Monday, December 31, 2007

"Surely my soul remembers and is bowed down within me. This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning, Great is Your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:20-23

The LORD has truly been compassionately faithful to us this past year. We look forward to another year where His compassions are once again new every morning.

We all had a good Christmas as we hope all of you did. Sarah and Kevin enjoyed their Christmas visit with Sarah's family in Northern California. Everett and I enjoyed a quiet Christmas together spending the day visiting an old friend and then going to the movies. Everett had a good time this past weekend with Kevin in Bakersfield. Sarah will be spending the upcoming weekend in Bakersfield with him. Then the weekend of January 11, Sarah, Everett and I will all be going up for our next family conference. We are expecting at that time that they will be able to give us a release date for Kevin so that we can soon bring him home for good.

Kevin is enjoying more independence at the apartments. He has ventured out several times walking about a mile each way to a couple of different shopping and fast food areas.
We are still waiting to hear from the neuro-ophthalmologist at Standford Medical Center as to whether he will see Kevin or not. If this doesn't work out, we are investigating another couple of options, one at UCI and one in San Diego. Please pray that the right doctor will agree to see Kevin.

Once again on behalf of the whole Hollar family, I want to let you know how much we appreciate each one of you. We are still amazed at how many people have faithfully continued to keep us in their prayers these past many months. We know there are hundreds of you out there whom we don't even know your names. But God knows who you are and I have thanked Him for each one of you and asked that He would bless you in special ways for the kindness you have bestowed on our family.

May God's abundant blessings be yours this New Year,
Tami

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Hello to everyone,

Sorry it has taken me so long to update you, but life has been a bit hectic of late. Last Saturday we had a wonderful time as we celebrated an early Christmas with Kevin and Sarah; Keith and Kim; Everett's brother, Steve; and Grandma Ozzie. Sarah will be picking up Kevin this Saturday and then continue up North to the Bay area to spend Christmas with her parents and sisters. Sarah's mother has not seen Kevin since the third week of his injury and she will be witnessing a huge difference! I ask your prayers that Kevin and Sarah will be safe as they travel and that they will have a wonderful time with family and friends.

About the only real update to give you is that we may be making some headway on getting Kevin in to see a neuro-ophthalmologist. There is a doctor at Stanford Medical Center who may be willing to look at Kevin's records and then determine whether it would be beneficial for Kevin to be seen by him. Keep praying!

Everett and I will be spending a very quiet Christmas together. This is the first Christmas I can remember that it will be just the two of us. In a way, we are really looking forward to a nice peaceful day. However, as you share Christmas with your family and friends this year may Christ's presence be most evident throughout your day and that you will see His blessings all around you.

Glory to God in the Highest,
Tami

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Dear Family and Friends,

It's hard to believe that another weekend has come and gone, this one spent in Bakersfield. Friday morning was crisp and bright as Sarah arrived and called me outside to see one of the most beautiful rainbows I had ever seen. It was just one of the delightful surprises God gave us this weekend.

At our Family Conference we were frustrated once again to find no progress made in getting Kevin an appointment with a neuro-ophthalmologist. No one wants to accept his Worker's Comp. We also received the results of his EMG on his legs and discovered he has mild peroneal motor neuropathy in his right leg, a form of peripheral neuropathy. However, they still can't determine what is causing the swelling in his thighs. It was confirmed that Worker's Comp. will not allow him to leave the Centre for vocational training. This training should be allowed once he is no longer a client at the Centre. They are going to start training Kevin to use the bus system to get around as he will most likely be using it a lot since he cannot drive. They also told us he will need to be at the Centre for at least six more weeks. At our next conference on January 11 they will discuss a release date with us.

After a long day at the Centre we were able to relax and enjoy a great meal at the home of our friends, Wayne and Connie. (Thank you Wayne and Connie for a great time and for always making us feel like family.)

