Heidi's World

Sunday Dinner!

2011-10-20T23:31:00.003-06:00

Dinner together with our apratment with an apartment of boys in our ward. The boys cooked. The food was amazing!

Happy Birthday Madre!

2011-10-14T09:28:00.003-06:00

I love my Mother! Happy 50th Mommy!! Doesn't she look amazing!!!

Just another day..

2011-10-03T17:02:00.007-06:00

Just sitting in the MC, eating area one day at BYU-Idaho. Bored, waiting for a class to start so, I took some pictures of myself and also with my little sister to occupy the time.

Almost time.

2011-08-30T20:26:00.011-06:00

Trying to spend as much time with the family before heading up to live in Rexburg, Idaho for the next few months for the coming Fall Semester.

(Daddy, Mother, Myself, and Rachel.)

(Mother, Marie, Sarah, Aubrey, Rachel, and Me. All the girls.)

(Niece Amber. View inside the cabin.)

(Mother sleeping on the couch. A view of inside the cabin.)

(A view from outside the cabin.)

(The view from outside the cabin.)

(Jess, my brother-in-law, married to sister Aubrey, returning from hunting.)

(My nephew Blake and niece Camille, playing at the fire pit at the cabin.)

(My sisters, Aubrey and Rachel holding the twins Ty and Travis.)

(Sarah my sister holding her daughter, Camille.)

(Sitting in the cabin. Sarah holding Camille, Aubrey and I holding the twins, Ty and Travis.)

Catching up!

2011-08-23T20:53:00.004-06:00

(Kelsie, me, Malerie, Hunter, and Mya)

Today, I went to lunch with two of my good friends from high school that I haven't seen for awhile. For the first time I was able to see my friend Malerie's two little kids, Mya and Hunter (I think that it is how they are spelled) and also got to see my good friend Kelsie, who is down here visiting her family from living in Rexburg, Idaho with her husband. It was really good to see both and catch up on eachothers lives!

Two little bodies!

2011-08-08T08:36:00.009-06:00

My older sister Aubrey, had twin boy's and they are the most scrumptouse little things ever to look at! The picture above are both of them, left is Ty Craig and on the right is Travis Larry, born on April 30th, 2011, they were quite a big surprise to our family but have been really fun to have around! Last Sunday, August 7th, they were given a blessing by their dad at church, and then after we had a get together with the immediate family of both parents. Few of the pictures below are from the get together that I took.

HOME!

2011-07-26T15:00:00.005-06:00

I'm home! Today I went and ate lunch at the park with my older sister Sarah, her kids, and also my little sister Rachel. It has been a lot of fun spending time with my family and catching up on the things I have missed while being gone.

I had fun at school this last summer semester but I always loveeee being home! After the Spring semester at BYU-Idaho there is always a 7 week break. I need to find something to fill my time so I don't become really bored but that hasn't happened yet. My little sister, Rachel, came half way through the spring semester and was my roommate. It was really fun and I am excited to continue our adventure together next fall semester when we'll be roommates again.

(Rachel and I at college this last summer semester.)

Last Sunday

2011-04-10T17:17:00.006-06:00

(Dad, Mom, I, and Rachel at the Conference Center.)

Last Sunday was General Conference (a conference for members of the LDS church to come together to a conference center or listen or watch on T.V. leaders from the church give talks and messages inspired from our Heavenly Father). My Mom, Dad, sister Rachel, and I had the opportunity to go to the last session of conference. I was given the tickets by Elder Christofferson (a leader of the church in the Quorum of the 12 Apostles) and it was the first time (and probably the only time) I had the chance to go to a meeting of conference. The day of my injury, I don’t remember this (I was out of it at the time) Elder Christofferson who was talking at Byu-Idaho’s devotional that next day, flew in that night and then came to the hospital to visit when he had heard that a girl had past out and was in the hospital in Idaho Falls. He has called a few times since the injury to hear how my recovery was coming along which has been way nice of him because knowing that being an Apostle of the Lord they are very busy and I am sure has a lot on his mind all the time! It was wonderful to listen to men and women talk on what the Lord wants us people to hear in these latter days and I am very grateful for that opportunity!

Practice makes perfect!

2011-03-27T15:50:00.006-06:00

(Some of my last semester Byu-Idaho room-mates and I at dinner at the Olive Garden.)

Today is March 27^th, exactly 3 weeks and I am back at school! I’m really excited, it has been a really good break but I am ready to be back at BYU-I. Well, I am going to post a little blip of me practicing the piano and singing. Before my stroke I always would learn new songs and then sing to them while I played them on the piano. Since my stroke that has been kind of hard because of the Ataxia in my right hand. As time has gone on the Ataxia has some-what left and practicing the piano has become a little easier. Now, I am still very far from being back to where I want to be but practice makes perfect, right? So, I am trying. Doesn’t sound good, I know, but I need to start somewhere. It is funny because I have had to start all over and learn how to do again all those things I worked hard for once before. Actually, kind of frustrating but I am trying to keep a good attitude about it. I have to remember what I did before when I started to do something and do that again! Anyway, this last weekend some room-mates I had the last semester at BYU-I came down for the Color Festival and stayed at my house. We went to dinner the night before and then I was going to go to the festival but decided that morning I didn’t feel like going. It was really good to see them and I am excited to see some of them that are coming back to BYU-I in 3 weeks!!!

On my mind...

2011-03-24T22:01:00.000-06:00

I am sorry, but today on my blog I have no pictures or anything to show. I just have a lot of thoughts I want to write down. Today I had a dentist appointment and then after my mom and I went to my grandma’s house for a visit. We all had a really good talk and we were talking about my recovery and she told me she thought that I was amazing for what I had gone through blah, blah, blah but I never told her how amazing she is and what I thought about her for what she has done, for her selflessness of taking care of someone else. I hope that my Grandma Mary-Jane gets to read this since I never told her what I thought to her face. My Grandma Mary-Jane and Grandpa Ronald have been taking care of my Aunt Stephanie who is severely handicap for more than 30 years. She is like a big baby, probably 2 years old trapped in a grown woman’s body. They have to feed her, dress her, bathe her, do everything for her! Now that is complete selflessness right there. I mean, being a mother is very selfless but hopefully as they grow older the child will become more independent and the parent will gain back their freedom as time goes on. Then, hopefully around 18, 19, 20ish the child will move out and start a life of their own but for my grandparents that never happened. My Grandma said today that she can’t remember the last time she felt totally free while having Stephanie to take care of. Lately, a couple events have made me have a lot on my mind. Some things when I think about makes me very frustrated. Lately, I have been thinking about how unfair life seems to be at times, like really, why some of us have to suffer so much and we never did something wrong and some people abuse their agency and it never seems like they suffer as much! I mean, really, why has my Grandparents had to live more than 30 years of their lives being controlled by the needs of someone else? Really, WHY??? Why does their freedom get taken away when they never abused it in the first place? Anyway, I shouldn’t complain, time will tell all answers, and if not in this life, we will know in the next. They never complain though, so I shouldn’t either. All I know, they are angels that will be blessed immensely! And just so people know, I am really grateful for what I have gone through and what I go through right now, I have learned a lot and it has helped me to realize so many thing I don’t think I would have realized never going through this stroke before. Anyway, I can’t remember if I ever mentioned on this blog about how miraculous our bodies are. So, if I did I am sorry but I am going to mention it again. I think I told this story before but I am going to tell it again. It was about six months after my stroke and I still was using my walker, I couldn’t stand on my own. I remember talking to my older sister, Aubrey about how if my stroke had caused my legs to become paralyzed (and I am so grateful it didn’t) I would become an amazing tennis player or become something amazing with my arms. Then she said to me “think of how jealous Satan is, we can accomplish so many amazing things with just a small portion of our bodies” or something like that. Our bodies are SO AMAZING! He is so incredibly jealous that we can accomplish so much with just a small portion of our bodies because he can’t do anything he tries to get us, all with bodies, to become like him and destroy and ruin our amazing functioning bodies! We all are sooooo blessed and life is wonderful!!! Anyway, that is my thoughts, thanks for listening! ;)

some events happening in my life.

2011-03-05T11:30:00.004-07:00

Last Thursday, March 3^rd my little sister (Rachel) and I went to a jazz game. We need to start getting to know each other as friends and not just as sisters anymore since we will be room-mates this summer at BYU-I. It was fun, they played Denver, Nuggets. We stayed until half time because it was a late game and getting home would have been really late if we stayed for the whole thing. Then also my friend Megan came back from her LDS mission in San Diego on Tuesday. Early this Saturday morning some friends of ours kidnapped her and took her to breakfast. Now, I’m tired so I’ll go back to bed when I am finished with this. But, then later I need to get ready for going out to eat with some neighbor friends of mine, this day is full of going out to eat, not good for me, gym please!

a little bit of sparkle

2011-01-23T16:45:00.005-07:00

I’m obsessed with sparkles and butterflies right now (as you can probably tell about butterflies from my profile), I just love being a girl! Haha I mean ya, if I were a boy I would learn to be okay with it (I guess) but, I am really glad Heavenly Father decided to make me a girl. OH and by the way, this is our last FULL week of January! I am really excited for this month to be over; this month has gone by soo very ssslllooowwww. I want summer to come, one month closer to summer, I LOVE the warm weather. I’m excited! ;)

(Top: T.j. Maxx, a favorite store of mine.)

