Saturday, 9pm

What a wonderful day!  God is so good!

The girls have had a good day.  Erika had her feeding tube removed this morning.  They were able to turn down her oxygen enough for both girls to take a field trip.  They were able to ride in wheelchairs/stretcher chairs to go across the skywalk and into a couple of other towers.  The nurse even took them outside to the top deck of the parking garage!  The girls really enjoyed it!  Erika wanted to go back out tonight.

There was a lot of excitement after as the field trip was ending.  As we were coming back into the peds unit when we met up with James and Andrea Smith (and their girls) and Jeff and Beth Reichel, TJ and Leiah.  Brittany was so excited!  They were able to visit for a minute before the girls went back to their rooms to take a nap.  Walking (even while being pushed in wheelchairs) is exhausting!

Brittany was moved to a regular bed in the pediatric unit, but visitors are still limited.  Both girls are eating better and they weren't quite as oppositional as they had been.  They thought the Chinese food brought in for them was "great"! Erika finished off the McFlurry her nurse last night brought for her.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
                                                                 Proverbs 3:5

Michelle Modelli
(in Anchorage)

Saturday, 1am

It is so good to see all the positive changes in Brittany and Erika for myself!  A lot can happen in a week!

Today was a hard day for both girls.  Brittany's leg was really bothering her and she was very uncomfortable.  By this evening, Facebook and medication helped to create a diversion.  She was resting peacefully when we left for the evening.

Posted on Brittany's Facebook this evening:
     Frm Britt's mom. Thank you all for the prayers & concern for Brit. Brit & Erika are both here today because of God's miracles & the great medical care they received. I would ask you to please continue to support Brit with laughter, thoughts, & prayers, but limit talking about the accident/injuries for now as Brit is just beginning a long recovery. Part of recovering frm a head injury is "relearning" how to do certain things. Please ignore any comments that may be inappropriate.  (Please also consider limiting the length and amount of posts so Brittany is not overwhelmed.)


Erika was having a very tough day and evening.  She's tired because she is working so hard to breathe.  She's uncomfortable and ornery.  She was also running a fever this evening.  It was pitiful to watch her.  On the positive side it was good to hear her voice.  It wasn't even whiny!  What a tough girl!

When you pass the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you  will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, Your Savior.
            Isaiah 43:2-3 (NIV)

Michelle Mondelli
(in Anchorage)

Thursday, 10pm

Brittany had a pretty good day.  She was able to remember her Facebook password and methodically tried to answer all her posts.

Erika had a very tough day.  She is very uncomfortable and is being forced/encouraged to cough. Please pray for a restful night.

Don and Jennifer enjoyed a vistit by Trixie Lee, of Fairbanks.

Michelle  Mondelli
(in Fairbanks)

Thursday, 7pm

Here is the latest (as of today)

 

Kaylee was excited to be able to venture away from the bed and recliner today as she has been housebound all week.  Unfortunately, nothing too exciting except an xray and some blood work.  She is really getting used to her crutches and can exceed speed limits when needed.

 

It was also a good day for Jesse.  This morning, he was able to get his NG hose out. Although it was also uncomfortable coming out (not nearly as much as going in), he is glad it is over. The constriction on his intestines is opening and he no longer needs his stomach pumped. They will keep him in the hospital on an IV diet to ensure all things are working properly. He has been given strict orders to get up and walk every hour so his stomach (which has been idle for some time) can start doing its thing. If you visit, take him for a walk. He is also excited to use the fancy scale in the hospital to see if he is gaining weight. He gained 4 ounces yesterday. Yea God!

 

Tim Stickel

Thursday, 9am

Early morning news:    Brittany not longer needs to be on oxygen.  That's one less tube for her!

The bigger news is they took Erika off of the ventilator this morning!  She needs prayers that she can keep coughing and have enough energy to keep breathing on her own.  This is a big positive step.

Michelle Mondelli
(in Fairbanks)

Wednesday, 5pm

This news couldn't wait!  Once again good things happen while Don and Jennifer are away eating....The neurologist came by.  He was "unimpressed" which in medical talk is good news.  He believes Brittany will eventually make a full recovery!!!  Praise God!!

