| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Annab |
Posted - Apr 10 2009 : 1:29:57 PM
Three days ago we were told that our senior elephant keeper got into an accident with an augr.
Jim Small is his name.
On his off days from the zoo, he likes working on a horse farm.
Monday morning, the augr caught his sleeve.
He was air lifted to a hospital in Winston. Jim reamined awake for the whole ordeal and sustained 2 broken arms, both of which were dislocated, lots if internal bleeding that required 2 blood transfusions, several craked ribs, and his face which was unrecognizable to his wife.
He is on a ventelator for now to give his body time to heal.
Family is in town for Easter thank goodness
Jim is a practicing Christian
and the really poopy thing about all this is, he could have retired from the zoo 3 years ago, but wants to hang around in the worst way to see a viable baby elephant on the ground. So at this time . its too soon to know if he will return.
Thank you everyone
i'll post as new info comes in |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Annab |
Posted - May 06 2009 : 06:01:21 AM
Jim is home now.
One arm is in a sling. It's the one that has a skin graft. This arm was almost ripped off, so he may never regain full muscle strength again.
The other arm,, his right and dominant arm was just dislocated and very sore.
Rehab is going well, but painful.
Jim hs to sleep on a hospital bed so he can be upright and just swing his legs over to stand.
He has been requesting visitors, so he remains in good spirits.
Thanks again for prayers and good thoughts.
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| Annab |
Posted - Apr 24 2009 : 5:09:53 PM
Yes, we aren't through this completely.
For Jim ,he'll get to go home when the insurance co. clears it for him to take PT equipment home for rehab on his arm. Not sure how long that will take.
And for Dona, 1 node came back with cancer. We'll pray the doctors got it all. Boy that's scary.
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| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Apr 24 2009 : 11:43:00 AM
So happy about your post. Yay for Jim--sure hope he can get back to his normal surroundings, soon. That will ALSO make a world of difference in his recovery. Also about Dona...whew, that was a close call and I'm VERY happy for her.
Will keep the "hotline" to heaven going, though... :)
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
| Annab |
Posted - Apr 24 2009 : 03:19:34 AM
Some good news here.
Was able to drop off some gorceries to Jim's house last night. His Dad was there and said Jim may be able to go home today. Haven't gotten any updates but it's early this a.m.
And Dona is doing better too! Doctors gave her something for the other kidney to kick in a little faster which seemed to do the trick.
She called my dad last night and is feeling MUCH better. Lab tests came back negative for metastisist cancer. This means they got it all and I think this means no cancer.
SO
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!!! Will do the occasional update as needed.
You guys are the best! |
| Lainey |
Posted - Apr 23 2009 : 06:05:44 AM
Still praying for Jim's continued improvement here and Dona will be in my prayers as well. I hope she's doing better and feeling pain free soon.
Hugs!
Farmgirl Sister #25
http://countrygirldreams.blogspot.com/
An Angel says, 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.' |
| Annab |
Posted - Apr 22 2009 : 5:36:02 PM
As of todays posts, Jim was able to remain sitting for more than 30 minutes. He also was able to receive nearly all his family including the smaller grandkids.
The P T is another story. Not quite a struggle, but very exhausing. P T is for his arms.
And yea. I'd have rather someone hit me over the head with a shovel than remember an incident like that.
Tomorrow after work another buddy and I will be delivering a ton of groceries to the family house. I love doing stuff like this. The hospital is 1 1/2 hours away and I imagine his wife is staying nearby, so hopefully some of this good food will make its way to Jim. He has such a sweet tooth
And, another frind to please keep in mind.
Dona. She and her husband have been literal lifelong frineds. I mentioned Dona in a different post. Anyway long story longer...she had been going through 2 years worth or mystery anemia. Went to the dr. a few days ago. Not sure how the (rather big) lump was discovered on her kidney. Appareltly it had been there for some time. So it was removed yesterday along with a 4-5" section of intestine and 2 lymphnodes... Lots of pain today though and the other kidney hasn't caught up yet.
So please also remeber her and her husband Dave
Thanks so much
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| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Apr 21 2009 : 06:56:32 AM
Sounds like it might have been the sedative, Anna. Those drugs can do wicked things--but it's good that he recalls the accident (well, I'd rather forget it, but for cognitive purposes it's promising). I'm hoping that every day gives him the strength he needs. It will be a long road but he's already made great strides. The regular room is a wonderful thing!!!
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
| Lainey |
Posted - Apr 20 2009 : 7:23:56 PM
Still praying for Jim here. I'm glad to hear he's in a regular room now, that's good news.
Farmgirl Sister #25
http://countrygirldreams.blogspot.com/
An Angel says, 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.' |
| Annab |
Posted - Apr 20 2009 : 6:03:52 PM
Last 2 posts were very encouraging
Jim has been stepped down to a regualr room
Was assisted out of bed and sat in a chair for 30 minutes. Made him pretty tired but it felt good to get out of bed and sit up.
Jim did have some mental confusion a day or two ago. May have been form the sedative. Most has been cleared up. He recalls most of the accident.
Pleae continue to pray for his strength and recovery
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| Annab |
Posted - Apr 19 2009 : 03:34:47 AM
Jim's wife Sherry has been keeping us in formed via this really cool web sire called caring bridge.
She provides updates every day.
Sorry I haven't been as good about it as she has.
Jim has been making progress! this past week he ubderwent 3 surgeries. 1 to repair facial fractures, 1 to set a pin in one of his arms, and 1 to graft skin from his leg to an arm.
He woke out of his induced coma Thursday, was responsive via yes/no questions as of 2 days ago, began fighting the vent tube day before yesterday, and as of this a.m.took the vent tube out himself, is talking/asking when he can go home, and is moving around a lot, probably because he is a bit uncomfortable.
SO halleluia and thanks so much for rememberibng my friend!
Please keep the prayers coming 
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| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Apr 16 2009 : 08:40:37 AM
Anna, what an awful thing. I'm so sorry for Jim and his family--one thing's for sure, there's a special place for folks like hime who love animals and do the work they do. I am praying for his recovery and wishing him strength. |
| Lainey |
Posted - Apr 14 2009 : 11:54:23 AM
Oh Anna, I'm so sorry to hear about Jim. He's in my prayers, I hope he fully recovers to go back to the job he must love. Praying for his family too.
Farmgirl Sister #25
http://countrygirldreams.blogspot.com/
An Angel says, 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.' |
| Annab |
Posted - Apr 12 2009 : 07:55:41 AM
Recent update on Jim....he was working on one of those augrsthat attaches behind a tractor.
He'll be in the hospital for a minimum of 2 weeks
Thanks for the prayers everyone! |
| dkelewae |
Posted - Apr 10 2009 : 2:14:56 PM
I will pray for Jim for healing,and comfort and peace for his family.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #272
St. Peters MO
Country Girl trapped in the city!
http://farmgirldreams.blogspot.com/ |
| crafter |
Posted - Apr 10 2009 : 1:47:41 PM
I'm lifting Jim up in prayer right now- I pray for Faith, Healing,Comfort and Hope for him and his family.
xoxo-Lori
Thank GOD I'm a Country Girl! |
