Long time no thoughts to write.

Everything has been very busy. We had problems with home health and we have just recently gotten that all taken care of. I am so thankful that Bobby and I learned mom's care because if we didn't we would have been in deep trouble. We were taking care of mom all on our own for about 2 weeks and I have a new found appreciation for what aids and tecs do. I am happy I have learned much from them and I am happy that I don't have their job. I would lose my mind but that's just me and I have different talents then they do.

I read something from a good book. The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. Matthew 6:22-23

The Pastor explained more about what this meant and it really has made me think. I have read over and over again that you are a product of your mind. You will go to where ever your mind takes you. If you see yourself getting horrible in health you will have bad health. If you see yourself as healthy and happy; one will be happy and healthy. If you see yourself as successful you will be successful. The only thing that could ever hold anyone back is their mind. Our minds are an amazing gift; it will fight for whatever you let it obsess over, either good or bad. Your body will follow your mind and heart and will work hard for what the mind truly wants. I have also read many amazing stories about how histories of disease run in peoples family and they escape the dicease because they put their mind to work for them. The mind is either a bullet for suicide or an avenue to the greatness of the world.

Another thing I have seen is how my mom's mind has helped her. She progresses all the time and it's literally a miracle slowly coming alive right in front of my eyes. She is using her feet to help her move her body when she is in bed and transferring on the slide board, and her body is getting more movable all the time. One thing she is one of the most positive people I know. She tells me I will walk, I will overcome this wheelchair if it's the last thing I do.

I remember all the hard times I have had in my life. Sometimes it seems as if nothing will ever get better. I had recently heard a talk from another pastor and it was about trials. At times in need we feel God is far away but in reality he is right there, next to us, comforting us, and telling us it will be OK, the trials will pass. I almost cried because I have felt him close to me. I ask for his comfort and it feels like he is right next to me telling me it's going to be OK, and I feel his warmth all around me like a blanket on a cold night. I have been calm, sometimes a little crazy but calm during this whole thing because he has comforted me. He has reassured me that mom will be OK. I have dreamed numerous times that just randomly out of nowhere she just walks right into the room, and me and Bobby just look at each other like what just happened? I know that if we put faith in the Lord he will lead us out of anything that is hurting us. Take the hand off the throttle and let the Lord drive! He knows our destination far better then we do and will take us there. He has a purpose for us and we must all follow our dreams; don't hold back! That is one thing I also wanted to mention about our eyes as being a lamp. Our eyes will take us to our future and our dreams, and our subconscious mind will take us to where ever we let the cruise control take us.

Thank you all very much for reading! I didn't realize how many really read this blog.

The last days of Criag are winding down to the end.

Bobby and I have been crazy busy learning more and more of mom's care. I won't get into too much detail about that because I know you all want to know how mom is doing. Last Thursday when Bobby and I went to Montrose, mom passed out in the standing chair on Friday the day we were coming back to Denver. The next day she did really good but I was happy we were not here because we both would have freaked out. She has been doing really good on her tests and her movements have been coming back more and more, but still very slow. My patience has been tested during these passed 4 months. I have really been taught the meaning of patience. We live in a world were most things are instant and the body healing from a spinal cord injury is not one of them. As the old sane goes Rome was not built in a day and that is exactly what this is like.

Where do we go from here? We will stay in the Craig apartments for a week till mom's manual wheelchair comes in. After that an extended stay hotel until we find a place or home if we find it earlier. I know it's crazy that we have not found a place yet but we feel it's more important to learn mom's care then find a place. For what is more important learning something that could save my mom's life in an emergency or finding a place to live? We will get to it when we get to it. No need to panic! Hold on till the crazy ride is over.

the end is near

Next Friday mom is leaving craig. Everything is ensane and we are looking for a house and we hope we found the one. Mom is still doing great and has more movement in her left leg and a little more in her right. She is super excited to leave craig and take a break for a while. We will all miss all the amaizing people we met and the memories but it's great to move on to the next chapter.

