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Updates
Apr 19, 2008 12:46:21 GMT -7
Post by chuck on Apr 19, 2008 12:46:21 GMT -7
Dear Friends and Family,
As most of you know, Shorty Fry was in an automobile accident on Thursday April 17, 2008. Around 7:30am she was riding in the back seat of John and Jan Person's SUV to head to Taos for a Dr.'s appointment. Around 5 miles down Hwy 17 the vehicle hit a patch of ice and rolled a few times. Shorty was partially thrown out of the window (her feet and legs) during the roll over. When the vehicle stopped she was pinned underneath the vehicle. Several people stopped to assist John, Jan, and Shorty until the ambulance arrived. Due to being pinned they had to cut her out with the jaws of life. She was then taken by ambulance to the Conejos hospital close by. It was decided that Shorty needed to be flown via helicopter from the Alamosa airport to the Swedish hospital in Englewood, CO. Upon arrival Shorty went into a 9 hour surgery where the fixed one of several breaks in her upper right thigh. They cleaned out the two open wounds in both legs for bacteria. Then placed rods and halos to hold everything in place until the surgeons can put internal plates and screws in. (Shorty has commented that they make her look like Frankenstein haha) That night was a little rough from the pain, in which she didn't get much sleep. Friday was a sunnier day, showing more hope. Shorty was her true self, cracking jokes and talking. She was put on a liquid diet and was able to get down some soup and ice cream. Shorty was back in surgery Saturday at 7:30 am for another clean out. (this procedure is so that there are no bacterias before they have the surgery to close her openings.) It took a while to come out of the anesthesia this time around, but at this moment is back to herself. She is still in the ICU, she can't receive flowers at the moment but cards and balloons are welcome. While Shortys legs and ankle are pretty damaged she sustained NO upper body injuries (besides a few bruises and scrapes). The Drs and nurses have her on a nice pain medication routine and it helps with the pain. As you all know, Shorty doesn't like sitting still for too long and is ready to get out of here already. In true Shorty fiestyness, she has had a few funny comments: -"SOOO do they have wheelchair races here?" -after given a pain med-"CHUCK!! YOU ARE PURPLE!!!!"
As her family we wanted to THANK each and every one of you! Shorty has an amazing amount of friends who love her very much and we are so very thankful for all of your prayers and thoughts. I am sure that you would all LOVE to hear her voice and in time you will. As of right now, she is just trying to get through day by day. We decided to start this website to allow all of you to leave her your thoughts of love, and we will read them to her.
It is going to be a LONG road for my amazing GRANDMOTHER, but we all know that she is a very strong person and will be up and about chasing those horses soon.
It has been a very emotional week for us, and we appreciate all of your prayers to keep us strong in order to be there for Shorty.
Keep praying and send her a message! She would love for us to read it to her.
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Updates
Apr 20, 2008 10:04:03 GMT -7
Post by steph on Apr 20, 2008 10:04:03 GMT -7
To all:
As yesterday was a little rough, today is showing to be a little brighter. Her blood pressure was low, so they decided to give her some blood and luckily it slowly went back up. She had a low grade fever and a little of a cough, the trauma doctors came and had a respiratory specialist come in and check her out. They gave her a breathing treatment, and that seemed to help a little. We left the hospital around 9pm last night to allow her to get some good rest. We are back here at the hospital this morning. Shortys sister-in-law Elsie, cousin Sandra and her husband Danny made it in last night from Arkansas. And she is enjoying the company. Her blood pressure is back up today at 127/54 which is better than the 80/40 it was last night. Her blood sugar level is up to 170 so being on the safe side they are gave her a shot of insulin. She looks good, a little tired today. Again keep Shorty and our family in your prayers. -Steph
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Updates
Apr 20, 2008 19:45:57 GMT -7
Post by steph on Apr 20, 2008 19:45:57 GMT -7
Sunday April 20th 2008:
Hello to all, here is a short update.
Not much went on today, other than her blood pressure went up to normal. She received some more blood due to a small leak. We spent all day at the hospital, but tried to stay out of the room as much as possible due to the fact that she seemed very tired today. She still doesn't have much of an appetite but managed to get down a couple of sthingyfuls of soup and pudding along with a few crackers. We got her a pair of cheater readers since hers didn't make it to Denver with her. This is making it easier for her to read and see the tv.
Her surgery is scheduled at 2:30 pm tomorrow (Monday) and the Dr. is anticipating it will last around 6 hours. This surgery is to do some work on the bones of her right leg. Hopefully this time she will come off the anesthesia easier than she did the other day.
