Week 18 October 15th - October 21st

Week 18 October 15th - October 21st

Clark Family Update: Day 125
Monday October 20th 10:00 am
Day 31 at home

This past week was spent at going to many Dr.'s appointments and doing a lot of testing to prepare for Chase's upcoming surgery.

Monday- Chase had an utlra-sound on his arms to check his blood clots. He is Blood clot free, Hurray. No more blood thinners!

Wednesday - We went to Minot for a CT scan, and then met with the Neurosurgeon to discuss surgery and overall health. The CT scan showed that part of Chase's brain has not gone back into the skull. This could be a result of swelling or he told us sometimes the brain just doesn't go back in on it's own and he will need to do it.
If the brain is still swollen, surgery will be postpone for a minimum of another month. He scheduled us an MRI which is much more detailed. we had to do blood draws after our appointment, after which Chase passed out. The Doctor also put chase on anti-seizure medication again. The surgery has a lot of risks, and an increase risk of seizures is one of them.

Friday - We met with our family Doctor to renew his prescriptions and do a bunch of pre-surgery testing. He had an EKG, a Blood Test, a Urine Test, a Chest X-ray, and they swabbed him to test for MRSA. I recorded them drawing his blood in case he passed out again ( he denies it ever happened) but he stayed conscious the whole time.

Saturday - Chase went in for his MRI, Our Doctor is out of town until the 23rd so we won't know for sure whether there is swelling or not until 5 days before the surgery.

We are just moving forward and preparing like the surgery is going to happen on the 28th, and if it doesn't we just move forward until it does.

Sunday - Chase boarded the school bus yesterday evening for an overnight trip to Bismark for a choir trip. I am so thankful for Mac and Parker for being willing to keep an eye on him. He was so excited to go and I was equal parts nervous and excited for him. We "talked" last night on the phone, and he told me things were going great! I will be glad when he's home tonight. Thank you Mrs. Rooke for allowing him to go.

This Thursday Chase will be getting his G-Tube removed (feeding tube) He is so excited! He hasn't used it for weeks, and it's the last leash left from the accident.

We are all happy and healthy. You will usually find Phil and at least one kid out hunting with the dog and the Hawk, or the Dog and a gun. We have been feasting on Pheasant. Priest ( our Vizsla) is fitting in with our family so well. He cried all the way home today after I dropped Boston and Talli off at school today. He's claimed them as pack. Alora, Chase and Brooklyn all have upcoming choir concerts. Our music programs are really phenomenal here. The passion that their teachers have for them and the music is apparent in their performances. I get to teach seminary for the rest of this week while the regular teacher is out of town. I am pretty excited about it. I love the Gospel, and I learn so much when I prepare a lesson. We are abundantly blessed, and loved, and happy. I try so hard everyday to show my gratitude to the Lord by serving his Children. I am by nature a self involved person so it takes a lot of effort on my part to be aware of other peoples needs, and to pay attention to what is going on around me long enough to recognize their needs. While the natural desire to serve and recognize a need in other are not my gifts, my desire to serve my fellow man, and to ease the burdens of those around me is enough when I allow the Lord to guide me to those in need.

Where much is given much is required, and I try to meet those requirements each day, I pray that it will become easier for me to serve, Willing and ready hands can change the world faster than the most able hands.

We are still praying for Chase's soft palette to work, and we still pray he can be patient and learn to deal with frustration. He is doing so well and we want him to keep being positive and happy and hardworking. We pray that the Lord will continue to bless you and keep you. We are Legion!

Next        ---------->  Week 19

Previous ---------->  Week 17

Week 17 October 8th - October 14th

Week 17 October 8th - October 14th

Clark Family Update: Day 117
Sunday October 12th 10:00 am
Day 23 at home

I know it has been over a week since I posted an update other than the video, but that is actually a great thing. Life has settled into our new version of normal, and we are all just engrossed in our daily activities.