Saturday morning Everett took Kevin to do his weekly grocery shopping then we all headed to the mall and various other stores for fun and/or Christmas shopping. I was too exhausted to go out to dinner that evening so they brought me back some leftover pizza. After church and lunch on Sunday we again headed home. That's when we had our next surprise. As we entered the Grapevine we saw that the mountains were covered with a light blanket of snow which came right to the edge of the highway. As we neared Gorman, Sarah and I asked Everett to let us get out and play in the snow. So we stopped near a McDonald's and had fun throwing snowballs and building a mini snowman. This was a real treat for Sarah and I as it has been about eight or nine years since either of us had seen snow.

It's Monday evening and Everett talked to Kevin a little while ago. Kevin was finally given keys to his apartment as well as the gate to get out of the apartment complex. He now has the freedom to leave the complex, so this evening he walked about 3/4 of a mile to a drug store and to a fast-food restaurant for dinner and then walked back. I'm sure he will love his new freedom.

Love to all,
Tami

Monday, December 3, 2007

Hello friends,

Kevin was able to come home again this weekend. Kevin and Sarah went to a Biola event Friday night, Saturday we had a nice dinner at Keith and Kim's house, and after lunch on Sunday Keith drove Kevin back to Bakersfield.

Unfortunately, Everett was not able to be with us this weekend. His 52-year-old brother-in-law passed away last Thursday morning of heart problems. Everett left Saturday morning for Virginia to be with his family for the funeral. He will return home tomorrow evening. Please keep Everett's sister, Janet, and her three children in prayer as they deal with the loss of husband and father.

Sarah, Everett, and I will be going to Bakersfield this Friday for Kevin's next Family Conference. We will once again have a family counseling session with Kevin's counselor before the conference. We hope at Friday's meeting we will have some encouraging news about Kevin seeing an eye specialist.

Kevin informed us this weekend that Worker's Compensation will not allow him to leave the premises of the Centre to do volunteer work at any of the local businesses for vocational-type training. We are assuming it is a liability issue. Hope to have that clarified this weekend as well. Kevin said the Centre is trying to find work for him to do there.

So, that is the latest from the Hollar family. Will let you know next week how the conference went. And once again thank you for your continue prayer support.

Blessings to all of you,
Tami

Monday, November 26, 2007

Dear Family and Friends,

Another quick update as not much to report. We had a great Thanksgiving weekend with Kevin and enjoyed a wonderful time with Kim and her family on Thanksgiving.

Kevin had the EMG on his legs today and should have the results by the end of the week. Hopefully they will be able to determine the source of the numbness in his feet and toes and possibly the swelling in his legs as well.

We are still waiting for a neuro-ophthalmologist to accept his case. Will let you know when that happens.

Kevin will be coming home again this weekend and then the weekend of Dec. 7-9, Sarah, and Everett and I will be going to Bakersfield as our next Family Conference is on the 7th.

Love,
Tami

Monday, November 19, 2007

Dear Family and Friends,

Forgive me for not updating you for awhile, but there has actually not been anything new to add. Sarah spent the weekend of the 3rd with Kevin and Everett spent last weekend with him. Kevin will be coming home this Wednesday to spend Thanksgiving weekend with us all. All six of us have been graciously invited to spend Thanksgiving day with Kim's family.

Kevin has still not had an EMG on his legs nor has he had an appointment with a neuro-ophthalmologist. I plan to call his case worker today to find out what progress is being made toward all of this. Please continue to keep these matters before the Lord.

As Thanksgiving draws near I look back at the graciousness of the Lord toward our family. It is still very difficult to think back to the beginning of Kevin's accident and remember the pain of those days as he was so near to death. But it was God's grace and mercy that held us together, it was your prayers on our behalf that sustained us, it is God's love toward us that we can continue this journey confident that He will bring us through it. We still have much unknown ahead of us but we have a God who does and we can rejoice that He is in control of it all.

