticker from X-Ray?"  Even though she responded in a raspy, quiet voice, I heard her say, "My son."  The next day I did ask, "Did Aidan get you that sticker from home or what?" She told me, "No, each kid was able to come in and say good-bye to me while we were in the ER.  Aidan was given the sticker from his X-ray and when he came in, he took it off himself and put it on me." 

Thursday, December 2nd

Today Mike and I spent the day at home with the kids.  In the morning Mike went through some of the stuff that came from the van.  Everything needs to be cleaned thoroughly because of glass, salt and other things from the accident.  I spent the morning going through the suitcases, doing laundry, taking calls, responding to emails and keeping track of the 3 kids.  In the afternoon, we took them down to the hospital to visit with Michelle after Aidan had his nap.  Michelle was going for a walk when we arrived.  I felt a little bad because Moriah wasn't sure she wanted to see her mom, so I told if she wanted to she could wait outside the room.  Well, when we were coming down the hallway Michelle was at the other end so there was no choice for Moriah, she was going to see her mom.  I think it was good for Mo to see her up and moving around.  I also feel it was good for them to see how much pain she is in as well as how little movement she has and how slow she is.  We made it to her room and Aidan snuggled right up with her in her bed.  He practiced giving her "soft" kisses so he wouldn't be so rough when he saw her.  He helped himself to Michelle's leftover lunch.  The nurse was so nice; she went and grabbed the kids some cookies, crackers and juice. 
Michelle's catheter was taken out today and she was eating well.  There is a possibility she will be released tomorrow.  Today she got a call from Ryan!  He didn't even have a phone in his room, so I asked how that was possible.  She said the doctor gave his phone to Ryan to use to call Michelle.  Ryan is supposed to have his jaw wired shut and won't be able to talk to her. She said it was short, she could tell he was tired and he said it was hard for him to hold the phone up.
After leaving the hospital we took the kids to Kohl's to get Moriah some new clothes.  The outfit they cut off of her in the ER was brand new so we wanted to replace it.  We also picked up night gowns for Michelle as she feels that is what she will be most comfortable in around the house. 
We want to thank whoever dropped off the KFC for dinner tonight.  It was nice to return home from shopping with the kids to that nice meal.  Sorry we weren't here to thank you in person! 
I did not hear a report on Ryan today. 

Update on the Kids

The kids are doing really well.  Emma (9) has verbalized most what happened and how she is feeling.  She told me tonight she wants to see her daddy.  We explained it's a long drive down to where he's at, but maybe we can send him a video.  She got excited and said she wants to see a video of him too.  She has cried every night before bed.  She really wants her family to be together for Christmas. Emma had a doctor's appointment this morning (Dec 1) to get checked out.  She was totally cleared!  Yah!  She was able to visit Michelle after the appointment too!  Moriah had a chance to go along and after thinking about it she decided to stay home. 

Moriah (7) is very introverted and has kept most of it in.  Tonight Emma said she wanted to see daddy, Moriah said, "I don't want to see daddy.  I'm afraid if I see him it will make me cry."  Emma questioned her about it, and Mo said, "Yeah, don't you remember? I wasn't crying but then I saw daddy and I started to cry."  Just the memory of it made her almost start to cry but she held it in.  I asked was this in the ER?  and she said No.  Then I asked, "In the van?"  And she said, "Yeah."  So then I continued, "Is that why you didn't want to see mommy today?  You thought you might cry?"  She said, "yeah." Since Emma came back with a positive report as to how their mom looks and is doing, I think that has encouraged her to go.  So we have plans to run them all down to the hospital tomorrow (Thursday).  As far as her dad goes, I told her one of the jokes he told me while there and she replied, "That doesn't sound like sick daddy, that sounds like normal daddy."  I think she was surprised.  We tried to explain that his body is injured, but his attitude, character and sense of humor are all in good shape. 

Aidan (2) remembers the accident.  He describes it too.  He's 2 so can't understand all he says, but I do get, "nannys and then CRASH!"  It hasn't affected the crashing he does with his toy cars at all though!  Today we called Michelle's room so Moriah and Aidan could talk to her on the phone.  When I was getting ready to leave fot the hospital he asked, "where you going?" I said, "I'm going to see mommy."  He said, "I want to see mommy."  I didn't think he'd understand the explanation we couldn't take him anywhere til he got a new car seat, but I said, "We'll take you soon." 

