Day 16 Saturday

Saturday- the days seem to run together. Today I did a few things here at the Vineyard, & got a haircut on the way to the hospital (Sorry Janna). I am really second guessing my thought of letting the gray grow out. LOL My hair straightener stopped working, so I need to get a new one. Wow- my hair is wild today!
I also realized thanks to BIL Rick that I can get a head set for my phone (I hope), & Mike can at least hear people talking to him. And as bad as I hate to admit it appears I have lost my debit card!!!! That stinks.
Brad talked to the man who found Mike & stayed with him. He said that was the hardest thing he has ever done, & he is a firefighter. Joey- you will forever be remembered as the one who saved Mike for us! Our own special angel. I don't know If I said it or not, but Mike quit breathing twice that I have been told of at the scene. Also getting him out of the car was extremely difficult, so we owe all the Paramedics & everyone who helped at the scene a huge thanks!
I arrived at the hosp earlier than I thought it was. Mike was in & out for a while. The trauma Dr's came by & checked on him & they said the same thing everyone says- hes going to Shepard. And I said what I always say- not necessarily. LOL Those Docs looked stunned. I said it depends on insurance, but I'm trying. One of them said they are trying also, but Uncle Sam, insurance & something else make it hard. They also said the back brace is for when Mike can sit up. Hmmmm.... now I wonder when that will be! I piped in & said that I don't think anyone knows anything about it. Wherever Mike goes, the brace goes with him. LOL And no one knows what, where, when, or why.
We had a sweetheart nurse today- she put in a request for Mikes trache to be changed to the type so he can talk. But of course that goes thru the speech dept after the Drs approve it. Big hospitals!
It seems that when I am not there Mike likes to pull his feeding tube out. Which is not good because they have to have a xray after replacement showing that its where its supposed to be. So they restrain his arms. The nurse said that I may have a calming effect on him, which made me feel good cus I barely know that Mike knows I am there. I worry that he will get depressed laying in this bed day after day. Brother Rick talked to Mike as I held the phone. That was cool! Not sure what was said but sometimes Mike would open his eyes really wide like in surprise! And Mike watched some TV- they can sit him up some & he can see the TV now.
The big news was that they were moving him to the Neuro floor on 5th. So I wasn't leaving then for sure. So I just stayed & read in my book reader some, then watched TV with Mike. I teased him & told him its our typical Saturday night- watching TV. They never did get him moved- there was some kind of confusion about the room status. At one time Mike was waving his hand fanning himself- so I asked a nurse if the air could be turned down. She said no- but they would get a fan. Then  a few dif ones came in to move him up in the bed & they commented how hot & humid it was. We were roasting. Come to find out- the man in the other bed was cold, so they opened a window for him & then he went to dialysis & was gone for HOURS! And the AC is on his side- so it went right out the window & the humidity & heat found its way in. Mike liked the fan- so we left it on anyway. When I left he had not been moved, & they weren't sure if he would be tonight or not.
Then I tried to find the Wal-Mart- as usual I didn't. Guess I'll go in the morning. Maybe I'll fix my hair in Mikes room in the morning. LOL
I like coming back earlier than 10:00 pm after visitation. I get a good wind-down & maybe I'll start going to bed earlier now. Guess I should think about the eastern time zone in case we go to Shepard.
Ive been kind of watching Peter Pan as we sit here- I needed a mindless TV show tonight.
Love to everyone & ask those angels to drop by.

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Day 15- Friday March 25, 2011


.by Robin Tomlin Rakes on Friday, March 25, 2011 at 11:25pm.
Two weeks- but 15 days. In some ways it seems much longer. And I have the easier part of this healing. In some ways its good that Mike has been "drugged out" of a lot of this. Less boredom for him, we all know how he hates sitting still.
Mike was much better today, between his eye expression & hand movements, he got most of his messages across.
Today was the day that I realized he wants to know what happened. Even though he cant talk, I knew it. So I told him what had happened, about his injuries, but I didnt go into details. You could tell he didnt know much of this, he understood the injuries better, but when I told him he has been there for 2 weeks he was shocked. After that you could just see it going around & around in his mind. I kept telling him how great he is doing, & he had angels, prayers & God looking out for him. And how much he has improved in record time.
When I went back tonight he still seemed to be tossing it all around in his brain. It took us days to realize this really happened, so it might for him. It is still unbelievable to me.
Monday the liaison from Shepard will be here to talk to us. So no trip to Enterprise. I hope that soon he will be moved to the neuro unit. They have private rooms. These shared rooms on the PCU unit are awful. The people in the next bed were not happy that a chair was taken from their side to Mikes so I could sit. And they repeated that many times. After a while most of them left, the wife & I talked for a few minutes- she seemed nice. I felt sooo bad for the older man- tonight they were trying to find a vein- and they couldnt, even using a ultrasound. They kept trying & he hurt every time. When I left it had been 1 1/2 hrs & they still hadn't got one.
Other than that & missing my family- that sums up today.
Thank you aGAIN to everyone for keeping us in your prayers.

