Inside out

I have decided that Josh is healing from the inside out. He must be working so hard on the inside to heal the damage. He had another fever today, the good news is that it only lasted part of the day. His nurse was right on top of it and got him on the cooling blanket when the Tylenol didn't work. During his fever they increased his meds so he is still out of it. Let's pray that tomorrow he will not get another fever so that he can make some progress on the outside.

This morning before the fever kicked in they had his meds lowered and he was moving a little bit. He moved his right toes which he hadn't done before. At the top of his leg he has some very deep cuts so it was nice to see him move it. He also squeezed my hand and moved his eyes in my direction. Oh and he did move his head back and forth a bit when the cleaned out his mouth. So he was more there until they knocked him out again. Maybe tomorrow will be even better, eye contact would be heavenly.

I know he is in good hands here but I can't help but have some anxiety when I leave him. He really scared me that first night. I am so glad that he chose to stay and fight this battle. He is so strong.  I am so thankful for everyone who has helped with my kids. I miss them terribly but it is nice to know that they are well taken care of and that I can focus on helping Josh. I will never forget the love that has been shown to our family. I am grateful for my friends and family and ward family. I love you all so much. Thank you to the people that I don't know who are praying for him as well.
Denise

Day 10

Josh has had a fever for the last 3 days, it has made his heart rate and blood pressure high and he has just been uncomfortable. His pain and sedation meds were cut in half this morning and he has been a little alert but mostly sleeping, I think because of the fever. He was getting very anxious as he was more aware. The great nurses here have been on top of things and gave him meds to help keep him comfortable and even a cooling blanket to get his temp down. I was kind of discouraged when I left at 5:00 to go home and see the kids for a little while because there hadn't been much change.

Well I am back and his fever has broke and his heart rate and blood pressure is lower than it has been in 3 days. Super happy! I try so hard no to get discouraged because I know there is going to be ups and downs but it is really hard. I just want him to wake up and give me a hug, I miss him so much. I have to remember during the hard times that I know he is going to heal and be fine and that he is still here and that is all that really matters. Please pray for his fever to stay away! The doc said today that they were just waiting for him to start feeling better in order to get things moving with the ventilation. They have to make sure he can breath on his own before they will take it out, I think he will do great. Thanks so much everyone for your continued prays and love, Denise

Surgery

Surgery went really well, Dr Miller was able to close up his belly and his chest tube was removed! So happy it went well. He is resting peacefully at the moment. The doc said everything looked pretty good, but his liver will take awhile to fully recover. The lacerations on his leg are doing better than expected, they weren't sure if the skin in between would make it because the two cuts were so close. He has a bit of a fever, but they have him on antibiotics already in case of infection.
I am hoping to continue tomorrow with more progress, they are talking about taking the ventilator out but around here it's never a sure thing until it actually happens. If it comes time for that they will want to wake him more. Also as soon as he can tell them his neck doesn't hurt he will get the neck brace off. I can't imagine it not hurting after spending over a week it, although the neck brace does prop up the vent off his lip that is cracked and bleeding, so is has been good for something.
Today has been busy, Josh has been out of it again since they upped his meds, so no eyes open and toes wiggling for him today. He still wrinkles his brows though when he doesn't like something.

I have to say I love Express Metals/St George Steel, they have been so great. They are truly concerned about Josh and our family. I met with Executive Vice President of the company today from Oklahoma if I remember right. They have come to look into what happened and why to make sure that something like it never happens again. I felt some relief today after our meeting, he was concerned not only because of his position with the company but also on a more personal level, I am grateful for the time he took to come see me and reassure me that they are there if I need anything at all. It is nice to have their support, one less thing to worry about. I want to thank everyone from St George Steel for everything that was done, has been done and continues to be done. Love to all, Denise

More waiting......