Mom went on a bike ride yesterday and she did awesome! It was a hand bike though but those things are actually really cool; they have more comfortable seats. Mom was able to move her leg up like a march and she is getting more and more movement in her right leg and foot. Her wheelchair has new wheels, the are power wheels that help keep the momentum going as she pushes. The results; it makes it easier for her to go up hills and be a little lazy if she wants, but not too lazy cuz those things go crazy and start moving around like a possessed pair of wheels. I had to try them out and that's why I know so much about them. Hey I don't want my mom to get hurt, so I have to always play with her stuff. wink. Honestly this summer has been hard but a lot of fun. Who ever knew that a hospital would have stuff to do that would be memorable and something to do with mom. Bobby and I have been taking mom to the mall and the walmart on the public transportation. That has also been fun and gives us another reason to get out of the hospital for a while. Yes it is fun sometimes but sometimes its really really boring. Mom is doing good, just having fun and going along on the ride the Lord has planed for her.

only a short time left till rehab is over

Mom had surgery on Tuesday; she had a super pubic catheter done. Basically she has a tube in her bladder instead of well you all know. She says she likes the super pubic better and it's more comfortable. She is now able to move her right leg left to right and is able to move her foot a little. Yesterday was a little hard for mom. She was concerned about how everything is going to be hard and how she cant do anything anymore, but hopefully today she is in better spirits. I want everyone to know that mom has no reason to worry, because she has beaten the odds. When she first got to Craig she couldn't breath on her own, she couldn't feed herself, and many other things. Basically she was going to be a quad and now she is going to be a para, for now at least. Only God knows the outcome and I have a great feeling it's going to be good.

08-21-09

Mom had a very productive day. She popped a wheelie in her wheelchair, is communicating better on her self speaking computer program, and many other things. Mom is going to get two pink wheelchairs, one manual and the other a power tilt chair. Her spasms are crazy and crack me up sometimes. She has such bad spasm sometimes she kicks like a donkey. More and more movement is coming in her arms, hands, fingers, a little in her lower part of her body, and she is getting better and better at doing things for herself.

mom has moved

Mom has moved over to the east side of Criag. Her new room number is East 330 and her new phone number is 303-789-8830. When anyone calls mom ask for Rhonda Bates in room 330. Mom is still doing good and learning lots of new things. Thank you all for your support love you all!

Mercedes

Having fun on the run

Today was a fun day! We all went trap shooting up in Bennett. Mom is doing great! She stood up in the stand up chair for 10 minutes, is getting better with her manual wheelchair, is learning how to use the Internet with a voice activated program, and is running away in her wheelchair from the nurses with the drugs.

A informative oppertunity about mom's progress

On August 12 at 1:00 Pm there is a conference about mom. Her therapists, nurses, Dr. Hsu, and her physiologist will speak about there thoughts on mom's progress and where she is headed. Here is the info: The conference line number is 866-230-2904 and the code number is 303-789-8430. other then that mom is doing great and is progressing on the manual wheelchair. Hope you all can call in and get more info then I could give. Believe me it's more info then most can handle. Thank you all! Love you!

Mercedes Bates

The cute bug

Mom is still doing good. She is learning lots of new things and is getting stronger and stronger by the day. She made cookies today, is working hard on the manual wheelchair, and getting stronger not only physically but mentally. Life is not a sprint it's a marathon and along the way one achieves things never imaginable.

I've been extreamly busy!

Some have wondered why I haven't wrote in a while on, and I'm sorry but I'm just busy. Bobby had surgery on his shoulder on Thursday and I have been helping taking care of him and mom. Bobby is doing good, his surgery was a success and now he is just healing from it all. Two holes were placed in the front of his shoulder and one in the back of his shoulder. He only has three small holes and I think it's amazing what surgeons can do these days. One hole was for the camera and the other two were for the equipment to come in and put his shoulder back together. He has three anchors to keep his shoulder together and when his shoulder heals and the tissues, mussels, and cartilage form around his shoulder the anchors will dissolve. Bobby is sore, feels sick to his stomach sometimes and has been sleeping a lot, but hey he is doing great compared to other people who have had shoulder surgery. Mom is doing great too she can feed herself, brush her teeth, comb her hair, drink out of cups, can tell temperature on her hands, and still has her competitive edge. What I mean by competitive edge? My mom, I and many others played line soccer in wheelchairs and mom was on my team. That was the first time I had to pretend that I was handicapped and two of the people picked on me for it lol. One was stabbing me in the belly with a plastic thing (no blood was drawn :D) and one desperately trying to keep me from getting the ball in the basket. Mom was asked if she was an athlete and said no, then two minutes later yelled at me to wake up when she through the ball to me and I wasn't paying attention. It was so much fun and it brought back so many memories with my mom and I when we would play games together. I will try to write back soon but I am not making any promises. ttyl Love you all and hope to get back to writing more progress soon.