On behalf of our whole family, I trust each of you will have a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you too can rejoice at the blessings of the Lord this past year. I have said it before, but I will say it again, thank you for keeping us in your prayers. I have prayed that God would bless each of you for the love you have showed our family.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Tami

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Dear Family and Friends,

I am sorry it has taken me so long to update the Blog this week but I have had an extremely crazy week. Anyway, Sarah, Keith and Kim, and I visited Kevin this past weekend. Everett, unfortunately, was unable to go as he had a project at work he could not leave. Monday we had a family session with Kevin's counselor. It was a difficult experience but profitable. Following that session we enjoyed lunch together before going to our family conference. This too was difficult. Of most importance we were given an update on his eye situation. The problem has been finding a neuro-ophthalmologist who would accept Kevin's Workers Compensation insurance. To make a long story short, the Centre is going to try again at the Doheny Eye Center to see if they can talk them into taking Kevin's case. Also, we learned that while he is blind in the right eye, he has also lost his range of vision in the lower quadrant of his left eye. This has multiple ramifications. First, this would keep him from driving. Second, this and his vertigo problems would keep him from doing his previous kind of work as well as using power tools for his job or hobby. His eyesight, vertigo, and being on blood thinners, makes using power tools a very poor idea.

Kevin is still having problems with swelling in his legs as well as numbness in his feet and toes. This has been going on since the beginning of his accident. They are going to schedule an EMG on his legs to see if there is any neurological interruption.

The Centre has a program for vocational training in which different businesses in the area allow the clients from the Centre to do volunteer work. Kevin, accompanied by an occupational therapist, would be placed in one of these business where they would access his abilities, his strengths, his weaknesses, and any other problems he may have. This would allow them to help troubleshoot any difficulties which could arise. Kevin should be starting this soon.

Last month we were told Kevin would be home before Christmas. However, this month we were told because of the difficulty resolving his eye issues as well as vocational training this will not happen. We are now hoping he will be home sometime in January.

We left the Centre Monday a bit discouraged. Kevin was visibly discouraged as well. So, we have many things to ask you to pray for. First, that the Doheny Eye Center would take Kevin's case and that something positive would happen with his eyesight. Second, that they can find what is causing the problems in his legs and feet and that it can be corrected. Third, that vocational training will go well. And last but not least, that ours and Kevin's discouragement would last but a moment and that God's presence and peace would permeate our hearts.

Thanks you for your love and prayers,
Tami

Monday, October 29, 2007

Hello Dear Friends,

We were able to bring Kevin home again this weekend and he stayed with Everett and me as Sarah was up North visiting her family and friends. Saturday, Everett and Kevin ran several errands and tended to a few odd jobs while I tended to laundry. Keith and Kim joined us both Friday and Saturday evenings for dinner. I am actually finding my way around the kitchen once again. I don't know about the rest of the family but I am really getting tired of eating out. Kevin joined us Sunday at our church and it was great that so many of our friends who have been praying for him (some who have never met him) got to see the answer to their prayers in the flesh. After church we went to lunch with Keith and Kim and Kim's parents, Tim and Nancy. After an enjoyable time together Everett left to take Kevin back to Bakersfield once again.

I finally got an answer as to why it is taking so long to get a second opinion on Kevin's eyes. Finding a neuro-ophthalmologist is not the problem but finding a neuro-ophthalmologist who will take Worker's Comp. Insurance is. I believe they have found an ophthalmologist (I'm not sure of his specialty) who has agreed to look at Kevin's records and then decide whether he will see him. Hopefully we will have better answers next Monday at our next scheduled family conference. We continue to ask for your prayers on this matter.

Love,
Tami

Monday, October 22, 2007

Hello Friends,

Just a quick update. Sarah went by herself this past weekend to visit Kevin and they had a good time together. Sarah will be going to visit her parents who live in Northern California the middle of this week. So, we will be bringing Kevin home to stay with us this weekend. Keith will pick him up Friday afternoon and Everett will take him back Sunday afternoon.

Kevin did have his ENG last week and has been diagnosed with Benign Paroxysmal Positioning Vertigo (BPPV). I have checked with mayoclinic.com for a description of BPPV. The organ of balance, located in your inner ear, is the vestibular labyrinth. It includes loop-shaped structures that contain fluid and fine, hair-like sensors that monitor the rotation of your head. These canals all attach to the utricle, which contains tiny granules or crystals of calcium carbonate. These particles are attached to sensors that help detect gravity and back-and-forth motion. BPPV occurs when the particles within the labyrinth loosen and float in the fluid. In certain positions they can irritate the nerve endings associated with balance, giving a false signal of movement and causing a brief sensation of spinning. BPPV most often is a result of aging but can also occur after a blow to the head. The signs and symptoms of BPPV can come and go, with episodes commonly lasting less than one minute. Episodes of BPPV can disappear for some time and then recur. Activities that bring about the signs and symptoms of BPPV can vary from person to person, but are almost always brought on by a change in the position of your head. Abnormal rhythmic eye movements (nystagmus) usually accompany BPPV.

