Accident + ICU: Jessie’s Perspective

So I wanted to ask my siblings their perspective from this whole ordeal and accident. It’s been a lot to take in by myself, and what Jess has told me was definitely something to stir up quite the emotions. I love my family so much! I am glad to have gotten their accounts thru this whole event, because during this time, my memory was very spotty, if I remembered anything at all. Here’s a chance to hear their voices and perspectives through all of this, starting with my oldest sister Jessica.

Joe – Where were you when you found out about the accident?

Jessie- “I was on M-53, going to pick the girls up from school, it was a Thursday and dad called and said, “can you come over? I need just you to come over and I need to tell you something right now.” I was on 29 mile and M-53, I was almost to school so I said, “can I pick the girls up first?” Dad said, can you just come here first? So I called Justin to call school for me and went straight to dads. I think I was the first person that dad told. Dad broke down, started sobbing. “Joes been in an accident, and it’s not good” “okay dad, what do you know, and how do you know this?” It was like 2:20 or something, “I just pulled into the driveway, and a Macomb county sheriff pulled up, and he proceeded to tell me what he told him, and they didn’t know much, but they have him the number for the hospital.” so dad couldn’t get ahold of mom” “so I called Paul, and said, “you need to come over right now” I had called John and told him, & called Jake, and Laura.

First Reactions

Called the hospital as soon as everyone was there, I talked to the doctor, and he was amazing. He explained everything so well. That part was really nice for how he explained everything. Laura packed food for mom and dad, and Mom and Dad within 30min left. So me, Paul, John, and Laura were at mom and dads, still there trying to figure out. We won’t know anything g until mom and dad get there. It was a long night just sitting there and waiting.

That was just a matter of an hour. Honestly, my memory is not always the best. I remember both labors and deliveries with my girls like it was yesterday, but because it’s still new and only 2 years, I just remember very vividly. Not sure if the boys and Laura remember so vividly, but I do. I’m sure you don’t realize, but I have a very different connection with you three boys especially, almost like my children, haha! I just do. I have for a long time! It was when they told us that they were pregnant, and I was a pre-teen, so I didn’t think it was cool to have more babies. But the point I think I was trying to make was, now I can’t see not having all these brothers.

So that was that, that 2 hr span of time. I didn’t sleep at all that night. I was on the couch all night. I know Justin came down once to check on me, so then Friday happened. I didn’t know what to do, the girls had their first play, Lyla had their little speaking part, “I don’t know what to do, if I should go” “Jake drove himself” “Justin just said, just go, and so I said, I’m going” “the school sent a special link, so that I could watch them, which was cool, I showed mom and dad, and that brightened them up a little bit”

Visiting In Milwaukee

When I came, I rode with Paul, I won’t do that ever again. “I am going to vomit, he still smoked cigarettes, and we both said “fu$&” a lot on the drive over, it kinda helped us feel a bit better”

Joe – “I guess, when was the first time you were able to see me?”

“All 5 of us together” – you were supposed to be on an approved list, started the protocols during covid and found them to be better. Mom and dad were in there, and that was it. You had some amazing nurses “he needs everybody” they let all 5 of us come up at the same time. We got to see you at the same time. You were coherent, you mostly wanted Paul and John. You mostly didn’t know that I was there. I held your hand a lot. We weren’t up for long to see you. We were probably up there for 20min. You were moaning a lot cuz there was pain everywhere. There was tubes draining, and it was a little reminiscing of Jake in the hospital, and that was hard to see. I had already been there done that one time before. and the leg slings or the puffy blown up leg things, I could see your toes. I remember putting my hands on your foot, and just praying. Just praying. It’s a coping mechanism for me, it helps. It helps. We are talking today! It works! I just wanted you to wake up, I didn’t care how you were, I just wanted you to wake up. I didn’t get to see you the rest of the weekend. John and Paul wanted to be up there, and I kept telling John, “go up there, he needs you and Paul” I can be a support at a distance. I am not sure if Laura went up again or not that weekend. They kinda got stricter as the weekend went on.

I didn’t see you again until the rehab hospital, because we all took turns to go and see you, and that was the weekend that worked for me to come.

Following Weeks and Follow Ups

When is usually Father’s Day weekend? June 15-17? Had probably only been in the rehab hospital for a week at that point.

Joe – “Pretty sure I was in the ICU for 3-4 weeks.”

Cuz I know I saw you and the girls at the rehab hospital, girls and I brought dad, because of his gout flare up, which was Father’s Day weekend. I came right away without the girls. 2 at a time in the room, gave mom a break and dad and I came in. Learning things, how to transfer you from the bed to the chair, and out the brace on. The first trip outside was with the girls. I remember playing cornhole with you!

Other Reflections

Sorry it took me a few days.

Some other things I wanted to you to know were Justin and the girls perspective. All of them were so unbelievably supportive and worried. Ava has been your little prayer warrior since day 1, she was at the end of 4th grade year and made a prayer request every day for you you. Asked me for updates constantly and always knew you would pull through! She’s amazing. 

Lyla is quieter about serious situations, but her teacher asked us for updates regularly. Currently she is now Ava’s teacher and still asks about you! Lastly, Justin called our Pastor immediately to ask for prayers and guidance. You were on the prayer list for weeks. So many people in our Faith Family asked about you regularly as well.

Why am I telling you all of this, you may wonder? Because I truly believe the number one reason you are here with us today is because of Jesus and the power of prayer! I know it may be easy to ask God why this happened or why he hasn’t let you walk yet, or any number of burning questions. Just know that this is all part of the bigger story, you were meant to tell a bigger story in life. You were put on this earth by God to make a difference, even if it doesn’t feel like it yet. Your story has and will continue to help many. I’m proud to be your sister,

love you Joe Joe.