Wednesday, December 1st

Today Michelle was allowed more solid/liquids, like cream of wheat soup and pudding.  I wasn't sure if she would be up for it, but when she woke up she said she was ready to order breakfast.  Good sign!  After she ordered she said she was ready to do her breathing exercises.  She knows what's important and what needs to be done in order for her to get better.  Today, Mike, mom and I went to see Ryan so left Michelle for a few hours.  When we came back her IV was gone that was pumping her with her drug (a type of morphine).  I couldn't believe how much her facial expressions had come back, personality, alertness and energy!  She also told us she walked all the way to the water fountain and back (10-15 feet from her room!).  It was good to hear and I only wish I was there to see it.  Right now I believe she is only taking Motrin for pain.  Tomorrow she should have no restrictions on food. 
Mom has been staying at the hospital the entire visit.  The kids will ask occasionally if grandma is going to come home.  Emma said she is just concerned about the amount of sleep grandma is getting.  If you have been trying to call her on her cell, there are no cell phones allowed in Michelle's room.  Just an FYI as to why you haven't heard back from her.  
I'm copying and pasting an email from my younger sister about an update on Ryan . . . it's information she was given by Jan, Ryan's mom.

"I just got of the phone with Jan...most current update as of 12/1 about 2:15 - just cause things do change.  He first was going to have the jaw surgery but that has changed.  He has a surgical team assigned to him and the head doctor is named Wagner.  Tim's (Ryan's dad) brother Jim and wife Janet were able to talk with Dr. Wagner at the hospital today.  They are planning the pelvic and hip surgery for sometime this Sat.  They are hoping to do the hand surgery at the same time because it is the same guy that will do the pelvic and hip surgery and it should only add 15 to 20 min to do the hand surgery.  Eye Dr. came in today and Ryan's right eye is 20/20 but left eye is 20/70.  That may improve as swelling goes down and may get worse after the facial surgeries.  The dr. said if it gets worse he can get glasses.  They have been waiting on surgeries as they need the swelling to go down.  Every day Jan thinks he looks better.  Right now Ryan can't move and he lies flat on his back.  He does have a few vertebrae that are fractured in his neck.  Jan thinks things are coming together quickly as far as his first surgeries and all the help and support from people.  Nurses at Ryan's hospital are amazed at how stable he is for all the things that are wrong with him (praise the Lord!).  Tim and Jan are amazed at Ryan and Michelle's friends/family and how quickly everyone is helping out.

Things to pray for Ryan for...

1.  no infection

2. no bed sores

3. no pneumonia

Thanks, Liz"

Now, on to our visit with Ryan.  It was SO GOOD TO SEE HIM!!  To be totally honest, I was a bit nervous to go because people had told me he doesn't look like Ryan and his face was pretty messed up.  maybe those people didn't know what Ryan looked like because I thought he looked GREAT!  Now, great as in compared to what I was expecting.  And I was told a lot of swelling had gone down, so that helped.  From what I could tell it was only teeth on his left side that have been knocked out.  I do not know if they will have to take out the rest in order to fix his jaw.  He did not sound like himself because of the missing teeth.  He has 2 black eyes and his left arm/hand is totally swollen (that is the one that is broken). He had just awakened from a nap.  He told us he can go about 45 minutes then gets tired again.  He was in good spirits and was joking around with us. I had taken a picture of Michelle at the hospital holding some flowers he had sent her (I don't know who arranged that, but it was great) and he really liked seeing her.  I did ask him, "Did you know you sent her flowers?" and he replied a bit insulted, "Of course I know I sent her flowers."  Said, "She looks great."  Then I showed him a video I had taken that morning of Aidan.  I couldn't even believe how big of a smile that got out of him. He kept telling us over and over that he was thankful for what a blessing we've been.  I don't know if he, or Michelle for that matter, realize they couldn't have kept us away had they asked!  I read him some of his e-cards, we hung up some pictures of his family and had a chance to pray with/for him.  It was encouraging.  I really wish he was closer so we could make more visits.  Maybe we can get down there one more time before we leave.
We did talk about the accident for a little bit.  He asked how far from home were they and we told him 15 miles from Coleman.  He didn't know what hit him so we said a lady driving a Silverado truck.  He only said, "I just hope she's okay."  I couldn't believe it!  But that's Ryan for you.  Tim and Jan raised a good man.  I also asked if he would want me to record a small video message for me to take back to Michelle.  He did and it was adorable, he started off by saying, "Hey there pretty lady." 

~Angie Peterson