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Day 14- almost 2 weeks


.by Robin Tomlin Rakes on Friday, March 25, 2011 at 12:52am.

HI everyone. It is hot down here already! But also beautiful.
Tomorrow morning will be 2 weeks since Mikes accident. I have heard it- but never really lived it like this- its amazing how your lives can change in a matter of seconds.
Mike got moved to a step down unit to PCC... Progressive Critical care. I thought that was exciting til I saw the room he is sharing, & trust me- you will not have many visitors at once in there!! It is a shared room & since he is by the door his side is darkkkkkk. Yuck. Oh well- this means hes getting better. Room 325. But no room for me to do any computer work- that's for sure!
Also it appears that the person from Shepherd Center, or maybe I did, jumped the gun a bit.... cus not everything is as go as she told me. I was trying to get some paperwork done & ended up talking to the insurance company & checked on this. And yes- I had planned on checking on it anyway. So I need to talk to the social worker tomorrow & see whats happening. At least in this unit the visiting hours are flexible.
He's still not able to talk due to the trachea. Another thing to find out- why they haven't tapped that thing off so he can start learning to talk again. I hope the nurses are as great on this unit as they were on the other one.
That's most of the days events. My host family took me & our other house guest to dinner tonight. It was really good. This restaurant opened in 1939, & it is still in the same place. I dont think it has been updated very much since then... but as long as the food is good that's what matters.
OK- night everyone- please remember Mike in your prayers. Love Yall!!!

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Day 13- Update


.by Robin Tomlin Rakes on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 11:33pm.
what a day. I got up & did some stuff here at the Vineyard. Went to the hospital to visit Mike. He was still kinda blah like he was yesterday, not as peppy as he was two days ago. But a real live Dr came by & said that he may be moved soon to a step down unit!! Yippee.......... and than a nurse came in to start Mike working on some physical therapy. That was a first. But then a real Physical Therapist came in to talk about getting him started on a program, & to try & figure out what the deal is with the brace that is supposed to be on Mike. She promised to get to the bottom of it & let me know. So that was a informative & busy visit.
I then went to Kmart as it is hot & I wanted some cheap shorts. Then I get a phone call from Shepherd Rehab center in Atlanta. An hour conversation & zillions of questions later, & Mike is going to Shepherd, possibly soon.
I know the location is not perfect for all of us, including me, but I have to decide what is best for Mike. And from what I am learning, this place is it. The insurance covers it, there is a place for me to stay, at least for a while, & they can get him there. I will need help when he comes home, so if you wanna volunteer, go ahead. LOL
I went with our host family to their church for dinner tonight, & to talk to the youth about Martha's Vineyard & what it is. They had also collected a variety of things to help here. Soap, cleaning, & some baby stuff. They LOVED hearing about Bella, & Baxter the mascot (a 22 oz lil Yorkie (I think) dog). The kids were so sweet.
I went to the last visitation & Mike was either really into the movie on TV, or so tired out that he didnt do much. So I did not stay for the entire hour.
And that about sums up today.
If you do know anything about Shepard in Atlanta, please share it with me. Thanks.

