One of the kids at church, Kevin Lienhard, is releasing his first CD.
He is having a benefit concert for Generosity Water at LIFEhouse Church on Sunday, August 2 at 6 p.m. Cost is $5.00 The church is right across the street from Northridge Hospital.
Please come!!! The gifts of music and words that God has given this young man are awesome. Our churches Praise Band is playing with him and they are great.
The Generosity Water Project is a wonderful way to give back. Our coordinator, Sarah, is a young person also. She traveled to Africa this year to see what they were doing. Hope to see you there!!!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Got Brace on and Sat Up!!!!!
Beth writing.
Yesterday Liz got the brace on and sat up. She also stood using the walker. She still can't put wait on her left leg for weeks. I keep telling them that she CAN NOT HOP on one foot. When one PT wanted her to - I said sure and when she falls, we will own the hospital. I don't believe in suing but sometimes these people don't think.
They put a trapzee bar over her bed and they are working on getting her to sit up (I believe with the brace on). Well, PT left it hanging down and she tried to pull herself up with one hand. Thank heavens gma was there and told her to stop and asked the nurse who said "Oh, they should not have left that hanging." What goes through people's minds? Give someone drugs so they are semi out of it and then leave things like that around?
We are still having a hard time getting her to eat. Please pray that she will start eating regularly and that she gets to stay at Northridge. Kinda' funny that we are trying to get a gastric bypass patient to eat.
Her VdC grouping came to the hospital and met with her last night. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall. I guess one of the girls really layed into her (I am sure it was deserved - I know Liz had layed into her the night before). She told Liz that everytime she starts to have a "Pity Party" she has to think of 5 good things about her life. I guess the Psychatirst (sp?) was there and agreed. The group is making signs up for the wall.
Liz is concerned since we are limiting visitors right now that some of her friends will forget about her. We have told her that if that is the case, those are the type of friends she doesn't need. She needs friends that will be there for the LONG HAUL. She has realized that this will take a while to heal, but I don't know if she knows how long yet.
She is in a VERY small room right now. She does have her phone (against my better judgement - but I got tired of arguing about it). So if she calls anyone in the middle of the night - I am sorry. I would still like to limit visitors, but people can come. Please just don't stay long unless you are sitting with her.
If you are sitting (and she is being VERY picky about who sits), please bring a book or something. She doesn't like to talk all the time, so she dozes. Also, please be POSITIVE. I have not been able to get her to watch TV. Her dad got her to eat and watch TV. What I call the "Magic Hours" went great for him. I told him that maybe he had to cover those hours then.
Thank you for all the food and prayers. I will keep everyone posted.
Yesterday Liz got the brace on and sat up. She also stood using the walker. She still can't put wait on her left leg for weeks. I keep telling them that she CAN NOT HOP on one foot. When one PT wanted her to - I said sure and when she falls, we will own the hospital. I don't believe in suing but sometimes these people don't think.
They put a trapzee bar over her bed and they are working on getting her to sit up (I believe with the brace on). Well, PT left it hanging down and she tried to pull herself up with one hand. Thank heavens gma was there and told her to stop and asked the nurse who said "Oh, they should not have left that hanging." What goes through people's minds? Give someone drugs so they are semi out of it and then leave things like that around?
We are still having a hard time getting her to eat. Please pray that she will start eating regularly and that she gets to stay at Northridge. Kinda' funny that we are trying to get a gastric bypass patient to eat.
Her VdC grouping came to the hospital and met with her last night. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall. I guess one of the girls really layed into her (I am sure it was deserved - I know Liz had layed into her the night before). She told Liz that everytime she starts to have a "Pity Party" she has to think of 5 good things about her life. I guess the Psychatirst (sp?) was there and agreed. The group is making signs up for the wall.
