Nick Being Alive Is A Miracle...

[StrawberryFields]

On July 10th 2004, our lives changed dramatically. Our 17 year old son was at work at a tire store when an accident occurred that will shape the rest of our young son's life. Nick was struck by a tire and rim when the bead of the tire separated from the rim. The tire and rim first struck his left arm and broke it. The full force of the explosion hit Nick in the face just above his left side of his lip slicing it open and breaking his jaw. It "jumped" sides as it completely shattered the bones in his nose and opened the skin on his nose. It "jumped again" this time beyond his eye striking him at his forehead shattering it and splitting it open. Nick had surgery, and remained in a coma for 4-6 days. Under the circumstances, Nick is doing pretty good but suffers from cognitive difficulties among the loss of smell and other impairments caused from the Traumatic Brain Injury.

Indeed we have witnessed a Miracle and I wanted to share with you, my friends at LDSTalk, this copy of a CT Scan that was done the day of the accident. There is a saying that says a picture is worth a thousand words...well this one speaks volumes for me.

I hope I did this right

[Guest curvette]

I've seen worse.... (I'm KIDDING!) That is absolutely amazing. I agree that this is a miracle. I'm so glad to hear that Nick is progressing so well. You have a lot to be grateful for this Christmas. :)

[Jenda]

OH MY GOSH!!! That he is alive is indeed a miracle!

Praise God! :)

[StrawberryFields]

Just to clarify, the strange looking thing in his mouth is a breathing tube.

I hope you can see how handsome he is in the picture.

[StrawberryFields]

Originally posted by Jenda@Dec 8 2004, 12:36 PM

OH MY GOSH!!! That he is alive is indeed a miracle!

Praise God! :)

Yes we do. :)

[shanstress70]

I also agree that this is a miracle. Please do not mistake my post in the other thread as me saying that it isn't. I guess my point there was that I'm not sure if the miracle happened because of the number of people praying and fasting for him (what about the ones for whom no one prays?). Maybe it was more that he is a child of God and God just didn't think it was time for him to leave this place. But I realize I'm WAY in the minority here, and I don't want to anger anyone. By no means am I saying anything negative about Nick... quite the opposite, actually.

Nevertheless, I think prayer is a great thing. It is good for both the pray-er and the pray-ee.

[Guest curvette]

Originally posted by shanstress70@Dec 8 2004, 12:35 PM

But I realize I'm WAY in the minority here, and I don't want to anger anyone.

I don't think your post would anger anyone. I know exactly what you mean because I also wonder about the times people fast and pray and their humble request is not granted. But, I've seen times when faithful people fast, and the results are so miraculous that it's hard to believe that it wasn't related to the fast. Something like this recently happened to a friend of mine. It's a different type of miracle than Nick's. This woman had been trying for quite some time to adopt two orphans from Haiti. Every time she went to get the children, there would be some reason why they wouldn't let her take them. She refused to bribe the officials (which is standard procedure) because she felt that would make it harder for other adoptive parents in the future. Finally, after a couple of years of frustrated efforts, she asked the ward for a special fast. That week, she received notification that the adoption was approved, and she was back with them in a week. Maybe it was a coincidence, but it sure seemed like a miracle to us! The children were almost adolescents by the time they finally were adopted, and the miracles continue with their adjustment to life with a new family, new language, new country, etc. This lady isn't my favorite friend because she annoys the heck out of me in some ways, but I have never seen anyone with so much faith and tenacity. I ADMIRE the heck out of that! Fasting is one of those things that cannot ever be explained in a logical way because it simply just isn't logical. It's depriving our physical selves in order to strengthen our spiritual selves.

[Setheus]

Originally posted by Strawberry Fields@Dec 8 2004, 10:38 AM

Nick had surgery, and remained in a coma for 4-6 days.

*looks at list of character roles*

Ok, well since no one else has taken the role, I will play devil's advocate.

What do you mean in a coma for "4-6" days? That sounds like an estimate not an "actually happend" figure. Was he possibly just sleeping heavily part of the time and they don't know exactley when he came out of coma and yet remained unconscious?

If I go to sleep at midnight and wake up at 0600am. I slept for 6 hours. Not 4-6 hours.

[StrawberryFields]

Originally posted by Setheus+Dec 8 2004, 04:52 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Setheus @ Dec 8 2004, 04:52 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--Strawberry Fields@Dec 8 2004, 10:38 AM

Nick had surgery, and remained in a coma for 4-6 days.

