July 30, 2004
Update 1
Hi to all,

I'm emailing all of you either to update you or inform you for the first time the situation re: my parents. I'm sorry if this is the first time you are hearing, there are so many people to get to and our focus is to concentrate on my parents. On Sat. July 24th my parents were in a motorcycle accident in Lacrosse Wisconsin.... no other vehicles were involved. They were rounding a curve at about 35mph and caught some loose gravel and both obviously went down. My mother was taken to a hospital in Lacrosse with a broken hand and a bruised body but my father wasn't so fortunate, he was medivac to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota with a severe spinal cord injury, as he remains in ICU. He has a complete C4 fracture, which means he is paralyzed from the chest down. He is currently on a respirator "life support" but is showing incredible signs of being able to breath on his own in the future, only time will tell. He does have some feeling in his shoulders but none in his arms or hands...HOWEVER, he can move his arms (NOT FINGERS) to the right and left and can turn them over in one direction...these are HUGE milestones each day as being able to breath on his own and having some usage of his arms will make a dramatic difference in his everyday life, as well as my mothers. It’s overwhelming how quickly the staff at Mayo clinic moves forward toward his recovery...we have met w/critical care, neuro, ortho, trauma and rehab docs everyday, as well as Physical & Occupational Therapists who already have him working toward recovery.... THIS PLACE IS AMAZING and we are so happy and fortunate Dad is here. He is now drawing on all the philosophies of work ethic, drive and determination he has spent years teaching to young students and athletes...to get him through this. My mother had surgery yesterday on her broken hand and is recovering nicely...the docs in Wisc. cast her to quickly, thus needing surgery and some attention to infection details, she'll remain in the hospital until Monday. This family, as you all well know, is a tight group, and NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT TO US THAN EACH OTHER!!!!!!! WE ARE NOW REFERRING TO OURSELVES AS THE "DREAM TEAM"...ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY!!

Bob (Loris husband) is busy setting up a website for mom and dad, once we get it going (very soon) anyone can log on it daily and we will update as often as possible. Please continue to pray for their recovery and for strength of all us to remain in tact to get through this very difficult time. Both my parents have very strong convictions and know that pray, hope and wisdom will sustain them. All WILL be ok.

Update on Dad...he sat up twice yesterday in a PT chair and was breathing on his own for hours, the average person with this injury usually does it once, the doctors are amazed at the shape he's in for his age and the fact that he hasn't had prior health issues is a plus.

We love you all and thank you for all the prayers, words of encouragement, cards (send more cards), goodie packs, flowers etc. Dad cannot have flowers in the ICU and we all have what we need for now, so hold off on sending anything, as we will need you in the future.

Love to all,
The Henrys (Lori)