158 replies to this topic

[ducky]

So sorry to hear this news. Thoughts & prayers.

[Darth Lefty]

Jessica & Jolene, you are in my thoughts.

[mylo]

You all are in our thoughts. Here's to a quick recovery!

[Steve Heard]

Jolene, I hope you get a chance to see these posts. We are so sorry you, Jessica and your family are going through this.

As others have said, if there is anything we can do for you, we will.

[Jolene]

Thank you everyone. I apologize for the long post here. I am cutting and pasting to several sources, in hopes of reaching everyone. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers. They are heard and appreciated.

X-POSTED to Jesse's Facebook, Livejournal, TUS, FF and CHIPS Message Board:

PREAMBLE: (Or, pre-ramble. Forgive me, it is 4:00 in the morning.) I apologize to those of you for whom this is the first you have heard of this. We have been in (and continue to be) in a critical state of emergency since Thursday afternoon. I do not have current phone numbers for everyone and would have loved to have our entire community and circle on speed dial, but sadly that has not been the case. TIFF AND MCBRIDES: I have been "Calling you" and I trust that you know what that means. JoannaF-W. and AmandaT. I am sorry if this is the first time you are hearing of this. I tried to have people call you last night, but do not have current phone numbers. I love you both.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED:

On Thursday afternoon, I took Jessica to her horseback riding lesson and please know that WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS A COMPLETE ACCIDENT. We do not blame her barn, we do not blame the horse. We do not AT ALL blame her instructor. We, of course, do not blame Jessica. It was completely and entirely an accident.

Jessica was in the pasture, getting the lead line on her horse (Katie) getting ready to take her to the barn to saddle her up to ride. All of a sudden, another horse (Tinkerbell) came running up and wanted to be ridden. THIS ALL OCCURRED IN A SPLIT SECOND: Tinkerbell spun and intended to kick Katie (Jess' horse) out of the way and since Katie speaks horse, she knew she was about to be kicked and moved out of the way, leaving Jessica unprotected. Jessica sustained a kick to the right side of her head.

We were taken immediately (REALLY, REALLY fast response by the ambulance) to Sutter Roseville, where she was in surgery for 3 or so hours (it's kind of a blur). She had part of her skull removed, as it was demolished and also they needed to give her brain a place to go when it began swelling. She presented to the hospital in a coma, post-surgery she was SOMEWHAT awake and responsive, but by they got her stable, we were transferred to UC Davis.

If you are unaware, UC Davis is a world-renowned medical center. It is a teaching hospital with a stellar PICU (pediatric ICU) and while I am ecstatic to be here, in a place where we are getting the very, very best care we can possibly get, I am also shocked at the fact that something has happened to one of my children so that we need to be here.

So, she was SOMEWHAT awake, breathing on her own and responsive post-surgery, but by the time they transferred us to UC Davis, they needed to get in control of the pressure that was building in her head and need to keep the stimulation to the brain to a minimum, so they have medically induced a coma.

Things were very scary and at their most critical between 1:00a.m. and 10a.m. Friday morning, to the point where we were told that "Everyone who should be here, needs to get here".

At that time, they inserted a tube in her... brain/spine/somewhere there, unsure ... to help with draining fluid as the pressure in her brain builds.

Gracefully, she responded well to the procedure. Her numbers stabalized and that is where we have been for the past 17 or 18 hours.

The next day or two are the most critical with the swelling, as day 2 and 3 are when the most can occur.

WHERE WE ARE NOW:

** We are at UC Davis Med Center. She is still in a coma and we have been told anywhere from the low of 3-5 days up to the high of 1-2 weeks for this current state. I have essentially "moved into" the hospital to be with her and will not leave until she does. I am able to check my messages and text from the hall when I need to use the facilities. Otherwise, I am in the room with her and unavailable on my cell phone. Jesse's cell phone is (916) 955-9837. I do have a phone here in the room and can provide the number to anyone who needs it and would like to keep in touch.

** Visiting Hours are basically 24 hours, with the understanding that we are limited to 2-3 people at a time. We have had 4 in here. They are very supportive of her family being here for her, but we do need to keep her stimulation low. WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU VISIT. We will be here for probably a month. If you think that you might want to come, please come. I believe that she is able to hear us and on some level is aware of who is here and when people come to shower her with love. Please do so if you are moved to.

