New Site: Caring Bridge

Dear friends of Carolyn,
We created a CaringBridge site to keep you up to date on Carolyn Van Eeckhout. CaringBridge is a nonprofit organization that helps friends and families stay connected.
You can visit Carolyn's CaringBridge site at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/carolynvane.
If your e-mail program does not allow you to click on the above link, just copy and paste the address into your web browser's address (or URL) location.
Please visit our CaringBridge site anytime. You can use the site to check in on Carolyn, read the journal entries and send us messages by signing our guestbook. When you register with CaringBridge and sign our guestbook, you will automatically receive e-mail notifications each time our journal is updated. Or, you can subscribe to receive these notifications even before you sign the guestbook. (Of course, you can unsubscribe from these e-mail updates at any time.)
Please print and save this e-mail for future reference.
CaringBridge is a free, nonprofit web service that connects family and friends to share information, love and support during a health care crisis, treatment and recovery.
http://www.caringbridge.org

We will also keep the old blogsite up to date until everyone is transitioned to the new site.

Monday, February 23, 12:45 p.m.

Carolyn had a challenging weekend, but seems to be in better spirits today. She was struggling with nasea, which happens if she takes pain medication on an empty stomach. She also has low sodium, so they are trying to get that up by limiting her fluids and asking her to eat salty foods. She slept well last night, and ate some oatmeal this morning, so that is good. We were notified she can go to the 5th floor rehabilitation center at St. Anthonys until a spot for her is available at Craig Hospital. Carolyn is anxious to start rehabilitation, and I think it will help her mental state to have something to do and to set some goals for her to work towards. As we all know, Carolyn is very determined so I think this will be great for her as soon as she is ready. Also, our family is going to tour Craig Hospital today, meet the staff, and hopefully get a sense of when they will have an opening for her. We continue to hear what an amazing facility it is, and will feel a great reflief once she is in their very capable hands. Please pray that they will have an opening for Carolyn soon. Thank you, also, for everyone who has sent flowers. Her room smells like a rose garden, and looks beautiful. :-)

Sunday February 22, 2009

Today Carolyn is feeling a little sleepy. Luckily she has been resting well and has taken a couple of naps so far today. We have been told that she can move to the Colorado Accute Long Term Hospital which is 2 blocks from St. Anthony's. She will begin the rehabilitation process and will likely stay there until we move her to Craig Hospital hopefully within the next week or so. That said, we have to wait until her sodium levels return to normal as they have dropped since yesterday.

Posting A Comment

There has been some questions about posting comments. We have changed the setting so that anyone can post a comment, even if you are not a registered user. To post a comment, click the comments link at the bottom right of each post. Enter your comment and then in the 'comment as' box, you can either select 'anonymous' or 'Name/URL'. Thank you all for your notes and comments.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Marc

Marc R. Bradac, CPA, MT

More Emails from Friday February 20

Jerry and girls - I just read the blog regarding Carolyn posted today. The news today was good in that she has good strength in her arms and hands.
I'm sure she enjoyed eating Papa John's. Just a break from hospital food had to be a treat. We hope that she will like her new "sunny" room - seeing sunlight always makes things seem better. We continue to think of you all daily and keep you in our prayers. Our best to all of you as you face whatever lies ahead. Romelle and Claire

More Emails from Friday February 20

Jerry and girls - I just read the blog regarding Carolyn posted today. The news today was good in that she has good strength in her arms and hands.
I'm sure she enjoyed eating Papa John's. Just a break from hospital food had to be a treat. We hope that she will like her new "sunny" room - seeing sunlight always makes things seem better. We continue to think of you all daily and keep you in our prayers. Our best to all of you as you face whatever lies ahead. Romelle and Claire

Friday, February 20, 3:45pm

We have just had a visit from the surgeon and he commented that mom has more movement and strength in her hands today! The OT is here and she is doing some exercises with mom's hands and arms. We have gotten a new room on "the floor" and mom will move there later today. We are told that there is a view of Slone's Lake and is more sunny! We hope this will cheer up mom's spirits. There is an extra "chair" where us family can take turns spending the night with her. She will only have to have vitals checked every 4 hours as apposed to every hour in ICU. We hope this will make the evenings/nights a little more quite and restful. She will now be able to recieve flowers/plants in her room! We are loving the scriptures that have been forwarded and are reading the to her through out the day. Trying to be focused on the positive is a little difficult as the reality of all this sets in.