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
Whose trust is the Lord.

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;
Save me, and I shall be saved,
...For You are my praise.

Jer 17:8, 14

 

Michelle Mondelli (with help from Kevin Knight)

(in Fairbanks)

Wednesday, 12:30pm

There is good news already today!  Erika had her last chest tube and catheter taken out.  Jennifer asked for prayers because Erika is "fiesty" today.  Pray for patience and wisdom for everyone interacting with the girls.

The work for Brittany is just beginning:  the physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, neurologist, and the rehabililitation specialist are all coming to see her.

Brittany would appreciate recieving messages on Facebook.  She is not able to comment, yet.

Brittany was allowed a short visit with Erika this morning.  It was very emotional.  Brittany told Erika she was "beautiful", she loved her, and she was proud of her family.

Please pray for the pyschological health of all the kids involved.  Erika was able to write and ask, "Why did this happen?"  I'm sure the others are feeling the same way. 

Michelle Mondelli
(in Fairbanks)

Tuesday, 10:50pm

Erika slept most of the day. The suctioning is exhausting for her.  She is "breathing over the ventilator" a little bit which is a good sign.  While trying to communicate, she did write "record".  We're still trying to figure out what that means.

The therapeutic harpist came and played on the floor today.  She played two songs and Brittany was able to sing along.  Erika slept through it.

Brittany is without chest tubes!  They pulled the last one today.  She is less agitated and is regaining some bodily control.  Don, Jennifer, and Brittany were able to Skype with Don, JoLynn, Brianna, Donald, and Vicki.  At one point this afternoon, Brittany was trying to impersonate the doctor.  She wanted to change the orders to get water.  The small amount of ice chips weren't cutting it.

Matthew 11:28-30

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

   ²⁸ “Come to Me, all ^[a]who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. ³⁰ For My yoke is ^[b]easy and My burden is light.”

Michelle Mondelli
(in Fairbanks)

Monday, 9pm

The plastic surgeon/ENT doctor (yes, he's both) came by this evening to take out the girls' stitches.  Erika had stitches around her right eye.  Brittany had stitches in the area of her right ear.  The doctor said the girls' looked much better than the last time he had seen them (last Monday).  He also told Don and Jennifer to "Keep the faith".

Brittany's focus today has been water.  She must be thirsty!  She's still not allowed to eat or drink.  She is slightly less agitated.  Yesterday, she requested Don to come and pray with her.  They took turns praying and Brittany prayed for everyone but herself!

Erika has been awake a lot more.  It is still very painful for her when they suction her lungs.

The fever wars are back on.  It is a normal part of the healing process.  The war for Mom and Dad's attention has just begun.  As the girls' are awake more, Don and Jennifer must divide and conquer.  Each parents takes a daughter.  If one girl is sleeping, then Don and Jennifer can sit together in  the other girl's room.

The girls will be ICU for at least another week. Whatever comes next is still a mystery.

Michelle Mondelli
(in Fairbanks)

LISTEN TO OUR HEARTS
(by Steven Curtis Chapman and Geoff Moore)

YOU KNOW ALL OUR HOPES
LORD YOU KNOW ALL OUR FEARS
AND WORDS CAN NOT EXPRESS THE LOVE WE FEEL
BUT WE LONG FOR YOU TO HEAR
SO IF YOU'LL LISTEN TO MY HEART
EV'RY BEAT WILL SAY
THANK YOU FOR THE LIFE
THANK YOU FOR THE TRUTH
THANK YOU FOR THE WAY
LORD LISTEN TO OUR HEARTS HEAR OUR SPIRITS SING
A SONG OF PRAISE THAT FLOWS
FROM THOSE YOU HAVE REDEEMED
WE WILL USE THE WORDS WE KNOW
TO TELL YOU WHAT AN AWESOME GOD YOU ARE
BUT WORDS ARE NOT ENOUGH
TO TELL YOU OF OUR LOVE SO LISTEN TO OUR HEARTS

Donation update, Monday, 4:30pm

There has been some confusion regarding the donation account for the Bennett Family at Alaska USA Federal Credit Union.  There is another Bennett account so please be sure to mark donations for Alaska car accident.  This will ensure the money gets to the correct account.  Thank you.