*looks at list of character roles*

Ok, well since no one else has taken the role, I will play devil's advocate.

What do you mean in a coma for "4-6" days? That sounds like an estimate not an "actually happend" figure. Was he possibly just sleeping heavily part of the time and they don't know exactley when he came out of coma and yet remained unconscious?

If I go to sleep at midnight and wake up at 0600am. I slept for 6 hours. Not 4-6 hours.

Good question.

He was defiantly in a coma because that is our body’s way of handling a trauma such as this. I am just not sure how many days he was actually considered to be in the coma. Within the 4th day we say what we considered movement. The nurses told us that it needed to be "intentional movement" such as wiggling his toes on command for him to be coherent. I remember the Neuro-Surgeon being discourage on the 4th day when he still was not out of the coma.

Another reason why it isn't clear is that because of Nick's condition the kept him medically in a coma to let him heal. Nick also had a great deal of swelling and he needed to have a drain put into his head to relieve some of the pressure on his brain. They were draining CFS fluid.

[Lindy]

I think that God helps us realize how powerful prayers and fasting are when He lets us witness a miracle. The greatest minds on earth cannot understand the plans, the thoughts or the actions of "heavenly intervention". No one can second guess God or His intentions, and at times it's very hard to comprehend the reasoning.

I am thankful for the miracle of Nick, and I know that he has something special planned for him, I hope that I am around long enough to witness the special plan that was set aside for him.

[Blessed]

WOW!!!

That is just amazing! WHile I am sure yall have had many dark nights of the soul with this injury, but your testimony surely shines so brightly. All I can think of is... by the grace of God, go I.

Wow. Thank you for sharing that.

[Amillia]

Wow is right, Strawberry. God is in his heavens looking down upon you and your son. Amazing.

[StrawberryFields]

Originally posted by shanstress70@Dec 8 2004, 01:35 PM

I will say it again... This is tough, because I don't want to be insensitive to SF. Please do not take offense. I think you are awesome, and find your son's account very inspirational.

Having said that, I think that by her saying that God performed the miracle because of everyone's praying and fasting, it is saying that an orphan girl is not quite as important. No one is praying for her, in some cases. I think that God decided He wanted Nick to live, regardless of what everyone else was doing. Just like He may decide He wants the orphan girl to live, even though no one may be praying for her. However, I'm sure that made them feel closer to God spiritually... and I'm sure it did a lot of good for Nick to know that all these people were praying for him.

Just a difference of opinion, I guess.

I borrowed the above quote from my other post. I feel it fits better with this topic.

When I initially told my story about the prayer and fasting I didn't think that it would bother anyone. I am sorry that this has struck a nerve with you. As I told you when I pm'd you that it is a story that has increased my faith and strengthened my testimony. As you can imagine I am still floating from this incredible journey that we are on and I might get a little excited when I talk about these things.

You say that you think that God decided that He wanted Nick to live regardless of what everyone else was doing. I think the He might have wanted to have our faith exercised some as we learned and saw him in his peril. Yes, we saw Nick with his injuries at the tire store. We saw him in the ER as they prepared him for surgery. But what we felt was something so strong that it over shadows the horrors that we saw. We actually felt the love that Our Heavenly Father has for our son, it was and is undeniable. These things are very special and sacred to me but even as I struggle in my mind weather to share them or not my heart tells to go on. To keep the blessings of this miracle to myself would be selfish. I can say without a doubt that during that time if someone was to look for my footprints they would not be found, I was literally be carried by the love of Our Heavenly Father, Following the surgeries that Nick had the day of the accident, we where allowed to see him in the shock trauma until. Upon entering his room I commented to my husband about how big he appeared. He was lying in the bed with his head bandaged, tubes stuck into him at various places, and his hospital gown was placed over him exposing his chest. I said to my husband, “Look how big he is.” It didn’t take long before I realized that what I was really feeling was his spirit fighting from within him, I had not felt that earlier that day.

[shanstress70]

Originally posted by Strawberry Fields@Dec 9 2004, 10:51 AM

When I initially told my story about the prayer and fasting I didn't think that it would bother anyone. I am sorry that this has struck a nerve with you.

SF,

It did not strike a nerve with me AT ALL! I love seeing posts from you. They are always so uplifting. I just have a different opinion... but you ARE the one who lived it. So who am I to tell you anything about it.

I am very glad you share your accounts. They mean a lot to me, and I think many people who visit this site.

Take care!

Edited to correct misspelling.

[StrawberryFields]

Shandstress :  Just like He may decide He wants the orphan girl to live, even though no one may be praying for her.  However, I'm sure that made them feel closer to God spiritually... and I'm sure it did a lot of good for Nick to know that all these people were praying for him.

You are right when you say that the prayers offered for us made us spiritually stronger. I believe that the prayers are what help sustain our family.

Even after Nick was officially out of his coma he was in a state called post traumatic amnesia. He was functioning fairly normal and he was in in-patient rehab. They continued to ask him a series of the same 10 question every day. Where are you, what day is it? etc. For almost three weeks he participated in therapy for about 6 to 7 hours a day and he doesn't remember that at all. Just a few days before we brought him home from the hospital we told him about all the things that had talen place. That was when the light went on for him and he said "Where am I am why am I so hurt?" At that time he understood that many people had come to see him and had been praying for him. Yes, this has been a strong component in Nick doing as well as he is. He couldn't believe all of the people who cared for him and our family. Within the first couple of days I began a journal and I wrote down the names of those who came to visit us while Nick was in the hospital. We were so blessed with support that a website was developed to keep family and friends up to date with Nicks progress and a guestbook was included so that Nick could hear from others who offered their support. Nick still goes to the website and reads it, it has been a wonderful tool for our entire family.

[Guest curvette]

Originally posted by Strawberry Fields@Dec 9 2004, 08:51 AM

Following the surgeries that Nick had the day of the accident, we where allowed to see him in the shock trauma until. Upon entering his room I commented to my husband about how big he appeared. He was lying in the bed with his head bandaged, tubes stuck into him at various places, and his hospital gown was placed over him exposing his chest. I said to my husband, “Look how big he is.” It didn’t take long before I realized that what I was really feeling was his spirit fighting from within him, I had not felt that earlier that day.

Do you mind if I ask you a question Strawberry? Now that I think about it it's kind a dumb question, but I'm going to ask it anyway. (you don't have to respond)

My youngest child has always tugged at my heartstrings a little extra (the baby and all) and I didn't think I could ever possibly love her more than I already did. When she was diagnosed with her disease and I realized the frailty of her condition here on earth, I think my already enormous love for her increased exponentially. Every time I look at her now, or even think about her, I think about the miracle of life and how fragile it really is. I don't know how I would have reacted to see my child in the broken state that Nick was in. I probably would have fainted. (I fainted when the doctor gave me our bad news--and I'd never fainted in my life!) Do you just feel that you will die of love for your child now every time you look at him? I just can't imagine how any parent deals with it when they lose a child!

[Guest lt]

Strawberry,

I'm so greatful he is doing well. I'm sorry I haven't checked in with you.......I will keep in touch more...hope all is still going well

Love & prayers Laureltree

[StrawberryFields]

Originally posted by curvette+Dec 9 2004, 07:17 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (curvette @ Dec 9 2004, 07:17 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--Strawberry Fields@Dec 9 2004, 08:51 AM

Following the surgeries that Nick had the day of the accident, we where allowed to see him in the shock trauma until. Upon entering his room I commented to my husband about how big he appeared. He was lying in the bed with his head bandaged, tubes stuck into him at various places, and his hospital gown was placed over him exposing his chest. I said to my husband, “Look how big he is.” It didn’t take long before I realized that what I was really feeling was his spirit fighting from within him, I had not felt that earlier that day.

Do you mind if I ask you a question Strawberry? Now that I think about it it's kind a dumb question, but I'm going to ask it anyway. (you don't have to respond)

My youngest child has always tugged at my heartstrings a little extra (the baby and all) and I didn't think I could ever possibly love her more than I already did. When she was diagnosed with her disease and I realized the frailty of her condition here on earth, I think my already enormous love for her increased exponentially. Every time I look at her now, or even think about her, I think about the miracle of life and how fragile it really is. I don't know how I would have reacted to see my child in the broken state that Nick was in. I probably would have fainted. (I fainted when the doctor gave me our bad news--and I'd never fainted in my life!) Do you just feel that you will die of love for your child now every time you look at him? I just can't imagine how any parent deals with it when they lose a child!

Oh Yes, Curvette! You are indeed my sister, you said what I feel, but you said it prettier then I could have. :)

[StrawberryFields]

Yesterday we took Nick for his driving evaluation. When someone had a brain injury, they tell them that they can't drive for sometime, and not until they are evaluated and pass. Nick passed with 96% and he was only marked down for being a little too cautious. I don't think I would have done as well as him, he had a drivers Ed instructor and an occupational therapist in the car with him watching every move...no comments Lindy.

