March 31 at 6:00

Yeah! We made it to Madonna. Timothy came by amublance and Tim and I were not far behind. We all reached here about 4:00 p.m. Timothy's Mercy nurse and even the ambulance crew gave him some seditives so he is still asleep. Tim and I are very impressed so far. He will have someone staying in his room at all times. Tomorrow a team of people will do his assessment and then tell us what all he will be doing. We will be allowed to sit in on his therapies and can be here anytime.

Housing is available for the family members at a very reasonable rate. There is a cafeteria and several free drink machines.

Tim noted that the facility is spotless--far cleaner than my house right now.

We are excited to be here and ready for Timothy to get to work.

Here is the address: Madonna Rehabilatation Hospital, 5401 South St., Lincoln NE 68506, Room 138.

March 30 at 9:30

Well, it is has been quite a night and day. Unfortunately, Timothy did fall out of bed. As far as we can tell he did not hit his head and x-rays show no problems. I had barely gotten to the hotel when the nurse called so I came back for the rest of the night. Then this morning the hospital arranged for a "sitter" so I could get some rest.

I left for three hours. when I came back someone came to say that the rehab facility might not take Timothy for awhile because he had to have a "sitter" because he woouldn't stay in bed. I have not cried througout this whole time but I cried then. I was so certain that getting to rehab immediately was the most important next step. When I could think straight I called Zach. Wisely, he told me to call Madonna myself and explain the situation. I did. They immediately said they were communicating with Mercy, knew the situation and that it would not affect his acceptance. They were only waiting on authorization from Timothy's insurance.

So Timothy is scheduled to leave here at noon tomorrow for Lincoln. I so hope it happens.

In the meantime, a friend and mother-in-law of my nephew, Dale came by when Timothy was having one of his restless times. She started rubbing his shoulders and lower back. He settled down and enjoyed it so very, very much. I will have to learn how to do this.

Bryson and Kim were here to spend time today. And thinks to Rich Tim is back up here to drive with me to Lincoln.

Our family has always been ones to take care of ourselves, but we are learning that at this time we need help from our friends. And we are so appreciative.

This is the most awful experience of my life, but it is teaching me about love, friendship and caring.

March 29 at 4:30 p.m.

Timothy had some visitors from home today plus one of his railroad friends. He had another good day. He flicked Zach with his water sponge a couple of times, responded to his YES and NO paper several times, and even tried to tell me somehing using marker and paper. However, I couldn't understand what he was trying to write.

Just now he was determined to get out of the bed. He had his legs over the bed sides and was pulling himself upright with his good arm. Luckily the weight of the halo brace forced him back down, but he just kept trying. I called in the nurse so she could see what was happening. After a quick moment she went for some Adavan (spelling may not be right). Anyway something to calm him.

I am not staying the night with him so I wanted to make sure they knew what he is doing.

March 28 at 5:00

After yesterday this was a quiet day--just Zach, Alethia and I are here. However, Timothy has accomplished some new things. Early this morning I asked if I could take some ice chips and rub them on his lips and tongue not let him swallow them yet. Timothy seemed to really like that. When Alethia got here,she took the tiny sponges on a stick that they use to "brush" his teeth and filled them with water and let him suck on those. Timothy really, really enjoyed that. Then he started reaching for them and put them in his mouth himself. Later I thought maybe he could handle a washcloth so I held a dampened cloth, and he took it from my hand and wiped his eyes and face.

We also played around with the paper with YES and NO. Zach held it up and asked Timothy if Alethia was a Dum Dum. Timothy looked around and found Alethia and didn't do anything. Then Zach asked him if Alethia was a pretty good girl. Timothy took his fist and punched the yes on the paper. We all had a good laugh.

I really feel he understands quite a bit. For instance when the nurses come to change his dressings, he stays very still, doesn't do his bed swivels or restless leg movements. Almost always he stays quiet whild they all do the things they have to do for him.

As has been his habit from the beginning, when he is tired of us asking him to do stuff he sighs a huge sigh and closes his eyes shut. Then we go away and leave him be for awhile.

March 27, at 6:00 p.m.