(Earrings: Forever 21)

(Sparkly Headband: a gift from friend, Kelsie Rae)

My Wonderful Friend Megan returns home soon and I am SO EXCITED!

2011-01-06T22:11:00.011-07:00

My best friend Megan is on a mission for the Latter-Day Saint Church in San Diego, CA. She is currently serving at the Mormon Battalion Centre there and returns home at the beginning of March. She has been away for almost a year and a half and I am getting anxious for her arrival home. I would never tell her I am excited for her to come home because I don’t want her to think about coming home and not finishing out strong on her mission, so it is my little secret BUT I will tell you all because I don’t think right now she is able to read this! We have been good friends for about 10 years now and I hope it continues for a lot more. Below is a picture of her and I at EFY a few years ago (it is a church camp, for those who don’t know what it is, it is where youth get to meet with other youth of the LDS faith from around the world and stay at a college campus for a week. They get to participate in games, activities and have lessons that help build testimonies and help them learn more about the gospel.)

(Left to right is Megan and I at EFY at Montana State University, summer of 2006.)

Here is her blog of her being on her mission if you're interested in following:
http://missionarymegan.blogspot.com/

Happy Happy 2011!

2011-01-01T10:38:00.003-07:00

Happy 2011 to everyone!!! Hope this next year is better than the last and the last year was pretty darn good (but I am pretty sure it will be ;))! I am excited to see what the next year has in store for me. I hope it brings many more big improvements like this year I made some huge improvements, I mean I WENT TO SCHOOL and LIVED ON MY OWN! That is HUGE for me and I am really happy it has gotten back to that point. Well, Happy New Years again and it's a whole New Year for many more posts to come of stuff that we can only wait and see what they are going to be about!

2010-12-31T09:56:00.008-07:00

Something that made me very sad while recovering from my stroke was the fact that I didn’t have a reason to dress up anymore. I love dressing up and putting together outfits with all my clothes but when I had a stroke it took way too much energy to get ready for the day and it was pointless also because I never went anywhere! Now, I mean I can’t wear some things (like high heels because of balance) but that’s okay, I make do with what I can and now I have energy and places to go so I am back buying clothes and putting together outfits that now I have reason’s to wear! I LOVE to shop, so I try to make my money go as long as it can, so I can buy more clothes and that is why I LOVE Forever 21. It is pretty cheap and their stuff is the styles that are in at the moment. Another fav of mine is Target, they always have really cute stuff and they always have some waaaayyy cute stuff in their sale sections. The lace jacket I am wearing, it’s from Target and was in their sale section and I LOVE IT. Also, that little black scarf I am wearing is from Target. It is so cute and always helps bring more to an outfit, I don’t know if you can tell but it has sequins on it and that I really feel brings a little sparkle to the outfit. Anyway, everything I am wearing is from all over, kind of random but that is what I like.

Also, I know my make-up can be a bit extreme but I like to stand out and have what I am wearing say to people that I don’t care if I have a disability, I am still confident to wear what I want. Another favorite of mine is wearing bright eye-shadow. I have hot pink on and it is from M.A.C. Cosmetics, my favorite place to buy eye-shadow. It stay’s on and never flakes all over the place.

2010-12-21T19:46:00.013-07:00

Today is Tuesday, December 21st. Christmas is this Saturday and I LOVE IT! I love this time of year! I love all the lights and decorations, parties, family get-together’s, and just the spirit in the air. And, then a month after Christmas is the 2 year mark of when I had my accident! It’s amazing how time has flown!! The Fall Semester for BYU-Idaho is now over and that is SO CRAZY! I remember like it was yesterday and thinking it would never start and now IT’S OVER! I mean, part’s of school seemed like forever while I was in it, but now that it is over, seems like time had flown! Now, I just wish we could skip the winter and then it be spring time haha but I know I need to be patient. I decided that I won’t survive going to class everyday in the snow and, then when it becomes ice, that scares me! I was thinking maybe I’ll take online classes and live in the same apartment up in Idaho but I realized I might go insane, since I can’t really go on my own any places, I would always feel trapped. I feel like going up to school this last semester was so important and it helped me a lot in so many things! It helped me to become independent again and it pushed me to become closer to my old self again. It helped me to become social again, helped me to learn how to take care of myself again, I learned how I can live on my own again, and so much more.

During the Semester I had been working with Sister Dienhart, a teacher at BYU-Idaho who teaches ballet and had a stroke herself. I mentioned I was planning on working with her in an earlier post, I had been going to a beginning ballet class of hers and then we had worked one-on-one once a week also, to get back my ability to dance again. I had to hold onto the bar when the class would move to the middle of the dance floor and still when the semester ended but I improved in being able to control my foot a lot moore and my energy improved by the end of the Semester. She was an angel to work with and is an inspiration to me that I will be able to dance again!

My room-mates and I before going to church. From left to Right there is me, Amanda Ellis, Alex Grooms, Laura Hargiss, and Stephanie Cumsille.

Last Friday I came home after the Semester had ended at byu-i and on Sunday my family and I went to see the lights at Temple Square, they were BEAUTIFUL!

Progress Up-date

2010-11-06T09:57:00.001-06:00

I forgot on my last post to update on my progress so here is an update if anyone was wondering. I am doing really good but still progressing. I still have trouble with my balance, I still fall over at times, I walk in zig-zag patterns because when there is a bump in the road, or a slant in the side-walk my legs will react to little gravity pulls and so I just have to go where my legs take me. My right leg will start shaking when I am standing on it too long. Sister Dienhart is still working very hard with me in and out of the dance class, still when the class goes to the middle of the floor to practice ballet moves, I have to go over to the bar and hold on because of balance problems. My progress is still coming, there are very little improvements I see daily but so small that they are sometimes very hard to notice. All is good though and there it is! The end. J

2010-11-05T14:51:00.008-06:00

K, I know I haven’t updated my blog for some time. Going back to school and having to think again is something I am trying to learn how to do again, so doing the blog hasn’t been a main priority of mine lately. My progress is still coming along though, very slowly but coming along. Here is a few picture's from school, I am sorry that I don't have a lot, I will try and take more and then post them!

Here is a picture of my FHE group after an activity:

For my friend Kelsie’s color photography class, she took pictures of me for one of her assignments. Here is a few of the pictures she took:

The Lovely Cabin

2010-06-02T13:59:00.008-06:00

In the summer my family and I take lots of trips to our cabin. We spent memorial weekend at our cabin because of the 3 day weekend and that was the first time my family and I went up for a trip this year. My dad built the cabin when my sister’s and I were little and we spent almost every weekend up there at that time so now my sister’s and I are a little sick of it but we still love it because so many memories were made there. Here are some pictures of the trip my family and I took. Also, I probably won’t be posting very many posts for awhile. I am trying to get my balance really good before I go back to school so I am going to be working hard on my balance until then.

Someday...

2010-05-18T12:36:00.007-06:00

Today was kind of a yucky day. It has been raining a lot lately and come on, it's May, the weather should be wonderful but it's not! My sister's, their kid's, and I all wanted to go outside but it kept raining and was cold so we all spent the day inside. I love summer day's so I want the rain to go away but I guess i'll enjoy it because it's all I can do right now anyway!

My sister Aubrey holding her little boy Blake, my sister Marie holding her newborn baby Ava, and Marie's little boy Logan sitting just below her eating a chip. Trying to enjoy being inside.

Oh, and I really like these shoes! I can kind of be obsessive with shopping sometimes and I'm pretty sad that I can't wear high heels right now, it would be impossible to wear them, my balance is still really horrible! I'll just dream until that day comes...

Create Video by Elder Uchtdorf

2010-05-14T11:58:00.005-06:00

I know this video is kind of old but I still love it and it still remains true. My sister showed me this video when I was in the hospital last year and at that time it was very hard to see. I had to squint and look at the screen just at the right angle to see the picture and now I can see the picture really good, I love how time can heal! Really, we have the power to create and I am so grateful that we can because right now my body is having to create new pathways for my brain to use so I can have all those functions that my body once had. Really, having this experience I have learned how amazing the body is blessed to be. Also, a ballet teacher that I had at BYU-Idaho, Sister Dienhart had a stroke herself. She was thought by doctors that she would never be able to walk again but re-learned to walk and is now back TEACHING DANCE! I don’t know the whole story, I only know bits and pieces but she is amazing and I think of her a lot when I feel something is too hard or I can’t do it. I e-mailed her asking her thoughts of me being in dance class in the fall and she e-mailed me back telling me to take the class of hers and also she will help me a lot. I am so excited! I know the Lord helps me achieve my goals when I do what is right and when I rely on the Lord for help! I can’t wait for the feeling of being back in the dance room again!

