Steady Progress

 

We had visits this weekend from some good friends and family.  Kelli was able to spend time with us at the apartment and really enjoyed visiting.  Her energy runs out quickly and she needs rest frequently so I tried to make sure that she was able to get in a couple of naps when I could see that she was worn out.  Her energy levels should improve as her injuries heal but her energy is used up for healing first and even conversation can wear her out quickly.  I was able to walk her around the nurse's station today for about 4 laps and she really enjoyed this.  She loves to be up and walking.  I know that this week will bring more big improvements as she continues to get the pieces back.  Her schedule is full of therapy sessions with periods of rest time this week.  I'm excited to see her improvements for the week.  I continue to get passed off on things to help us both be more independent.  This is due to learning new things as well as Kelli's ability to work with me as her injuries heal and she progresses.  I'll let you know how tomorrow goes.    --Chauncy 

Time With Family and Friends

Today was a great day!  Kelli was able to come to the apartment and spend time with family and a few friends.  She got to spend time with Milli and feed Logan which I know she really enjoyed.  We also got some pizza and she had a piece... this was a relief since she has been eating cafeteria food for so long.  She was able to come to the apartment intermittently between naps and I think it was good for her to get to visit a bit.  I have to keep close track of her and make sure she doesn't get very fatigued.  When she starts to show signs of fatigue, I try to get her back to take a nap.  It's vital for her to get sleep in order to heal.  Tomorrow she'll get to come and spend time again and I know she really enjoys the feeling of normalcy that this brings.  More tomorrow, take care.   --Chauncy

Keep your comments coming!  We find much strength and encouragement from your thoughts.  We know that Kelli and Chauncy appreciate the time you take to leave a comment.

Let the Sun Shine!

Kelli went through several assessments today.  These are done in order to figure out how to best help her with any weaknesses she may have as a result of her injuries.  Her therapists also spent time assessing my ability to keep Kelli safe so that I can bring her to the apartment for short periods of time over the weekend.  I've also been trained to help her walk a little bit and keep her safe so that she can work on her walking over the weekend.  We were able to spend some time outside today and it felt great...it was 60 degrees out this afternoon and the sun was bright.  Kelli loved the fresh air and sunshine.  It was really nice to be outside for a longer period of time and soak in the nice weather.  I was able to go out with my brother, his daughter Amelia, and Milli this evening for a hamburger and shake.  It was nice to get away for a bit and just be with our daughters.  I think it's important to get some more one on one time with the kids when I get a chance, it's healthy for all of us.  Kelli was also able to spend time with Logan and Milli today and they really seem to brighten her spirits.  I'm excited for Kelli to get to spend some time in the apartment with the kids tomorrow, I'll let you know how it goes.   --Chauncy

*** Don't forget about your "Team Johnson" photos due Feb. 8th!  Also, don't miss update with information on the Johnson Family Benefit Fundraiser to see what you can do to help!  As always, we appreciate all the prayers and support!*****

Home Cookin' Coming Up!

Yesterday Kelli was fitted with a new wheelchair that enables her to propel herself with her feet.  This is another step in the process toward walking on her own and allows her to exercise her legs much more.  Tomorrow I'm getting additional training so that she can come to the apartment on the hospital campus for short periods of time over the weekend.  This is really exiting!  Hopefully I can cook her a favorite dish.  She hasn't had much of an appetite so hopefully some home-cooked food will help her out a bit.  She continues to wear out easily which is normal for her injury so I'm doing my best to make sure she gets naps and plenty of sleep at night. This is essential for her injuries to heal.  Please continue to pray for us.  I know you are because we can feel it but please keep it up.  This week has been a difficult one and we need everyone's faith to help us out.  More updates to come tomorrow...     --Chauncy



**Don't miss the previous updates regarding the Johnson Family Benefit Fundraiser! **** 

A Journey Not Taken Alone

The Johnson Family has been lifted up and supported by such a wonderful community of family and friends. 

There is a benefit, JOHNSON FAMILY BENEFIT FUNDRAISER, which is being held in Sheridan, Wyoming in April.  Friends of Chauncy and Kelli wanted a way to help and got the ball rolling with a great benefit in Kelli’s honor.  What amazing people Chauncy and Kelli have supporting them!

DETAILS:

Saturday April 2nd 2011    6 pm to 9 pm at the YMCA in Sheridan

100% of the proceeds of this event will go to the Johnson Family to help ease the financial burden of the ongoing medical care for Kelli.

