The Accident

On 4/16/2010 at approximately 10 to 10:15pm, my Lenny was involved in a serious boating accident. There were 6 occupants of the boat, all were injured. Both Lenny and his best friend Jakie sustained life threatening injuries and were airlifted to trauma centers, Jakie to Las Vegas, Lenny to Phoenix.

I received a call at 1:45am informing me of the accident. I then spent the next 2 hours trying to find him and find out what happened. After calling two hospitals I found Jakie, and then called his mom and she took it from there. I still couldn't find Lenny, so I called the Lake Havasu Police and they got back to me in about a half an hour telling me he was in Phoenix and that the social worker would be calling me soon. Next came the longest 20 minutes of my life. Waiting to hear....

Lenny sustained the following injuries - Completely fractured face from the upper jaw to above the eyes, broken neck, broken ribs, collapsed lungs, and severely broken legs. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I spent the next several minutes rallying friends and getting to YiYi (that is what Lenny calls his sister). We all headed to Phoenix and below I will update you on his condition, how we are holding up, and have a way to communicate with you to keep you updated and be able to answer your questions and be able to get the support we so desperately need from all the wonderful people that love him.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Monday

I only slept about 2 hours, I just couldn't stop thinking about the surgery. I was so scared to make it through this day. I called the hospital at 7am and asked them to tell Lenny I loved him before he went into surgery.

I attempted to eat breakfast, yeah right, like I have even barely taken many bites of anything at this point. We went right over to the hospital to begin our long wait. We checked in and they told us he was scheduled for 7 hours of surgery. This was so far the worst day for me. I broke down on several occasions and never thought I was going to make it through this day. I had a lot of support and somehow I made it through. The doctors updated us a few times, and 12 HOURS LATER he was out of surgery and in recovery.

The facial reconstruction went as planned, with the exception of it was way worse then they expected, which is why it took so long. There are 3 sections that you can fracture that would remove your face from the skull, and Lenny broke 2 of them. We were lucky that he still had one left, as that was a guide for them to put it back. They gave him a tracheotomy because he needs the ventilator, and they had to wire his jaw shut for it to heal correctly. His jaw will remain wired shut for 2 weeks. There is a lot more details to this, but I will spare you all that pain.

He had a CT Scan today of his neck, as that will be his next challenge. They will allow him some recovery time from today's surgery and the neurosurgeon's will be reviewing the CT Scan and we will find out if they want to due surgery on his broken neck or not.

They let us see him at the night visit and he was still sleeping from the surgery. I held his hand and talked to him a little. I don't know if he heard me, but Barry said it helps anyway. 

It is midnight, and I can't even think about sleeping, but I know I need to. I just called the hospital to see if he had woken up, and Barry said he came to a little bit and was feeling OK, but weird from the surgery. Pain wasn't too bad so far, so that is good.

We have a long road ahead of us, and we don't know all the details just yet, but there may be more surgery on the eye sockets, neck surgery, and of course then the rehabilitation. There is no time line or plan set forth at this time. Right now we are living day to day because that is all we can do.

We are very optimistic that Lenny will make a full recovery faster then the doctors expect, he is tough and healthy and a fighter.

I will be here with him the whole time, and we will take him home to a Rehab Center in California when he can go. Right now we have an estimated 3 weeks MINIMUM.

I know a lot of you want to send your love, and right now the best way to do that for Lenny is to pray, post comments on here to him, and help us get through this day by day. Lenny and I need you more then you know. I keep telling myself we will get through this, and I keep a strong face for Lenny, but inside I am losing it and I don't know how I am going to do it, but I will, somehow.

I am staying in an Extended Stay Studio Motel for the next month (it was a way better rate then the hotel I was in the first two nights), so if you would like to mail anything to us let me know. He can't have anything in the room just yet, but I will collect them for when he is ready in the next weeks to come.

So just remember that the best way to help Lenny now is prayer and support.

Love Nancy

22 comments:

  1. Hi Nancy....it's Leslie Schultz! I will pray! Is there anything from California I can send you? Do you have enough clothes? Would you like a gift card to Target or Wal Mart to get essentials? I admire your strength, Nancy and I will pray that you can continue to lean on your friends and family for support! Also, I pray for Lenny that he will make a complete recovery and that he will not experience a whole lot of pain or discomfort! Thank you for posting this blog and I will check on you, often! Please do not hesitate to ask for anything and I will do my best to help you!

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  2. Stay strong, We are here for you if you need anything. If it ends up being a longer stay you are more than welcome to stay with us. We are only 15-20 miles from the hospital? Keep your head up Nancy. George, Kym &Devyn Goldey

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  3. Nancy you have always been the strongest person in our family. May God give you all the strength you need to endure this journey to help Lenny through this horrible time in his life. Please let Lenny know my prayers are with him for a full and speedy recovery. I love you both--I am here for you if you need anything. Love You Mom

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  4. Nancy,

    Be strong and everyday will bring new hope. Lenny is young and strong he will pull through this. We are all here for you. keep talking to Lenny, even if you are not sure he hears you. Love you!

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  5. I dont know you or Lenny but I am wishing him a speedy recovery. I read about this on performance boats and I hope for the best for you both.

    Dale Pinckney

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  6. Keeping you all in my prayers! I'll pass this along!

