Sat. Nov. 29th, 2008 @ 8:42pm

JoLinda had a restless night last night. I think trying to get used to breathing through a smaller trach. However, she did have a great day. Her walking and balance is much better. Did really well on the stairs. Downstairs a bit harder. Her speaking valve has been in all day, which is great, and she has done a lot of talking. JoLinda even talked to her brother, Brenton, on the phone for about 3 sec. It was really cool! We knew she was confused about everything, but now to hear how confused is scary. She has no idea where she is or what she is doing. Let alone, why people keep asking her questions. Very sad to see her cry and be so frustrated with everyone around her. She still thinks she is in school and in St. George. Almost 5 weeks have gone by. Things are better, yet so very slowly. Still doing well on her calorie intake through a straw. Don't think they will take out the feeding tube though because she has removed her 3rd wire from her mouth, and surgeon is going to have to sedate her and wire her jaw again. Why wait til Tuesday? Good question. Anyway, Rich, Jovi, and Beau leave tomorrow. I will be very sad to have them leave. Love, Laurie

Sat. Nov. 29th, 2008 @ 9:49am

Sorry I didn't get to the computer for a bit. JoLinda continues to improve, yet so very slowly. Her balance yesterday was much better as she walked. I wasn't feeling well yesterday, so I rested alot. Went to bed at a decent time and slept in this morning. I guess JoLinda had a restless night. I'm thinking, maybe we had some bug. Feeling better today and hope JoLinda is too. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We ate in the cafeteria. Will do traditional Thanksgiving when we're home. Hopefully she will get her feeding tube out today and trach this next week. She still is not fully awake, and thinks she is in St. George. She did circle the hospital yesterday on a peice of paper, for the speech therapist, though. That's good. Still can't tell us when she needs to go to the bathroom, but when asked, she will nod yes or no. Still doesn't understand her trach is how she is breathing or anything for safety. We have a long road ahead of us. We miss and love you all, Laurie

Wed. Nov. 26th, 2008 @9:35pm

Another day come and gone. JoLinda continues to get better, just not fast enough for me, of course. I'm ready to have this nightmare over. I'm still wondering how in the world our lives have been turned upside down like this. Rich continues to watch JoLinda at night so the boys and I can get some rest. He leaves in the morning and gets breakfast and rest and some work done. He comes back in the afternoon. JoLinda continues to work on her walking and on balance. Has a hard time on focusing on anything for any length of time. Very short attention span. She was able to start her liquid diet today. She enjoyed being able to drink things even though it is very hard with her mouth wired. She was able to get her calories in so if she can go another 2 days this way, she will get her feeding tube out. Looks like 1 and 1/2 weeks to go for the trach and wires. She is still not fully awake and does not know where she is or why. Just getting through another day. We hope you all have a Wonderful Thanksgiving. I know we will just being alive and together. We wish our oldest, Brenton and his wife Tami and our granddaughter Lily were with us also. We wish them the best. We love and miss you all, Laurie

Tuesday, Nov. 25th, 2008 @4:53pm

Well, JoLinda has done ok with her walking today. Still just getting stronger. She is able to focus a little bit longer on tasks with OT. She also had Speech Therapy just a minute ago. She did fantastic. She new all of our names, her birthdate, days of the week and months of the year. She also did 1-10 and simple addition and multiplication. She even drank out of a straw. Which means now she is on a liquid diet. If she can get her calories from a straw, they will take out her feeding tube. Please pray for that! Also she is to keep her speaking valve on as much as possible, if it goes well they will take out the trach. Please pray for that! Anyway, we are hanging in there and taking it one day at a time. Miss you all, Laurie

Monday, @ 9:08pm

JoLinda had a good night. She had a shower this morning which always makes you feel good. She is not just making sounds now, but is moving her mouth and talking. She is walking very well, and is much more stable. She even got to walk outside abit and did 1/2 flight of stairs. She wrote her name in full and Brenton's name in full. Also wrote Jovi and Beau and said their names. She said mom today too and when Rich was stopping her from pulling her feeding tube she said dang you Rich! Everything has been stupid to her today. She is even blowing kisses and hugging the boys and kissing them too. Anyway, through another day and going to try to get some rest. Rich is with her again tonight. I'm greatful for his help and support. Love you all, Laurie