The word is that she is a good candidate for Craig rehab. There are no beds available today, it might be a week or two, but looks like she will most likely move there when a bed becomes available!

Thanks for your contined prayers!

E-Mails from Friday, Feb. 20

Hi Jill. I want you to know your Mom, you and your family have been in our prayers. Your Mom is wonderfully strong and full of faith. God will bless her and embrace her always! One of my favorite passages is Proverbs 3:5-6.
Barb Wann
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Good mornin' Jill...............and then, Carolyn & Jerry!

Will you pls tell Carolyn that I pray for her daily ~ actually, many times/day; my family prays for her; my inner-city Bible study is praying for her!

I agree that Craig Hosp is the place for her to be and I will begin praying for that with you! Callie did her internship at Craig and as you know, it is the best in the West!

I pray strength, encouragement, wisdom, healing, hope, and laughter for ALL of you!

I love you, Carolyn! I will come see you when you're at Craig (pls LORD) and when you're back in your home here.
Katie Stoner
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Hi Jerry and Carolyn,

Zephaniah203:17—The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.

Karen and I are praying for you both, and hopeful and excited about what God is going to do in your lives to demonstrate His great power and love.
What an awesome God we serve!

Blessings,

Jim & Karen Klawitter
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Hi Jerry,I am following Carolyn's progress on Blogspot, but could not get my comments to post. Please know that we are praying for you both.Victoria Beard, UND
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Hi Jerry,Sounds as though Craig is hesitating concerning age differences. It is true that most spinal cord injured patients are young - the more adventurous who are injured in sports such as skiing, diving, motorcycling, etc. Craig is excellent and it would be nice if Carolyn is there; however do not be discouraged if you need to find another facility. Spalding in Denver also specializes in spinal cord and has the complete team of experts for treatment of physical rehab and reteaching skills for the most independence possible
Take care of yourself and get sleep, Carol Seel
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Hi Jerry,We had gotten the word about Carolyn and having been praying for her.We will keep all of you in our prayers. We know that God can heal. Pleasekeep her on heavy ambrotose. Blessings and love to your familyShirley and Lowell
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Jerry and family - Rest assured she and all of you are constantly in our prayers. We won't disturb you guys, but please know we are thinking of you and pulling for Carolyn. Much love, Bill and Marsha Campbell
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Rest assured that we're continuing to pray hard.

Chuck Wanous
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Soooo sorry to hear of Carolyn's fall. We all here hope and pray for her speedy recovery and also wish strength and good spirits for all of you around her that are supporting her.

Thanks too for the blog so we can check her progress without disturbing those rendering assistance to her.

You'll be in our thoughts constantly.

Warmest regards,

Bruce Carlson
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Jerry,

My thoughts and prayers are with you, Carolyn and the rest of your family.

Sincerely,
Paul Gray, Medifore

Friday, February 20, 2009 9:00 AM

All, we understand that many people are not able to log into the blog to post messages. We are sorry for this inconvenience. Please send any messages to Jerry at chrmn@aol.com and we will post them for you.

Carolyn's prayer request today is that God will help her through the grieving process.

Thursday evening, February 19

Mom had a good evening. We ordered Papa John's for dinner and she ate 3 pieces all on her own!! It is nice to have some quite one on one time with her. We have good conversation and spent some time reading to her from the Psalms. We continue to be hopeful about her recovery and are so thankful for all the movement she is able to do. She was having some disorientation when she wakes up from a good sleep. She initially thinks she is home in her bed and when reality comes it is difficult. The drs think this may be a result of some meds that have been initiated to help her leg mustles from spasaming. They will decrease this med and see if that helps. Thanks for your continued prayers!

E-Mails Received

Jerry:

You and Carolyn are in my thoughts and prayers. Carolyn is quite a fighter, so I am sure that she will surprise all of us.

Please give Carolyn a hug and a kiss from me.

Liza
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Hi Jerry...

I was stunned and saddened by your news. Carolyn, you and your family have my prayers.

When challenged by life, good things tend to happen to good people. I am betting on recovery!

Best wishes,

John Claxton
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Jerry and family,

I am in Zambia and am so sorry about Carolyn's fall! prayers and thoughts are with you all.