Liz is concerned since we are limiting visitors right now that some of her friends will forget about her. We have told her that if that is the case, those are the type of friends she doesn't need. She needs friends that will be there for the LONG HAUL. She has realized that this will take a while to heal, but I don't know if she knows how long yet.
She is in a VERY small room right now. She does have her phone (against my better judgement - but I got tired of arguing about it). So if she calls anyone in the middle of the night - I am sorry. I would still like to limit visitors, but people can come. Please just don't stay long unless you are sitting with her.
If you are sitting (and she is being VERY picky about who sits), please bring a book or something. She doesn't like to talk all the time, so she dozes. Also, please be POSITIVE. I have not been able to get her to watch TV. Her dad got her to eat and watch TV. What I call the "Magic Hours" went great for him. I told him that maybe he had to cover those hours then.
Thank you for all the food and prayers. I will keep everyone posted.
Monday, July 27, 2009
GOOD NEWS!!! Out of ICU
Beth writing again. She's out of ICU. She moved to the next department this afternoon. I believe it's called "Telemetry". Rehab is next. Please pray that it will be at Northridge. Sorry I haven't written, anytime I've been home - I have been sleeping. Thank heaven for good family. I have not lived at the hospital. I usually cover the 4 to 10 pm shift. For some reason, that's been the time she has been most awake and most cranky. Her dad is going to try it today and she is she acts the way she does with me. No one else seems to get to "enjoy" the things I do. I guess she doesn't complain as much with them.
Saturday night we finally got her to eat (Sushi and edamande). Her aunt came and brushed her hair (she had finally requested it and let us) and was putting lotion on her feet - Liz said "There is so much that makes me happy right now, I could cry." We were so happy. At about 12:30 a.m. that night (she was having a tough time so we were still there), we were waiting for the Doctor to come - I looked at her aunt and said "Is that Dr. Arnout or not?" She couldn't stop laughing. There were 2 major traumas that came in. I ended up helping deal with the families. Sometimes I wish I could turn my personality off and learn to shut my mouth.
On Saturday she also had 2 kitties in and out all day visiting her. Needless to say not really. She also has been complaining about all the people in the room and keeps telling me to tell them to leave. Last night she keep telling me to teelt he snoring man in the bed next to her to be quiet. She also wanted to go for a ride in the car, she would "just lay in the back seat". This was after they tried to get the brace on and we unable to even get in on because she said it hurt to much. Nothing like seeing YOUR child screaming in pain.
I guess on Friday, Liz asked my mom to get her to a "REAL HOSPITAL". Gma said "You are at one". Liz said "Have you heard of it before?"
This morning while Clint was there she gave him a whole list of things that needed to be packed so she could "Go to the hospital".
It's now 3:30 and Clint just left for hospital - he is going to cover 4 to 10 shift and see if he gets a different reaction from her. She does seem to eat more than I can.
I am trying to stay positive. Please pray for us. At this point other than rehab, just pray whatever the Lord asks you to.
Thanks for being there for us!!!
Saturday night we finally got her to eat (Sushi and edamande). Her aunt came and brushed her hair (she had finally requested it and let us) and was putting lotion on her feet - Liz said "There is so much that makes me happy right now, I could cry." We were so happy. At about 12:30 a.m. that night (she was having a tough time so we were still there), we were waiting for the Doctor to come - I looked at her aunt and said "Is that Dr. Arnout or not?" She couldn't stop laughing. There were 2 major traumas that came in. I ended up helping deal with the families. Sometimes I wish I could turn my personality off and learn to shut my mouth.
On Saturday she also had 2 kitties in and out all day visiting her. Needless to say not really. She also has been complaining about all the people in the room and keeps telling me to tell them to leave. Last night she keep telling me to teelt he snoring man in the bed next to her to be quiet. She also wanted to go for a ride in the car, she would "just lay in the back seat". This was after they tried to get the brace on and we unable to even get in on because she said it hurt to much. Nothing like seeing YOUR child screaming in pain.
