One Year Since the Gaping Jaws of Death

Some people's heroes are religious, political, historical, or celebrity. But some of the most influential heroes are those that directly impact your life. In my life, my hero is my father, David Eugene Watson.Dad and I have always been very close. He is full of love, guidance, humor, and spirituality. I love to spend time with my parents, and it's been hard to move further than 20 minutes away from Murray. This picture of us was taken in April 2007 at the SLC airport. He was kind enough to bring my beloved Cafe Rio pork barbacoa salad to the airport on my 2 hour layover so we could chat. It was really hard on him when I moved away from Utah. Little did I know that when I moved to Michigan, I'd be seeing him more than ever...

On January 11, 2008, my dad was returning to Salt Lake from St. George in a van with some of his coworkers in the LDS Church Audiovisual Engineering Department. In central Utah, near Fillmore, the driver of the van overcorrected and the van tumbled off I-15 and rolled several times through a field. The driver sustained a shoulder injury and needed some plastic surgery from the shattered glass. The front passenger had minor cuts and bruises. My father was nearly killed from the impact of the crash and subsequent rolling. He had a giant abdominal gash from the seatbelt, a lung injury, major contusions all over his body, and his legs were crushed under the weight of his body, particularly his left leg. He was briefly taken to Fillmore Hospital, and soon LifeFlighted to Salt Lake City and rushed by ambulance to Intermountain Medical Center in Murray. My mom alerted me of the accident that evening, less than a week after arriving in Michigan. Rosie and I packed up our bags and took the earliest available flight to SLC. Once I arrived, I was appointed as the family representative to talk to all the surgeons, doctors, nurses, respiratory techs, and hospital workers...and then relay the information to my family.

His first surgery was overnight with an orthopedic surgeon, vascular surgeon, and general surgeon. They did a saphenous vein graft from his other leg to restore bloodflow to his crushed leg. After nine hours, they were able to restore bloodflow to the left leg. However, his body was in shock and had endured so much trauma that he was medicated into a chemically-induced coma.

Over the next few days, several more surgeries were required. Unfortunately, the trauma of the crush wound was too severe and his left leg was amputated. It was originally expected to be amputated just below the knee, but the necrosis had spread further up, and the amputation was done at mid-thigh.

In order to keep friends and family informed, I started a blog for his health updates. News of my dad's accident spread like wildfire, even internationally. We were the recipient of thousands of prayers, hundreds of service hours, and dozens of meals and cards. To date, there have been over 8,000 visitors to his blog.

Throughout the next two weeks after the surgery, his condition improved. He was doted on by many loving people, in addition to the wonderful staff at IMC. On my 28th birthday, February 5th, dad "graduated" from IMC and was transferred to Aspen Ridge Transitional Rehab. This would become his home for the next four months.

Rosie and I traveled back and forth from Detroit as much as possible to encourage him through his recovery. It was difficult to be away from him all the time, but a blessing to have our pass benefits to travel to SLC for free whenever we needed to.

Dad made incredible progress at Aspen Ridge. He had hundreds of hours of physical, speech, and occupational therapy.

Taylor loved to fly out to SLC as often as possible to be my dad's right hand man. There's a saying about girls wanting to marry men like their fathers...let's just say they get along amazingly.
Dad was fitted with a prosthetic C-Leg, and spent the majority of his physical therapy time adjusting to the function of the prosthetic. Unfortunately, his right leg had sustained more damage from the accident than originally anticipated, so he spends the majority of time getting around in his wheelchair.
In June, Dad graduated from Aspen Ridge, and my family moved an apartment in downtown Salt Lake. It became their home for the next six months. Dad was fitted with hand controls on the van, and was able to start driving and returning to work.
This picture was taken on my last trip at Christmas at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, just one week before they moved out of the apartment and into a new home in Lehi. It was a great night, going around to see the lights at Temple Square as a family. It amazed me that I was able to visit him 9 times in 2008, when I'd originally expected to see him every 3-4 months. Hopefully his recovery will continue, and he'll be up for a visit our new home in Atlanta!

He still has a hard road ahead of him, but I am amazed at the progress he's made in the last year. He has kept his sweet soul and has not allowed the tragedy that he faced to ruin his spirit. He was been an inspiration to many, and I'm so lucky that I can't claim him as my own father.