If you can’t attend and still would like to contribute, please call or email Sue Howell at 307-674-7469 or spiderhowell@hotmail.com .

We are also still soliciting donations for the silent auction and sponsorships.

Event:  Silent Auction, Live Music by the Craft Brothers, Food, Raffle, Kids activities and open play land.

The Johnson Family would like to thank Traci Eisenman, Melanie Araas, Sue Howell, Debbie Mortensen, Sandy Sare, Julie (Baker) Morris, Carrie (Grams) Herbert, Stephanie (Bennett) Lucero and SOOOO many more working with this team. 

Here is part of a message from Melanie, “I honestly feel so inspired and humbled by following their journey.  Chauncy’s strength is astounding. To see all these people come together to support them is so profound. I have not stopped thinking and praying for your family since hearing and this fundraiser is giving me a way to channel my feelings into something useful.  We are seeing great things happening and hope for a huge turnout.”

For more information, there is a Facebook page, Johnson Family Benefit Fundraiser, set up with all the information on the benefit, as well as a flyer that can be printed out and posted for others to see.  Help get the word out for this wonderful cause to benefit an amazing family that has touched so many!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165939606785009&ref=ts

http://www.melaniearaas.com/benefit/JohnsonFundraiser-flyer-FINAL.pdf

Calling Team Johnson! Let's Boost Kelli's Memory!

Today we worked on several memory exercises with Kelli which she did very well at.  She continues to improve and piece things back together.  She still has some cloudiness but this is to be expected.  A Dr. compared the situation to a broken arm, it usually takes 6 to 8 weeks for the bone to heal and then you have to take time to strengthen the arm.  Her healing is no different but the brain can take much longer than a bone.  We continue to work hard with patience and diligence and understand that this takes time.  I'm still so impressed with her and the amazing progress she's making.  Our hearts are newly heavy after sharing the information on the accident with Kelli.  I know we'll make it through this but it's not easy.  Kelli loves to have our family together and we make sure the kids come to see her during lunch break and in the evening after dinner.  These are the happiest times of Kelli's day and she is determined to "heal up and take care of our family"...she tells me multiple times a day.  I know she will, she does one step at a time each day.    I'm trying to get updated pictures of family and friends to help Kelli get updated and charge her memory.  Anyone that would like to can please send pictures in care of Craig Hospital to Kelli & Chauncy Johnson to the address provided on Caringbridge.org in 4x6 prints (so they fit in the albums I purchased).  1 to 2 prints per family or friend would be best maybe with a little information on the back.  It will be nice for her to be able to see pictures of anyone who wants to participate who has been a part of Kelli's life.  Thanks again for all of the support!   --Chauncy

TEAM JOHNSON PHOTO COLLAGE!

We would like your help, Team Johnson!  Chauncy's cousin, Gerri, would like to put together a photo collage for Kelli and Chauncy to visualize how many people are supporting them on the sidelines! What a great visual aide for her to see every day of those that are cheering this great family on!

So, this is where we need all of you!  Take a picture of you, your family, classmates, your co-workers, church friends, and/or your kiddos showing support.  Kelli's favorite color is blue, so if you want to wear blue, Do it!  IF you want to make a sign showing your support, Do it!  

We have over 600 people signed into this caringbridge site!  Let's make this a huge collage!  

Email your picture to Gerri at: gthronburg@hotmail.com  

DEADLINE FEB. 8th!  Please, let's show Kelli and Chauncy who their cheerleaders are!  We want your participation!

Together Again!!

Kelli was able to go to a dentist at the attached Swedish Medical Center today to get her teeth x-rayed.  She'll need to have more work done, but for now we ordered a "flipper" which is a tooth/retainer type of thing that will snap in and provide a tooth where her's was broken out in the front.  This will be temporary while we work on the rest of her dental needs but will fill the gap in her beautiful smile.  She also walked more today than other days with minor assistance from her physical therapist and continued to improve on her concentration in speech therapy.   I felt over the weekend that Kelli's short-term memory was going to be good enough to be able to share the events of her accident in more detail with her today as well as our loss of Elise.  The burden of this task was weighing on me as assessments were done and Dr's decided that she was retaining enough to tell her.  I've prayed for so many days that I would have the guidance to let her know in the right way and the right spirit.  One month from the date of the accident (today), I was able to tell her of the tragic events that occured on Christmas Eve.  It was essential for her to know in order for her to be able to see Milli and Logan (without Elise) and she had been asking about the kids more and more over the weekend.  Today was one of the most emotionally taxing days of my life if not the most, but I was able to tell her.  I won't go into anymore detail on this except to say that a strong feeling of peace was felt by Kelli and I and that we'll make it through this together.  Shortly after our conversation, Oma and my brother Justin brought Milli, Logan, and Justin's daughter Amelia to see her.  Kelli will be able to see our kids on a daily basis now which will be huge for her healing.  A picture of our family is attached to be posted.  Thank you all again for your prayers, positive thoughts, concern, and love for us.  I know that through this, our family has been strengthened.  We have a long way to go but today was a major milestone on our path.     --Chauncy 

