5.31.2010
Wishing To Contribute To The Blog?
John informed me that there were a few friends of Levi and Delgean that have pictures from their visits to the hospital. If you would like those pictures posted to the blog, please leave a comment with your email address and we will be happy to arrange for those to be posted.
Support Group
Given the proximity of the accident on 5/26 to the Linden Chapel, several youth from both the Linden and Lone Pine Wards saw the aftermath of the accident. This was a difficult thing for any who where present to deal with. In fact, it has been difficult for everyone to deal with, even if they did not see the accident scene.
As a consequence, an offer was extended by the medical personnel that worked the accident scene to aid in lining up a trained professional who visits with groups after traumatic accidents like this one. We have accepted the invitation, with John and Ra Jette's permission, and would like to invite any who feel they may benefit to attend the group session on Wednesday, June 2nd at 7:00 p.m. at the Linden Chapel. We anticipate that the session will take place in the Relief Society Room.
Bishop Norton from the Lone Pine Ward has extended the invitation to the youth in his Ward, and an invitation was extended in the Linden Ward yesterday as well. We encourage the parents of any youth who want to attend to come with their son or daughter. Also, this is open to anyone who would like to come, regardless of whether you are a member of the LDS Church. We know that Delgean and Levi have many friends from many different faiths and this invitation is open to all. The session should wrap up no later than 9:00 p.m.
The professional that will run the session was actually one of the helicopter pilots on the scene. In addition, many of the public safety and medical personnel that were on the scene will participate.
As a consequence, an offer was extended by the medical personnel that worked the accident scene to aid in lining up a trained professional who visits with groups after traumatic accidents like this one. We have accepted the invitation, with John and Ra Jette's permission, and would like to invite any who feel they may benefit to attend the group session on Wednesday, June 2nd at 7:00 p.m. at the Linden Chapel. We anticipate that the session will take place in the Relief Society Room.
Bishop Norton from the Lone Pine Ward has extended the invitation to the youth in his Ward, and an invitation was extended in the Linden Ward yesterday as well. We encourage the parents of any youth who want to attend to come with their son or daughter. Also, this is open to anyone who would like to come, regardless of whether you are a member of the LDS Church. We know that Delgean and Levi have many friends from many different faiths and this invitation is open to all. The session should wrap up no later than 9:00 p.m.
The professional that will run the session was actually one of the helicopter pilots on the scene. In addition, many of the public safety and medical personnel that were on the scene will participate.
Delgean Gets Her Own Room
Ra Jette gave me the following update this morning...
Delgean has been moved to her own room. The doctors have taken her off of the ventilator, which is a major step. She continues to be given oxygen. Yesterday (Sunday) she OPENED HER EYES! There are many positive steps that Delgean continues to make. John and Ra Jette know that miracles have happened for Delgean to be where she is at and continue to pray for her progression and for continued miracles. The doctors inform that at this point they anticipate a lengthy rehabilitation process. The Fillingim family knows that Delgean is in our Heavenly Father's hands and have felt peace that everything will be okay. Each time I visit with John and Ra Jette they are overwhelmed with everyone's love and support. They feel blessed to have the medical professionals they have, and have had...and continue to feel the faith and prayers from Ward members, family, friends and the community. Through emotional voices they asked me to again express their appreciation.
Yesterday our primary children and youth made "Get Well Soon" and "We Love You" posters at church that should be hanging in Delgean's room for her to see when she wakes up. I also know that many of her classmates from school created posters for her. Those expressions of comfort, coupled with the comfort I am positive she is receiving from the other side of the veil, are/will be tremendous sources of strength as she continues to progress.
Delgean has been moved to her own room. The doctors have taken her off of the ventilator, which is a major step. She continues to be given oxygen. Yesterday (Sunday) she OPENED HER EYES! There are many positive steps that Delgean continues to make. John and Ra Jette know that miracles have happened for Delgean to be where she is at and continue to pray for her progression and for continued miracles. The doctors inform that at this point they anticipate a lengthy rehabilitation process. The Fillingim family knows that Delgean is in our Heavenly Father's hands and have felt peace that everything will be okay. Each time I visit with John and Ra Jette they are overwhelmed with everyone's love and support. They feel blessed to have the medical professionals they have, and have had...and continue to feel the faith and prayers from Ward members, family, friends and the community. Through emotional voices they asked me to again express their appreciation.
Yesterday our primary children and youth made "Get Well Soon" and "We Love You" posters at church that should be hanging in Delgean's room for her to see when she wakes up. I also know that many of her classmates from school created posters for her. Those expressions of comfort, coupled with the comfort I am positive she is receiving from the other side of the veil, are/will be tremendous sources of strength as she continues to progress.
Levi Comes Home!
I spoke with Ra Jette this morning who informed that Levi is doing well. On Saturday he enjoyed a visit from his buddy Porter. They walked around the hallway outside of his room for a few minutes. Yesterday (Sunday) his uncle pushed him in a wheelchair all around the hospital. The two ate lunch in the cafeteria together (keep in mind that Levi's jaw is wired shut). He was able to go outside for a few minutes and sat up long enough to woop up on his uncle in a game of Yahtzee. His spirits are good. The doctors are releasing him this morning. He will return home sometime today along with his Grandma and Grandpa Fillingim, Danielle and Cauy. This is wonderful news! The family has requested that everyone wait until Wednesday before visiting Levi, just so he can continue to get some post-surgery rest. When you do go to visit PLEASE KNOCK SOFTLY.
