Update on Mom

On Wednesday, April 6, 2011, Mother recieved her second surgery on her broken leg.  Dad, Shiyrah and our good friend Mercy carefully loaded her into the van and transported her to the hospital where the prodedure took place.  During this operaton the orthopedic surgeon removed the external fixator (from her first surgery) and replaced it with the necessary pins and plates required to make her good as new.  The procedure was described as a difficult process and a lot of pain was expected afterward as well as a lengthy recovery process.  However, upon visiting Mom afterward she was in good spirits, enjoying her nurses as well as willing and cooperative with therapy.  On the day following surgery, Mom was out of bed and hopping along with her walker and the help of her wonderful physical therapist.  After a couple days in the hospital, mom returned home to begin her road of recovery.  She is doing great!

Home Safe!

Dear Friends and Family,

On Saturday afternoon, Mom, Dad and Naqiy were safely transported from Mobile, Alabama to Corinth, Mississippi airport in an air ambulance.  The quick flight took one hour and forty five minutes.  The rest of us made the seven hour trip by automobile.  We are all glad to be home.  Below are some photos of the end of the trip.
Hope you had a wonderful spring break!

I thought we were getting the King Oceanfront Suite?

Mema and Papa getting ready for their flight home.

Mema was very grateful to travel by plane.

This was Papa's second flight in one week, but this time he was conscious.

Sky View.

King Air Ambulance that transported Mom, Dad, and Naqiy.

Which Seat Would You Choose?

This may be my last blog concerning the accident we experienced last Saturday,  since tomorrow we are planning to travel home and with that comes much responsibility and activity. I did not want to conclude my thoughts on the accident without saying something about Shiyrah and Othniel.  I can't imagine what it would have been like to sit in their seats.  As they traveled behind our van, they watched as the opposing car changed lanes, speed up and smash into our van causing us to be thrown into the air and flipping over and crash land next to the trees. Their mother, father, sister, daughter,  niece, Rebecca (which is like their daughter), and Susie (their daughters friend) were all in that van!  After the final impact, we awaken to Othniel's voice calling us out of the car and Shiyrah crying, "Oh my God!".  Shiyrah thought we were all going to be dead and was terrified of what she was going to see when she looked into that van.  I think I would rather have be in the car involved in the accident then to sit and watch that happen to the people I love.  God Bless Them.

 We love you Shiyrah and Othniel.

Traumatized.  The beach is not the same without Mema and Papa.

Progress In Mobile, Alabama

Getting in a car accident is never convenient, but especially when you are on vacation.  We are all looking forward to getting home to our own bedrooms, kitchens and especially herb cabinets.  It isn't easy taking care of trauma needs, when instead you are packed for a short stay at the beach.  We are managing fine, but there is no place like home!

Everyday a therapist visits Mema to help her get her body moving again.  Yesterday, she walked from her bed to the hospital room door which is about 18 feet.  After that she sat in her wheel chair for 2 hours, which is 1 hour longer from the day before.  Naqiy and I determined to cheer her up yesterday.  While we visited, we washed her hair which was still matted with dry blood and even some bits of glass from the accident  5 days ago.  After that, we massaged her with arnica, gave her a foot rub and  painted her toenails.  Please keep praying for her blood pressure and pneumonia.  He blood pressure was a little better yesterday.

Papa is improving daily.  Yesteday, Nathanael took him out for lunch and a drive.  This was the first time out of the hospital and away from Mema's side.  What a guy!

Nathanael has been managing all the insurance, rental car and doctor information for us.  The insurance company is going to pay for flying both Mema and Papa home together.  If all goes well, they will be flying out tomorrow morning, and we will be traveling home as soon as they take off.

Please feel free to leave a comment.  Encouragement is welcome.  Thanks.




I thought some of you might want to see Mema's leg.  Here it is.



I'd Rather Be Fishing

Instead of a week in Gulf Shores, we ended up in Mobile, Alabama at the USA Medical Center.  There are  many nice people here, although I can think of a lot better ways to spend a vacation.  Since Mom and Dad (Mema and Papa)  are two of our favorite people, I thought I would share a snapshot of them.  Papa has improved greatly today.  He spent a lot of time walking the hospital corridors and getting his strength back.  We have not been able to pursuade him to leave the hospital yet.  Maybe tomorrow...













Mema suffered the most trauma from this accident.  She broke her right femur and her nose and received stitches in her cheek for a laceration. This evening  her  blood pressure was high, so please pray for it to go down. Unfortunately, she has been diagnosed with pneumonia and will have to stay in the hospital for 3 more days.  We are now planning to leave on Saturday.  Mema will be transported home by flight.  We will be driving and we can't wait to get there.





Please feel free to leave a comment for Mema and Papa and I will make sure I get it to them. 