Happy Birthday Megan!

2010-05-10T16:52:00.003-06:00

My friend Megan is on a mission for the LDS church in San Diego, California. Her birthday is coming up and I made her a blanket. I made the blanket by crocheting and it has been great for my occupational therapy. Occupational is everyday tasks that people do like cooking, cleaning, or the fine motor skills like writing or putting on make-up, etc.

Also, I am now in an institute class and I really liked this talk that my teacher used in her lesson: Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer
Elder Richard G. Scott
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Utah Valley Specialty Hospital

2010-05-06T19:02:00.006-06:00

Utah Valley Specialty Hospital, the hospital I stayed at and been going to for my rehabilitation since after being in the ICU in Idaho. They had an anniversary party for their success of being a hospital since their opening and I was invited to the celebration as a guest speaker to tell a little bit about my stay at the hospital and about my experience thus far.

I have had some wonderful therapist and these are few of them. Left to right is Nikki, Brittany, me, and Shanlon.

Re-learning to walk - Videos

2010-04-29T10:19:00.005-06:00

Here is video’s of me pretty much re-learning how to be a normal person again. The first video is of me at physical therapy, second video is me practicing walking at our cabin, third video is after I left the rehab hospital and my family and I took a trip to St. George. The last video I just put on my blog to show what it was like at that point in my life. That video was taken about a month after the accident occurred. I just left the ICU and was then taken to a Rehab Hospital where I was to re-learn practically everything. I now want to start focusing on the future and what is going on now in my life so this will be my last post about the past. Also, I want to announce that I am pretty sure that I will be going back to BYU-Idaho in the fall. I can change my mind kind of fast so it is still a maybe, but I feel like going back in the fall would be a really good choice and since I’m doing really well right now, I’m pretty positive it will happen. It may be kind of hard but I feel I can do it right now and that is 4 months away so hopefully by then I’ll be doing so much better that it won’t be too hard.

Cake Mix Cookies

2010-04-26T21:00:00.003-06:00

My favorite cookies of all time, cake mix cookies! So good and so simple! I learned the recipe in my Junior High homemaking class. These cookies I made for my Laurels class I taught last Sunday and I made them extra good (and extra fattening) by adding some M&M candies, putting frosting on the bottom, and then sticking 2 together. Really, do whatever you want to them. I love chocolate so I made the cookies out of a chocolate cake mix. Here is recipe below:
2 eggs
3 Tbs. butter
Cake mix
And that is everything! Its okay if the ingredients don’t stick together very good, don’t worry, it’s supposed to be that way. 350 degrees is what the oven tempter is set at. Bake for 5-7 minutes or if you don’t think they are done enough, keep them in longer, I like mine to be kind of doughy. They will seem undone, but let them sit, they will harden. Add whatever you think will be good and there you go, that’s everything!

2 more little miracles entered this kind of crazy world. Good luck!

2010-04-17T14:38:00.009-06:00

Well, my two older sisters finally had their babies come out! Congratulations to them both on their two little healthy baby girls!

Camille Jane Cook, 7 pounds, born March 30th

Ava Nicole Reynolds, 6 pounds and 10 ounces, born April 11th

Cousins

2010-04-13T09:55:00.006-06:00

My Dad, Mom, little sister Rachel, and I went to Colorado to visit family and see my cousin Cole give his farewell talk before he left on his mission for the LDS Church. I thought this picture was really cute so I just had to post it!

"Turn to the Lord" by Donald Hallstrom

2010-04-09T13:38:00.001-06:00

I loved all of Conference but one talk I really felt was directed at me was the talk “Turn to the Lord” by Donald L. Hallstrom. I think since I can feel the ending to this trial coming closer, I am getting really anxious to be like the person I once was and it’s making me get angry and frustrated a lot easier. I have a tendency to get frustrated really really easily. So, to help not do anything irrational I have to go to room and think about life and what could be the outcome of acting a certain way. The link to the talk that has helped me so far is below, if you would like to read it. Maybe it will help someone in someway, you never know.
"Turn to the Lord" by Donald Hallstrom

Easter/Conference Weekend & a little bit more

2010-04-07T16:53:00.006-06:00

For General Conference and Easter this last Sunday, together with my extended family, at my Grandparent's house, as a tradition we watched General Conference, had an Easter-egg hunt for the younger kids, and a special Easter dinner. General Conference, for those who have no idea, it’s when leaders of the LDS Church give talks reminding the members for now-day’s what they should be doing to protect from the evils of these times and can be seen and heard all over the world by T.V., internet, radio, etc. Also this last weekend, my cousin’s, Aunt, and Uncle came from Colorado to drop off their son, Cole, today(April 7th) at the MTC(Missionary Training Centre). He will be serving a 2 year mission for the LDS Church to teach people about the gospel in Tampico, Mexico.

My Easter basket. Isn't it so cute? haha my mom is so cute!

My cousin Ella and I. Helping her open her Easter-Egg's after the Easter-Egg hunt.

My cousin Cole and I, after watching him give his last talk in his home-ward before leaving on his mission.

5k

2010-04-02T12:48:00.001-06:00

So, I started training for that 5k that I'm going to do in August and right now I'm only doing a mile and then I'll work up to 3 miles. I have to admit that I am dyeing doing that mile and I'm thinking, "how in the world am I going to do 3?" I need help. I really want to run a 5k by August but I can't do it alone, if you are able to fit me in your prayers, please ask Heavenly Father to make the impossible possible. Thank you so much and don't think I'm going to stop working at it and only rely on prayers to get me there, it's just the help will be nice:)

Thoughts and some pics

2010-03-31T09:41:00.005-06:00

This whole experience has been like a rollercoaster ride for me, going through up’s and down’s almost daily. I ask myself, kind of a lot, why I have to go through something that most people will never go through in there lifetime. I come up with many different reasons, and hopefully someday this whole experience will make complete sense to me. I try to stay positive to help me get through each day, which can be sometimes hard and for right now, I just try to get through this time in my life, one day at a time, and I can’t wait for the day when this is all over. Be thankful ALWAYS for what you can do right now because if you’re not careful, it could be gone in seconds, which is what I have to remind myself almost daily when I get frustrated about not being able to do something I use to be able to do before. When I first realized I was in the hospital I could not even fathom the idea that someday I would be the same person again. I can confirm the truth in this scripture from the Doctrine & Covenants because all my improvements have been so small that it’s hard for me a lot of the time to see the small improvements that I’m making daily. D&C64:33 “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.”
I don’t think these pictures I’ve posted have been posted before so hopefully they are new to the viewer. My Uncle took these pictures, it’s me I think the day after my surgery and I look pretty horrible right there.

Comparison: Hand-writing

2010-03-22T16:23:00.010-06:00

I am right handed, have always been. When my right side was messed up, it was really hard to adjust. I don’t remember the first time I tried writing but what it looked like, it was horrible. The first picture displayed is a picture of one of the first times I wrote. My hand writing was a mess right after my accident, just scribbles on the paper. Having ataxia, I could not control the pen. During the first month, I had tubes down my throat making it so I could not communicate. Since I could not talk, I tried to write but no one could decipher what the scribbles on the paper said. When I realized no one could figure out what I was saying on the paper, I remembered I had learned the alphabet in sign-language when I was in second grade. I started spelling out each word with sign-language to communicate. My family printed off the alphabet from the internet to find out what I was trying to say. The second picture is what my hand-writing looked like about a month after the injury. A little better but still a mess, at least you can tell what I’m writing on the paper. Third picture is of my hand-writing on August 29 of last year. Last picture is what my hand-writing looks like right now. Much more controlled but still needs work and it still takes me sometime to write anything.

Comparison: My Voice

2010-03-18T19:32:00.002-06:00

The first video is a song that my friend, Kelsie, and I performed at our high school talent show. We decided to record that song again, one night, just for fun, while being roommates together in college. The song, “Behind these hazel eyes”, originally performed by Kelly Clarkson, to hear my inspiration, listen to it here. Some parts of the song were changed from the original song to fit what my voice could do. The other video is how my voice sounds right now. I’m singing my favorite song by the LDS church, “Abide with me ‘tis eventide”. To listen too a much prettier version, you can listen to it here. The video doesn’t show my face because I hate watching myself sing right now. I know my voice isn’t the same right now but with lots of practice, prayers, and time my voice will sound the same again and if it doesn’t (unless it’s better) I’m going to keep working at it until it does.

Then

Now

Swallowing

2010-03-12T09:48:00.001-07:00

It is really crazy how many little things the cerebellum controls. One of those things controlled by the cerebellum is swallowing and I had trouble with this for a little over 6 months after my surgery. Whenever something entered my mouth that made me have to swallow, I would cough uncontrollably after. At first, whenever I would cough, everything in my mouth would spray out everywhere, it was very embarrassing and way annoying when this would happen. I uploaded a video that shows somewhat of an example.