Mercedes

keeps on getting better

All the nurses, techs, and respiratory people call mom their rock star. Mom is doing a wonderful job. She is completely off the ventilator, got her trek pulled out today, and can eat whatever she wants now. She has also been pushing around a manual wheelchair for a little while everyday. I hope she gets better with the manual because that automatic wheelchair she had today, wow. She just about took me out, almost ran into the wall, had the hardest time getting out of an office, and I drove it and looked like I was drunk riding down the hallway. Point blank those things are very confusing and when placed with speed not a good combination. Oh and another great thing happened, well not really, but Bobby's fingernail finally fell off. He bashed his finger in the accident and it went through all the stages and now I don't have to hear, Mercedes my fingernail is going to fall off any day now. He has told me that everyday, like 7 times, for a week. Mom's attitude is fantastic and she cracks me up all the time. She is like her old self but in a wheelchair.

trucking along

Mom passed her swallow evaluation today. When we arrived she had just got done eating her beef stew and earlier that day she had some spaghetti. She loves being able to eat. Mom has a very busy week about 5 or 6 hours a day of therapy. The people at Craig call her their rock star because she has been doing so well.

A miracle in the making

For a while mom has been having spasms going through her legs like crazy, so every time mom moves anything on the lower part of her body we usually think its not really a big deal. Tonight when we went to see mom, she wanted to show us something. She told us to look at her right foot, so we did. Her right foot moved under her control, she did it again and again under her control. It's hard for her to do but she can do it when she concentrates really hard. Mom has had an exhausting day. She learned how to brush her teeth, flip pages in a book, write a little, wash her faced, and she loved every minute of leaning all those things again. She also got a little pampering, a facial and a manicure, while she listened to a band play. I guess she was singing along with them and everything. Bobby and I wanted to leave her to socialize and get to know people better, so we were not there to see her while she got pampered and had fun.

Here is an invitation for all

I know this is short notice but there is a conference for my moms progress today. At 1:00 for all the people in the mountain area of time and 3:00 for the people in Michigan. The confernce line is 866 230 2904 and the code is 303 789 8403. Today is July 7 on Tuesday for all that are wondering. I have to go but will try to put on as much stuff as I can about mom's progress. Everything is just crazy busy and it seems like there are not enough hours in a day. Mom made a clay flute last night I made a twinky looking thing lol. She is probobly going to get off the ventalator completely, in the next couple of days. Her blood count is still going up its to 11.0 right now. She is on Mona Vie the nurses are putting it in her feeding tube. Everyday she gets better and I am amaized by how much she wants to learn about getting her body to work again. She always watches how we all do things and tries to find her own special way to do the same things we do. I know this is a complete tragady but I love to see how much she is growing. It's almost like watching a little kid learn how to work their movements and their body, and she seems so curious of the world and how differnt it will be from now on. Love you all! Mercedes

progress is still coming along

So much has been going on this week. Mom is progressing everyday. She has gone two sizes down in her trach and has an attachment on her trach, for the ability to talk. Her blood count rose from 9.0 to 9.7 and she does not need a blood transfusion, anymore. She was placed in a power wheelchair and has been driving really well. She has run over me and one of the nurses and ran into the wall backwords a couple of times but she is good. She has a shirt that says walk faster or I will run you over and on the back it says if you can read this I just ran you over, lol no she doesn't but I thought is was funny to say, all credit goes to Bobby. Her lungs are getting cleared up. She has been having a problem swallowing some foods but they predict she will be eating and drinking in the next couple weeks or so. Luquid is not going into her lungs it's just her swollowing mecanisims are not working just right. I would expain more but that MRI camera thing was gross and I just don't really like looking at stuff like that. It looked like a wierd heart movement thingy and when I see a heart out in plain sight and no body it makes me want to puke. She is doing great and she is up and optimistic all the time. She loves her classes. She has occupational, physical, and speech classes. It is ensane how people in wheelchairs do ordinary tasks everyday.

