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.

Friday, April 30, 2010

Week Two - Friday

So here we are, two weeks gone since the accident.

Lenny did not get moved to a new hospital today. My company is in the process of changing insurance providers and they won't move him until they have the new insurance information, so they will talk to me about it again on Monday.

Today was a good day for Lenny as far as the vent is concerned. He was off the vent this afternoon for 1 hour and 40 minutes, and when we visited him tonight he was off it again. We were allowed in at 8:30 and he had already been off for 30 minutes, they are trying for 2 hours. His oxygen level was 100% which is FANTASTIC and we need him to stay above 91% so he is doing great! Other then the vent trials they are doing there was not much change today. He was sleeping for our first two visits, and for the evening and night visit he was asking about the Lakers again. At halftime when we were there the Lakers were up, but watching it right this second Lakers are down by one, WOO HOO, Gasol assists Bryant to take the lead. 0.5 to go.....hold on while I watch the rest.....YEAH LAKERS WIN ROUND ONE! Now I will call the nurse so they will tell Lenny. They laugh when I call for such funny reasons, but Lenny will love that news! So back to Lenny, he is progressing well day by day and I am hoping he is off that ventilator in the next week!

I have tried to focus on moving past the scary feelings I have had for the past two weeks and look forward towards the rehabilitation plans. Now I need to focus on the changing of hospitals, when I can take him back to California, where we will place him, getting things ready for him to come home, getting a wheelchair, building a ramp, and on and on and on. It is kind of nice to have other things to plan. Tomorrow I am going to start working on the quotes to get him home to California. The problem with getting them is I don't know how much care he will need during the trip, but at least I can get some idea on who might be the best company to go with. I am also fortunate that someone I work with knows someone that works for a transport company. We are so lucky in so many ways.

Today I received another letter in the mail, and I was sent roses from my old high school friend that lives here in Phoenix that has been so wonderful. Another old friend that I haven't talked to years sent me some old memorabilia that would make me smile and the newspaper article from Lake Havasu. I can't tell you how lucky Lenny and I are to have all of you in our lives. I hope to be able to return all this love to each and every one of you someday, but until then please know that all of you that take the time to check on Lenny by reading this blog will always hold a special place in my heart. I am going to have a HUGE gathering once Lenny is all better and please know that everyone will be invited, old friends, new friends, everyone.

Tomorrow Yiyi goes home so she can go to the doctor and take care of her home. It has been so wonderful that she has been here with me for the past two weeks. We have gone through this together, and thanks to Gary handling everything we made it through. They will be back soon though, but I am hoping we are coming there before they have to come here.

Now we look toward the future and the rehabilitation, next item on the checklist - Off the ventilator.

Until tomorrow night - Love, Nancy

10 comments:

  1. So excited to hear the Lakers won! Great news for Lenny:)

    i read this blog each night before I go to bed. It's gotten to be a ritual. I need to see how Lenny is, how you are Nanc. I feel like I then know what I can thank God for and what needs special prayer. Every night I thank Him for you in Lenny's life. I thank him for the blessing of Lenny in so many lives. I prayed so hard the last few days that Lenny would find peace, and comfort as he tackles the task of getting off the ventilator. I'm so excited to see the news from today. God is hearing our prayers!

    I know that you both have a long hard road ahead. Brett and I are here to help, just say the words. Love to you all. Please tell Lenny we are so proud of the progress he is making. I can't wait to hear his voice again. Hugs to you all.
    Sarah "Mom" Tanner

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  2. Nancy,
    Everyday I read your blog.. It is so wonderful.. I am taken by your strength and constant push forward. you are just the medicine Lenny needs to continue doing better. I am here if you need anything..

    -Love, Melisa

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  3. Nancy,
    I was watching the Lakers tonight & holding my breath at the end... hoping they would win & They Did !!! I knew that would make Lenny happy, so it made me happy too... It is hard to believe it has been two weeks. When the time comes check with your insurance regarding DME (durable medical equipment) coverage that you have. Please remember that I can help with resources from my old company, and there are small threshold ramps for your entrances. When the times comes I can help if you need it. You are so strong, I think of you through out the day, knowing that you are in between visits with Lenny, waiting until you can go back to be with him. It will be so wonderful when you can be with him all day. I love you both....
    Love~ Mel

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  4. Go Lakers all the way!!! I am amazed at the the progress Lenny has made in these 2 weeks. He is so lucky to have the wonderful care from the doctors and nurses you describe to us. We miss you too. Can't wait to see both of you return home.
    Love Ya, Brenda

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  5. Hi Nancy - so happy to hear that Lenny had a good day with the vent trials. He is a strong person & has alot in his life to keep him going. Even though I do not know you other than waving to you in the morning sometimes, I feel thru your blog that I have gotten to know you guys better. How sad that a tragedy in life can happen that way sometimes. Just so you know, if there is anything we can do to help at the house, let us know. Bill does handyman work so if you need something done maybe he can do it(ramps or whatever)or your house cleaned , I can do that...we are here for you!! Yea, for the Lakers, held my breath for Lenny!! Bill & Marlene

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  6. Great news We sent a check to your house not knowing if you were coming home this weekend or not. I am sure someone is taking care of Lenny's kitty's and your house so I am sure it will get to you. Take care and love to you both!!!

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  7. GO LAKERS! I think there are a few more Laker fans. It nice to hear that Lenny is moving forward. Moving forward so much, that you will be home soon Nancy. I know you can't wait. I think about you everyday and can't wait to read your blog. Stay strong.

    Love, Julia

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  8. Nancy, you are sounding better and so is Lenny. It amazing how much we fight to live, in Lenny's state as well as our every days lives. Lenny is definately a fight and so are you. I have been so busy this week that today is the first time that I have been able to sit in peace and read your blog in a week, but the update is encouraging. You are an amazing woman and Lenny is very lucky to have you, someone that is there for him every step of the way and I know that when you are are able to see him every minute of the day, you will be there with him to help him through all of this.

    You said something in this blog about returning all our love, Nancy, you are the most giving person of all. Its time for all of us to give to you in your time of need. I believe that I speak for all of us when I say that.

    Also, I wanted to let you know that I have someone that has a portable handicap ramp that you can use. It is made out of aluminum and it folds up so that you can take it anywhere. Just gimme the word and I will get it for you when you need it.

    Thoughts and prayers for you and Lenny. And Jakie.

    Veronica

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  9. Marianne HerreraMay 1, 2010 at 6:57 PM

    Reading your blog today has been on my mind all day as I had to leave to help Jim at work today and didn't get to read it before I left. The first thing I did when we walked thru the door was run upstairs to the computer. In reading the blog I feel the relief in your voice you can finally see that he is getting better. It is your love and strength and god watching over both of you that is making every day a little easier. To read all of the above comments and all the wonderful people that want to help you and Lenny brings me such comfort to know how loved my daughter is. You are the best and I love you so much. You give so much of yourself to everyone around you. I love you Nancy.....

    Mom

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  10. You have not been out of my thoughts or prayers since I heard about the accident. As I follow the blog, I am amazed. Not only has Lenny made remarkably rapid progress, but you are multi-functioning. Lenny's youth, stamina, and you in his corner will get him through this. God bless you both. Linda @ Magnolia Snow Creek

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