Sally
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Hi Jerry,We have been following Caroline's progress every day via the blog. Bridget has been our eyes and ears. Jerry, we cannot begin to tell you of how we feel about this terrible accident. Carolyn is one of those special people who should be immune to any misfortune. We know that she is a woman of great faith; That will be a great comfort for her. If we can help in any way.......well, you know the drill. Please know that we are in your court. Don

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Jerry - Kay and I are very sorry to hear about Carolyn's unfortunate accident. We are wishing her a speedy and full recovery and have her, you and your family in our prayers!
Ron Bach
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Jerry, Carolyn and family,

We are saddened by your news of Carolyn's fall. We will surely pay attention to the blog to gain progress on this tragic event.

Our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family.

Love,
Margie, Hampton and Uncle Leroy (mom's cousins & uncle in MD)

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Jerry, so sad to hear the news regarding Carolyn. We are in Chacala and daily observe the good progress on your villa. Our prayers are with Carolyn and your .We will keep abrest of Carolyn's recoveryon your blog. Hug her for us but don't squeeze too hard. Regards,BK (next door neighbors in Chacala, Mexico)

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Jerry - I happened to be up at this hour - another one of those nights that sleep doesn't want to come by. So, I'm on the computer and just received your message forwarded to me by Curtis. I was so shocked and saddened to read of Carolyn's accident. I did check on the blog spot that you have started and I will do this often to check on any progress. Please give our very Best Wishes to Carolyn and know that we will be holding Carolyn, you, and your extended family in our thoughts and prayers in the days ahead. God is our ever present strength in time of trouble and I am confident that He is with you during this time. Romelle and Claire

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Dear Jerry:

I am so very sorry to receive your email and the news of Carolyn's dreadful fall. I join you and your family and many friends in hoping and praying that she proves conventional medical wisdom incorrect and makes a good and full recovery.

Best wishes to you all

Brian
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Hi JErry, Heard the news about Carolyn via Romelle. Our prayers go in behalf of her as well as you and family. Keep us informed. From my menial medical education, things sounded pretty good for complete recovery. And that is the basis for our prayers. Ron Broding
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Thank you for the update Jerry. We will check the blog regularly. We think about you every day and you are in our prayers. Please give Carolyn a hug from us and let her know we are thinking of her. I'm so happy to hear she moved her legs... I do believe in miracles:).

Warmest Regards,
Dawn (neighbor in Evergreen who's husband is a neurosurgen and came immediately)
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My thoughts and prayers are with both of you and your family.

Regards. Jim

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DEAR JERRY,

I AM SO SORRY TO LEARN OF THIS MATTER. YOU HAVE MY PRAYERS.

SINCERELY,

ED FOWLER

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Hi Carolyn and Jerry,

What a jolt to get your message! Seems like only a few days ago we were with you in Mexico, having such a good time. We know that you're in good hands and surrounded by lots of love....Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Paz & Amor,

Candy and Rick

Thursday, February 19, 9:30 AM

Today Carolyn woke up a after a full night's sleep. This is the first night she slept through the night which is a blessing. She is now off all of her IV's and has been given a clean bill of health to move onto rehabilitation. Today our prayer requests are that she is accepted into the Craig Rehabilitation Center, that she does not catch pneumonia and for respiratory strength.

We would like to ask that you please call before coming to the hospital. Mom is using all her energy to move and work on getting well. At this time only family will be allowed to see her at her request. You are welcome to come to the waiting area SICU where we are "camped out". Thank you for your understanding.

February 18, 2009 9:30 AM

Carolyn is doing very well today. Her bloodpressure is stable and she was just moved out of her bed into a wheelchair for her first trip out of her bed a few minutes ago. She is sitting up in the chair right now so she can now see the nurse's station where all of the activity (and noise) is. The staff are all encouraged that she is able to get into the chair so soon after her injury. There is a little tingling in her left foot so we are hoping that is good news. She will begin to sit in the chair for stints of time as a part of her physical therapy on her road to recovery.

Wednedsay, Feb 18, early am

I was asked how mom's spirits are. She seems to be in relatively good spirits considering all that has happened. This is a lifechanging event and will take time to process for all of us. It is hard to get good rest in the hospital. She is much more upbeat and positive when she isn't as tired (aren't we all??). Continue to pray that she would cling to the truth and not let her mind wander. Any specific scriptured passages that we could read to her would also be a great way to keep her mind focused! We read your comments to her throughout the day!

Tuesday, February 17th 2:30 pm

Carolyn is doing fine. She was able to get off her blood pressure medicine, and her hourly glucose tests are no longer necessary. She is eating solid food, and talking away. We are awaiting a doctor from Craig Hospital to examine her, and are hopeful she will qualify for their rehabilitation program. We are also anxious for her to start physical therapy, but as of yet, that has not yet happened. Because Carolyn is in the ICU, she cannot receive flowers. Your prayers are the best gift she can recieve.

