August 4, 2008

So much has happened with Stephany & Broady now, and it is ALL good! Both of themn are in great spirits and their attitudes are extremely positive. As you can see they are still very happy and still acting silly!!

Stephany is now walking around without the aid of a crutch or wheel chair. She is only required to wear her "black" boot on her left leg. She is also still wearing her"Edward Scissor" hand on her left arm that enables her to be able to use her wrist and fingers. The "hand" specialist seems to think that the nerve is coming back, very slowly but surely. Hopefully she will avoid any additional surgery. She is back at work at Sonic on Nelson Road, the one by Stines. Stephany is still in physical therapy twice a week.

Broady is back at T.I.R.R. (Texas Institute of Rehabilitation and Research) for further physical therapy. He was walking with a cane before going back! When he got to TIRR they took the cane away and put him back on a walker. They also informed us that his bones have grown 2 inches since the accident and that is part of the problem with his feet. Wow, 2 inches in 4 months! Well they have started putting casts on his feet. They are stretching his feet and casting them in that position. He has gone from a -20 to a -8. We went to visit him this past week end and he is really doing great, his spirits are good and he keeps everyone laughing, even his roommate and all of the nurses.

Please keep praying for both of these kids. GOD has been watching over them and performing miracles daily. They are very Blessed!

Wow, what determination!

Wow, today is June 7, 2008 and so much has happened in the past few weeks! Stephany and Broady have been able to spend time together, watching movies, visiting and being in the Pool! Yes the "pool"! Broady has been walking around the pool holding on to the sides and also walking across the pool without any help!
Stephany and Broady both had doctor visits on June 5, 2008. Stephany's visit was with them Orthopedic in Beaumont and Broady's was with the Neurosurgeon in Beaumont. Stephany's visit went well, the bone in her lower left leg has begun to grow, the doctor was very happy with that! Her left fore arm is almost completely healed, her upper arm is still in the healing process. She can begin to bear a little weight on her left side and use small weights. Broady's doctor visit went great! His Doctor was very impressed with his progress and even prescribed a "walker" for him. The same day he got the walker, I watched him walk from his bedroom, through the living room, out the front door and down the ramp to the car!!!! It was super! Broady, his parentals and Stephany went to the movies and saw Iron Man! Broady with his walker and Stephany in the wheel chair!
Please continue to pray for all of us as you can see God is amazing and continues to Bless us on a daily basis!

May 10, 2008 - Update

A lot has been going onin the last week or so. Stephany was released from St. Pat's orthopedic rehab on April 30! Of course before we could head home, a place that Stephany has not seen since March 27, we had to make a very important stop. Yes, you guessed it, we went to Broady's house first! It was quite another reunion for them and for us. We stayed for a couple of hours until they were both ready for pain meds and some rest. Stephany finally got to see her home and her "freshly cleaned" and re-arranged bedroom and of course Briella! Fot those of you who do not know Briella, that is her pet ferret!! With all of the excitement it finally took its toll on our little patient, as she was soon sleeping in her very own bed! Here are a couple of photos of the happy couple at their reunion!

Over the next few days it was very nice not being woke up in the night time just to see if you were sleeping o.k. or if you needed anything! Friday was a special day for her Mom and there was a cook out at their home. Broady and his parents. Kim & Billy came & had dinner and great conversation! The ride was very hard on Broady and he had to lie down for a while before dinner. But that was o.k. because he and Stephany were able to catch up some more. Saturday night Stephany and her parents, Suzanne and Terry went to the Manuel's for a crawfish boil! The food was great and the fellowship was even better!

Broady is now moving his left leg more and is still moving his right leg quite a bit. I have been informed that I posted some incorrect information in regards to his injuries so I will make the needed corrections now. The bone that was shattered in his back was the L3. The L4 & L5 were fractured. When the neurosurgeon did the second back surgery, he had to cut a muscle in his left leg and that explains why the movememnt is slower coming back to the left leg! Broady goes back to TIRR on Monday for the "research" that he volunteered to help with. A little later on he will go back to TIRR for more "intense" physical therapy.

