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 2, 2010

Week Three - Sunday

Today was a big jump towards ventilator freedom!

At the morning visit Lenny was sleepy, but awake enough to know I was there. We chatted a little but mostly I stood there while he rested. You can see him fighting sleep now by his eyes. It is like now that the one eye is open he feels he needs it open all the time.

By the afternoon visit he was in the chair that he hates. It looks like a bed, but the feet are down at the floor. I don't know why he hates it, he just does. He was looking around a lot, because in the chair he can see the whole area he is in and all the people. I would think he would like that, but he hates that chair. His nurse told me he had only been in the chair for an hour and they want him in it as long as possible to help keep his lungs clear, but all Lenny wanted to know is when he can back in the bed. She told us it would be a couple hours and he gave us the "ok" hand gesture. He understands. So now for the best news of all, the doctors come through about 11am and they changed his vent trials. Today Lenny has been off the vent for 3 hours, then on for 1 hour, and it keeps rotating 3 off 1 on, etc. etc. and he has been doing fantastic!

This afternoon my friend Melisa came to the hotel and brought me a home cooked meal, Turkey Chili with Cornbread. It was wonderful, thank you so much! All I eat is take out or microwave food so it was FANTASTIC to have a home cooked meal.

At the evening visit he was back in bed and out for the count. I know he is out when I arrive and I take his hand and nothing. I was so glad he was resting. The nurse told me as soon as he got back in bed he was out.

At the night visit he was fully awake and we chatted away, well I chatted and he did Lenny Sign Language. I read to him the recap of the Laker Game today (GO LAKERS) and he was glad to hear they had won. I updated him on how things are at home and just some stories about friends here and there, it was so nice to have such an exchange with him. Before we knew it our time was up and I had to go. He was happy and smiling and we said goodnight.

Each day that comes is just better and better, as to be expected. We are on the road to recovery, it is going to be a long one, but we are going to be just fine.

Lenny and I love you all!

8 comments:

  1. Lenny and Nanc,

    We are soooo glad to hear the progress!!! The girls and I love to read how well Lenny is getting and the happiness coming thru your blog. This road is for sure going to be a long one but you both know that you guys are not alone!

    Love and prayers to you both!
    Tina, Jordan and Aspen

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good news, Nancy! I am so glad things are progressing, especially the time off the ventilator-this is crucial. Your spiritual strength is phenomenal and you get a lot of credit for Lenny's improvement. Your presence there is a huge driving force. I am sure you are looking into Rehab centers here, but the two best I know are Casa Colina (866-724-4127) in Pomona and Rancho Los Amigos in Downey (562) 401-7611). Rancho is a LA County institution, affiliated with USC. Casa Colina is closer to you and also has an excellent reputation. Carry on, every day brings your Lenny closer to healing. Thinking of you with affection! Rodanthi

    ReplyDelete
  3. Marianne HerreraMay 3, 2010 at 6:59 AM

    Nancy:
    Your smiles are just shining through. I cannot tell you how happy I am. I am hoping your blog for this evening will say he is off the vent. Such progress is absolutely wonderful.
    I see on the comment above mine they have done some research for you on rehabs. If I might also interject on those two hospitals because I know them well. Mr. Mandelbaum (you remember him) had a partnership at one time in Rancho Los Amigos before they were bought out when he retired by UCLA they are indeed a great rehab hospital but one thing I want you to be aware of is the patient load that goes there are really a different level of people than you might want Lenny to be at it can be when you see the other patients a very depressing place. Casa Colina on the other hand has a mixture of patients and their physical therapy dept. is one of the best in the area. I used to know most of them and will check to see if any are still there. That would be my recommendation for rehab but then again it just depends on what he is going to need.
    Keep that smile going--Your days in Arizona are growing shorter. I am so happy for you both.

    Love Mom

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nancy,we just want you to know that you and Lenny are in our thoughts and prayers! We are sooo thankfull for your daily blogs... it makes us feel like we are right there with you! please tell Lenny his girls from next door love and miss him! and tell him that pinkie misses him too! he keeps looking for him... please let us know if you need anything,or just call if you need someone to talk to. 909)7404166 melanie or becca 909) 9882095

    ReplyDelete
  5. WHAT GREAT NEWS!!! HOPEFULLY YOU BOTH WILL BE COMING BACK TO CALIFORNIA SOON!!! MUCH LOVE TO YOU BOTH.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Such good news - he is definately making progress. What strong people you both are. You sound like you make a great team together. Keep up the good work Lenny & hopefully someday soon we will hear you coming around the corner in your bug....LOL Blessings to you both Bill & Marlene

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is very good news. Hooray! Lenny can see what is going on and he is weaning off the vent. These are good things to celebrate! I know you are so relieved Nancy. I can feel your joy through your words. This has been a long time coming. I can't wait to make a trip down to see you guys as soon as Lenny is home and feeling stronger. Love to you both
    Aunt Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love reading your blogs and hope you both will be home real soon.
    Love A Sandy & U Dennis

    ReplyDelete