I guess on Friday, Liz asked my mom to get her to a "REAL HOSPITAL". Gma said "You are at one". Liz said "Have you heard of it before?"
This morning while Clint was there she gave him a whole list of things that needed to be packed so she could "Go to the hospital".
It's now 3:30 and Clint just left for hospital - he is going to cover 4 to 10 shift and see if he gets a different reaction from her. She does seem to eat more than I can.
I am trying to stay positive. Please pray for us. At this point other than rehab, just pray whatever the Lord asks you to.
Thanks for being there for us!!!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Funny Happenings
I guess there has been some confusion. The person writing this blog is Beth - Liz's mom. Liz is still totally out of it. She is still in ICU. As of 12 noon today we still haven't been able to keep her awake long enough to try to sit in a chair or even eat. For a while I will be posting. When we change - we will let you know. Last night she FINALLY asked that we brush her hair. I took this a good sign.
Sunday night - my sister tried to call and I had to hang up because the nurse was in the room. She texted me "Go to the window". I stood at the window for 10 minutes. My friend asked what I was doing. I told her that I figured maybe Barbara was coming to the parking lot. I finally texted Barbara and asked why I was standing at the window. She sent back so I could get better reception so she could call me. We couldn't stop laughing.
When Liz went into Surgery for her back on Monday - her main concern was "Will I be able to walk?" When she came I - I said "Liz, you will be able to walk." Liz said, "Not today I won't." Of course we all laughed. My dad sent out an email that she is unable to kick but she is "kicking with her mouth."
On Monday while waiting for Surgery to end we finally got my dad to take a nap. The doctor came out at 12:30 and told us he was done and gave us updates. At 1:30 my dad woke up and my mom told Barbara and I and my dad to go get lunch and bring it back. Of course, we did. About 2:30, we could see my dad was getting very upset. We asked what was wrong. He said "the surgery has to be over, something most be wrong." We started laughing (even though it wasn't funny) - we said dad, she's been out for 2 hours. We forgot to tell him.
When Liz is on the medication she is on - she sees things and says lots of funny things. She may kill me for passing this stuff on.
She keeps bugging us to take her for a cigeratte. She keeps coming up with all kinds of ways to get out. She even tried to get out of bed just for "A little walk". I explained that she would not be walking for a while. She also went on and on about going on the porch to have a smoke.
My friend and I were trying to cheer her up. My friend told Liz that we could do a dance for her. Liz said no. Well it turned out that was a good thing. Somehow I had missed the camera in the room. I have now been told that if we had danced - all the nurses would have crowded around and watched us. That same friend and I are tired of being broke. We were planning a bank robbery. I now know that the nurses saw it. Guess we can't do it.
My friend texted a question - I answered "idk" - she texted back "what does that mean?" I texted 'I don't know" - she texted "it;s at the beginning of your text". I laughed so hard I had to run out to go to the bathroom.
We were trying to get her to drink. We offered Iced Tea. She said "No, I will get some on the way." We asked on the way where. She said "Mom and I are leaving and I will get it then." We had to tell her AGAIN that she's not leaving.
She has a new friend who spent the night Thursday night in the bed next to her. There is no other bed. Friday evening, I asked her what her friend's name was and she said "Oudawna" and she was mad at her because she was going out partying that night. This morning I asked her is Oudawna had come back. She said no and she was mad at her because she didn't.
I know most of these may not seem funny to you and may be "guess you had to be there" but at least they are making me laugh and I would rather be laughing than crying.
Please pray. The nurse last night was not nice and I may be spending the night tonight. I will keep you posted. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers.
Sunday night - my sister tried to call and I had to hang up because the nurse was in the room. She texted me "Go to the window". I stood at the window for 10 minutes. My friend asked what I was doing. I told her that I figured maybe Barbara was coming to the parking lot. I finally texted Barbara and asked why I was standing at the window. She sent back so I could get better reception so she could call me. We couldn't stop laughing.