An outline of the past two days

For the record, I want to clear up one issue. There has been a little bit of a stir about if mom can eat or drink solids and if all the tests she has been taking, the water is going into her lungs. That is false. About two weeks ago mom took a swallow evaluation and didn't pass, but all the tests she has been taking have been a success, and no blue die ink water has gotten into her lungs. So basically she can drink liquids, but her throat still needs to develop to what it used to be. Mom was off the ventilator for 7 hours today. Bobby and I have been learning how to suction out moms lungs properly. I tried my first time today with mom. It went well but I still have to have supervision for two more times. She was in the wheelchair yesterday for the first time. She is doing really good, she just is tired, and honestly I do not blame her. Mom will start rehabilation classes tomorrow and we are all extreamly excited. Sorry it took a couple of days but we have had an excited and draining time. Thank you all for the prayers! God bless and love you all!!

Sleeping beauty

Bobby, my great aunt Ruth, and I went to see mom today for a while. She was so relaxed that she was asleep for most of the time. Even tonight when Bobby and I showed up in Craig, we ended up leaving early because she was sleeping. It's almost as if this is the first time in two and a half weeks, she has been able to rest. We don't really want to wake her because she looks so peaceful. There is a snag in the Bood donating process. We might still use my blood or if we have to use some from the blood bank. For the first time, today, she was placed into a wheel chair. I don't know how that all went, but I know she is doing good and she is relaxed.

Craig

When I said that we were not for sure if mom was going to Craig hospital on Monday or not; I was right. Today mom was taken to Craig. The day was very long but informative. She loves it at Craig, it's more comfy, and it's not like she is a specimen to the public eye. Here is her address at Craig. My moms blood count is low and the doctor wanted to get blood from the blood bank. Honestly there are way too many desises out there and we desided not to do that. We are going to get her blood, from yours truely, me. I am going to overcome one of my biggest fears needles and blood, all in one day. I don't know when that day is going to be but I know soon. Hey it's the least I can do. The woman gave birth to me, and we both have the same blood type. Mom is doing pretty good, she has some compilcations, but she has a great attitude abouth the whole thing.

Rhonda Bates room 308
3425 south Clarkson street
Englewood, CO 80113

A little delay

My mom is able to write and kinda talk. She was going to go to the Craig rehabilation center, but her docter there is off till monday. Monday is suppost to be the lucky day, I just hope it goes through. Everything is going good. We all have been crazy busy with life in general.

The day Bobby and I return

I never thought that after a nice weekend would catapult a hard day. My mom is still doing good and she is still communicating with us. We all try to be so strong then all the sudden everything hits at once. I just hate seeing my mom in that hospital bed, helpless looking. I have a compulsion to want to see my mom better right now, instead of a few months from now. Today was created to be a hard day and tomorrow will be better.

The crazy things that happen.

Bobby, Zk, Jamie, Anthony, the rest of Jamie's family, and I were hanging out by the fire pit. I saw Jamie rushing over to all of us with the phone in her hand. My first thought was, "oh great what happened? Is mom worse then she was before we left?" A smile lit up Jamies face as she put the phone on speaker phone and placed it on the stone of the fire pit. (the fire was put out so don't think she put it on the fire) The nurse started speaking and all of us got a joy inside our hearts. The darkness was whithering away and a little light of hope shined down on us. The news the nurse gave us was awesome and I will explain what the nurse told us. My mom moved her legs up, move her left hand, and the rest of her limbs. She is not an E on the Asia spinal cord injury level, but I know in time she will be. An E level is the level that most of us are in; it just means we have no spinal injuries and one can move all of their body parts. Through this experience so far, I have realized how many things we take for granted. We always worry about the silly things, when someone out there is paralized and their life has completely changed. Just think about it how hard would it be to realize one day you could be a vegtable, or never walk again, or not even be able to use your arms, fingers, or wrists again? The miricle has just began and I have aways known that my mom was going to get through this. I felt it in my gut and I know my mom. She is a warrior and she will get through this.