Update on my Dad

Several of you have been asking for updates on my dad's progress. He's improving steadily, he's on the final fittings for his C-leg (computerized prosthetic), and he'll be done with his rehab at Aspen Ridge within the next few weeks. You can read up on him at his blog with lots more pictures.

The most shocking news in a while came this week, when Assist Utah came to do an assessment on my parents' house. It's 3 stories, with a steep driveway and curved staircases. To renovate the home, add chair lifts, and make it wheelchair accesible...the potential bid was $40-80 thousand! And this estimate would not include renovations to their steep driveway, which he can't get up on his own in the wheelchair. The planning, contracting, bidding, and construction could take upwards of 4 months, and he'll be ready to leave Aspen Ridge by the end of May. With this info, it appears that finding a new house is a better option long term.

It needs to meet quite a bit of criteria. The driveway must be flat or very slightly inclined. There must be an accessible door to build a wheelchair ramp. There must be doorframes at least 30" wide, which is wider than the standard 28". The toilet area and shower must be wide enough to allow wheelchair access. The list goes on and on.

We'll have more info within the next week or two what will happen with their housing situation. It'll be sad to have to give up the Green Oaks home. It's been 15 years of traditions and memories for my family.

My Dear Ol' Dad

The Three Survivors

I talked to my dad today to wish him a happy Easter, and was sad to hear him a little downtrodden. Although his recovery is going steadily, it's coming slowly. It's been 10 weeks since the accident, and he's got another 4-5 weeks to go in Aspen Ridge. Above is a picture that was taken with Bruce and Nathan; the three survivors of the horrendous accident that took my dad's leg and almost took his life. He was able to take his first field trip out into public, and went to the Church Office Building to see his coworkers. His work group was very cordial and glad to see his health improving so much. But on this trip, he also needed to go to the church travel office to get his renewal passport photo taken. The assistant in the office made the comment, "Looks like you got into a fight with a snowblower and it won." Although the employee probably meant to make my dad laugh...it really hurt. It was the first truly insensitive comment that he's encountered since the accident.

He also was able to go to Stake Conference where two apostles, Holland and Ballard, and Elder Huntsman from the Quorum of the Seventy spoke. Elder Huntsman mentioned in his talk "how nice it was for David Watson to make it out today after his terrible accident." He had a great showing of support from members of the ward and stake...and hoped that it would spark some visitors. Unfortunately, it hasn't. He's been very lonely for people to visit. Between a few visits a week from my mom and siblings...he has a lot of downtime to be lonely. Once the occupational and physical therapy is done...he's left to his own devices in the facility for hours a day. He would love to have people come visit him, even if its a short stay. Even if you don't know him well, he's anxious for company and would be happy to make a new friend. Rosie and I will be flying out to see him on Tuesday, and plan to keep him occupied for as many hours as we can.

To hear about his recovery in his own words, check out his blog at davidewatson.blogspot.com

Today: David under the knife: part #6

Today David will be going in for another surgery at TOSH. He has been doing well with physical therapy, but continues to have difficulty with his right foot. Today the surgeons will enter the leg through one of the scars from the last surgery. They will do some nerve testing to see the extent of the nerve damage from the accident. The surgery will likely be an outpatient procedure, and he'll return to Aspen Ridge this evening. Please keep him in your prayers...David NEEDS his right leg intact to be able to walk with a normal gait once he's fitted with the prosthetic on the left.

Dad's One-Hour Trip Home

Friday, right before Rosie and had to leave for the airport, David was done with an ortho appointment at TOSH. The driver from Aspen Ridge said that David could come to the house for a few minutes. He was overcome with joy, as he hasn't been to the house since a week before the accident. The wheelchair transfer was a little tricky, and required three of us to get him up the front steps and into the house.

Barbara was all smiles to have him home for a few minutes!

Mystic was more than happy to take an immediate perch on dad's leg. She's the only family member that hasn't seen him in 6 weeks, and was slunking around his leg and the wheelchair for the whole visit.


I'm so glad that I got to be there for David's first trip home. It's still going to be a long time (3-5 weeks before he can come home for good), but hopefully his drivers for future appointments will be gracious enough to let him visit the house occasionally.

The Van of Doom

This is the van that nearly ate David alive.

I finally got hold of some of the accident pictures. They are incredibly scary, and it's a miracle that all three men in the car survived. Pics courtesy of Ken Wooton.

