A 7 1/4 inch scar and 27 staples.
So we are so counting our blessings. We are so grateful for all the prayers and calls, visitors, friends and family. All of you came through to help us out in a time of need.
The story goes like..... On Aug 7th Matt rode a stock saddle bronc in the Rupert Rodeo, he made an awesome ride and won the rodeo with 82 points, but his get off was all but awesome, he came off the horse and rolled right under neith him, the horse still bucking, planted his front feet on either side of his head grazing his cheeks, and his back feet landed right in his guts, mainly on the left side under his ribs. Eric, was behind the chutes and I think only took 3 steps across the entire arena and was at Matt's side as he lay there curled up in pain. The meat wagon (ambulance) rolled in the arena, I took off from the bleachers to the side of the arena to get a better view of the situation, I got the thumbs up but worried look from Eric, a few minutes later they helped Matt up and out of the arena, not in the ambulance. A few minutes later we were headed for the hospital.
In the ER at Rupert they took several tests and seemed to think he was just a banged up cowboy no big deal until the CT scan came back, it showed he was bleeding internally from his spleen. This is where things get harry... Rupert a very small hospital could not handle this emergency so they decided to life flight him up to Pocatello, only the chopper was an hour away and we did not have time to wait so they loaded him in the ambulance and I followed in Bret's truck the hour drive to Pokey.
Eric, Stacey, Meg and Bret took the kids home Saturday night to Trout to stay. They packed them some clothes and brought them up to the hospital on Sunday afternoon where Chad picked them up to take them to Aunts house for the week. Can't thank them enough for changing all their plans to accommodate our 4 little ones.
In their ER we met the surgeon and he seemed optimistic that he may quit bleeding on his own and he would put him in the ICU for 24 hours to be observed and see how things went, it was at 3 am that we got to the ICU. His blood counts were 37 and 12, now I am not sure what they mean but they said they were a little low. Sunday went good, his blood counts were decreasing a little but not enough to spook anyone. Then at 3 am (24 hours later)on Monday morning Matt woke up out of a dead sleep in pain, his spleen had burst, it had been bleeding all along more than anyone had thought or tests had showed. From 3am to 11 am we went through some scary moments, we would rather never go through again. They had to transfer him yet again to another hospital just a mile away to the new hospital in Pokey and the surgeon finally operated on him and removed the spleen. Matt lost a lot of blood in the ordeal, 4 liters they recovered out of his abdomen and what ever was in the spleen. They gave him 5 units in transfusions and 3 plasma units. So on Monday night we were tired in every way but so grateful to still have him here. The surgeon gave us a picture of the spleen and it had a very large hole in the bottom third, he said Matt was a close call, its a good thing he is young and in really good shape. We really liked the surgeon he even gave us his cell phone number in case we had any questions, you just don't see Dr's like that around much.
They kept him in ICU till Tuesday night then moved him to the regular floor, he looked pale and was tired but he had been through a lot, how ever another blood count check on Wed morning, he was at 21 and 7 this I guess is pretty low to so they gave him another 2 units. We stayed in the hospital till Friday night then made the trip to Park City to get the kids and finally rest a day or two. The kids were really glad to see us, Challas I guess the most, this was his first time away from Mom and Dad, he did not recognize Matt as we shaved off his facial hair and he looks a lot younger!
Monday we finally came home and it was so nice to be home, finally, the kids were glad to be here but missed all the cousins in PC. We were just glad to sleep in our own bed and get back to a semi normal life.
I can not tell you how many people called everyday to see how things were going and visitors, countless acts of kindness. Hope all our friends and family know how much we appreciate all that they have done and keep doing, for us. We sure love you all.
So today Sept 4th 4 weeks later, he is heeling up fine back to work, even riding horses again, well let me clarify, not stocksaddle broncs but ranch horses. I think he has decided to retire from the sport of bronc riding well at the rodeo any way, he always has something here at home that feels inclined to buck every now and again. Which is a bitter sweet decision, he was very good at it and loved it and it was awesome watching him get one covered, but the risks are very high and well when you just dang near loose you life to one, well maybe those days were great and ok to put behind you.
We truly are so grateful, thankful and still in awe of what we came through and how many people came with us. Thanks, thanks and thanks again.
