Sad Postscript

It is with a heavy heart that I make this last posting to Ben's Blog. Since the last posting on September 7, 2008, Ben continued to make progress. He left the rehab center at Salt Lake Regional Hospital and moved into our home where he continued his extensive therapy. He gained strength and progressed from wheelchair to crutches to cane to assist his walking. Through it all, Ben kept a positive attitude and expressed his thanks for the prayers and loving support of friends and family. By the end of October, he had finished with the in-home therapy and in early November, he was able to resume work at ARUP in the job he truly loved.

Ben continued to gain strength but he was often frustated by his physical limitations and inability to do the things he used to do. However, he was able to get to work by taking the bus and from all reports was performing adequately in his job. The new-found freedom took its toll with Ben as he started back with some of the addictive behaviors from his past. He continued to be seen by various doctors. Because of his constaint pain, he was prescribed oxycodone which he kept hidden from his family.

We had a great Christmas with Ben and the entire family as we celebrated his miracle. After Christmas, Ben had progressed to the point that he was able to move out of the family home. He moved in with his Brother, Joshua to share a small Condo where he was able to find the independence he was seeking. Ben continued to have his struggles, but he was looking forward to taking another step forward by getting his driver's license and purchasing a car. Last week (February 3), his oxycodone prescription was renewed and Ben, while sucessfully hiding it from the family, self adjusted his medication. In the early morning hours of February 8, Ben passed away.

As Ben's family, we express our gratitude to all of Ben's friends who cheered him on as we witnessed a miracle in his life which provided him with a second chance. However, his weakened body was no match for a second assault from the drugs he took to ease his pain. We take comfort in our secure knowledge that Ben has moved on to another sphere where he is with beloved family members who have gone before him. Our family has been strengthened by the miracle we witnessed in Ben's life and the loving support from friends and family. In one of the many blessings Ben was given while he was in the coma last summer, was that he would recover and be able to serve a mission to teach others about our Father in Heaven. We just did not know that his mission would be so short.

Thank you for the love and concern you had for our son.

Ben's Dad

Graduation (from) gowns

Ben is out of the hospital! He left the rehabilitation wing at Salt Lake Regional medical center on Friday, Sept. 5, and is now staying with our parents. Sure, it's a little hard for any grown-up to go back under the family roof, but I know Mom will take great care of him. Careful attention will be de rigeur, hospital gowns and IV needles will not. Thank you for your willingness, Mom.

This development is huge. I think the term "discharge" is interesting as it relates to Ben's leaving the hospital. His body systems -- respiratory, renal, etc. -- are healed to the point that full-time medical care is no longer needed. So he's removed from the hospital, but sent forth with the charge to keep getting better. Ben's attitude has been critical all along in his role of getting better, of course, but no more so than now. How well he improves is up to him.

Ben will continue physical therapy, with workers scheduled to come to his home. A particular focus will be muscle strength. He's experienced some trembling in his right leg when standing. But I know he can keep fighting. Go Ben!

Ben in his tux

Thank you to Aunt Susan for providing this photo from the wedding Aug. 30. Here's Ben with brother Josh standing behind him, and brother-in-law Jeff and nephew Samuel in the background. Doesn't Ben look great?

Rising to the occasion

Ben looked spiffy in a tuxedo today -- yes, a tuxedo! Not your typical hospital garb, of course, but then Ben got to leave the hospital briefly to attend our brother Jeff's wedding. Where's a picture, you ask? Well, Ben's big sister (me) failed to wrangle her kids and the camera at the same time, so we'll have to wait for some of the official wedding shots to show how good Ben looked. Trust me, he did.

Knowing the deep friendship these two brothers share, I'm certain that one of Jeff's best wedding gifts was having Ben there. Ben was in a wheel chair but stood when the audience rose to honor bride Madison as she walked down the aisle. I was impressed! He also stood for a few of the group pictures and ate a little with our family.

He was quiet and subdued most of the time and was exhausted after his three-hour tour . . . but he was there!! It was the icing on the cake. I heard Ben repeatedly tell aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, "It was good to see you," and I know that wasn't merely small talk. He means it.

So a double congratulations is in order: to Jeff and Madison for their marriage and start of a great life together, and to Ben for his own commitment, through hard work and a good attitude, to make a better life. I love you all.

The Road To Recovery is Long

It has been some time since we provided an update on Ben's progress, so it is time to make amends. Each day, Ben has been able to accomplish more than the day before. It seems like it was only a short time ago that we were cheering the fact that Ben could sit up unsupported for 15 seconds. Now with the aid of a walker and support of the rehab staff, he has been able to walk up and down the halls of the hospital and today he climbed some stair steps. His three hour rehabilitation sessions leave him very tired, but he is pleased and proud of his progress. Today one of his tasks was to stir up and bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies (a first for Ben even before he went into the hospital). I have been told that they were good, but I wouldn't know as they were all gone when I arrived for a visit.

While Ben's journey to recovery is a long one, this trip is making him a better person. I am reminded of a quote attributed to Victor Frankl, "We can discover this meaning in life in three different ways: (1) by doing a deed; (2) by experiencing a value; and (3) by suffering ." Ben has been able to do all of these things in the past few weeks and has broadened his understanding of how meaningful life can be.

Once again we express our thanks to all who have and are continuing to support Ben.

Ben's Dad

Steppin' up

Ben walked about 30 steps today with a walker. He has regular blood lab work done, which has shown steady improvements in his kidneys. Today his doctors said these tests showed his kidneys are almost back to normal.

We're sharing the comments here with Ben, so keep 'em coming! Over and over again he's told me how much he appreciates the support everyone gives him. He definitely feels loved.

Thank you for caring.

Walking

Ben walked today in the parallel bars. This is huge! He's hosting his own Olympics, medalling in every event he enters. We love you, Ben! Keep up the good work!