Wednesday, December 22nd 2010

I know some of you are wondering if I would ever post again, & there are some of you that may be visiting this site for the very first time! Well, it's been a year since I last posted & there are many reasons why! For starters, I finally returned to a full-time job as an Esthetician(skin care professional) about a year ago! This past year has been the most rewarding since that tragic day! This may actually be the first Christmas since the accident that Wesley will remember! His short term memory has drastically improved! He still has his moments where I begin to wonder if he may be regressing, but after all is said & done....he regains concentration & focus on what is going on & what is real! There are moments that bring me back 2 that tragic day, just as I am sure there aways will be....for instance.....getting ready for bed & hearing sirens blare down OS/Hospital road always seems 2 take me back no matter how much I would like to forget! But now, over 2 years later...here we are....bigger, better, & stronger than ever before! So many obstacles,but yet we have hurdled every single one! Wesley has finally completed (as of Dec.) college & will earn his associates degree to become eligible to test for the state certification exam to become a Certified Residential Appraiser! Our business has struggled due to the long & unexpected wait of accomplishing this goal....but I have managed to support our family & allow Wesley the freedom to meet this criteria!! It has not been easy, but something else amazing has happened that has made this journey sooooooo much easier! Wesley found God....& he found him all by himself! He is now in the process of completing the cathechism classes @ St.Alphonsus with my father as his sponsor! He will soon become a part of what God has willed all along!! This was part of his master plan & there is no doubt in my mind now that he was chosen for this journey! 2 years ago I could not comprehend this horrific nightmare, but today I sit speechless @ the wonders of God's work! I hope you all have a very safe & happy holidays & an even Happier New Year!!!!

Jennifer Fry

Tuesday, January 5th 2010

First, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year, and I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas. I would also like to apologize for taking so long to post an update. Wesley did go for his one year evaluation in Jackson back in November, and completed & passed his driving test. With the holidays fast approaching, it seems that time had just slipped away. Obviously, I have adjusted to a new normal, and as always needed to find the right time to post and gather my words.

At Wesley's one year evaluation, he was administered quite a few very long and intense neurological and pyschological tests. We spent the night there, so that he could be well rested for the next day, where he went on almost a half day driving evaluation. In almost all of the areas of his testing he improved from mildy impaired to borderline. Some of the areas where Wesley still remains mildly impaired are in his short term memory. In language and category cueing he still remained moderately-to-severly impaired. And his fine motor skills, bilaterally still remain severly impaired. This basically means, that Wesley trips over his words frequently and drops things even more frequently, leaving little messes everywhere for me to clean up. Wesley also still has a level of disorientation that requires some cueing when driving to and from familiar territory. Thank God for GPS!!!! LOL:) This has all become a very new normal for Wesley and I, and we have come to the point in his recovery where we will simply just make jokes about all of his disabilities and laugh at all of the things that are just too difficult. The pathological laughing seems to be pretty much under control with the exception of situations that are just too serious for Wesley. So, basically Wesley is just simply a big kid and couldn't be happier with the way he is, and this new life that he has been given. Wesley still and will always have to stay under a doctor's supervision for certain medicines that help to control his mood and sleep! These are permanant things that people are left with post Traumatic Brain Injury.

On a lighter note, Wesley will be attending Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College for the Spring Semester to finally finish getting his degree so that he can soon meet his goal in becoming a State Certified Real Estate Appraiser. Wesley and I both remain licensed and are working well together to grow our appraisal business. We have both found a sense of independence to allow us to go in somewhat different directions in normal daily routine. Our sweet son will be turning 5 in a couple weeks, and we are just so blessed to have been given this second chance in giving him the best life that we can possibly provide. 2010 is going to be our year to finally achieve so many of the things that seemed so impossible just one year ago. Remember......anything is possible with God! We hope that everyone stays safe and healthy this year, and for the many years to come! God Bless!

