SEPTEMBER 25

First of all, I would like to thank my very sweet, and talented nephew, Tyson, for designing this website.  I am so grateful that all of my friends and family were able to stay updated on our conditions while we were in the hospital.  Love you Tyson!

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OK, now that I've been home for almost two months, I figure it's time for an update!  After several doctor appointments, not much has changed.  Mostly, they tell me to "be patient" and "healing takes time". That was good advice for a few weeks, but I'm going a little stir crazy! you can usually find me in my "spot" on the couch.  I watch a lot of TV, and listen to audio books. 

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Let's start with my head.  Having a brain injury is very interesting.  I have horrible short term memory, and I have a hard time finding the right words when I'm speaking.  I'm glad Kirk and the kids can finish most of my sentences for me. 

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Next, we will go to my eyes.  I currently am still having double vision.  I rotate covering each eye daily in order to keep my eye muscles strong.  It's probably the most frustrating of my injuries.  It is difficult for me to judge depth or distance. I am still unable to read small text, which makes reading books impossible!  I have an appointment in October to get some prism glasses that will force my eyes to work together, and then surgery to repair the nerves sometime in the future.

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My neck brace is gone!  Yay!  I was very happy to be rid of this piece of equipment! My neck injury has healed very nicely.  The broken vertebrae are fused together, and I have pretty good range of motion, plus a pretty cool scar!

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My legs are healing slowly but surely as well.  All of the sutures have been taken out, and my hard casts are off.  I have boots that I am supposed to wear when I'm not showering.  I am still unable to put any weight on my feet. My right foot looks pretty normal except the big scar, but my right foot looks awful!  It's still pretty swollen, and about an inch shorter than my right!  At my next appointment, they will take X Rays to determine whether or not all of the metal and cement have fused together with my remaining bone.  If everything looks good, I can start physical therapy! 

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I really am very optimistic about this healing process.  I am lucky to have wonderful friends and family to help with the things I can't do.  I think that's the most frustrating thing.  I can't take care of my family the way I want to.  Kirk is still hurting, but has taken on all of the "mom" responsibilities as well as working full time.  The kids have a lot of extra responsibilities as well.  Maybe the guilt will disappear around the same time my wheelchair does!

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AUGUST 4 | 11:00PM

Stacy has had good news from the neuro-ophthalmologist--he said the double vision she is experiencing is very common with brain injuries and that should return back to normal, but could take some time. She ordered new prescription glasses with should help.

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The other day for PT, they took Stacey to the mall to work on her short term memory and complex thinking. It was exhausting, and her favorite part was a diet coke and carrot cake from Kneaders!! She is in good spirits and knows time will help her heal. 

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Kirk, Stacey and the kids are coming to Colorado this weekend if all goes well. They will be staying with Kirk's brother, Brett for convenience, help, and floor plan accessibility with a wheelchair. BEFORE you all start planning to visit, the Doctors have advised Stacey to not have visitors for at least 2 weeks.  She is still struggling with some memory issues and although they are very hopeful she will make a full recovery, she needs rest and little stimulation.  We all know Stacey, she would never turn away friends, but please be respectful to her health and let her  and her family get settled.  If you would like to visit, the plan is for you to text Kirk, Stacey, Brett, or Shannon Mickelsen and they will contact you when would be a good time for a short visit.  It has been a long journey for them and they really want some good quality family time. They will be in need of help and dinners as both Brett and Shannon work full time and won't be at home during the day.  We will keep you posted for details.  Thank you to all for your support, prayers and concerns. They still have a long journey, but are headed in the right direction!

AUGUST 1 | 5:00PM

So here is what's been going on the past couple of days!

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Stacey has been having Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy. She is a very busy lady! They work her very hard and she gets tired.  She is progressing very well.  At PT they have her do leg lifts and she does them without any problems.  This isn't a surprise for anyone who knows Stacey! She's a strong one!! She is also working on transferring from the wheelchair to other furniture all by herself.  She is still having issues with her eyes.  The doctors are trying a new approach for her double vision.  They gave her glasses with an opaque covering on one side. This will help her covered eye to net get lazy.  The ophthalmologist will come in soon.  