Stephany went back to Beaumont on May 6 and found out that everything appears to be healing the way it should. However, the weight bearing status on her left side will not be removed for 4or 5 more months, which means that she and her wheel chair will becfome best buds! She is currently trying to come with a name for the chair!

Remember, keep the prayers going for both Stephany and Broady. Please pray for complete body and spirit healing. As these kids are living evidence that GOD is good! THANKS to all that have said even one prayer or donated any blood for these kids!!

**Remember you can send emails to: stephany.broady@yahoo.com **

WOW, they saw each other today!!

Guess what?

Broady was released from TIRR in Houston today! He had a visit with his Dr.'s in Beaumont then on to Lake Charles he went. Guess where his first stop was? St. Patricks Hospital of course, to see Stephany!!

Stephany piled on her required plastic and got into her wheel chair and downstairs she went!! They were able to visit in the parking lot for about 15 - 20 minutes and then he had to head on home to get some rest after his very long day. Wow it was great for them to see each other again after being apart for so long.

Stephany was able to dress herself this morning, all by herself! They are both doing great and with your prayers and GOD's hand they will continue to progress each and every day!

Remember, you can send them an email at: stephany.broady@yahoo.com

April 21, 2008

Sorry for the delay in updating the site. We have been very busy!! Stephany was transported by ambulance to St. Patrick's hospital, room #4230, and is currently in rehab. She is doing very well. As a matter a fact she says she feels "wonderful"! She has had a shower and her hair has been washed : ) Visitors are welcome, and visaiting hours are Monday - Friday 3:00 til 7:30 (they have been very nice and have not run anyone off for being there later though) Saturday I believe it starts after 1:00 and Sunday it is pretty much all day long. So if you want to come & visit go ahead and come. If you want to, you can call Stephany on her cell phone and visit her that way also, if she doesn't answer she is either sleeping or in therapy!

Broady is still in Houston at TIRR (Texas Institute of Rehabilitation and Research) He is making more progress each day. On Friday he was even in the swimming pool for therapy! He is moving his right leg a whole lot and the left leg is coming right along! We are all so proud of these kids!! Broady is doing so well that he may be coming home on Friday, April 25, 2008 so that his bones can continue to heal before he heads back to TIRR for further therapy.

I want to thank everyone who has given blood for these two kids and everyone who has said even one prayer for them. We have seen GOD's hand at work every day and he continues to bless us with miracles every day! So please continue to pray for Stephany, Broady and their families as we have a long road of recovery before us but with your prayers and GOD's miracles we will make it!!

Wednesday April 9, 2008

This is an email that Stephany's mom sent out:

It is April 8, 2008 and I just wanted to update everyone on the kiddos condition since my last email. Stephany has finally been moved toa regular room after spending 9 days in ICU at St. Elizabeth's hospital in Beaumont. She is now in room 614. Once in the room we brought Broady to see her, of course he was in his bed with the trapeze and she was in her bed with the trapeze. It was a very tender and emotional moment. They were able to hold hands and visit for about 10 minutes, which wasn't very long but it assured each one that they were going to be o.k.. Yesterday Broady had to do a wheel chair assessment before he could go to TIRR, (Texas Institute Rehabilitation and Research) the number 2 facility in the nation for spinal cord and head injuries. Once he was in the wheel chair he wheeled himself toStephany and they were able to spend about 15 minutes together then had to go back to his room to rest. They both seem very happy. The Manuels received the call from TIRR that Broady needed tobethere by 5p.m. yesterday. When the ambulance transport team came to get him, they heard our story and of course were happy to wheel him down to say good bye before leaving. It was still a happy & emotional moment!

Stephany began physical therapy yesterday and was able to sit up on the side of the bed for 3 minutes with the aid of the physical therapist and myself. She was very dizzy but that is normal. She had PT twice today and the OT came by and workedout her arm also. She is now up to visitors but not for extended periods of time.