While Chase was in the Rehabilitation hospital I was called to be a seminary teacher, more specifically his seminary teacher. Now that we are home and he is able to attend his regular seminary class I am blessed to get the opportunity to teach seminary on Friday's.

Chase is in a regular English class now, and he is really wanting to get into his AP history class. He was cleared by his PT to walk in the halls with the other Students, but Phil and I Veto'ed that. He may be stable enough, but until he has his surgery his brain is still too vulnerable if he were to take a fall.
We aren't sure if he is talking even better this week or if we are just getting better at understanding him, either way, as I am sitting here typing this I can hear Brooklyn and Alora in his room visiting and laughing with him. Prior to the accident I spent many nights on my knees asking the Lord to help me bring them closer together......... I prayed for a lot of things that he granted to me in one fell swoop. Perhaps in the future I should be more aware of what I am asking the Lord for 

Chase is still in high spirits, except when I want him to do chores, then he suddenly gets tired and reminds me he has a brain injury.

I finally felt normal enough to start decorating for Halloween this week. Last week I was actually dreading it, and I decided I wasn't going to dress up. If you know me you know that's not a good sign. Today I have my costume all planned out, and a few of my children's ready. My yard is 75% decorated, and my spirits are high- my house however - Yikes. LOL Anytime I start getting creative my house kind of explodes. I'm not sure how to balance the creative with neat and orderly. So I guess the Halloween Festivities have to be put on hold for a while. BOOOO!

Our lives are full of homework, and snuggles, hurried meals, and Therapy sessions, Early mornings, and crawling on hands and knees looking for that one shoe that always hides. I am so blessed.

Tomorrow Chase will get an ultrasound on his arms to check his blood clots. If they are gone we will head to Minot on Wed. for a CT scan and a Dr.'s Appointment with the Neurosurgeon. If everything goes well there we will meet with our family Dr. to get blood work done, and then if everything goes well, Chase will have surgery the last week in October. That's a lot of" if everything goes well's." I'm not worrying about it though, either it's the right time for his surgery or it isn't, and the Lord has led us through this every step of the way so far. I handed all the things that I can't control over to The Lord so I am in great hands, and I just do my part and wait to see it all unfold.

We continually pray for his soft palette to heal. He learned to say S's, and V's and T's in speech this week, but he has to do it all with his nose plugged. I have to keep reminding myself that the Lord has promised to make him whole, but he didn't say it would be in my time frame. Chase is ready to be back in school full-time, but it's just not a possibility right now. So our prayers for his Soft palette to work continue, and we add them to our prayers of thanks to the Lord for amazing blessings, for his love and guidance. We pray for you. We pray for the monumental challenges you are facing, and the small things that you experience daily. We pray that he will bless and keep you. We are Legion!

Next        ---------->  Week 18

Previous ---------->  Week 16

Week 16 October 1st - October 7th

Week 16 October 1st - October 7th

Day 106

Wednesday October 1st

9:30 pm

Clark Family Update: Day 106
Wednesday October 1st 9:30 pm
Day 12 at home

Today Chase Started his Outpatient therapies. Chases new PT cleared his to go to school without a cane or a Gait belt. He is so excited. I am hoping he is back to school Friday or Monday for the mornings. Chase has been doing so well using a straw. He is able to get so much more water by mouth now. As soon as he consistently is drinking enough water he can get the G-tube removed from his stomach. It's the final leash now that he is free of the gait belt.

Chase is going to early morning seminary without me now, and a classmate and friend brought him home from class yesterday. We are working on independence with the help of peers for short periods of time.

We have been so blessed by his amazing school leaders and teachers, and great therapists. The Lord is so gracious, and has brought amazing people into our lives to help us transition.

I complied the last 15 weeks of this journey onto a blog so it can be accessed conveniently.. I mainly did it for our family. Chase has never read all the updates nor has he seen all the pictures. It was ridiculously impossible to find them all on the phone app. I am anxious to share his story with him. It's one thing to her about his miracles, its another to read them Chronologically from those who were immersed in it.
Chase still has a long way to go with his speech. He still has weakness and inattention issues with his left side that prevent him from efficiently preforming the activities he did before the accident. Please continue to pray for him. Thank you for your love, and support.
May the Lord Bless you and keep you! We are Legion.

