He was driving to work today and he got into an accident. He ran into a tree. His heart stopped and a nurse happened by right after the accident and gave him CPR. He was rushed to a hospital. They were not equipped to help him and they stat flighted him another Hospital in Cincinnati. He is on a ventilator and in an induced coma. At first it was thought that he had a heart attack but his heart seems to be fine. It is unknown if his heart stopped first which caused the accident or the other way around. So much is unknown right now. Please keep him in your prayers. A main concern is how long was he was without oxygen but the nurse said she was there right away and his body was warm so we are hoping it was not for long.

His name is Don, he is probably in his 40s and has 3 teenagers. He's a great guy and always ready to have fun. Please say a prayer he will be o.k.

By Cat on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 11:10 am:

Prayers for him and the whole family. Hugs

By Bobbie~moderatr on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 11:16 am:

Prayers from me too... Please keep us posted...

By Marg on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 11:22 am:

Praying for everyone involved.

By Karen~admin on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 11:33 am:

Patti, I'm so sorry. Many prayers and positive thoughts for your family.

By Vicki on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 12:14 pm:

Prayers from me as well.

By Wandilu on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 12:23 pm:

Me too.....

By Bellajoe on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 02:27 pm:

Thank you all. We still have not heard anything new. My bil who is a OT and knows a bit about medicine says that the drug induced coma will last a few days. So i guess it will be 2-3 days before we know anything. I feel helpless because I can't go be with the family since i'm 4 hours away. And it's not possible for me to go down there right now.
Thank goodness that nurse stopped and helped him. There definitely are angels out there!
I'll let you all know what happens when I hear something.

I'm not really close to that cousin, mostly because of the age difference and of course we live far away from each other. But of course they are still family and i'm still worried sick.

By Tsa on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 02:51 pm:

We're praying here. Good Luck.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 11:58 pm:

Praying!

By Nicki on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 - 12:25 am:

I'll keep him in my prayers, Patti.

By Mom2three1968 on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 - 07:46 am:

praying here too...

By Tripletmom on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 - 08:07 am:

Praying!

By Bellajoe on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 - 08:25 am:

This is what my cousin (the man's sister in law) emailed out.

I'll start from the beginning so this may be lengthy. Don was on the road, swerved, was almost in a head on collision and ended up hitting 2 trees in a small ditch. He was wearing his seatbelt and the air bag did deploy. 2 nurses, who are angels sent from above, stopped to help shortly after the accident. He still had a pulse; when the nurses could no longer find the pulse they removed Don from the vehicle and began performing CPR. An amulance was dispatched to the scene, took Don to the closest hospital which was not equipped to handle his situation so they contacted air care and he was flown via helicopter to Good Samaritan Hospital. He was immediately taken into surgery where during the scope of the heart they did not find any blockage which rules out a heart attack. The doctors have mentioned that the heart is quite weak and is in the condition of a heart that would have had 3 heart attacks. We do not know why his heart is so weak at this time. His heart is currently on an assist with a balloon pump which is attached through the groin and is helping his heart pump the blood through his body. He is also on a ventilator. A CT scan was performed and it came back normal. There was no bleeding, swelling, edema(bruising), or stroke involved. They also x-rayed the spine and there are no fractures. He did not incur any injuries from the car accident. FYI, he was driving a Volvo. They performed an EEG (scan of the brain) today and we are supposed to get the results of that test tomorrow morning. His eyelids have been opening and his pupils have been moving up and down but they have not moved side to side. They did reduce the vent and the balloon pump a tad bit today and he has responded well to that. The nurse mentioned to me that this is a process of a lot of baby steps. The doctors are still saying that they just don't know what is going to happen. That's about it for now. I

On top of this, My aunt, who is this cousin's mom, had her second hip replacement surgery yesterday. And apparently she is doing well. So that's good. I can't imagine having to go into surgery worried about your SIL like that!

please keep the prayers coming!

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 - 10:19 am:

Yikes. Keep us posted. Will keep him and his family, in my prayers.

