August 31, 2012 - update from Annie and Tom

So Grateful !

August 16th 2012

One month after their awful car accident, Seth and Caroline, Tommy and Cali are a family on the mend.  So many of you have blessed them in the process with your faith and prayers, letters of encouragement, and generous donations.

On Wednesday, August 1st, we arrived in South Africa to a warm smile and hug from Seth but a clear message that he was ready to get out of the hospital.  Hospital food, interruptions, shared rooms, and being woken up to take your sleeping pill had taken it's toll and his surgeon, Dr. Vanheerden, agreed that he had progressed enough to graduate to out patient physical therapy.

Of the many kind visits and gestures given, one was from George and Carolyn Bonnet who offered their home for Seth to stay.  They currently live in Johannesburg and direct the physical facilities work of the LDS Church in much of Africa.  Their home and help to Seth was perfect and in walking distance to and from his physical therapy.  They also provided another room for Annie or I to stay in while we helped Seth along.

 For the rest of the family it was an evolving saga of various LDS families in Johannesburg offering homes to stay in, meals, play dates for Tommy, loaned cars, and an open offer for other assistance had we needed.  Once the flu had struck Cali and Tommy (after numerous night trips to the bathroom, Tommy declared that he was the "Vomit Super Hero"), and Caroline was scheduled for surgery on her heel, we needed an independent place to stay.  Like everything else in this blessed story, the way opened for us to have two apartments on the LDS Temple grounds complex-- just right for our needs and only a ten minute drive to meet with Seth at the Bonnet home.  To compliment the housing blessing, just when one car needed to be returned to trusting and gracious lenders, another became available until we left.  The beautiful blue skies obscure the fact that  an antarctic cold front blew through with snow and freezing temperatures as well.- quite a shock to our Fiji adjusted bodies.

Johannesburg, South Africa LDS Temple getting a new slate roof

In between Lego construction, baths and naps, we slipped in excursions with Tommy and Cali to the zoo, a bird park, a mall, grocery stores, and walks on the beautiful temple grounds to give them a diversion and provide Caroline with needed rest and opportunities to be with Seth alone.

Even though they were the ones who needed the date, one night Seth and Caroline surprised us with tickets to see Andre Rieu in concert, a world renown violinist.  It was a night to be remembered as his Johann Strauss orchestra was joined by the Sowetto Gospel Choir and others.

Once everyone seemed done with the bug, we all got together for some afternoons and dinnertimes.  Cali was happy to be with daddy again and Tommy loved building lego creations and playing with him.

First time together at church in Johannesburg, August 19th

Five weeks after the accident, Seth had x-rays and then met with his doctor.  His vertebrae appear to be in proper alignment and mending well; they should fully calcify within a year's time.  The soft tissue swelling is reducing but combined with the nerve damage still causes a significant amount of pain and loss of muscle strength.  By mid September the brace can come off for 30 minutes a day morning and night and continue to increase that with each day.  As good as that sounds, Seth is warned that his neck muscles will spasm and be very painful as they re-learn to support his head without the brace.   Given all this we are so grateful to witness the strides he is making and he is certainly pleased as well.  Here is a little sample of his work in progress starting with his departure from the hospital:

So long Sandton! from Tom Sherry on Vimeo.

On Saturday, September 1st, Seth is scheduled to fly back to Zambia to join his family.  Caroline's heel surgery has appeared to be successful and she and the kids previously flew back to Zambia the same day we left (August 23rd).  She has been so courageous as she coped with her own serious injury, surgery, mothering, and supporting Seth while bouncing around Africa from one hospital to another and in various homes.  It was great for us to be helpful and to fall in love again with Tommy and Cali (who we only knew as an infant).  Gratefully, Vicki Raynor (Caroline's mother), arrived the morning Caroline and the kids were flying out and accompanied them to Lusaka (Vicki's sister also arrived later that night). Vicki will stay 6 weeks with them to help Caroline and the kids. Periodic updates on Seth and Caroline's family may be found on their "Road to Recovery" website: http://scsherrydonation.blogspot.com/

How appreciative we all are for all the support and love and for those among you who made our trip possible. Leaving was bittersweet but an important step as they move forward on their road to recovery. So much progress has been made and we are amazed at their courage, and we continue to acknowledge God's loving hand in all that has occurred.