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  7. Nancy,
    My name is Mark Byerley, my family and I are praying for Lenny, Jakey and the others.
    Please let us know if there is anything we can do from this end. My contact information can be obtained through Accessory House. Lenny is blessed to have a person of your caliber in his life. We'll be praying for you as well.

    Mark (OGShocker) Byerley

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  8. It's surreal and sad such tragedy can happen to such a great guy that Lenny is. For 20 years, I have thought of him as my big brother. Although our lives have grown apart and we don't talk much anymore, I will always have a place in my life for him. I thank God that his mind seems to be OK and he is still alive. I got the call at 0630 that morning and, at that time, it sounded as if he wasn't going to make it. It was undoubetly one of the worst days of my life. Thank you so very much, Nancy, for taking care of him, not only now but for the last number of years. My prayers are with him, you, YiYi, and the rest of the extended/adopted family.

    Zack

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  9. Nancy,
    Your an amazing and strong woman, for the past close to 20 years that I have known you, you have always been that person that was there for everyone. Lenny needs you and is lucky to have you! He is going to make it through this because you right, he is a tough SOB ( even though he made fun of my Lincoln!).Both Ginger and I want you to know that both you and Lenny are in our thoughts and prayers and if you need anything just let me know.

    Brad

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  10. I don't know you or Lenny, but you sure sound like a wonderful person. As one fellow boater to the next, stay strong and all will work out!

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  11. Nancy and Lenny,
    My heart sank when I heard the news!! The girls have you both in our thoughts and prayers!! Nancy, you will both get thourgh this you are a very strong woman with a huge heart and Lenny is a fighter!! We are here for you all if you need ANYTHING at all!!! We love you both!

    Love and Prayers
    Tina, Jordan and Aspen

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  12. Nancy, We are all praying for Lennie and you . If there is anything I can do to help you. Please let me know

    Jim Sr
    cell 909-938-1740
    home 909-591-2967
    office 909-399-3103

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  13. best wishes .... hugs and laughs... get well soon.. bobby ( dana Boats )

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  14. Nancy...I cannot believe this..i'm speechless. I wish Lenny and everybody else involved the absolute best. This news is so sad...let me know if there is anything I can do. stay strong.... Natalie

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  15. Nancy,
    Give Lenny my best wishs. I hope he feels better real soon. He`s very lucky to have you there by his side. If you need anything please let me know.

    Charles

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  16. Nancy,
    There is so much love for you and Lenny. So many people care and they will help. Stay strong! I know you will.

    Love, Julia

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  17. Nancy, Lenny, Jakie
    I am so sad I cannot think straight..You, Lenny and Jakie are my best friends!I just can't believe this happened, I wake thinking it was just a dream.. and then I look at the text messages. Thank you so much for the text messages, and this blog, it really helps. You are all strong people, and will get through this! Please let me know if I can help in any way. I love all of you!! OC Jenn

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  18. Nancy & Lenny,

    Please know that you are in all of our prayers, and you can count on us for ANYTHING. You have both touched so many lives with your generous hearts and loyal friendship over the years. Kelly & I love you both.....

    Love~ Mel

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  19. Dear Lenny,
    I just want you to know. My prayers will be with you now and as you recover. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. God loves you as all his creation. I will from time to time give you the greatest gift I personally know and that is your creators Love... Draw from His strength. In addition to that too help you and Nancy both I will post the scriptures for they will always be a present help to you in times of trouble, and in times of sorrow. He will be there in joy and He will always remain faithful... So that being said here is my personal thought today and a daily verse for you.. The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty. He will save and rejoice over thee with Joy. You will rest in His love and He will joy over thee with singing.... and elsewhere in scripture is.. Laughter does good like medicine... So Nancy as time permits you. Remember the great times as they will come again. And laughter truly will help in the healing process not just for Lenny but for your heart when it hurts as well. Prayers sent your way.
    Love always Patti.

    Here is your Verse of the Day:
    Isaiah 43:1 (NIV). But now, this is what the LORD says -- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:''Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.''...... Thoughts on This Verse... We belong to the LORD, God ...of all creation and God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (cf. 1 Pet. 2:9-10). We are recipients of God's grace and are blessed by his love for Israel's fathers. We do not have to fear because God is in control of our future, just as he worked through the history of his chosen people to send the Messiah. He will accompany us through the difficult trials we will face. He will make sure our redemption is realized. Why? Because we belong to him. We are his. He knows us. He formed us. God's people are his possession forever. We are children of the Almighty God!

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  20. Nancy - I don't know you or Lenny but my husband went to school with Lenny and Kyle called us to let us know what happened. We live in Phx and would love to help with anything. I have two little girls that will help brighten your day if you would like us to bring you lunch or something. Please let me know. Thank you very much for doing this blog as I have been searching for something to keep us updated. Thoughts and prayers are with you two! Rebecca Shedlock - 602-999-1317

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  21. Nancy, I know at this time you may not feel like it but you are such a STRONG person. I know that Lenny will pull through this faster then expected because, like you said, he's a fighter and because he has you fighting with him. Jason and I continue to pray for their healthy, speedy recovery and for your continued strength through this diffuclt time. We Love you, send Lenny and Jakie our love! Love ~ Nicole & Jason.

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  22. Nancy,
    Just wanted to check on you and see how everyone is doing. Continue to stay strong, Lenny is a fighter and we all know he will be Ok. If you need ANYTHING call the shop or call me on my mobile 951-545-6427.
    Trish

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