I am so grateful to all those who stopped at the accident site to help David, Nathan, and Bruce out of the wreckage. It's a true blessing that their lives were spared.

Scenes from Rehab

At the request of many of my blog readers, here are some updated pictures of my dad's recovery. You can read specifically about his progress at davidewatson.blogspot.com

Thanks to Grandma Joyce, here are a bunch of pictures from the past two weeks, both at IMC and Aspen Ridge rehab. Yesterday, he met with the prosthetist to start some of the initial fittings for his C-Leg. He has physical and occupational therapy everyday. He is able to eat just about anything, but his stomach shrunk so much from the feeding tube that he barely has an appetite. He has been working on an assisted slide transfer into the wheelchair, instead of the 6-step transfer that wore him out. He typically has his appointments in the morning, takes a nap after lunch, and then most of the visitors come in the evening.

With Grandma, Mary, and Jacob.

On the way to PT.

David and some of his coworkers from the A/V Department

With sister Laurie from Portland and Barbara

David's mom has been an amazing caregiver!

Rosie and I are so happy to visit David in such great shape!

One Month Anniversary

Last night, Rosie and I arrived into SLC to visit David for a few days. We had a crazy day stuck in -20 degree Minneapolis, and we were lucky to finally make it in to SLC around midnight. Today is the one month anniversary of the accident. He has showed me some picutures of the accident, and I've uploaded some pictures of his last two weeks. More info will be posted tomorrow. He did say that he has lost 45 pounds from the accident (25 from the amputation.) He calls it the "rollover diet," and does NOT recommend it! Leave a comment and wish David a "happy anniversary."

Great news!!!

This has been David's bedside crew this week...Mary, mom, grandma and Laurie. Taylor took the picture a few days ago while in SLC. Today was a wonderful day...a great birthday wish come true! He passed the thin liquid swallowing test, they removed the PICC line, he was able to do an assisted transfer into a wheelchair and......(drumroll please)....he's out of the hospital! Because he is out of the hospital sooner than expected, Aspen Ridge West on 53rd isn't open yet. So he is at Aspen Ridge on Winchester and 10th East. It's a beautiful facility, which my Grandpa Jack was in after his car accident in 2005. There aren't many beds, so he was lucky to get in. He is still on oxygen, but otherwise his labs are good and he doesn't need IVs anymore.

Slurp and Swallow

I just got off the phone with David. He was in much better spirits than yesterday. He finally passed the swallow test...he can have thick liquids, like yogurt, pudding and pureed foods...but not thin liquids like milk and water. He celebrated with a chocolate milkshake. He said the hospital shake was pretty mediocre, but he was so happy to have a sweet taste in his mouth! Tonight he'll be having some pureed foods for dinner. Mary's going to pick him up a yummy shake at Take Five tomorrow.

They also removed the feeding tube and catheter today. His blood levels have regulated and he's okay on his labs. Good news is just what the doctor ordered!

The Reality of Injury

I talked to my dad yesterday...and today was the first time he seemed very downtrodden since the accident. He's been more cognizant of his pain and injuries, and has been having some insomnia. He was thankful that Taylor brought him a large stash of music and movies to keep him occupied and sane. He talked to me about some of the feelings he went through at the accident site, wondering if this was the end...if this was the way that Heavenly Father wanted to bring him home. He has been trying to process why this is his trial and how he's going to grow from it. It broke my heart to have this conversation with him.

Thank you to all who have been praying for him. I had a large amount of people tell me that they fasted for him yesterday. I can't believe that he's already been in the hospital for over 3 weeks. The surgery on Thursday not only did a number on his spirits, but on his body as well. Three more units of blood products were infused yesterday because his hemoglobin level had dropped dramatically. His overall recovery will be held back while his leg recovers from this recent surgical trauma. And the fact that he still aspirates on the swallowing test, and isn't able to eat or drink any of his favorite foods is terribly hard on him.

At this time, I think he'd best benefits from cards and letters of encouragement. He is enjoying short (10-15 minute) visits at the hospital from family and close friends. He is going to be at IMC for another week or so, then will be transferred to Aspen Ridge West, the new SNF rehab facility on 5300 S. and 700 W. Please continue to keep him in your prayers, especially for recovery on his right leg. If the nerve doesn't regenerate, he will likely have very limited mobility for his right leg (in addition to a prosthetic leg on the left.) We have faith that he will be healed and eventually be able to live a "normal" life, but it's the patience and enduring to the end that will be his test now.

