Day 6 - August 29, 2015

Day 6

Today started early for a lot of people here at home in Utah. With Josh Lloyd's help the bike group got together for a special run through Corner Canyon, the area located around the Draper, UT temple. They did a ride that Jeff put together called "Side 2 Side." It was extremely difficult for Ryan to go knowing Jeff wouldn't be there, but he knew his dad would want him to keep riding. They had thirteen people altogether this morning and we'd like to thank them for showing their support! 

From the left: David Ewell, Ron Brown, Dan DeVries, Nate Lyon, Brad Frost, Rob Smart, Cameron Smart, Ryan Page, Rod Lyon, Patrick Wolfe, Josh Lloyd, Brent Lloyd, Blake DeVries.

 

Ryan reports they all had a good ride reminiscing about the times they've spent riding with Jeff. He says it didn't feel normal at all because Jeff usually rides in front and leads the pack.

 

Josh gave Ryan the helmet Jeff was wearing when he wrecked. It's broken clear through on a spot on the top! Ryan has sent a thank you to the company who produced it, Bell, to express our gratitude for the high quality of their products because they save lives.

 

Peggy reports that today has been a good day for them. She says Jeff has been awake a lot more, talking, and smiling. Yes, they saw a smile or two... with teeth showing even! She says we are getting our Jeff back. For example, when the nurse asked him to use the breathing apparatus during each commercial he let it all out saying, “Watching commercials is like someone holding a gun to your head and saying sit here, you have to watch it.  Commercials rob your time.” Ha! Nothing's changed there!

 

It was very quiet on the unit today except for a tragedy that occurred in the next room. The usual amount of attention was not given to Jeff until about noon. When the nurse Jamie can in and apologized for the delay in helping him, she asked, “How do you feel?”

 

“Crappy,” he responded.

 

Jamie said, “Could you describe that a little more?”

 

Jeff replied, “Hands tingly, can't feel my fingers, headache.” Jamie then told them about how the patient next door had died of a massive heart attack right in front of the nurse. Jeff commented that it might have been better than living like this.

 

Jamie then proceeded to give Jeff a very calm lecture about the value of living and doing all you can possibly do to make your life worthwhile, no matter what your circumstance. We like her a lot!

 

Zach and Brandi stopped at the Target Store and bought every single brand of yogurt that was cherry of every kind. He really enjoyed that. They also bought TruMoo Chocolate Milk and when Brandi told him there was no corn syrup in the milk he smiled a big smile. The nurses even let him take his meds with chocolate milk. Peggy reports,“One happy boy.”

 

Brandi and Annette held the iPad and showed him a video of Martyn Ashton, a world champion mountain bike trail rider. He had also sustained an injury during mountain biking that left him paralyzed. The video showed him, with the help of his friends, riding his mountain bike on down hill runs. They could see that Jeff’s mind was absorbing the whole video, as he never fell asleep for the entire time!

At home, Ryan had a similar reaction while watching a segment. It was as if a light switch of hope had been turned on. 

 

Jeff asked Brandi if his toes were moving today. She answered, “No, do they feel like they’re moving?”

“No, I’m trying to move them,” he replied. So Brandi repositioned his toes so he could see them. And encouraged him to keep trying - mind over body. 

 

Jeff developed a fever of 102 today. A chest x-ray was completed to rule out pneumonia and urine and blood samples were taken to try and pinpoint the cause. When the lab tech told Jeff she had to prick both of his arms he grimaced. Afterwards she said, “I'm sorry, but boy I appreciate your great veins! I only had to prick you once.” 

 

When the nurses reposition him they have to use a sheet underneath his back to prevent friction which can lead to skin breakdown. They use the sheet when cleaning him by holding one side up to keep him rolled on his side. They also use it when repositioning and adjusting the wedges and pillows underneath him that keep him off of his back. During the process today one of the male nurses that was holding him up said, “Thanks Jeff for being thin.” 

 

Peggy says, “As you can see, everyone that gives their service to Jeff and to us are exceptional professionals who care enough to do everything they can to make Jeff comfortable.”