A Donation Account has been opened at The Alaska USA Federal Credit Union for the Bennett family. Checks can be made to Alaska USA Federal Credit Union and in the memo area write: Donation Account for the Bennett Family (Alaska car accident). A donation can be made at any branch in Alaska or send your check to:

Alaska USA Federal Credit Union

1261 Ariport Way, Fairbanks 99701

 

Michelle Mondelli

(in Fairbanks)
 

Stickel Family update, Monday, 12pm

Fairbanks Info from the weekend...

I read with emotion Sean's email. Roxanne and I were at the hospital on Friday afternoon when Sean and Kaylene showed up, At first, I thought Roxanne knew them and she thought I knew them. More conversation revealed who they were....tools used by God. God puts people into our lives at just the right moment and we are thankful God used Sean and Kaylene.

As many of you know, Kaylee has been discharged. She is at home resting and texting. Now starts her two months of being home bound and off her leg. She is not to be traveling in a vehicle unless its an absolute emergency. Of course, a trip to get ice cream at Hot Licks or Cold Stone would constitute emergency for her.

Jesse had a tough weekend. It was determined he needed a PICC IV (in through his arm, up the shoulder to the chest) as he was losing body weight and this PICC line would give the medical staff better options for feeding him. The operation couldn't happen until Monday morning. By Saturday night, both of his arm IVs failed and he wasn't getting any of his nutrients or medications. So on Saturday night, the nurses removed his arm IVs and put another IV into his left leg. Then on Sunday night, his left leg IV failed too. The nurses moved to the right leg to find a good vein. After three tries, they found a vein that would work for the night. Although uncomfortable he slept through the night. This morning he was taken to the OR for his operation to insert his PICC line. He was sedated during the operation and Roxanne indicates that it was successful. He is currently in recovery and will hopefully be back in his room soon.

Praise God for daily improvements with everyone.

 

Tim Stickel

Monday, 9am-CAUTION! EMOTIONAL EMAIL

Below is an emotional email sent to the Bennett Family from one of the first responders. I believe it was received on Wednesday, August 10th.

Bennett Family,

I have gone over in my mind what to say or whether to say anything at all.  There are no words I could write to make this situation better, but I hope to give some encouragement.  My girlfriend, Kaylene, and myself were on our way back to Fairbanks from a weekend camping trip on Sunday.  We were not in a hurry, and decided to take our time stopping frequently to fish and hike.  We were really dragging our feet trying to get the most out of the weekend!  We had just finished a two mile hike in Denali and a brief stop to get some water, then got back on the road to make the final push home.  We had just passed through Healy when we saw a truck wrecked on the road.  I sped up to the scene of the accident and seeing that it had just happened, got out to help.  (I just recently finished 8 years in the Army as a Combat Medic and have spent the last ten as an EMT and volunteer firefighter.)  A man came up the hill on the side of the road holding a girl (who I later learned was Kaylee) in his arms.  I took her and asked if anyone else was down there and he said yes.  Kaylene ran down the hill and carried Jesse up while I looked after Kaylee.  Another bystander came to assist and I told them to stay with her.  I went down the hill and saw the Suburban on its side.  We knew there were more children inside.  I was able to force open the back glass to the truck and crawl inside.  I saw Erika first and then looked to the front and saw Brittany move.  I handed suitcases and other luggage out to other people and made a space to check Erika.  I could tell she was hurt badly.  An off duty Fairbanks firefighter had shown up and we agreed that in order to save her life we had to move her quickly.  She was pinned in, but I managed to work her legs free.  We took every precaution we could to get her out safely as possible and were able to slide her out of the vehicle.  Once Erika was free I was able to move to Brittany.  I could tell Brittany was going to be harder to get out because of how her legs were pinned.  Another EMT who arrived was able to hand me a C-Collar to place around her neck.  A young man named Jameson was able to put his hand under the side of the truck to help stabilize her while several others used their own weight to hold the vehicle to keep it from toppling.  I was trying to hold Brittany still while we waited for a rescue truck, but she’s a heck of a fighter!  Kaylene was outside the truck talking to her through the windshield and that seemed to calm her a bit.  It seemed like a lifetime waiting on the rescue truck to come with the extrication tools.  It took roughly an hour, but finally they showed up.  A firefighter named Rusty told me he was going to break the windshield and I covered Brittany with a blanket I found in the truck.   The firefighters put wood shoring under the truck to stabilize it and we decided the best way to get her out was to cut the roof off of the truck.  I made sure both Brittany and myself were covered and tried to lay over her as best I could.  They cut the roof and that enabled us to place a short spine board under Brittany to better stabilize her.  A nurse named Tara had shown up and with Kaylene’s help worked to get basic vital signs on Brittany.  Rusty and I worked for about 45 minutes to free her. He used a tool to spread a space between the seats while I used cutters to cut the seat mount free.  After we cut the seat mount I grabbed the seat and pulled back as hard as I could creating a space for Rusty to use a pair of shears to cut Brittany’s shoe off.  That enabled us to free her feet and gently move her out of the truck and onto a long spine board.  Myself, Rusty and two other firefighters carried Brittany up the hill to a waiting ambulance.  That was the beginning of what I am sure going to be an amazing story of survival for those precious girls.  I’m sure this was not easy to read, but I just felt that it was important for this family to know what went into freeing Brittany and Erika.  I have seen people at their worst and all too often in my life I have witnessed horrible things.  This was not one of those times.  I firmly believe God put everyone involved in Brittany and Erika’s rescue together on that road to ensure they lived.  A group of strangers worked together for one common goal and that is truly a blessing.  Kaylene and I are blessed and honored to have been placed there to help.