** She cannot have plants, flowers, latex balloons, etc. She CAN have mylar balloons and stuffed animals. Cards are great and pictures from her buddies would be fantastic. The address for her here is:

Jessica Baldwin-Lavine
C/O UC Davis Children's Hospital
Tower 7 PICU
2315 Stockton Boulevard
Sacramento, CA 95817

OUR PATH:

Many has asked permission to pray for her or add her to prayer lists. I know I don't speak about my beliefs often, but at their most very basic, my path is one of Light, Love and Positive Energy. We will take that in whichever form you can offer it. Be it Prayer, Love, Energy, Thoughts, Dancing, Candles, Singing, Chanting, Dancing around a campfire shaking Tamborines. We will take it.

My Meditation and Current Intent for her is:
You are healing. Let the doctor's path be lit, let the choices be clear. Remove all obstacles, let the path be clear. One clear voice, let this be heard. One True Voice, let this be heard. In Light and Love and in harmony with the Universe. You are Healing, You are Healing, You are Healing, You are Healing. Let this be heard.

THANK YOU:

To everyone who has called, texted, added her to prayer groups, come by, sent cards, balloons, care packages thus far. We are truly TRULY grateful and blessed to have all of you in our lives. I believe, I believe, I believe that love will save the day. I believe, I believe, I believe that we can lift her in light and lift her in love and heal her precious body.

Thank you for being there for us. It is a long road ahead and if I have not called upon you yet, please know that the time may come where I do.

Thank you for loving our girl and being a part of our lives. I will try to update further, as I can.

[s0479]

My thoughts, prayers and positive energy are with you are your family!

[folsom500]

HI Jolene

We are terribly sad that this has happened to your daughter and our thoughts are with her and your family for a good recovery.

[fromhnl]

This is such a sad story to hear about your family. Such an innocent accident for your
sweet daughter. I hope you feel the abundance of warm wishes, healing thoughts around
you in this time of need. Please remember to take care of yourself as best as you can so
you can remain healthy and vigilant for your child.
If anyone gets a roster gathered who knows the family personally, I am willing to drive to
O'vale to mow their lawn, take out the trash, provide meals, whatever to keep the family focused on their priority and not deal with the day-to-day household stuff. I hope they will allow the myfolsom friends to help them out with whatever they need so they can solely focus on their family.

[HappyDaisy]

How terrible! Thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery for little Jessica.

[bordercolliefan]

I will be going to the hospital tomorrow morning, was unable to tonight. I will send along everyone's well wishes and will also see what she and her family may need. Please contact me if you'd like.

Big hugs Jolene, Jessica, Jesse and sissy.

cw, please report back to us what the family might need.

[stacycam]

Jolene - I cannot keep Jessica and you out my thoughts. I am praying for her full recovery. You have a HUGE support net throughout Folsom who are all there for you. Do not hesitate to ask for help.

SHE WILL GET THROUGH THIS.

[doj_gal]

Jolene...you are an amazingly strong woman...Positive love and energy towards the recovery of your daughter.

[sat]

Jolene, I sent you a message on your Facebook, but please let me know what I can do. You and and your family are in our thoughts.

[the_professor]

Thinking of you and your family and sending wishes for a speedy recovery.

[normajean]

jolene,

i do not know you other than you are "another myfolsomite that i read".....however, i just fell in love with you and your family! little jessica is a very lucky girl to have you for her mommy. she is also lucky to be in one of the best hospitals in the country. they will take good care of her while she is there. both of my children have been hospitalized and i've "moved in" to the hospital many times. speaking from experience, trust the staff and know that your baby is going to recover beautifully in time. TRY and get as much sleep and peace as possible while you are there praying, learning, praying, observing, praying, laughing, praying, crying and praying! jessica is going to need your strength and energy once you all get back home!

i believe you are correct in that jessica knows/hears who is there! every word you speak to your baby is heard, you are comforting her in ways you can't imagine......

please keep all of 'us strangers' and your friends here as informed as you have time/energy for.....virtual hugs to you and jessica.....

normajean