Valerie was on her way to work last Friday, and stopped where our street connects to the highway that leads to Rexburg. The sun shines right down the highway at that time every spring and fall. She could not see anything, and someone behind her honked their horn like she should pull out. So she did. She was hit dead center on the drivers door. The car was destroyed, and Valerie was badly hurt. Once they could get her out of the car they helecoptered her to Idaho Falls.
She was badly banged and bruised, but seemed relatively well off. However, soon after arriving at the hospital she began experiencing bad pain in her lower abdomen. They were all ready to begin a laparoscopy to see what was going on, but about the time they got her to the operating room her blood pressure began falling. They did an emergency surgery and found that one of the blood vessles that supplies her intestines had torn open. So just in time they were able to sew it up, repair a few other tears, and all was well.
Two of our daughters, Michelle and Lindsey, and two of our sons, Andy and Josh were able to come up, so we had a good visit with them. They even took the opportunity to do some work around the house, cleaning out some Joe and Erna things we had never quite been able to get ourselves to do. So there is another silver lining!
By Saturday she was showing remarkable improvement; and even better on Sunday. Her uncle Kieth Sellers cane Sunday and gave her a blessing. and today (Monday) she is even better. So we have progressed from very worried to quite content to help her heal.
She will be in the ICU for a few more days, primarily because they have a thoracic epidural anesthetic in place. This will make sense when I list the extent of her injuries. She has three shattered ribs on her left side, one is broken on the right. She has huge purple bruises all over, mostly on her left arm, side, and leg. She has the incision from the surgery and the trauma to her abdomen. So they are trying to minimize the pain for a few more days.
Valerie is in good spirits and is determined to get well as soon as possible. At this point we do not know how long it will take. All the prayers on her behalf are helping and much appreciated.
Alex and I are spending every possible moment with her. The Relief Society brought in enough food for at least a week, they are wonderful. We are doing well, and appreciate your help and concern.
I am going to try to post some pictures of the car and of Valerie. From them you can see that Valerie is doing much better than Joes old Ford Taurus. It did its job well, and saved her from worse injury.
It seems a little odd at a time like this to be thankful, but in fact we have much to be thankful for.
Bill
