Day 17 - Saturday December 31, 2011

Yesterday Bridgett stood (assisted) for 7 minutes in the a.m. and 15 minutes in the p.m.  She's doing great!  The physical therapist continues to be impressed with her leg strength!  She took two steps back to the bed yesterday.  Today she stood (assisted) and tried to take steps forward (without being asked).  She got one step and when she tried to get the second step her knee gave way.  But she's really progressing. The second time rehab came in she took like 3-4 steps forward, then had to stop because of all of her wires.  She is still not fully awake.  They say her Glasgow coma score is 10-11.  She has gotten very tricky about trying to get the trach tube (and all the other tubes) out.  She has rolled up washcloths in her hands and hadn't figured out how to release them yet.  Then, yesterday while she was standing with the rehab guy she used the left hand (thumb and forefinger) to pull the washcloth out of the right hand and then went for the trach tube.  I caught her.  Then later on she rolled the washcloth out of the right hand and used the thumb and forefinger to pull on the oxygen sensor on the finger.  Of course it didn't come off because you can't pull it off backwards.  Later on she got both washcloths out and used one hand to grab the sensor and then slowly inched it off the left hand.  I just let her do it to see what she would get accomplished!  We are having to be very vigilant to keep those tubes in!  We are with her around the clock and holding her hand(s) most of the time.  We don't want them to have to restrain her.  This morning she got a hold of the trach tube and pulled off the connection to the ventilator.  They got that put back together.  Then they came in and removed the ventilator tubes and put on an "artificial nose" that allows her to breath completely on her own.  Soon she will be able to breath directly through her nose and mouth and then they will just put a button on the trach tube so that they can suction her if they need to.  Something fun--she's holding my hand now and rubbing my skin!  It feels so much like she is really starting to be there.  They said she is like trying to wake up from a very deep sleep.  She plays thumb wars with Tyler, Arrianne and Stephany!  Tyler says she even cheats, by using her pointer to trap his thumb!    I played some Christmas music for her today.  She loves Christmas music.  She smiled (a little) when it started. 

Day 16 - Friday December 30, 2011 a.m.

First, apparently everyone has been wondering and asking (but no one asked me yet) if she was wearing a helmet.  YES!  If she hadn't had on a helmet, she would be dead now.  She was wearing a very high quality bike helmet that saved her life.  There's hardly a mark on it.  (the manufacturere will be so pleased)  It has a lifetime warrantly on it, so if you are in an accident at all, even a very low impact, they replace it with a brand new helmet.  Her bike was also a high quality road bike with a lifetime warranty on the frame.  It sheared in two, so we will get that replaced as well.  We hate to think of her ever on that bike (or any bike) again, but I'm sure that she will work for the day when she can get back to doing what she loved.  Bridgett did nothing wrong to cause the accident.  It was still light outside, she was wearing a white shirt and a white jacket.  She had on a white/silver helmet and was on a white bike.  The bike had reflectors front and back, plus on the wheels.  She had the right of way.  She was heading east and the westbound pickup truck turned right in front of her.   I might just add, Bridgett loved doing hard sports, but she was cautious.  She also told Arri (or called me) where she was going to be biking or running, what time she expected to be back, when to be alarmed if she didn't return etc.  We often talked about how cars don't always notice bikes and she was vigilant when she rode.  She was also careful where she rode her bike or ran, trying to stay out of dangerous situations.

Day 15 - Thursday December 29, 2011

What a day!  I am actually posting on Friday morning because I was too exhausted to post yesterday.  In the morning (yesterday) the PA came in first and asked her to give him a thumbs up and she didn't.  He then asked her to look over at him and she closed her eyes.  I think she doesn't want to respond to him (and we don't like him much either!).  But most of the doctors and PA's are GREAT.  He's just always has given us the most gloomy picture possible (she could die, she might never wake up, she might never be able to do anything, etc.) So, we don't listen to him!!  Next the doctor came in and asked for a thumbs up and presto--there it was!! He also moved to the other side of the bed and asked her to turn to him.  You could see she was trying to move her head and it like shuttered a little.  He said don't worry, it will come.  Also, she tried to move her eyes and they fluttered.  He said don't worry.  She's doing great!  Mark's sister Debbi came up to the hospital to stay with Bridgett while we went to Riverton to dad's funeral.  Thanks Debbi!  I just couldn't have brought myself to leave unless I knew she was with someone she loved and someone who would do the things we wanted her to do. So, we all went to the viewing, family prayer and funeral.  Then Jenn (her husband was home with sick kids), Tyler and Steph headed back to Provo; Jenn back to her kids and Tyler and Steph back to the hospital.  They got there for exciting happenings, which I will explain in a minute.  Mark, Arri and I went on the the cemetery, Salt Lake City Cemetery, which is all the way up by the capital building in downtown Salt Lake  (quite a drive).  And no, they don't have a funeral procession that entire way!  After the dedication of the grave, Mark left back to Provo (with his parents, who had attended the funeral as well).  Arrianne came with me back to the church for the lunch, so that I could visit a little with my aunts, uncles and cousins who I very rarely see.  We didn't stay too long.  I could stay away from the hospital this long because I knew that Bridgett was in good hands.  I won't talk about the funeral anymore here, as it's a blog about Bridgett, but things went very well.  I didn't get back to the hospital until about 6:00 and by 7:30 I was so tired I could hardly keep my eyes open.  I said goodbyes and headed across the street and got to bed by 8:00.  I slept until 5:30 (the usual time I wake up) and headed up here to the hospital.  It was the longest amount of sleep I've had in over two weeks, and I needed it!  So, for news about Bridgett--I know--that's what you were waiting for!  While we were at the funeral, the rehab guy came in and STOOD BRIDGETT UP!!  Of course, she's not conscious yet, so pretty amazing.  They held her in place while Deb snapped a photo.  Then later on after Tyler and Steph got back to the hospital, they stood her up again and  just balanced her for like two full minutes.  They said she must really have strong legs (duh--she's a biker and runner!).  It was so amazing and exciting for us!!  It was a very good day!   

