My daughter and her 2 children were in a horrible head-on accident yesterday afternoon, here in CNY. While they all survived, and my daughter and grandson should be OK, my granddaughter has severe head, neck and brain injuries, and is in a coma.
We have no prognosis yet; they have to wait for the trauma and swelling on her brain to subside before they can tell us what her chances are, and what she might be facing; it just doesn't look good, no matter how they spin it.
May I ask for prayers and well-wishes? We are all exhausted and emotionally drained, and much in need of spirit-lifting. The kids are only 6 and 8, and they are the center of my universe. It's breaking my heart to stand there, holding her hand and talking to her still, small battered body, and I don't think I can be the brave one much longer.
(Update in the extended)
Update [2005-8-28 7:17:29 by CodeTalker]:
I tried to respond to some of you below. What a wonderful group of people you are!
It's been another long, almost sleepless night. (I had got up earlier and already typed an update when my laptop battery gave out just as I went to post it.) We had several more phone calls, and my wonderful cousin, who spent 5 years in a Peds ICU in NYC, IM'd many things that helped and echoed so many comments of yours - which shows the collective wisdom and experience of this community. Thank you all. You made me cry, and even laugh, and I so needed that.
There's no changes to report yet, except one thoughtless doctor commented to Brittany's father bluntly "Your daughter's going to be paralyzed", setting off a round of anguish that required sedation for my daughter. At least an attending came later and talked it out with the family, and we understand the truth is closer to, it's just too early to tell, or to even know the full extent of Britt's injuries yet, so we wait, and they keep her stabilized. At least everyone at the hospital finally got a little sleep, and so did we.
We're off to the ICU soon. Britt is still unresponsive, but her brother and mother are a little stronger, a little better. And I hope I can be strong for another day, and then another.