When Liz went into Surgery for her back on Monday - her main concern was "Will I be able to walk?" When she came I - I said "Liz, you will be able to walk." Liz said, "Not today I won't." Of course we all laughed. My dad sent out an email that she is unable to kick but she is "kicking with her mouth."
On Monday while waiting for Surgery to end we finally got my dad to take a nap. The doctor came out at 12:30 and told us he was done and gave us updates. At 1:30 my dad woke up and my mom told Barbara and I and my dad to go get lunch and bring it back. Of course, we did. About 2:30, we could see my dad was getting very upset. We asked what was wrong. He said "the surgery has to be over, something most be wrong." We started laughing (even though it wasn't funny) - we said dad, she's been out for 2 hours. We forgot to tell him.
When Liz is on the medication she is on - she sees things and says lots of funny things. She may kill me for passing this stuff on.
She keeps bugging us to take her for a cigeratte. She keeps coming up with all kinds of ways to get out. She even tried to get out of bed just for "A little walk". I explained that she would not be walking for a while. She also went on and on about going on the porch to have a smoke.
My friend and I were trying to cheer her up. My friend told Liz that we could do a dance for her. Liz said no. Well it turned out that was a good thing. Somehow I had missed the camera in the room. I have now been told that if we had danced - all the nurses would have crowded around and watched us. That same friend and I are tired of being broke. We were planning a bank robbery. I now know that the nurses saw it. Guess we can't do it.
My friend texted a question - I answered "idk" - she texted back "what does that mean?" I texted 'I don't know" - she texted "it;s at the beginning of your text". I laughed so hard I had to run out to go to the bathroom.
We were trying to get her to drink. We offered Iced Tea. She said "No, I will get some on the way." We asked on the way where. She said "Mom and I are leaving and I will get it then." We had to tell her AGAIN that she's not leaving.
She has a new friend who spent the night Thursday night in the bed next to her. There is no other bed. Friday evening, I asked her what her friend's name was and she said "Oudawna" and she was mad at her because she was going out partying that night. This morning I asked her is Oudawna had come back. She said no and she was mad at her because she didn't.
I know most of these may not seem funny to you and may be "guess you had to be there" but at least they are making me laugh and I would rather be laughing than crying.
Please pray. The nurse last night was not nice and I may be spending the night tonight. I will keep you posted. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Don't tell Liz
I made a mistake. It's Liz's left leg that's in the brace. We have not told her anything long term. She is still in and out of it. She knows she was in an accident, she sometimes knows she is in Northridge and she sometimes knows she is in a brace. Last night she tried to get out of the bed to go for "a small walk" to have a cigarette. I informed her that she was not going to walk for a while.
They are trying to wake her up more today. If you talk to her please only discuss today and say positive things. I don't want any negative said to her and when she gets negative, please point out the positives, i.e. "she's alive" "She can feel" stuff like that.
Tonight or tomorrow I will update with all the funny things that have happened. Thank heavens I keep laughing with the crying.
They are trying to wake her up more today. If you talk to her please only discuss today and say positive things. I don't want any negative said to her and when she gets negative, please point out the positives, i.e. "she's alive" "She can feel" stuff like that.
Tonight or tomorrow I will update with all the funny things that have happened. Thank heavens I keep laughing with the crying.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Thursday
Just got home from hospital. Today went okay. She slept most of the day until around 7 p.m. Still in a lot of pain. They changed pain meds and lessened them. Her tolerance to the medicine is scary.
I want to tell you about some of the blessings we have received through this. One of her night nurses has a 24 year old daughter who was hit by a bus while on a bike last year. Her daughter had the same hip injury (did not need surgery though) and a broken right leg, so she knows exactly what to do. She has also been a help to me since she's been through this.
The team of surgeons is one of the best. We really lucked out with who was available. Liz is at Northridge Hospital where I and 40 other church members are volunteers for the Spiritual Care Department. Our church is just across the street.
