For those who don't know, on 6/20, Florine had a serious accident while riding her horse. She was rushed to the trauma unit at Sharp Memorial Hospital, and is being treated for severe brain trauma and a fracture at the elbow. Her neck and spine were not damaged, but she had multiple contusions on the brain.
That night, they performed an operation to reduce the extreme pressure and to remove some of the pressure that had been building up in the brain, along with removing the contusions they could address.. The operation was successful and the pressure got back to normal.
However, the next night the pressure levels increased, but have since been stablized.
Her MRI last night indicated that there has not been any signifcant change to her brain since being admitted. She remains in a coma.
I have been told to prepare for a long fight, and not to expect any quick changes and, as yet, have not been offered any rosy scenarios from the doctors.
But they don't know what I know, or that of anyone that has had the privilege to know her and be touched by her beauty, inside and out; she is strong of mind and heart, and will just treat this as challenge, an obstacle to overcome.
I have been overwhelmed by the generousity of friends and family, and deeply appreciate all the love and good Karma that is being sent our way. When the time is right, I will honor all the heartfelt offers, particularly from family that loves her and wants to be with her. I just need more time to focus on Florine, and to handle this in my own way. I will be asking for your help, when she and I need it most- just not now.
It is best not to call the hospital. This is the best way to keep updated. I'm usually at the hospital from arond 9:00 to 2:00 and the back around 6:00 to 8:00 or so. When I am not there, our friends watch over her.
Florine (Babe, to her family) is the love of my life; a piece of my soul.
Pray for her,
John
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18 comments:
John,
You and Florine have been in our prayers since we heard of her accident. We pray for strength for both of you. Though we're in Michigan right now you can count on us for anything you might need, just let us know. You both mean very much to us. Much love.
Jenni, Joe & Isabella Otis
Uncle John,
We are keeping you and Aunt Babe in our prayers. I have my prayer group praying also. My daughters, Hannah and Sara love Aunt Babe and are also praying every night for you amd her. We love you guys very much and I know how much you are going through right now. We keep our whole family in our thoughts and prayers to make it through this trying experience. But as you said, Aunt Babe is a fighter!
love,
Trina
John,
I sent you an e-mail at your own regular e-mail address, not knowing first that I could leave a message here.
Gloria and I are with you in our thoughts and we pray hard every day that our beautiful cousine Florine comes back to you and all of us who love her so much. May you keep strong for her. She'll hear your love and ours and come back soon.
Love from Canada
Maurice, Gloria Perreault & Family
John, you and Florine are definitely in my prayers. I hope you're seeing signs of recovery soon. Please let her know that I'm thinking of her and looking forward to seeing her up and around and back at your side.
love,
Erin Grady
John,
Know that both you and Florine are in our prayers. As you so eloquently wrote in your blog update of 6/23/07, Florine is a strong woman, full of life and fighting sprit. We respect your wishes and want you to know that if you should anything at any time, we are but an email/phone call away.
Our love,
Mark & Laurel
John,
You may not remember me or Brian. We met at Jean's wedding. Our prayers are will you and Florine.
John,
We are praying very ,very hard for FLorine on the East Coast.. She is such a wonderful person and I know has a strong, upbeat personality that I know she will pull through..
We have her on Martha's Church's prayer chain, so there are lots of people praying for her complete recovery.
With love
Elaine and Martha in Georgia
John,
On Thursday, I smiled as I opened a "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" manual Florine had left me when she retired here at SDCOE. It had so many notes in that beautiful script handwriting of hers, that helped me as I prepared for a workshop. We shared a special life changing time through that opportunity, and I believe it was more than serindipity that brought her to my mind that day - before the news of her accident. I join the others in reflecting on her beauty, integrity, and strenth, and hoping her extraordinary spirit will help her now. I am praying for her recovery -healthy and sound, and strength and peace for you in this difficult time. Warmly, Dixie
Hello John,
Please know this is such sad news on a glorious week end for us. We had a moment of prayer during our wedding for our sister and kept you both close at heart.
Please stay strong knowing what a soulmate truely is...
Amy, Henri and family xoxo
HI JOHN I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT FLORINE AND OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND FLORINE.
No way our voracious reader, dear Florine, is going to put this book down just yet, she's been too looking foward to these golden girl chapters.
John, with your love and all the prayers and love of her friends and family she's going to keep reading right out of this vexing chapter into the next and she'll keep reading and reading and reading and reading...
Our love and hope and prayers are with Florine and you.
Debi, Sarane, Kym
John,
So sorry to hear about Florine's accident. I know how much she loved to ride her horse. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Florine during this time of healing. I know how much she means to you.
Love
Carol Mahon
John,
I am Florine's cousin and I have not had the pleasure of meeting you but our prayers are with you and Florine. It has been quite awhile since Florine and I corresponded together as teens or seen each other. It was evident from the start what a wonderful and caring person she is. Your eloquent updates are very much appreciated.
Terry (Plante) Bollinger
Hi, John ~
Frankie notified me of Florine's accident. Your family in the East hope and pray that her recovery doesn't take long and that she will have a complete recovery. Please know we think of both of you and what you two are going through. Let our prayers, thoughts and good wishes give you strength at this time.
Love ~
Sue from Enfield, CT
& your family of cousins
Dear John,
I know Florine through working at SDCOE. I am so shocked and saddened to hear of her condition. I agree with you that she has a wonderful smile and as I'm writing this I can actually still picture it although I haven't seen her in quite some time. I hope that all goes well and I'm sure that you will see that beautiful smile again very, very soon. Sofia Durfee
John,
I only met you once but was struck then by the wonderful 'connection' that you and Florine share. I have known Florine over the years through the SDCOE and she was also my interior decorator advisor! When I look around my home I think of her often and her special influence here. She is a gentle, elegant woman with a giant heart. You are both in my prayers.
Hello John,
I'm recalling all the memories I've expeirenced with the both of you. John your wounderful cooking and Floine, my sister, your joyful tone of voice when ever I called to chat. John, Florine likes to be organized so continue to do so. We both worked very hard in accomplishing the garage and your tool shed! She is so special to us all. Florine is my big sister who I will always try to be more like,positive, caring, giveing, and a wonderful planner. Her 60th Birthday is already scheduled in Mystic Ct. a day of Lobstering with our niece ,Jo Ann ,in Mass, She was so excited to go Lobsering, her first time. All of her seven sisters made a promise to get together when anyone of us turned 60. We have met two years in a row. Amy our youngest sister is only 38 so she will have to come to us when it is her turn. I am the sixth sister to Florine. She taught me how to sew custom made pillow covers and technieqes of the secret of her trade. She is so talented in her love to sew. Oh! her passion for horses was truly admired by me. What beatiful animals they are. She is a very expienced rider with many awards in compitions.
You are my special brother-in-law. You and Floine have touched my life in so many ways. My thoughts and prays are with the both of you every day.
I'll see you soon John.
Love always
Mary
John,
I am a long old time friend of Babe's..We went to high school together.. In Caribou. Going to visit her as friend's was like family. I treasured her friendship. I spent a lot of time at her family's house. We had some great time's together.
Over the year's , n there has been many, we have lost touch, shame on both of us. I saw her a few years ago,, Just as I had remembered her ..Beautiful, kind, loving person as she was in school.
My brother Skip , who was friend's w/ her brother Spider.. sent me this info on Babe, I alway's called her that..Babe..
I am so sorry to hear this new's, my prayers n thought's are with you and her. I hope all turns out great.
One of her old High school mate's....
Jane Hartley, from Maine
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