My Dad's Accident


By: Kylie Berg

It’s Friday September 11, 2009. The day started out great. My dad and my uncle Tod fixed us a great breakfast in the beautiful Uintah Mountains at Red Castle Rock. We ate breakfast then we made lunches and treat bags to take on our fishing adventure. My dad was so funny about his candy…Dad, TJ and Zach were picking out all the red and pink starburst to have for themselves. You can just imagine my dad with his humor telling us how excited he was to get where we were going to eat his candy after we had already eaten breakfast and may I say he ate the most out of everyone.

At about 10:30 am, we started to saddle the horses and my dad wanted a “teaching moment” for Zach and I. He showed us step by step how to saddle our own horses and I was thinking “When am I EVER going to need to saddle my own horse, DAD??” Of course my dad was being goofy through this “TEACHING MOMENT” to try to make us laugh and have fun.

We were all saddled and on our horses ready for the fun day of fishing. Uncle Tod led our group then TJ, Zach, and I. My dad and Kelsey were behind me and my dad told Kelsey to go ahead of him. My dad’s horse didn’t like to be away from my horse so as Kelsey went by him my dad’s horse started backing up and dad was yelling wo..wo.. And pulling on the reins, the horse reared up, and as I looked back I yelled “DAD!” and the horse then was in the air with my dad still on. The horse then did a turn and fell to the ground, my dad fell of the horse and hit his head on a flat rock that was in the ground. At that point Kelsey yelled for her dad, we jumped off our horses, Tod ran down to my dad to find him laying on the ground not breathing but he did have a pulse which Tod immediately started to do mouth to mouth. During this Kelsey took all the horses and tied them up while I took Zach and TJ behind a tree. I said a prayer to ask Heavenly Farther to help Uncle Tod to get my dad to breathe and keep him alive. We took turns saying prayers and TJ looked over and said “his foot moved!”

Tod sat back after dad was breathing and then told Kelsey to get on her horse and find Dr. Haderlie at the next lake. We knew he was there because we saw his truck at the bottom before we packed in the previous day.

My dad started to move and all of a sudden he started to scream which looked to me like he was in a bad dream because his eyes were closed and he then tried to get up and my Uncle Tod was trying to push him down and not let him get up. My dad is a very strong man and bigger than Tod which was very hard for Tod to control him. As my dad was screaming I covered Zach’s ears so he wouldn’t hear our dad going through all that pain. Zach was upset and I wanted to comfort him the best I could. I am not sure how long this screaming and fighting went on but it seemed a very long time. After we had calmed down a little bit we tried to put a wrap around his head to stop the bleeding. He did not like that at all and swung at Tod a couple times. We found a rag and placed it on the wound which was on the right side of his head. He didn’t like us putting pressure on it so we just laid it on there.

Kelsey then came back to camp where this was all taking place. She couldn’t find Dr. Haderlie so my uncle Tod said “ I am going to the bottom to get help.” Kelsey and I said that we would not feel comfortable with him not being there with my dad. So Kelsey said she would go down and get help. He gave her a radio and kept one at our camp. Tod told her to call 911 which was Evanston. When she was gone we tried to talk to her using the radios but they did not work so we didn’t know how she was doing. When she got down and called them Evanston told her they could not send a Helicopter unless they had the exact GPS coordinates. So she then called Kam Kohler and he immediately sent for a helicopter. During that time Kelsey had been gone not knowing how she was my dad kept trying to get up. Tod and I helped him crawl approximately ten feet to a big rock. I went to the tent and grabbed a blanket and put between the rock and his head for support. He elevated himself against the rock to get more comfortable. Tod and I took turns watching my dad and tried to pack up camp so we could get out of there that night.

As I was trying to comfort my poor daddy as he was in so much pain and trying to hold it together, he started to open his eyes more. We would ask him if he was ok or hot and he would just make painful noises. He would go to sleep so Uncle Tod would say “TROY, open your eyes” and he would open them most of the time. He would look at me and I would say “hi daddy” and grab his hand and he would give me a smile. This went on for about three hours. I remember when Tod and I were sitting by him and he put his arm on my leg so I grabbed his hand and looked at him, he opened his eyes and smiled at me. I was trying so hard to be brave and strong for my dad. I was so scared I was going to lose him but felt the spirit telling me he would be ok and at the moment, for the first time in my life, I felt my Grandma and Grandpa Berg near me. I also remember my dad grabbing Uncle Tod’s leg a couple times and looking up at him, again with a smile on his face. During this time Zach and TJ were down in the open area looking for a place the helicopter could land.