Special Fast tomorrow and post-op update

David got out surgery on Thursday night around 9:30. The surgery went as well as can be expected. Unfortunately, they didn't get the dosing of pain medication correct for almost two hours post-op. He was in miserable pain, the worst he'd felt since the actual accident. He is more awake and less groggy than when I left. Most of the psychosis has subsided. The next obstacle to overcome will be passing the swallow test, then they will put is leg into some sort of stump-shrinker to get it prepared for the prosthetic in a few weeks.

He has asked that all those who are willing and able to fast for him tomorrow on Fast Sunday. He appreciates the prayers and well wishes, but feels like he needs a special fast to help him gain strength and recover more quickly. The nerve in the top of his right foot was much more damaged than originally realized. Since the surgery, the physical therapy has been pretty tough because the nerve has not regenerated at all. There is a possibility that his nerve won't heal, and he will have a "dropped foot." This would require the use of a brace on his right foot, in addition to the prosthetic leg. We are praying for full mobility in his recovery, and your faith is requested.

Silly Picture of My Dad

Since I got back into Detroit, there haven't been a lot of updates to post. I've notices a bunch of hits on my blog sitemeter that have only lasted a few seconds...Sorry to disappoint if I don't post something on him everyday. It's a good sign if there's nothing to report...no news is good news! He's a pic from him in the ICU a few minutes before they took the trach out. He was acting like a space man with the oxygen mask on his eyes.

From what I can tell, the ortho surgery on his knee has been postponed until Friday. He's still having some difficulty swallowing, but he should be able to have food and drink within the next two days. He's in good spirits, and happy to have visitors for short visits.

You need to adjust the flux capacitor...

My visits with David on Saturday were fairly short. I arrived in the morning when he was getting physical therapy. I helped the therapists sit him up and move him to the side of the bed. He's getting much stronger moving himself up with the trapeze bar. He sat up for about 15 minutes while enjoying the view. It was a crystal-clear day outside, sunny and bright...so he loved the view. But then he started talking nonsense about what he saw out the window....and the patient monitor started beeping. He kept telling the nurse, "You need to adjust the flux capacitor." He had coughed up part of his feeding tube, and he went in to have a procedure to fix the tube and have another swallow test.

Unfortunately, he aspirated on the swallow test, so he has to keep waiting to drink his root beer. When I came in the evening around 7:00, he was peacefully sleeping. I didn't want to disturb him, so I left about 5 minutes later. He had a few visitors from the ward in the evening, but after about 10 minutes, he was lecturing my mom on visiting time limits. He said he likes visitors, but not for longer than a few minutes. From what I've noticed, he's a bit more lucid in the mornings, and less agitated. I think as the week progresses, he'll be requesting more visitors. He realized that there's a phone book by his room phone, and he keeps threatening to call people. So if you get a random, raspy-voiced call from David...be prepared for some silly talk.

Outta the ICU!

Today David's main issue has been his ICU psychosis/hallucinations. He has complained of ants crawling on his face and on the ceiling, sea creatures on the window, water dripping from the wall and tv, a cat in the corner of the room, and a baby's head suspended out the window. He has upgraded to sucking on ice chips, which taste "more decadent than fine wine." He explained to his sister that this was his third rollover car accident, even though it wasn't. It's a bit worrisome to see him only partially coherent. When Jim, his friend and home teacher came over, he said "There's my neighbor that works at the U," but then started off on talking nonsense again. His body is working through the remains of all the sedation he's been on for the last two weeks.

Tomorrow morning the vascular surgeons will complete the "full amputation," which will assess the damaged tissue still there, adjust the length of the bone, and close up the wound. Dr. Goodman was optimistic that the surgery would go well, and only minimal tissue would have to be taken out. But we had to listen to the list of risks, benefits, and alternatives before signing the consent. He had an evaluation with a psychiatrist, had his wounds redressed, reinstalled the feeding tube, and then was transferred up to the 11th floor. He's in room 1116, and is able to have non-family visitors. He will be in surgery for most of the morning, and will probably be out of it for most of the day from the anesthesia. I would venture to guess that he can handle visitors by Sunday, but be prepared for a little psychosis.

Without a trach...