I have been reading her all of the messages that you all have been sending. She ask me every time I log on if there is anything new. I really believe it is helping lift her spirits.
Once again words can not express how grateful our family is that you all have been so supportive. I get on my knees and thank GOD every night for saving my Grandmothers life, and allowing me to enjoy her for longer. Many people have different types of heroes....I am lucky enough to have my hero as my Grandmother. She is the strongest woman I know (along with my mother) and can only hope that I will be half the woman that she was, is, and will be.
Keep the prayers and good thoughts coming......keep her and our family strong.
Again if you send anything for her to the hospital please address it to Ora "Shorty" Fry, otherwise it will get sent back. Thanks!
-Stephanie
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Updates
Apr 21, 2008 9:47:32 GMT -7
Post by steph on Apr 21, 2008 9:47:32 GMT -7
Monday April 21st 10:45am Shorty got a good night sleep last night. I got here around 9:30 this morning and have been reading her all of the messages that everyone has been sending. She loves hearing from all of you!! She has been laughing her butt off. I will post an update tonight after the surgery, and when we get her all relaxed in her bed. It may be late, and if it is too late I will have to post it in the morning. Again keep the messages coming, she is loving hearing from all of you!! Thank you so much! -Stephanie "Shortys Granddaughter"
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Updates
Apr 21, 2008 21:20:55 GMT -7
Post by steph on Apr 21, 2008 21:20:55 GMT -7
Monday April 21st
10:19pm
I am going to apologize, but I am going to keep this update short.
Shorty came out of surgery today, and it went well. They changed her anesthesia back and she came out of it a lot easier. She is in a lot of pain, because they had to do a lot to that right leg. They upped her pain meds back up, but when we left she was still hurtin'.
Pray hard tonight that she can sleep. I will try to post more tomorrow, I am just a little tired tonight from being there all day.
Thanks again for all of your messages, I will read the ones received today to her in the morning.
-Steph
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Updates
Apr 22, 2008 7:07:43 GMT -7
Post by steph on Apr 22, 2008 7:07:43 GMT -7
Tuesday April 22nd 8:08 am We are headed back to the hospital this morning. We called and the nurse said that she is still under a lot of pain, and had a rough night. I will update later today. We are hoping that they move her out of ICU today. Pray hard to give her comfort. She loves you all!! Steph
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Updates
Apr 22, 2008 13:55:04 GMT -7
Post by steph on Apr 22, 2008 13:55:04 GMT -7
Friends and Family- When we came in this morning Shorty was still in a little bit of pain. They have her on a steady regiment of pain meds right now. She had to have an arteriogram done this morning. This is a procedure where they shoot die in her and take x-rays of her veins. They need to make sure that there are not any plaque buildups and that the arteries are strong. This has wiped her butt out. She got a little sick from the meds, but other than that she said it went well. At the moment her blood pressure is sitting at 95/50, which is a little low but nothing to be concerned about. I have been reading her some cards that she received in the mail today, and then ALL of the messages that she has received on the website. She loves them!! As most of you know Shorty doesn't watch much TV so when she wakes up from her short naps she asks me to read to her. She gets overwhelmed at how many people love her. Its heart-warming....even gets her a little emotional. , but its a good kind of emotional. I suggested to her that this afternoon I have her dictate a little note to all of you. She thought that was a grand idea, so when I am allowed back in the ICU around 4:30pm(sitting in the cafeteria now) we will get to that. Thanks again and check in a little later tonight for a message from Shorty! -Steph
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Updates
Apr 23, 2008 11:12:07 GMT -7
Post by steph on Apr 23, 2008 11:12:07 GMT -7
Wednesday April 23rd 12:06pm
The days and hours seem to run together lately. I am sorry that I haven't posted in a while.
They moved Shorty from ICU to MTU (Multi-trauma unit). This is one step down from ICU. They are still keeping a close eye on her but she is finally not connected to as many tubes. Everything is looking good this morning with an exception of a few low counts (sodium).
The pain is finally under control, and she is doing well today.
Hopefully you have all read the message that she had me post. :-) Everytime she wakes up she has me read to her.
While she is in a room we ask that she wait to have phone calls for another week. Remember, she is still resting....she has a million friends so that would be a million phone calls. :-) She ask that you keep posting her messages and sending the cards. (Just an FYI she loves scratch offs!) If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to send me an email at shortygirl77777@yahoo.com I will be more than happy to answer them for you.
She has the best Dr.'s and nurses! So feel at ease that she is getting the best care possible.
