Adron's Knee Surgery

Adron's knee surgery Wednesday morning went well the Dr. said. He's been recovering at home the last 3 days and is doing good. Thank you! to all who prayed for him. Were hoping for a full recovery of his knee so he can go back to doing the things he loves. He will be working from home for the next few weeks. These pictures were taken at the hospital, I thought it was funny seeing Adron in a "dress" (hospital gown) haha. I have to say it was hard walking into the hospital room, didn't think I'd get emotional over it but it was a uncomfortable reminder of when Zack and I lived there. (Different hospital) but the same equipment, procedures and smells. I am reminded just how far we have come in a year. Zack's actual 1-year date is May 31 (tues) not sure do I cry or have a celebration of life party? Maybe both.
~Amber

Worlds Largest Gummy Worm!?

Yes that is a real edible gummy worm! It was Kadens 8th birthday so big brother Zack went online, found, paid for (not cheap) and had this shipped to the house. Kaden was very happy to say the least! So funny! Have they eaten it all? No way that thing is still in the refrigerator! May take awhile!

Almost a Year Post Injury

I'm trying hard to not make it a big deal but can feel the slight anxiety looming when I think about Zack's up coming 1 year anniversary May 31st (Memorial Day) of his beach accident. I've thought of visiting the accident site Newport Beach, 42nd St. but I'll wait for now. I see the ocean each day I drive to Carlsbad for Zack's physical therapy and am determined to not let his accident ruin the beach for us, since I've always loved the beach and have taken my kids there whole lives, its worth the fight.

On another note Adron is scheduled for knee surgery on May 25th please keep that in prayer he will be down about a month. Still unsure how all that will work but trusting God to help me figure that one out.

I've posted some cute pictures with Zack and his (2) younger brothers with him at Project Walk. Both brothers like to go and be with Zack when they can. The pic's are a lil blurry but you can see the smile on Kaden (Zack's 8 yr. old brother) and see how much he loves his "Biggest Bro" its amazing to watch and I feel blessed.

Love, Amber

Easter 2011

It's been awhile since I've written. Things have been hard the last month.

It seems to just keep piling on? Stress and lack of any down time is taking its toll. I'm in the process of changing some things in Zack's schedule and looking FW to summer. Adron will be having knee surgery in a couple weeks and the Dr. said he'll be down about a month!? I have NO idea how that's going to work with his job, Zack and "our life" But more on that later...

We did have a really nice Easter - had about 20 people over including my Australian friends who have come back for physical therapy for this month. It's been great to see them again. Sue is a mother of 4 also and it's her oldest child who got injured, same age and level of injury as Zack! She's been a "God sent friend."

We had tons of food and a egg hunt for the little kids. My in-laws (Ade & Frannie) had a Great idea and we did a "eyes only" easter egg hunt, I know, the boys are a little old for easter egg hunts but (Nana & Grandpa) were smart and filled most of the eggs with $$ never too old for that! We had Levi (Zack's brother) sit in a wheelchair too so all 3 boys were the same eye level then each boy had a "little helper" so when the boys found a egg they'd tell the helper and they'd go get the egg. It was fun for everyone. Zack found the "golden egg" had a $100 bill inside! I said I want to play next year (haha).

Please keep us in prayer this month I'm having a hard time with Zack's up coming year mark (May 31) I KNOW its just a day but I'm still heartbroken and trying to accept this injury and keep hopeful at the same time. As well as keeping up with all the needs of my daily life. It's truly by God's grace I'm making it each day. Thank you for thinking of us...by the way for Mother's Day this year I'm taking the day off!

Love, Amber

Zack "Walking" at Project Walk

Here's Zack "Walking" with help at Project Walk. He is being assisted by 2 people helping him lift and pull his legs and feet through. He's working hard to be able to do this on him own someday!

Zack "Standing"

This is a short video clip of Zack trying to re-learn to stand on his own, the video speaks for itself.

Tough Week

This has definitely been a very trying week on many different levels, I know I need to re-focus my thinking back on the positive.

One good thing is I mentioned a few posts ago that I was getting up at night with Zack sometimes 4-5x's A friend of mine made a suggestion (she also has a injured son) I took a queen size sheet and rolled it so its long and skinny then after Zacks positioned at night I tuck it under each side of the bed, when his legs "spasm" in the middle of the night his legs hit the sheet and he is able to slowly lower them back down, instead of them curling up, its allowed me (and him for the most part) to get a full nights sleep. That's been a big help. I have a great video clip I'll be posting soon too...amber

Flowers?

I wanted to thank the person who left flowers on my door about a week ago Thank You very much and your note was encouraging it was not signed (maybe on purpose?). It made my day...PS my daughter absolutely LOVES flowers! She enjoyed them as well thanks again for thinking of us. Love, Amber

Other Things in Zack's Schedule

Zack goes to Project Walk 3x's a week down in Carlsbad but he also has school at home (2) days a week. This is a picture of Zack and his school tutor Sheila she is an amazing teacher and seems to understand Zack's style of learning plus with his disabilities she finds creative ways to teach him. It's a great fit and I am SO grateful for her. She says he's so smart (but I already knew that) haha. We both agree Zack's brain was Not affected by his injury and anyone who knew him before can vouch for that! Trust me he's still "Zack!"





This is Mark Allen I blogged once before about Mark he heard about Zack's injury and offered his physical therapy services to Zack, Mark has his own therapy unit in Irvine but since we are Yorba Linda neighbors he would come to the house. Recently though we have been going to his office since he had a schedule change but it works out great driving home from Carlsbad we pass through Irvine. Mark is concentrating on Zack's hands (per Zack's requests) even though he's capable of doing more, but of course we all agree we'd love to see those hands move again!





The single pic is of Zack and Arthur Lupsha he is a Neuro-IFRAH instructor this is a different kind of physical therapy. We heard about Arthur through another spinal cord injury patient that got great results. His office is in Mission Viejo called OC Neuro Rehab.

That's not all Zack does he also see's Michael Akong for Acupuncture, I knew very little about acupuncture before, so I'm learning a lot. The needles are not as scary as they look. Michael has been working on every different part of Zack's body, I think its a good combination with the physical therapy.

Zack also goes in his Standing frame at home. I feel like we should be doing as much as we can but at the same time I HAVE to Balance it all with regular "Life" and (3) other (wonderful) children. So we are doing what we can and making changes as we need to, it seems like just when we get a new routine down something changes, but such is life. Don't worry Zack still gets to be a teenager he finds time for online video games and is always happy to hangout with friends!
~Amber

Could use some extra prayer

Its continuing to be a more challenging of weeks for Adron (zack's dad) and I anyway. Zack is still "rock solid" and for this I am Truly Grateful. God's given Zack amazing inner strength!

I've hurt my back, nothing in particular just all the lifting I do. Its getting better but Adron is on crutches right now he hurt his knee pretty bad. Being the great dad he is he took our 6 year old daughter to the "Roller Rink" and last trip around the rink, they both fell (I think he forgot he's not 12 years old anymore!). He's going in for x-rays tomorrow but he cannot put any pressure on it. So that's more lifting for me and Levi (zack's brother)

Please say an extra prayer for us. This blog has really helped me process my feelings thank you for reading it. ~Amber

P.S. It would be also great if Zack could sleep through the night. His body still "spasms" a lot at night and I get up sometimes 3-4x's a night to help straighten out his body. It has gotten better sometimes its only 1-2x's But a good night's rest can do wonders and benefits everyone.

A Little Milestone

Haven't had much to blog about and I have been down this week. There are days I just "don't want to be positive." I see kids Zack's age getting drivers licenses, cars and going to school dances and I think that's what my son should be doing. These are those years we "never forget" and yes Zack will "never forget" these years but not the way I thought he would. BUT after a day or two of thinking this way I always realize that doesn't help anyone and the fact is Zack IS injured and that is that.

A couple days ago we were sitting at the table having dinner and Zack's cell phone rang (thanks Dylan!) he picked up his phone and "threw it" to his ear and started talking. I looked at him, jumped up got my camera and took this pic. This is the 1st time I've seen him "hold" his phone. Now I have a thing with being as accurate as possible SO he is Not gripping the phone but was able to at least make his fingers curl just enough to get a light grip. He would say it was No Big deal but it was to me! I needed to see that. So on we go...Amber






P.S. Zack's been feeding himself regularly for awhile now, he wears a special fitted "glove" on his hand and we put a spoon wedged into the glove. He's also figuring out the things he can eat when he's out with friends on his own. I'm proud of him.

Zack and Siblings

Thought this was a great pic of Zack with his siblings Zack 16, Levi 14, Kaden 7, and Laila 6
Their Aunt made the football fudge..yum

8-Months Post-Injury...

It has been 8 months now since my son Zack Collie broke his neck at Newport Beach. When thinking back to that day its seems So long ago and yet I remember that day like it was yesterday?

Its been a journey to say the least with the physical difficulties and emotional ups and downs a injury like this brings to a family...I thought it would be encouraging to see the progress Zack has made in a re-cap of photos. I'll let the pictures do the talking....Thank you for being interested in Zack's recovery. I always enjoy hearing from you.
~Amber










































Zack moving from bed to chair

























Zack and siblings