Thank you to everyone

Dear Friends,

Thank you all for your messages, prayers, thoughts, offers of help, tears, and especially the outpouring of love. Our family has suffered a great tragedy, which only time and encouragement from family and friends will be able to overcome. Renee was super special to us, and we are going to miss her more than menial words can ever describe. Her joyous demeanor, beautiful smile, and optimistic outlook on life meant that she lit up a room upon entry. Her leadership style was totally unassuming. You never could fully explain when she took command of any group, but one day you noticed that she definitely had full control. You always wanted to please someone who worked that hard to please you. Our family has lost a significant cog in our life wheel that will forever make that wheel skip a beat.

As Jay wrote, Leah is on the way home with Jay and her parents, Bill and Judith Voelker. We are extremely happy to have her gone from Swedish Hospital. However, we will certainly miss Jay, his strength and his support. We definitely will also miss Judith and Bill. They provided meaningful support to all of us, not just Leah and Jay. As a pastoral couple they professionally retired three weeks ago, but were counseling and praying with us and many other unfortunate families here at Swedish Hospital.

Rachel is improving by the hour. We started here at Swedish with one word answers, many unintelligible, and have progressed to lengthy conversations. Now for those of you that don’t know Rachel, you must know that Rachel has never experienced a quiet moment in any conversation, since she won’t allow it to happen. So Jay, Britanie and I have been expecting a flood of words once the dam broke. We’re slowly getting to the breaking point of the dam. We see longer conversations, longer attention spans, and more perceptive answers to our queries.

Rachel sat up twice, out of bed, yesterday for about 30 minutes each time, and once today for about 22 minutes. She is definitely also beginning to manage her care. The docs and nurses are about to experience the Rachel we know and love. I wish them luck.

We also have experienced a few minor setbacks. The affects of her concussion are receding and memories of Renee and the accident are surfacing more regularly. Last night Britanie and I took shifts consoling her through her nightmares. Britanie put her on music therapy with Britanie’s Ipod and tried to catch some sleep. Shortly, she was in the throes of another dream and it was my four hours of guard duty from there. As a step forward though, she began questioning her doctors and seems to understand each one’s role in pain control rather than making each responsible for her complete pain control. With 18 broken ribs, pain control is our priority, and every day on the epidural pump is a great day.

Thank you everyone for all your support of my immediate family and your continued prayers and blessings you send our way. We are truly blessed in every way with your love and compassion. I will continue to attempt to keep you informed of our progress in Denver, please continue to pray for us, especially Renee and Zack.

Our sincerest love for all of you,

Jay, Renee, Britanie, Zack and Leah’s Dad