Day 108

Friday October 3rd 

9:00 am

Clark Family Update: 

Day 14 at home

We have been together as a family for two weeks now. The saying "Love Heals" has never been more apparent than in the last two weeks. Miracles are taking place everyday. Tiny, almost imperceptive miracles,  that all of a sudden build up into an amazing miraculous moment.

As we traveled to Seminary this morning we were listening to music and singing our hearts out. Chase was behind me and he was "singing" along. All of a sudden he sang the first 3 words of the line of the song almost perfectly. Brooklyn and I turned wide eyed and looked at each other. We both got extremely emotional, but kept the wonder to ourselves as he continued to follow along with the song. The constant confirmation of the Lord's hand in our lives is incredible. 

Today Chase returned to School! He no longer has to wear a gait belt or a use a cane, unless he he walking for long periods of time.  He is still in outpatient therapies in the afternoons 3 days a week, so as a trial period to gain a better understanding of where he is a emotionally, physically, and educationally, he will attend school from 8-11:45 each day.  The school staff and I will be actively monitoring him over the next month to see if it is too much or if we can increase the workload and lengthen his attendance hours. He is so excited to be back! 

It was difficult for me to drop him off at seminary this morning and let him go to school on his own. It helps that he has Brooklyn there,  as well as many friends who can help him. 

I convinced a reluctant Phil to take a few days off for vacation to spend a few days with his brothers and his Dad. They haven't all been together for two years, and I refused to let him miss out on the opportunity. So here I  sit . Alone. I am pondering, and rejoicing in every crazy moment that has led me to this moment. To truly stop and let the peace envelope me. I have the ability to completely separate myself from a situation emotionally so that I can deal with the task at hand. It's both a blessing and a curse, but in these still,  quiet moments,  I allow myself to process it all, and it's incredible.


We need our Legion. These next few weeks,  Please join us in praying for Chase's soft Palette to begin to work consistently. That he will be able to create the neuropathways needed to regain more of his speech. I refuse to ask the Lord to miraculously restore everything. We would never trade the hard work, patience, and growing experience for a faster end result. We are already progressing at warp speed, but the Lord gives us tender merciful moments to still appreciate the past paced journey. So will you petition the Lord for Chase?  Will you ask for the Lords will to be done, and that we can recognize his hand? We especially need your children s prayers. We believe that their prayers are the Lords favorites, and we can feel they the strongest. :) Thank you for sticking with us. May the Lord bless you and keep you.. We are Legion!

Day 109

Saturday October 4th

Clark Family Update: 
Day 15 at home

Yesterday Chase did something amazing! He RAN! I had a heart attack, but he was doing it under the supervision of a Physical Therapist who cleared him to jump, hop, and jog for short distances. I'm still not sure how I feel about that.

This photo was sent to me today. With the following note:


Finally wore out this morning. I can't tell you how much strength this little band has given me as it has redirected my thoughts, again and again, to the blessings you and your family have so richly received.

Hundreds of youth and adults wore these bands in support of my son. This particular band was given to a young man who missed the opportunity to receive one. This is the original Chase Bracelet. The very first made by my daughters, and given to my husband days after the accident. It was made during a time when we waited to see the Lords Plan for Chase. He passed it on to someone who desired to have an outward expression of the support he was giving us. 

This morning I can't help but see the beautiful symbolism of this special band breaking  within 24 hours of Chase being cleared to run. Chase has broken the bands of his affliction. He has worn away his impairments one fiber at a time with his faith, hard work, and determination. The Power of the Lord coupled with the faith, love, and power of a Legion, have amplified the erosion of his handicap. He has defied the odds, he has destroyed the medical expectations, and stood in defiance of the possible. He has learned that with God all things are possible, however must be willing to hand ourselves over to him and be an instrument in his hands, rather than expecting the Lord to be an instrument in ours. 