A Wonderful Weekend Together

The weekend has been really nice.  Kelli doesn't have her normal schedule on the weekends so we get to spend a lot more time together which is nice.  Her memory is improving rapidly on day to day events.  We were able to get outside a couple of times saturday and sunday but not for very long because it's been a bit chilly.  Kelli enjoyed getting out and getting fresh air.  She asks about the kids more and more frequently and is yearning to see them.  I should be able to consult with the doctors tomorrow to see when we can give her more information and let her be with the kids.  She realizes much more that her right arm isn't working well and is starting to focus on it herself in order to get it working again.  This is a big improvement because she understands that she'll have to work hard at getting it working and is making efforts and following suggestions to improve it.  She had several visits today from family and friends and is really getting her wits about her.  She smiles and laughs, makes jokes from time to time and seems to be enjoying herself much more.  The kids are doing well and are healthy (I continually pray for their health so I can focus on Kelli without worrying about them more than I already do).  My brother Justin is here and will be here to help us out for a bit.  My Mom, Dad, and sister were able to spend time with us this weekend which was really nice.  And of course, Oma continues to hold the camp together with the kids.  Tomorrow is a very full day of therapies for Kelli and I'm looking forward to more progress with her.  I'll update again tomorrow.  Thanks again for all of your love and support.   --Chauncy

Step by Step!

Kelli was able to walk assisted by her physical therapist and a walker today further than previous days.  She is still in a wheel chair and her therapists work with her on memory, balance, and strength to name a few.  They continue to assess how she is retaining information and making decisions.  Her injury inherently makes things complicated but she continues to be very ambitious in her efforts to progress and we're seeing improvements again today.  The kids and I are doing well.  I try to keep a routine with them where I get up to feed Logan early in the morning when he gets hungry...usually sometime between 5:30 and 7 am. Then I'll put him back to sleep, get ready for the day, go be with Kelli for her therapy sessions, come home after Kelli's lunch to spend time, then back to Kelli, then back to the kids for dinner.  I get Logan fed and to bed around 9:30 - 10:00 pm and then start over.  Milli usually gets to bed around the same time which is late for her but she sleeps in and this helps Oma get a bit more sleep in the mornings.  I try to make sure Oma gets time with Kelli also and she has spent the last couple of dinner dates with her.  Kelli usually takes a nap after lunch and shortly before dinner so I use that time to spend time at the apartment with the kids.  Oma is doing a great job with the kids and I'm so thankful for her.  My parents and sister arrived tonight so it will be nice to spend time with them and Kelli this weekend.  I got my on-campus pass approved to take Kel to more areas of the hospital and to an outdoor garden so the weekend will be more fun!  She doesn't have therapy on the weekends so I'll work on the things that the therapists have taught me to do with her over the weekend.  More tomorrow...take care.   --Chauncy

She's Amazing!!

Today Kelli was able to use a walker to walk further than she did yesterday.  Her physical therapist and I had to help her keep it straight because her right side is weaker than her left.  She did great and keeps improving and strengthening her body.  I feel like her short-term memory is steadily getting better but this is still taking time which is to be expected with her type of injury.  Patience, patience, patience.  She was able to eat a little bit of all three meals today and this continues to slowly improve.  Her progress is very good and comes one little step at a time.  I think She's amazing...of course I always have but this scenario is so different!  On another note, I had a little more time today to read some of the posts on Caring Bridge and http://wyojohnsonjourney.blogspot.com and was overwhelmed at the supportive comments that I was able to read.  All of your thoughts, prayers and support are sustaining my family and I through the challenges we are facing and I want you to know how much I appreciate it.  It may seem that your comments or thoughts could go unnoticed but they all mean so much to me and will to Kelli as she emerges from this.  Please keep the positive thoughts coming, they strengthen me so much.  Furthermore, I want to thank my employer and co-workers for all of their support, without them, I wouldn't be able to spend the time needed here to assist Kelli in her recovery.  I have so much gratitude for you all.  Until tomorrow...   -Chauncy

Elise's Reading Corner

Stories! Whether it was reading a book, watching a movie, telling a tale, or acting out a fantastical scene, Elise loved stories. Her imagination was vivid and full of adventure which meant that excitement and wonderful journeys were inevitable for anyone around her.

