Ok, the best way to get this started is to start from the begining.
On Aug, 23rd 2001, my husband and I were just getting ready for bed when Jason’s Dad (Raymond) called saying that that our son Jason was involved in a car accident. It’s that one phone call every parent fears and somehow you end up being that one person who receives it. Driving to the hospital as fast as we could with no other information was the worst part. The long 3 hour drive to Fresno from L.A. was unbearable. Arriving at Fresno University Hospital we ran up to intensive care to see Jason being wheeled into recovery. Just out of surgery and in a coma, we were still left with no answers and lots of questions. What we could piece together was that a teenage girl lost control of her vehicle with Jason and several other kids in the car. Flipping over several times, Jason substained the worst of the injuries.
You can never really prepare yourself for what to expect, your only wish is that your child would survive and pull through this nightmare.
This is where we will end this story, beacause we are here to help others who may find themselfs in a simular situation.
God forbid you never have to be in this situation, but if you are, here are some pointers that may help.
First, don’t panic. Keep a level head in spite of the mass confusion that is going through your head. If your loved one is severely injured and unresponsive, talking to them in a calm voice will ease them even if they are not aware. Don’t lose control of your emotions and walk away for a moment to compose yourself if necessary. During this time let other family members take turns talking and reassuring him or her. Put one person in charge of making all the phone calls and meals for the young ones. Find out who the head nurse and doctors names are and let them have access to a cell number that you can be reached at all times. Place your name and telephone number taped on the wall at the head of the bed so that you can be called at a moments notice. Let the charge nurse know that you will be in the waiting room and when you leave the hospital property. Make sure you have a charger for your cell phone and try not to have children waiting around too long. Aggravation and tempers can be avoided by sending restless kids home with a family member. At any moment your love one may awaken and the last thing they need is a hysterical parent losing control. Remember, they may not have any idea of their condition, and your emotional outburst could make things worse.
The most important things are being done by the staff and it’s your job to be the loving and supportive caregiver, husband, wife, family member, or friend. Time is on your side, gather in prayer and hope for the best. We know that nothing will ease your mind except good news that everything will be fine. But prayers and a cool head will make things just a little easier.
On our next post we will continue with the rest of the story and things you can do to help your love one recover and speed up the rehabilitation process. And one last thing….. Doctors do not have all the answers. They may have years of medical training, but you override them, you have more years of faith in God, use this to your advantage.