May, 2002

It was touch and go for days, you had a touch of pneumonia and ICP’s were out of control and you were spiking temps. They did not believe you were going to survive and discussed with us the quality of life we wanted for you. They believed you were near brain dead and allowed us to bring in all of your friends and family to see you. It was a most difficult time for me because I felt everyone’s pain and tried to help them through it. I remember going in your room one night and talked to you about giving me a sign so I would know what to do. Well, I guess you were listening because the next day you moved your right side and I believed with all my heart that you were going to make it.

May 26, 2002

We got a special visit from your very dear friend Erin. She lives in Sussex county and has been on the bowling team for Highpoint High School, that is how you met. She heard of your accident and she came down at 11 pm at night with her Mom and Dad as soon as they heard. ICU let them in and we visited for a long time. It was the first time I met them, what a beautiful family. They have come every weekend to see you and have been great friends to all of us.

May 23, 2002

Our church had a vigil for you to pray and share special moments in time. It was standing room only and they all held candles and wore red ribbons that represented you. It lasted 3 hours and there were a lot of tears and laughter. I wish I could have been there, but my place was with you. I should have asked someone to tape it but I never thought of it.

Tuesday, May 21st ~ Aaron's Accident

On Monday, May 20th, you were to bring home a progress report but you did not. Dad followed through on his end and took the car away from you on Tuesday. He drove you to school and said until you brought home a progress report the car stayed in the driveway. That afternoon when you came home from school you tried to call me. I was in a training session and did not get the message until I was ready to leave. I quickly listened to my messages and heard your voice asking me to call you as soon as possible. I remember my ride waiting for me and decided to wait until I got home to call you back. When I arrived home, your car was gone and I was panicking. I kept thinking you took the car without permission and Dad was going to be so angry. I kept trying to get you on your cell phone but you were never picking up. What I did not know at the time was that you left the phone over Chris’s the night before. I was cooking dinner and it was around 6 p.m. when the doorbell rang and 2 policemen were at the door. They asked if I had a son named Aaron and I said yes, of course. All I thought was that you had been arrested. They told me I had to get to Morristown Memorial Hospital right away. Melissa was home and she drove us there. We called Dad and told him to meet us. I remember calling Uncle Tom and Aun’t Ginny because they lived close to the hospital and I did not want you to be alone. I was so scared and prayed that you were okay. What I did not know at the time was that you were helicoptered to the hospital and had to be revived 3 times. When we arrived, the Crisis Intervention people came and told us they would keep us posted while waiting. Needless to say our family and close friends all came to the hospital when they heard the news. The waiting room got quite crowded and they moved us to a conference room to accommodate us all. We waited 6 hours before the doctor’s came and told us the news. You were diagnosed with TBI and it was uncertain whether you would live through the night. I remember screaming NO, NO not Aaron. Dear God No. I cried hysterically and asked why this had to happen to you. Daddy told me that you had called him after school and begged him to let you take the car and go get gas. He was hesitant, but you prevailed and he said yes. I am so thankful that the last thing Dad remembers was you telling him "I Love You".

You were in adult ICU for 3 nights and they decided to move you to Pediatric ICU on Friday. I went home to pack clothes so I could stay overnight and be close to you at all times. They had a Ronald Mcdonald apartment for families of patients in ICU where I was able to stay with you round the clock.