It is now around 4:00pm we finally heard the helicopter and we both praised Kelsey for a job well done. I ran down while Tod stayed with my dad. Zach, TJ, and I were screaming and waving our hats, running in circles so the pilot could spot us. It circled around us about seven times which was about 20 minutes. The pilots finally saw us, but we didn’t know they saw us and just like that the helicopter left!!!! “What the heck did they leave us for????” we all said! I was frustrated and so were Tod and the boys. We walked back up and Dr. Haderlie was sitting there with my Dad and Uncle Tod. I was so very Grateful to see him there because I knew they would give him a Priesthood blessing and they did. Also there were people camping below us that saw the helicopter and they came up to see if we needed help. They stayed with us the remainder of the time.

Tod and I then knew Kelsey had gotten down safe and now we had to think of what we were going to do with my dad because it was starting to get cold. We didn’t know why the helicopter didn’t stop and we didn’t know if it was even going to come back. We waited and hour and half and during that time my dad was going into shock and chilling really bad. We got two sleeping bags and bundled him up in them. Tod and I tried to comfort him and help him stop shaking by pushing on his shoulders and saying “Troy your ok and you’ll be fine, the helicopter is going to come back.” He would just look at us and kind of give us a smile then shut his eyes again and try and relax. Finally after waiting and hour and a half we heard another helicopter. I said “Dad the helicopter is here, you are going to be okay.” This time Tod walked down and I stayed with my dad. I kept saying “I’m so proud of you daddy, hang in there your doing great, everything’s going to be just fine.” Right before the paramedics got to us my dad threw up again. I helped him wipe his face off then sat him back on my blanket that his head was laying on. They finally got to us and I let them take over from there. It took them 30 minutes to get him sedated and the breathing tube down his throat. Uncle Tod, Dr. Haderlie and his brother and the four other men helped carry my dad down the hill on a stretcher to the helicopter.

This was such a relief after watching my dad go through so much pain and trying to hold it together, but knowing that my dad was on his way for medical attention. I had a hard time knowing that I couldn’t go with him in the helicopter and just wondering if he was going to be ok.

We knew we had to stay at camp one more night because it was getting dark. It was hard knowing I wouldn’t see him until the next day. We were so sad that our dad wasn’t there the last night in the Uintahs but I knew I had to be strong for him and my little brother. I was also so grateful that my uncle Tod was there with me to comfort me and for reminding me that my dad would be ok.

To be continued……



Monday, September 21, 2009

Progress! From Angela!

Friday September 11, 2009

Troy arrived at the hospital around 6:00 p.m. We arrived shortly after we talked to the Neurologist. He said he may go into surgery but they were going to put a Bolt in his head to Measure the Pressure of his brain to see if we would need to have the surgery, the Cat Scan said that we would. So we went in and Troy’s Uncles Mark and Mike gave him a very good blessing. He had lots of cords and ivy’s hooked up to him and a neck brace. It was very scary and sad to see him like that. After the Blessing the Neurosurgeon came in after putting the bolt in his head and said we don’t have to do surgery anymore, his pressure was high but we are going to wait and watch to make sure it doesn’t get any higher. We were very happy about that because we did not want to go into surgery.

Saturday September 12, 2009

Today we had found out that Troy had a Skull Fracture. When he hit the rock he hit the right side of his head which pushed his brain 4mm to the left and caused the left side of his brain to be the most damaged and cause a lot of bleeding . It was a much better day we just have to wait and be patient it is just going to take a lot of time for Recovery. As a family we went into his room when he was awake and he recognized us he would grab our hands and respond very well by shaking his head and nodding.

Sunday September 13,2009

We waited and waited with faith and patience we had another good day but no change.

Monday September 14,2009

Today was exciting when I walked in they decided to take the Venalator out. Troy hated it in his mouth…who would like it J! He didn’t like my mom to leave and he really understood her so he finally followed a few commands so the Dr. said lets take it out and they did and he felt so much better.

Tuesday Sep 15,2009

Today troy started to wake up a little more. They started to turn down the sedation medication down and pain medication. He even wanted a kiss today. They also took the Bolt that was in his head out!! Every day gets better taking things out and changing each day.