She is doing great, working hard, and learning how to deal with a wheelchair until she can put weight on her feet--which is not any time soon! Hang in there Stacey! You are a strong mama and are doing AMAZING!! 

JULY 29 | 900PM

Check out the Pictures Tab for pics of all the patients!!

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Chalk up another great day for Kirk and Stacey. 

They took out the nerve blockers on Stacey and she was in a bit more pain today. Today she had a bunch of assessments to determine a plan for her to start on Monday. I guess some of it was mental questions and it was really confusing to her. Frankly after spending a week in the hospital I would've probably flunked the test too. Tomorrow she gets to rest.

 When Kirk visited Stacey he walked in without the walker. She has not seen him walk yet. She was super excited to see that!!

JULY 29 | 200PM

Check out the Pictures Tab for pics of all the patients!!

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Yesterday was a great day Stacey. 

Stacey's pain is under control and she got dressed in real clothes. She was so excited. She and Kirk ate lunch together. It was so cute to watch Stacey offer Kirk her food. They are so kind to each other. Kirk ate a good lunch thanks to Stacey's help. Late this afternoon Stacey got moved to the rehabilitation unit. 

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JULY 28 | 6:00PM

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Stacey's surgery went well. The doctors were pleased. She had a hard time waking up and was in quite a bit of pain. They put some pain blockers behind her legs which really helped. They are discussing the idea of having her moving her to the 2nd floor in the in house rehab unit. She will most likely be there 2 weeks. Bishop Smith, Coys, and others were visiting Stacey when we got done. They gave her a blessing. 

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It ended up being a great day for the Mickelsen family.  Stacey has her pain under control. 

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Stacey looks so good. She does have a scab on her elbow that is nickel sized but that looks more like a scrape then a burn. It is almost healed as well. She was able to get her glasses prescription and so now the girls can go and pick out new glasses for her.

JULY 27 | 9:00AM

So, surgery did not happen Tuesday.  That was pretty frustrating.  She was given the option to have one surgery within hours (late at night) and the other surgery Wednesday, or EAT dinner and have both surgeries on both legs Thursday!  Well, a starving Stacey chose to eat!!! 

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She had both feet operated on Wednesday.  It was a long process (6+ hours).  The doctor said everything went according to plan.  There was some missing ligament tissues in one ankle which will affect her side to side motion. Otherwise he is hopeful there will be full function (along with some stiffness). She will not be able to put ANY weight on her feet for 3 months!  This will challenge her as she is so active.  But with so much family and friend support, we will take good care of her! 

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Just a piece of info...she wears an eye patch because she is seeing double which is very common with concussions, she switches the patch from eye to eye. 

JULY 25 | 8:00PM

 Yesterday was a great day for Stacey.  She had some friends visit from Frisco and Kirk surprised her with a manicure. With the help of Ally, someone came in and did Stacey's nails for her! Nothing can help a girl feel better than having her nails done! Way to go Kirk!!

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Today Stacey was scheduled for surgery on her right leg at 1pm, but due to one or more emergencies, Stacey did not have surgery, YET.  This isn't a horrible thing, except surgery patients are not allowed to eat!!!!  Stacey was not too happy about starving all day! Don't mess with a girl and her appetite--even if her nails are pretty!! And this just in...she will have surgery tonight (hopefully within a half hour) on her left foot, then they will kindly let her eat a little (as she is still coming out of anesthesia--nice) before she starts fasting for her surgery on her right foot in the morning.   Stacey can't really afford to skip meals.  We hope things get worked out. Prayers for good surgeries are coming your way, Stacey!

JULY 24 | 2:00PM

  Stacey got a real shower today!! She was able to scrub her hair!!  She said she was so happy that she wanted to sing out loud in there!! She probably should have!  Maybe tomorrow! 

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She will have surgery on her right leg on Wednesday.  They can't do the left leg yet.  

JULY 22 | 7:00PM

Surgery is rescheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. One foot at a time. We are waiting for the orthopedic surgeon to come and tell us what will be involved in the surgery next week. Her feet and legs have a good color and blood flow.