Sincerely,

Sean

(copied with permission, by Michelle Mondelli)

Sunday, 10:30pm

Brittany is keeping everyone busy.  She was able to sit in a chair for a few minutes this morning while her sheets were changed.  She has pulled some of her tubes out today.  She continues to talk although she is still hard to hear.  She is appears agitated tonight which the nurse has attributed to her brain injury.  Pray for peace and understanding for Brittany and for the continued healing of her lungs.

Erika became conscious long enough to open her eyes.  She is able to move her arm and answer questions by nodding.  She indicated her chest hurt.  They sedated her again.  Her lungs are very "rattle-ly".  We need to pray they clear quickly.  They also added an antibiotic to her regimen.

Please continue to pray for Don and Jennifer.  Their job is getting harder as the girls' are requiring more attention from them.  They will need wisdom, patience, endurance, and more patience.

Please pray for the psychological health of all involved, including the Stickels.  This situation is hard on all the kids.

Jennifer and Don ask for prayers for the victims of the recent plane crash in Alaska.

Don and Rosemary Evans, their 10-year-old son, Don Jr., and 8-year-old daughter, McKenzie. The children are in the same unit with Erika and Brittany.  (The pilot and a teacher from Anvik were killed.)

Read more: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - Troopers 2 die in Alaska plane crash 4 survive

 

Michelle Mondelli

(in Fairbanks)

Saturday, 11pm

We are still estatic over Brittany's earlier developments!  We know there will be set backs but we are encouraged.  Brittany's voice is soft and hoarse from all the tubes and so it's hard for her to communicate.  It's frustrating for all involved.  When it's very important to her, she makes her point across.  When Jennifer and Don told Brittany they were heading back their room to get some sleep, Brittany said, "Can I go with you?"  She's already to leave!

Amid all the excitement this morning, we neglected to tell you all that Erika had one of her chest tubes pulled out.  They have begun to suction her lungs and it is very painful for her.  She responds when they suction by making a face and squeezing Jennifer's hand tightly.  This is a good sign.  She will be on the ventilator for at least 2 or 3 more days, maybe longer.

The day was full of visitors.  Roxanne Stickel made a surprise visit to support the family and see the girls.  Tara, a nurse who happened upon the accident scene, also stopped by.  The Mortons, passing through on their move from Fairbanks to Kenai, stopped by for a few minutes.  We wish them the very best in their new adventure.

Michelle Mondelli
(in Fairbanks)