By Cocoabutter on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 - 01:58 pm:

Please keep us posted. This is so tragic. Hope we find out what his heart issues are all about. Prayers going out.

By Bellajoe on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 07:48 am:

I have not heard anything knew lately. Please keep the prayers coiming though.

By Karen~admin on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 08:30 am:

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Patti}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

By Nicki on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 12:53 pm:

Continued prayers.

By Bellajoe on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 02:04 pm:

Gosh I miss spelled a bit on that last post! LOL

By Bellajoe on Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 07:31 am:

An update:
The MRI shows severe damage all over the brain. Don's brain did not receive appropriate oxygen for 20 to 30 minutes which in turn destroyed those neurons thus they are no longer functioning. The damage is irreversible. The neurologist suggested that he stay on the ventilator until Monday. Extremely difficult decisions will be made on Monday.

By Ginny~moderator on Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 07:54 am:

Bellajoe, I am so sorry. I will be praying for your cousin and all your family.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 09:27 am:

Patti, I am so sorry to hear this... His family is in my thoughts and prayers..

By Karen~admin on Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 09:46 am:

Patti, I'm so sorry.

By Dawnk777 on Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 11:26 am:

I'm so sorry. {{{HUGS}}}

By Debbie on Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 12:35 pm:

I'm so sorry, Patti. I will definitley keep your entire family in my thoughts and prayers.

By Tsa on Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 03:36 pm:

I'm so, so sorry. We will keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

By Trina~moderator on Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 04:07 pm:

Oh no. I'm so sorry to hear this. Continued prayers...

By Justanaunt on Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 04:17 pm:

I'm so sorry. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

By Cat on Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 05:17 pm:

Oh, no. I'm am so sorry. Lots of thoughts and prayers.

By Bellajoe on Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 04:21 pm:

thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. They are taking him off the machines tonight.

My cousin saw the MRI and I guess there was nothing to argue. There is just nothing there anymore.

We still are not sure what happened. What ever was wrong is what caused the accident. He got no injuries from the accident at all.

By Tsa on Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 11:18 pm:

God Bless.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 11:20 pm:

Patti, I know that in moments like this it is hard to see positives but I am sure they are there.. Like the fact, he was able to get himself off the road.. he didn't hurt any one else.. The nurses were there fairly quickly and able to be with him and he didn't lay there alone...

I am so sorry for the family and all those that loved him.... I will keep them in my thoughts and paryers...

Big hugs Patti, I know it has to be hard being so far away....

By Dawnk777 on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 09:21 am:

{{{HUGS}}} Ditto what Bobbie said. At least he wasn't alone, when he was still aware of what was going on.

By Colette on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 12:04 pm:

(((Patti)))

By Debbie on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 03:47 pm:

{{{Patti}}}

By Bellajoe on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 - 08:56 am:

That's true. He wasn't alone.
As far as I know, they took him off the ventilator Sunday night. I haven't heard anything since. I don't know how long it takes for people like that to...go. So now we are just waiting.

By Nicki on Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 01:02 am:

I'm really sorry, Patti. Your family will be in my prayers.

By Bellajoe on Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 10:06 pm:

He is now resting peacefully in a hospice care facility that is closer to their house.

thanks for all the prayers, keep them coming! My cousin really needs them.

By Tsa on Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 10:38 pm:

Your poor cousin must be on an emotional roller coaster. I am so sorry.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Friday, April 20, 2007 - 08:19 am:

Oh Patti, I am so so sorry that your family is having to go through all of this... Your poor cousin and his family have to be beside their selves.. Big hugs and tons of prayers..... I am sure there is a reason he is holding on and I hope that he is settled and able to pass on soon... More hugs.. Once again, I am so sorry you are so far away and not able to be of any help.. That has to be so hard, being away is such a struggle in times like this.... Please keep us posted..

By Bellajoe on Friday, April 20, 2007 - 08:45 am:

I can not imagine what she is going thru. She sent an email out yesterday saying that he is peaceful and telling us where he was. She said she was just exhausted. Going thru this must absolutely be exhausting.

