Tender Mercies and An Infinite Atonement

On Wednesday, August 27th, while traveling from Manteca, CA where he had been working for the summer, to Provo, UT to begin another year of school at BYU, AJ Hunt and two of his friends were in a single-car accident on Interstate 80 near Battle Mountain, NV (in between Elko and Winnemucca).  In the accident, AJ suffered serious injury to his neck, resulting in paralysis from his shoulders down.  This event has changed our world and provided our family with a challenging opportunity, especially AJ, who is now at the beginning of his road to recovery.  The purpose of this blog is to document for family and friends AJ's journey on the road to recovery.

We knew that AJ and his friends were traveling on Wednesday.  In fact, we spoke to him on the phone around 6:30 pm as they were on the road.  They were about 6 hours into their 12 hour drive.  At around 7:30 pm, we received a phone call from AJ's friend telling us that they had been in a terrible car accident and that AJ was seriously hurt.  The car went off the road at 75 mph and rolled over.  AJ was in the back seat and when the car rolled, the roof of the car was crushed down on top of AJ's head.  He immediately heard/felt a crack in his neck and knew this was not going to be good.  After the car came to a stop on its wheels, AJ watched his friends get out of the car.  When he tried to get out, he realized that he could not move his body below his neck.  He became increasingly frightened when he realized that it was more difficult to breath in this new paralytic state.  He struggled to call out to his friends to call 911.   Finally he was able to get their attention and they called 911 immediately.  Gratefully, there was cellular service available.

While waiting for the paramedics to arrive, a car full of off-duty fire-fighters, recently returning from training in a nearby town, happened to drive past the crash site.  Mercifully, they stopped and, being trained in emergency response, assisted the young men.  They gave AJ oxygen and talked him through the situation, helping to calm him.  They remained at the crash site until the ambulance arrived.  Additionally, AJ received a Priesthood blessing from his friend while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.  This also helped to calm AJ and assure him that all would be alright.

When the paramedics arrived and performed their triage, they called and spoke to Becca, AJ's mother, about the situation.  She requested that, if the care to be provided were equal, AJ be life-flighted to the University of Utah in Salt Lake City rather than the University of Nevada in Reno, due to the proximity of so much support in SLC.  AJ has family in Utah on both sides of his parents and many friends would be returning to college in Utah this weekend.  The paramedics agreed and AJ was life-flighted to the University of Utah Hospital.

Once at the hospital (he arrived at around 10:45), CAT scans and MRI's were performed before operating.  It was determined that cervical vertebrae C4 and C5 were dislocated, C3 and C6 sustained severe joint injuries, the spinal cord was heavily bruised and stretched, and the ligaments between the vertebrae were ripped and torn.  In addition, a blood clot had developed around the injured spinal cord.  The result of these injuries left AJ paralyzed from just below the clavicle bones down through the rest of his body.  About an hour after arriving, John's brother, Dave, AJ's best friend, Grant, and AJ's cousin's husband, RJ, were granted permission to see AJ quickly and administer a Priesthood blessing.  AJ was talking and alert with them.  After the blessing, AJ was then taken to "traction" where the doctors attempted to align his spine through a painful process of stretching the neck.  AJ could not be sedated for this process because he needed to provide feedback to the doctors.  After nearly 2 hours of traction did not completely repair the damage, AJ was taken into surgery around 3:30 or 4:00 am.  The surgery lasted a little more than 2 hours and repaired the bones by fusing vertebrae C3 through C6.  The surgeon said that the surgery was successful and the possibility of regaining feeling and movement in his body is good, as the swelling of the spinal cord reduces.  

Upon hearing of the crash on Wednesday night, we quickly packed our bags and called AJ's brothers to come home from mutual.  We packed the car and took off for Utah, driving all night to get to the UofU hospital.  We arrived at just about the same time that AJ got out of surgery.  We were able to see him at about 8:30 am and spent an hour or more with him consoling him, giving him our love, and telling him that we know he will be alright.  He asked John for a Father's Blessing, which was gladly given to him.  What a blessing that we were able to be there when he got out of surgery!  In fact, when we stand back and look at the ordeal, there are many tender mercies from the Lord:

• AJ was not killed.  He was kept alive to be able to complete his life's mission.

• The off-duty fire fighters happened upon the crash site shortly after it occurred and were able to administer relief to AJ in the way of oxygen and consoling words.

• His spinal cord was not severed.  If it were, he would be permanently paralyzed.  However, with only heavy bruising and stretching, it is expected that he will re-gain feeling and movement in many parts of his body.

• His brain was not damaged in any way.  He remained fully conscious throughout the crash and can remember everything of the night, except when he was put under anesthesia for the surgery.  He continues to be the same old AJ, but in a banged-up body.

