Miracles Happen

To say that the last two weeks have been agonizing, stressful, and exhausting would be a great understatement. 
To say that the last two weeks have also been remarkable, miraculous, and joyous, would be an even greater understatement. 

Twelve days ago, on Tuesday, July 20th, my 19-year-old brother Spencer suffered a very severe brain injury after falling off his longboard and landing on his head.  Spencer was rushed to Scottsdale Osborn Hospital, where the initial prognosis for his survival was deemed very grim.  He broke all the bones in his left ear and suffered too many skull fractures to count.  He spent several days in the ICU under coma-like sedation, connected to every conceivable monitor, tube, and wire; and endured brain surgery to remove a hematoma from his skull that was putting too much pressure on his brain.  While in the hospital he also contracted pneumonia and meningitis.  Spencer's body suffered a great deal, but I am overjoyed to report that this afternoon Spencer was cleared to go home!!  He is off all the monitors and machines, and the pneumonia and meningitis have been eliminated.  All 70 staples (minus one they missed :) ) have been removed from his head, and he is off all pain meds other than ibuprofen. He is walking (with support), talking, and definitely still has his same personality.  We are ECSTATIC and SO THANKFUL!! 

I haven't had the words to describe my feelings until recently, but now, two weeks after the accident and as he is headed home, two words specifically stick out in my mind: gratitude and awe.

Gratitude for the modern medicine and science that helped keep Spencer alive and will continue to help Spencer recover (hopefully eventually to his perfect old self)
Gratitude to the A-M-A-Z-I-N-G doctors and staff at Scottsdale Osborn who gave Spencer the best care we could have ever wished for
Gratitude for Spencer's amazing ability to fight and endure
Gratitude for the overwhelming love, support, and concern we received from innumerable sources, including many of you
Gratitude for the power of prayer and fasting, especially in massive numbers
Gratitude for the comfort and assurance the gospel brings through very trying times
and most importantly
Gratitude to my Heavenly Father for hearing our prayers and preserving Spencer's life

Awe that Spencer could start to recover so quickly from such a traumatic injury (one ICU nurse said it's the quickest she's seen in 20 years!)
Awe of the significant improvements Spencer continues to make day to day
Awe of the limitless charity and compassion of others
Awe of Spencer's ability to deal emotionally with the challenges he's suffered
Awe of our infinite blessings
and
Awe of observing a true miracle

What's next: Spencer's amazing progress and recovery has enabled him to go directly home from the hospital, instead of to a rehab facility as originally thought.  He will still have to have daily physical and neurological therapy, but will be able to do this on an outpatient basis. The broken bones in his left ear will not be addressed for another month or two, to allow his brain to continue to heal.  At that time, the goal will be to restore hearing to his left ear.  Spencer still has a long road of recovery ahead, but it is one we are happy to deal with.  For those who would like to follow Spencer's progress, a blog has recently been set up chronicling his recovery at http://humptydumptyman.blogspot.com/.  All the daily emails containing his status and updates that were sent out during his time in the hospital have been posted.

Thanks to all who have given their support, love, and prayers over the last two weeks.  We could not have done this without you.  And thanks again, to my Heavenly Father, who answered our prayers more thoroughly than we ever could have expected.