Day 1 of Jim's Recovery

    First off, thank you so much to all the family, friends, and neighbors that have called and offered their assistants. You have all been a fabulous help and comfort to us through this time. This blog is just to help keep everyone updated on Jim. We know that Dad (Jim) has so many friends that love and care about him and would like to know about his recovery. 

    So, yesterday, Tuesday Nov. 3 around 8:00 PM Dad was working on his house in Farmington. We don't know exactly what happened because no one saw him hit his head. Russ, Erin's husband, was downstairs and heard a commotion then saw Dad tumbled or rolled down the stairs. We are assuming that because Dad was carrying a vacuum that he must have forgotten that the stair was missing, tripped and knocked his head on a stair, wall, or the vacuum. We are all so thankful that Russ was there and for his quick actions for Dad. Russel called 911 and when the paramedics got there they assessed Dad and decided to Lifeflight him to the University of Utah hospital. Mom (Kim) and Erin were there soon after the paramedics arrived. Dad was conscious but confused, yelling at the paramedics to let him get up. 

    

     Once he arrived at the ER he was quickly taken care of by some of the best physicians. Erin, Mom, and I (Jamie) arrived at the ER and were admitted back to see him shortly after. When we got back he was awake but not aware of what was happening and was in extreme pain (obviously.) We were told that he had swelling and bleeding on the brain and a fracture of the skull. While back there Dad began to vomit blood which is typical for skull fractures because it drains down the sinus'. Therefore, the ER Physician decided to intubate and sedate Dad. Intubating is where they put a tube to help the person breath. After that they took him to the Neuro Critical Care Unit. 

    This morning, Wednesday November 4th, we were told that there was more bleeding and swelling on the brain. We were told that it is like a bruise and will get worse before it gets better. Dad was sedated, but each time they brought him out of sedation he would try and thrash and pull at his tubes. We aren't sure how cognitive he is but when we spoke to him he would squeeze our hands, or when we asked if he knew we were there he would squeeze our hands. He would try to look around but I don't believe he could focus on anything. At one point he kept on trying to sit up and Erin said to him "Dad, if you don't lay down I will not go home and take care of your dogs!" He laid right down and relaxed after that!! 

     The doctors have informed us that he has several fractures above the right eye and below. He also has a large gash which is stapled on the right side of his head. Now, when a person hits their head extremely hard the brain will knock into the other side of the skull, meaning that the swelling and the bleeding is on the left frontal side. This is the area of the brain that controls the speech and memory and the doctors feel he will have trouble with speaking and understanding language for a bit. He responds to being pinched on both sides of his arms but will not squeeze with the right arm. He also does not respond to requests when he is asked to move fingers. There are no other fractures on Dads body. His spine and neck are both fine, though he does have some scrapes on his knees and arms! We have been told that he will be in intensive care for about 4 to 6 days due to the fact that the bleeding on the brain will get worse before it gets better. Apparently, the 4th day is the worse day so please keep Dad in your prayers.