Nearly 200 books have been collected by Elise's classmates and teachers at Fort Caspar Academy to be displayed in a reading area dedicated to Elise. "Elise's Reading Corner" will be an area of Eli's kindergarten classroom where a bookshelf full of stories will be placed for the kids to enjoy. A light-blue fluffy rug and various colored bean bag chairs will complete the area. There is no doubt that Eli will find it rather stylish! A boy-scout troop that attends Fort Caspar Academy is making a plaque in her name that will be attached to the bookshelf.

Thank you Fort Caspar Academy, especially Erin Corbridge and Kenda Spicher, for honoring our sweet Elise in this way! Your thoughtfulness means more than can adequately be expressed in words and it is our hope that everyone at FCA will enjoy "Elise's Reading Corner" as much as we know she would.

More Milestones! Go Kelli!

Kelli was able to hit a couple of large milestones today.  She was able to walk supporting herself on parallel bars and with the help of her physical therapist.  She also had lunch for the first time...fiesta chicken, grape juice, and a small bite of twix!  She didn't eat much for dinner but is learning to eat again after three plus weeks without eating with her mouth.  She continues to make progress and tries very hard to improve.  It will take time for her to get her short-term memory back.  Until then, she works on getting her right arm moving which continually improves and gaining mobility.  I was passed off on wheelchair safety with her so at this point, I can take her to other areas of the hospital and to the outdoor garden by myself with permission of course.  We are becoming more independent every day but have a very long road.  Tomorrow is a new day with plenty of therapy and new challenges.  Take care everyone!  Chauncy

Thank you for all the wonderful comments!  All the prayers and support continue to bless Kelli and Chauncy.  Thank you for the continued support and energy that help encourage Kelli and Chauncy to keep going. Kelli, you continue to amaze us with your fighting spirit.  Keep up the good work, you are an inspiration to us all!

A Fantastic Update from Chauncy . . . We Love You Kelli!

Kelli is really trying to come out of her amnesia but it always seems to get the best of her.  We're working on reviewing her planner so she knows what she's been doing during her days here.  Today she asked how the girls were and said she loves Logan.  I am in the process of making her a photo album of family and friends to let her thumb through each day.  This will help her put some pieces back together.  She said she feels lost which was sad but also a great sign that she continues to progress.  I try to help her understand more and more and provide as much security as I can.  Tomorrow she gets to eat lunch for the first time since the accident.  I'll let you know how it goes!  I'm receiving training on her injury and how to keep her safe in her wheel chair etc.  The kids aren't able to see her until she remembers 24 hour periods well enough to tell her about Elise.  Her psychologist and I don't want her to have to re-live it every day and we think only bringing Milli and Logan will tip her off before she's ready.  Milli and Logan are doing great.  Kelli's mother Joan (Oma) is here caring for them and doing a wonderful job, I'm very thankful for her.  Attached are a few pictures...I downsized them so hopefully they'll load fine.  I'll try to send more pictures of all of us tomorrow.  Love you all, your faith and prayers strengthen our family. more to come tomorrow...Chauncy.

New Adventures for Kelli!

Today, Kelli had 5 therapy sessions, speech therapy, and 2 sessions each of physical and occupational therapy.  She also got introduced to her recreational therapist and had a tour of the rec therapy facilities.  She was able to eat some graham crackers today...a big step towards eating on her own!  Her short term memory is just that...very short but the Dr.s expect this to only last a couple more weeks.  She continues to recognize and mobilize her right arm which is very uplifting.  It is still really weak but improving.  She also stood today, supporting herself minimally for 3 to 4 minutes which is huge!  Every day is a new adventure with little steps towards recovery.  Thanks again everyone for your thoughts, prayers, comments, and support. 
Chauncy

Our Fighter, Kelli!