I pray we shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. I pray that we learn to give ourselves over to him, and trust him. In a world of instant gratification, I pray that we learn to have patience in the Lord, and revel in the journey rather than doubt, complain, or curse the Lord for our afflictions. With that being said. We are still directing our prayers to the healing of Chases soft palette, and for him to continually improve. We ask for it to be done in the Lord's time frame, and for the peace and patience to find Joy in the Journey. May the Lord bless you and keep you. We are Legion!


Next      -----------> Week 17

Previous -----------> Week 15

Week 15 September 24th - September 30th

Week 15 September 24th - September 30th

Day 99

Wednesday September 24th

8:45 pm

Chase Update:
Day 5 at home

Chases surgery has been postponed until the end of October. The neurosurgeon called today and said it wasn't worth the risk that his clots could dislodge. Chase is schedule for another ultrasound on his arms is 3 weeks. If they are gone by then, We will go ahead with surgery. 
I tried To give chase a day to just relax and it backfired. He was extremely emotional today. He misses his friends, he misses school, and he just wants to be normal again.
I am going to contact the school this week. If he isn't getting surgery until almost November, he needs to be doing some schooling at home.
I learned the hard way today that doing nothing is far worse for him, so we will be keeping busy with rest periods.
Please pray that I will be inspired over the next few weeks to direct his day appropriately. Ask The Lord to comfort him and lift his spirits. Please pray also that everything will fall into place with his schooling, therapies, and surgeries so I can just let it all go from my mind. I will one day learn to let go and let God. I'm a work in progress. We pray The Lord will be mindful of you and your needs, and that he will bless you and keep you. You are loved. We are legion!

Day 104

Monday September 29th

6:45 am

Clark Family Update: Day 104
Monday Sept. 29th 6:45 pm
Day 10 at home

Yesterday was an amazing day full of blessings and miracles. Chase was able to pass the sacrament.....Alone!!!!! Phil had to hold me down in my seat so I didn't jump up and help him. He was so careful, and concentrating so hard on doing a good job. This miracle swelled the spirit in the room to almost unbearable levels for me. It was then followed by the Bishop announcing that he had interviewed Chase and found him worthy to be ordained as a Priest.( Different than a priest in another christian faith. Message me if you want an explanation.) Follow this by fast and testimony meeting.....Holy Cow, I was almost choking on emotion at this point. I was blessed to get the opportunity to share my love of my Heavenly Father, and his Son Jesus Christ. It was full of gratitude, for all who have gotten us to this moment.
Sometimes my gratitude threatens to overwhelm me.

Last week was spent settling into a family routine.
Thursday Chase was able to meet with his Cheer team, and it was fantastic to witness their Joy. On Friday Chase as invited to come to Choir. They sung everything they have been working on for him. He loved it. My favorite moments were the moment when a few of his teachers saw him. One grinned from ear to ear and quickly swept him into and hug and told him of how much he was missed and loved. Another, slowly walked toward him as tears filled his eyes, and wrapped his arms around Chase. He whispered words of love, and gratitude for his recovery. They showed each other their trach scars, and he told him how impressed he was with his progress. He shared his struggles with exactly what Chase was going through, and reiterated his offer to support and be a listening ear when he needed it. He misses school so much. We are meeting with the School this morning to discuss a re-entry plan.

Chase has gone out hunting with his Dad several times now. He loves it. They have mostly been hunting from the car for Chases safety. My husband is a falconer, and he has a Red-Tail Hawk. Pheasant season is in full swing for the Hawk, and Chase loves it! Phil Cooked us some amazing Pheasant last night. I love our moments together when we get to sit and share. Our tradition at dinner is that everyone tells the best and worst part of their day. We call them High/Lows. Yesterday my highs could have filled a page.

Saturday Evening I went downstairs to turn off a light and I went into Chases old room. I completely lost it. I came so close to having to face that empty room in a different situation. Today my heart is turned to the mothers who have to face those empty spaces, I pray the Lord comforts you, and gives your soul reprieve.