Monday, Nov. 24th, 2008 @9:15am

Well, sorry about not blogging yesturday. I'll try to catch you all up. Fri. night was JoLinda's worst night yet. Sat. was really rough, and I'm hoping she is peeking to better days. Rich, Jovi and Beau came Sat night and Rich stayed with JoLinda all night so the boys and I could go to a motel and get some sleep. They doubled her meds since Fri night was so bad for her. Sat. night ended up being better. Amazing what the right amount of meds does. Sunday was fantastic. She is walking with help around the 12th floor 2 times a day. And is learning to push herself with her hands and feet in her wheelchair. Is writing more on paper. Not making a whole lot of sense though. She got really agitated again in the afternoon and it took 3 hours to calm her and 2 different meds. Finally she slept and Rich stayed with her again last night. The boys and I went to the motel and got some rest. She did get her pic line out yesturday. One less tube for her to pull and to hurt her. I'll try to write again later after seeing how her night went and her therapy today. Love ya all, Laurie

Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008 @ 2:20pm

Our worst night yet. JoLinda was up the entire night, tossing and turning. It takes all we have for two of us to keep her from falling out of bed, pulling something out or keeping her tube feed and mask for her trach in place. I think we had 2 hours this morning of sleep. She got another shower, & one yesturday. She liked that. Is walking well with help. Learning to write and to push wheelchair with feet and hands. She played bounce pass with me too. She also spelled Brenton S. Davis out for the speech therapist today. Just randomly. also her own name. Still so agitated! Nothing seems to work to call her. If I am not in sight of her, I hear about that too. Snapping fingers and go crazy til she finds me. Jovi's birthday today. Can't wait to see them all tonight. Laurie

Friday, Nov. 21, 2008 @ 12:15pm

Yesterday was an exciting day. JoLinda was able to walk(with help) down the hall. She also caught a balloon and through it back. She is going to the bathroom with help too. The speech therapist asked her to write her name on a piece of paper and she did. First and last! She is enjoying the wheelchair. More comfortable than the bed. She had another rough night though. Another 2 hours is all we got. She walked again this morning all the way from the gym to her room. She is starting to enjoy the views. Tried kicking a soccer ball a few feet, and did great. Still very short attention span and very agitated. Spent the past 2 hours with her all over the bed. Had to put padding on rails so she wouldn't hurt herself. Finally asleep with something to calm her. She seems to know who I am, and doesn't like it when I'm not there. She seems to be frustrated with the simple things we're helping her with, like she's thinking "do you think I'm stupid or something?" We're going to try to help her shower today. Am anxious for Rich, Jovi, and Beau to come tomorrow night, Jovi's 13th Birthday. Talk to you later, Laurie

Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008 @ 8:52am

A much better night, at least as far as sleep goes, for the both of us. They gave JoLinda something to help her sleep and it didn't knock her out, thank goodness, but it helped. I think I got about 5 hours. Much better. she went to do her first Physical Therapy, yesterday with her new crew. She was too tired to do much. was wheeled to the room, stood twice and was ready to go back. She helped turn the wheels of her chair 5 times and then reached up and pulled out her trake. I was immediately panic stricken as was her sitter and therapist. We rushed her back to her room and instantly she had everyone in her room trying to see the next step. She did ok without it for a short time, but they knew with her mouth wired, for now it is safer to have it in. They waited for the doctor on call and a new trake with a hole to help the speech therapist to be able to work with her to talk. Finally it was put in her, with a lot of pain. They learned quickly how fast she is and why she is restrained at all times now. Her therapy starts at 9:30am today and am releived to be on the rehab floor. I'm still able to stay with her at night, glad of that. Talk to you all later, Laurie

Wed. 3:17pm

Just a quick update. JoLinda was moved finally to the 12th floor which is rehab. She will now get 3 hours a day of pretty good and intense scheduled rehab. She is in room 1214. 3 more weeks of her mouth being wired and for the trake and feeding tube, but and least she is going to be getting some rehab. Laurie