06-17-09

Mom had a trek put on her today to help her with her breathing. She also is on a pug or peg or however its pronounced, Which is a device that feeds her, into her stomach. My mom seemed happy the 10 minutes Bobby and I were in there for. We were shortly rushed out by 5 or 6 doctors. We said our goodbyes and we are both in Fruita now. We are both taking a couple of days off and getting some much needed rest. I will try to keep you all updated as best as I can.

06-17-09

Mom is still on the ventilator. The doctors are thinking about putting a trek into her neck, which goes into her lungs, to help her breath. She is still in good spirits but she is having a problem with pain in her throat. She told me, through a little expression in her eyes and communicating as we as she could in her movements, that she does not think she is going to make it through the pain of the ventilator. She hates that thing, and I do not blame her. Bobby, Kibbie, and I gave her encouraging words and told her to keep holding on. Mom also got another blessing tonight. I am getting impatient and want all this to go by faster but all I along with the rest of the family have to be passionate. The bigger the struggle the greater the victory.

Here is a message to everyone.

Thank you all so much for your support, love, and prayers! I know you all feel helpless some of you being so far away, but you all are a huge help. I truly believe we can all create a miracle with prayers and belief. If there is anything that comes up that my family and I need I will let you all know. The greatest thing anyone can do is pray; I know it is working. My mom has been given two preisthood blessings so far and she gets a little better after each one. I have a good feeling about my mom and I believe a miracle is in the making. Thank you all again!

Mercedes Bates

June-16-09

Today mom is back on the ventilator. The reason for this is because she has some liquid in her lungs. The doctors also have to turn her on her side and stick a tube into her lungs and suck the liquid out of her lungs. Last night she told me and Bobby that she was having a problem breathing and we told her it was probably the high altitude but it was because of the stuff in her lungs. Doctor Shu ran another test on her condition and she was a 100 times better then the first time he tested her. We are all stoked about the progress she has done so far. Time will heal her and she gets a little better everyday. This is going to be a slow process but its like the race of the turtle and the rabit alitimately she will win in the end.

06-15-09

Rhonda is doing a little better today. She is moving her legs, arms, wrists, and fingers. Her spirts are still high but she is still a little tired. Her knomonia is clearing up. She did fail the ditatation test, which means she cannot eat solid foods yet. She is being fed by a tub that is from her nose to her belly. She still has some stuff in her lungs and she is getting a lot of it out by coughing and having someone push on her belly as she coughs. She has a big smile on her face and has the same old motherly care she always had.