Day 14 - Wednesday December 28

Last night was a crazy night.  It was the first day of the provigil, which is supposed to stimulate the brain.  And, boy was she stimulated.  At about 10:00 pm she got very aggitated and her heartrate was crazy as well as her blood pressure.  She was thrashing around a lot. Jenn and Stephany were in with Bridgett.  Jenn left to come and get me. The nurse asked Stephany if she would please hold her hand and she if it would help quiet her down.  It worked.  When I came back Bridgett was very calm and quiet.  I asked Stephany if she calmed right down when she held her hand and she said that she talked to her and then said family prayer with her and Bridgett calmed right down!  Steph--you're great!  Then about 2:50 she started up again.  For about 45 minutes she "rode her bike".  She was gripping her hands and had a very concerned and scared look on her face.  She was sweating profusely and her heart rate was 130.  I believe she was reliving the accident.  We finally got her calmed down and the rest of the night was quiet.  It's been a busy day!  This morning when Dr. Campbell came in the examine Bridgett, he asked her to give him a thumbs up and SHE DID!  After a few minutes he asked her do it again and she didn't.  But just then Trauma Tom (yes, that's what we call him!) came in and stood at the end of the bed.  He waved to Bridgett and asked her two hold up two fingers.  Slowly she raised up one finger.  That's only one he said.  Give me two fingers.  Then SHE HELD UP THE SECOND FINGER!!  I did talk to Dr. Campbell about how agitated she was last night.  He said that he was in a wreck two months ago and didn't get hurt, and he's had a nightmare about it every night since.  He said that we are trying to stimulate her brain, and giving her a sedative or whatever would defeat the good that can be gained.  He said it's part of the process.  Occupational therapy came in after a while and said that they needed a follow-up CT of the neck before they do any therapy.  So, down she went.  Usually, the nightly CT's are at midnight, when it's not busy down there.  Anyway, after the CT they decided that at night she could go without the collar, but during the day she needed to go back to wearing the Miami J collar (it has a hole for the trach tube).  It's uncomfortable, but safer for her.  They don't want to take any chances on having any paralysis (us either!).  Then we had a neuro specialist from rehab come in.  She met Bridgett before, when she played rugby at UVU.  We had a good talk.  She said that at first it is very normal to follow commands sometimes and not other times.  She said that Bridgett will be agitated, but that we need to have controlled agitation.  Only one or two people in the room at a time.  Only one person talking.  Some break times from stimulus, etc.  Occupational therapy came in a second time.  While she was working with Bridgett, Bridgett moved her hand up to the trach tube and got her fingers around it.  We don't want that getting pulled out!!  So, now we will watch her very carefully.  We don't want to have to have her restrained.  So, Bridgett's CT scan earlier was for her spine. Now she is back again for the brain CT.   She should be done any minute, so I'll head back.  It's been kind of hectic talking to the social worker and insurance people etc.  Also, getting my talk ready for my dad's funeral tomorrow.  Aunt Debbi (Mark's sister) is going to stay with Bridgett while we go up to Riverton.  She will be great with Bridgett!  Thanks Deb!

