Update 12/23/2012 By Michelle

Reports from the hospital are good this week. My mom had been having nerve pain in her legs early in the week. Most of the pain was at night when she was back in her bed. She does not like to be in her bed unless she absolutely has to be (bedtime basically). They got the right dose of medication for her and that has become manageable for her. The biggest news this week is that they have decided her eyes are healing enough to push getting a computer for her to use for communicating. When I was there, this was not really an option. She did not have enough control of her eyes to even begin working on a computer. We tried a time or two with her and she got very tired, very quickly. The eye doctor has been seeing her weekly since she is set to come home in a few weeks. He has been amazed at the healing that has taken place in her eyes. This is a huge blessing. I want to communicate with my mom and know what she wants to say, how she is feeling, what she needs, etc. I cannot wait to hear her voice again. I talk to so many that still are praying for her. I know this is a busy time of year. A concern expressed early on was that she will slowly be forgotten. Everyone I have run into since being home has made sure to tell me that they are still praying for her. After three and a half months, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for that act of service. I know her influence was great on those that know her. It is such a huge gift to her and to us that we not forget her and plead with our Heavenly Father to continue to bless her. The creator of this world has a plan. I know he does and I know he is in control of this situation. I know he loves us and knows each one of us. There was one who came before that felt the pain she has gone through. My mom has a very strong relationship with our Savior. She knows he has a plan. She knows that this life has purpose and that purpose is to gain experiences we could not gain elsewhere. These experiences and trials will be very difficult, for otherwise we would not grow and develop on a spiritual level. This experience of life was never meant to be easy, but it will be worth it. We wanted to get Christmas cards out to everyone that sent her birthday cards, but I would have to take out a small loan for postage! Our family wishes yours a very Merry Christmas. May the love of Christ be felt within your family this holiday season.

Update 12/13/12 By Michelle

We are long over due for an update. My mom is still working hard to regain that which has been lost. She is such a fighter. Progress is very, very slow for her but she is progressing. The main focus in rehabilitation right now is her communication skills. There are some tests that can be done to help classify her injury, but she has to be able to communicate. They are working with strengthening her eyes and are still working with being able to use the switch (a bar that goes under her chin and sets off a buzzer when depressed by her jaw) as her main forms of "speaking". She uses her buzzer for yes and makes a stink eye face for no. She has mouthed several words, but her ability to articulate is not there. The muscles in her face and jaw are still very tight. On a good day, she can open her mouth up enough to get a toothbrush in, barely. We have seen some movement in her hands, legs, torso and feet. It is hard to know if they are controlled moves or more of a muscle spasm or reflex. The doctors are still working to stabilize her blood pressure. She has a good day then two bad days. It is very stressful to try and figure out what is going on on the not so good days. I flew home over the weekend. My family desperately needs a mommy for a few weeks. I will be back the first week of January. My dad is there by himself right now. I wish there were more of me. I am struggling with the balance of needing to be there and here. Right now the plan is my mom will come home on Jan 10th. She will need nursing care 24 hours a day. My dad and I have gotten lots of training on how to care for her, but it will take more than the two of us to accomplish this task. I will be working on a care calendar for visits and repetative needs they will have. I have faith that there is a path prepared for her and us to fullfill her needs. We have not gotten this far to find ourselves alone.

Update 12/2/2012 By Dave and Betty

The picture today is of Carla sunning herself in the garden at Craig and communicating with her husband Richard. She is very happy outside in her chair and in the sun. “Be patient in afflictions, for thou shall have many; but endure them, for lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days.” This scripture gives us words to live by. Interestingly, the Apostle Paul testifies that “we are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” Most of us at some time in our lives feel the chill winds of adversity. It may seem that there is no end in sight. While adversity may be slow to leave us, we can choose to leave it any time. The Lord’s promise to us is: “Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for… I will ease thy burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs.” He lp us God to be thankful for our adversity and give us the faith to see beyond today’s trial. Today has been a good day for Carla. She was awake, very responsive and in her chair for about 6 hours. She seemed to be very happy and really enjoyed visiting with her family: mom, dad, husband and daughter. She loves being outside in the warm sun. You should see the look on her face when she lets us know that she does NOT want to be put back into her bed! She clearly understands how to communicate that desire! We are excited and thankful for her progress. She also had a good day yesterday, but today was even better. She’s gaining more strength that is a prerequisite for more blessings and miracles. Our hopes are strong and we never ease in our pleas with Divinity to heal our daughter. She’s so special to so many people. We firmly believe that the Lord has countless miracles in store for her and her family. We have the patience to wait for Him. Thank you family and friends for your continuing support and prayers.