Liz and I are blessed to have a lot of the same friends. I don't know of many mothers and daughters who share friends. We are also blessed to have very supportive family. We have been taking turns sitting with her.
The volunteer work I do at the Hospital is for a program called "No One Here Alone" - I work in the "No One Dies Alone". If someone is dying and family is not available, a volunteer will sit with them 24 hours a days. I have been able to inform a lot of staff about this program.
Being a volunteer and Stephen Minister, I been blessed to be able to help other people while I have been there.
Thanks for all the food, emails, phone calls. I am learning a lot during this trauma and plan to share it as time goes on.
I want to tell you about some of the blessings we have received through this. One of her night nurses has a 24 year old daughter who was hit by a bus while on a bike last year. Her daughter had the same hip injury (did not need surgery though) and a broken right leg, so she knows exactly what to do. She has also been a help to me since she's been through this.
The team of surgeons is one of the best. We really lucked out with who was available. Liz is at Northridge Hospital where I and 40 other church members are volunteers for the Spiritual Care Department. Our church is just across the street.
Liz and I are blessed to have a lot of the same friends. I don't know of many mothers and daughters who share friends. We are also blessed to have very supportive family. We have been taking turns sitting with her.
The volunteer work I do at the Hospital is for a program called "No One Here Alone" - I work in the "No One Dies Alone". If someone is dying and family is not available, a volunteer will sit with them 24 hours a days. I have been able to inform a lot of staff about this program.
Being a volunteer and Stephen Minister, I been blessed to be able to help other people while I have been there.
Thanks for all the food, emails, phone calls. I am learning a lot during this trauma and plan to share it as time goes on.
Brace
Thank you everyone for all your prayers and offers of help.
Liz got her brace yesterday. It emcompasses her back and front and goes down her right leg to just above the knee.
She is still in ICU and having A LOT of pain. She knows where she is and that she had an accident. Other than that she is having a hard time remembering things.
We are keeping a log of visitors, emails and text messages. As we go along we give it to her.
It is going to be a long haul and we are going to need lots of prayers and lots of help, especially when we get her home. We all know what a social person she is, so, we are going to need the social life to come to her since she can't go to it.
I will try to post on this blog daily even it's just to say we had a good or bad day. They are going to try to get her up in a chair today since the brace is on. I pray that happens. Thanks for everything.
Liz got her brace yesterday. It emcompasses her back and front and goes down her right leg to just above the knee.
She is still in ICU and having A LOT of pain. She knows where she is and that she had an accident. Other than that she is having a hard time remembering things.
We are keeping a log of visitors, emails and text messages. As we go along we give it to her.
It is going to be a long haul and we are going to need lots of prayers and lots of help, especially when we get her home. We all know what a social person she is, so, we are going to need the social life to come to her since she can't go to it.
I will try to post on this blog daily even it's just to say we had a good or bad day. They are going to try to get her up in a chair today since the brace is on. I pray that happens. Thanks for everything.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Liz's accident
Our daughter was in a severe car accident Saturday night. She was driving a 1970 Chevy Nova and hit someone, head-on, doing 40 miles per hour. They say she is lucky to be alive. Right now she is in Northridge ICU. She had surgery to reduce a dislocated hip. Her body is not responding well. She will be in a brace in a reclining wheelchair for 6 weeks. She also broke her back. She has a crack in a least 1 vertebrae.The surgery went well. They put 8 screws in: T9, T10, T11, T12. She is expected to be in a back brace for 3 months.They put in a chest tube to drain fluid. Lots of cuts that needed stitches and cuts and abrasions. Please pray that we get into Rehab at Northridge, and pray for our family as we try to ge through the next 6-8 weeks. Also, please pray for Liz's state of mind as well as her physical injuries. Thankfully, the other people involved in the accident are fine. Thank you all for your prayers and offers.
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