Day 13 - December 27, 2011

Today they started Bridgett on the Provigil.  She had two doses and then the sedative tonight. The doctors said they don't know how soon she will react to it--everyone is different.  Today when the doctor came in he told me that she is progressing along just how they expect her to.  He told me to talk to her as much as we can.  You know, you kind of run out of things to say over the space of the entire day!  So, I asked if we can read to her and he said yes that would be great.  He told me to tell her often that she was in a wreck, that she is in the Provo hospital and that she is getting better all the time and going to be just fine.  He said that this will comfort her so that when she wakes up she will not be confused or afraid.  So, today we started reading books to her when her eyes are open and not reading or talking when her eyes are closed.   Arrianne is reading one book to her when she is in there and I am reading a different book to her.  Stephany, Jenn and Tyler have been in when she's had her eyes closed or during "sleep hours" when the lights are off. They are talking to us about moving her to LTAC (Long Term Acute Care) until she is awake and ready to start rehab.  With everything going on right now (Mark gone and the funeral coming up) it's hard to decide what to do about this so they agreed to put off the decision until the first of the week.  Three times today they sat Bridgett up, for two hours each.  Also today I asked Bridgett to close her eyes if she could hear me and she closed her eyes.  Arrianne was just telling me that she was reading to Bridgett  and Bridgett had closed her eyes.  She decided to finish the chapter and was startled when she looked up to see Bridgett starring at her without blinking (often she just has her eyes open and doesn't blink at all and it's kind of a weird thing to see her just starring like that).  Anyway, Arrianne looked at her and said Bridgett blink your eyes and she did!

Day 12 - December 26, 2011

This morning Mark left for Montana.  He will be there to take care of business tomorrow and then drive back Wednesday so he is here for dad's funeral Thursday. Today when the doctor came in the nurse was just ready to do oral care with Bridgett and she asked Bridgett to open up her mouth and she did!!!  (She also did that at least two other times today)  The doctor then examined her and asked her for a thumbs up, like he always does.  She did not do that.  Than he asked her to shut her eyes if she heard him and she shut her eyes!!  VERY EXCITING!  After that, they scheduled the rehab doctor to come in.  He wants to put in a peg for feeding (which he said will be needed for ease in rehab) and he wants to start her tomorrow on Provigil, which is used to wake up coma patients.  So, we are excited about that.  Apparently if someone is close to waking up, the Provigil will help them along.  It's not just a one shot thing.  I don't know how many doses they would use, but they will give it to her twice a day 7 am and 12 pm and then they will give her something else to help her sleep at 8:00.  During the day they will have bright lights on in the room and then dark and quiet at night.  We are instructed to only have one person in the room talking at a time.

Day 11 - December 25, 2011 Christmas Day

We all have great faith that Bridgett will fully recover.  However, it is still hard for us at times.  Sometimes we cry, sometimes we are frustrated, sometimes we are angry.  It's a process we are going through.  It takes patience and we are trying to be very patient.  This is not the Christmas Day we ever wanted.  When Bridgett wakes up, it will be Christmas for us.  Sooner than later would be wonderful, but it will all be in the Lord's time as we know.  Perhaps she needs longer for her brain to heal and rest.  Whatever is best for her is definitely what we want. Bridgett was peaceful and resting today.  They are giving her Lortab because they think she is having pain after the surgery.  It seems to be helping but it makes her drowsy and still.  The only real change was that starting last night her fever broke and she has had a normal temperature all day.  A couple of times when her eyes were open they moved from left to right (or vice versa) but she was not tracking anything.  She continues to cross her ankles frequently.  I can't remember if I already said this but one of the nurses said that a neurosurgeon told them that their patients that cross legs, particularly right over left, have better outcomes.  Bridgett cross her legs every day, and almost always right over left.  Yesterday the neurosurgeon said he wanted physical therapy for Bridgett, but the nurse told him they wouldn't do passive therapy, where she is not awake.  However, Bridgett's nurse this morning just did therapy with her anyway. Today when the neurosurgeon came in he said he wanted her to start sitting up.  They repositioned the bed so that it was like a recliner.  She sat up that way for about two hours.   BTW--Bridgett's nurse this morning was St. Nick.  He was dressed in a Santa suit.  His name really is Nick and he was just trying to add to the holiday spirit.  Also, one of the therapists came by with his daughter and she played a couple of hymns on her violin.  All of my kids were here this morning and we got pictures with Bridgett.  My morning started out with tears, but soon became happier.

Day Ten - Saturday December 24, 2011 p.m.

