Wednesday, December 15, 2010

First Update

Hello to all! Thanks to Anna Knapp and Keith Clinton for setting up this blog. We are posting updates for all concerned to follow Josh's progress and to give some space for hopes and prayers to be acknowledged.

Today is Wednesday, Dec. 13

Josh is resting peacefully in the Paoli Hospital ICU. Everyone in this new trauma center is a wonder and have made this impossible time manageable because of their obvious care, concern, empathy, and wisdom.

He is currently comatose, but is also heavily sedated to keep him still and his healing brain very quiet. He is getting help with breathing but is currently almost completely off of the extra oxygen. He has a slight infection in his lungs that is being treated.
He may have a fractured rib or two, but miraculously no other injuries beside a few stitches in the back of his head that we know of.

Of most concern is the trauma to his brain. He must have had a major blow to his skull during the accident. We have spent the last three days watching the pressure and swelling build around his brain as the doctors and especially the nurses work hard along with Josh to keep the pressure under control. We are in the downhill stretch with this part of his crisis and we are so hopeful that the peace he is currently experiencing is a boon to his deep level healing.

On the horizon are neurological tests, switches in his breathing apparatus, and an MRI, all which will provide clues to his future progress. But for now, we are happy he is resting, healing, knitting, and mending.

Please hope and pray along with us that Josh and his amazing brain will find the path through this deep period of hibernation and return to us well and whole when the healing is done.

Much love to all,

Mike, Darling, and Rose

16 comments:

  1. dear darling and family,
    our thoughts and prayers are with you now and always. if there is anything we can do please let us know. my farm is 10 minutes from paoli hospital. i know how far away you live. if you need a break, shower, nap, meal, bed, please let me know. my house is open. 610-613-2399
    tina and emilie miller

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  2. Darling, Mike, & Rose-

    My mom told me about Josh yesterday and I cried so hard. I am feeling so much hurt for your family. I will hold Josh and you guys in my thoughts; and if there is anything at all that me or my mom can do to help you, please don't hesitate to tell us.

    You are brave and so wonderful.

    All my love,
    Ivy

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  3. Dear Darling and family,

    Please know that our daily prayers, thoughts and love are with you. Josh is our prayers for abundant healing and renewed health. We know he will pull through this. We are thinking of all of you during this challenging time. If there's anything at all we can do please don't hesitate for a second. 610-350-8981

    All of our love and prayers!
    Barb, Mia, Kaela, and Francesca xo

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  4. Shelly, Jaron and ZacDecember 15, 2010 at 8:36 PM

    Darling, I keep picturing Josh running around our home in Thorndale w/ a HUGE smile on his face and reminding me of the Michelin Man. I picture a strong, happy and healthy Josh and that he knows and feels how much Love is coming his way. That same Love is being sent to you, Mike and Rose!!!

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  6. Hey guys,

    We are praying for Josh's recovery and strength for your family. Let us know if we can help in any way.

    Scott, Deb, Cat and Liz

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  7. Mike, Darling, Rose
    Please know our prayers are with you daily, for strength and complete healing for Josh. Thank you for setting up this blog so that we can be specific in our prayers. I looked at the picture and I can't believe how much he reminds me of Uncle Dan!! He's got a little bit of Deroba in him...so I know he's a fighter.
    All Our Prayers,
    Your Cousin jenny & the alderson family

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  8. Mike, Darling, and Rose,

    I once again send my high hopes and just want you to know that Josh currently has several churches praying for his recovery, as well as my Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, and many other family members. On the way home tonight my mom made several suggestions to offer--one of them being: if you ever need someone to sit with Josh for a few hours so you can take a break, or just a drive to rest your mind, we would love to sit with him and read some H. P. Lovecraft, which he and I enjoy a lot. I know that you probably don't want to leave his side, but I just want you to know that the offer is there and that both my mother and I have bedside experience. If it would help to have any needlepoint or snacks or anything at all we can manage to get, we would be more than glad to whip up something to your liking and bring it to you. Also if any of you would like for us to bring you some reading material like a magazine, or to check a book out at the library for you, we are at your disposal.

    My phone number is (302) 540-0006 and I always have it with me and on. If there is anything at all I can do, please feel free to call at any time and I'd be more than willing to help.

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  9. Michael, Darling, Josh and Rose and Bonjo family,
    Cousin Alyson here...we got word of Josh's accident on Tuesday, and our hearts are deepened with the pain you all must be feeling. Please know that we are praying for you and may the peace and comfort of the Lord our God and Saviour give you rest and peace, understanding that He loves Josh so much more than we can possibly comprehend or imagine. He is able to work the impossible, He is the Great Physician and the Great I Am, trust Him.

    We love you all and if there is anything we can do from here, please, please let us know.

    Thank you to all Josh's friends for putting this blog together, what a comfort for you to know that so many people can be communicated with at the same time!

    By Faith...
    Larry, Alyson, MeKenzie, Megan, Isaiah and Justin Otto

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  10. Dear C'Rose,
    We love you and are so proud of the strength and compassion that you are creating for yourself and for your family. You are a strong grounded young
    woman, and we are so proud of you and your family.
    We are there with you in our hearts and will be there when we can. If you need us, call or email and we can talk.
    Love, Grammy and Grandteddy, Ted and Shirley

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  11. Dear Mike and Darling,
    Hope you had a stable, quiet night and got some sleep, if you have time this morning, call me or I will just stay tuned into the blog. It is great!
    I have sent the email to everyone that I know, so
    you should be getting lots of love and messages.

    We just wanted you to know what great loving parents that you are, the best we have ever known, and you need to be very proud of that as you have worked very hard to give Josh and Rose the very best that they needed.

    We are all staying calm and positive and expecting the very best outcome, and will be there whenever you need us.
    Love, Mom and Dad, Ted and Shirley

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  12. So very sorry to hear this.
    Keeping you all in my thoughts.

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  13. Dear Mike, Darling and Rose,

    My heart and thoughts and prayers have been with you all week. I've been lighting a candle for Josh every day and know there is so much Love holding you all. I will continue to envision only the best of healing for Josh.

    Silent Unity, a wonderful, interfaith prayer support is also praying for Josh. Anyone can call them 24/7 for spiritual support and prayer. 800-NOW-PRAY

    I will continue to hold you all in my heart, thoughts and prayers.

    Love and Light, sally clinton (Keith's sister, Zac & Jaron's aunt)

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  14. Our LOVE, CONCERN & PRAYERS are with all of you.

    Michael,
    My heart hurts for you and your family.
    Will keep Josh and all of you in our prayers.

    The Glassers

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  15. Get better Josh!!!! You are the man who drops our sick beats and kicks down doors!!! Our lives arent the same without you!!!

    I am hoping everyone who knows and loves Josh are holding strong for him. He will be back in our lives, I have full faith in his recovery so he can live on. I wish his family the best.

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  16. Darling, Mike, and Rose,

    Hang in there. Waiting in the ICU is one of the least fun activities in the world, but we are all out here hoping hard for good news soon. I've been thinking about all of you. I know you have a great network of supportive family and friends, and that any help I could possibly offer would be redundant, but add me to the list of folks wishing you well and ready to help in any way.

    Josh,

    I hope you feel better soon. You're a a great kid, a talented artist, and you have a kind heart -- the world is better with you in it, so please get well. It might be a long recovery, so you hang in there, too.

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