Cody, Broady's little brother was also in the accident but he was released fromthe hospital last Thursday. He had a concussion and both of his jaws were broken. He will be homebound for the remainder of the school year. He is still having problems with dizziness fromthe concussion. Please continue to pray for all of us. We have been witnessing GOD's miracles on a daily basis, so your prayers are working. I am headed to try and rest now. Remember..... Please keep praying!!

Monday April 7, 2008

This picture was taken this morning. This is the first time they have gotten to see each other! Broady will be going to Houston today to start his rehab.

Stephany is out of ICU and has been placed in a room!

Friday April 4, 2008

Stephany had surgery on her back yesterday. They had to put 2 rods and 6 screws in. The surgery went really well. The doctors were very pleased. She is going to be fitted for a brace soon. They are supposed to start having her sit up today. She is also scheduled to get some jello today!! Everything is looking good so far!

Cody was released from the hospital, but he still has to have someone with him 24 hours a day for a little while longer.

I do not have an update on Broady yet, but as soon as I hear something I will let you know!!

Donate

If you would like to help out and are able, you may donate blood for Stephany and Broady.
Go to your local LifeShare. Tell them that it is for Stephany Fong or Broady Manuel. They are both in ICU at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont. This will be very helpful for them!

Tuesday April 1, 2008

Stephany had surgery on her arm and leg yesterday. The surgery lasted about 7 hours, but the doctors said everything went really well. They found out that she does have nerve damage in her arm. They will not know to what extent though for a few months. She has a clenched fist. They will be opening her fist up in the next day or two and will wrap her fingers around something so that they do not stay permanently clenched.

Broady is in a great deal of pain. They took him off of morphine yesterday, but will probably be putting him back on it. He will also be having surgery to repair his shattered heel. This is very good news because it means that the doctors are very optimistic about his chances of walking.

Cody is not going to require any surgery. The doctors are going to be able to set his jaw using rubberbands place on his braces. He is still sore, but should be feeling better very soon.

Once again, they are still not accepting visitors. Some people have tried to go, but because they are in ICU, even if you show up you will not get to see them. We will let you know when they are put in regular rooms.

They are happy to recieve your emails and ecards! Please keep sending the messages to stephany.broady@yahoo.com

Monday March 31, 2008

Stephany is scheduled to have surgery on her arm and leg today. Another surgery for her back will be scheduled for either Tuesday or Thursday. I will let everyone know how the surgery went as soon as I find out.

Broady had very slight movement in his legs yesterday. This is a really good sign. Everyone is very optimistic.

Cody is very sore still.

Again, they are still asking for NO visitors yet. We will let everyone know when it is okay to go up there. In the meantime, feel free to send a message to stephany.broady@yahoo.com
These messages will be printed out for them to read.

Here is What Happened

On Stephany and Broady and Broady's little brother Cody were in a serious car accident on the weekend of March 29th. They were coming home from Houston, and the wreck happened close to Beaumont. All three have sustained various injuries, but the doctors are very optimistic about their outcomes.
Stephany had to have her spleen removed, she also had a broken leg and a broken arm, a fracture on her nose, and also a fracture in her back. She is in a lot of pain, and her recovery is going to take a while, but everything is looking like it will be alright.
Broady broke his back and his ankle. He has begun to have a small bit of feeling in his legs, which is a VERY good sign. He will be in Beaumont for a few more days, and then will be going to a rehab center in Houston to help with his back.
Cody has a broken jaw. He is bruised up in many places, but once his jaw heals he should be fine.

The family is asking that no one visit just yet. We will be sure to let you know when it is okay, but at this time visitors will not be allowed. Please respect their wishes. If you would like to send a message to any of them, you may do so in an email. We have set up an email address for them at :
stephany.broady@yahoo.com
We will print the emails out for them to read.
This website will be updated regularly, so keep checking back for updates.