The dentist was so nice to come to the hospital on Christmas Eve day.  He said that both of the two front teeth need root canals, and the left one has an exposed nerve.  He put sealant on both teeth plus a layer of composite.  When Bridgett wakes up we will have to address the pain then.  He said the tooth with the exposed nerve can be easily fixed by giving a local and removing the exposed root.  The other tooth will need to be drilled. The dentist had the nurse hold Bridgett's lip open, I held the composite, he did the procedure and Scott held the light that dries the sealant and composite.  It was handy that Scott showed up just in time to help!  Bridgett's CT was good.  The swelling continues to subside. Also, on the CT we could see the beautiful job the ENT did on her zygomatic arch. One of the respiratory therapist said that he always does the best job on Tracheostomy's as well.  Bridgett's cultures were negative for infection, so the fever is still from the brain trauma.  She had her eyes open quite a bit today.  Otherwise, things are pretty much the same and no worse.  One of the pulmonary surgeons told me today that the force of her wreck caused such rapid swelling that he called impressive swelling--not good just like wow.  He said that within an hour of the wreck the swelling was almost to the point where they couldn't get the drain tube into the brain.  Usually people with brain trauma slowly swell and it slowly recedes.  We found out that the staples in her head were from a large incision made when they inserted the drain tube.  Bridgett and Arrianne's bishop arranged for a beautiful Christmas meal to be brought into the ICU waiting room for us today. Thanks for those who helped with that.  Also, thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers, cards, emails, and gifts.  We feel so very blessed at this time and truly feel the love of the Savior in our lives.  We have felt many tender mercies of the Lord.  Someone pointed out that it was no accident that Bridgett got all the best doctors here.  It is just random who gets who, but she ended up with the best neurosurgeon and the best ENT.

Day Ten - Saturday December 24, 2011 a.m.

My father passed quietly last night about 10:40 p.m., surrounded by his family.  He was greatly loved and respected and will be sorely missed.

Day Nine - Friday December 23, 2011 p.m.

It seems like this morning was a long time ago!  The dentist came by and looked at Bridgett's teeth.  He said only the front top four teeth were damaged.  They will all have to have caps put on, but thank goodness there is enough left to avoid having implants (not that they are bad, but a little easier on her perhaps).  He said that the front two teeth will probably need root canals.  He is coming at 8:00 tomorrow to put sealer on them so that when she wakes up the exposed nerve will not hurt.  He will also put on some type of coating to cover the sharp edges.  He said it will only take 5 minutes.  He is very sweet to come out on Christmas Eve.  He used to be a partner in California with one of our ward members in Bigfork.  Bridgett was still and quiet for quite a bit of the morning.  The trauma pa came in and wanted to make sure she was moving all of her extremities, and luckily she had moved them all a little.  The real exciting news was she was opening her eyes more.  Like I said earlier, opening the eyes doesn't mean awake.  She is still in a coma but she is what they consider very light, closer to coming out of it.  When he examined her he moved his hands quickly up in front of her face, like he was going to hit her and she blinked.  He did this twice and she blinked both times.  He said that her eyes are starting to work and she has reflex function.  For the first time her pupils are the same size.  So, ever so slowly we are moving towards waking up.  Later on in the day she began to move more.  All day she has had her eyes open off and on. This afternoon they removed the drain tube from her brain.  They said that the pressure is low now and the longer the tube is left in, the more chance for getting bacteria and infection.  One thing that surprised us when they removed the large bandage from her head was that she has a large incision or wound with about 12 staples.  We don't know anything about it and I asked one of the critical care doctors and he didn't know either.  He said we'll have to ask the guy that put the staples in (jokingly).  We will ask Dr. Gaufin tomorrow and hopefully he will be the one that knows.  One of the sad things has been seeing Bridgett cough while on the ventilator.  We have become accustomed to it now.  But now on the trach tube it is different and even more sad. Today while Stephany and Arrianne were with Bridgett, she began to choke and cough.  She coughed so hard that her face turned bright red and tears ran down her face.  Stephany was so very upset and came out crying.  Off and on since then she has coughed some.  They said she is having to adjust to the trach tube and it is irritating her.  The respiratory guy said that it will take maybe four days to get more comfortable to her. After they remove the stitches keeping it in place (in a few days) it will be more comfortable.  Did I mention that the feeding tube is stitched into place inside her nose so it didn't have to be taped as the ENT doctor didn't want it taped so close to her incision from the repair of the zygomatic arch.  News about my dad....he has been incoherent off and on the past two days and by early this evening they started a morphine drip.  They do not expect him to live through the night.  On Wednesday when I saw him we spoke.  He was so very tired.  I stroked his head and told him to rest.  He told me that he would rest in two days.....

Day Nine - Friday December 23, 2011 a.m.

