Seth and Caroline Sherry's Road to Recovery: July 28, 2012

Saturday, July 28, 2012

July 28, 2012—morning

I (Sara) stayed up late tonight so I could call Seth and hear his voice (the time difference always throws me for a loop). It was 8:30 am in the morning for Seth when I called and Caroline and the kiddos had just arrived for a morning visit. I got to chat with Tommy for a few minutes. It has been a year since I have seen him but Tommy was comfortable chatting with me. He was excited to share that he had had donuts and chocolate milk for breakfast. Tommy said that he had some big owies on his head but they were feeling much better now. Our visit made me miss him but also brought a smile to my face to hear his sweet voice.

Seth shared that he had another MRI yesterday. The team doctor thought it "looked promising" but they are still waiting on the neurologist to read the MRI and determine whether surgery will be needed or not. Seth said that his nerve pain is getting so much better on his shoulders but it is still VERY painful and so limiting on what he is able to do. He's hoping that he'll soon be able to type on the computer and hold the phone better himself. He said his PT is awesome and she has even been coming in on her days off. Birch wishes so badly that he could be Seth's PT. Seth walked close to 200 yards yesterday. He said his legs feel strong but it gets so tiring to hold his head up that he gets exhausted easily. He's hoping that to keep up his physical movement because he's noticed a lot of muscle loss.

Caroline fed Seth a doughnut hole while we chatted and then went to visit her sister Katie. Katie is planning on flying home tonight -- what a trooper! I was thinking how excited she must be to sleep in her own bed and finish her healing in the states. Caroline has been trying to keep the kids busy with taking them on playdates, visits to the hospital (which you can imagine would be difficult with two tots in tow), and helping care for Katie. I think Caroline gets "Mother of the Year Award!"

What a treat to be able to visit with Seth tonight!

Tommy and Cali - May 2012

"I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much."

~Mother Teresa

1 comment:

RobynJuly 30, 2012 at 11:26 PM
I second the motion that Caroline wins 'Mother of the Year'. I've always admired you Caroline. LOTS.
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

Donations of Love

The Sherry and Raynor families have been overwhelmed by everyone's kindness and outpouring of love. Your individual and collective support has been tangible and made a real difference. Many of you have additionally asked how to make a financial donation to ease the immediate financial burdens. We have set up this site to make that possible.

On Saturday, July 14th, Seth and Caroline Sherry along with their children, Tommy (4 1/2 yrs) and Cali (1), Caroline's younger sister, Katie (18yrs.), and 3 friends - including Seth's best friend from Corvallis, Seth Wiggins, were all traveling by car from their home in Zambia to Zimbabwe. The driver fell asleep and the car rolled three times, crashing into a tree just at the front passenger seat where our Seth was seated. Though banged up, Seth Wiggins and the two other friends appear to have not been injured badly. Tommy was thrown 100 feet from the car and had a concussion and cuts to his head, Cali seems to have been spared any serious injury, Caroline has a very serious cut on her foot, Katie has broken ribs and lung contusion along with a serious concussion and perhaps other undiagnosed injuries. Seth Sherry was critically injured with a broken neck and back (C-1 & C-6 vertebrae).

As you can imagine, the care in a 3rd world country is lacking and compromised, particularly with Seth. Over a period of a day and half, it became clear that if Seth's life and limb movement abilities were to be preserved, he would need to be flown to Johannesburg, South Africa which the insurance company did arrange and Seth Wiggins accompanied him on the flight (where he remains to give perfect care and attention to our Seth). Caroline and family stayed behind in a clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe (the capitol) where they were in the care of local LDS church members. Recently Katie was transferred to South Africa to be in the same hospital as Seth to received more advanced care for her injuries.

In South Africa, all exams and tests were redone and the injuries more specifically identified. Seth continues to have movement in feet and hands though his shoulders and arms above the elbow have diminished sensation and movement (this however, has improved over the last couple days - a very good sign). Neurosurgeons have teamed together to provide the best approach to stabilize Seth's neck and back. The next step in doing so is critical and of immediate concern to prevent paralysis. Currently Seth has been fitted with a Miami Brace to stabilize his neck and allow swelling to decrease. He may face surgery in the coming weeks.

Caroline and the kids have recently been able to fly to South Africa to be with Seth and Katie. They are setting up temporary housing in Johannesburg. The future is unknown with Seth and Katie's time in the hospital. Seth has a long road ahead of him but he remains optimistic. Caroline has had to balance caring for others, making tough decisions, dealing with all the logistics, AND suffering with her own physical injuries.

There have been so many prayers, blessings, people in the right places, and miraculous help from LDS Church members in both Zimbabwe and South Africa. We appreciate your concern and prayers, they are deeply meaningful to us and important for Seth, Caroline and family.

Please leave uplifting comments here to be shared with Seth and Caroline to help boost their spirits and we will have them printed for them to read there in South Africa.

Donations will be used to cover medical expenses, temporary housing needs, travel, and the many yet unknown needs in the long road ahead. While we all wish this circumstance never existed, we do gratefully acknowledge your requests to help.

Click on the DONATE button to make a contribution on this secure site using bank, credit card, or Paypal money transfer. If you don't have a Paypal account you can still make a donation -- just click the DONATE button and look at the bottom left-hand corner of the Paypal page for instructions to donate.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

July 28, 2012—morning

1 comment:

Click here to make a donation