Burn, Baby Burn!!

I have been required to wear these blue smurf scrubs at least three times a week for the last two years. I can distinctly remember just how excited I was the first day I wore them... I was finally going to Nursing school! Two years later and many, many hours in the smurf scrubs - I have to say that I took great enjoyment in watching my school scrubs burn!

Graduation Announcement

Here it is... after two years of hard work! I am FINALLY graduating. Today, I attended my last class, next week I have finals and the week after that I get to walk with my graduating class, receiving my Registered Nurse, Associates of Science degree. Words cannot express the excitement that I am feeling about this accomplishment. For those of you that want a "hard copy" of the announcement, leave your address and we'll send it to you.

An Update...

Those that are in the medical field will truly appreciate the significance of this update. Yesterday, the physical therapist had Drew standing, yes, standing. It is amazing to see what a priesthood blessing and a little faith can do. He is still pretty weak and it hurts to stand, but considering the fact that he had one of his vertebrae removed on Monday, this is incredible progress. The doctors are very encouraged by his progress and have even moved him to the rehab unit for physical therapy. I have to say that I am very encouraged that Drew will be home before we know it. I am also hoping that the long term effects will not be too serious and life can go on, like it always does.

A Ladder and a broken back...

Yesterday, while sitting in school, my mom tried to call me- but I didn't answer. I went out a few minutes later on a break and before I could call her back, my brother called and said, "how bad is he?" This, of course put me into immediately panic mode- "How is WHO? WHAT are you talking about?" He then told me that my youngest brother, Drew, had fallen off of a ladder, broke his back and was at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. I think, no, I know that was the fastest I have even driven from Draper to Provo- I made it in less than 15 minutes... thankfully, my guardian angel is able to fly quickly!
So, long story short...
Drew was helping my dad clean up some trees that had broken limbs from the last heavy snow fall. He climbed up on Grandma Dot's shed and had anchored a ladder to the taller tree. The ladder was all tied into the tree- he really was trying to be careful. Drew made it across, cut the branch 90% off and was climbing back across the ladder when the ladder failed and broke, sending Drew down about 20 feet onto his back. Thankfully my dad was near by and was able to call the ambulance and tend to Drew until they arrived.
At the hospital, it was seen that L1 in his spine was shattered and L2 was broken. The decision was made to perform surgery and remove the broken pieces, then fuse the upper two and lower two vertebrae together, placing rods throughout the area for strength.
Before going into surgery, Drew was given a blessing by my dad and Elder Hafen of the 70- he is my parent's neighbor and just happened to be at a doctor's appointment with the surgeon when the call came into the doctor that he was needed for emergency surgery.
As a family, we sat for over 6 hours while the doctors worked. Everything went well and the doctors are very encouraged. Thankfully, after the surgery, Drew was able to move both feet and the numbness is slowly going away.
As I type, Drew is in the ICU at UVRMC. He has a really long road ahead of him. The true extent of the injury will not be seen for days, weeks, or maybe even months. He will be fitted for a turtle shell cast- it goes around his chest and abdomen to help stabilize his back and is removable for sleeping. The cast will be worn for at least three months. At this point, all we can do is let the doctors and nurses take care of him and pray that he will have a full recovery.
I will keep this updated as things change. Any prayers in our family's behalf are greatly appreciated.