Monday, August 09, 2010

God's Gracious Protection

I am writing this blog post months after the event but I've back-dated it for the sake of the blog timeline. Therefore, it's not going to be too detailed...

On August 9, 2010 (8/9/10), Trevor accidentally pushed out a screen on our 2nd-floor dining room window and fell 13+ feet to the concrete patio below. The whole family was home and we heard him crying immediately. I've never been more agile/athletic than those moments when I rushed to my little boy's side. I told Amy to call 911.

[Considering the location of the window and the concrete, it seems impossible that he would land anywhere other than on the concrete. But when I got to Trevor, he was laying facedown and while his body was on the concrete, his head and neck were on the grass and dirt. We are incredibly thankful for God's gracious protection!]

When I got to Trevor, there were significant abrasions on his face and some blood from his mouth. I most feared for injury to his brain. However, in spite his pain and crying, I was very encouraged when he was able to respond to my questions and he knew his name and other stuff. He was obviously uncomfortable laying there so I remember him just wanting to get up and go inside. However, I knew that he probably shouldn't move. So until EMS arrived, I was able to soothe him and keep him laying down.

An ambulance and fire engine arrived soon after and took over for me. While I was obviously pretty shook up during that whole experience, I was thankful that the Lord gave me enough calm and clarity to deal with the situation... not only taking care of Trevor but doing what I could to comfort and reassure Amy and Kaylin.

Amy rode in the ambulance with Trevor to Rady Children's Hospital here in San Diego. Kaylin and I followed shortly after in my truck. Gary and April, our pastor and his wife, met us at the hospital and hung out with Kaylin so I could be with Amy and Trevor.

I only took 2 pictures that first night in the ER. Here he obviously still upset and hurting. But the next picture I took only a few minutes later is of him sleeping peacefully after some pain meds.

That first 24 hours was scary as we waited on the results of x-rays, and MRI and doctor examinations. However, despite that crazy accidental fall, his injuries were relatively minor. His head injury was not much more than a mild concussion... a couple of subdural hematomas in the brain. He also had 3 fractures in his pelvis but those were just small chips that required no casting, etc.

Here he is the next day watching Toy Story movie while holding his Buzz and Woody! =)


He only had to spend 2 nights at the hospital... We praise God that his injuries were not worse! Here are a couple more pics:



Family and friends all over the country were praying for Trevor and we were so thankful for all the love and support we received. After doing the best we could to send out prayer requests and updates via text, email and Facebook, the following video was the best update of all... Trevor back home safe!


Then, a few days later, it was fun to teach Trevor this expression and bring some humor to the situation! =)


Although he left the hospital without so much as a band-aid, he did continue to have some discomfort in his knee. So a couple days after the hospital stay, he went to an pediatric orthopedist who suspected a problem/possible fracture in the growth plate (a type not visible in the x-rays). Therefore, Trev did end up wearing a cast for 5 weeks. It was more of a splint... cast just on back side of his leg and we used Ace bandages to secure it. He was able to take it off for baths. After 5 weeks, he was good to go... pain-free and walking fine!

Then, the last hurdle he cleared was 3 months later when one last set of x-rays showed that his growth plate was still producing new bone as it should! A clean bill of heath... praise Jesus!