HAYLEY FINALLY HOME

Today was a miracle day, a hard-to-believe, dream-come-true day, Hayley came home for the first time after almost two months in hospitals. She bops around by herself, just needs to drag a bit of a tube, a boot and a turtle shell around for a few more weeks. 

No words can describe the first day, and again today there are no words, other than "thank you, God." 

June 2, 2012 first night at Fatima Hospital, Los Mochis, México

July 27, 2012 Scripps Encinitas, CA
Peggy (RN), Hayley and therapist
graduating from Scripps Encinitas

Hoy fue un día de milagro. Hayley volvió a casa por primera vez después de casi 

dos meses en los hospitales.

Los Tres Milagros

Reunited for the first time since the June 2 accident, at Scripps Encinitas. Hayley is planning on discharge home on Friday, with follow up in a comprehensive physical and cognitive rehab program. We are grateful for the happy ending that we envision for our story!

Julia (L) Liam, and Hayley 
Reunidos por primera vez desde el accidente de 2 de junio. Hayley se salga del hospital el viernes, con el seguimiento en un programa de rehabilitación integral física y cognitiva. Estamos muy agradecidos por el final feliz que nos imaginamos para nuestra historia!

DID YOU FEEL THE LOVE?

Hayley is now full-on texting and facebooking, so we KNOW all is right in her world! 

Sisters Emily, Shannon, cousin Chris and I are on our way back from the NSA conference on the east coast. There was a tremendous outpouring of love and concern from NSA leaders and friends; Omékongo Dibinga our positive rapper and trilingual poet rapped Hayley on the main stage http://omekongo.com/. Allison Massari, a friend and fellow traveler, gave us hope www.allisonmassari.com/. Did you feel the love? 

Hayley continues to amaze us all, including her physicians. Less than a week following her spinal fusion and with her broken leg booted, she set the speed and distance record for walker-travel around the nurses station on the UCSD Intermediate Care Trauma Unit (see below). Her thought processes and alertness improve every day, and other issues are slowly but surely getting under control.

Hayley's constantly optimistic attitude, and her spirit of giving and concern for others has inspired everyone who has worked with her. She is grateful to God, to those who saved her life, to those who are helping her in the hospital, and to her friends and extended family who are praying for her. 

When she has been faced with a new challenge, she has set about it with determination and purpose, accomplishing it in record time. We absolutely know that Hayley will be fully back any day, and then improve another 20% just because she can. 

Yay.

Gram 

The roller coaster of healing

Two forward, one back, but always moving forward. Hayley now has treatment for her diabetes insipidus,a consequence of head trauma, and the other issues are being addssed one by one. We are waiting for the results of her MRI for more information. Hayley has this amazing spirit of acceptance and determination. Almost as though she knows something that we don't ... She is being our leader and guide. Julia's visits are so important to remind us that we never travel alone and that the quality of some friendships can be sacred. Thanks to everyone for your prayers and encouragement.

HAYLEY'S FIRST POST!

Today, from Hayley:
"I am so grateful to be alive. God is my favorite person besides all of you guys, who have supported me so much along the way. Thank you so much. I love you all beyond belief. Julia is also one of my favorite people ever. She is so kind and loving and a great person. She saved my life and I am eternally grateful for that. She's also a genius and got amazing AP test scores. Congrats HB! Again, thank you all for the support and for keeping me in your prayers. I love you!!!!"

FIRST CAFETERIA LUNCH YAY

Hayley had a spinal cordectomy yesterday afternoon with good results. She was walking this afternoon, went for a wheelchair stroll, even braved the UCSD cafeteria food. Has lots of pain today, but she has been patient and loving through it all. 

