day 5- he's coming home!!!!

(Doesn't he look proud of himself in this picture? Or maybe it's just all the drugs. . .)


So. . .He is either really charming or really grouchy, because he miraculously talked them into letting him come home. (He seems to be pretty adept at pulling off miracles this week.)

We were all surprised to hear the news, but when we asked him about the change of plan, he explained, "They gave me a list of things that had to be done, so I just did them."

There you go.

Anyway, we are all so glad he's back in town!

P.S. . . .A little side note about visitors:

Shawn still has a ways to go in his recovery process, so if you could call before showing up, that would be great! This way, he (or Kelsey, at least) can make sure he's minding his P's and Q's. Also, with all the bugs going around, please, please make sure you don't come if you have any friends of that sort hanging around. He has some respiratory issues that could be a problem if every one's not careful.

Thanks for understanding. . .you know there's not two more social butterflies than Shawn and Kelsey, and they would love to see you all! Let's just keep him on the gettin' well road!


PPS. Yesterday Shawn was telling his sister that he wished he had been able to get his house painted before the accident. These were his next words, "I don't know how steady I'll be on a ladder."

Yip, you read that right.

So, if you happen to be driving by and see him making an attempt at any foolish endeavors, (ie: ladders, planting trees, etc.) PLEASE help us out by making an intervention. Seems he's into checking things off "his list" these days.

We're just thinking that his luck might eventually run out.


WELCOME HOME SHAWN! WE LOVE YOU!

day 4 - workin' hard

Today was a great day for Shawn, but boy, did he work hard!

He is so determined to come home. If there is anything he thinks he can do that will help him get better faster, he is going to do it! (And don't try to tell him he can't!)

This morning when the doctor came to do rounds, the conversation went something like this:

"I hear you're spreading rumors around here."

He responded, "Oh really? What's that?"

"They say you're telling everyone you're going home today."

"I am!"

"Not on my watch you're not."

The Dr. is thinking more along the lines of Monday, if Shawn is a good boy. But Shawn, on the other hand is thinking there are too many days between now and Monday! Every time someone walks in the door he asks "what do I need to do?" . . ."tell me what I can do to get this moving along". . .

One of the things they told him he needed to do was to have a few accomplishments in the little boys room (if you know what we mean). He immediately pointed to his catheter and said something to the effect of, "How am I supposed to do that with this? Get this out so we can get 'er done." So, out it went! (Much to his dismay, the gettin' 'er done part isn't always so easy!)

With the help of his buddy Cam and the physical therapist, he walked a ways down the hall with his "old man walker". But when he found out he would need to master the crutches and stairs before going home, he soon had the therapist back giving him lessons on the crutches. And when she suggested he work on those for a while before tackling a couple of stairs? No way! He did those too. The first time, she told him he was doing great, but was a little shaky. So he did them again, turned to her, and said, "I wasn't shaky that time, was I?"

Same thing when it came to getting out of bed by himself. As soon as he found out he would need to do it by himself, there was no helping him! With this boy, it is definitely mind over matter! He matter of factly explained that he believes you can push yourself a lot more than you think, and then the next time, it will be easier to go even further.

The nurses and therapists were loving him. They said it's fun to have a patient who is so motivated. (FYI, they say the young male patients are usually the biggest wimps!) They told us it is fun for them to have the tables turned. Instead of begging, pleading, and dragging Shawn, he's the one pushing, prodding, and insisting they let him do it!

If all of his hard work doesn't pay off, he told one of the nurses that he has a plan B. He and a few friends figured out that if necessary, they can repel him down from his window and make a quick escape if need be. . .

We're thinking he's had enough excitement this week. Let's pray he sticks with plan A.

so good

Shawn's friend, Casey Earl (who was also the driver of the semi) and his wife Kristen came to visit Shawn and Kelsey tonight. They were able to visit for almost an hour. Kelsey said it was "amazing" and left her speechless. It was so good for both of them to see each other and have a chance to talk. According to Kelsey, it was one of the coolest things she has ever experienced.

To Casey- Shawn and Kelsey want to thank you so much. Again. . .thanks for Tuesday. And for coming to visit. It was so good.

And especially. . .CONGRATULATIONS! (Casey and Kristen are new parents!) Shawn and Kelsey are wishing you the best with Macey!

funny guy

The highway patrolman who first arrived on the scene just stopped by to give us some insurance information. When I asked him if he'd been on the scene, he said he was the first patrolman there. He then told me what a good sense of humor Shawn had.

When he drove up, he said he knew whoever was in the van was dead, so he readied himself to take care of the necessary details when he heard someone yell, "He's alive!"

He then ran to the car. When he asked Shawn if he had been taking any medications or had any chronic medical conditions, Shawn told him, "No, but I've got a van stuck on my leg."

A predicament indeed.

Gotta love a good sense of humor.

day 3

thursday afternoon:

They just moved Shawn out of ICU into the surgical intermediate care! :)

Thanks again. We wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. We are truly blessed!!!!!!! Kelsey