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They scraped the burned skin off her tongue and it looks good. It made  it easier for her to eat. She is eating food on a regular basis which has improved her over all mental and physical health. 

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She had her staple stitches removed from the back of her head today. The cut on her forehead and back of head have healed nicely. You can't even see the cut on her forehead anymore.

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Overall Stacey is getting stronger and continues to improve. She enjoyed a 15 minute visit from Kirk today which is always a highlight for both of them. We are trying to make it possible for Stacey to come down to see Kirk so their visit can be longer. Kirk is not able to sit in the wheelchair for longer than the 15 minutes with her.

JULY 21 | 7:00PM

Stacey was pretty quiet yesterday as she was recovering from surgery. She was not supposed to talk for 24 hours, but to try and stay awake as much as possible. That was a difficult task.  She had lots of visitors that helped keep her awake, but she couldn't talk to them.  

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Stacey is an active little thing, and last night she pulled 2 different tubes out--the nurses were not too happy with her. If she isn't careful, they will strap her limbs down! :) 

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Her daughter gave her a little hair cut. Her hair was singed so bad, and although they did what they could to brush it out, some of it was better to just cut off.  Of course Stacey is beautiful anyway, with any hair cut, and with any tubes coming out of her.  She is amazing and such an example of strength and determination! 

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Today, the spine surgeon came in and said the new X-rays look great!! She did a swallow test so she can start to eat. Ortho looked at the right foot and the skin looks good, so they are planning on surgery tomorrow--we believe. Stacey has had a good day today, she is more alert in the afternoon than in the morning. 

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JULY 19 | 10:00PM

Today Stacey had surgery on her neck. Just yesterday, they found she had 2 slipped discs and some torn ligaments in her neck and had surgery to work on that. While in surgery they planned to work on her leg and clean out her burns.  

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Prior to surgery, she did some physical therapy and they said she is doing well and is really strong. 

JULY 17 | 3:00PM

This morning Stacey was visited by her kids and she responded to them! What a tender mercy! Kirk was able to go down and see Stacey and they had a wonderful family reunion! 

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Since then, Stacey has been alert, talking, and cracking jokes. 

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Latest: Stacey is beginning to be very chatty and hysterical. Everyone knows her needs and what is bothering her. It is very important for her to keep her legs still as she has broken bones in her heels. Well...she might as well be running a race because those legs are rarely still and she lets everyone know that she feels the need to move them! 

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When Kirk came to visit her, the first thing she said was, "You're bald!" They all had a good laugh at they way each other looked and how many tubes and gauze wraps each other had. After that long conversation, Stacey started making plans to go to Hawaii! Not sure Lake Powell will be anywhere in the near future, but the sunny beaches of Hawaii have Stacey focused as a reward for a long recovery!

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Kirk and Stacey also were making plans and bribing nurses to hook them up with a room together when they both get out of their ICU rooms. Could you imagine being the nurse with the two of them in the same room?

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Today has been such a milestone! Stacey has made leaps and bounds! As of now, they are trying to make plans to do all feet surgeries back in Colorado, but not sure when that will happen.  

JULY 16 | 3:00PM

Stacey's burns are healing nicely. The doctors are still concerned about her feet. They would like her to respond better to questions, but she did recognize her mom and sister today and was able to acknowledge pain by squeezing her daughter's hand. 

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Tonight Stacey recognized her mom, dad, and sister and gave them a thumbs up with both hands on command. She was also able to wiggle her toes and gave a big smile!! Keep it up Stacey!!

JULY 15 | 10:00AM

Stacey finished surgery and had a restless night. One of her legs has a lot of swelling, so the doctors are waiting for it to go down before they do anything else. Luckily, Stacey is sleeping right now.

JULY 14 | 9:00PM

Stacey has some minor second degree burns on her arm and some on her legs. For as close as she was to the generator, we are amazed she doesn't have more. She has multiple broken bones in both her feet. She also hit her head pretty hard and has a concussion.  She is heavily sedated for pain and is intubated with a breathing tube.  

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As of right now, Stacey has finished her 6 hour surgery on her leg,. They did the best they could to line up the bones. She is still coming out of the anesthesia, so we will keep you posted with more information.