During the hours of 5-7 am and pm, we are asked to leave Bridgett's room for the shift change of the nurses.  It's hard to leave, but at the same time it is probably good to have the time to get some other things done.  I can't take my computer back to her room, so it is sometimes challenging to find time to blog (when I'm not so tired that I can't think straight!).  We are living in kind of a surreal world right now, brought back to the reality of things outside the hospital at times.  Life still goes on.  There is still payroll (thanks Kim for taking care of that for me today, right before Christmas), business issues that can't be taken care of my anyone else, etc.  I have lots of notes jotted down on a notepad in my purse.  Hopefully everything gets taken care of!!  For those of you who may wonder, how can you tell when a coma patient in no longer sedated--their pupils react differently, and they move more like they were.  It's hard to tell if you ask me! Bridgett is still very quiet and not moving much after her surgery yesterday.  The sedation was still affecting her late last night.  I'm not sure about the time from 12:00-5:00, as I was sleeping then, in order to be with her at 7:00 (when all the doctors are in).  They said some people are quiet for up to 24 hrs.  Also, they said it was a lot of trauma on her body, going through surgery.  However, it had to be done.  There is a window to repair the bone before it begins to heal wrong.  Also, she was probably weak as they stopped the feeding tube Wed. night in case she had early surgery Thursday.  Then no feeding tube all day as the surgery was in the afternoon.  Then no feeding tube after surgery, because of the possibility of nausea.  So, late last night they got her back on the feeding tube.  It was good to get the trach tube in so that the dentist can check out her teeth this morning at 8:00.  I will update you tonight on that.  BTW, I was thinking how important this blog is for everyone else to get information, but as the days run together I realize that it is a very good journal for us to have as well.  Some day Bridgett will read it and be amazed!

Day Eight - Thursday December 22, 2011 p.m.

So, yesterday Mark shaved his head and so did Justus (Dave's 11 yr. old son).  The numbers are growing!  We have been joking that we have strange family reunions.  Other families go to Disney Land or Hawaii.  We seem to meet on a regular basis in hospitals.  We thought we should get t-shirts--Hall Family Reunion 2011--Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.  We have also joked about different funny t-shirts for Bridgett.......I spent (?) days in a coma and all I got was this lousy t-shirt.  Or, girl on bike vs. pick-up truck--girl 1, pick-up 0. I woke up from a coma this week--what did you do.  Bridgett's surgery went well.  The doctor was able to do the simple surgery for the zygomatic bone, got the trach tube placed and the feeding tube in the nose.  She is still under sedation but just now starting to move.  It has been a long week.  I am tired and trying to get to bed a little earlier tonight.  The hospital offered us a room across the street from the hospital.  They have 10 units, set up just like a hotel.  There is a large common area kitchen and a free washer/dryer area.  We take turns sleeping and showering etc.  We can stay for only $25/night.  Although we have family in the area, it is so nice to be really close to the hospital.

Day Eight - Thursday December 22, 2011 a.m.

This morning they took an x-ray of Bridgett's neck, in a flexed position. You may wonder how they did that when she can't sit up or move her neck; they held her in place for it.  Looking at the x-ray they decided that the fractures are stable enough to have the brace off for now, until she starts moving more. The soft brace would interfere with the tracheostomy. By the way I keep forgetting to explain that the fractures are spinous process fractures.  I also forgot to report that by late Tuesday Bridgett was showing decorticate posturing.  This actually worried us at first. She is bringing her arms and hands up to her chest, with the hands curled.  However, the doctors said this is a good sign, that we are moving forward towards coming out of the coma.  The next thing they would expect is for her to push their hands away or try to remove tubes/wires.  All of her nurses said that if/when she hits them they will be thrilled. All morning Bridgett has been very active, almost continually moving her legs.  She seems to be pedaling a bicycle or just exercising.  She has also been trying to open up her eyes.  She had them open a few times today already.  They told me that opening the eyes and waking up are not the same thing; she will open the eyes before she actually wakes up.  In the movies when people wake up from a coma and start talking--that never happens in real life.  We are watching for baby steps and she is moving forward.  One of her doctors told me today that he believes that she can hear us now and that we should tell her it's almost Christmas and that she should wake up for Christmas.  That is the Christmas gift we are praying for!  Bridgett's surgery is scheduled for today about 3:30.  Everyone keep her in your prayers!  We think we found a dentist that will come up tomorrow and evaluate Bridgett's condition with her broken teeth.  For an update on my dad--he is in a coma this morning and not expected to last long.

Day Seven - Wednesday December 21, 2011 p.m.