Wednesday Sep 16,2009

Today they took all his medication away all his pain and sedation medications. When they brought therapy in they sat him up by the side of his bed and he even stood up and followed all commands he is doing great!

Thursday Sep 17,2009

Today was an ok day..they found few problems but he will keep strong and face them.

Friday Sep 18, 2009

Today we found out that he had some Blood clots in his arms and they couldn’t find a vein to work for a IV so they couldn’t take the Central line out today. L He did take off his oxygen today!! His Physical Therapy visits went great. His progress is very good.

Saturday Sep 19, 2009

Today they did an MRI to check out his brain. They said it looked great! His fever was still high and no waking up babuls yet. His Physical Therapy Is going great much progress each day.

Sunday Sep 20, 2009

Today was a very good day. Troy received an amazing blessing that changed everything about him in a very short time. He was able to see all his children and was very alert giving everyone big hugs and wanting to talk to them..Moving his mouth around a lot and trying to talk, but no words. He was getting really frustrated not knowing why he was there and why he couldn’t talk. We were just very patient and having faith in him that he would get better fast and we would see a change.

Monday Sep 21, 2009

Today was a very good day. Troy FINALLY got moving out of his room to another room! He is off everything besides the feeding tube. He was very alert and recognizing people and pointing at everyone trying to tell them he wants us to take him out side. He smiles a lot and tries to have a conversation with you but rolls his eyes because we don’t understand what he wants to say. He is progressing a lot and they are hoping to move him to U Hospital tomorrow to start Rehab! Everyone’s prayers are helping a lot troy would not be like this without everyone’s support and Faith.

Angela





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9 comments:

mrsofficer said...

we will continue to pray,we love youall, what amazing faith and strength you have. God Bless and ton's of hugs and kisses!

September 21, 2009 at 11:01 PM
MrsMonicaLB said...

thank you Angie for the updates.
I am glad to read/hear things are progressing so well.Troy is loved by many,with all this love and support from everybody he will get there. Its going to be tough,hang in there,if u need anything at all,some extra support, please dont hesistate to call me.
Monica Berg

September 22, 2009 at 12:14 AM
Kaylee said...

I'm so glad to hear that things are going better. Kylie I'm proud of you for being so strong. I love all of you guys and you are in my prayers.

September 22, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Unknown said...

Thanks so much for the blog. It is really helpful to keep up to date. I know that Larisa is so glad that Kiley is back in Orem. She missed her so much. Take care and we will continue to pray for your family. Carol

September 22, 2009 at 5:19 PM
Anonymous said...

I've worked with and known Troy for all the years he's been at SFI. He'such a great guy and I'm so glad to hear of his progress. So look forward to seeing and joking with him again - soon!

If there's anything we can do for him or the family, please let me know.

When's a good time visit him?

Thanks!

Dean Moncur

September 23, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Lynn Remund said...

Thanks Angie. We are so encouraged by his progess. Please know that we will do anything you need. we would love to have Zach over for a few days or whatever. Hang in there and know that we are praying for you.

September 23, 2009 at 12:43 PM
MrsMonicaLB said...

Angie,not sure if you would want to do this,but after Gregs accident and when he was at the stage where he really understood what was going on I tried to explain to him what he went through regarding his recovery and all and to this day he does not remember a single thing!I wished I would have videotaped him so he could fully understand EVERYTHING that he went through. it was like he was in a fog and was aggressive towards me. Maybe you can videotape Toys progress,not for everyone to see, but for Troy to see later on when he is healed,so he can better understand what happened.anyways just a little imput from me on what may help you guys cause its going to get rough before it gets better, but it will get better.Not sure if you want to post this comment,didnt know if you were picking up your emails.but if u r let me know and I can send you some things I think will help you all to your email instead of here.
take care Monica Berg

September 23, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Audrey said...

I'm so happy to hear of Troy's progress. You all are an amazing family and you our in our prayers each and every day. We love you!

September 24, 2009 at 12:25 PM
MrsMonicaLB said...

this is fantastic news!so glad he is improving so much and so fast.
sad we r so far away to not be able to pop in and visit Troy.
Please give him a big hug and kiss from us and let him know we think of him everyday!his Cali family
love
Monica Berg

September 24, 2009 at 6:49 PM

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