Progress Up-Date

2010-03-11T21:02:00.003-07:00

For my 21st birthday I got a new camera and I have decided to video record my progress. I will post the video on my blog about, probably, every other month, hopefully. I got a new camera because I fell on my last one (stupid balance problem haha). Sorry about it being sideways. I had my sister record and she flipped the camera sideways, then I had no idea how to make it go the right way on the computer so, I’m really sorry about that. Next time the camera won’t be the wrong way. Because I didn’t want the video to be too long I left out some things I wanted to say. Since the right side of my cerebellum was the side removed, I have more problems on my right side. One of the problems is my right leg starts to shake when it gets tired. I’m not tired but my leg is and when it starts to shake, it tends to get really annoying. Another thing is my balance is horrible on my right leg. When I walk I have to hope that I’m balanced on each leg enough that I can step and not fall over. But, my walking has gotten SO much better; I can’t say enough that I have been incredibly blessed. There is tons more but I can’t list them all.

Re-learning How to Walk

2010-03-07T13:43:00.008-07:00

Those first few months after my operation were incredibly hard. The first time my physical therapist had me stand was very hard. Because it took so much energy, I remember thinking I don't care if I ever stood again. The first time I walked with a walker my legs felt like jello, they would just flop along. I had two grown men on both sides to hold me up and then my walker. I would take about 5 steps and then turn around to go back to bed because it would take all the energy from me that I had. I thought I would never walk alone again. I remember thinking, “How in the WORLD can people walk on these two little sticks.” It was the weirdest concept to me. The first time I took a few steps on my own, I remember my sisters and I were in the front room. I was determined I was going to walk on my own. If I ever thought my life was hard before, now I wish for the problems I had then instead. When I took those first few steps by myself my sisters and I started to cry from joy. I will probably never have the joy that I had knowing I accomplished something that doctors thought I would never be able to do again. Now my walking is pretty good, pretty darn good for a girl that at one point couldn’t even lift her head off the pillow. I have been extremely blessed with my recovery. My older sister, Aubrey, when I was learning to walk she would tell me always, “If gymnast’s in the Olympics can do flips and land on this tiny little board, you can learn to walk.” I was so amazed by the athletes in the Winter Olympics. Amazing but we have to remember though, how blessed we are with these amazing bodies that can do so much. We have to remember it was our Heavenly Father that gave us our different talents and abilities and we can never become too confident in our abilities because they can be gone in one second. Did you ever hear about that US snowboarder that was training for the Olympics and hit his head on the half pipe and now has a TBI (traumatic brain injury)? Kevin Pearce, he is only a few months into it and oh my heck, those first few months are terrible. I was a healthy 19 yr. old who was training to do a ½ marathon that summer with my friend, Kelsie. I would say I was in pretty good shape at that time. Then, one day, I almost died, was in a bed unable to walk, talk, or do anything on my own. Well, I have rambled on way too much, just thought I would get some of my thoughts down.

Visit to Idaho

2010-03-02T09:54:00.006-07:00

This last weekend we went to Idaho to visit some of those people that were a great help and showed their support while I was in the Hospital. Along with me were my mom, dad, and my younger sister Rachel. Friday we went to see the neurosurgeon that operated on my head and had removed the AVM. He wanted to see what I was capable of doing so he did some little movement tests and asked what I am doing right now. He was very pleased with the progress I had made. He told me just continue what I’m doing and then continue to get better. After that visit we went to have lunch at the Jamison’s, my relatives. Brenda Jamison, the mother of the family, would be like my mom when I was in the Hospital. She would take care of me so my mom could leave the Hospital a few hours a day. Then we hurried over to meet with President Clark, the president of BYU-Idaho. We talked with him, his wife, his secretary, and President Eyring ( the Apostles, Henry Eyring’s son. He is Stake president of some of the BYU-I wards). We talked for about a half-hour. Then the next day, Saturday, we went to lunch with my good friend, Kelsie and her husband, Nate at Bajio’s. For dinner we went over to Bishop Sevy’s house, the bishop of the singles ward that I was in at the time of my accident. For those who have no idea what a bishop is I’ll try to explain. A bishop acts like a father of a group of people haha sorry, I hope that helps. His sweet wife, Sister Sevy who also came to the hospital a lot to be with me while my mom left for a few hours a day, she had made a wonderful dinner for us. Later that night, the councilors in the bishopric of Bishop Sevy’s ward came over for a visit. The very next day, Sunday, my family and I went to the singles ward I use to be in, it made me miss it a lot. I told the ward a little about what happened and what was going on. After that we met with President Eyring again and had him give me a priesthood blessing. After all that, we headed home. It was a pretty hectic weekend but was really good.

The Neurosurgeon that operated on my head, Dr. Greenwald

Bishop and Sister Sevy

My family and I at lunch with Kelsie and Nate

2010-02-25T14:15:00.002-07:00

So, all I could find was the article on the benefit concert. There use to be a video that showed the ad on the news but I guess it was too long ago that it is not there anymore. So, the link is below, that was all I could find.
Benefit Concert in Rexburg

2 Amazing Stories

2010-02-19T12:32:00.003-07:00

So, I think these stories both are pretty incredible. Here are the links below, check them out and see what you think!
Melody Gardot's Pain and Triumphs
Utahn climbs Kilimanjaro on one leg

The Scar

2010-02-15T12:29:00.001-07:00

Here is my scar if you never have seen it. Luckily my hair is now growing over it and now you would have no idea it was there.

"Come What May, and Love It"

2010-02-11T18:35:00.003-07:00

It was about 2 weeks after my surgery that I realized that I was alive and I existed. I was never in a coma but I guess I just never was fully there. I think it was a blessing from Heavenly Father so I wouldn’t be shocked and wouldn’t feel the pain of what just happened during those first couple of days. After I realized I existed I began to remember everything, the dance-class I went to that morning, the headache, the laying on the floor to get comfortable, and then passing out. It started to all make sense but I was still confused about what this all meant. When I was in the hospital I cried a lot. At first I would cry a couple times every hour, then slowly about once an hour, then once a day, then once a week, and then every other week. Now, since I can see the end of this trial is closer I cry now about once a month. The first months after the accident were incredibly hard and I would read the talk, “Come What May, and Love It” by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for the LDS Church for comfort. To read the talk, here is the link:
"Come What May, and Love it" By Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
It helped me get through the days in the hospital. A family that went to the same church as I did at home came to visit me while I was in the hospital. I told them about the talk I like to read and since the dad of the family, Kevin Reid, owns a jewelry shop, he had a ring made for me with the words, “Come What May, and Love It”. Since they had given me the ring, I haven’t taken it off because it helps remind me that there is a reason I’m going through this trial and I need to trust in the Lord to get through it.

My Wonderful Family

2010-02-07T13:00:00.011-07:00

I have the best support in the world. I have been really blessed with a family that helps me with anything that I need during this whole ordeal. I have 4 sisters and no brother’s but my 3 older sisters are married, so it feels like now I have brothers because they tend to treat me like I’m a little sister. Above is a picture of me and all my sisters and the grandchildren. From left to right my sisters are my younger sister Rachel, Aubrey that is my older sister, me, Sarah my older sister and Marie that is my older sister.

I’m the auntie of the craziest, loudest, cutest kids ever. The above picture, Left to right is Logan, my older sister Marie’s little boy. Next to him are Amber and Landon who are my older sister Sarah’s little kids. The picture just below that is Blake; he is my older sister Aubrey’s little boy and I always want to smother him with kisses because he is so cute but Aubrey doesn’t let me.

My older sisters Marie and Sarah are prego with GIRLS. We are really glad because my niece Amber needs some girls to play with. They are both due really close together so those two little girls will be really close in age and will be hopefully the best of friends.

Last but not least, my parents. They have been AMAZING! Now, I think nurses are great but no one loves you as much as your parents do. My mom stayed with me the whole 2 and ½ months I was in the hospital and if she wasn’t there, well, I just might not be here. For instance, the first time they removed the breathing tube I was not ready to have it removed and that whole night I was chocking on air, gasping for breath. My mom was scared the whole night and finally ran over and told the nurses I was not able to breathe on my own yet, I needed the breathing tube again. Then another time, after my operation, I was on a whole lot of meds and they made me hallucinate a lot. Being stuck in the mentality that I was still completely normal, I tried to get out of bed to go to the store and a few times I succeeded. Then, it was my mom who was the one who found me lying on the floor since I could not walk or even stand, there would be no way I could get back in bed by myself. Then there has been my dad, he has been the one to push me everyday. Really, I would not be doing as well as I’m doing without him. Everyday, he took me to practice walking and now we are working on running because we are determined that I’m going to run that 5k I’m planning on running in August. Even when I’m in the worst mood ever he still helps me. Even though sometimes I don’t even act like it, I am really grateful for that. So there you go, if you were wondering, that is my family!