Timothy had lots of company today and responded to everyone, squeezed their hands, followed them with his eyes, and seemed to know who they were. He is following lots of commands and maybe trying to say a few words. Continues to be very restless at times and appears to try to get out of the bed. The nurses got him up in a huge chair, and he was content there for over an hour. We are learning some ways to communicate with him which is a comfort to me. We have a piece of paper with YES on one side and NO on the other. Sometimes he will point to one or the other when we ask very simple questions.

Everyone who came today felt he had improved quite a lot since their last visit.

We are all encouraged.

March 26 at 7:00 p.m.

Aunt Susie and I traded shifts. Timothy has been asleep most of the time since I arrived around 4:30. Susie said they had had him sitting on the edge of the bed, and it had really tired him. He did wake long enough for me to say hello, and he squeezed my hand and raised each of his legs for me. Then he got restless for awhile and tore a hole in his air mattress. They are replacing that now. His right leg has a brace with several sharp points on it, and he really gets to moving those legs.

March 25 at 8:13 p.m.

The last two days have been very encouraging. Timothy continues to make eye contact, respond more often to commands, stay awake longer, and move about in his bed more. The neurosurgeon said he was encouraged with his recent progress. Aunt Susie is still staying with Timothy, and she is very excited.

We received a surprise in the mail today. The Friends to Friends network sent Timothy a check for a nice amount of money. This network, I understand, is a volunteer effort by the employees of Union Pacific Railroad. We are grateful for their help.

I think I have mentioned before how concerned Timothy's railroad friends of been. They continue to call or visit Timothy almost daily.

Our community has been wonderful as well. Tim and I are home, and everywhere we go people ask about Timothy or tell us they are following this blog. We are very appreciative of all the prayers, care packages, cards, and supportive comments, actually I guess you could say we are overwhelmed with all the love everyone has shown our family.

March 24 at 9:28

Tim and I did come home. Tim has been coughing a lot and needs to see a doctor. I am going back without him this time. We left Aunt Susie in charge. I talked to her just a bit ago. Timothy was moved to a regular room, and he remained active most of the day. We have both noticed that he really seems to enjoy the time spent with the physical therapists. That just began. We are glad this will be increased. Susie feels he is following her more with his eyes,and he is trying to lift his right leg off the bed a little. That's the leg that has broken bones and is in a metal brace. I had not seen him ever try to do that. I think the therapist's work has influenced this movement. Aunt Susie was very impressed with his progress from last week. It has been a very good day.

Tim's address: Mercy Hospital, Room 658, 1111 6th Ave., Des Moines, IA 50314-2611

Stacie, I did not mean Timothy changed the rules. I meant the doctors changed the rules.

March 24 at 7:05 a.m.

I'm going to write this quick. When I got here this morning early Timothy gave me a thumbs up with both hands. That is definitely not a reflex said the nurse who was right there. Also, more eye movement seeming to respond to voices.

I would just like to go home now before they tell me something that ruins the day!

We think we understand the game, and then they change the rules.

March 23 at about 5:00 pm

I decided to include the time because the computers at the hospital have the wrong time on them; and I can't change it therefore, the post time is always wrong.

Not a lot of change in Timothy. He was not as responsive as yesterday. Almost didn't write but was afraid readers would think something really bad happened. He has been assigned a physical therapist who began working with him last week.

Jessica and Brandi visited today and brought a delicious homemade meal sent by Cindy. It was much better than McDonalds. I wished Timothy were able to enjoy the green bean casserole as it is a favorite of his.

Sunday Evening

This was a pretty good day. When Tim and I came into Timothy's room this morning, we could tell a difference. Timothy seemed to be following us a little with his eyes, and the nurse said later she felt he was following her a little also. He did the hand squeezes on request several times. Once when I said I was leaving, he seemed to reach out,grasp my hand and squeeze hard. Lisa also felt that he reached for her shoulder another time. The nurse said that when she was "brushing" his teeth he opened wide when asked and spit out the cleaner on request. Spitting is good! During Timothy's wakeup times he is making a lot more face expressions not just the stone cold set look from days before.

We know we have a long road ahead. We delight in the alert times but there are a lot of still kinda asleep times. The main things is we feel today that Timothy is making important progress.

We appreciate Calvin and Debbie spending much of the day with us.

Jeremy and Lisa, our support for the weekend, also just left. Tim and I so depend on Jeremy and Zach and their girls to help us through this difficult time.