Tuesday, Feb. 17, 1:35pm

Things are progressing here at the hospital. We are expecing another MRI later today and possibly some PT. While she is ICU visitors are kept to a minimum, only 2 at a time. She also cannot have flowers in the ICU...cards and comments on the blog site are very welcome ~ we are reading them to her often!!

She's had lunch and is now ready for a nap. It seems that we will be in ICU for at least several more days. Thanks for your continued prayers, we are feeling them and appreciate them immensely!!

Email From Jerry

Below is an email from Jerry that is a summary of events:

February 17, 2009

Dear Friends and colleagues

I am sorry to bring you some life-changing news for Carolyn and our family. Two days ago, while descending the stairs to the lower level of our house in Evergreen on crutches (Carolyn had a knee replacement on January 12), Carolyn fell to the bottom of the stairs and injured herself. With thanks to our physician neighbor Brad, we had the Evergreen fire and rescue team take her from our house to the local fire station where she was air lifted by helicopter to St Anthony Central Hospital in Denver.

We were fortunate to have an outstanding orthopedic surgeon named Amit Agarwala at the hospital on Sunday morning and she was in surgery by noon. He is with the Panorama Group in Golden, Colorado.

Carolyn's injury was a fracture of a vertebra and a displacement of that vertebra to the extent that it pinched the spinal cord. The cord was not severed, but was severely damaged, according to the medical professionals. The doctors have told us that it would be unusual for a person with this type of injury to recover the use of her lower extremities. She seems to have good movement of her arms and hands, which is good news. She is in intensive care now, and we hope to transfer her to Craig Hospital, which has a great reputation for rehab. However, we understand it is difficult to get in, so we are praying about that also.

We don't know what the future brings, and we are just taking one day at a time. Yesterday she moved her legs in the hospital bed, so who knows what the final outcome will look like. We are all hopeful and praying constantly for a miracle that would allow her to walk again some day. Our family sincerely appreciates all the support and prayers from friends and family. It is wonderful that our three daughters all live in the area, and can be with their mother during this time.

We have set up a blog for people to check on progress in an efficient manor, as it is hard to return all the calls we receive. The blog address is:

http://carolynvane.blogspot.com/

You can go on the blog from any computer and read and comment whatever you like. Please feel free to forward this email to anyone you think might be interested.

I will tend to be at the hospital from 8 to 8 daily, and can be reached on my mobile phone. The coverage in the hospital isn't great, but you can leave a message and I can call you back later. Alternatively, you can leave a message on our home phone. Carolyn won't be able to receive calls for a while, and we will post on the blog when she can.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

This morning Carolyn is awake and alert. She had her first breakfast of eggs and will have full meals as of today. The nutrients will give her the strength she needs to continue her recovery. She is in great spirits and knows we are all praying for her. She said she was so greatful for all of her friends and family during this time. Thanks to everyone who is pulling for her!

Monday, February 16th 5:00 pm

Carolyn is chatting away now! Her ventilator was removed and she is talking, talking, talking. What a wonderful blessing to be able to communicate now. She is giving us a list of things she needs, and people to call, so nice to have our mother/wife back with us! She asks some questions about what is going to happen, and we assure her things will happen in time, and to take one day at a time. Your prayers are greatly appreciated.

Monday, February 16, 2:55pm

We just learned that mom will have her ventilator removed this afternoon! This is very good news as she has been frustrated with not being able to talk. She will have a sore throat for several days and may only be able to wisper initially, but it is definate progress!! PTL!

Monday, February 16th 1:11 pm

Carolyn spent the night in the ICU at St. Anthonys hospital Sunday evening. She underwent a four hour surgery to repair the spinal vertabrae that were fractured and dislocated. The surgery went well, and now she needs to rest and let her body heal. We are hoping the ventilator can be removed soon, so she can talk with us. She is alert and awake and has use of both arms, although her right arm is stronger. She also has regained a little feeling in her left leg, which is great news. The doctors cannot predict her recovery time or her functionality as each case is different. Please pray for Carolyn and her recovery, this is the best gift she can receive.

Here is a picture of Carolyn at Christmas this year.

Carolyn fell down the stairs in her home the morning of February 15th and was flown to St. Anthonys hospital. It was determined she has a spinal cord injury (specifically vertebrae C5 and C6).