SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015
Soon
into shift change conversations about transfer were happening. By then Todd had
been back to the hospital and was on his way in the Calderwood’s truck to pick
up the trailer and ranger and get Phil’s truck. By the time Todd got back they
were serious about moving Phil and we settled on the University of Utah because
it was in network and had a highly recommended orthopedic team. I was set on flying with him but it was
up to the pilot who wouldn’t be up until right when they were ready to prep
Phil. There was a little false alarm of hope when a transfer team came through
the ICU and into Phil’s room. They had the wrong room though, they were taking
a different patient to hospice. So really we were glad they weren’t there for
Phil. Not too much longer after that a bright ray entered the room by the name
of Justin. He was the main EMT in charge of taking care of Phil on his way to
Salt Lake. He was amazing. I can’t
say enough good things about him and they way that he took care of Phil and
went to business. He was very kind both to me and especially to Phil and he
quickly let me know that I would be able to travel on the plane. I was so
relieved that I could stay with Phil and then immediately nervous about feeling
sick on the airplane because of my pregnancy. But that wouldn’t change the fact
that I wanted to stay with Phil. I also had our truck to think about that was
now sitting in parking garage at the hospital. But I didn’t care. I figured it
would eventually get sorted out and it was really unimportant detail.
Soon
they had all their gear in the room, more EMT came up and they switched Phil’s
equipment over to smaller versions that were easier to travel with an ran off
of batteries. As they were getting ready to move him from his bed to the
stretcher Phil started panicking. It was hard to figure out what it was that
Phil needed, being unable to speak. Thankfully Justin quickly figured out that
Phil was asking about his wedding ring. No one knew where it was and before
Phil got more worried about it, Justin said, “You might not have your wedding
ring, but we have you’re wife and that’s a lot better.” Phil was happy with that,
settled down and they finished transferring him to the stretched. The discharge
nurse gave Phil’s riding gear, what he had been wearing when the accident
happened, to Todd who began his 4 hour drive back to Provo.
Just
after that we headed out of the ICU and out to the ambulance. At that point I
couldn’t do anything to be near Phil. The team was very serious and very
specific in their actions so I just stayed out of the way until someone told me
where to go. While they were getting Phil settled into the back of the ambo,
they told me that I could go get in the front. I settled in and the drive
wasn’t very far. The teeny airplane was waiting for us. The pilot was finishing
up some preparations and they started the transfer from the ambulance to the
plane. Again I just stood out of the way and didn’t say a word. Once Phil was
loaded both EMT’s were on the plane they had me come on. Oh man that was a
small plane. It was probably the width of my arms. I sat down right behind the
EMT’s and diagonal from Phil. It was so good to be able to see his face. After their initial check of Phil and
the equipment they let me know that the flight would be about 50 minutes and
gave me some earmuffs to drown out the sound of the plane.
While
the flight was nerve-racking, praying nothing would go wrong while we were in
the air, it was a good time to just pray. I pleaded and cried a little. Watched
the scenery go by and change all the while praying and I was able to feel
connected to my Heavenly Father.
At one point during the flight I asked what it was that He needed me to
know. Even before I was able to finish asking the question the overwhelming
answer came that He loves me. And He loves Phil. Even now I recall that tender
and special communication through heaven I feel His love and I feel the spirit
witnessing to me again that what I felt then was real and true. It fills my
heart and brings me peace.
Psalm
46 verses 1-3: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present
help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and
though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the
waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake
with the swelling thereof. Selah.”
My
earth has felt removed from me. Phil is my everything and I am not whole
without him by my side. God will now have to be all my strength since it’s lost
with Phil for a time.
The
decent was not the best I had even experienced, but at the same time I had
never been on a plane so small. I few times I dared to look out the cockpit
only to discover myself wishing I hadn’t because I could see the whole plane
sway and bounce around. It was at about that time when something out the window
caught my eye. A lake. I thought about Utah’s geography and quickly came to the
conclusion that it must be Utah lake and we were flying just east over the
mountains of where Phil grew up. Sure enough a minute later I recognized the
backside of Mount Timpanogos. It was the first beacon of many more beacons to
come of feeling “home”.
The
landing actually wasn’t too bad and the drive to the hospital went by quickly.
