Here is the story
This post is pretty personal and emotional. This is straight from my journal, I didn't know wither to post it or not, if the outcome was any different I don't think I would have, but we are all doing pretty good considering, and I think it will be easier to have people read it then ask me about it. Every time I think about it I cry. It is so emotional. I am not the best writer, but here it is anyways...
Today started off just a normal day, we went to the play group at the park, we went to the store and found some cute items, but the lady in the line had two basketfuls of stuff so I decided I would come back. We went to the dentist for Aylvia so get a consult ($600 ouch), we went to meet my friend Heather for lunch. Then after we decided Heather would come with me to the store so I could show her the stuff I wanted to buy and she could help me narrow it down. We did that then decided we had 10 minutes before her doctor appointment to shop around. The next thing I see Chloe is climbing up a ladder, So I start to go after her. As I get to the bottom of the ladder she is at the top, she climbed so fast, and she just falls. She hits the floor, and lands on her head and stomach, and just lays there. It was bad, my first thought is that she is dead, I don't know what I will do, if I will be able to handle this. I plead, please be okay. {Heather says she hears me gasp and scream} I ran over to her, I here someone yell call 911, in my mind I think, I have my phone so I do. Heather is yelling does someone know CPR, that is when a lady, I am not sure what she all saw says you can see she is breathing. I am on the phone they are asking me all sorts of questions. Chloe wasn't moving, she was just laying there, it was so scary, I know I was shaking, we didn't move her because we didn't know what was wrong with her yet, how bad it was going to be. Then she starts to move her fingers, she is slowly coming to, they are asking me if there is blood, and now I can see her head is bleeding, I yell for someone to get me something clean to put on pressure, I don't know where she is bleeding from, she is trying to get up, they are saying don't get her up, but she is 2 so she is trying anyways so I grab her and put her on my lap, and take the paper towel someone has brought me to put on her head. Emma and Alyvia are standing by me crying hysterically, a worker comes and tells me she will take them up front. The ambulance gets there and starts to take over, they ask me why I have moved her but I say because she was trying to get up, they put her on a board with a neckbrace, Heather is asking me who to call, I have her try to call Tom but he is up a scout camp and isn't answering. I give her my keys to take my kids... We start to walk out, the worker guy is asking for my phone number and name, I am annoyed, they are taking my daughter away, I don't want to do this now, but I know they need it. I am walking out with the police officer, he is asking if he can call anyone, I give him my Bishops number so he can try to get a hold of Tom. We get in the ambulance, I try to call Tom but he doesn't answer, I call my mom, tell her Chloe has fallen off a ladder, to drive careful but to meet me at the ER. When we get there, they take her to do a cat scan of her head, they take me to get some insurance stuff, and to get Chloe's info, then my mom is there, we are hugging each other, and I just start to cry, my mom is crying, and I am so grateful she is there to be with me. They take us back where they are putting Chloe on a bed, adding IV's and such and checking all her vitals, I get to hold her hand, she is crying. My mom on one side me on the other we just hold her hand. We just talk to her, we sing to her and tell her she will be okay. My Bishop gets there, as soon as we can he along with one of the nurses gives her a blessing, I remember the first thing he says is that she is surrounded by angels, I can't remember it all, but I feel peace, and I think to myself that she will make it, she will be okay. As soon as they are done, the doctor comes in and says she has a skull fracture, but there is no swelling, I am so relieved!! At some point, I remember I have a little jasmin doll in my purse that Lyvi had let Chloe have the day before, I show it to her, and she lifts up her hand to hold it. {she doesn't let go till Saturday} Tom gets there shortly after, I think it has been about 2 hours, we hug, I am so grateful he is there... The Bishop and Tom give me a blessing, I am a mess. I am so grateful. They tell us that where it is at, they want to be really careful, and since there is not a neurosurgeon there that it would be best to life flight us to Primary children's hospital. We leave at about 7. {The accident is about 3} Just Chloe and I get to go, Tom's dad will drive him up, they won't get there till 12am-1am. Chloe and I get to go in another ambulance and go the the airport, and then we fly in a little plane, she is doing really good, a nurse had given her mickey and minnie mouse stickers, whenever she cries I show her them and she loves them. They say she is the most calm 2 year old they have ever seen. She is such a trooper. She hardly cries, unless she is getting poked with needles. We get there and then take another ambulance to the hospital. She hadn't talked a lot just said yes. They would ask if she is okay, yes she would shake her head... In the ambulance I remember that I show her a picture of Emma and Lyvi on my cell phone and she whispered their names... I started to cry because it meant she knew them, that she was going to be okay. She has been strapped to the board the whole time, they take it off and make sure nothing else is broken they are checking everywhere. After they get everything all done, ask a whole lot more questions, we finally get to go to our room it is about 10. She still has to wear her neck brace till the next morning when the neck Dr, can come and check her out. My brother in law Marcus who is going to school up there brings me dinner, and then my cousin Josh comes to see us, he didn't want me to be alone, so we talk until 2, there is no way I can sleep.. I just keep thinking about seeing her falling over and over, I don't know if I will ever get it out of my head. I keep thinking why did we go to the store, why didn't we go home for naps instead, I know I shouldn't but I keep thinking it anyways. I am upset that they left that ladder on the floor without a gate on it, she is 2, she doesn't know any better. There are too many things in my head so I can't sleep. They keep coming in to check on her. I have told Tom to just stay in provo since it is just too late, but I am sad that he isn't there. I just don't want to be alone. I have cried too much, no one should ever have to go through this. But, I am SO grateful she is okay, people go through this, and much worse. My sweet little Chloe should be okay, she just has to make it till the morning with no swelling.