A little something for me while I was in the hospital

2010-02-02T09:58:00.003-07:00

I promise, if you don’t know already, the best thing for a recovering person from brain surgery is lots and lots of sleep. That is all I would do the first months after my operation. Sometimes it got really annoying how much I needed to sleep. While I was in the hospital my days would consist of sleep, eating, therapy, and going to bathroom. My life was way boring. So, the highlight of my day would be when I had visitors but sometimes the desire to sleep would come over me and as much as I would try to fight it, it would usually win. One day, while being in the hospital, I was asleep and my older sister Marie and her husband Dane said they had a surprise for me. Since I wanted to keep sleeping I told them I didn’t care and they were like, ‘k, whatever.” Suddenly I heard a voice talking to me on the computer and was suddenly awake and pulled the laptop over to me to see what it was. My little sister Rachel had wrote the singer Kerli and told her my situation. Rachel knew I liked Kerli’s music because while having her own style, her lyrics are really positive.
I went to Kerli's concert a little under a year and half ago and met her. It was a halloween party so we got to dress up for it. Here is the picture we took

Kerli made a video for me while being in the hospital; it was really nice of her, so here it is below:

2010-02-02T09:36:00.002-07:00

What I have been up to..

2010-01-29T17:45:00.008-07:00

On Saturday, January 23rd I went to my little sister, Rachel's cheer competition. She is on her High School Varsity Squad. They did really good! Above is a picture of me and her after she had competed.

Last Sunday I taught the lesson to the yw laurels class in my ward. I made Valentines Day cookies for all the girls. I am so glad because last Valentines Day I was stuck in bed, unable to talk, walk, or move at all so ANYTHING will be better than last Valentines Day and making some cookies would be near to impossible! During the surgery to remove the AVM they had to remove a part of my cerebellum. Here is a little health class for ya, something I never cared about before until now. The cerebellum is located at the base of the brain and controls balance and coordination. The right side of the cerebellum controls the right side of the body and the left controls the left side unlike the rest of the brain that controls opposite sides. The cerebellum is unique because it’s actually is considered its own brain and is called the “small brain”. Since a part of my cerebellum was removed, all my motor skills were affected and since it was on the right side my right side was even more affected. During the first months after the operation I had severe ataxia. My right arm was super shaky and uncoordinated. I remember in the hospital I tried to open a wrapper and kept dropping it because I could not hold onto it. Then one time I tried to clap my hands but missed them both completely. I remember the first time I tried tying my shoe it took me a ½ hour because I couldn’t hold onto the shoelace. Well, I wanted to just give you a little piece of my experience so hopefully this gives you an idea.

It is ME and im now updating everyone on my recovery!

2010-01-22T11:25:00.002-07:00

Hello everybody! For the first time it is ME, Heidi, writing to you all about my recovery. Ever since my accident has happened I’ve had my family do the blog for me because I did not care to have a blog. Now, since I have the energy to update my blog I figure I should be the one updating my blog. So, from now on, just know you will be hearing from me. January 26th is my year mark for when my accident happened, FINALLY! It seems like time has gone by super slow but it’s coming slowly but surely. The reason why I’m so excited about my year mark is because more time gone by is the more I’ve progressed. So, for those of you who had forgotten, I’ll give a short summary of what had happened and I’m really sorry if I repeat something because I have no idea what is on here already. January 26, 2009 around 10am I was preparing for a test in my ballroom dance class at BYU-Idaho when I started to get this horrible headache. I passed out and then was flown to the nearest hospital where they did an emergency surgery. The surgery lasted for 6.5 hours. They removed something called an AVM (Altravenous-Malformation) which is similar to an Aneurysm but it was a birth defect and really rare. A piece of my Cerebellum was also removed which controls all the physical movements of the body. After it was over the doctor came out and told my parent that I wouldn’t make it through the night, and if I did I would be a vegetable the rest of my life. It has truly been a miracle because I started to progress and I’ve been recovering ever since. Someday I’ll make a full recovery and I know this because I had many priesthood blessings saying I would. I would like to say thank you to everyone that prayed for me and all the support. I know every little thing has helped me get this far now and continues to help in my recovery. Right now I’m doing very well. I still get off balance at times but my walking has been getting a lot smoother. My talking is still really slow so I can pro-nonce all the words efficiently. My right side (it was the side affected) is not as shaky and uncoordinated as it was in the beginning. My eyes are doing a TON better, I now only see double at some angles in the distance and double on my sides. I have a goal to run a 5k in August and my physical therapist is really positive I can do it. Well, I’ll update from now on and sooner next time!

Heidi spending time with the family!

2010-01-21T10:33:00.001-07:00

2009-09-19T14:14:00.003-06:00

memories of hard tearful days , filled with pain, worry, faith and hope. Heidi has come a long way. She works on her balance every day so she can become even more independent. Her sister Aubrey takes her to the gym every day to work on strength exercises. She learned that this can help her balance greatly. Daily she works on her speech by reading The Book of Mormon out loud. This week she is going to meet a man who also suffered an A.V.M. years ago and he can give her some good advice on what to do mentally and physically to a better recovery. Heidi will put a more recent photo of herself on her blog soon. We are feeling so much better about things. Her blessings of promise are definitely happening. That she will completely recover. Heidi went to her friend Megan's missionary farewell this last Sunday and her friend Kelsie is getting married in Married in November and Heidi will be one of her bridesmaids. Heidi's new little nephew just received a baby blessing and his name is Blake. Heidi was able to witness this little miracle and so many other wonderful blessings continue to happen for Heidi and our family. It is not hard to be thankful for the small things now. To see joy again is something we can't take for granted.

early pictures of Heidi

2009-09-19T13:55:00.005-06:00

early beginings in Idaho of many mountains to climb!

2009-09-19T13:40:00.006-06:00

2009-07-16T13:13:00.002-06:00

Here is the latest on Heidi and her progress. Heidi has come a long way. She is able to say anything she would like now with little effort. She still would like to improve on the clarity and pronounciation of some words. She is much more optimistic and is enjoying life much more. In the last two weeks we have noticed much more independence on her part. She gets up and goes from room to room without any aid. She does her own laundry and fixes her own meals. Her balance is improving still and is working hard at that. Heidi still goes to her three therapies every week and has many good friends there. She went to see a neurologist the other day and she had an angiogram done of her brain to make sure that the avm was completely removed and we found that it had been. So the Lord has truley blessed us in the healing of Heidi and we are so grateful to him. He has been with us through it all and brings us comfort and joy everyday.

Either 12:27

"And if ment come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themseves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things strong unto them."

"It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop."

- Confucious

2009-06-17T17:38:00.002-06:00

Heidi was really fortunate to have such good Dr. in the ICU in Idaho. Heidi and Dr. Aplyn have just exchanged emails recently about Heidi's progress and what is going on in each others lives. Heidi's Dr. is from Germany and currently lives her in the U.S. She was one of Heidi's many Dr.s, but was special because of how very kind and understanding she was. She meant a lot to Heidi and the family. Here is a very sweet email she sent Heidi...........

Hello Heidi,

this is so wonderful to hear from you! This is great progress, although, I am sure, it still could be faster for you! Nobody can understand how much it takes to come through this, unless one has experienced it her/himself. and it takes always longer, then you think.
We have a dear friend, was our best babysitter, who 6 years ago, when he was 18 felt 80 feet on a mountain and survived, had many fractures, but no head injury. He went to college in a full body cast, it took him a year to recover physically. And yesterday I wrote him a recommendation letter for his medical school application, he his currently working as a flight paramedic in Alaska, that was one of his dreams, when I talked with him a long time ago, he was 13 then.
Your story is very different, the brain is the most complex organ, we have and a very beautiful one. But your story is one of hope, like the one of my friend. And it is some of your story, I am thinking about, when I see a very sick patient, unable to do anything for himself.
I wish you, that you can continue to have hope for yourself, when it is difficult and slow, when you are in a dark valley.
Yes, me and my family are moving to the east bay area, Berkeley, to be exact and I will be working In Oakland, starting June 1st.

Please give your parents my warm regards, they are brave too.

Take care
Monika Aplyn

2009-06-17T17:05:00.006-06:00

Its been awhile since we have updated the blog about Heidi and we can tell you that she is continuing to make great progress! Heidi works everyday very hard to continue her recovery. She is very determined and we are so proud of her and what she has done and continues to do. She is improving in her walking and her balance is getting better. She is also sounding much better with her speech.Her eyesight is also improving a great deal, but still has some double vision that requires her to focus in to see detail. She is feeling more optimistic about her situation and knows that she is getting better everyday. She is still going to therapy three times a week and has made good friends there.

Heidi was able to attend the Kelly Clarkson concert last week and loved it all. She went with her good friends Kelsey and Chelsea and some of her family members. She also attends institute once a week. She is happy that she is able to go to more places and do more things.

