My daughter Lily suffered a head injury Wednesday evening at home while I walked around Walmart in Rexburg making last minute preparations for my trip to Portugal the next morning. I neglected to take my cell phone – it was being charged for the upcoming journey, so of course I didn’t receive the call trying to inform me of what happened. When I arrived home I found a note in Alexis’ handwriting "Mom, We are at the Puzeys. Dad took Lily to the ER (hole in skull). Love, Lex" I immediately called Stephen’s cell phone to find out what happened. He told me they were taking her to get a CT scan and to come up to the hospital ASAP – he had to go. That’s all I found out. I literally dropped my bags and ran. I drove to the hospital with my mind racing a million miles in different directions. Praying and hoping and trying to have faith. (It didn’t help that we had just met with our life insurance agent on Monday – he called out of the blue to go over our policies!) I had come up with several devastating ideas of what could have happened – I had no point of reference to know what to expect when I walked in the door. So I was pleasantly surprised to find her on a lying on a hospital bed with NO blood and fully coherent. She was just a smart as I knew her to be with a giant (I am not exaggerating!) indentation pressed in her skull. She was scared with giant tears in her eyeballs but in complete control. What a tough little cookie she is – I learned a lot about Lily in that moment. She really can do hard things (literally and figuratively)! We prayed and Uncle Paul and Stephen gave her a priesthood blessing. The doctors were very concerned, she had three skull fractures and her brain had shifted a little. One of the fractures consisted of a bone sticking out toward her brain. They haven’t dealt a lot with head trauma in a six year old girl very often, so they consulted Idaho Falls. Idaho Falls didn’t want to touch her because of her age as well. They decided she should go to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. All doctors were surprised that she didn’t loose conscientiousness, have a seizure, suffer memory loss, etc. I thought of the dejavu I had just a few hours earlier when I was explaining "Jodi’s commandments" to Mason, Lily, and Lex for when I would be gone for the upcoming week. During the middle of my explanations, I had a flash in my mind of me talking on the phone and laughing with my friend about how "I guess I didn’t need to spend all of that time worrying after all!" It felt so real that I paused to figure out what that meant? I figured I was just being paranoid again and continued forward until I found myself returning home from my trip to Walmart… I called the Puzey’s to thank them for everything and let them know we were on our way to Utah. Alexis and Dianna packed up a few clothes. (What would we have done without good friends? I am soo grateful my other kids were taken care of and comforted and not left home alone at such a scary time) As for Stephen and I, JT, and Olivia – we were packed and ready to go because of the Portugal trip. We had no idea how long we were going to be there for, but we were good to go for at least a week! I rode in the ambulance to Utah with Lily. That is an experience I hope never to have to do again. It can freak a person like me out when you hear of the worst case scenarios. Like – if Lily’s blood pressure gets too high, etc. we will call in a helicopter and pull off the road and transfer her to life flight. Of course they weren’t expecting that to happen, but just the fact that it could was a more than a little troubling! Lily remained trusting and calm the entire ride. I started reading Heleman chapter 12 on my iphone. I started out reading the first verse "And thus we can behold how false, and also the unsteadiness of the hearts of the children of men; yea we can see that the Lord in his great infinite goodness doth bless and prosper those who put their trust in him." I continued reading. Verse three said, "And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him." The rest of the chapter is similar in content…basically reminding all that the Lord’s ways bring us eternal happiness and safety. After reading this, my mind flashed through a paragraph of my patriarchal blessing. One that says, "You will exercise your faith with that of the priesthood in seeing people raised from their beds of afflictions, even when doctors cannot provide the necessary help." I was immediately calmed…I knew I could do that when the time came and I didn’t need to worry. What a beautiful promise. When we arrived at Primary Children’s Hospital, we found Lily’s name in the system from 6 years ago. When she was 15 days old she was admitted for a mild case of RSV – she also took a ride in an ambulance, but that is another story. My parents were waiting there to take the rest of the kids to their house. What a blessing to have them close and know they would drop anything to come and help. (We also had calls from Brad and Amy, Brian and Michelle, John and Michelle, Lance and Anne to offer to help with anything) By the time we arrived there, Lily’s indentation was amazingly less extreme. Seems like time was our friend and the doctors felt like with time it would most likely heal on its own. They wouldn’t need to operate and there was little internal bleeding. They put her in an observation room for 24 hours. She continued to hold constant with her vital signs and they felt comfortable releasing her the next day! What a miracle! I am so grateful. I know that through the power of the priesthood and countless prayers offered by family and friends that we experienced the best possible scenario for this head injury! I am a witness to the goodness and caring nature of people. I am blessed to have such awesome family and friends who genuinely care. Countless people who called to lend support and love. It was also good to see that I can remain collected and in control (with the Lord’s help) in a life threatening situation for one of my children. It was nice to witness that Lily has perfect faith and courage. Stephen has lived worthy to give his daughter a priesthood blessing in a random time of extreme need. My other children rallied around to look out for each other and be helpful – they also demonstrated their love and caring toward their sister Lily. With a loving Heavenly Father we cannot fail no matter what the outcome. Today Lily will help the Primary of our ward teach, "I am a Child of God" in presenting our Primary Program. He is mindful of each of us and truly does love us.
Comments:
Dad Parker said…
Amen, You are a good person.
Sunday, October 26, 2008 2:40:56 PM
Mom Parker said…
Thanks for your great example of motherhood. We sure do appreciate your faith and love also. Its good to share your thoughts, thanks. We’re so happy for the outcome of the whole ordeal.
Sunday, October 26, 2008 3:18:48 PM
Stephen said…
I was touched when I called Jodi and she said, “what happened to my little girl”. She is made of greatness, leaving a rich heritage for those who follow.
Sunday, October 26, 2008 9:39:22 PM
Amy Baldwin said…
The Lord will always take good care of your little family because you’re all faithful and striving to live his commandments. You’re great parents raising great children.
Friday, October 31, 2008 6:29:38 PM