The next morning they all come and check her and she is fine. She gets to take the neck brace off. She sleeps a lot, they have a lot of toys, and a toy center, we had a lot of fun, we cuddled a lot, watched movies, colored. I think Chloe loved the attention. We were just so happy she is okay. We just have to keep an eye on her, make sure she doesn't hit her head again, she has to walk everywhere, which for 2 is not an easy task.
I know Heavenly Father protected her. She fell we think from at least 12 feet, I keep thinking about every room I am in, that she fell from even farther than the ceiling, onto concrete, onto her head. The life flight techs have told me they have seen people that have fallen from all sorts of things so much closer and have had severe brain damage. That it is a miracle she is okay. I know we were blessed. It puts everything into perspective. The day before all I could think about was that Tom was out of a job, feeling sorry for us, it seems not as important anymore.
Word spread like wild fire, we had so many people calling, and facebooking that they would pray for us, I felt so many prayers, I know it helped. I am grateful for my family that took my kids. I am grateful for the Bishop who gave Chloe a blessing. A few of my close friends came and picked up my house, and Heather brought us dinner. Everyone has been so kind. When I saw Heather we just cried again, she saw it too and I know it is in her head as much as mine.
I think Chloe will forget {I hope so, except I hope she doesn't climb up ladders anymore}, I think when it is that traumatic she will forget, we hope later on that it doesn't come back, they say it can cause nightmares or they say a second injury can make it worse. I know I won't ever forget. It was far too scary, I wish I could, I am so paranoid that something will happen to her or my other kids now. I can't even think about going to the park, I think I will drive Tom nuts. I hope that as the days go by it will be okay that we will all heal. And I hope we don't have to go through anything like that again.
* I took these all with my camera phone.
Day 1
A couple hours after the fall. You can't see it but there is a lot of blood coming out the other side of her ear. {she landed on the right side of her head}
She held on tight to the jasmine and didn't let go for 24 hours.
As we were being life flighted.
Getting into the ambulance to go to Primary Children's hospital
Day 2:
Tom get there the next morning. Brought all our stuff including camera and toothbrush, yeah! And we just cuddled a lot with her. {She still has jasmine in her hand}
Just ate her first food, some cheese crackers.
Finally got the neck brace off, Uncle Marcus brought her a stuffed animal and a red velvet cupcake.
Eating pudding
Playing with the toys.
Waiting to be released. She got a bath and looks lots better.
25 comments:
I don't even know where to start.....i will say you did an amazing retelling the story!! That was pretty much how I remembered it too. I just started crying reliving the first part again with you. it was so good to hear the rest of it & read it through your point of view. it is very personal but so good that you took the time to write it down for your family & it was theraputic for you I'm sure. it is truly a miracle that she is doing so well. she really did have angels with her that day. we love that little Chloe girl so much & know she is so special a meant to stick around :) I'm so glad you can start moving on now to the next phase. remember what I keep telling you, you are an amazing mom & each day will get easier. all our love again & again!
Reading this has made my cry and cry. Life is so precious and Heavenly Father sometimes gives us such awakening reminders of how fragile it truly is. I am so grateful for the angels who were watching over Chloe the day of the fall. She is darling, darling and I am so happy to hear that she is doing well.
I can't imagine the emotional week you have been through, I am keeping you, Chloe and your family in my prayers.
xo
wow - Reading that brought tears to my eyes. I'm so glad she's okay! What a beautiful girl - she looks so much like you Britney.
I'm so glad she is ok...Tayler fell out of a shopping cart onto her head and it took awhile for her to come too and I remember thinking that was scary, but I can't even imagine a 12 ft. ladder. Our Heavenly Father was definately watching over her this day, our family prayed for you guys along with strength for you and Tom so I am so glad she is okay. Let me know if you need anything
Im glad Im not the only one bawling my eyes out! Oh, Brittany I am soo glad she is ok! I am sooo happy that miracles can happen and that we all witnessed this one so close to us! Don't blame yourself, this could have happened to anyone of us and you are an amazing mom! What an amazing experience. I am sure not a very fun one, but I am sure you will look back and realize all that you learned from it. It does put everything into perspective and it reminds me of what truley matters in life. I am so glad Heather was with you! Such a blessing to have someone with you to take your other kids and just be there for you. So glad that all of our prayers were answered! Take care of ourself and your little fam. Tom is looking for a job?? I didn't know? Good luck with everything.
