Hi all. Okay, as you can see from the time, it's been a long day for us, but we did make it home tonight.
We had left for "Colorfest" in western MD very early (for me, anyway -- 7:00 a.m.), and had a beautiful morning walking around and enjoying all the crafts. We bought a pretty terrific "log cabin" style bird feeder at an incredibly good price, but now it just seems so unimportant.
Around 12:10 p.m., we received the 1st call from Vicky ('lil Jerry and Jen's mom), that there had been an accident and they were on their way to U of P Hospital ER, and the only information they had at that point was that Jerry was alert and talking. He had rode his motorcycle down to the Phillies game Friday night with a friend. We left Thurmont, MD right away and jogged over Rt. 70 to 95 and up to U of P. We felt fortunate that I've been there to see the neurologists, so we knew our way to the hospit al and our way around.
About 1/2 there, we received another phone call from 'lil Jerry's step-dad, Darryl, who told us they were in the ER waiting room and had just been updated by the trauma doctor. At this point, Jerry was getting an MRI to see the extent of his injuries, but they knew for sure at that point that he had 100% severed his spinal cord at C-6/C-7 (or right at the base of his neck). There are many questions about exactly how it happened, but the only thing we know for sure is that if he hadn't had a helmet on, he'd be dead. He did end up laying unconcious in the median on I-95 for 6 hours +, and it was a passing postal truck driver who initially reported an abandoned motorcycle, and then another motorist (kind stranger) who phoned in his location after daylight. His motorcycle is only lightly scratched, and there is one dent, but it is driveable, and the state police told us it star t ed right up at the scene.
At the ER, they couldn't find any other life threatening injuries, so they took him to surgery almost immediately. The trauma doctor also stated that with the extent of injury to his shoulder and if it hadn't been as cold as it was the hours he laid unconsious, he may have bled to death (he did tear the muscle on the front of his right shoulder and had bleeding into the chest cavity from that, but it essentially sealed itself off. But, due to the length of time he went untreated, there was also a lot of spinal fluid that leaked out into his chest cavity/back area, and so that apparently hinders the bodies ability to heal wounds, so they have a special drain into the area to drain that fluid off, so hopefully his wounds from surgery will be able to heal.
We did get to say some prayers with him and over him in the trauma unit before hand, and he kept telling us he couldn't feel his legs, and asking if he would be able to walk. We told him that we would know more after the surgery, and he stated numerous times to many of us that if he couldn't walk, he couldn't go on living. The ironic thing there is that with no use of his hands, even if he wanted to, it would be almost impossible.
Jerry, Jr. made it through the surgery okay, but there was much more damage to his spinal cord than originally thought. (It was essentially 'blown out' to the point that there were loose pieces of nerve floating around outside the cord and lots of 'fraying', to use the surgeons words. The medical term for his current state, (permanent, barring intervention from our loving God), is a "C-6 quadraplegic". That means that he has no manual dexterity, or use of his hands and forearms, but he can use his biceps and deltoids (shoulders). He has no feeling in his hands or forearms at this point, but that could change in the months to come. He will not be able to use his tricep s, which are paramount to moving from a chair to a bed, or a toilet, or into a car. He is not going to take any of this well. With his history of depression, and the loss of Aiden 1 1/2 yrs ago, it seems insurmountable to us, as his parents. We are totally and completely dependent on God, which I know is an okay place to be.
Please pray (and, if you could, add him to any pray list or circle that you are aware of) that we, as his parents, would be given grace beyond that which we currently have to communicate with Jerry our love and care through this tumultuous change in his life, and that he will find determination and strength, in Christ, and HOPE in his spirit. Much of his recovery will be determined by his attitude and response to therapy. It will be a long road ahead. We are committed to having him living here with us, if he desires that, or to support whatever his decision will be in that regard, but we also know that those decisions are months away. Right now, I'm going thru his room to try to find insurance information. He didn't have his entire wallet with him to the Phillies game Friday night, and there are some questions we have about his coverage. I think he went with the most basic coverage since he was so healthy and fit.
He is in the Trauma Unit, Rhoads bldg, 5th flr, Rm 5011 at the Univ. of PA hospital, Philadelphia, PA, 19107. We don't have a street address. While in ICU, only family can visit him, but cards would be very welcome. Thanks for all your support and prayers already. I'm doing fine so far, but will be staying in York most of my waking hours with Jen, who is 9 months and 6 days pregnant, and if she doesn't deliver tomorrow, will be induced on Monday. I'd appreciate prayers for that time as well. She doesn't know how she'll have the physical strength to go thru the delivery with her brothers' current condition. They are so very close, and it's hard for her to not be able to travel down to the hospital, as you can imagine.
On Sunday, we are so sorry to be missing Jared's ordination! We talked about staying in Philly tonight and going to the service tomorrow, but Audrey was at home and was looking forward to it also. Jerry and his brother will be going to impound lot #1 to retrieve Jerry's bike. Then, there's the Phil. police department to contact about the investigation of the accident. There are also people like his bowling team and other friends to contact. Jerry is very well-liked... 4 of his friends drove down to the hospital from Harrisburg area, just to bring cards for him right away, even tho' they couldn't see him. He'll have lots of support, and the nurses said he'll take many of his cues from how we handle this situation, so God give us wisdom! As we know from Esther's experience in these deep waters, we are not out of the woods, as they say, with the surgery over. The journey is just beginning...
When we were in the waiting room, there was a Bible there, and Vicky opened it up and looked down... Ps. 22:11 jumped off the page... "...you have always been my God. Don't leave me now, for trouble is near and no one else can possibly help." Amen.
I'll be with Jen tomorrow, but can be reached at 717-951-5859 if you have any encouragement, words of knowledge, insight, hope, or support... we welcome it all.
In Christ's love, Linda and Jerry Hambleton
don't hesitate to call if you have any questions, either! Love you all, and be safe out there!
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