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Day 11- late

One day Kelsey will learn to log out of her Facebook!!! I didnt even notice I wasnt on mine!!! I went straight to "Write A Note"
by Robin via Kelsey Rakes on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 11:43am

Yesterday was one of those days. Up & down. We started out thinking Mike doesnt know who we are, knowing that if that's true it is probably temporary, but it was still very depressing. We still aren't sure if he knows us, or was tired, or don't want to squeeze his hand. He did seem more responsive to Kelsey at the late visit last night. He don't seem to respond me as well as he does others- it could be that he cant see me (I'm to short to see in his face), my voice is uhmmmmm...... scratchy due to the cold, or it may have been the mask I have wearing at times.
Then they talked to Kelsey about sending him to a rehab center in Atlanta sometime down the road. As I told the Social Worker they can say that's where they want Mike to go- but it has to be covered by insurance & have a place for me to stay. The more I read the more I am finding that most large places do have arrangements for families.
Brad & one of Kelsey's friends got here last night. I think Brad was relieved to see Dad looking much better. I am glad that they are here for Kelsey. She has been such a wonderful support for me! But she needs a break from me, & to get back to her home & life. And I will be AOK.
Mike is not on oxygen, but it is on as a precaution. A lot of the machines are gone... his room almost looks empty. LOL There is no *guesstimate* on when they want to send him to a rehab center. Like I said the Drs prefer Atlanta- we will see.
And sorry- no big surprise yesterday. We were disappointed as well. But every day he doesnt get worse he gets better :)
Guess what time it is???? Happy Hour... aka visiting hour. Yall have a good day & keep the prayers coming.

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Day 9 (late) & Day 10....

Sorry yall. Of all times to start getting a cold. I have been vitamin c & Zicam'ing it, & wearing a mask when I go see Mike.


The last two days have been miracle days with more to come. Yestuarday Mike was breathing mostly on his own, even with the trac, he was just moving his right side great. I got to take the arm restraint off & he raised his right arm while holding my hand, & he did it with Kelsey also.

Today was even more amazing! He moved his left hand slightly, & was more alert. And he lifted his left leg completely off the bed!!!! He looked really good & they left his restraints off. He promised his nurse he wouldnt pull on any tubes & stuff & he didnt!! He kept moving his arm & feeling around anything he could reach.

And Carl just called & hes a new Grampa!! His grandaughter wasborn today a little early, but she weighed over 5 lbs. So they are healthy!

It is almost visiting time again, so I am going to make it short. All news is positive on the Mike front. And............... I may have a really big surprise tomorrow.

Love yall & keep those prayers coming- because they are working fantastically!!!!



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Day 8 Pt 2

Well- I cant count- most of you already know that. :)  The last post should have said Day 8.
The surgery went much longer than anticipated. Apparently- & I have to research this- where his tibia bone broke, has something to do with his knee. And it wasn't just a break, it was broke in about 7 pieces. The ortho recreated & put back together as much as he could, and added LOTS of plates & pins & bolts. I believe he even said a type of plastic bone. Mikes nurse said he was told he had a lot of metal on that knee. The Dr says that usually in any injury like this, arthritis will be very bad, & Mike will probably need a knee replacement in 10- 15 years. But it is fixed for now & that's what matters.
They put the trachea in, & he is back on the ventilator- but the air now goes into the traich. So we can see his face, & he finally got to close his mouth. When we left at 9:30 the surgery meds were wearing off & his regular meds were starting to take over. I told him I was getting jealous cus he was squeezing other women's hands, & not mine, & I felt a slight squeeze.  
But what was really funny was that the nurses were buzzing about Mike & a picture we hung up in his room of Bella & Kelsey. They thought he was married to Kelsey & Bella was his daughter. That's it- I have to get a picture of us to hang up. What would that make me- his Momma?????  GRIN  We have had a good laugh over that.
Brad- she did it again!!!!! Kelsey left her phone on top of the car when we left & went to get something to eat! Then she said she wasn't going to tell me why we had to go back- cus I would make fun of her. And shes right- I did!!! I cant count how many times she leaves something on top of the car & it falls off. She got lucky this time & no one ran over it.
We went to Denny's & it didn't take long to figure out we weren't going to be able to eat in time to get back to the hosp for visiting hour. So we told the server to make it to go. Bella was hungry & tired & she made a really cute squeal/ yell noise. Well the kid at the table behind me said that they should make babies that can be shut off so they don't make noise. Not good to say about our Granddaughter- & I think he got the jest when I turned around & looked him straight in the eyes. Then I turned back to Bella & said go ahead & scream, lets take her drink away & let her scream. Lets let her run all over the restaurant, all of this said very loudly. I didn't want him to miss the point!
Now you have to realize I had sat in the waiting room for 6 hrs for a 2 hour surgery, & the longer it went the more worried I got. So my patience level had been maxed at about the 4th hour. And by Denny's- I had no more left for a silly young man. We got our food & left, but not w/o them knowing what I thought of the comment.
Mikes lab work came back fine after his surgery & he looked good also, considering. He will be in a soft cast for 8-10 weeks. Hopefully the face Dr will be through tomorrow & Mikes day nurse- James?- (sleepy meds are kicking in) said he was going to find out what was going on with that.
Oh- & apparently he was the talk of the hospital the day he arrived. A woman in the waiting room had seen the helicopter fly him in, had heard about him & all the broke bones. My gosh- maybe a huge hospital is like a soap opera as well as a small hospital. I think one of the patients on the Critical Care  Unit died tonight. There are a number of us there for visiting hours & some you talk to, some you just say hi when you pass. I try not to ask many questions of people. But some want to talk, as the lady did when she was telling me about the arrival of Mike. So you recognise many of the family that is there all the time. My heart aches for the family.
And I am so thankful that is not me in their place. I guess that could seem selfish, but I don't think so, I'm just grateful that Mike is still with us.
We know nothing about what the next few months hold for us, but as long as he is alive we don't care.  And as long as everyone keeps those prayers & positive prayers coming, we, his family & friends, will do what we have to.
Its past my bed time, so I headed that way.
If I didn't know they were loading Mike on the helicopter I may have thought this was a pretty picture!!!



