Dec. 28

December 28th

This morning at the hospital, we were given stunning news - there was a good chance Jordan would be discharged. We weren't sure we heard right! We were expecting another week or two but not today! Jordan would have to pass a cognitive test and wait for Dr. Chan's discharge later in the day. We left, with a hundred questions mulling around in our minds, to go to Jeremy and Bailey's wedding ceremony. Jordan and Blayne were both to be groomsmen for this wedding that was postponed due to the accident. Although we could not go to the reception, we were glad to see the radiant bride and our nephew Jeremy looking so happy. If they could weather this storm before their marriage, we are sure that by God's grace, they could weather the trials that may arise in their married life. We pray that God will bless their marriage as they make their home in Toronto, where they both will be studying. Meanwhile, Jordan's Opa and Oma visited with him and played games to keep his mind off the wedding.

Before his discharge, there was a whirlwind of visits by the dietician, the social worker, the trauma consultant and the occupational therapist. It was a bit of information overload to say the least. Dr. Chan assessed him and told us that Jordan would get more rest at home than in the hospital. In order for the brain injury (swelling and minimal bleed) to heal, he needs weeks, possibly months of rest. The doctor's restrictions is a bitter pill for an active nineteen year old to swallow - no driving for 2 months, no hockey for the rest of the season, and miss a semester of college. Compared to what the future looked like a week ago, who can dare complain? What a faithful God we have! How undeserving we are!

Thank you for your prayers- this has truly been a humbling experience that has made us see how fragile and precious life is. We pray that God will use these circumstances to His honor and glory. Please continue to pray for the slow road of recovery ahead. From now on, the blog will be updated only when there is news.

Dec. 27th

December 27th

Today was a very tiring day as Jordan did not sleep well last night or during the day.  He has a difficult roommate who is disoriented and keeps him awake with his ranting.  A person with a brain injury needs rest and quiet which he is not getting.  If this keeps up, we will try to get him moved to a different room.

Eating has become a whole new challenge.  Everything is limited to a liquid diet - juices, soup, protein drinks...  Since there is no space between his top and bottom teeth, his "food" needs to be sucked through a straw inserted inside his cheek or squirted in with a large syringe.  Yesterday, it was a frusterating experience until we discovered that the straw had a small hole in it!  At that rate, he will be burning more calories trying to eat than digesting calories!

Jordan enjoys having visitors and it is a joy to see his eyes light up when his friends show up.  However, it is a real strain trying to talk with his jaw wired shut and by the end of the day, he had a raging headache and needed morphine.  He is very determined to be part of Jeremy and Bailey's wedding tomorrow and asked if he could get a day pass.  We had to disappoint him with reality and we think he is resigned to the fact that it would be impossible.

Jordan did have a nice surprise - the whole bridal party on the groom's side came to visit him this afternoon to boost up his spirits.  It was good for him to see that they were all well and mobile (although still sore).

Dec. 26

Dec. 26th, Boxing Day

Jordan's bored already!  By the time we went to see him in the morning he already read 5 magazines, cover to cover.  After breakfast, he was told he could not have any more soft food or drink as there was a good chance he would have his surgery today.  He ventured out for a short walk with his IV pole and could visit with  Blayne, Natasha and Kevin. Nicole and Mark, and Carissa and Josh.  He cracked some jokes and is trying to keep his spirits up.

Around 2:30 he was wheeled down to the operating room.  The anesthestist explained the procedure - she would insert a camera down his nose followed by a tube for him to breathe with.  Then the oral surgeon would drill two screws in his top jaw and two in his bottom jaw and wire his jaw shut.

When we saw him after the surgery, he was in alot of pain and needed morphine.  Jordan is a real trooper!  For someone who can't wait to eat McDonald's food, the next few weeks will be a test of patience!  From now on, he will have to use a straw to drink his liquid food.  Sorry Grandma ... no more pumpkin pie!

Jordan had a lot of visitors today and he tires quickly.  Talking with his jaw shut is possible, but is more awkward.  Please phone or text us if you are planning to visit so we can stagger the times.  Thank you and we appreciate the love and concern and support you have given Jordan and us as a family.  We pray that God in His wisdom can use these trials to His honor and glory.

Dec. 25th - Christmas Day

Christmas Day - the day the Saviour was born!  The days have all blurred into each other but today we need to reflect on the greatest Gift God has given mankind - His Son.  Who would have thought that we would spend this day at the bedside of our son at RC.  God's ways are beyond our ways:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts".  Isaiah 55: 8 -9

When we arrived at the hospital today, Jorday was quite alert.  His bed was propped up and he turned his head when he heard us coming and his eyes were wide open and focussed.  His hair had been washed and slicked back (we told him he looked like Elvis).  He told us he ate breakfast (porridge) but his teeth and head hurt "real bad".

When he asked what day of the week it was, he mentioned the wedding for the first time.  "Oh  ... , I guess Jeremy and Bailey are married then".  We told him that they postponed the wedding due to all the injuries of the bridal party.  He seemed to accept this.  He is starting to remember details - "You need to get a hold of my boss, Jeremy"  "Where's my wallet?" "Did you get my keys and passport?"  "Where's my phone?"  All signs that he is processing in his mind.

