From the Beginning - Dad's Perspective Day 1

Monday, being the first day of the work week was as full as usual. Being it is our annual audit and January month end (being a beaner, the first two weeks of the month are full of deadlines). The day progressed rather smoothly. Which in itself kind of amazing, lately the days have been filled with "gotta have it nows."

About 4:40ish I went in to discuss some things with my boss. Left my phone on my desk. when I got back to my desk the phone was ringing. It was Shana. She said," she has been hit by a cement truck!". I said, Who?"
"Didn't you see my text?"
"No, I was in Dee's office."
"Melissa had been in an accident."
"OK. I will head home."

I began to get things ready to leave.

I asked a co-worker with a car to drive me home (I take the train to work. Unknown to me at the time the train was delayed.)

Phone rings.
Hysterical voice.
"Calm down, I can't understand you."
more hysterical voice.
"Please calm down, I can't understand you."
"There is a helicopter here!"

Darin and I head to his car.
I text, " Darin is bringing me home."
Reply,"Go to IMC."
"K"
Next text is a picture of the car. I feel sick.
I called Lawrence next. He was at the scene. I listened as he talked to the police. Ethne has been flown to PCMC. The others will go to University Medical."
I said, "I will go to PCMC."
Other things were also happening at this time, but I won't bore you with those.

Text from me (shortly after 5pm), "I am at PCMC"

I was the first to arrive at PCMC. I asked at the desk to see Ethne.
"Who are you."
"Her Grandfather."
"Take a seat and I will check." eternity...(really just a few minutes)
"They said that no can come back right now." dread........

Others arrive.

Me at the Desk, "Has Edward come in?"
"Not yet."
More waiting, more people arrive. more eternity.........
My sister-in-law calls from UMC. Melissa was taken into surgery. She was awake and talking to the the doctors. good sign. needed that.

Other patients in the ER are called back.

Wait.....

A social Worker comes. Takes us back to a room. By this time there were about 10 of us. More coming.
You can wait in this room. Dread. Heaviness.

We ask if we can give blessings.
"Ethne is in being scanned."
"Edward is in a room. Come with us."

Edward's room. Crying as they put in the IV. Blood, cuts all over his head, neck brace.

Blessing. Sweet Spirit. Love.

Staff enters. They tell us Ethne is being scanned. He heart is still beating. Injuries really bad. We are not sure she will make it.

I go back to the consult room to tell every one else. Edward looks really good. They said Ethne is really bad.

Shauna decides to to over to UMC to check on Melissa. My brother Todd goes with her.

Wait. Getting fidgety. Decide to go back to Edward's room to see if they had started his tests. He was not in the room. Lawrence was sitting on a chair. The staff was talking to him. I enter.

"OH NO"

I call Shauna.

"Hello."
"Are you sitting down?"
"NO!!!!!!!!!!!"

I go back to the consult room to tell the others.

Josh calls.
"We are here"
"Josh, Ethne is gone."
"OH!"

More x-rays for Edward.
Staff, someone needs to stay with Lawrence. We are allowed to take Edward to x-ray.

Time passes. Priesthood leaders arrive.

Private room in the ER.
I asked Bishop Smith to come with me. Mom (Grandma-Great Edwards) is sitting in a chair holding that precious little body.
"Do you want to hold her?"
"Not right now."
Sit for a long time. Cry, sniffle, think.
They bring everyone in.
We need to take her.
Can we have a prayer.
Yes.

Good-bye Ethne-Sue.

Edward is checked for observation. He looks great.
To UMC ICU.
Spleen has been removed from Melissa. She is out. CT in the morning.
Long night.
I go home to take care of Gabriel and Isaac.
Longer night..............

....more to come from Dad's perspective.