Wed. Nov. 19th, 2008 @10:30AM

Another tough evening and night. JoLinda just doesn't understand where she is or what all these things are hooked up to her for. She continues to be determined to pull everything out and to get out of bed. Yet too weak to do that. I am now so scared she is going to hurt herself that I can't sleep. They finally gave her something to calm her last night, and it did help. She had a sitter last night that thought she could handle her unrestrained and I went totally crazy. So they put a jacket on her to restrain her at the waist and shoulders so that she can't move forward. That helped. My back got somewhat of a break. Nice to be able to at least close my eyes. This morning she did use her feet to "sandwich" a pillow and bring it to her waist. Awesome to see. I did talk to her for a minute about where she is and why. She crinkled up her forhead. Seemed very confused still. We're hanging in there, just missing the rest of my family and hoping for her fast recovery. Keep praying. Thanks, Laurie

Tue. @ 5:10pm

A very productive day. JoLinda has spend the day moving continually. She is getting stronger by the hour. She did good for the PT and OT, standing and sitting with a 14 lb vest on. She then stood 5 times for me and stepped with her right and then left feet to sit into the chair. Stayed a few minutes and then stood and sat down on the bed. She even signed that she wanted a drink, with her thumb to her lips and pinkie extended. Is still waving, and doing thumbs up and nodding yes and no. She looked outside for the first time. She will be re-evaluated tomorrow to see if she is ready to go up to the 12th floor which is rehab. That will be a big step. She got her staples out of her head today, from the bolt too. She is continueing to snap her fingers and try to pop her knuckles. Also is enjoying, short term anyway, to click a pen. Her elbows are now pretty raw and we have put something on them to help protect them. She did pull her trake out 1/2 way during late afternoon. Scared me to death. Not sure I can take going backwards like that now. For the first time, she is making noise out of her trake. Her vocal cords are starting to work and get stronger. Yeah! Talk to you tomorrow! Love, Laurie

Tuesday, Nov. 18th, 2008 @10:56am

Another tough day and night. Another 2 hours of sleep. Getting more tired now. JoLinda is moving with agitation almost the entire day and night now. Meds. not working to calm her. Still is wanting out of bed and to sit up or get into another position. She had been unrestrained for 1 and 1/2 days, but got yesturday morning and afternoon to be aggressively trying to pull out trake, feeding tube, and every other tube she has. Doesn't understand that she needs them and that it will cause great pain. She did give me 3 kisses on the cheek throughout the morning. Sometimes so agitated that I have to get into bed with her to hold her and lower her heart rate by her relaxing. Just going down to get something to eat. Talk to you all later, Laurie

Monday, Nov. 17th, 2008 @ 9:50am

JoLinda has now switched, part way anyway, her days and nights. she sleeps from 2pm to 2am. Tough for my schedule. I think I got 2 hours of sleep last night. She just stood up with two of us helping her. Then rested for about 5 min. and stood again and sat into another chair. Sat in that chair a good 5 min. So exciting! She also was asked how many brothers she has, and she lifted up 3 fingers. I took a picture for the OT and PT as I new they wouldn't believe the sitter nor myself. She continues to improve. She is however still agitated and is getting some meds for it. Also still obviously for the pain. I am going to sneak down to get something to eat. I'll try to check in again this afternoon. Love you all, Laurie

Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008 @12:10pm

JoLinda had a good night. She is less agitated today, yet still moving around. She is touching her neck, head, legs, ear, face. Everything and anything to figure out what is going on. I think she is making sure she is o.k. She is scratching her head, nose, back and legs. She hugged me last night and a really big hug this morning. I felt like getting in bed and holding her. She is doing well, even waved at the OT today. The Plastic Surgeon took the stitch out of from across her eye today. She has even started touching the staples in her head from the bolt. PT and OT helped her try to stand up, of course they had her held 100% but it's a start. Still trying to keep her pain under control, yet keep her from being too sleeping. Looks like she will have her mouth wired for the full 4 weeks. Anyway, we just keep praying and taking it one minute at a time. Rich, Jovi, and Beau will leave for home today. They will stay with us all week next week though. I'm greatful for that. Talk to you all later. Love, Laurie

Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008 @4:30pm

JoLinda was moved last night around 11:00pm to the 11th floor with a around the clock sitter. She is very agitated today. Continuously moving her legs. They have given her a medicine for that. Also up her pain medicine from every 6 hours to every 3 hours. She is trying to pull tubes our of her nose and wants to pull the stitch out of her eye. The Plastic Surgeon check her today and might take it out tomorrow. Just so she doesn't pull it. She doesn't seem as awake today. However, she is pinpointing things more. For example, she saw the buttons on the bed and started to push them. One was the nurse call button and the other was the up button. Her swelling was better this morning, but throughout the day, laying on that left side has made it swell again. We are trying to let her get comfortable herself so she can rest. I was told this morning that she only got about 2 hours of sleep last night. Very agitated. She was the same this morning. Moved continually, found a comfortable spot, then slept for 5 min. and did it all over again. I'll try to check in again later. Sorry so late today. Laurie

Friday @5:45pm

The physical therapist came in a sat her on the side of the bed. Usually she is like a rag doll, but today, she tried to hold up her own head, and even tried to stand. Then she tried to get back into bed. She even crossed her arms. When he left the room, the therapist waved goodbye to her, and she waved back. Great day and great progress. Laurie

Friday, Nov. 14, 2008 @2:55pm

Great news! JoLinda is starting to wake up! She of course will come and go with it, but I'm going to take it when I can. For a few minutes, JoLinda was shaking her head yes when I asked her a question. She also did it for a nurse. A nurse asked her if she would do "thumbs up" and she tried to do both hands, they shook but she moved both of them about 1/2 way up. So he asked her if she would wiggle her fingers, and she did. Her pupils look so much better, as she is even opening the one with the stitch. She is following me with her eyes from one side of the room to the next. Uncle Vern gave her another blessing. I'm feeling really good about things today. Thanks everyone for your prayers. Laurie

Friday, Nov. 14th, 2008 @12:35pm

JoLinda had a good night. Had the best nurse. Is also alot less swollen. She also seems to be tracking with her eyes more, especially to the left. They are now giving her something for the pain on a regular basis. That makes me feel much better. Even though her left eye is sewn closed with one stitch, she is really now trying to open it. Still not awake, yet seems more aware. I had a bad evening last night, but after a good cry, am doing better today. Am so excited to get to see Rich, Jovi and Beau today. Am a little excited to be sleeping in a motel tonight too. I'll keep you all posted. Love ya, Laurie

7pm

Well, JoLinda had a rough afternoon. She started moving alot and squirming. They finally figured out that she was in pain. They gave her some morphine and she has been resting most of the latter part of the day. Rough day! Still can't believe this is our life now. Talk to you tomorrow. Laurie

Thursday, Nov. 13th, 2008 @12:21pm

Well today started off on a rough note. I was able to sleep on the floor in JoLinda's room, and see that everything was o.k. But, when I decided to get up for the day, JoLinda had completely stopped moving. Apparently, during the night, without telling me, they let JoLinda breath room temp. air. She was doing o.k. I guess, but her oxygen level to me was low. She had a temp. this and was given tylonol to reduce the fever and we figure it will help with the pain. They are not giving her anything still for the pain of surgery. I don't get that! She was not responsive at all. I couldn't get her to even open her eye. She completely stopped moving. So, 4 nurses came in to check on her and decided not to wait on bathing her and getting her into a better position to see if they couldn't stimulate her brain. That all worked. They washed her hair and even french braided it. She is more swollen than ever. Hopefully it will go down soon. PT is working with her 2 times a day, but she is still not awake. Talk to you all soon. Laurie

Wed. Nov. 12, 2008 @4:35pm

Today is going well. She is very swollen, but seems to be handling it ok. Meaning, her blood pressure, pulse, and movement seem to be good. She actually is moving her legs really well today. She is completely beathing on her own again. Of course, still beathing Oxygen through a mask over the trake. She is continueing to lean forward, or trying to sit up more. Still not following any commands. She was moved about 3:30am to the 4th floor. She is in room 406 now. Only because they needed her room for another trauma patient. She is now in resp. I.C.U. I can now sleep in her room now. They are a little less strict on this floor. There is not a bed, but at least I can stay with her, even if it's in a chair. I will try and update again later today. Thanks so much! Laurie

The surgery is done!

Well, it's 10:17pm and Grandma and I just got to the motel. JoLinda is out of surgery and the doctor said it went good. She did have to have her mouth wired shut and will be for 2 -4 weeks. Which means the trake and feeding tube stays for that long. She is highly medicated and very swollen. She has one of my favorite nurses watching her tonight so I'm going to try to get some sleep and be there first thing in the morning. I am glad this day is done. Love ya all, Laurie

Tuesday, Nov. 11th 2008

Well JoLinda went into surgery at 3:30pm. It is supposed to take 3 1/2 to 5 hours. She seemed so nervous. I will be glad when this day is done. Grandma got here fine and with no trouble. She was doing fine today. Not a whole lot of changes. Yesturday, the speech therapists put something on her trake that she inhaled through it but had to exhale through her nose or mouth. She tolerated it ok for a short period of time. She is doing ok with her physical therapists too. She still is not awake, but seems to be aware that I'm there. Still working on her range of motion for her and with her shoes. One thing she is starting to do is trying to sit up, or lean forward. I give her a hug and kiss each time. She then settles back in her bed. We have started a fund for her at Wells Fargo for those of you that have been inquiring about that. It is under JoLinda Davis Benefit Fund. We appreciate all that you have done and for all your prayers. For those at Sun River, the flowers were the most beautiful flowers I've ever seen. Thank you! Thanks also for the cards. We received them yesterday. It meens so much. I will try to write more tonight, after her surgery. Thanks again everyone, Laurie

Monday, November 10th @11:40am

Hey all! JoLinda had a pretty good night. She still is not awake, but is aware of people around her. I continue to work with her leg range of motion. She has started really helping me. She will start by lifting one up about 4 inches and then I finish the stretch. Makes me feel good to help her. Her new shoes don't seem to be bothering her. Her stomach is still really bloated. She has to be really uncomfortable with that. She seems much more relaxed today. Especially with her arms. Still hoping to get off of this floor. I.C.U. is a horibly depressing floor. Hopefully I get to talk to the doctor soon. Talk to you all later. Laurie

Sunday, Nov. 9th, 2008 @ 3:30pm

Well JoLinda is hanging in there. She had her 3rd day of a little therapy. She is still not awake, but we go through full range of motion for her on her arms and legs. She is starting to listen to my voice and relax. I had to go buy her some high top shoes for her feet. They are worried about her "foot drop". She is breathing on her own and is down from 40percent oxygen to 30 percent. She had stopped using her left leg for about 4 days but has started using it occassionally. I could swear she smiled at the nurse and I this morning. She will be having her surgery on Tuesday for the broken bones in her face. She might be able to leave ICU tomorrow and go to the 11th floor. I hope so. That way I can stay with her even at night and get off the floor in the waiting room. I will write more later. I need to go into her room. Thanks everyone for your concern for JoLinda and I. Talk to you all soon. Love Laurie

Motorcycle Accident

On Tuesday, October 28th, 2008, JoLinda was in a motorcycle accident involving 2 other vehicles. Here is a new's video about the accident.


JoLinda sustained major injuries to her head. She received a broken jaw, broken left upper eye socket, Right upper and lower eye socket, and brain trauma. She was life-flighted from Dixie Regional Medical Center to Intermountain Medical Center near Salt Lake City. They drilled into her skull to place a sensor on her brain to detect swelling. She had a breathing tube for a week, then they had to preform a trechioscopy and attach the breathing tube to her throat to avoid damage. On Thursday, November 6th, they removed the sensor from her brain because she was keeping the swelling down on her own. She has also started breathing on her own. She has facial reconstructive surgery schedueled for Tuesday, November 11th, where she will recieve plastic surgery to repair her face, and have her jaw wired shut for several weeks.

More updates coming soon.