We haven't stopped thinking about you guys and praying for you since we heard. We found out Friday night and didn't have all the details but my heart went out to you immediately. I can't imagine the range of emotions you felt. I am so glad that she is okay and so sorry that you had to go through this experience. A and H make sure we pray for "Chloe Stucki" for every prayer! :) I admire you for your strength and bravery through this.
Reading this brought tears to my eyes as well. I am so sorry you had to go through this terrible experience but so grateful that sweet little Chloe will be ok. We are thinking about you and praying for healing, both physical and emotional. Can`t wait for Chloe to be back in nursery making us smile and putting goldfish in her water ;)
What a miracle! I was so touched by your willingness to open up and share your deep, honest feelings. Thinking and praying for your little family, Brittney!
I cried too. I am so happy she is ok. I am thinking of you and your family.
Oh my gosh! I don't think anybody reading this didn't have a dry eye! Isn't the priesthood wonderful! I am so glad that she is ok. That is such a scary thing to go through! We will keep all of you in our prayers!
Thank you for sharing your story. It must have been a nightmare, but it is so amazing to have the Priesthood and the Church during times like these. I am so glad it turned out so well. Chloe is a very special girl and she is such a cutie. I have been thinking for and praying for you all.
Love you cousin.
Thank you for sharing your story. It is such a great reminder about how precious and beautiful our loved ones are. It made me cry, but it also made me hug my family and remember that they are the most important thing to me. I am so glad that Chloe is okay...what a miracle!! You will all still be in my prayers as you continue healing:)
brittany! i am so sorry to hear about this. i couldn't be happier for you and your family that she is okay. i have a two year old too and i completely understand how accidents like this can happen. you CANNOT blame yourself for anything! she is a miracle...obviously there is a reason that she is still here. your family needs her! :)
my thoughts are with you and your family as she recovers.
Oh I just love that sweet little girl and am so glad she is ok. She is such a strong little girl and obviously God has big plans for her! I am SO glad every thing is ok. Thanks for sharing this with us, It made me look at how precious life is. We'll be home tomorrow, let me know if you guys need anything!
Brittney & Tom I am so glad that little chloe is doing okay. My prayers are with her too. Thanks for being such good friends to Ryan and Tricia and little Brecken. They love you. Trish's mom-Jill B
I'm glad you decided to post the whole thing! Very inspiring and touching! I'm so glad she's ok. Let us know if you guys need anything!
I'm so sorry that happened, but glad that she was watched over and is going to be ok. We'll keep you in our prayers.
Oh my gosh Britt - seriously such a miracle that she is ok. I can't imagine what you have been going through. How emotionally exhausting for you. Little Chloe is such a trooper. She seems like she handled it so well although the pictures of her in the neck brace and in that hospital bed about broke my heart. I am so thankful she is doing ok. I just love her little face. Hang in there, hopefully each day that passes will help to heal you and your sweet little daughter.
xoxo
The Smith Family
How scary for you to go through!!! We've all been praying hard for your family. We're so glad Chloe is ok!
sweet sweet britany! i have been DYING to get on the internet to write you a small message...i am so sorry for your family but at the same time i am so proud of you...your faith and your strength!! the last thing we want is for our babies to be hurt...and when/if it happens our whole world stands still. but you have made it past the worst!! i am so glad your baby is home! it really was a miracle. i was talking with {h} at target the day after it happened and the whole time i was thinking "miracles happen every day...why cant one happen for our friend?" they can!!! it can...and it DID!! xoxox our [prayers are with you!
I was on phones that day, but the other call taker got to take you. I had no idea it was you. Im so sorry. Im glad I didn't get your call, you would've made me cry with you. I hate having to take calls from people I know. It breaks my heart. Glad she is ok. Love ya sis.
WOW! I'm so glad you shared your story. I'm so glad Chloe was surrounded by angels. It is truly a miracle! She's such a beautiful child. Lucky to have you as a mother. I am amazed how well you handled everything. Take care and we will continue to pray for your family. Now I'm off to wash my face and hug my babies!
Hey Brittany,
just wanted you to know we were thinking of you and your family. So grateful everything turned out good and she is okay. So scary, I can't even imagine the last couple of days for you.
With love,
Rachel & Family
My heart goes out to you. How traumatic! I'm so glad that Chloe is okay. She is such a beautiful little girl. I hope that you continue to heal and get through this.
Wow, scary! I'm glad she's ok! She truly was protected and watched over. Take Care.
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