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.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Week Four - Sunday

We have learned today that Sunday is a slow quiet day for rehabilitation. No therapies.

Lenny still did not sleep well last night. The longest stretch of sleep we got was an hour. He seems to sleep for an hour then wakes up and it takes about 30 minutes to get him settled enough again to go back to sleep. We did that all night long.

Wake up call is really early here, breakfast is at 6:45-7:45am so they come in at 6:30 and wake us up. We had breakfast and then proceeded to start the day. We got Lenny up and in the wheelchair, he was going to be getting a shower today and we decided he needed to shave before the shower so I ran to Target. We also decided that we would shave Lenny's head. They shaved off a large strip for his facial surgery and the rest of it is getting long and is full of yuck and he keeps messing with it, so off it was going. Then he was off to get a shower which he has gotten very good at. His range of motion is coming back as far as his ability to move around.

They weighed him after the shower, 243, he was 285 the day of the accident. His muscle is just deteriorating. His arms and legs are so small which is weird for Lenny. He legs have always been rock solid. So, therapy will be rebuilding those muscles that his body has eaten over these past few weeks. Plus, who knows how much that goatee weighed LOL.

The doctor put him on a sleeping pill today so hopefully tonight we will be full of good dreams and no wake ups.

Yiyi is on her way back and should be here soon. She hasn't seen Lenny since he barely opened his eyes and said "juice" so I know she will be all smiles when she sees how far he has came.

Tomorrow will be full of therapy again, so here's to hoping for great progress tomorrow!

Love and miss you all, Nancy

5 comments:

  1. I had the most amazing Mothers Day. I heard the voice of the first person to ever call me "mom". Lenny your voice alone brought tears to my eyes, by the time we hung up - they were flowing freely down my cheeks. Lenny your strength and perserverance is just amazing. You have already been through so very much, your strength could be heard in your voice. Brett and I both have prayed for you more than you willever know. I truely believe God put his hands on you and healed you.

    Nancy I have said it many many times - and will continue. You are an amazing woman. I thank God everyday for putting you in Lennys life. I could hear the live he has for you as he spoke today. Now that he is beginning his rehabilitation, it is so important that you get enough rest. Your moms advice yesterday to sleep when he sleeps is valuable. Speaking from experience, please make sure you do this. You have had your own amount of trama, it's going to take time for you to recover as well. I worry about you getting sick.

    As always we all send our love to you both. I continue to Ray just as much for both of you, as well as Jakey and the driver of the boat. God has gotten you all through the biggest challenge of your life. Remember he his always there to lean on. I pray that you both sleep tonight and that Lenny has success in therapy tomorrow, with little pain or discomfort. Hugs to you both, I can't wait to see you both.

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  2. I am so glad the doctor decided to give him a sleeping pill. I will look forward to reading your blog tonight to see if it worked. I am glad his sister is coming he will be happy to see her and seeing his progress herself will help ease her mind also. She will also be able to help you out with some of the things Lenny is needing during the night so you all will be able to get more sleep. I am very glad you are there for him this would have been unbareable if he had to go through all this alone. You truly are a gift to those who love you and those you love.

    I love you,
    Mom

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  3. So glad that Lenny's trach is gone. So glad that Lenny is eating and showering. These are little things yet they are huge steps toward recovery. It's amazing how quickly our muscles atrophy when we are inactive. But Lenny will get them back. Make sure Lenny doesn't get his days and nights mixed up. If he sleeps a lot during the day, he may not sleep as well at night. It will take time, but you'll both adjust. So glad you are together day and night. What a comfort and assistance you are able to be to Lenny. Nancy. Don't forget to take care of you Nancy. I know Lenny is your priority, but you want to keep you strength up for you and for him. Tell my nephew that I said hi and I will be down to see him soon. Love to both of you, Aunt Sharon

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  4. I am so happy to read about all the progress Lenny is making...& so fast too!!! He is strong and I know you are a great comfort to him. Love you both... Please let me know if there is anything I can do to prepare for Lenny's homecoming. Love~ Mel :)

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  5. As I read this I remember going through some things with my dad last november that included hospital and rehab. Swallowing tests, physical therapy, speech therapy, etc. and yes no therapy on Sunday. You are both so strong and baby steps became toddler steps. Really soo much in a relatively small period of time when you think about it. Mikey is so happy but is still so worried. He loves you guys sooo much. God is good and continues to answer prayers as this journey continues.

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