Today was another good day.  Kelli didn't have any therapy sessions because it is the weekend so tomorrow she'll have a long day and I'll have a lot more to report.  Highlights for today were that she started recognizing that her right arm isn't working like it should.  She indicated that it felt tingly and a bit painful.  This is a good sign as she can recognize that it doesn't feel quite right.  She continues to move her hand on the right side and she resisted with her right arm when a nurse asked her to push on her hand. It is still really weak, we hope to help her strengthen it and hope that it will recover.  She knows that she doesn't feel quite right and is frustrated that she doesn't remember things very well yet.  She is experiencing post-traumatic amnesia and the doctors expect this to fade in a couple of weeks.  She continues to remember people, places, and their names but not a lot of specifics at this point.  I've attached a good picture of her smiling from today on the skybridge where she likes to sit and think.  I can't thank everyone enough for your prayers, fasting, and other support in our behalf...a nurse here who has worked for 25 plus years said she doesn't remember a patient progressing so rapidly as Kelli in the last 36 hours.  She is now able to move from her wheel chair to the bed and to the potty assisted by a technician and/or me...two days ago she was moved with a hoist system.  Keep it up, love you all....Chauncy.

BFFs . . . Best Friends Forever!

Kelli and Chauncy have always been together.  Their journey began when they were eight years old.  They attended grade school, junior high, and high school together.  They went their separate ways for a few short years after high school.  Kelli attended college while Chauncy served his mission in Peru.  They were married August 3, 2001.  Kelli always knew that they would be together forever and they both find great strength in their solid relationship.

Once married, they moved to Logan, Utah, where they both worked diligently to obtain their bachelor's degrees from Utah State University.  They enjoyed their experience there and made many life-long friends during that time. 

Their daughter, Elise, was born in Logan on June 3, 2005.  Soon after Elise was born, Chauncy and Kelli’s little family moved to Texas for work and lived there for a short time before returning to Wyoming in order for Chauncy to pursue his master’s degree at the University of Wyoming.  While living in Laramie, their second daughter, Kamilla, was born.  Chauncy, Kelli, and Elise made many friends in Laramie and are fond of the two years they had the opportunity to be there.

In May 2008, Chauncy graduated with his master’s degree and the family relocated to Casper, Wyoming, for work.  They have made Casper their home and continue to make new friends along every step of their journey.  Chauncy and Kelli’s family grew by one when Logan Chauncy was born on August 13, 2010.  He is a beautiful and resilient little man whom you just can’t help but love.  Elise and Milli are the greatest big sisters ever and they sure do love their little brother.

The Johnson Family always spends time together doing the things that they love.  Being outdoors is special for them and they enjoy riding bikes,swimming, being in the mountains, fishing, and skiing.  Christmas Eve, 2010, was no different.

It was with great anticipation of an exciting Christmas holiday together with family and friends that Chauncy and Kelli and the kids loaded up their skis and snowboards and headed to the mountain on Christmas Eve morning.  Looking forward to a long weekend together and a special visit from Santa Claus, they were happy and enjoying life as they headed to the ski slope.  Unfortunately, a tragic accident occurred that day.

Kelli and Elise were practicing ski skills on the mountain that day.  They were stopped near the bottom of the ski run fixing Elise's skis when a snowboarder collided into them.  Kelli was life-flighted to a nearby hospital with multiple injuries including a fractured neck, brain injuries, bruised lungs, and multiple facial traumas.  Our beautiful Elise passed away that unforgetable Christmas Eve.

Elise brought joy and happiness to everyone around her.  She was a beautiful, strong, and active baby who grew into an amazing and vibrant little girl.  Elise was full of sunshine, love, and happiness and spread smiles and hugs wherever she went.  She loved music and could often be found singing and dancing to her favorite songs.  She was always quick to express her love to all those around her through her precious smiles, laughter, hugs, and kisses.  A lovely and special spirit radiated from her.

Elise loved to play soccer, bounce around the house, jump on the trampoline, swim, and ski.  She especially loved to play with her little sister, Milli.  She was incredibly athletic for her age and was always busy doing something to keep herself healthy and strong.

Kelli is an amazing woman full of love, faith, and determination.  She inspires everyone wherever she goes and is the epitome of compassion and kindness.  She is an avid skier, snowboarder, and marathoner and she finds great joy in being outdoors.  Her family is the most important thing to her and she is a phenomenal wife and mother.

This unexpected and unforeseen journey that the Johnsons have recently embarked on is an eye-opening one to everyone.  Kelli has a long road of recovery ahead of her but we are fully confident that she will recover and continue to be the beautiful and inspiring woman that we all love and admire.

Chauncy and Kelli are, without a doubt, BFFs!  Their journey is one of love, faith, endurance, perseverance, hope, and healing.  Please join The Johnson Journey and stay connected as we travel along this new experience in life.