Both ambulance drivers were nice to try to make small talk. I was able to
follow the EMTs and Phil up to his room in the ICU, but then was asked to go to
the waiting room while they settled Phil in the room and did report. By now I
was expecting that and knew the drill so I headed out. It was then that I
realized I didn’t get a chance to thank the EMT’s that flew him over!!!!!! I
was upset but thought maybe that I would be able to see them as they left. Jill
was there soon after that. She’s always the right person in all ways in a time
of crisis or when you need a little lift. She has been so good and encouraging
to me.
While
we were waiting for them to settle Phil, I saw the EMT’s leavin past the
waiting room and ran after them. Even if I was the crazy person chasing them
down the hall, I had to. They were a critical step in Phil’s journey and they
did it with expertise and compassion. I was able to give them each a hug and
express my gratitude. They were just really great men and I hope the very best
to them for the career they have chosen and all the good that they do.
Getting
back to the ICU and seeing Phil was very frustrating. It seemed like everything
they were doing was so slow and unnecessary. That was all made worse by the
fact that Phil looked so uncomfortable and I’m sure what in so much pain from
being moved so much in the transfer. It took a little realization to understand
that hospitals have their own policies, the records may take some time to
transfer and they like to have their own scans and x-rays. It was still really
frustrating that Phil had to do everything all over again, but at least we were
one step closer to getting him healed up. Once they put the tracking for Phil’s
hip back in place (they didn’t have a way to travel like that) he looked much
more comfortable and the evening progressed. I was exhausted that night and
hadn’t showered in days, 4 days, that I went to Provo for the night to clean up
and sleep. The boys were already in bed, so I ate some food, showered and
climbed into bed myself.
FACE BOOK UPDATES
§ 10:26 AM ~ The night was good overall for Phil.
Although, if he could talk he would probably say different. All his vitals
stayed in a good place with the exception of about an hour when his blood
pressures dropped. It could have been due to more bleeding caused from surgery,
but with more fluids they came back up. Unfortunately, they couldn't give him
as much pain medication during that time and so it was pretty miserable for
Phil. Since then he has remained stable, all his vitals are still good and his
blood work is improving as well. The blood flow to his feet has continued to
get stronger as well. Earlier this morning Respiratory Therapy turned off the
ventilator and Phil has been breathing on his own for quite a while (although
they plan to leave him intubated). All these things are small steps in a good
direction. Phil was discouraged to hear that they weren't taking out the tube
so hopefully they can transport him today and remove it tomorrow, unless of
course he'll go right to surgery and then they would keep it in. The orthopedic
surgeon was in to check on Phil and there were s couple more painful spots that
were identified, one in the shoulder and another in the abdomen. They will
continue to monitor those. The doctors are starting to arrange a transfer,
although we're not positive what hospital in Utah it will be just yet. Thank
you for all your overwhelming support. I've been able to share it with Phil and
it warms my heart to know that there are so many people who love and care for
us.
§ 9:41 PM ~ I will try to put this update together as best as possible.
Please
excuse any mistakes. My mental capacity has dwindled dramatically over
the
past few hours.
We made
it to Salt Lake City and Phil is resting for the night in the Surgical
Intensive Care Unit. The flight team was amazing, I am so grateful to them.
Phil did good during the transport, but his blood pressure dropped during both
ambulance rides over the bumpy road. Once we got there I was a little
frustrated that doctors weren't more anxious to get him into surgery and be
more proactive about learning about his injuries. It was hard for me to accept
that they have their own procedures, that seemed so slow, while Phil was in so
much pain. A little while after we were there the hooked the tracking back up
to Phil's leg which pulled his hip back in place and relieved some of his pain.
His blood pressure also stabilized and he became quite peaceful. We even
communicated with him for quite a while by having him write on our hands and he
was as coherent and awake as he's been this whole time.
The plan
for tomorrow is surgery in the morning at 9 AM. They will repair both fractures
in his pelvis. They are planning to do all the repairs at once with is great
that they won't have to do any staged surgeries. They may even work on the
break in his right leg at the ankle depending on what the films show. Shortly
after surgery he should be able to be extubated, which will make Phil very
happy.
I am in Provo
for the night for some sleep and a shower, both very much
needed. Thank you
again for all the wonderful thoughts and love being sent.
This would be so much
harder without those.
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