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1 week/ 7 days


.by Robin Tomlin Rakes on Friday, March 18, 2011 at 3:02pm.Mike is in surgery now. They are fixing the bottom tibea break which is actually right below his knee. That are also putting in the trachia- which should not be permanant. Actually- I can say it wont, but of course the medical staff cant say that. He has been breathing on his own during the day with very little, if any, assistance from the vent. I *think* they will still leave the vent in for a short time to be sure the trac is working like it should. They have also taken him off the tranqualizing medicine, so he is opening his eyes, wiggles his toes, & squeezes your hand. Unfortunatly his left side isnt doing much- his right side is doing much better. But thats what rehab is for!! We are all getting a chuckle out of the fact that he responds to women, and not much to me & not at all to his male nurse. Wonder why! I think he just auto tunes me out like at home!
Unless he has a change they probly wont do anything about the bleed & bruising in his brain. NO change means its okay. Nothing on the jaw either. And of course until he can sit up they cant put the back brace on for his spinel injury. Now how hes supposed to sit up with a broken spine I havent figured out. Of course I thought it odd that they didnt realize until they went to put the brace on that they couldnt do it with him laying down. Duhhhhh.... seems like they would have realized that he isnt able to sit up being in a drug induced coma.
Kelsey & Bella have been here with me. I stayed with Mike til they ran me off to get him ready for surgery. Bella needs her nap so Kelsey just took her back to the Vineyard. Yes- I ate, & I am okay. I am so grateful to have Kelsey here with me.
There is really not much else to report at this time.
This time last week we were sitting in this same room waiting for any news on Mike & his condition. Its amazing how much our lives are changed, forever.
Please keep the prayers coming. Thanks for everything & I love yall!!!

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A few comments on FB

Brad N Kelsey Rakes

I love u! And I am so thankful that bella and I can be here with you. It makes me feel like I'm doing something to help even though I know there isn't much for me to do as far as dad. I actually think he helps me more than anything. He gives me hope! You are amazingly strong and I know all this is making our little family stronger!

Robin Spear Godshalk

You have done a excellent job keeping us informed. I have read posts from you every morning, copying them e-mailing to work and sending out trying to help keep people informed. I have loved FB because the correct information is written by you and passed along. Great work Robin, know that all of you are in our thoughts & prayers!!! Keep the faith, you are staying strong and it shows!!!!
Tuesday at 8:51pm ·
 
Kathy Wegener

Hi Robin. Kathy let me in on her Facebook page so I could check in on Mike's condition. He will be in our thoughts, as will you. Kathy will put both of you on the YMCA Middle Tennessee prayer chain. Please tell him Fred and Kathy Wegener are rooting for him to make a full recovery!
Tuesday at 7:53pm

Prayer Chain for Mike Rakes

Location: Everywhere
Time: ‎9:00PM Tuesday, March 15th..