Bridgett continues to move around a lot, especially moving her legs a bunch.  She keeps wiggling around and throwing her legs off of the bed.  Finally tonight one of the respiratory therapists devised a makeshift barrier to keep her in bed.  So far, so good. We decided that she is tired of laying in bed.  For those of you who don't know Bridgett very well, she loves to work out, is studying to be a personal trainer, and has been training for a triathalon.  She ran her first half marathon in October.  Bridgett's fever was higher today as well as her heart rate.  They are not sure if she has an infection.  They took a bunch of cultures and we will see.  She has already been on antibiotics since she aspirated vomit.  By late this evening her fever calmed down.  Otherwise, her numbers have been good. The doctor discussed today establishing a tracheostomy for Bridgett.  There are problems with long term ventilator tubes in her throat.  Pressure sores can develop in the throat and the vocal chords can be damaged.  Two weeks is the max they want her on the ventilator.  Right now she is breathing on her own during the day.  The tubes serve mainly to protect the airway--to help keep fluids out of the lungs so she doesn't get pneumonia.  I think I have mentioned that she has broken teeth in her mouth.  Actually today they found a piece of a tooth in her mouth that they think has been there since the wreck.  With the ventilator tubes in her mouth it is almost impossible to assess the damage to her teeth.  Of course, at this point nothing can be done.  However, there exists the possibility that there are exposed nerves.  So, we have decided to go ahead and do the tracheostomy right away.  Tomorrow the ENT (Ear, Nose Throat Dr.) will do surgery for the broken zygomatic arch and fix her broken nose.  At the same time he will do the tracheostomy.  Also at this time, he will move the feeding tube to her nose.  Then when he is done, she will not have any more tubes in her mouth and we can have a dentist come and evaluate the situation.  Today we had a consult with the ENT. He explained that because of the location of the fracture, there are a lot of facial nerves in the way as well as the muscle that attaches to the jaw. It is a difficult and long surgery.  He proposed a different way to fix the zygomatic arch that will be faster and less invasive.  He said that it is what he would do with his daughter if he was choosing.  It sounds kind of funny but he will make a small incision over the zygomatic arch, then go in from outside the bone and try to pop it back in place, much like you would do bodywork on a car.  It will hopefully work, and if not the longer procedure will be used.  So, everyone pray that the shorter surgery will work and go smoothly!!  We are not sure of the time of the surgery yet.  The earliest would be at 7:30 a.m. but it may be later in the afternoon.  For those of you who know my parents, my dad fell out of bed yesterday morning.  His situation is critical and the hospice people said to expect that he will not make it more that a week and perhaps not longer that 24 hours.  I was able to break away during Bridgett's MRI yesterday to visit quickly with him.  Today I went up again while they were doing the picc line.  I was only able to talk to him for a few minutes and then he fell asleep.  During the day he was not very talkative and was lucid only part of the time.  We are praying that dad's pain will be short and that his suffering will not be prolonged.

Day Seven - Wednesday December 21, 2011 a.m.

First of all I wanted to make kind of a disclaimer.  For all of you with medical background or who have been through similar issues, I am trying to do my best to explain the situation as we see it.  Probably some of the comments are not phrased quite right, but I am trying! We keep telling the doctors that we are learning so much but we hope there isn't a test at the end! Everyone is very patient with us asking question after question.  The nurses here have been amazing. They work 12 hour shifts and we are getting well acquainted with some of them.  I was always a little skeptical of the 12 hour shifts as they seem so long.  However, I now see the real benefits there can be.  Only two nurses deal with Bridgett a day. They become very familiar with her and know what to expect or look for.  Someone new has a learning curve to get up to speed.  Also we have appreciated the many nurses and doctors that treat us as real people and treat Bridgett as a real person, with respect and tender care.  We have pictures of her on the door and the cabinet in her room.  Those working here come in and look and ask questions about her.  We really appreciate it!!  By the way, for those of you who have heard about Bridgett's accident and wondered what you should say to us....just tell us you love us (hopefully) and that you are praying for Bridgett and our family.  For those of you who wonder what you can do.....pray, pray, pray.  A special thanks to my brothers who have been especially good at telling lots of funny stories and helping lighten up our moods.  Update on those shaving their heads---Jackson (Bridgett's 17 year old cousin) joined the ranks of  those with shaven heads yesterday.  Several more have promised to join by the weekend.  Uncle Dave is arranging a picture of everyone on Christmas Day.  And, no, my daughters--I still don't think you should follow suit!! We don't want to completely freak Bridgett out when she wakes up!! Now, moving on to some updates.  When a person is in bed getting up to do some walking there is a danger of forming blood clots in the legs.  If clots form there is a danger of a clot breaking loose and going to the heart.  Usually they would give patients a blood thinner but with brain trauma victims that is not appropriate.  So, instead today they inserted a filter (vena cava filter) to catch any clot that might form and cause a problem.  This was done by inserting the filter from the groin area and going up to the heart. The filter is like an umbrella and is opened up.  Later it is collapsed and removed through the chest area. The surgery for Bridgett's cheekbone will be tomorrow or Friday.  They estimate about an hour in surgery.  Today they are establishing a picc line for her and they will remove the central line.  Looking on the bright side, every day that passes Bridgett is healing more and her bruises are looking better. Initially they said that when she wakes up her face will really hurt.  Now maybe she will wake up and not even know about the whole surgery thing and her face won't be in pain.