Accident Photos



Highway 45 North of Roberts Road, north of Mobile AL.

 

The paint marks the point of impact.

Our van went airborne and landed on it's side beside the trees.

Our van landed against this tree.

This is the 6 ft. deep concrete culvert that we just missed.

Our Van.

This the opposing car.



Not Quite Spring Break

Do you ever feel an expectancy that God is about to do something? That is how we felt when Nathanael and I made a last minute decision to tag along the Gulf Shores beach trip with Dad and Mom and Shiyrah and Othniel's family. After discussing various scenarios for traveling, we decided to only send me (Rachel), and my daughters Naqah and Naqiy. Traveling went very well until around 2:oo in the afternoon when a vehicle in the opposing lane started driving straight towards us. Dad was driving and Mom was front passenger. I was sitting in the 2nd seat of the mini van behind Dad next to Rebecca. Behind me was Susie (left), Naqah (middle), and Aubrey on the right.

I had just finished reading a chapter of End of the Spear by Steve Saint to Dad and Mom and sat back comfortably in my seat with safety belt on:) I was keeping one eye on the road and the other on Dad, making sure he was engaged and not too tired to drive. As I peeked once more between the seats and through the front windshield, my worst fear was before me. An oncoming vehicle had advanced into our lane and was driving straight for us! I braced myself with the inevitable; we were going to be in a serious accident. There wasn't any time to think, but in my spirit, I felt myself relinquishing my will and life into God's hands. It's not like I had a choice, but what I experienced was peace and that I was going somewhere with God! I was not alone. Next we were smashing into the unavoidable car, and our lives were completely out of our control. Othniel and Shiyrah ( my brother in law and sister along with my daughter Naqiy and nephew Cian) were following in the car behind us and watched our cars collide and our van being thrust into the air and flipping over on its right side alongside a large tree.

Suddently, everything was still and I could hear Othniel's voice shouting, "Get out of the car!" I looked around the vehicle and was relieved that everybody was still alive. Mom and Dad appeared to be in the worst condition and I noticed blood on their heads and began praying instantly for their life to be saved and their bleeding to stop. I worked at getting my seat belt disengaged and climbed out of the top of the car. Aubrey and Naqah had already escaped and called 911. Witness's arrived on the scene to help us out of the car. Dad was stuck in his seat and his body was hanging towards the passenger side window which was lying on the ground. He seemed to be securing himself with one arm so that he would not fall on top of Mom who lay at the botton of the wreckage. While mom waited for help, she watched Dad dangling above her, dripping with blood and floating in and out of a conscience state. I went around and talked to Mom through the windshield, encouraging her to pray for Dad and to wait for help to get her our of the vehicle. She lay there helpless to care for herself and Dad, although I could see she was positive and hopeful.

Othniel along with first responders together helped Dad get out of the van and began wrapping his head wounds. Next, the responders had to dismantle and cut away the passenger seats in order to take Mom by stretcher through the back door. Papa was airlifted to USA Medical Center, Mobile, Alabama and Mom, Susie and I were sent by ambulance. Susie and I were examined for minor injuries and released. Dad's ear had a large anterior tear and needed to be sewn back together along with other lacerations. Mom's wounds were treated also, and she was scheduled for surgery for a broken femur in her right leg. They spent that night in adjoining hospital rooms with granddaughters Aubrey and Naqah at their side.

Nathanael (my husband) came down to help us make all the necessary arrangements needed in dealing with the aftermath. Yesterday, Nathanael, Naqah and I visited the local wrecker yard where the van was towed and observed the accident sight. I hope the pictures will testify of God's immeasurable goodness to us. As I hobbled around area on my sore legs, I noticed the painted markings on the road signifying the point of impact and how the opposing car slid along the roadway. It is not my desire to sensationalize or exaggerate this story; however, as I looked around, I couldn't help to imagine the many fatal possibilies. Only 50 feet from where our van lay was a six foot deep concrete culvert. The possibilities of what could have happened if minor details were different would have likely brought grave results. Instead, God took charge and lifted our van into the air and placed it caringly in a huge bed of leaves against a tree which prevented our vehicle from continuing to roll. Once again, we are reminded of how small and insignigicant we are and how immense and powerful God is!

Ever since the accident took place, we have been surrounded by many earnest people offering their help. Compassion and kindness overwhelmed us from first responders, innocent bystanders, doctors, nurses, hotel staff, friends, and more. One family helped escort Shiyrah and Othniel from the accident scene to the emergency room transporting our passengers and luggage. After reaching their destination, the family stayed with Shiyrah and Othniel offering support and comfort and if that was not enough, the generous couple gave them one hundred dollars. Only God can turn a hardship such as this into a blessing;. My faith is greatly encourage and I have learned that when I sense an expectancy from God, I do not need to be afraid because, He is with me.