 

 

Today Brandi missed a phone call from a Denver number. Interested she called it back and told the person that answered that she missed a phone call.  The person on the other end asked, but no one knew a Brandi Benson.  Brandi then asked him where she called.  He responded that it was a floral shop.  Brandi then said, well my dad is in the hospital his name is Jeff Page.  They figured out that flowers were being sent to Jeff, but that they couldn't be delivered because they don't allow flowers in the ICU.  Brandi was able to meet with the floral delivery person and accept the flowers for Jeff.  The flowers are very beautiful and from those who Brandi works with at Salt Lake Community College.  We thank them for showing they care for Brandi and her dad.  Peggy and Annette will enjoy them at the hotel.

 

 

Brandi and Zach went to the 7 Eleven to get Jeff a cherry Slurpee, but had to wait for it to freeze. While they were waiting they bought a scratch lotto ticket for a dollar and won $20. Guess what bought dinner for the support team? Peggy says, “Thanks Zach!”

 

 

While they were gone Jeff's dinner arrived and Annette started to feed him. He ate pretty well, but it was the cherry Slurpee and oatmeal raisin cookie that really hit the spot.

 

 

For everyone else it was Taco Bell for dinner, and what an experience they had. After asking a questionable young man what was good on the menu they got a five minute earful about what was nasty. They were then left on their own to figure it out. All of their choices were good until Zach was tempted to try the Cap'n Crunch Poppers. “Talk about disgusting!” They wanted to tell the questionable young man to add them to his nasty list, but he wasn't available for further discussion.

 

 

Zach took everyone back to the hotel via the "back way". The houses were most likely built in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s. Peggy says, “They were built so close on every street we passed that you could open your window and pass a borrowed cup of sugar without stretching your arm. If you were any wider than 18” you couldn't walk between the houses. There were about ten blocks of the houses which were mostly well taken care of. Remember, they are located in the original downtown Denver. It was quite an experience for us who love elbow room to live in.”  

 

A huge thanks to Peggy, Annette, and Brandi for keeping us informed. Even the day to day things are a comfort to hear about for those of us who are stuck wondering what's happening.

 

Back at home:

Tonight Talon asked, "Is grandpa still hurt? Grandpa Jeff? Is he still in the hospital?" When we told him yes and tried to explain again what had happened, all he asked was, "Why?"

 

That very same question goes through our minds several times a day.  However, we know that the Lord will carry him through this as well as caring us through this trying time. 

 

This is where faith becomes critical. Where we make it or break it so to speak. We can have faith in the Lord's plan for us and grow from this, or allow our faith to falter and be crushed by the pain and devastation of it.

 

Faith is a funny thing. You can still have faith and be angry about your situation. Having faith doesn't mean you have to like what's happening in your life. Having faith means you might be upset and frustrated and overwhelmed, but you choose to continue. You choose to make the best of it and you choose to trust that in the end it really will make you a better person.

 

The biggest problem when trying to have faith is that during a trial you have no hindsight. When the critical parts of a trial are over hindsight can usually tell you that the way things turned out was really what was best for you. You learned something that strengthened you or you were prepared for another trial just around the corner, etc.

 

So, faith is trying to use the hindsight from past experiences in order to accept your current situation. And that's what we're doing. We know the Lord's will is best, we've learned it time and again. Remembering it for this trial is no different, but it's one of those things we aren't exactly happy about.

 

We are so grateful for everyone who has given comfort with stories of people who have suffered similar trauma and gone on to live full lives. We are grateful for the hope of a brighter tomorrow.

 

We are especially grateful for the care and attention given to our dad and family by the medical staff taking care of him.

 

The road ahead may be long, but it's amazing how much lighter the burden feels when you are lifted up by such loving friends and family.   

 

For anyone who is interested, please remember we are fasting for Jeff tomorrow (Sunday, August 30th). We ask that you pray especially for his blood pressure to stabilize and for him to remain optimistic during this difficult time. Thank you for all you do, we couldn't make it through this without all of your support!