Day Six - December 20, 2011

First of all I wanted to tell everyone that the person writing these blogs is me--Kathy.  Mark said he is giving support!  Everyone else is helping to edit!  Last night Bridgett's visiting teacher came to bring some flowers.  She brought her parents with her because they discovered that her father was actually one of the first people on the scene of Bridgett's accident.  He didn't see it happen, but saw her lying in the road and stopped and put his coat on her to keep her warm until the ambulance arrived.  On the scene they didn't know who she was, so she was transported to the hospital as a Jane Doe.  He had been wondering what had happened to her and couldn't call the hospital to check.  He told his wife about the accident and later his daughter told her mother about Bridgett having her bike wreck and they realized that it was the same wreck. Yesterday they told us that although they are feeding Bridgett through the feeding tube to her stomach, most of it is just staying in the stomach and not being digested. So, they removed the tube to the stomach and replaced it with a longer tube that goes straight to the intestines.  Also, they fitted her for some boots that will keep her foot flexed so that the achilles tendon doesn't get shortened.  Today they stopped sedating her and they will let her wake up whenever she is ready.  They say that her brain will just rest until its ready to wake up.  Today Bridget was really moving around a lot.  She moved her legs so much that she got one of them right off of the bed.  They pulled her back up and straightened her out and in less than half an hour she had her leg off the bed again.  This afternoon they did an MRI and after they were done and situating her back in bed she tried to open her eye and they saw a little slit of the white of the eye.  Everyone has been so caring and helpful.  Bridgett's doctors and nurses her are the best!  We continue to receive reports from many people we don't even know that are praying for Bridgett's recovery.  President Stanfill encouraged us to pray for a miracle and then expect a miracle.  That is what we are doing!  Thanks again for all your prayers!

Day Five - Monday December 19, 2011

From time to time we seem to be getting more information that helps us to better understand the whole situation.  Just tonight we learned that Bridgett did not really break her cheekbone in the terms that most of us think of it.  She broke the zygomatic arch.  This would be defined as the bony arch at the outer border of the eye socket, formed by the union of the cheekbone and the zygomatic process.  So, in simpler terms, it extends out from the eye socket towards the ear.  The doctors are thinking that this was the point of impact. Bridgett's ICP's were higher today and she moved less.  Her CT was still looking better so they were not really concerned about the higher numbers. Bridgett's lungs are doing great!  She actually was breathing on her own for four hours today, still intubated. Now she is back having the ventilator breathe for her.  They will keep her intubated until after the surgery to fix the zygomatic arch, which will probably be in a couple of days.  The swelling in Bridgett's face is really going down and she is looking better all the time.  We are kind of camped out in the waiting room of the ICU.  Our family has it's own corner.  At any time of the day and night there are people here eating, visiting,telling stories, hysterically laughing, playing games or napping. There is still some crying, but soon it switches to laughing. Yesterday Tyler challenged everyone to shave their heads to match Bridgett.  He shaved his head and Uncle Dave soon followed.  This morning Scott shaved his head and Uncle Justin was next.  Uncle Mike joined in the fun tonight.  Who will be next????  (No, Steph you can't)

Day Four - Sunday December 18, 2011

So much happens in a day, it is hard to condense it into one post.   The doctors are pleased with her progress.  The neuorsurgeon said to me that it is amazing that she didn't have any damage to internal organs, like a ruptured spleen.  He said it definitely wasn't her time to go.  Her cardiologist was not as fun to talk to.  He said all he could say was that she has a VERY SEVERE brain injury, she was reacting favorably to their efforts to control the brain swelling and they could not predict the outcome.  We were fasting and have felt very positive though.  During the day she had some good improvements.   Bridgett's CT scan was better today.  There are more open spaces in the brain like there's suppose to which means there's less swelling.  They are having to drain off less CSF (ceberal spinal fluid).  Her ICP numbers are moving between 14 and 28. They are no longer worried about her lungs collapsing.  She is initiating her breathing and then the ventilator is continuing her breath to make sure she is getting a full breath.  She is moving more.  When they work on her breathing tube she is bringing her hands up to her chest.  They said soon she will be trying to bat their hands away.  When they checked her eye dialation this evening she tried to close her lids.  They are having to keep her sedated more to keep her from waking up.  Based on the CT scan tonight they will decide whether to stop sedating tomorrow or Tuesday.  As soon as the pressure is down they will schedule the surgery on her cheek for the following day.  Her front teeth are broken, but we can't tell the extent until she is not incubated.  Thank you for all of your prayers.  We have had many calls and haven't been able to return them, but we know that people are reading this blog and sharing information.  Eveyone wants to know what they can do.  Right now just pray for her. Only family can come in to see Bridgett, so even though many of your want to come up to the hospital your prayers are the best thing right now.

