Need good thoughts and prayers, please

[Penndems]

My husband, in-laws and I suffered a terrible shock this past Wednesday.

Hubby's twelve-year-old niece and her brother were up from North Carolina visiting their paternal grandparents in West Virginia for Thanksgiving. On Tuesday, my former brother-in-law by marriage (a right-wing, Limbaugh/Fox News-worshiping, macho-postering jerk) decided it would be a good idea to put her on an all-terrain vehicle for a little joyride. Unfortunately, having the common sense to strap a helmet on her head didn't seem to cross his mind. My niece stepped on the accelerator too hard and crashed head-first into a tree. When her father and my nephew ran over to her, she was bleeding from her ears.

Never a good sign.

My niece was medivaced to Clavell Huntington Hospital, where the doctors in the Intensive Care Unit put her into a coma to alleviate the swelling of her brain and help in the healing process. She is allowed visitors, but no one is allowed to speak, because she can hear voices and sense movement (which puts exertion on her brain). Yesterday afternoon, her heart stopped beating for seventeen minutes. We don't know if there's been any additional damage because of this, but it doesn't look good. The ICU physicians are concerned that she may suffer permanent kidney damage, due to all the intravenous medications she's been subjected to.

Needless to say, we are all deeply distressed and worried sick. Our faith is sustaining us, but each day that passes is one more day she has to remain in a comatose state.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We're looking forward to the day when she will be restored to that fun-loving, precocious, stuffed-animal-collecting little self again.

[flamingyouth]

1. I'm so sorry

I can't imagine what your family is going through, but you are in my thoughts. :hug:

[Penndems]

2. Thanks - every little bit helps, you know?

All thoughts and prayers are definitely appreciated. :hug:

[liberalmuse]

3. That is tragic.

My most positive thoughts are with you and your family--especially your niece.

[s-cubed]

4. I am so sorry to hear about your neice

:grouphug:

[Metatron]

5. Penndems, I hope she has a speedy recovery.

My best to you and your family.

[katinmn]

6. Sending warm thoughts and prayers

to your neice and the whole family!

I can understand how worried you are.

Hang in there.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

7. I ain't much of a praying man...

But I will do so for her.

And him. I suspect he is going to be doing some self-accounting in the days ahead and will need a little help too.

[Penndems]

9. You better believe it

If she dies, he has no one to blame but himself. :mad:

[kittycat1164]

8. My thoughts and prayers...

Oh Lord, what you all must be going through. I am sorry. I'll be thinking of you and your family often.

[Celeborn Skywalker]

10. Sorry to hear that, Penndems

Hope your niece makes a speedy and full recovery!:hug:

[Cherie59]

11. I will say a little prayer for her

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

12. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I wish your niece

a very speedy recovery.

[Penndems]

13. Thanks, everybody - your thoughts, prayers and kind words

mean so much. My husband asked me to express his grateful appreciation to all of you wonderful folks, as well.

[faithnotgreed]

28. absolutely.... prayers are sent for your niece and everyone

who loves her. incl your former bil

best wishes penndems

[MooPie]

14. I am so sorry

and will keep you in my thoughts and hopes for a sound recovery.

[bettyellen]

15. I truly hope she pulls through okay, I'm saying a prayer for her, too.

[salin]

16. My prayers are with you, your neice

and her immediate family... while there is room to be angry at the situation - the situation itself could have the power to completely shred up the bonds of that family as people blame one another and/or succomb to guilt... while prayers for your neice - most certainly - have priority... some go out to that family as well. *tries to act with compassion rather than just play it on tv*

[cally]

17. I'm so sorry

and I'm sending prayers your way. :hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

18. Oh how awful!

I keep you all in my thoughts and prayers....especially your niece. :hug:

[Baja Margie]

19. How horrible, I'm sorry.

Poor little thing. I cannot tolerate ATV's. Period.

[Tom Kitten]

20. Oh God That is Awful!

the little girl will be in my thoughts and prayers very much so I hope she recovers ok! I'm so sorry !

[CBHagman]

21. I'm so sorry.

May the family be sustained, and may your niece's body and spirit be healed.

[BlondieK143]

22. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

That's so tragic! I hope she makes a full recovery! :hug:

[auntAgonist]

23. Such needless tragedy, my thoughts and prayers

are with your niece and family. May she have a speedy and FULL healthy recovery.

sincerely

auntAgonist.


ps. Please, if you have the time and are able, keep us updated as you see fit.

thanks.

[GingerSnaps]

24. I wish we had a prayer circle on DU

My heart goes out to you and all of your family especially your husband and niece. I will say a prayer and light a candle for your family. :hug:

[Midlodemocrat]

25. God bless and keep good thoughts

...I am also in VA. PM me if you need help. I will come.

[smbolisnch]

26. I'm so sorry to hear that!

She and your family will be in my prayers, too :hug:

[progmom]

27. my thoughts and prayers are with your niece and family

I can't imagine what you all must be going through. Lean on us whenever you need some support, ok?

:grouphug: