Day 1 at Craig Hospital

Phew! What a day!! The emotions were hyped that's for sure.

We arrived at Craig around 2pm. Dean got to his room and was met by an army of personnel, all there with one purpose: to welcome Dean to Craig and to assess him depending on their area of expertise. It felt much later, but by 6pm, I was walking out the door to find my housing accommodations. Dean was settled and resting.

What we learned today was crazy in that short of time. The best part of it all is that they are going to "meet Dean each day" wherever he is at physically and mentally. And each day will be different. No one can predict what it will look like, but most importantly, he'll be moving forward. It wont be easy, but this man is up for the challenge. He is saying to them, "Bring it on!"

Short-term goals from today:

1. Get off the vent

2. Add an adaptive cap to his trach so he can talk (Lord help us! lol) No really. I cannot wait for him to be able to express himself, to let us know where he is feeling pain & to hold conversations about what has happened thus far. We have sooooo much to talk about.

3. Get him fit in a wheelchair and tour the hospital and grounds.

4. Work with Speech on swallowing so he can have food rather than his feeding tube goop.

Thank you again for all your prayers and well wishes. The Lend a Hand Up site is blowing our minds. Today's Davies' Cross Country Team held a bake sale, and many friends sent me photos from it and shared how busy it was. Yay! We love Coach Edwards and continue to follow the Cross Country team each year. WDAY's story brought so much more attention to Dean's accident and his condition, and Kevin was so compassionate and amazing to work with. So many cards with gift cards and other donations have been arriving, and we are just overwhelmed with your generosity and kindness.

McKenna and Brett are back in their respective communities. McKenna back to work and Brett back to Dental School. Both wish they could be with their dad cheering him on in person, but this mama is happy they have something to keep their minds busy.

Mitchell is taking care of so much at home for me right now, including our pups, Jersey and Brecken. He is such a wonderful care-giver, but it is also hard on him to not be with his dad, and to hold down the fort along with his day to day job.

Thankfully we have the most wonderful friends, family and neighbors helping with chores while I am away so Mitchell doesn't have to handle even more. And our friends are checking in on the these three too.

Please keep our children in your hearts and in your prayers at this time. Even as adults, they need their dad and struggle being so far away not knowing what first-hand what is happening or what their dad is going through besides getting photos and messages from me.

Things will be moving along much more quickly here, and I know their will be exciting events and milestones to share regarding Dean. We are thankful and relieved we are here.