In all this my greatest gift and miracle is not that my son lives. It's that I have a new appreciation for the Miracles in my life everyday. My greatest Miracle is Gratitude. Those little things have that we take for granted on a daily basis- Those are miracles. Hot showers - Miracle! Grocery Stores - Miracle! Cars - Miracles. Music, Friends, Electricity - All miracles! It's so easy to be miserable, but I chose to take the harder path and find joy in the little miracles that we think are our right- not a privilege, We have been blessed in a manner we may never fully appreciate unless we have hungered, or shivered. Unless we have known terror, or oppression. Please stop whatever you are doing, and look around you. I'm guessing there are 25 things in front or around you right now you never considered to be blessings. I will reiterate what I said in a previous post. It's Impossible to be miserable if you are Grateful.

There has never been a more blessed Woman on the face of the Earth than myself. Thank you for being a part of my blessed life. I pray today that you will look at your life with new eyes of gratitude. Food will taste better, nature will be more beautiful, your Children will be more precious. Gratitude colored glasses - that's a thing right?
May the Lord Bless you and keep you. We are Legion!

Cheer Reunion!

** Video Links**

Cheer Reunion!

Choir Reunion!

A snippet of the Choir preforming for Chase.

Next        ---------->  

Previous ---------->  Week 14

Week 14 September 17th - September 23rd

Week 14 September 17th - September 23rd

Day 92

Wednesday September 17th

9:30 pm

Kami/Chase Update:
Day 57 at Craig Hospital

Chase spent the day doing testing in all his classes in preparation for outpatient therapist, and tomorrow's meeting with Chase's whole Medical team. We will go over his progress and his plan for life outside Craig hospital. Chase passed the swallow test for thin liquids today, and he can now drink this liquids. Hurray!
I am all packed and ready to go. Now we have to wait 3 more days- : ) EEK- 3 days! May The Lord bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are legion!

** Video Links **

Stairs 9/17

PT Test

Barium Swallow Test!

Day 93

Thursday September 18th

7:00 pm

Kami/Chase Update: Day 93
Thurs. Sept. 18th 7:00pm
Day 58 at Craig Hospital

Chase is swallowing better everyday, his soft palette is waking up. He learned to say Dad today! Amazing-He still has to plug his nose to say the "D" sound. But it's awesome. 
I have that tingly excited feeling again, the one that means miracles are coming. Can't wait to see what's next- we are already so far ahead of where his medical team expected us to be, everything else is a giant bonus.
Tonight we were playing soothing piano music while Chase ate his dinner. He walked up to me and asked me to dance. He held me and told me he loved me, and I cried silent tears of gratitude for such a tender mercy. I'm not sure what I've done to deserve this boy, but I am in awe of him.

Today we had our meeting with Chase's team, it was basically a brag about how amazing chase is doing and how amazing he has been to work with.  I have been so hands on the whole time, I pretty much already know about his progress and his transition plan.
Tonight the Cheerleaders and the volleyball team put together the fundraiser "Ace for Chase" we are blown away with the support from his classmates. My kids school did a fundraiser as well. So sweet! It has been so great to realize how much you are loved in a community.
The unfortunate reality of our miracle is that the bills are rolling in, and the phone is starting to ring, that's a bummer reality. I trust that The Lord will provide, and try not to worry too much about it. 
Thanks to a lot of generous financial donations, the situation isn't as terrifying as it should be. There is a light at the end of the tunnel of bills.

Guess what? We will be checking out of here in 36 hours, longest 36 hours of my life. We are ready now!
We wanted to remind you chase will be arriving at 12:40pm on Saturday, as we would love to see you!
We pray The Lord will bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are Legion!

Trying out the Track Chair!

Finally getting to hold the Therapy bird SUNNY!

Chases Rehabilitaion Team!

** Video Link **

Chase Got to Play Therapist Today!