We thank our Heavenly Father Everyday for this miracle that has happened and continues to happen. We love Heidi! Thanks again for all your concern and prayers,

Heidi's Family

2009-05-21T11:39:00.000-06:00

This is a recent email Heidis bishop wrote to Heidis ward in Idaho:

Heidi is speaking again, not like she wants to, but she is speaking. She is starting to walk by her self without the aid of a walker or anyone else. The steps are slow and very careful but she is doing it. The night we were there she showed us how much she had progressed. She said her plan was to be back in Rexburg this Fall and be in the 30th ward. As we watched and visited with her she said "I am learning patience!" We watched as she walked around the front room and into the kitchen, at times she had to fight gravity and gain her balance. After we left I thought about these to things and then came to mind two blessings that I gave her during her stay at the hospital in Idaho Falls. In one I said that the lord had given her this challenge to teach her patience and that her recovery would take time but it would be steady. In another blessing I remember saying that as she learned to walk Angels would be on her sides to help buoy her up. As I thought of how she would start to lean and almost fall to one side she seemed to be almost caught by something or maybe someone and then regained her balance.
We have watched a miracle happen in our ward, what a blessing it has been to all of us. Thank you for your continued faith and prayers, she has felt it and knows that you are a big part of the reason she is doing so well.
Have a great evening!
Bishop Sevy

2009-04-25T10:09:00.002-06:00

Wow, for all those blog followers it's been along time since we've updated. Heidi is doing wonderfull, she is now walking to places on her own with the walker, which is huge for her as far as indepence goes. She also can walk about twenty steps on her own!!! She walks everyday about seven laps around the church with the walker. Heidi also practicices walking by her self many steps each day, but we stand by her in case she falls. Heidi is getting stronger, emotionally and physically.

Heidi's speech has also improved, her sentences flow much better, we can understand her completely. Her vision has improved, which has helped her with her balance. Every day she amazes us. She is so determined and has the best attitude. We are learning a lot from her. So many prayers have been answers, so many blessing have come. They continue to come everyday. We appretiate and are grateful for everything that has occured. Come what may and love it.

2009-03-26T19:06:00.002-06:00

These are some pictures of when we had dinner with Heidi outside of the hospital.

Heidi is finally home!

2009-03-26T17:54:00.005-06:00

Today was a very exciting day because Heidi was finally able to come home! As she was leaving the hospital, the nurses and doctors lined up to clap and cheer for her. When Heidi entered the house we all were very emotional and couldn't hold back our tears. We had all been waiting for this moment for a while now!

The first thing Heidi wanted when she got home was food. So her aunt Roxanne brought her a yummy lunch. I'm sure Heidi was so happy to have something other than hospital food!

Heidi will still be going back to rehab for 3 hours everyday. Her progress is amazing and she is such a strong willed person!

These are some pictures of Heidi's family and her friend Megan

2009-03-14T18:38:00.002-06:00

I'm sitting here in the hospital with Heidi right now and she would like to tell everyone that she is doing fine and she is working hard to recover. Heidi says that the hardest part about Therapy is having to kneel and keep her balance.

Heidi was able to walk with help through the hospital, she went down the elevator and to the main lobby. She gets noticeably better everyday.

Heidi was supposed to get out of the hospital on the 23rd, but now she is scheduled to leave on the 2nd of April. She was really disappointed that the date was changed, but she knows that its for the best.

Heidi was given a bracelet from her uncle Johnny and his parents. The bracelet has a little quote on it and it says "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; COURAGE to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference".

2009-03-10T17:32:00.003-06:00

Heidi had her birthday Saturday! She is now 20. She has come a long way not very many people can say they are learning to walk again at age 20. But she is and she is doing amazing!

Heidi has good and bad days just like all of us only her struggles are quite different. But she's had such a great attitude, Heidi also has a funny sense of humor. She makes us laugh constantly, she always craves chocolate, jamba juices and more chocolate.

As far as physical therapy is going, she is doing wonderful. Her favorite part is the bike she rides, to strengthen her arms and legs, she smiles a lot when she is on that one. Heidi is walking now with better ballance she walks with a walker by her self but some one is behind her incase she falls.

For some reason Heidi uses her left hand more, she used to be right handed. They are working on strengthening her right hand. She works with a speech therapist to make her voice strong. Each day she sounds better and better. She speaks almost perfect when she is mad! Always accusing Rachel of wearing her clothes, sounds like the Heidi we all know doesn't it?

Anyway we are all so proud of her and her accomplishments! She is an inspiration to all of us. We appreciate everyone's prayers and services. With Heidi's determination and all of your prayers, faith and love Heidi will recover fully!

We will keep you updated

Thanks,

Love Heidi's family

2009-03-06T21:55:00.002-07:00

This is a letter written by sister Sevy, The wife of Heidi's bishop from BYU Idaho.

February 13, 2009

Dearest Heidi,

On this eve of Valentine's Day 2009, on this eve of a day dedicated to love, I wanted to give you something for you to remember how much you are loved.

In the weeks and months ahead, you may often wonder why things have to be so hard, or why did this bad thing happen to me. If these thoughts enter your mind, please pull this out and read over the many ways the LORD'S TENDER MERCIES were over you throughout this experience. Here are a few wonderful things showing great love of the Lord and of friends, and yes, of strangers that occurred in your behalf "while you were sleeping".

1) On that Monday morning when your AVM burst, you normally would have been alone in your apartment, but instead you were surrounded with people who were there to help you, tender mercies....

2) Because you had been practicing with Chris Walker, he was walking into the room to check on you when you went down, he knew who to call to get you attention immediately. He called Clint Hagelund, who immediately called Bishop Sevy, priesthood power was put in motion within moments ... tender mercies....

3) Bishop Sevy was on vacation in Utah and was supposed to be in the mountains skiing that morning (and out of cell phone range), but a large snow storm the night before caused him to be at his sons home shoveling out the driveway when the call from Clint came in, tender mercies....

4) Paramedics on campus were summoned immediately and you were prepared to be transported from school. You had passed out but you were breathing fine on your own, until the moment you were wheeled into the ER at Madison Memorial Hospital. Oxygen was administered immediately. There was only seconds that you did not have oxygen, preventing serious brain damage, tender mercies....

5) Bishop Sevy was able to get Brother Bjornn and Brother Bradshaw to your side in the ER to give you a blessing JUST before you were LifeFlighted to EIRMC (Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center), The Lord, through Brother Bradshaw promised you safety until you could get help, and that doctors would be guided to give proper help. Again priesthood power put into use immediately, tender mercies....

6) When your parents and other family members, as well as Brother and Sister Sevy, left to drive to Idaho from Utah, the roads were absolutely clear from snow even though the storm the night before had left 3 and an half feet in the driveway of Bishop Sevy's sons home in Lehi and all were able to travel to be at your side in safety, tender mercies....

7) Your Brother-in-law had worthy and wonderful parents and family who were at the hospital in Idaho Falls when you landed and were able to give you yet another blessing only moments before you were taken into surgery. You were blessed every step of the way, tender mercies....

8) Friends from your apartment and 30th Ward were the first to be in the waiting room at EIRMC. Kelsey Johnson, Erica Snapp, Kristen Stevenson and her fiance, Brittney Chadwick, Jessica Killpack, Stephanie Samson, Brandon Packer, Chris Walker, Skyler Onken, Clint Hagelund gathered at the hospital doing homework, hugging each other, praying in behalf and waiting for news until the wee hours of the morning, you are loved, tender mercies....

9) Elder D. Todd Christofferson (of the Quorum of the 12) was to be speaking at BYUI Devotional on Tuesday and flew into Idaho Falls on that very Monday night. Elder and President Kim B. Clark and his wife brought by Elder Christofferson and his wife came by the hospital to check on you and comfort your family, huge tender mercies....

10) After many hours of surgery, the doctor came out and gave a less than hopeful summary of your circumstance. He spoke of the deep coma you were in when you arrived and the coma you were still in. He didn't know when you would wake up. It was a difficult moment. Your friends held tight to one another and begin to sing hymns that immediately brought great comfort to all. Many prayers by your family and friends were being sent heavenward. After maybe only 10 or 15 minutes, the doctor almost sprinted into the Critical Care Waiting Room and announced that you were awake!!!, amazing tender mercies of the Lord....

11) You responded with squeezing your fathers hand that you were "still with us", and you responded to the doctors requests to move your thumb, and the miracles continued, tender mercies more apparent....

12) The word went out through emails from Bishop Sevy on your condition. People in the 30th Ward (present and past semesters) were notified and joined in fasts and prayers together. All the way to Equator where past friends were working, your fellow sisters and brothers from your home ward and the wards of all of your family were united in mighty prayer, tender mercies from all....

13) The next night your friends and your Relief Society Presidency brought dinner to the hospital for your family through a snow storm. All arrived safely and your family saw first hand how much you are loved by your ward, tender mercies....

14) President Clark and his wife have visited you. Elder Christofferson called and spoke to your mother as he left town. Your stake President, President Henry J. Eyring came and gave you another blessing. Even your recovery has been blessed, tender mercies....