Sydney, Australia was our stay-over stop on the way back to Fiji -- what a beautiful city!

Next stop - Fiji !

August 28, 2012 - update from Seth

I (Seth) am in Joburg still, planning on flying back to Zambia on this weekend. PT is going well, I really enjoy my therapist and the facility is great. He mostly works on all of my soft tissue issues during our appointments and I do two 45min sessions of exercises on my own during the day. It's hard work, but I enjoy being active and sweating again! Most of my exercises I do balancing on a foam pad which is great for all sorts of reasons, but makes PT more dynamic which I like (the prospect of falling over and re-breaking my neck is great motivation to maintain balance). Mid September I can start taking my brace off and conditioning my neck to support itself.

Caroline and the kids seem to be doing well considering. Thomas is back as school and quite happy to be back in is element. Caroline Sr, has been overwhelmed by seeing all of our wonderful supportive friends and neighbors but is adjusting. Caroline Jr, is toddling all over and apparently is a fan of chinese noodles with a bit of spice. While no one was looking, she got into our friends noodles at the market the other day. Caroline's heel is doing well, she says it's looking better and the wound seems to be closing up well.

--Seth

 

 Picture taken July 7, 2012 in Lower Zambezi

August 20, 2012 - our life in numbers

Written by Caroline:

We leave on Thursday for Lusaka, so in celebration I thought I would cataloge our accident adventures in my favorite format - the list. (These numbers reflect the injuries/experiences of the Sherry jrs. only - I did not include Wiggins or Katie).

Broken bones: 8

Doctors consulted: 10

Stitches removed: 32

Places we have slept: 7

Cars we have driven: 3

Pukes: 31

Surgeries: 2

New teeth surfaced: 3

Rounds of antibiotics: 9

Pounds lost: 29

Needless to say, I am so happy to be leaving this phase of recovery behind us.  I am so sad to leave Seth but can hardly wait to get my kids into some semblance of normalcy.  As sweet as Thomas is, I am tired of sleeping with him and waking to him rubbing my back and face each morning. I will also miss the many incredible people here in Sandton that have so lovingly and selflessly helped us on our way.

August 16, 2012

Update from Caroline concerning her heel from a personal email:

"The doctor's appointment was...okay.  He said he can see the beginning of epitheleal cells over the wound but he also "strongly recommends" that I stay in town one more week.  I really wanted to get out of here, but it seems like the best choice is to stick around.  The good thing is I will be able to fly to Lusaka with my mom next week so I will have help on the plane ride and in the airport in Lusaka which is a real comfort.  So our tickets are for Thursday and unless I need another surgery, I am not staying any longer.  I might have to come back later to see a doctor but I will try and schedule that around Seth's return trip."

Can't think of two better fighters than these two!!!
Taken May 2010

August 12, 2012 - Update from Seth

Hey All,
I wanted to give you all an update from my own hands. First and foremost, thank you so much for your continuing support, love, faith and kindness. I can't express how much it has meant to me. One of the most enduring lessons I have/am learning from this ongoing experience is the goodness of people. If any of you have become jaded by this world and the terrible heartbreak and unfairness it can contain, please give me a call so I can tell you of the hundreds of people around the world who have leant their time, resources, homes, hearts and faith on behalf of my family. I am humbled by selfless giving and hope that I can be a better friend, father. husband, church/community/world member going forward. Thank you.

Update:
You will notice from the picture I included that I am a a fighter, or rather just saw some olympic boxing and was inspired to show you all how well I can raise my own arms. One day I hope to be able to punch some of you again. Range of motion in my shoulders was basically non existent 2.5 weeks ago. New skills i have acquired include: drying myself off after a shower, putting on t-shirts, laying on my side for a few minutes, walking to the mall and my PT appointments, not crying when people touch my shoulders and almost sleeping through the night.