We did not want to mention anything about the wedding but were waiting to see if he would.  Our hearts go out to Jeremy and Bailey who put others' needs ahead of their own.  This is another dimension to the accident that is in God's hands and plans.  When we told him later that the wedding would be this Friday, he looked worried and said "  I gotta hurry up and get out of here".  We keep reminding him that he needs to stay until he is recovered and that the wedding will happen without him.

The highlight of the day - Jordan was mobile!  He had a wobbly short walk today with the physiotherapist down the hallway!  He keeps amazing us with his progress.  Afterwards, he was totally exhausted so we left him to sleep.  On this ward, it is quiet time from 2:00 - 4:00 and it is strictly enforced (lights out).

Later in the afternoon he was wheeled down to a waiting area in a wheelchair so he could visit with all his siblings at once.  Jordan's humour is still there - he was bragging to everyone that he was not going to follow the hospital's system as he "skipped" a ward (high acuity) when he was transferred from ICU to the neurological ward.

We found out that yesterday's supper was a mistake - he is on a soft food diet only.  So Christmas dinner was shredded turkey and squash and in Jordan's words "pretty good".  He had quite an eventful, tiring day with many visitors so we closed the day with the Christmas story from Luke 2.  We wish all those who are following this blog and who are praying for Jordan a blessed Christmas and pray that He may work wonderfully in your lives as He is in ours. 

Dec. 24, 2012

Jordan was disoriented and cranky this morning as he has been weaned off all his sedation and pain medication. Jordan and bed sheets do not get along.  He keeps tossing and turning trying to get comfortable but keeps getting twisted up in all the lines.  He accidently pulled out both lines in his arms but we were able to calm him so the nurse could put them both back in.

We asked him “Do you know where you are Jordan?”  He mumbled “In Mom and Dad’s room”.  When I said “No Jordan” he answered “Whatever.  In your old room”.  Later when he was more coherent he asked “When can we go?”

We are so amazed that he is actually talking in sentences!  He keeps asking “Can I go home?” and when I told him “No, you need to stay here to rest and get better” he responded “Is that a maybe no, a no, or a 100 percent no?”  Since he does not remember much about the accident, he doesn’t understand why he needs to be in the hospital.  He is very aware of his pain though – he told me “Man, have I got a headache”.  Yes, Jordan you have more than a headache!

Jordan was quite restless in the morning.  His feet keep sticking out over the edge of the bed because he is too long for it.   He is quite a sight with his “bed hair” sticking out all over the place.  His facial lacerations are healing well though and he looks so much better without his breathing tube in.

Jordan had family visitors throughout the day and was able to talk to each of his siblings.  They were all so excited to see his progress.  He does not realize that they been here for three days waiting and praying with us.  He even told Nicole “Mom said that maybe I can go home today”.  He told his brother “Man, I’m so wasted... I haven’t slept in days” (little does he know).  After each short visit though he falls asleep exhausted so we have to monitor the visits carefully.  We told him that his friends were very concerned about him and so many people were praying for him and he liked that very much.

Jordan’s CT scan showed good results and around 3:30pm we were told that he was being transferred to a neurological ward on the 4^th floor.  We actually got to walk beside his hospital bed as they wheeled him down the hallways.  Jordan now shares a room but has a 24 hour caregiver.  This is very reassuring as we were concerned about the level of care on this ward.   We left to eat some supper, and when we came back he told us he had supper.  We thought he was disoriented but he insisted, “No I did eat supper – chicken, potatoes, and corn – but it sure hurt though”.  I can’t imagine eating with a broken jaw that has not been set yet; he must have been awfully hungry.  For a nineteen year old with a big appetite four days without any food is a long time!

We share some of the joy Mary and Martha must have felt when their brother Lazarus was raised from the dead.  Although Jordan did not die, he was on the brink of death and God miracously gave him back to us!   Although Jordan does not remember who was all with him at the time of the accident, he is trying to piece everything together.  Details are foggy to him.  We have told him that everyone is OK, and that some had more injuries than others.  He does know that today is Monday but cannot remember what day the accident was.  He tries to orient himself by always looking at the clock.  When we said good night, Jordan had had quite an eventful day and was asleep before we left the room.  We are exhausted too – so much to process in one day!  God has been so good to us.

December 23

Dec. 23, 2012

We found out through Carissa's connections with the ambulance service that we can have free accommodations at an Honor House ( minutes away from RCH).  We moved out of the Best Western and will set up tonight.  God is a Wonderful Provider!  There are people working behind the scenes that we do not know personally but we are thankful for.  Special thanks to Andrea, one of Carissa's paramedic colleagues for her relentless efforts to make everything "normal."

The efforts to wake Jordan up did not go so well this morning.  He became very agitated so more sedation was needed.  He became so relaxed that he stopped breathing on his own - frightening for us but he had the ventilator to work for him. After coaching him, he did resume breathing. They are altering his medication trying to find the right balance of "waking him up" and yet keeping him calm.   He needs to be aware of where he is and keeping him safe before they can risk extubating him.  So we wait again.