Day 94

Friday September 19th

8:15 pm

Chase Update:
Day 59 at Craig Hospital

Today was the final day of class at Craig hospital. Tomorrow we are heading to our home sweet home.
Chase did lots more testing to map his remarkable improvements for his next therapist. Chase said Dad today, his palette is waking up at an astronomical rate. In the last two days he has started forming more words and eating better and faster. The Lord is so amazing. He is answering my prayers in his time frame, but in the exact moments I need them the most.
We said goodbye to some great friends, and finished the day off with dinner and a beautiful evening walk with Betsy. It was a pretty relaxed day.
We are packed and ready to go. 7 am can't get here soon enough. Our flight isn't until 10, but we want to have plenty of time to navigate the airport safely.
We are so excited to see all of you. We pray The Lord will bless you and keep you until we meet again.....hopefully tomorrow  We are legion!

Saying our goodbyes to Betsy

Day 95

Saturday September 20th

9:45 pm

Chase Update:
Day 60 at Craig hospital
Day 1 at home

We are home! I can already tell it's going to be a lot harder to stay on top of updates now that I am home.
We had a fantastic reunion! Lots of loved ones at the airport, and at the house. It was so great to watch everyone revel in him.
Chase can now walk without a cane pretty well, I have to watch for fatigue because he gets bad form and as his new neuropathways are forming that can be concerning. Chases palette is waking up enough that he says lots of things you can understand. His progress just this week is so incredible. Its a little hard to remember he is injured. He was so comfortable and in his element at home. I think it's going to be dramatically healing.
Thank you to everyone who got us to this point. We have a lot of progress to make still, but we are just soaking up the peace that comes from being home. Thank you to everyone who celebrated our homecoming either in person or in spirit. May The Lord bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are legion!

Ready 40 min. Early!

Day 96

Sunday September 21st

9:00 pm

Chase Update:
Day 2 at home

Today was a great day! It was also busy, loud, and overwhelming. Both Chase and I are totally overstimulated. I'm not sure how to manage the noise and activity level in our home. Everyone is just going about their daily business, but we are used to quiet and a more controlled environment. Holy Wow! This being the Mom and managing Chases needs is intense. That being said we are loving the snuggles, the noise, and the business that is the norm in our home.....you know until we're not 

It's always so great to see Peoples faces as they get to experience Chase in person. I wish everyone could have a quiet moment with him so they could experience the special peace that surrounds him. He gets pretty silly when lots of people are around.
Tomorrow Chase and I will head to Minot to meet with our neurosurgeon. We are going for an evaluation, and I really hope that we leave with a surgery date. As I understand it, He will have to be in the hospital for 3-5 days after his surgery. His outpatient therapies will begin on the 2nd of October. I am praying that his bone flap ( missing skull) is replaced and he is recovered so we can resume his recovery with the therapist as scheduled. I wont know much about when class will begin returning to school until after his surgery, and after therapies begin.

We are still praying for his continued healing, and for his Palette to continue to wake up and work properly. I pray that you have the peace and strength to get through your challenges this week. God is great, and there is no reason to go through your challenges alone. We pray that he will bless you and keep you. We are Legion.

Day 97 

Monday September 22nd

10:00 pm

Chase Update:
Day 3 at home

Today Chase and I headed back to Minot for a Dr.'s appointment with the Neurosurgeon. They were blown away by his progress, The longer the team spent with him the more amazed they were. We stopped by and saw a few of the nurses and hospital staff that were there. He was so excited to hug them and say thank you. Chase's surgery is scheduled for October 7th. It's not as soon as I was hoping, but it is what it is. We were both pretty spent from the trip.

We got home in time for some homework and a little bit of dejunking. I am seriously just itching to throw stuff away, who loves to sort and dejunk? I need someone to keep me motivated.  I am going to use this next 9 days before we start therapy and surgeries to get us settled into a schedule, and simplify my household one drawer at a time.

We continue to pray for progression, but we mostly just praise god for our amazing blessed life. Each day is such a gift. We pray your next day is full of laughter and love. May the Lord Bless you and keep you. We are Legion.