SEPTEMBER 28TH 2009

One year ago tonight my world stopped! I had always been a very religious person, but kept it very private! That night...Wesley brought me closer to God than I ever knew possible! As he lay there lifeless, I felt God's hands. I knew from that moment that it was not Wesley's time to leave this life. However, I never imagined that he would recover almost fully! I accepted the fact that Wesley may not ever be normal again,, and I knew I had to fight for him. There were days that I felt like my heart was being ripped from my chest, but I begged God to give me strength.....and he did! I cannot explain why bad things happen to good people, but I can explain why Wesley is here! I believe that God chose Wesley and my family. And I believe that he used him to prove his point! The point is....if you believe and trust in him, anything is possible! Today, Wesley drives a car, he works, he works out at the gym, he plays golf, he plays with his son, and he loves life! If you knew him before, you would know that he is very different now! He claims that the accident was the best thing that has ever happened to him. Sometimes, that is a hard pill for me to swallow (only because he can't remember the long tough road here), but he remembers how he used to be & he still finds the good out of every situation! Wesley is at the peak of his recovery. He will need one last evaluation. He is going to blow their minds. He amazes me every day. He will never have full range of his left arm, or good fine motor skills, but TRUST ME.....he could care less! He has everything he needs and so do I. Thank you all once again for all of your love and support. My family is forever greatful!

Jennifer Fry

July 17, 2009 Friday

I was not planning on posting anything until after Wesley's next evaluation. Due to the curiousity of friends and family, I have decided to post an update. Due to the curiousity of an anonymous follower, I will be leaving a comment for you at the end of this post.

Wesley's 2nd Neuro-psychological evaluation has been pushed back to sometime in August. This evaluation is necessary for the decision of a driver's evaluation as well. Both evaluations will take place in Jackson. At this time, Wesley is very far ahead of what was to be expected as a very long recovery. If you did not know him before the accident, you would never even know that almost 10 months ago he was not even breathing on his own. However, Wes is very different than before. He has an appreciation for all of the small things that we take for granted every day. His laughing disorder is sooooo much better, but he is still a goofball 24-7. His fine motor skills in both hands are still very impaired, but he always attempts to do things for himself before asking me for help. The only difference is that it might take him twice as long. His memory on the other hand is still improving every day. It now only seems to be the things that someone just said, maybe seconds ago, is what he has a hard time with. He does stumble over his words quite often, but that just makes him laugh too. The tremors have not really seemed to have gotten any better, but again....they are part of a movement disorder associated with the Basal Ganglia part of the brain. This movement disorder is not life threatening, nor does it disable him from completeing every day tasks. Wesley and I are finally working together full time, and he seems to be handling lots of work at one time very well. He has not been released to work independently at this time, but because Wes trained me so well before the accident...he will never have to worry about making any mistakes with me constantly over his shoulder. God works in mysterious ways, now doesn't he??

It is coming up on the year anniversary, and I will post one last update after his next evaluation. At this time, I would like to invite anyone who is interested to view my comment on this update. The comment is for the anonymous blogger who commented on June 24th to my last post. This site was created out of love for friends and family who wanted to keep up with Wesley's progress. A special thanks to all of you who have respected the site. And again, we would like to thank all of you for your love, support, and prayers.

Jennifer Fry

Wednesday, April 22nd

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter. We spent ours in Tampa with Wesley's Mother. This was the first time that they got to see each other since he was discharged from Methodist back in November. This was also the first time that his sister got to see him since he was in a coma. Needless to say, they were completely blown away with how well Wesley has recovered. He is doing even better since the last time I posted. I did recieve a phone call about his EEG, and the news was all good. His doctors in Jackson would like to reevaluate him again in July. This evaluation will hopefullly include a driver evaluation test. For the time being, Wesley will continue to self rehabilitate in the gym, and on the computer using his cognitive thinking programs, puzzles, etc.... He does still have his daily laughing spell, but that too has seemed to improve (SOMEWHAT:)! Wesley's tremors have also lessened, possibly due to being weened off of all of the medicine's previously taken for siezures, sleep, mood, etc.... Wesley has also finally been released from physical therapy once again. His orthopaedic doctor informed us that there would be nothing more he could do to further straighten the left elbow. Like I said before: "If this is one of the permanant things left to deal with, then so be it." We are so lucky to have only these minor things left as small reminders. Reminders of what could have been, and reminders of what the future will come to be. Life for Wesley and our family is exactly where it always was supposed to be. God Bless!