The oral surgeon met with us. His plan is to wire Jordan's jaw shut once he is extubated.  He assured us that he would not proceed until he is confident Jordan is breathing on his own ( we do not need complications). He is not concerned about the broken bones in his face yet.

We met with Dr. Sharpe who assured us that there is minimal damage to Jordan's brain - all the important areas that control movement, speech, cognition, and major functions appear unaffected.  He is confident that Jordan will make a full recovery - it will just take time.  He will have short term memory loss and confusion.

Jordan's breathing tube is out!  He put up quite a fight and I had to leave the room as it was not a pretty picture.  He seems much more comfortable and relaxed.  He is even snoring now!  That is music to our ears!  There are times that he is responding with movements and we know he recognizes our voices.   

It was his Oma den Boer's birthday today and she even got to see him - the best present ever!  Jordan also opened his eyes briefly for Grandma Stam.

Here's the best news of the day!  This evening we were surprised to see his arm restraints off and he was trying to get comfortable.  He started coughing and he even moved his hand to cover his mouth (I guess his manners are ingrained after all!).  He opened his eyes (very hard work for him) and when Carissa asked him if he knew who she was, he nodded!  When asked "Does it hurt to talk?" he nodded again!  When Doug asked "Can you say hi to Dad?" he mumbled two syllables that sounded like "Hi Dad"!  We were ecstatic!  Exhausted, he snuggled up and went back to sleep. This was beyond our wildest expectations.  Each little step is a small victory.

Our God is a miracle working God Who hears and  answers prayer not because He is obligated to but because He wants to.  All honor and glory goes to Him.  We are meeting many different people, each with their own trials and personal tragedies.  This is when God's promises become so precious:

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?  And one of them shall not fall on the ground

without your Father.But the very hairs of your head are all numbered, fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Matt. 10: 29 - 31.

December 22, 2012

This morning we were disappointed to learn that Jordan was still heavily sedated. He couldn't be weaned from sedation because they were unable to get a neck brace as the occupational therapist does not work on weekends. We need to be patient. We visited with him throughout the day and later he went for another CT scan. The results from the scan were good so they were finally able to wean him from some of his sedation medication. When it was wearing off, he did flutter his eyelids. We coached him to wake up, but it took awhile before he responded.

Then GOOD NEWS: he started to thrash his arms and legs, wiggle his toes and squeeze our hands. His nurse did not want him to pull out his tubes so he was sedated again for the night. Hopefully tomorrow his breathing tube will come out and taken off the ventilator. God has answered our prayers beyond our belief. All the events of the last 24 hours are starting to sink in and we realize that we are very fortunate.

The Beginning - Dec 21 2012

Dec 21

The shortest day of the calendar year - the longest day of our lives.

Our day began at 4:30 in the morning with a phone call every parent dreads - your son has been in an accident and is hurt. Not knowing what to expect, we threw on our clothes and raced to Abbotsford Hospital. It was chaotic with multiple family members and injuries involved. We had to wait agonizing minutes before we were allowed to see Jordan. I cannot describe how heart-wrenching it is to see your own child lying so vulnerable, intubated and ventilated. Jordan was heavily sedated as he was quite combative after the accident. Despite all the air ambulances being in use at the time, through God's providence one was located and de-iced. By 7:40 he was transported to Royal Columbian Hospital for head trauma injuries. We drove there and braced ourselves for the worst as we were told "it doesn't look good."

Upon arrival, he was reassesed and underwent another CT scan. We were told he had significant swelling of the brain, contusions on his lungs, and two fractures on the base of his scull. We could not see him for quite a while but when we did, we were encouraged by his appearance (skin colour, etc.) The day was a blur of two minute visits with Jordan, meeting social workiers, doctors, etc... The medical staff is very caring and professional at RCH.

During some quiet time, a Bible passage I was reading struck me, "The fool hath said in his heart there is no God." The fact that our son is alive is proof that there is a God! We covet your prayers for Jordan's recovery. We are very overwhelmed by all the prayers, e-mails, and phone calls. Your support is so appreciated. The neorosurgeon met with us and is quite optimistic - Jordan has a young brain, an "athlete's heart," and is healthy. Surgery is not an option right now, but they would rather keep him calm and sedated to keep the swelling down. When his sedation wears off, he gets agitated and his motions are very "purposeful." For tonight, his sedation and pain medication will be doubled to give him a good night's rest.

The plan for tomorrow (Dec 22) - meeting with the occupational therapists, respiratory technicians, physical therapists, and plastic surgeons (we later found out that he has a broken right jaw and all his facial bones on the left side are broken). The neurosurgeon hopes to wean him off sedation tomorrow and get him siting up if they can make him a custom neck brace.

We are very thankful to our Lord that his young life has been spared. His recovery is in God's hands. We truly believe that Jordan has been carried on the wings of prayer. Please continue to pray.