Two out of three will be home...one more to go.
Two out of three will be home...one more to go.
5.29.2010
Update on Delgean
Delgean continues to show improvement. According to John and Ra Jette, the CT scans indicate that the swelling in the brain is subsiding. The doctors are optimistic that there will not be any significant long term damage. I am told that there is a portion of the brain that connects the left side of the brain to the right side (again I apology to any medical types who can describe this better). That "connector" was jostled a little in the accident. It may mean that Delgean will need to re-learn a few things. However, the doctors inform that in time it will heal on its own. Again, they are hopeful that there will be no significant long term damage.
Delgean continues to be in a coma, but is becoming more and more responsive. She appears to be agitated by the nurses sticking tubes in her stomach (which is a good thing). She apparently brought her hand up to push away a tube and even attempted to sit up. She has movement in her hands and feet. She is still on a respirator, but the doctors are reducing the amount of oxygen the respirator is responsible for, which is also a good sign.
In short, Delgean continues to improve in "baby steps." The doctors are pleased with her progress to date, as are her parents.
Delgean continues to be in a coma, but is becoming more and more responsive. She appears to be agitated by the nurses sticking tubes in her stomach (which is a good thing). She apparently brought her hand up to push away a tube and even attempted to sit up. She has movement in her hands and feet. She is still on a respirator, but the doctors are reducing the amount of oxygen the respirator is responsible for, which is also a good sign.
In short, Delgean continues to improve in "baby steps." The doctors are pleased with her progress to date, as are her parents.
Levi's Surgery
Levi had surgery this morning to repair multiple facial fractures (for all of you medical types reading this, I apologize for only using terms I understand - in other words non-medical terms). According to John and Ra Jette, the surgery was a success. I understand that they needed to put a couple of screws in his face to help the bones reconnect. Most of the surgery was performed by the doctors going through the mouth. In addition, Levi's jaw was wired shut and will be for another 4-6 weeks. The doctors anticipate that Levi will be discharged on Monday or Tuesday...which is wonderful!
Ann and I had a chance to visit with Levi yesterday. His face was very swollen, so much so that I'm not sure I would have known it was him, until we had a chance to speak. His spirits were very good. He asked for a blessing, which he received. I spoke with his Grandma and Grandpa Fillingim who relayed a brief discussion they overhead at the accident scene...
Several of the paramedics at the scene had been working on Delgean. When a few came over to begin assisting Levi, he told them not to worry about him and to just help his sister. His Grandpa's eyes welled up with tears. Can you imagine? A twelve year old boy who just broke nearly every bone in his face telling the paramedics that he was fine and to forget him and help out his sister! Anyone who knows Levi is likely not surprised by that story. And, as you might have guessed, Levi plans to travel to Phoenix to visit Delgean immediately upon his discharge from the hospital.
..oh, the other thing Levi was so excited to tell me about was the 3 new friends he's made through all of this. One was the airplane pilot that flew him from Show Low to Flagstaff, one was a paramedic from New Jersey (the island, not the state) and the other was his nurse, whose name happens to be Levi.
Ann and I had a chance to visit with Levi yesterday. His face was very swollen, so much so that I'm not sure I would have known it was him, until we had a chance to speak. His spirits were very good. He asked for a blessing, which he received. I spoke with his Grandma and Grandpa Fillingim who relayed a brief discussion they overhead at the accident scene...
Several of the paramedics at the scene had been working on Delgean. When a few came over to begin assisting Levi, he told them not to worry about him and to just help his sister. His Grandpa's eyes welled up with tears. Can you imagine? A twelve year old boy who just broke nearly every bone in his face telling the paramedics that he was fine and to forget him and help out his sister! Anyone who knows Levi is likely not surprised by that story. And, as you might have guessed, Levi plans to travel to Phoenix to visit Delgean immediately upon his discharge from the hospital.
..oh, the other thing Levi was so excited to tell me about was the 3 new friends he's made through all of this. One was the airplane pilot that flew him from Show Low to Flagstaff, one was a paramedic from New Jersey (the island, not the state) and the other was his nurse, whose name happens to be Levi.
Purpose for Blog
I spoke with John and Ra Jette this afternoon to get an update on Levi's surgery and Delgean's status following the accident on Wednesday, 5/26. During that conversation, we discussed ways in which we may be able to assist the Fillingim family in updating the many friends who are concerned for Levi and Delgean. John and Ra Jette have been so appreciative of the prayers and phone calls from so many. They have felt everyone's faith and prayers. However, to aid them in spending as much time as possible with Levi and Delgean, as opposed to returning phone calls, a suggestion and discussion ensued to devise a plan to streamline updates. The decision was made to create a blog. We hope this will enable all to keep informed, as well as keep the rumors as accurate as possible. We plan to update the blog daily, or more often if need be. We hope you will direct all who inquire about the Fillingim children to this blog. Again, John and Ra Jette wanted to make sure that everyone knew how appreciative they are for your care and concern.
Steve Williams
Bishop of the Linden Ward
Steve Williams
Bishop of the Linden Ward
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