As you know, Caroline is now on crutches due to reparative heel surgery. We are quite the pair as you can imagine. Yesterday, my parents took our kids to the Zoo for the day so Caroline and I could spend some time together. We decided to walk to the mall to eat at this killer Italian place I found with my mom the other day. I can't help but laugh thinking about the two of us, hobbling down the street, debating on turning back several times for fatigue and pain, with the sensation of hunger winning out. Heading up the escalator, a couple passed us on the way down, the women was in the same "forearm" crutches as Caroline and the man had a sling on his arm. Our eyes met, we all started laughing, followed by Caroline and I struggling to exit the escalator sans further injury.

In other news, I have the most grandiose bald spot on the back of my head you could imagine, with my not actually being bald. Turns out that laying on ones back for over a month now can have serious side effects including epic bald-spots and loosing 20 lbs/9 kg. I expect it to take a a year or so of serious training to get fit again.

All my love and appreciation,

Seth

Pictures from Caroline

Some images I (Caroline) just uploaded from my camera...

Thomas two days after the accident.

T's head four days after the accident.

Seth holding Cali for the first time - three weeks after the accident.

My foot three days after surgery.  Dr. Patel removed the top layer of skin from my whole heel which is why it is purple.

August 10, 2012 - finally a glimmer of hope

Friday - Aug 10 quick update:

Dear Friends and Family,

Right now, we have entered a better circumstance and have a bit of light after a really difficult couple of days.  I mentioned before that Cali had been sick with the flu and the next day she seemed to be completely out of sorts so Mom and I took her to the hospital yesterday and she was diagnosed with bronchial pneumonia.  It was a holiday here so we could not get her prescription last night when we finished at the hospital (about 6pm).

After dropping Mom off at the Bonnets to be with Seth, I went back to the Colemans and was hoping for a good night's sleep but Caroline woke me up at 2am saying that Tommy had thrown up.  It was all over the bed and his clothes so we got that cleaned up and Tom had gone back to sleep on the floor so we left him there.  Half hour later, he was throwing up again and we moved him into my room where he continued to whistle carrots every half hour until 5am.  We slept until 7am when everyone got up and gratefully after 9am he didn't barf again.

Caroline and I just knew we could not stay any longer at other people's homes and infect them with something new each day so we began to explore going back to the Southwick's where we could be alone.  At the same time, we called Brother Bonnet and asked if there was any chance we could get permission to stay at the Patron Housing apartments on the compound of the Johannesburg Temple.  He asked for some time and then called back a couple hours later.  He discussed the possibility with the Area President, Elder Renlund, and the staff here and before long all the permissions were arranged.  The temple is closed just now for repairs so no one is in the Patron Housing apartments and it just happens that the couple who manages the patron housing had just retired and left their fabulous apartment (patron housing are apartments for people who travel long distances to attend the temple and need to stay for multiple days).  In a couple more hours we were driving into the temple compound and greeted by Elder Renlund, the Bonnets, and the manager of physical facilities - all of whom were so solicitous for our comfort and aid.  Others helped us carry bags up and get settled in this generous apartment with a large bedroom and bathroom, living room, kitchen, TV, Internet, and comfortable surroundings.  They also gave us the smaller apartment right next door for Annie and I to sleep in

It's just like a new day for us and that came on the "heels" of our very positive appointment this morning with the plastic surgeon who operated on Caroline's heel.  He looked at the heel and said that if we wait until next Wednesday (it's Friday here), and if the wound is healing properly, he'll release her to go back to Zambia.  So our tentative plan is to schedule an airline flight for myself, Caroline, and the kids to fly back to Lusaka on Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning.  I'll help her get settled there for a few days and then return to Joburg to be with Mom and Seth for the last few days before we leave to return to Fiji.  Sara Sherry made a generous offer to fly to Lusaka at the end of August and stay with Caroline and the kids but Caroline's mother confirmed today that she will be coming out at the same time (around Aug 22-23rd) so there won't be a need for Sara to come.  Seth had a good PT appointment today and is getting strong enough to walk to the Rosebank Hospital facility on his own so by the time we leave he should be in good shape.  He will continue to stay with the Bonnet's as it is ideally situated and near a mall where Seth can walk for outings.

Thanks again for all your love and support, this family has needed it and each expression is appreciated.  We love you all.

Tom and Annie

On a side note...I hear that Cali is fully walking now since the accident. 

 

(Photo taken early July 2012)