"One must still have chaos in oneself 

to be able to give birth to a dancing star" - Nietzsche

_____________________________________________________

"Estoy muy agradecido de estar aquí. Dios es mi "Persona favorita", además de todos ustedes, que me han apoyado mucho. Muchas gracias! Te quiero mucho a todos. Julia también es una de mis personas favoritas siempre. Ella es tan amable y cariñosa. Ella me salvó la vida y estoy eternamente agradecido por eso. Ella también es una genia y tiene increíbles resultados de los exámenes AP. Felicidades HB! Una vez más, gracias a todos por el apoyo y por tenerme en sus oraciones. ¡Te quiero!! "

"Uno debe tener todavía el caos en uno mismo 

para poder dar a luz a una estrella de frente" - Nietzsche

Hayley tuvo una tarde cordectomía ayer la columna vertebral, con buenos resultados. Ella estaba caminando por la tarde, salió en su silla de ruedas, incluso se comió la comida de la cafetería de la UCSD. Tiene mucho dolor hoy, pero es paciente no importa qué.

"Soul Sisters"

My visit with Hayley today made the unexpected severe pain from my clavicle surgery and wound closure a fading memory. I can't begin to express how amazing it is to talk with her after holding her hand in the ICU in Mexico while she was in an induced coma. In my previous visit, I saw her personality shine, even though she was not yet able to talk. Despite her trials, she is still the positive and inspiring Hayley I prayed she would be during those scary weeks of uncertainty.  I am so proud to call her my best friend, and can't wait to continue supporting her as she progresses on a path to recovery. Tomorrow she will be having a back surgery, which has been a long awaited procedure that plays an important part in her journey. During our visit, Hayley expressed deep concern for all that I have been through (namely multiple surgeries), which I believe is a testament to how special friendship can be. She and I are in this together, and as Hayley said this afternoon, we are truly "soul sisters". Please pray for my continued healing, but especially for Hayley as she is having surgery tomorrow.
Thank you for all the continued support!
Lots of Love,
Julia

GRACIAS A TODOS - FUNDS HAVE BEGUN TO BE SENT SOUTH

Funds have been sent to a local El Fuerte Liga volunteer for the immediate use of both Sam Bell and of the Armenta family. The card below will be given to each family. Thanks to the generosity of everyone reading this blog, more funds will be donated after the summer. We know that these funds have already changed their lives as they have changed ours. 

 

Andrés Armenta (after his accident June 18)

Andrés Armenta, his wife and young daughter

OUR ANGELS

Whether $20 or $2,000, each donation is deeply appreciated. Your names will be on a permanent card to the families. Nuestra comunidad es fuerte.

HAYLEY STANDING!

We were told that the airplane crash was not survivable. We were told that Hayley's brain injury was extensive, and to be prepared for it–we were reading up on TBI and DAI. 

Below is a photo of Hayley this afternoon. The physio says she has never seen anyone recover as quickly as she has and the neurosurgeons are scratching their heads. Hayley is speaking, eating, drinking (especially "Strawberries Wild Jamba Juice with Immunity Boost" and Virgil's Root Beer as a special treat), showing emotion appropriately, cooperative and motivated. That she has no memory of any part of that day or even the night before is a blessing. 

That it is truly one of God's miracles goes without saying, but it is Hayley's determination and amazing spirit that is making the miracle come alive. She is really something. I hope everyone gets to meet her one day.

HAYLEY'S FIRST TIME STANDING (WITH HER PHYSIO)

Another Surgery Down!

Thanks to everyone that had me in their thoughts today, and please pray for a speedy recovery and reduced pain as I recover at home these next few days. :)
Love,
Julia

MIRACLES

I am overwhelmed with this news and can't wait to share it with you! This afternoon Hayley had an X-Ray swallow test, her tracheotomy was removed, she was able to talk normally and her first words were "This is so amazing, I love you so much, Mom." She drank down a mango smoothie and said "This is SO good." She also said "I've been through so much, Mom."

Her neurosurgeon is still planning on back surgery but it will be next week, when he is sure that all the bugs are out of her system. Her progress has been remarkable and every day will bring new surprises. It seems so long ago ... that first Saturday night in Mochis, sitting by her bed pleading with God to please bring her through the night.

Hope Julia won't be annoyed if I blog for her, but her clavicle surgery was successful today and the surgeon closed up the big wound on her leg as well!

REUNITED!

This afternoon at UCSD Medical Center, best friends Hayley and Julia meet for the first time since the accident over four weeks ago. Brave young women, they are both enduring so much with patience and strength, and now they have each other! Best wishes and prayers for Julia who has surgery tomorrow morning (Tuesday) for her clavicle repair.