Day 98

Tuesday September 23rd

** No Update**

Next        ---------->  Week 15

Previous ---------->  Week 13

Week 13 September 10th - September 16th

Week 13 September 10th - September 16th

Day 85

Wednesday September 10th

9:45 pm

Chase Update:
Day 50 at Craig hospital

Between OT, the dry needle therapy, PT and the anti gravity treadmill, and the wheelchair bike- Chase got a whole body workout today. 
Chase's school teacher pulled me aside and told me what a joy he is to work with. He is doing really well, and progressing educationally a little more each day.
Chase past seminary teacher came to visit today, and he showed off how well he is doing in speech.
He ate really well today, but with the three meals he ate it also took him a total of 5.5 hours to eat them. It's a process, and he gets frustrated.
10 days until we get back home to the frigid north. We spent the whole summer in the hospital. Neither of us are ready for the cold.
We are simply praying The Lord will guide and inspire us to make the right health care choices for Chase. We pray The Lord will bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are legion!

Day 86

Thursday September 11th

8:30 pm

Chase Update: Day 86
Thurs. Sept. 11th 8:30pm
Day 51 at Craig hospital

Chase is improving with his speech every day. I just wish his soft palette would start working so he can eat and speak easier. Chase had neurophych testing today, I wasn't part of it, but chase assured me he rocked it.  chase played on the wii balance board today, it was a completely different experience when you have a weak side. He is still working on walking, and trying to balance out both side evenly. 
Chase and I both went to The chiropractor today. 3 weeks ago chase's left leg was a 1/2" shorter than his right. Today it was barely shorter before his adjustment. I feel so much better as well. I was a wreck structurally, maybe I can sleep now.
Phil will be here tomorrow - Happy days! We are both so excited.

We found a facility in Williston for Outpatient care. Phil toured the Facility and met the therapist today and was happy about what he experienced. We are so excited to be able to stay together during his continued therapy.
9 more days until we come home.
We are still fervently praying for his soft palette to work. He needs it so much to be able to swallow, and get enough calories and liquids. We can't wait to see our friends and family back home, and we pray that The Lord will bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are Legion!

** Video Links **

Walking 9/11

Chase Being Chase!

Day 87

Friday September 12th

8:30 pm

Chase Update:
Day 52 at Craig hospital

Chase just breezes through the "spring" now. That's the robotic arm Machine that works as a game controller. In speech Therapy, they worked on stimulating his soft palette. They use a big q-tip that's been so soaked in lemon juice and frozen. 3 different sensory stimuli- pressure, cold, and acidity to wake it up. Chase walked stairs like a pro today, and he was frustrated when his therapist made him do it the easy way at the end. Chase rocked the zero gravity treadmill again today. The camera on it lets him see his walking patterns and correct it. Chases balance and coordination are geting really good. He got on the Machine that cannot be named ( because I have ADD and the shiny lights distracted me when the therapist told me it's name.) It's the one in the video with the three towers and the lights. The first time he did it it was with one tower.
Chase is improving in every aspect. He does still have a few small clots in his right arm so we will still be on Blood Thinners for a few months.
Phil is here, we are so excited! He gets to stay until noon on Monday! Happy Days!

It's getting harder and harder for me to find the motivation to keep writing these update. I guess I need to know if they really matter.  I may switch to weekly updates after we get home.
I pray you have a fantastic and memory filled weekend. We pray The Lord will bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are legion!

** Video Links **

Balance, attention, response time.

Stimulating his soft Palette

Stairs like a Pro!

Day 88

Saturday September 13th

11:35 pm

Chase Update:

Day 53 at Craig Hospital

We spent our 17th anniversary the same way as we spent our first. In an expensive room with Chase.  lol 
Chase is loving being an only child for the weekend, and Phil and I have been celebrating our oldest son all over again. It's full circle, and it feels amazing.
We pray your weekend is full of laughter.
May The Lord bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are legion!

Anniversary Photo Bomb!