This morning I went to visit David for a few hours. He was in good spirits, but still complaining about being stuck in the hospital and wanting to sneak out. The trauma team was there on their rounds, removed his trach and bandaged the stoma. He's able to talk a little more easily, but it's pretty breathy and fragmented. The stoma (the hole from the trach) will heal on it's own, without sutures, within a few days.

He'll have the next surgery to revise the amputation tomorrow. Either tonight or tomorrow he'll be moved out of the ICU and into a step-down unit. His first phone call was to his mom in Oregon. I put my cell phone on speaker phone and they had a short, but emotional talk. He keeps asking for phone books so he can call people when he's bored. But after about two hours of visiting, he started drifting off for a nap. I'll be back over this afternoon, and will report any updates as they come.

Getting Better All The Time

I could not believe the progress my dad has made since the last time I saw him. His body isn't swollen and bloated, there are less tubes coming out of him, he is able to force-talk through the trach, and he's done with the ventilator. Unfortunately, this morning he pulled out the NG feeding tube out of his nose, which is bad because he's not getting nutrition or a route for medication in pill form. This afternoon they will be doing a swallow test, and if he does okay, he will be able to start eating and drinking. Tomorrow or Friday, he will have another surgery on his leg to make sure that the tissue is healthy and not infected, bloodflow is good, cut down the bone, and sew it up with plastics. After that surgery, he'll have the trach removed. Next week he'll have surgery on his other leg to repair the knee.

I met with the rehab case manager, who said the doctors have ordered no weight-bearing activity for 6 weeks. She said that acute rehab could be done through the hospital, where willing caregivers would be trained in proper caring and lift techniques. She said the better option would be up to 6 weeks in a rehab facility. He says he really wants to come home, would not be a viable possibility unless we had many, many willing caregivers to take shifts every two hours for 6 weeks. We'll have to play it by ear and explain to him why we can't take him home through the ICU psychosis....and how the tray table is not a wheelbarrow to take him home in.

According to Grandma Joyce's email...

"David is stable, he still has some temperature but that is normal. He will go back to surgery in a couple of day & the surgeons will amputate a little above the knee to make sure they got all of the necrosis. He is still on a ventilator, but seems to breathing a little easier. And he still has a feeding tube. He's on a lot of medication so he is still a little confused, but he is not in pain. As soon as he is not in critical condition, he will be moved either to another floor, or to rehab, wherever the family & his case manager & his nurse decide."

I'm now moved into my Michigan apartment and I'm flying to SLC tonight. More details later!

Life or Limb?

Last night my dad was taken in for surgery, after signing a consent for possible amputation. When the surgeons went in, there was so much decay/necrosis and infection that they had absolutely no choice but to amputate. From what I understand, the amputation was right at the knee. In a few days they will have another surgery to cut down the bone and seal up the end of the stump as soon as it drains enough...and to make sure there's not any more necrosis or infection.

Elder Dickson of the Quorum of the Seventy came to the Highland Ward today ("for Mary Watson") and spoke. He then went to the hospital to visit David and give him a blessing. He's talking a little bit now, but very labored with the trach. Dad asked Elder Dickson what he should do about consenting for amputation. He lifted up his coatsleeve, and revealed a partially amputated arm. He had bone cancer when he was 18 and required an amputation. He advised David to do what would save his life. What a perfect man to be counseling dad on this life-altering decision.

Rosie and I safely arrived back from California. It was so nice to see the sun shine and enjoy 65 degree weather. We spent time with family, helped out and enjoyed John and April's reception, went to Heritage Ward, and went to the Upland Singles' branch to hear Liz and Mary sing. We were able to also talk with Deanne and Gary Bluhm, and Gary spoke in church. Brett picked Rosie and I up from the church, grabbed some sabbath-breaking In-n-Out (since I'm sick of airport food right now!) and he drove us to LAX. The plane was delayed 2 hours, so we didn't actually tumble back into bed in Michigan until after 3:00 am. Today we sign the rest of the lease paperwork for our apartment, and the movers will be here by noon. Tomorrow morning I'm heading back out to Utah to see my dad and help out where I'm needed.

Transferring to David's own blog

I felt that it was more appropriate to have a separate blog to document David's recovery and progress. I will continue to put the stories on this site, but the entries solely about David can be found at davidewatson.blogspot.com . Over the next few days, I will transfer the posts I have created so far to his blog. You are welcome to visit my site anytime, but I'm needing a little bit of non-sick-dad normalcy right now. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll roll your eyes.