Tracey Rasnic

Hang in there Robin I love you





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Thurs Day 7 (I think)


.by Robin Tomlin Rakes on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 3:22pm.Sorry- never made it back on last night. After the hospital visit, & Kelsey & I getting our stuff organised here at the Vineyard, & trying to get Bella to sleep, I just wanted to sleep. And there aren't any real changes.

BTW- before I forget again- if by some chance you would like to visit him- He is at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Gulf in Pensacola. For now he is on the Adult Critical Care unit. Anyone can visit as long as you come during visiting hours... 9:30- 10:30 am, 12:00- 1:00, 4:00- 5:00 & 8:30-9:30 pm. He is in bed 6 on the 2nd pod (I think)... & you have to be on elevator C to get there. If I vere off slightly- I am lost!!

They have him off the meds that made him coma like- just some strong pain meds. They keep him pretty well knocked out but he can still respond to some requests. And he can have & show pain as Kelsey found out when they were working on his trachiak & making him cough- cuz he squeezed the stuffing out of her hand when the nurse did it. From everyone I have asked they say this is a normal response.

Today they are putting ina pic line. The pic line is to take the place of a IV that is in his neck. His numbers aren't quite right infection wise, & apparently the neck IV is a common site for infections to start. As a precaution they want to change it. As soon as they see the pic line is working they will remove the IV.

Tomorrow they will be doing 2 surgeries- inserting the trachea & working on his knee. Apparently it isnt the bottom leg that was broke, its around the knee. They are happy with the amount of swelling that has gone down. They aren't sure if he has an infection as the silly labs come back different. But they are doing what is needed as a precaution.

I think I am going to try & squeeze in a quick nap before the next visiting hour. I have other things to do- but I don't feel like dealing with it right now. bad girl.

Oh- I also wanted you to know that writing this almost daily, is good for me, & also there will come a time when Mike will want to know everything.

Also- I am attaching a picture of the car- so you will realize what we know- he is a miracle man! I could not believe he lived thru this. The crew did do a lot of damage to the car to get him out alive, but most of what you see is from the accident. Brad & I went & checked the accident site & went to the towing place to get any perrsonal things we could get out of whats left of the car. For me it wasnt near as bad of an experience as I expected- because it didnt even resemble a car- much less Mikes. This is where the car ended up after hitting2 trees & we think spinning into the culvert. I have some photos of that still on my camera that will show how deep it is.

Love you for caring & please keep the prayers coming & ask your special Guardian Angels to give Mike a visit.


 

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Day 6- Mike


.by Robin Tomlin Rakes on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 4:17pm. Wow- been a busy & emotional day.

Kelsey Brad bella & I got home last night. I couldnt decide if I wanted to stay here or stay with the kids- wasnt sure I wanted to stay here w/o Mike (Ive done it plenty of times before), I didnt want to oversleep for the Ultrasound appt. But I decided to stay here. I am glad I did- until I woke up & was so proud of myself that I woke up before the alarm, & then realized none of the clocks were reset for the time change. SO I hustled & got to the ultrasound appt. in time- barely. Sorry folks- no sex news :( But it was amazing what you can see on that screen. Then the running started, & we got a lot accomplished. Brad & I went to the tow company to get what we could out of Mikes car. when I get back to my computer, I'll share a few photos of the car.

BTW- if you happen to have any of the photos- please dont share them with others, these are personal, & I'll decide what needs to be shared. Thank you- I know you understand. A few dif people at the site took pics & like all things- they can get passed around.

We did find the missing laptop & keys. Yep- the laptop is crunched some, but not as bad as you would have thought. I also took a little fall that ended with a head dive & got a face full of dirt. I am still picking sand out of my teeth. At that time & place Brad & I enjoyed the laugh.

I talked to Mikes nurse a while ago- & they have removed his chest tube- which means his collapsed lung is AOK now :) However they want to put a tracia in, No clue how to spell that, & take the vent out. I am not really sure why- they may want to do some work on his jaw. And if i understood her right- this will stay in as long as Mike is in the Halo- 3-6 months. Now that doesnt sound good to me- but these people know what they are doing. So I trust them... but Ill be looking this up later. Other than that change, they are still keeping him pumped w/ blood & potassium, (in addition to a kazillion other things) I think in anticiapation of upcoming surgeries.

I am going to go wash the sand out of my hair & finish the laundry so hopefully I will be ready yo head back to Pensacola when Kelsey gets here. We want to be back before the last visiting hour.

