Tuesday, August 6, 2019

A Tragic Turn Of Events

Diana flew out here from Pennsylvania last week and we're all flying to San Diego to attend my nieces wedding on Saturday, August 10.

My niece Karlene has been through a lot the last few years, mostly due to poor choices, addictions, hanging with the wrong people, etc. She took responsibility for her actions and paid her dues. Now she's clean and sober, a contributing member of society living a healthy life.

She met her current boyfriend S a few years ago and he's walked with her through most of this difficult journey. He has loved her kids like they were his own and has been her rock.

Last Friday I was at the grocery store and my phone rang. As I'm putting it up to my ear I can hear somebody sobbing and Karlene says, "Aunt Cindy?!? I need you to pray!! Please pray!!!" 

S was riding his motorcycle to work and someone pulled out in front of him. He swerved to avoid hitting the car and fell hard on the road. The other driver kept going. As he laid in the road he was able to call 911 and then called Karlene. When she got there he was telling the EMTs that he felt okay and didn't want to go to the hospital. 

She took him to his moms house so he could change his shirt or something and he began to complain that his chest hurt. She insisted they go to the hospital and when they got there, they put him in an ambulance and took him to another hospital, a trauma center I think. That's where she found out that he had ruptured his aorta and they immediately took him into surgery. That's when she called me.

They repaired his aorta and got him stabilized. That night and all day Saturday she and all of his family were able to be with him and hang out in his room.

At 2:30 Sunday morning my phone rang again. I heard those familiar sobs again and, "Aunt Cindy I need you to pray!! Please pray!! Just pray!!!!"

S had rolled over. That's all. He was just laying in the hospital bed and he rolled over. And went into cardiac arrest. Six doctors and nurses came running into the room and one of them "jumped on his chest" and began compressions.

She was absolutely hysterical and I will never forget the sound of her sobs and the way she was yelling into the phone, telling me everything that was happening in real time. It was gut-wrenching.

They got his heart beating again but he suffered brain damage and has been unresponsive since. He's now on life support. 

The wedding they've been planning and one so many of us have been so excited to go to will now be a Celebration of Life.

Please keep Karlene and his whole family in your prayers.

8 comments:

Rebecca Jo said...

I just want to cry my eyes out.... it just shows you how fragile life is. He thought he was fine... that's just heart breaking. Praying that he finds some strength to come out of this. Do they know how extensive the brain damage was?
you know with my father passing away totally unexpectedly with brain damage from a brain bleed - these things just hit me to the core. Praying with youth on his side, theres something that can be done.
Please keep us updated. I'm praying so hard for him & his family!!!

Anonymous said...

So very sorry to read this sad news. Condolences to the family.

JC said...

Absolutely heartbreaking. Your family is in my prayers,

Regina said...

Oh Cindy I'm so very sorry to hear of this. I will keep your precious niece in my prayers and for also for her boyfriend's family.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I'm here with tears in my eyes. This is so tragic and sad. I will be praying for Karlene, his family and your family. ((HUGS))

ellen b. said...

Oh my, what tragic news and events. I'm so sorry for your niece and your whole family. May God comfort you all. With tears and prayers...

Saimi said...

Oh my goodness Cindy I'm so sorry to hear about your niece's fiancé How terrible! Man, one minute life it good and the next it can be taken away in a blink. Prayers for the family, and again I am so sorry it is all very tragic.

Adelaide Dupont said...

Thoughts for Karlene and an external/exterior brain.