Saturday, March 21st

So, I finally recieved a phone call from Wesley's doctor in Jackson this passed Friday. She was very pleased with alot of his scores from his first evaluation in almost 4 months. Basically, to sum it all up for you.....in the areas where he once was severely impaired, he is now only mildly impaired. These areas include: fine motor skills with the left arm and hand, memorization of sequencing numbers and words, problem solving, and comprehension. His doctor informed me that Wesley will continue to improve and recover, and that she would like to evaluate him again in June. Until then, he has been given permission to drive around town with my supervision, do yardwork as long as I am home, and even start getting back into his appraisal work with my help. He has developed a slight "tick" of the head and neck, and some tremors that somewhat resemble a "Parkinson's" tremor. So, I have been instructed to ween him off of his anti-seizure medicine so that he can have a clean EEG performed to rule out any seizure activity. This EEG will take place in O.S. on April 1st. We will head back to Jackson on May 7th to discuss the EEG and what the tremors might mean. Until then he will continue his physical therapy for his left elbow and try getting back into the gym.

I would also like to add that to the average person looking at or talking to Wes would never know that he even has any of these impairments. Things that we may not even have to think twice about, Wesley may have to think twice as hard. So, please continue to pray for his recovery because God IS listening. I strongly believe that is why Wesley is where he is right this very minute. Thank you all once again and God Bless!! The Fry Family

Wednesday, March 4th

First, I would like to apologize for not posting in such a long period of time. Wesley is very hard to keep up with these days. We are coming to the end of all of his outpatient therapy, and will be taking our first trip back to Jackson for an evaluation next Tuesday, March 10th. So, you can look for a new post after that date for sure. I think all of the pictures that I am attaching to this post pretty much says it all. We just returned home from Tuscon, Arizona where we were reunited with Wesley's father and stepmom since the accident. All of these pictures are from our trip there. Wesley's recovery since I last posted has been unbelievable. His short term memory seems to me to be nearly repaired by almost 80% if I had to guess. He has already played golf twice with his buddy Dave. He has still not been given the green light to drive, but I can see that light coming very soon. We are working together to try to improve his skills for his work and are hoping to get back on track with that within the next couple of months. He does have a new physical therapist strictly working with his left elbow that has never seemed to straighten itself. He now wears an elbow splint at night when he sleeps to help aid in the straightening process. He has also been blessed with the gift of laughter. Yes, I said laughter. He has developed a condition called "PLC" A.K.A. "Pathological laughing and/or crying." It is caused from lesions on the frontal lobe of the brain. This causes him at times to have uncontrollable spells of laughing, even when things are not funny at all. Only 5% of brain injuries experience this. GO FIGURE!! This will in time correct itself. He has been put on some new medications to help keep his level of emotions in balance. That has also improved drastically. He still has a level of disorientation at times that could prolong his ability to drive, but only time will tell. Can you believe that it has already been over 5 months??? Still feels like yesterday to me!! Wesley is becoming more independent every day...........I am expecting a full recovery by September 28th of this year. And if any of these minor things are permanent, then we will accept that and move forward and thank God every day for this second chance. Jennifer and Wesley Fry

Saturday, December 27th

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!! Ours was better than we could have ever imagined. This weekend marks 3 months since the accident. I could have never imagined this much progress in such a short period of time. 3 months sounds like a long time, but when you've still got your whole life ahead of you, it's really just a bump in the road. Kind of like a really big bump I guess. Things are very different. Some for the better, and some will just take time getting used to. Wesley's short term memory seems to be getting better every day, but he still has a level of disorientation that makes him very paranoid. So we are still working on that. I took him to hit golf balls at the driving range in St. Andrews for the first time this passed weekend. At first he didn't do so well, but after about 30 minutes of trying to remember his grip and his swing, he started launching the balls so far that I could barely follow with my eyes. I sat there amazed. I really could not believe it. Even with the messed up shoulder and the left arm not so straight, he stayed so focused and determined and started swinging just like he used to. So, it looks like he will actually be ready for the golf course before trying to get back to work. Sorry Steve!! I will make it Wesley's goal to do at least 3 mock appraisals before January is over, so maybe when he has his evaluation in Jackson in February they can give him the okay to get back to his work (with my supervision of course). We will both be so greatful for the day when Wes is fully independent again. I'm sure it will come before we know it.

My 93 year old grandmother (A.K.A. Nanny) fell this morning and broke her hip. She was rushed into surgery and is currently in recovery in the ICU at Ocean Springs hospital. Please keep her in your prayers. She is doing okay, but in alot of pain. I was hoping I wouldn't have to visit that hospital again so soon. But at least I know she is in great hands. Have a safe and Happy New Year. Jennie

Friday, December 12th

Wesley has now been home for 3 weeks. He will be completing 3 full weeks of outpatient therapy today. He was given the "O.K." to go back to the gym with supervision. Today will be his 3rd trip to the gym. Wesley finally got his glasses this week also. He is loving being able to see clearly. We saw his Neurosurgeon yesterday (Dr. Kesterson). He said that everything Wes is experiencing is normal for his type of brain injury, and that he seems to be moving in every step in the right direction to a full recovery. He is still having some issues with his short term memory, but every day a little more seems to be coming back. He can now almost extend his left arm fully, and his right shoulder is not giving him as many problems. The medicine seems to be working well. Dr.Kesterson would like him to stay on the anti-seizure medicine for the time being. He will not go back to Jackson for an evaluation till sometime in February and again in March, so until then he will have to continue his outpatient therapy.

We have been making small trips to all of the local businesses who donated to the fish fry, personally hand delivering Thank you/Christmas cards. That really puts everything into perspective for Wes. We have also visited the ICU staff at the hospital. You should have seen all of their jaws drop. If you could see him, yours would too. We have many challenges yet to overcome, but like I said before, "He is a walking, talking miracle." I have already sent out cards through the mail to as many as I could. There are so many of you who I would love to personally thank, so please know that if you did not recieve a card, that you are all Wesley's angels and this is our personal thanks to you too. We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year. Please keep safe, and WEAR YOUR SEATBELTS!!! With Love and great thanks, The Fry Family.

Wednesday, November 26th

Happy Thanksgiving!!! I cannot believe that this day is finally here. I dreamed about having my family back together for the holidays, and prayed so hard. Just to think that only 4 and a half weeks ago, Wesley could not walk or talk. I have never had so much to be thankful for. He is adjusting very well to being home. Still having the short term memory issues, but it is coming back every day. He started his outpatient therapy Monday, and that has also been going well. He will continue PT,ST,and OT 3 days a week for the time being. He had a very extensive eye exam today at therapy, and they discovered some vision loss in his right eye. It may get better with time, but nothing some glasses or contacts can't fix for now. We also found out that he may not need any surgery to the right shoulder. Some new bone has started to form where it was seperated and then healed back in place. He can have the new bone shaved off later if he wants, but it may not be necessary. He was put on a new medication today to stop the new bone growth. And with therapy and time, he should have full range of his right shoulder and left arm. The only other medication that he is still on at this time is an anti-seizure medicine for precautionary measures, and he will see his Neurologist for the first time on December 11th and he will decide if he still needs to be on it or not. He will have some follow-up's and re-evaluations in Jackson sometime in Febuary and again in March. As for now, he will require 24 hour supervision. And if it were not for all of you putting together that very successful fish fry benefit, I don't know how we would be getting by right now. That is allowing me to give him the supervision and attention he needs to recover fully, and I am still so thankful and always will be. Going to the mailbox every day would just be too overwhelming without all of your support and help. We are so fortunate to not have that added stress right now, and it is because of all of you. Please keep Frank Leach in your prayers. He is a very close friend of the family. My mother worked for him for many years just up until a few months ago. We are very saddened that this has happened to him and his family, and will continue to pray for a quick recovery as well. Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.....please be safe, and OH....Wes said to please WEAR YOUR SEATBELTS!!! God Bless...The Fry Family.