Thank you to everyone for all of your offers of help, and especially your prayers. Financially- we are okay right now, but if you want to help financially- think about a donation to the place that is keeping my family in better spirits- & goes way out of there way to be sure we have a comfortable place to be for these next few months. http://marthasvineyardpensacola.wordpress.com/

Unless there are any changes- this should be my "check-in" for the day.
Love Yall!!!!!







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Robin Tomlin Rakes
Tuesday at 6:07pm

I will be in Enterprise tomorrow for a short time. If you need me to contact you, please let me know by leaving a message here.


Mike had a good day today, as far as we know nothing is scheduled tomorrow except to rest. The nurse woke him up today enough for Mike to squeeze Brads hand, wiggle toes & open his eyes. Every day that nothin...g changes is a good day because that means he gets better. C u @ the prayer chain!

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Day 4


.by Robin Tomlin Rakes on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 12:38am.
 (Click on the blue title to see the entire note) Has it really only been 4 days? Confession time- I have been down most of Sunday & today. Which I know is normal & to be expected. And will happen again. the hardest part is leaving the hospital. I dont want to go. But I also know it is best for the hospital staff, Mike & me.

Unfortunately- David had to go back to NC today. In truth- I think he felt really bad that he cant do anything for his Dad. So he plans on coming back when he can actually help. As this happened at the end of his vacation he did not have any vacation days left, and we ALL know how these Rakes men are about there jobs, so Dad would understand.

Today was about the same, temp up & down, but the last time his body brought the temp back down instead of the medicine which is wonderful. He is still really swollen- his hands look like bear claws, & his toes are little fat sausages. We are not supposed to take any pictures, but we have been sneaking a few here & there so he can see them when he is ready. Mike will want to know everything that has happened to him.


Now to the excitement of the day.... we went to the late visitation & as we went in Kelsey giggled & said look at his toes. Yall- it was as if he was waving HI with them!! Then I looked at his face & his eyes were OPEN!!! And I screeched & said very excitedly- "noise of some kind- his eyes are open"!!! He was trying to find us but since his head won't move, I dont think he could see us. I asked him to squeeze my hand & he did!! We told him something about Bella & he squeezed my hand again. He acted like he was trying to say something- of course he cant- & he seemed to understand me when I was telling not to talk. But he recognized our voices & responded with waving tootsies & squeezing hands. And... a tear in his eye. Kelsey called Brad- it was his night to stay with Bella- to tell him. I turn around and am asking his nurses at the desk if hes supposed to be doing this & they got big grins & said that had brought him out of the coma for his tests, & he wasn't completely back under again. Whatever- it made us very happy to know that he knew us!!! Brad came up to the hosp- but by the time he got there he was under the meds again.

Poor Mike- guess what his nurses name is now??? Robin, a male. cant you imagine his confusion today when he is awake & the other nurse calls Robin to come see what Mike is doing.... & hes expecting me.... & he hears a male nurse... who by the way looks amazingly like a younger Mike.

We have been told about Robin- that some of the staff actually thought it was Robin laying on the bed. One even had to check the charts to be sure it wasn't him.

So for me the day ended very well, & I am more than ready to head to bed.

I cant leave without saying that don't EVER doubt that people are wonderful! So many friends & strangers to me, have offered there help in so many ways.Thank You.


Oh- one more thing about the goodness of people- one of the church members of Den & marty (our host) found out bella is staying here- & went & bought a pack & play for us to use. and someone else donated money to build a swing set here for Bella & other families to use. So I think Den & Brad will be erecting a swing set while Brad is here.

So if people discourage you, just read this.

Good night everyone, & thanks again.



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Day 4- PLEASE READ

This is the wonderful home that is taking such good care of me, Kelsie & Brad, & Bella. Thank You God for bringing this family into our lives at this time.


http://marthasvineyardpensacola.wordpress.com/
 
Please take the time to visit this site & see what a wonderful home Dennis & Marty provide for families like ours. I dont know what we would do without them in our life. Right now they are in the kichen with Bella & giving her cookies & playing with her.
Not only are they giving us a place to stay- they give me comfort & support. I cant wait for the day that Mike will be able thank them in person.

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day 3- a little late


.by Robin Tomlin Rakes on Monday, March 14, 2011 at 3:43pm.
First I want to thank everyone for their messages, thoughts & prayers for Mike & our family. Those are very encouraging for me personally, & help me to stay positive from day to day. Not to say I dont have some meltdown minutes, but from all the medical professionals & knowing Mike himself- I think he will fight & continue to get better.