I'm sure there are many others that happened "while you were sleeping" that I didn't observe. Ask your mom to tell you of others. There has been many hours of endless service by the Cooks, and the Jamison's and a little by Bishop and I. Bishop Sevy spent everyday of his vacation to be with you and your family. There has been food for your family, toys for the children, comforting hugs all around. But they all point to the tender loving watchful care over you by YOUR Savior, Jesus Christ.

As you heal and as you work in therapy, remember every moment that your Heavenly Father loves you, that your Lord, Jesus Christ has been watching over you and provided tender mercies that have aided in your recovery to this point. And he has sent many, MANY angels in earthly form to help you become strong again. Cling to the Lord, tie your heart to His and he will continue to bless you.

As he has promised,

"Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, AND YOU SHALL HAVE PEACE IN ME." (D&C 19:23).

I will miss you while you're gone. But I look forward with anticipation to the time we can be in dance class together again,

Love you so very much,

Sister (JoAnn) Sevy

2009-02-28T22:31:00.000-07:00

Back in Utah County

2009-02-28T22:17:00.003-07:00

The surgery to clean the infection out of Heidi's head went really well! She has now been moved to a rehab center in Provo.

Heidi is doing very well. She is talking more and her voice is getting stronger. She rides a bike in physical therapy and walks with help. She still has trouble with her eye sight (she still has double vision).

Before visiting please call Craig 801-636-9996 or Jennifer 801-636-2958

2009-02-28T21:35:00.002-07:00

Here is a letter that was given to us by Alexander J Cowan, the following is a statement about when the incident first happened to Heidi Stay around 10:15-10:20am Monday January 26,2009

I was walking into dance class a little late and while I was putting my shoes on I heard Heidi Stay, talking to another girl, about how tired she was and that she had a head ache. As I finished putting one shoe on and about to put the other on she turned to me and asked me "can you help me out of here. My head feels like it is going to burst." I said of course and went to give her my hand. She could barely pull herself up. I thought she might be overreacting a little so I helped her up onto her feet. When she put her arm around my shoulder, she couldn't hold her own strength and was burning hot. She was so hot that I started to sweat just from her body heat. I helped her out of the class but while we were walking out she was complaining about her head but holding her stomach area. She couldn't take any light at all and had her head buried into my shoulder. When we got out of the ballroom in the MC I took her over to a chair. She wanted me to get her stuff so I had someone stay with her while I went back into the ballroom to get her belongings. When I got back out there she was lowering herself to the floor. She did not fall on the floor, but you could tell that gravity was playing a part. I saw her go from the chair onto the floor and at no time did she strike her head on the ground. She laid on her stomach so that she could hide her eyes and said that she felt like she was going to throw up and she needed water. At this time I could barely understand what she was saying, extremely mumbled and broken speech beside this she had said nothing, just grunts of pain and exhaustion. Someone had come over to us and I had him stay with her while I went to get the water. When I returned an adult was there. I went back to her side. She was barely grunting and it seemed to me that it was difficult for her to breath. I tried to communicate with her but no response, and then she had stopped responding all together. No grunts or moans, nothing just breathing. The adult there was telling me that it's all good cause she had talked to him. When he asked her name, she gave him a different name than Heidi. (I was not there when he asked this. I am just saying what he was telling me) at this time we turned her on her back and tried to open her air passage way. She was breathing steady now, as if she was sleeping. She had saliva in her mouth and air way. I tried to clear it away with a paper towel. We waited for the ambulance to come. When they arrived I stayed nearby for questioning, until they had taken her away on the stretcher.

To the University of Utah

2009-02-23T07:24:00.002-07:00

On Saturday afternoon the nurses at the Health South Rehabilitation Hospital noticed the incision from Heidi's surgery had become infected, they started her on an antibiotic, which didn't give the desire results so Heidi was sent to the University of Utah hospital.

She had to undergo a minor surgery in which the neurosurgeon opened up the incision again and had to clean out the area. He pulled out the cap that was put in place during the original surgery in Idaho, he said that it had become infected.

The good news is that the infection was only on the surface, and that they didn't think any had gotten inside to the brain. But, just to be on the safe side they made some cultures from some brain fluid and are going to test them for any bacteria. In the even that there is any bacterial infection inside the skull, the University of Utah will derive an antibiotic specifically to treat that infection.

Isn't it a miracle what doctors can do with modern medicine!!

We are so grateful that this is only a minor issue, and that Heidi will continue to recover. Heidi's family was able to go and visit her about an hour after the surgery, she was doing so well, her only complaint was that she was really hungry (they didn't let her eat for 24 hrs) and that she had a really bad headache from the surgery. Other than that she was doing good, talking quite a bit and very aware of what was going on around her.

We want to thank everyone that is praying for Heidi, and for all the comments and support that we are getting. We really appreciate everything that everyone is doing for the Stay family during this trial.

Closer to Home

2009-02-18T20:27:00.002-07:00

Sorry this post has taken a while. As many of you already know Heidi is no longer in Idaho. She was moved by ambulance, no flashing lights or sirens though, to the Health South Rehabilitation Hospital in Sandy, Utah.

Initially she was going to be transported to Provo but after a mix up with discharge and acceptance she no longer qualified (when she had the tracheotomy removed that disqualified her as a long term rehab patient).

We are so happy that Heidi is closer to us now. It makes it a lot easier; sorry to all those still in Idaho.

At this rehab center she will be going though a very rigorous rehab process, she will be doing different activities that will be stimulating her and helping her to get back to normal. This is a very intense program that takes most of the day (visitors are advised to only come in the evenings)

Heidi is feeling very happy to be closer to family, the night she arrived all her sisters were there to greet her, she was smiling and laughing with them. We are so happy to see Heidi in high spirits. She appears to be happy to be back in Utah, knowing that she is that much closer to home.

Heidi's parents and sisters have been sneaking her little pieces of chocolate, which she loves, even though the nurse have said that she can't have it. She is still a girl (chocolate cures everything).

She is doing really well with eating, she sometimes has a hard time swallowing some foods, since she still hasn't totally relearned how to swallow. Her physical therapist has her put her chin down against her chest, this opens the throat the best for easier swallowing.

Tracheotomy Removed

2009-02-13T20:36:00.003-07:00

Heidi got her tracheotomy out and she is doing really well. She is beginning to make sounds and can talk a little bit, though the words are very raspy and quiet.

Bishop Sevy gave her another blessing, in it he said, angels are with her...before she came to earth she knew that she would have to go through this trial. And that she will be a blessing to many people because of what she is going through and that she needs to be patient.

With the tracheotomy out she can eat more, she really likes the pudding, and she is getting stronger, she can sit up straighter.

She is still doing her therapy (physical, occupational, and speech), they are still working on getting her to swallow better.

She is gaining a better understanding of why she is in the hospital, and she is very determined to get better.

When Craig (Heidi's dad) and Aubrey (Heidi's sister) came in tonight to visit she shed a tear she was so happy to see them.

Sister Sevy came and brought her some Valentine's Day balloons, and a nice letter. Jennifer (Heidi's mom) wants the letter posted, it will be posted later.
The letter talks about everything that has happened the last couple of weeks and all the many blessing and miracles that have happened to Heidi.

Brenda Jamison (Craig's second cousin) has come and given Heidi foot massages every day - Jennifer says Heidi loves it and is so grateful that Brenda comes and helps out.

Some more pictures from this last weekend

2009-02-10T19:05:00.001-07:00

Tuesday update

2009-02-10T18:58:00.003-07:00

Heidi is doing so good. She has been able to breathe on her own now (the tracheotomy is still there though). She is doing really well with her physical therapy.

She is still in the ICU and has a lot of recovery to do still, the doctor told us that she would probably be in ICU for 2-3 weeks still.

She became a little more aware of her surroundings today, she wrote on a white board "Am I dreaming", and then started to cry, we believe that she is just beginning to understand the magnitude of her injury.

Today during physical therapy she saw herself in a mirror (for the first time) she just looked at herself with short hair, and just reached up and touched her hair.

She still has a long way to go, but has already come so far. We are so proud and grateful for the miracles and progress that she has made.

Benefit Concert Pictures

2009-02-08T12:37:00.004-07:00

Plugging Along

2009-02-07T12:11:00.003-07:00

Heidi is doing good, a lot better than she was a week ago. The progress is a miracle. I don't want to make everyone think that she is jumping out of bed or anything. But she is awake quite a bit now, and she is signing letters to communicate more. She has started some more physical therapy, they want to have her walking, she has been taking a few steps the last couple of days (with a lot of assistance)

Yesterday and again today she was walking in physical therapy (she went about 40 feet) but she did need a lot of help, she is really proud of her accomplishments. When we saw her yesterday that was the first thing she signed to us, was that she was walking.

She still has a lot more to do, she is still a long was from walking by herself. The doctors say that she might be well enough to transport to another hospital in Utah in 2-4 weeks, so she still has a ways to go, and a lot more recovery to endure, but she is a fighter. She really looks forward to her therapy sessions, she really wants to get better fast.