Pictures of Carla 12/2/2012

My mom and I playing in the dirt! We made a beautiful topiary plant. I held her hand in mine and helped her scoop, pat and plant. She smiled the whole time. I am so happy to have these moments with her. I told her I will be her hands as long as she needs me to be.

The Christmas lights are so pretty here at the hospital. My mom wants to go out everyday to see them. Sometimes we can only go look out the window, since it gets so cold here at night.

My mom out on the deck soaking up some sunshine! After almost three months of not being able to go outside, she enjoyes every opportunity she can to get out. We are so thankful for the unseasonably warm weather here. My dad and I finally got all of our training done so we can go out unescorted with her. I plan to spend lots more time out on that deck with her in the sunshine!

Update 12/2/2012 By Michelle

Today is Sunday, my mom's favorite day of the week. She slept well last night and even slept in a little later than normal this morning. She is in such a good mood. The weather here is nice, so she is excited about getting out to the garden area. Over the past couple of days, they have tried the vent weaning again. She has not had the success she did that first day. They will keep trying several times a day and always tell her not to worry about it. These things will take time and it does not mean she will not get off the vent. Please keep praying that this miracle will be for her. When my mom was little, her youngest sister thought she was supergirl. She has told my mom several times that her cape is hanging out. Well, she showed her cape to us again today. She started dancing her toes and moved her left leg repeatedly this morning. The nurse was able to see her doing it and we will keep our fingers crossed that she does not have stage fright when her doc comes by tomorrow morning. The movement and breathing will completely change the game plan here, hopefully. They just have to see that she is going to go further than what may appear. I believe....

Update 11/29/2012 By Michelle

We have heard some so many "She will never...", but are keeping up our faith that these are just men that don't always consult with the plan of the master healer. I have witnessed a pure miracle tonight. We asked them to try to wean my mom off her ventilator. We were told it would not happen, her injury is too high. I asked them to try and the techs were very nice about coming in and trying it. They prepared us, told us nothing usually happens for the first several tries. The plan was to give her 60 seconds to just see if she would do anything. They would give her pressure so there was something there for her to pull into her lungs, if she could. Tears filled my eyes and the tech got goosebumps as my mom immediately took her first breath on her own in almost three months. She continued to breath for almost thirteen minutes with just that little bit of pressure; breathes she took on her own. Miraculous is the word I would use to describe this event. Being able to get off the ventilator means my mom can live such a better life. She will be able to enjoy more and do more. She will not have the constant threat of pneumonia and several other life threatening conditions associated with being ventilator dependant. I count my many blessings, naming them one by one...She will continue to leap over those hurdles, no matter how large they are, with the prayers and support of those in her life.

Update 11/25/2012 By Dave

The picture today is of Carla with her sister, mother and niece. It has been almost a week since I sent out the last update. Carla has had her daily ups and downs with smiles, happiness, pain and sa dness over this period. Faith is both a principle of action and of power. It “is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if we have faith we hope for things which are not seen, which are true.” It is an assurance of the Spirit gained through our learning that moves us to act to follow the example of the Savior and prayerfully keep His commandments, even through times of sacrifice and trial. Faith brings us the power of the Lord, which—among other things—is manifested by a hope of good things to come, miracles that confirm our faith, and divine protection in spiritual and temporal matters. Last week the doctors completed their medical examinations and had a family meeting. The medical prognosis is not encouraging. The miracle we need and are praying for is a restoration of her damaged spinal cord. Her progress has been slow and constant. We recognize and acknowledge every ounce of progress and thank the Lord continually. The newest therapy is one to improve communications. A thin red bar is attached to the right front bar on her halo. It goes across her chin so that when she opens her mouth it peeps repeatedly until she closes her mouth. The goal is to help her gain enough control of her eyes and mouth to be able to use a computer to communicate. We appreciate every effort that is made to help her in her communication skills. We sure are grateful for today’s technology. We have NOT lost our faith or hope as we continually seek to know the Lord’s will for Carla. We have dreams and hope for many more miracles as the Lord continues to show His love and tender mercies. His daily blessings give us hope, courage and greater faith. The love, prayers and faith of so many friends lift our spirits. Thanks!