Today has been more of the same with some improvements. He is no longer yellow from jaundice, just a touch in his eyes. They turned down the sedation meds for today. He has had his eyes open a lot of the day, but they are pretty glazed over still. He was able to squeeze my hand a couple of times and move his toes. I have been talking to him and by about four o'clock he was moving his eyes in my direction but not really looking at me. They had to up his pain meds because his blood pressure was up again, so he is sleeping now.
I can't help but wonder what he has been thinking all day as he has been more aware. I have tried to think of everything he might be worried about, his truck, glasses, wallet, phone, the kids and reassure him that everything is safe and all taken care of. I know every time he opens his eyes it's like the first time, so I have been telling him only basic stuff, he was in an accident at work and that he is getting better and doing really well. I can't wait to hear his first words.
Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow at 1:30, I hope it is not pushed back. With this surgery he should be able to recovery more after enough to have the ventilator removed and the neck brace as soon as he says his neck doesn't hurt. Remember to pray for him and thanks so much for your comments and emails. I look forward to your encouraging words. Love to all, Denise

Waiting.....

Today has been all about keeping Josh comfortable. He does not like to be turned, his blood pressure goes up every time. It usually comes down on it's own but sometimes requires more pain meds or meds for anxiety. Last night the nurse noticed he has some blisters from being so swollen, here and there and some of them have popped. Also his right arm has gotten a bit more swollen and is black and blue on the underside of it. When he is more stable and his stomach is closed up he's going to need some more x-rays to check for other broken things. He had a slight fever today, but it has broke. He is also a little Jaundice from all the blood he received but that is to be expected. I wonder if they have a billy light bed big enough for him? Hmm, I will have to ask.

The Doctor said we are still on for Wednesday's surgery to close him up. He is also going to remove his chest tube. He is doing really well with the ventilator and it looks like it won't be long after surgery that he will have it out. They have started him on some nutrition and he is tolerating it well.
My favorite thing that happened today was that a nurse that had worked on him in the first day or two came in and said that "There are medicines and there are miracles and this is a miracle." I know she is right, I know there were angels who kept him from landing on his head when he was falling head first and I know that all of the prayers that have been said on his behalf have kept him here with me. I am grateful for that. Thank you everyone for everything.

Sunday October 2nd

Today has brought some improvements. Josh is no longer on the medicine to paralyze him, however he is still sedated and will remain so for awhile. He may be able to respond to my voice and maybe squeeze my hand some when the medication wears all the way off, it takes time. His vitals have been great so far today. He has been taken off the dialysis machine just a few minutes ago. He is still somewhat swollen but they say what is left is from the trauma of the accident. Dr. Miller was in this morning and seems pleased with his progress. Later today or in the morning he will start receiving nutrition through the feeding tube they placed when doing the last surgery. It still sounds like it will be Wednesday before they close up his stomach, but it is looking really good and hardly draining at all anymore.

I am excited for the progress he has made. He still has a long way to go, please keep him in your prayers. I know that they have helped him so much. Again I am grateful for everyone who has helped and continues to help. I am thankful that I am able to stay here at the hospital with him for now.
Love to all, Denise

My Joshy

Josh is looking more and more like himself, he is no longer so swollen I can barley see his eye lashes and his lips and ears were huge. He is squishy again! No more tight skin all over, his hand feels more like a hand when I hold it in mine. He has made so much progress, I am amazed at him and his stregnth. He is still critical but he is stable. I want everyone to know that I know that he his here because of all the prayers that have been sent to him. I am so grateful for everything that has been done and continues to be done for our family no matter how large or small it has helped to get us this far. I can feel of your love and prayers and I beleive that Josh can as well.

We are hoping to wean him from the ventalators soon. This means he would need to be woke up a bit, YAY! I don't excpet it to go fast but every little improvement gives me hope for the next thing. I miss seeing his brown eyes and I miss his teasing. I can't wait to have him even squeeze my hand again. Soon I hope. His next surgery will be on Wednesday and they will try to close him up at that time. I am thankful to all of the people who have gotten him this far, the people at work who moved him out of the way of things trying to fall on him, everyone who responded and got him to the hospital, the doctors, nurses, people who have prayed for him and put his name in the temple, and everyone in between. Thanks so much and please know that I have received the comments, emails, messages, and texts. I truely don't know how I would have gotten this far without all of the people that have been here to support and help me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!