That gloomy day in June

Life is a mysterious merry go round, full of twists and turns, detours and confusion. We all deal with pain, sorrow, heartache, loss, stress, and life changing circumstances. We must all remember the happy things in life like flowers a bloom on a spring day, smiles that beam out like the sun with joy, the memories that are more precious than gold, and true, heartbreaking, love. It is easy to hate someone but it’s far harder to love someone; for when something happens to the ones we love we lose a part of ourselves.
It was a sunny day in June and my mom and I remembered the flowers in bloom. The white flowers so perfectly displayed themselves like snow balls on tree branches. The pink flowers like deep cotton candy, the purple deep like the accents on the Rockies, and the yellows joyful and bright. My mom, Dan, and I got into the car anxious for the adventure that lies ahead. We were heading to Louisville Kentucky, for a Team Mona Vie convention. On the way there my mom lost her wallet on the freeway and we had to go back 60 miles to get it. An honest couple calls all the people my mom knew in the Birch society. One got a hold of my mom and we were all so thankful that honest people still live in the world. When we met them we thanked them several times with huge smiles of relief.
When we got to Louisville my mom and I picked up Bobby from the airport. We all were so happy to be around each other and ready to start achieving our dreams through Mona Vie and Team. The whole weekend was full of inspiration and our hearts and souls exuberated with hope and joy. Chris Brady made us all laugh with the lizard lady, the grumpy old man, and the cautious husband. Some of the speakers talked about how bad of shape our county was in and what was about to come. My mom’s heart was full and she felt sorrow for our countries condition, but she was ready to fight.
Bobby decided to help me and my mom drive back to Colorado. We said our goodbyes to Mike, Matt, Greg, and Dan, and started on our journey back to Colorado. The days where long and we were getting sleepy and anxious after a while, but we were determined to meet our goal of two days to get to Colorado. I was driving outside of Kansas City then told my mom I was too tired to drive any longer so she took the wheel.
I had fallen in a deep sleep for a couple of minutes, before I knew it I woke up to screaming and yelling. The car jolted from the left then to the right, and then all went black for a couple of moments. I felt the bashing of the pressure on the car and when the violent moving came to a cease I opened my eyes again. What I saw was my mom bleeding tremendously from her head and I felt no pain at this point. I was on a mission and Bobby told me to call for help. I pushed the heavy door open and rushed around seeing if everyone was ok. I wanted to panic but I couldn’t my heart wouldn’t let me. My mom kept asking me if I was ok and if Bobby was ok. I admire how much she cares about others before herself. A man parked on the side of the road came rushing down the hill to see if we were ok. I said in shock “No my mom is bleeding and my brother is complaining about his back hurting!” The ambulance is on its way.” The man said to me concerned. Another person came to ask me if we had a sheltie and I said yes. Winnie the dog was running scared down the highway a mile down the road.
The minutes seemed like hours as I waited for help to come. I comforted my mom with words and kisses and asked Bobby if he was doing ok. The fire department came first and rushed over to the scene. My brother Bobby asked that they take care of mom before him and told mom to not move. My mom complained about not being able to move her legs. The firemen worked frantically to get mom out of the car and got her out with the Jaws of Life. As that was going on I was being comforted by people who lived in Goodland Kansas and thanked one man for retrieving Winnie. I honestly wanted to stay away from the scene for a while till mom and Bobby were out of the car. My heart raced fast in my chest I could barely seem to even breathe but I told myself to be strong.
The ambulance came and the ambulance team placed mom on a stretcher and placed her inside of the ambulance. They asked me who I was and if I was family. I said “Yes.” They asked me to get inside of the ambulance and I did as I was told. Bobby was still in the car. I watched my mom with my heart hanging on a tread and my stomach felt like it was in my throat. People all around me started asking questions about where we lived how old she was and so on. My mom started answering questions along with me and was very coherent with me and the others. The whole day was a blur a crazy complicated whirlwind. I had people buzzing around me all over the place asking if I was ok. I asked plenty of questions every five minutes I would ask the nurses, “What’s wrong with my mom, what’s wrong with Bobby?”
I walked down the halls impatiently waiting for the nurses to get done with my mom so we could be shipped to Denver. I saw my shadow in the window of a huge green metal door. “God is trying to make me strong. I am thankful that I can still love and hold and care for my mom and brother. They are here and so am I, I should feel blessed but I am so worried and confused. I don’t think I can get through this.” I thought to myself. My mom and I were driven to the jet and before I knew it I was high in the sky watching the clouds go by. My mom was knocked out from the drugs and I had only a fourth of the feeling my mom did when I had a spinal disease as a baby. I felt helpless, I had no control, I wanted to cry, I wanted to turn back time, but I knew this was the result. I had to deal with it and watch over my mom. I numbed myself hoping for the best and crawling forward with my emotional wounds.


We landed in Denver and were escorted to the ambulance. My mind was racing a million miles an hour silence surrounded me as I sat in the front seat. The only break in the silence was the frantic movements in the back of the ambulance. I started a conversation with the ambulance driver and found out that he used to be a musician and traveled all over the world. He was not paid very much but he told me the memories were priceless. We stopped at the hospital and after a blurring day the world finally stopped spinning around. I sat in a room as mom situation was being analized. From the corner of my eye I saw a familiar figure. It was Ruth and she held me tenderly with her hands and arms. Tears swelled in her eyes.

Bobby was still in Kansas and ZK and Jamie were on there way. Kibbie and Bryson arrived at the hospital later on in the afternoon. The whole experience was a challenge, I felt as if I wanted to give up so many times, but we must all hold on tight and keep moving forward. My mom's injuries were far more worse then I expected and I found out the seriousness of it later on in the week, but she is here and that is all that matters.My mom may never walk again, but we will all love her no matter what. Right now is too early to tell what will happen. We must all have trust in the Lord and keep pulling forward. Angels were umungst us in that early morning of darkness. It is moments like these that prove that there is a God and he is always there. He knows what he is doing and we must all have trust in him.