• He has full use of his head, so he can see, hear, smell, talk and eat.

• He was able to be flown to Salt Lake City, where he has tons of friends and family to visit him and give him moral support and encouragement.  In the 6 days we've been here, he has been visited by numerous friends and family members.  Lots of fellow students and missionary buddies have come to Utah this weekend to start college. The amount of support has been so awesome and very uplifting for AJ!  

• Much love and support has also been felt from those not in Utah.  An Aunt and Uncle have provided for a month's stay at the UofU Guest House Hotel, which is just 5 minutes from the hospital.  It is so very convenient.  A couple of friends have offered air flight passes so we can fly home and back quicker.  So many family and friends from the Northwest are constantly sending their love and concern in texts, e-mails, Facebook posts, phone calls, cards and flowers.  It truly is amazing how many people care about AJ and our family!

AJ has worked hard to have a positive attitude and have faith in the Lord that the priesthood blessings he has received will come to pass.  His current situation is that he has normal feeling in and use of his head, shoulders and chest to about the nipple line.  He can move his shoulders fine.  He can flex his bicep muscles and therefore pick up his arms.  He can rotate his wrists.  He can feel sensations when touched on his hands and arms.  He can feel sensations when touched on some areas of his legs, and feet.  He cannot use much of his triceps.  He cannot move/grip his fingers.  He cannot cough with any real force, or breath very deeply using his lungs.  He cannot move his legs or feet.  Needless to say, he is need of constant help for the time being.  It has been a great blessing that we and his brothers could be down here in Salt Lake City with him at this time.  The doctors and nursing staff have been excellent with him.  AJ is trying to be so kind and appreciative to them.  He takes pride in remembering their names and talking to them about spiritual things, such as the purpose of life and the plan of Salvation.  He has made such a good impression on paramedics, flight staff, nurses, doctors and aides in the hospital.  He is uplifting visitors who come to see him with his positive attitude and faith in Christ.

AJ has now completed 6 days since the crash.  Everyday is a little bit better.  He was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for 2 and a half days.  While in the ICU, his body quickly stabilized from the trauma of the accident, the sensations in his arms and legs increased regularly, he passed his swallowing tests and began eating soft foods and drinking water, and he was able to sit completely upright for approximately 5-10 seconds before feeling overwhelmed with dizziness.  On Day 2, AJ was able to speak over the phone to his younger brother who is currently serving a church mission in Ecuador.  The conversation was comforting to both of them, to hear of each other's love and support in the work and trials that each is currently facing.  AJ also received a special visit from a Church leader on Day 2.  A separate post will be written about this event.

He was cleared to be released from the ICU on the morning of Day 3, August 30th, and was moved to the Surgical Specialty and Transport Unit.  Here, he has continued the slow healing process.  He is on very little pain medication.  He has been given exercises to do every day, as often as he can.  These are respiratory exercises, such as sucking and blowing into apparatuses that help him keep his lungs clear, and physical exercises such as moving his biceps, wrists and shoulders.  He his religiously working at completing all of his exercises every day.  He says the days would be really boring if he didn't have his exercises to look forward to. (He is going to love rehab!)

On Day 4, Sunday August 31st, the doctors changed the dressing on his incision for the first time and everything looked great with no sign of infection.  However, AJ began running a fever of 102 degrees.  This puzzled the doctors to an extent, and so they required that he take Tylenol while they ran blood and urine analyses.  Also on Sunday, he received the Sacrament in his room and appreciated the opportunity to take time to remember his covenants to the Lord.

On Day 5, in the afternoon, the physical therapist came and worked with AJ. She maneuvered the bed to change it into a chair.  For about 5 minutes, AJ sat up at about 75 degrees with his legs bent and feet on the floor.  Previously when he tried this, on Day 2, he lasted only about 10 seconds.  This time was an improvement as his body is getting stronger and better able to adjust to the changes in position.  After the 5 minutes, he began to feel light headed as his body couldn't keep up the blood pressure.  Also on Day 5, ultrasounds were performed to check for blood clots.  Many small clots were found in his left ankle, arms and neck.  Although none were large, or very serious, the doctors felt that this is the source of the high fever he'd been having.  They prescribed a dose of heparin (blood thinner) to dissolve the clots.  Later, they prescribed lovenox, which is a stronger anticoagulant.  

Day 6 was today, and was a pretty typical day in the healing process.  The incision was checked again for infection, and again appeared clear of any problems.  The fever began to break in the early afternoon and is gone tonight!  The highlight of the day was hearing that AJ will be transferred tomorrow to the rehabilitation unit here at the U of U.  That will be exciting!

Thanks again for all the love, support, prayers and positive thoughts!!
Click Here to See a Few Pictures from the Hospital