Monday, February 23, 2009
New Site: Caring Bridge
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.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sunday February 22, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Posting A Comment
More Emails from Friday February 20
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
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, 2009
Friday, February 20, 3:45pm
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
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
Carolyn's prayer request today is that God will help her through the grieving process.
Thursday evening, February 19
Thursday, February 19, 2009
E-Mails Received
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
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
February 18, 2009 9:30 AM
Wednedsay, Feb 18, early am
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Tuesday, February 17th 2:30 pm
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 1:35pm
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.