Everyone is being so supportive and helpful. It is unbelieveable. Thanks!

Saturday, March 21

Timothy is breathing without the vent and the nurses had him sitting up in a reclining chair for about 45 min. He is still not very responsive. However, the nurses assure us that he is very tired from being in the chair. He had several visitors today which helps make our time at the hospital go faster.

Yesterday Timothy's eyes were open quite a bit and he did squeeze Lisa's (Jeremy's fiancee)hand.

Thanks again for all your prayers and concern.

Day by Day

Tim and I are home for a day. Aunt Susie, Zach and Alethia (Zach's girlfriend) are with Timothy. Alethia called around 1:00 p.m. to say that Timothy had his eyes open and when she told him she was there, he seemed to know. She also asked him to squeeze her hand, and he did. Then she asked for a "thumbs up." First he tried to hold up two fingers but then changed it to his thumb.

As in the past several days, not too much has developed since then. Zach says Timothy is pretty restless--not sure how much he is aware of his surroundings yet.

This is better than yesterday. We plan to be more aggresive with our presence--talk, laugh, play music, talk of fun times in the past--not tip toe around as much.

Thanks Stacie for your suggestions. We are grateful for all comments.

Downhill Again

After yesterday's encouragement, the neurosurgeon had this to say this morning, "Timothy has been off of dipravan (seditive) for 24 hours. By Monday morning it is important that he be showing some better signs of improvement. He should open his eyes with awareness of his surroundings, he should be trying to mouth words, and he should be squeezing our hands on command and with force." So far last night and today that has not happened.

Prayers for Timothy are just important now as two weeks ago. Tim and I are discouraged but not without hope.

Better news

I talked to the neurosurgeon this morning at 8:00. He insists that Timothy is making remarkable progress. Reminded me that it is amazing that he is in one piece and mending as quickly as he is after all he's been through. I mentioned how discouaraged we become when he moves a finger or toe, but then doesn't respond for hours. The doctor said that I have to understand that for Timothy right now that is a huge effort and takes all of his will and strength. I should be most thankful that he can do it at all. I mentioned he had yawned real big this morning. He said that was marvelous--using his front lobe.

Another doctor (internist I think) said they are taking him off dipravan today and see what happens, also changing settings on vent so Timothy is doing more of the breathing. We'll have to wait and see how this goes.

All in all we are most encouraged this morning.

By the way--Thank you Cindy for the 12' banner in Timothy's room and to everyone who signed it. Doctors, nurses and visitiors have commented and say how great it is for Timothy and us to have so much community support. I apologize for not mentioning the banner sooner. That has been a wonderful boost.

March 17, 2009

Not much to report. Tim and I had really hoped Timothy would be very responsive today after the trach and peg surgeries yesterday. However, it was 4:00 before nurses withheld the dipravan (seditive) for 30 min. Timothy opened his eyes but didn't really focus on me, and he would not squeeze my hand.

Hopefully, I'll have some encouraging news tomorrow.

Update

This morning Timothy had a tracheostomy and a peg tube put in. The trach is so the breathing tube which is very uncomfortable could be removed. The peg is so he can have nutrients delivered directly to his stomach. It will take at least the rest of the day for the anesthetic to wear off. Tomorrow we will know more about his alertness.

What Happened

Timothy works for Union Pacific Railroad on a traveling gang. During the last few months he has been working in Marshalltown, Iowa. Tim was riding in a car with two co-workers back to their motel in Marshalltown for the night on March 6th. We do not know the details of the accident but their vehicle left the roadway and rolled down an embankment. Tim and his co-workers were all ejected from the vehicle. Tim was Life Flighted from the Marshalltown hospital to Mercy Medical Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. Tim suffered a fractured C2 vertebrae, compound fracture to his right leg, and had three small brain bleeds as a result of the accident. His leg has been set back in place using an external fixator. He is in a halo brace to stablize the vertebrae in his neck. Tim remains in the ICU at Mercy Medical on a ventilator and in a coma. He is listed in critical but stable condition. The Dannar family will continue to update Tim's blog.

Tim's mailing address while in the ICU is:

Tim Dannar
Mercy Medical Center
ICU Bed 12
1111 6th Ave
Des Moines, IA 50314