The Benefit Concert was Awesome

2009-02-07T12:02:00.002-07:00

The benefit concert was so good, we really want to thanks Brad, Jared, Juan, and everyone at Locus Live Music that got it put together.

We want to thank the bands for donating their time and talents for Heidi, and also all the people that came to support a good cause. We will be posting some pictures shortly.

We are so thankful for all the donations and sponsors that helped out.

We really liked the Staystrong shirts that were made for the concert.

Heidi Stay Donation Account @ Zions Bank

2009-02-04T10:33:00.003-07:00

Several people have been asking us to set up an account for donations. Because they want to help out.

We set up an account for Heidi at Zions Bank, its the Heidi Stay Donation Account,

To donate all you have to do is go to any Zions Bank branch and ask to donate to the account and they can take care of it. They cannot do donations over the phone or online.

If any of you want to donate that would be greatly appreciated, contributions will go towards hospital bills, and hopefully we will be able to raise enough money to get Heidi back to Utah for rehabilitation, an expense that the insurance will NOT cover (transportation to Utah).

No one is obligated to donate but we will be grateful for any help. We have never done anything like this, so I don't know if the bank will give me donor's names or not, but we would like to thank anyone that donates.

Good Improvement

2009-02-04T10:27:00.002-07:00

Heidi is doing really good. She is a lot more alert today than she has been. She is starting to open her eyes more often than before. She is also trying to communicate more. She has been signing letters asking all sorts of things, she appears to have more energy today than in days past, hopefully she will soon be able to keep her eyes open whenever she wants. We are so happy to see such great improvements.

Jennifer was telling her about all the people that have been visiting and about this blog, she was pulling some funny faces. She is starting to use facial expressions to communicate as well. By the look of the expressions we don't think she expected everyone to make such a big deal out it. But we all love her and want to keep everyone up-to-date.

We hope to see everyone at the Staystrong Benefit Concert of Friday.

Staystrong Benefit Concert

2009-02-03T15:08:00.003-07:00

Some of the folks at Locus Live Music in Rexburg, ID approached Craig and asked to put on a benefit concert for Heidi. The concert will be Friday Feb 6, 2009 at 7:00 P.M. at

Locus Live Music
125 Valley River Drive in Rexburg, off 2nd East by K-Mart.

We really appreciate those that will be performing. There will be 5 bands playing.

For more information visit www.myspace.com/locuslive

The suggested donation is $5, if you don't have $5 bring what you can and come anyways, if you can bring more, that would be wonderful, we just want to fill the place and show support for Heidi!

In other news, Heidi got a tracheotomy today, the procedure went well. She is opening her eyes a little longer and more often each day.

Today she signed (using sign language letters only) asking if she was going to fail school for missing class.

She had more physical therapy today, and she did very good, she is moving her arms and legs; still with a significant amount of help, but she is getting stronger.

Doing Good

2009-02-02T19:24:00.002-07:00

The doctor wasn't going to be in until Tuesday so the tracheotomy got postposed until then. Heidi mostly rested today, but did have some physical therapy (the therapist helps her move her arms & legs).

She did open her eyes for a little while, as she does a couple time a day; however, this time she was able to focus her eyes a little and looked around. She looked at her bishop who gave her another blessing.

Minor Setback

2009-02-02T06:20:00.002-07:00

As you may had read already, Heidi had her breathing tube removed. She was trying to adjust to breathing on her own. It is difficult for a person to make the transition from a ventilator to breathing own their own, especially after several days of assisted breathing. Heidi wasn't able to maintain this on her own just yet.

The doctors had to reinsert the breathing tube early Sunday morning and are going to give her a tracheotomy today (Monday). This will allow her to breath on her own as much as she can as she gradually becomes stronger and able to breath better. Having the tracheotomy will allow her to speak when she is able to, whereas the breathing tube would not.

In better news, Heidi's stake president came to visit, President Henry J. Eyring (President Henry B. Eyring's son). He looks and sounds just like his dad. He gave Heidi an incredible blessing. In it he proclaimed that Heidi would make a full recovery. He also said that there are angels in the room helping Heidi and her family, and that they are also helping the doctors. It was so incredible.

After he finished the blessing he turned to the family and with a tear in his eye said, "I'm so happy with the words I've said." -- meaning, he was so happy with the things that Heavenly Father had him say. It was very spiritual.

Just a Note

2009-01-31T18:24:00.004-07:00

One more thing that we wanted to tell you but had previously forgotten to write. The day of the accident (Monday) while Heidi was still in surgery President Clark, the president of BYU Idaho came along with Elder Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve to see everyone. After a brief visit they left.

A couple of days later President Clark came over again and asked to give Heidi a blessing. It was a beautiful blessing, in it he said that she may have to struggle like the pioneers did when crossing the plains, but that this would strengthen her and that because of it she would be able to strengthen and others, he also said that she would be ok.

Elder Christofferson also called and said that it was great that Heidi has such a great family and so many loved ones, he also said that she will be ok.

We just thought it was so great that these very special general authorities would take time out of their schedules to come and bless Heidi and to give comfort, they truly are called of God.

Good Progress

2009-01-31T18:05:00.001-07:00

Heidi had her breathing tube removed this morning around noon. She was having a little difficulty at first, hyperventilating for a few minutes. After a little bit of work and encouragement from the doctors she was able to breath on her own.

She does have on an oxygen mask that gives her 100% oxygen. They doctors are hoping to drop the amount of oxygen needed until Heidi gets strong enough to breath normal air unassisted.

We are all still praying and are grateful for the many miracles that have already taken place. We invite everyone to join us in a fast for Heidi. We know that it has been the Lord's hand that has helped Heidi to progress so well.

2009-01-31T11:29:00.003-07:00

Today is Saturday the 31st. Heidi is doing very well, she was able to get a lot of much needed sleep last night. She has a big day today. She will be getting her breathing tube out today. The doctors and nurses think that she is ready, they asked Craig and Jennifer if they would agree. The doctors are feeling positive about doing it. They said that she getting stronger.

Earlier this morning when Craig and Jennifer were in visiting Heidi she was trying to communicate with them by signing letters. The nurse knew sign language and was able to understand what Heidi was asking. Heidi asked if her roommate Kelsie was ok. This is a positive think because she is doing well enough to be aware of the well being of others.

We will let everyone know how her procedure for removing the breathing tube goes.

Good News

2009-01-30T12:09:00.000-07:00

Heidi has been making some remarkable progress the last couple of days. When she first came into the hospital she was in a very deep coma, she was not responding to any sort of stimulus.

The surgery went well, although the doctor did have to remove some of the cerebellum that was damaged from the bleeding. The doctor told us after the surgery that recovery would be very difficult. Heidi began fighting for her life.

She is continually fighting, and with many prayers, faith, and priesthood blessing she has been recovering well. Now she can respond to questions, answering though gestures and she can now even write a few things (she cannot speak because she has a breathing tube in her mouth).

It is quite remarkable that she can write her responses. And just to note, that the first thing she wrote came in true Heidi fashion: she wrote "I want my ipod." then she wrote that she wanted food (since she only gets liquid from a feeding tube).

She can sit up, though the doctors quickly have her lay back down. Heidi is wanting to speak, and she gets frustrated with the fact that she is stuck in the bed and can't do what she wants. She is doing a lot better everyday and is progressing well. She still has a lot of obstacles to overcome and will need to continue fighting. The prayers are working and we are grateful for them.

2009-01-30T12:02:00.000-07:00

2009-01-30T11:55:00.000-07:00

Heidi with her sisters

from left: Heidi, Marie, Rachel, Sarah, & Aubrey.

2009-01-30T11:06:00.002-07:00

Dear friends and family,

Thank you for your concern for dear sweet Heidi,

she is making progress. for those of you who don't know what happened to Heidi, on Monday January 26, 2009 Heidi suffered a vein burst in her head and it bled onto her brain. She was in her dance class at BYU Idaho when this happened.

She was then life flighted to the Idaho Falls Eastern Medical Center. Right away they performed surgery on her brain. They had to drain the blood and remove the vain that was causing the bleeding and clear up any areas causing problems.

This was a very serious operation and with very little hope of a good outcome. But because of the faith and prayers from everyone and also the priesthood power has helped her make very good progress so far, but has a lot of work ahead of her to be able to recover. She has a strong will and we know she is anxious to recover.

Heidi can open her eyes now for only a few minutes at a time now and she is receiving physical therapy a little bit at a time.

Heidi's ward, the BYU Idaho 30th ward is holding a fast this Sunday for Heidi. Everyone who would like to join with them in this fast is invited to do so. Heidi's bishop as his wife (the Sevey family) have been very good to our family, visiting constantly and helping in every imaginable way.

We are very aware of the many prayer from everyone, and we are very grateful for this. We
hope that you will all continue to pray for her. She still needs to make a lot of progress.

We would like to thank all the family, near and far, and also Heidi's roommates, friends, classmates and ward member who have been praying for her, and also all those who have been praying for her without even knowing her.

We love you all, thank you so much.