I think i'm going to go out today and get her a card just to let her know that I am thinking about them.

Bobbie it is hard being far away. I do feel better since my sister (who lives in cincinnat)i, and mom (who just got back from vacation with my sister) stopped by the hospital to visit them. At least someone representing my side of the family got to be there with her.

Thanks again for all of your thoughts and prayers. She says they can feel all the prayers and are very greatful for them.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Friday, April 20, 2007 - 10:45 am:

Patti, I am pretty sure she is going through hell.... this is one of those brick wall moments.. You are going right a long in life, planning for the future, celebrating the past and slam the wind is knocked right out of you.... She is probably on her knees and struggling to get her breath back...

I know when DH has been hospitalized, which I have had to do three times, I was so screwed up.. I couldn't think, I couldn't decide on anything and it felt like I was just a shell of myself going through the motions... I felt hollow inside. My fear was so great and my concerns were to overwhelming for me to process and I just shut down.. And I knew/felt he would be well enough soon to return home.. She doesn't even have that hope...

My heart breaks for her.... To watch this happening, with out any time to prepare.... To live in the not knowing... with no control... devistating....

May God give her the serenity and grace to deal with all of this..........

By Dancermom on Saturday, April 21, 2007 - 01:15 am:

I'm so sorry.

By Bellajoe on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 07:39 am:

My mom got a call from my uncle, the nurses told my cousin on Sunday that he probably wouldn't make it past Monday.

They were right, Don died at 3:00 yesterday afternoon.

I'll be going down there for the funeral when I find out about the arrangements.

Thank you all very much for your love and support and all your prayers at this unbelievably sad time. It has all ment so much to me. And I'm sure my cousin has felt all the prayers too. I'm blessed to have found this place, your all wonderful people.

By Karen~admin on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 08:50 am:

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}

I'm sorry. Your family is in my prayers.

By Cat on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 10:10 am:

Patti, I'm so sorry. Many hugs, thoughts and prayers for all of you.

By Latonya on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 02:54 pm:

Patti, You and your family are in my prayers. I am so sorry for your loss. I know it is so hard for her. Many thoughts, prayers, and hugs for you and your family.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 09:52 pm:

Patti, I am so sorry yet relieved it is over.. Big hugs and please keep us posted when you will be planning to travel...

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 02:12 pm:

{{{HUGS}}}

By Tsa on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 10:56 am:

I"m so sorry.

By Colette on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 04:05 pm:

I am sorry Patti.

By Bellajoe on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 09:00 am:

That was the saddest funeral i've ever been to. I'm not kidding you when I say that the entire church was full, as if it was Sunday mass. The priest said that it was the largest congregation he'd ever seen for a funeral. Everywhere you looked, there were people crying. Grown men, women, children, teenaged boys and girls. The alter servers were crying! and even the priest got choked up a few times. I was at the perfect angle to see my cousin and her children. It was just completely heartbreaking.
The line of cars to go to the cemetary was as far as you could see. My cousin said she saw all the cars and was just amazed.

This made me want to cry (as if I hadn't shed enough tears). My sister commented to the little girl about how pretty her dress was and she said "thank you, i wore it to the Daddy Daughter Dance". I'm thinking she probably wore it a month ago to the Daddy Daughter Dance and now she is wearing it to her Daddy's funeral. It just killed me to think about that. It's so not fair. She's just 12 years old.

They still do not know what happened to him. Witnesses say that He was slumped over the steering wheel before the crash. The autopsy report should be in in 4 weeks. Hopefully it will give us some answers.
Thanks again for all your kind words and prayers.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 10:34 am:

Oh Patti, so heart breaking.. At least she got to attend the dance with him, a special memory between the two of them... Makes you want to hug everyone a bit closer doesn't it..

By Tsa on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 - 12:21 am:

I am so so sorry. My prayers go toward their family. God Bless.