[Lindy]

Originally posted by Strawberry Fields@Dec 9 2004, 10:04 PM

Yesterday we took Nick for his driving evaluation. When someone had a brain injury, they tell them that they can't drive for sometime, and not until they are evaluated and pass. Nick passed with 96% and he was only marked down for being a little too cautious. I don't think I would have done as well as him, he had a drivers Ed instructor and an occupational therapist in the car with him watching every move...no comments Lindy.

I'm glad he passed SF...........and I won't comment.......LOL

[StrawberryFields]

I have something important to ask of you, my friends, at LDSTalk.

This Wednesday, February 2, Nick will be having a very serious surgery where they will be working very close to his brain and his eyes. I am a firm believer in the power of prayer as I have mentioned. I would be grateful if you would take a minute and offer a prayer for my son Nick and his surgeon.

Thank you, SF

[Jenifer]

Originally posted by Strawberry Fields@Jan 31 2005, 11:31 PM

I have something important to ask of you, my friends, at LDSTalk.

This Wednesday, February 2, Nick will be having a very serious surgery where they will be working very close to his brain and his eyes. I am a firm believer in the power of prayer as I have mentioned. I would be grateful if you would take a minute and offer a prayer for my son Nick and his surgeon.

Thank you, SF

I don't pray, but you're definitely in my thoughts, SF. You're very strong, and I admire you.

[Amillia]

You have my prayers.

[pushka]

Strawberry, I was shocked on seeing the scan of your son's skull...the damage was enormous and I am very happy for you all that he has recovered so well.

I had to have an emergency brain op. back in 2002. Not on the scale of Nick's by any stretch of the imagination, however I felt very lucky to be alive following it. I had previously fallen and caught the left side of my head on my living room wall as I went down. I take warfarin to keep my blood thin, due to heart trouble, and the fall/knock to my head started a bleed between my skull and my brain.

For the next week I suffered more and more headaches, started to lose consciousness, and slept loads. I was too scared to go to the hospital and just took more and more pain killers and sleeping tablets so that I couldn't feel anything. Eventually at the end of the last week, my friend rang me and insisted on visiting me in spite of me saying, 'no, I don't feel like company, I've got headache'. He came to visit and noticed that I was 'out of it' all day. At this point the alarm was raised and I was taken to casualty. The blood clot was not discovered until the next day when I was given a CT scan. I was then moved to our area's neuro hospital and just watched over for a few days...asked the questions, what day is it? what year is it? (I replied 1992) who is the prime minister? I was given large doses of Codeine to keep the pain at bay and told to lie very still.

After 3 days, I believe, my condition suddenly worsened and at 7.30am my mother was called and asked to give permission for an emergency op to remove the blood clot which was now behind my eye socket. She gave her permission and the surgery went ahead.

Fortunately, I was conscious...albeit still dazed, within a short time of the op. and just remained in hospital for a further 3 weeks. I didn't need any rehab, and a follow up visit to the neurologist said that I was in the clear. The most frightening thing for my mother was that the staff had had to take me off my warfarin before the operation and were afraid to put me back on it in case it caused another bleed to occur. I was not told about this.

So, yes Strawberry, I empathise deeply with you regarding the trauma that you and your son, and the rest of your family went through...he certainly has been very, very lucky, and I wish you all the best for the future and for his surgery on 2nd February.

[StrawberryFields]

Originally posted by Jenifer+Feb 1 2005, 12:00 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Jenifer @ Feb 1 2005, 12:00 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--Strawberry Fields@Jan 31 2005, 11:31 PM

I have something important to ask of you, my friends, at LDSTalk.

This Wednesday, February 2, Nick will be having a very serious surgery where they will be working very close to his brain and his eyes. I am a firm believer in the power of prayer as I have mentioned. I would be grateful if you would take a minute and offer a prayer for my son Nick and his surgeon.

Thank you, SF

I don't pray, but you're definitely in my thoughts, SF. You're very strong, and I admire you.

Thanks Jenifer,

I also am a firm believer in the ability to send positive energy to those in need.

The day of the accident I was in a real mess (hysterical basically). One of the triage nurses came by my side and asked me to tell her about my son. She listened as I told her what a great child he was and then she asked me a question. She said, "Do you really want to be able to help your son?" I said, "Oh yes, more then anything else in the world". She said, "Take all of that energy you are focusing on yourself and give it to your son". At that moment my direction changed as I did what she suggested. That was the moment I began to walk in faith... as I gave Nicks care to my Father In Heaven.