Again, we would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. The Family honestly believes that these acts of kindness are what is going to get her though this. We love you!!
-steph
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Updates
Apr 23, 2008 16:49:04 GMT -7
Post by steph on Apr 23, 2008 16:49:04 GMT -7
I forgot to give everyone the room number on my last update.
It is room 4278 in MTU. Under Ora "Shorty" Fry
Thanks! steph
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Updates
Apr 23, 2008 18:47:20 GMT -7
Post by Rhonda on Apr 23, 2008 18:47:20 GMT -7
Hello Everyone, Now that Mom is settled in, I wanted to post something to everyone. We are so blessed in many ways! One, the fact that Mom survived this accident and two, that her friends and family are so plentiful. I can never fully express my deep gratitude to everyone for the prayers and phone calls. She has touched so many lives in one way or another and it shows now in her time of need. Her highlights of the day is when Stephanie reads her the postings to this website or she recieves mail. I have known all my life how special she is but the amount of people that care about her has solidified it for me.
I know that this will not surprise you but when I was younger and it was just Mom and I at home, there was a time that she held 4 jobs at one time. What a tough lady she was and still is! She will get through this and we will all be here to help her along the way.
So, for now I send a big thank you to all of you. A special prayer to those taking care of her animals because you know how dear they are to Mom. God Bless all of you for your support. Please know that we all love you and keep you close to our hearts.
Shorty's Daughter, Rhonda
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Updates
Apr 24, 2008 15:02:34 GMT -7
Post by steph on Apr 24, 2008 15:02:34 GMT -7
Thursday April 24th, 2008 3:51pm
Just a short update. Things are well today, she improves more and more everyday.
Look later today or in the morning for a message FROM shorty.
Her surgery is scheduled tomorrow around noon. So pray hard tonight that it is a safe and successful one.
She is enjoying all of the messages, cards and flowers.
Thanks, Steph
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Updates
Apr 25, 2008 11:15:43 GMT -7
Post by Bob Silver on Apr 25, 2008 11:15:43 GMT -7
Hello Shorty - you probably don't know my name but I have been to the Conejos Ranch several times including just a couple of weeks ago at the dinner for all of us fly fishermen. Since the first time that I met you, you are one of my favorite people. You can just tell when you get along with someone. Get better and get back home so that we can visit some. The countryside on the river misses you and its not the same without you there. Best wishes and prayers Bob Silver Las Cruces, NM
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pike
New Member
Posts: 3
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Updates
Apr 26, 2008 7:30:38 GMT -7
Post by pike on Apr 26, 2008 7:30:38 GMT -7
hay shorty it mitch it cold in the morning here but get nice in the after noon veronica sends her love and me too hope thing getting better for u i going to go up and c how the dogs r on sun i sure thing r fine all our prays r with u
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Updates
Apr 26, 2008 10:07:13 GMT -7
Post by steph on Apr 26, 2008 10:07:13 GMT -7
Saturday April 26th, 2008 10:10am
Dear Shorty fans......
I know you are all anxiously awaiting my daily updates, especially since she had surgery yesterday.
Mom and I both know that there are going to be good days and bad days, and honestly yesterday was not a good day. They took her into surgery around 11 and she didn't get out until around 5. The surgery itself went well (I wont go into detail because that would take me all day), but afterward it took a while to get her off the anesthesia and even then she wasn't feeling well. I will tell you that they gave her an epidural that she will keep in until next Wednesday to help manage the pain. Her temperature went up to 100.8. So Mom and I stayed until around 11:30pm, after we made sure that they gave her Tylenol (to be honest we stayed as long as our bodies would let us). Then we went home to try and sleep in order to get back here this morning. We called her before heading up, and she told Mom that she still wasn't feeling good. When we got here, she was a little blue....the Dr.s informed her this morning that its going to take a longer recovery time than she had thought. As many of you can expect this didn't come as good news to the independent woman we all know. My family, and I (along with Shorty) have to make a few decisions. Even the strongest cowgirl can have her bad days, but if she is a true cowgirl she will dust off and get back on that horse. Shorty is a true cowgirl, and even her bad days wont stop her.
Keep prayin'.......
love, Steph P.S. Maybe you could throw a little prayer in there for my family, just to keep us strong during all of this.....thanks.
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Updates
Apr 27, 2008 9:37:02 GMT -7
Post by Gail Starr on Apr 27, 2008 9:37:02 GMT -7
You got the prayers on a daily basis and they will get to you twice as fast today in the howling winds of Arizona. Tell Shorty to hang in there and know we are all here.
Love, Gail
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