They inserted a feeding tube & have started feeding him. They still wake him up out of the coma twice a day to check his toes & fingers response. The right side is better than the left side, but they are beginning to see an improvement on the left. Yae!!! Then he is immediately put back under so he is not in pain & his body continues to heal.

He has run a fever on & off the last few days, but so far he responds very well to the tylenol.

He is more swollen from the previous leg surgery & all the liquids he is given than the Drs anticipated, so they have postponed doing the lower leg surgery until Friday- hopefully.

Did I tell you he has joined our families "Broken Jaw Club"? How that will be fixed noone really knows, since they cant move his head, neck, or spine to work on his jaw. Plus he is still on a vent indefinitely. But the jaw is the least of his problems.

It is almost visiting time again- so I am getting off here. Hopefully I will be checking in tonight with day 4's "report".

I love Yall!!!

.

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from Aunt Frances Head


March 13, 2011
Robin, you hold in their girl. You can do it for Mike. I know only to well how tiring it can be. Love you both. A. Fran.

4:06pm
Brad N Kelsey Rakes She's hanging in so good. Its hard for her to leave him though. Today she went on a motorcycle ride with the lady letting us stay at her house! She needed it! And she loved it. She's at hospital now with the boys telling mike all about it. We have faith that he can hear us

.Frances Head Glad to hear that she got out for a while. That's good for her. I am hoping and praying he can hear you all too and that he's responding to your voices.

6:38pm ·

.

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Update on dad.....


.by Brad N Kelsey Rakes on Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 3:11pm.Just got back to the Hope house from seeing Dad.. He is still about the same. They think he will most likely stay in his induced coma for at least another week if not longer. He had surgery on the bottom part of his leg last night and due to some swelling they want to wait to do the bottom. He will be in Adult critical care most likely three weeks and then moved to a regular room hopefully after that. He will be in a halo for at least 3 months if not six due to his C2 vertebre being broke. We talk to him every single day and i truely feel like he can hear us. He wiggles his feet and today he kinda moved his whole body when brad david and I laughed when we told dad he was gonna be skinny by the time he got all this over with! I am so thankful for everyone who has kept him and the family in your prayers.

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Day 2 Update on Mike


.by Robin Tomlin Rakes on Friday, March 11, 2011 at 11:38pm.I want to thank everyone for their prayers. We have a long way to go, so keep praying. Mike is in critial stable condition. He has severe broken bones, broken neck & spine, brain damage (hopefully not serious), leg femer bone is broke in 2 place & they have rods & pins in it. They have a halo for his neck- that is the Drs. main concern. Colapsed lung, broken ribs.... There is more, but thats the more serious. As the Drs keep saying, he is not out of the woods yet, but they are doing everything they can for him. They have him in a drug induced coma, & if everything heals right he will have many months of recovery.

He was lifeflighted to Pensacola becuse they are the best trauma hosp in this area for this type of injury.

As for the car accident- we really dont know what happened. The Hiway patrol think that he feel asleep on his way to work, hit a tree, & landed in a culvert. I find it hard to believe that he feel asleep, but anything is possible. I thank God for brad & Kelsey- they have been my life saver. David will be here tomorrow.

Kelsey or I will keep updating thru FB, our 3 cell phones combined barely handled todays usage. And of course we left without really bringing anything- so we had to buy some clothes. We are staying at a wonderful home of a Cristian couple whose mission it is, to provide a place for hopspital patients out of town family to stay. Their are 2 or 3 families here now. They charge nothing & we have full run of the house, kitchen, laundry, etc. Almost like being at home but cleaner. So add a special thanks in your prayers for people like this couple who want to help others.

All the employees at the hospital have been very good to us, & they seem to really care about their patients. We are now limited to visiting hours only, unless someone from out of town comes. Please dont try to call the hospital for any news on Mike, as they wont be able to tell you anything. Mikes brother Rick & his wife will be able to find out information about Mike for those of you out in Oklahoma, so you can call them. You can call Kelsey, Brad or I, & watch FB for updates.

Please keep the prayers coming. I love you & your messages & prayers & support really help me. Thank You!

.