Day 89

Sunday September 14th

7:30 pm

Kami/Chase Update:
Day 54 at Craig Hospital

We had a great Sunday. We went to church together today, and said our goodbyes to new friends. It's so crazy to think that we will get to go to our own Church ward next week. It will have been 3 months since I was home. I have mixed feelings about going home. I am so excited to be home, but I am nervous about being a wife, a homemaker, a mother to 5, and doing all the things I am already doing with Chase, but without techs and nurses. I know it will all work itself out, but I also know my tendency to try and do more than I really can, and then of course fall apart in the end.
Chase however is ready to be home. This last week is going to be super important, but it's going to be hard to focus. Chase has blown us all away, and I expect no less from him when we get home.
It's going to be hard to balance everyone who is so excited to see him, with the over-stimulation that comes from TBI, and the frustration that comes with it. We want to see everyone, and we want to celebrate with you, but we also want keep Chase protected. When he gets overstimulated it can take up to two days for him to recover. Thank you for getting us this far.

Thank you for loving us to this point and beyond. Please continue to pray for things to go smoothly for us this week, and that our transition home will go smoothly as well. May The Lord bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are legion!

Saying goodbye to new friends

Day 90

Monday September 15th

9:00 pm

Chase Update: DAY 90!!!!!

Day 55 at Craig Hospital.

90 days! 90 days ago Doctors were preparing me to live my life without my oldest son, 90 days ago it looked hopeless in the eyes of the medical staff. 90 days ago we laid it all out at the lords feet and gave our son's life over to him. I am so full of gratitude tonight for where we are now and all the miracles and prayers that got us to this point. Not only do I get to bring my son home, but he will be walking on and off the plane. He can tell his friends Hi! He laughs and jokes, he prays, and expresses gratitude daily. 
We are so loved by so many, and have been changed forever by your love and support. 

Chase worked on balance and coordination in PT and OT today. He enjoyed music therapy and as always speech. Chase is starting to eat a little faster, it's not much faster, but baby step are progress. We had a short day of therapies so we could go on a kayaking trip to bear creek lake. It was super fun. Chase refused to do a double, he insisted he knew what he was doing and a two person kayak is harder. He really did do amazing, and I found another thing I'm not great at. Lol
Today we found out our amazing friend who offered to fly us home had a death in the family. Our hearts and prayers go out to them, and we wish them safe travels.
Unfortunately now I am trying to figure out how to get us home. Two one-way tickets for Saturday are $1,000 - that not going to happen. Phil is planning on driving to get us Friday, but that's 26 hours round trip of driving, another missed day of work, and another day my kids are farmed out. I am looking into renting a car one way, and Chase and I can drive ourselves home. Not sure what we will do.
Please pray for a miracle for us. Maybe that a cheaper flight miraculously opens up, or the car rental place gives me a super good deal. Heck maybe one of you is heading that direction this weekend and Phil can meet up with you. We will pay your gas!  whatever the outcome, please include us in your prayers and let The Lord work out the details. We are so excited - 5 Days!
May The Lord bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are Legion!

** Video Links **

Kayaking at Bear Creek Lake

Trying to strengthen his weak side.

Day 91

Tuesday September 16th

9:45 pm

Chase Update: Day 91
Day 56 at Craig Hospital

Chase had a busy day today. Our therapist are working with us to create a transition plan, and going over his homework with him. We have been busy with packing, sorting, paperwork, and details....ugh I hate details.

We fly home at 12:40pm on Sat. at the Williston airport. Chase is excited to see everyone. Phil is trying to put together a little mingle at the house from 1-3.

There is still so much to do at the house, I wish I was there to help Phil. I'm so grateful to have him as my partner in all this, he has been a miracle.

Chase is so excited to go home. I'm excited, but he is giddy. Lol its pretty fun when he gives me the countdown everyday.
The goodbyes started today from our staff that are going off rotation. They love him, and are equal parts excited for him, and sad he is leaving.

We can't wait to see you! We love you, and pray the The lord will bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are Legion!

Next        ---------->  Week 14

Previous ---------->  Week 12