Off to the PBR Finals Las Vegas 2005

Last night, not able to sleep I decided to return to the hospital and be with Darlene to bring in the New Year. She was resting peacefully and we quietly said a prayer for each of you. At 2:00 am I drove to my childhood and still best friend Elby's house in Paradise Pines. He slept while I serviced his wifes computer and at 4;00 am I returned to the hospital to continue being with Darlene.

She continues to do well without the ventlator and all vitals are great.

Today Dars sister Christie spent over 3 hours de-tanglling Dars waist length hair and putting it in braids. Christine continues to be by her side a we speak, giving me an oportunity to bring you up to speed. My sister, Lorrie and her husband Jerry came over from Chico and I aided Jerry with hints on how to use his new Apple lap top. Doug and Pat Lewis stopped by for a brief moment on their way home from Red Bluff after a night of revelry at the New Years Eve Bull Ride.

We still have not heard which facility will be taking Dar but please continue to pray that Davis is the place she should be. I know, my selfish.

Today was also a great day in that much of the time Dars eyes were open and it appears that she is really really trying to come out of this. She blinks all the time, gives us pause to think that she is hearing us and trying to respond.

She is such an awesome lady and I love her dearly.

As I said she is totally comfortable, no sedation, no drugs, she is just taking a long nap.

Again I thank you all for your prayers, we need them, want them and we know they work.

In last night blog I forgot to mention some very very important people. These people have been absolutly the bomb. You ask who, the men and women of the Oroville Hospital ICU. Darlene has had nothing but the best care from all of this staf. The names are many so I will not list them for fear of forgetting one and I won't leave any out. So to all the men and women of the ICU at Oroville,,,,,, you are the absolute greatest. Now I must also mention that from the time Dar came to ER, she has received nothing but the best, so to the ER staff I say thank you, thank you.

Tonight I am going to try to stay home and get some much needed rest, I may not make it but I am going to try.

Stay tuned.

All of our love to each and every one of you.

Darlene and Danny

Dars Recovery

Dear friends and loved ones,

As most of you have learned by now, Darlene collapsed at Walmart Monday the 22 of December.

The fall was caused by a respitory failure, she is currently in a coma. Since Xmas day, we have seen many miracles, the first was the removal of a mucous plug in her left lung. After removal she began to rest more comfortably and small little miracles began to appear.

She has begun to open her eyes, move to touch, and is beginning to follow small requests, (blinking, opening her mouth).

Today, 12-31-08 she was taken off the ventilator. Yesterday they removed her vent tube and put in a trach and a feeding tube to her stomach.

All vitals are excellant and she is resting comfortably.

Doctors today told me that it is now time to begin looking into transferring her to a facility either in Sacramento or San Francisco. We all want the best care for Darlene and it is my prayer that the right facility will be chosen. In my sefishness I would like it to be Sacramento, but if SF is where she needs to be than that is what she gets. Please pray that God's wisdom and will be shown.

As you all know and for those that don't, my wife is the most selfliss person I know, she is always happy, always has a kind word for everyone and will always think of others befor herself. She is my best friend and we have been inseperable since our marriage only a little over three years ago. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. She is such a dynamic lady. Loves the oputdoors, fearless on a quad, generous to a tee, and so softspoken. This lady deserves the best and I know that with all your prayers she will overcome this difficult time.

I or sombody will make a true effort to continue reports as they come in but I would like to say from the bottom of my heart Darlene and I love each and every one of you. Your support has been so needed and treasured. I know that when Darlene is able to speak that she would thank every one of you. I also know that she would say to each and everyone, "don't let a day go by that you tell the ones that you love how much they mean to you and how much you love them, we never let a moment go by that each of us knows how much they are loved. Please please please, tell your loved ones you love them.

We love you all,

Darlene and Danny