Saturday Dec. 17, 2011

Bridgett's ICP''s are higher, but for a good reason.  She has been trying to wake up, so they have had to increase the sedation to keep her under.  They have been talking about when the swelling peaks, but the trauma doctor says that is incorrect semantics.  They have not allowed the pressure to peak.  Her CT scan from last night shows improvement, with the ventricles starting to open up.  At this point if things continue as they are, they will slowly stop the sedation on Monday to allow her to start waking up from the coma on her own time frame. They said that she won't just come out of the coma immediately,  She was moving a lot this morning and her ICP's were up to 36, so they increased the sedation and closed the blinds to keep it dark.  We are continuing to keep her stimulus as low as possible; only light, quick touching with no stroking, limited people in the room, very quiet talking, etc.  They have tentatively scheduled surgery on her cheek for Tuesday.  This will involve entering the cheek area from the mouth or eyelid, moving the bones back into place and putting in a metal plate.  At this time we are not sure what needs to be done with the nose.  As far as the air pockets in the lungs, they are stable and they said they will resolve on their own over the next couple of weeks.  The bruising on the left side of the brain is a little smaller.  They changed her neck collar to a soft one, removing the very large stiff collar.  They said that if she did not have the brain trauma, they would put on a collar and send her back to school and the neck would heal over the next 6-8 weeks.  We are still thinking that she will be in the ICU for about three weeks.

For anyone that wants to participate, we will have a fast this Saturday evening to Sunday morning.  We are praying for a miracle and invite you to join with us, whether you are able to fast or not.

December 14, 2011 Approx 5:30 PM

At approximately 5:30 pm on December 14th 2011, Bridgett was riding her road bike (bicycle) east on 800 S in Orem. She was just east of Costco, headed down the hill towards Will's Pit Stop, when a west-bound pickup truck made a left-hand turn in her path. Bridgett hit the pickup truck traveling probably 25-35 miles per hour. One of the witnesses happened to be an EMT, and began giving assistance immediately. Emergency assistance showed up quickly and at the scene said that she was unresponsive and gave her a Glasgow Coma score of 3.  Apparently she had chewing gum in her mouth that fell in the throat blocking her airway which was removed when they tried to give her oxygen.  She was transported to Utah Valley Medical Center (IHC) in Provo.  Her Glasgow Coma score after her arrival there was upgraded to 5.  Bridgett suffered major trauma to the brain, 2 stable fractures to her neck (meaning that they will not cause paralysis), a broken nose, and a shattered left cheekbone. Also she has 2 or 3 pockets of air between the lung and heart.  She is on a ventilator.  There is a possibility of lung collapse but at this point the lungs are stable.   She has several other minor scapes and bruises.  At some point she vomited and aspirated into the lungs.  They suctioned that 3 or more times and she began doing better.  She is on antibiotics for that possible infection.  As soon as she arrived at the hospital and family was notified, her brother in law, Tyler Fenn and his neighbor were able to give her a blessing.  Also, after the surgery, two of her uncles gave her a blessing.  Within an hour of arriving at the emergency room she was taken to surgery, all of her hair was shaved off  and Dr. Gaufin, Neuro Surgeon made a hole in the skull and inserted a tube in the ventrical.  This tube monitors brain pressure and is used to drain fluid.  The brain is very swollen and there is a bruise as well.  At this point they are monitoring the brain pressure.  She is in a partial coma and they are sedating her to keep her totally under in order to try to manage her brain pressure.  Yesterday (Thursday) her brain pressure was around 25 and up as high as 36. Yesterday they had to drain fluid quite a bit. They want the brain pressure number (ICP) to be under 10.  They are giving her various things to help manage the brain pressure.  Apparently the pressure will peak sometime between day 3 and 5.  After that point they will begin to decrease sedation and allow her to wake up.  Yesterday she was fairly still and any movement was random and primitive.  They iced her face all night and some of the swelling is down so she is looking a bit better.  Today when they pinched her she moved towards the pain, which is an improvement.  Also, she shook her head no when they have tried to clean her face as well as when they suctioned out her mouth.  Her brain pressure (ICP) is hoovering around 14 today, but has been as high as 18 and as low as 11.  They say that the neck fractures will heal on their own in 6-8 weeks with only a collar on.  Her cheekbone will need to be fixed later by an ENT, by pulling it back into place and inserting a metal plate.  Not sure about the broken nose yet.  Also today when the neuro surgeon was in checking her she began to move her legs like she was pedaling a bicycle.  He said that any movement was a good sign and he is optimistic.  She is still not responding to commands at this time.  She is running a fever which they believe to be because of the brain trauma.  Thank you all for your prayers in her behalf.  Also, her name has been placed on the prayer roll at a number of temples.  We have had many visitors at the ICU waiting room including all of her sisters and brothers and spouses, lots of aunts, uncles and cousins, friends, and her bishop (maybe more that I missed!) Also, we have had many calls from family and friends.