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Day 1

Friday at 12:45pm  Kelsey- Posting for my Mother in law. Mike is currently in surgery, there are quite a few things wrong but don't want to go into details. Just please please send up prayers and in time things will get better.


Update on Mike
.by Robin Tomlin Rakes on Friday, March 11, 2011 at 11:38pm.I want to thank everyone for their prayers. We have a long way to go, so keep praying. Mike is in critial stable condition. He has severe broken bones, broken neck & spine, brain damage (hopefully not serious), leg femer bone is broke in 2 place & they have rods & pins in it. They have a halo for his neck- that is the Drs. main concern. Colapsed lung, broken ribs.... There is more, but thats the more serious. As the Drs keep saying, he is not out of the woods yet, but they are doing everything they can for him. They have him in a drug induced coma, & if everything heals right he will have many months of recovery.

He was lifeflighted to Pensacola becuse they are the best trauma hosp in this area for this type of injury.

As for the car accident- we really dont know what happened. The Hiway patrol think that he feel asleep on his way to work, hit a tree, & landed in a culvert. I find it hard to believe that he feel asleep, but anything is possible. I thank God for brad & Kelsey- they have been my life saver. David will be here tomorrow.

Kelsey or I will keep updating thru FB, our 3 cell phones combined barely handled todays usage. And of course we left without really bringing anything- so we had to buy some clothes. We are staying at a wonderful home of a Cristian couple whose mission it is, to provide a place for hopspital patients out of town family to stay. Their are 2 or 3 families here now. They charge nothing & we have full run of the house, kitchen, laundry, etc. Almost like being at home but cleaner. So add a special thanks in your prayers for people like this couple who want to help others.

All the employees at the hospital have been very good to us, & they seem to really care about their patients. We are now limited to visiting hours only, unless someone from out of town comes. Please dont try to call the hospital for any news on Mike, as they wont be able to tell you anything. Mikes brother Rick & his wife will be able to find out information about Mike for those of you out in Oklahoma, so you can call them. You can call Kelsey, Brad or I, & watch FB for updates.

Please keep the prayers coming. I love you & your messages & prayers & support really help me. Thank You!

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Friday March 11, 2011 day 1

Please pray fore my husband Mike as he was in a serious accident this morning. I dont know any details other than he is in a Pensacol Hospital in serious cond. Thanks... leaving now


Friday at 9:16am ·

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March Template Challenge

Hi Yall!! Toward the end of 2010 I discovered a challenge that intrigued me. The magic words were.... "Participating in my monthly blog challenges is easy. You don't have to belong to a specific forum or gallery. You don't even have to use one of my digital kits!" 
I admit sometimes I get really fed up with all the different forums & all their different & nit-picky rules.  But this is coming from a decorative painter who has never had to deal with anything like that :) It is really a effort for me to figure out the credits, which site can & cannot be shared (especially if you have collected freebies). I have read many ways to do this while you are creating a page, & of course when do I remember this? When I go to add my page to a gallery. Dingy me!!!
This site is by designer Jenn Reed, & I have to say that she has been so sweet to me. Here is the site for the March challenge. Jenn has provided a free template for you to use, and all she asks of you is to post a link to your layout, & she gives you a wonderful participation freebie!
This is the template I started with...

Here is the page I created from Ms. Jenn's template. I learned so much while working on this... & I think I had way to much fun playing with it!
I used another kit "Muddy Girlies" from Susan Young of Ivory Keys Digital Designs. I love these colors & it seemed to fit right in with... uhmmmm.... Bellas look. LOL (I have to fix a few spelling boo boos- oops)
We all know that most of my photos are of Bella... so here she comes...




I think you can click on the pic & it will be larger.
TEXT: February 18. 2011 was a wonderful Monday morning. Bella, you had spent the night, and I absolutely LOVE waking up to your smiling face. I get to lay in bed & talk to you, & you talk back & smile at me.
After you were up, your diaper changed, then you wanted FOOD!! You are at the stage where you do not want anyone to feed you, you want to do it yourself. I drew a blank on breakfast food for you. All I could think of was oatmeal with fruit in it. So I made some, thinking MAYBE you will let me feed it to you. Nope, nada, not! You & Ozzie dog enjoyed playing & eating the oatmeal. You wore more than you ate,, & Ozzie ate more off the floor than you ate. You had fun & also got a bonus morning bath.
I Love You, Grammy
March 3. 2011

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Pandora