We have seen nystagmus in Kevin's eye since the beginning of his injury and it has been a little disconcerting not knowing what this strange movement in his eye is, but are happy to find it is not a serious problem. There are exercises the doctor can give Kevin to alleviate the symptoms of BPPV. Again, we are grateful that this is not a serious condition.

I put in a call this morning to Kevin's case worker at the Centre to find out what's going on with his referral to a neuro-ophthalmologist and have not yet received a call back. Please keep this matter in your prayers.

Tami

Monday, October 15, 2007

Hello Friends,

Kevin was able to come home for the weekend and we had another good time together. All the kids came Saturday night for dinner, and the roast beef came out great. Kevin is looking better each time we see him. Everett took him back Sunday afternoon, and what would normally be a five-hour round trip took nearly eight because he had to take a 70-mile detour due to the Interstate 5 freeway closure.

Kevin's ENG test is scheduled for today. We would ask you to pray with us that if they do discover a problem it can be something easily fixed.

Sarah will be going to Bakersfield this weekend by herself. Please pray that she will be safe as she travels. The freeway should be reopened by then.

Will let you know when we get the test results back.

Love,
Tami

(p.s. Just wanted to make sure everyone saw the post below from last Thursday as Tami included photos! - Michelle)

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Hi,

Thought I would post some new pictures of the whole family on the Blog so you could see what the rest of us look like. These were all taken just last month. Of course Kevin and Sarah and Keith and Kim are real cute but Everett and I, well we won't go there.

I neglected to mention in the last Blog that Kevin will be coming home again this weekend. All the kids will be coming to our house Saturday night for a home cooked roast beef dinner. Hopefully I can remember how to cook.

Blessings to all of you,

Tami

Monday, October 8, 2007

Hello friends,

Sarah, Everett and I had a very nice weekend with Kevin and a good family conference. Kevin is doing really well. We are still waiting for them to find a neuro-ophthalmologist for him to see. His eyes are really giving him a lot of problems and causing him a lot of frustration. His recent MRI of the brain showed his brain is continuing to heal. We are hoping and praying that as it heals his eyesight will get better as well.

An ENG should be performed this week. An electronystagmogram (ENG) measures normal eye movement and involuntary rapid eye movements called nystagmus. It also checks the muscles that control eye movements. ENG checks how well the eyes, inner ears, and brain help you keep your balance and position (such as when you change from lying down to standing). ENG is done to help see whether there is damage or a problem in how the inner ear, brain, or nerves connecting them work. These problems may cause dizziness, vertigo or loss of balance. Please pray that if any problems are found that they can be corrected.

Kevin will also be starting vocational testing and/or training this week. It looks quite good that he will be able to return to work. It is too early yet to determine what kind of work that will be. We're not sure if he will be able to return to the job he had before. It seems to us that the biggest drawback to employment will be his eyesight. Keep praying that he will recover sufficient eyesight. As Kevin said, he isn't looking for 20/20 eyesight again, but enough to let him drive and be gainfully employed.

Kevin has "graduated" to the next level of independent living. He will be given a key to his apartment and mailbox. He will no longer need an aid following him wherever he goes. His only limitation is that someone will have to watch him climb up and down stairs because of his balance issues. Other than that he can wander around the apartment complex all by himself. He is looking forward to taking walks by himself without someone tailing after him.

We were excited to hear that it is very likely Kevin will be home for good by Christmas. We couldn't ask for a better present. Each week as we see Kevin improve we can see God's hand at work. There are so many clients at the Centre for Neuro Skills who are not making the rapid strides Kevin is. Those that we are more aware of who have been there for as long as or longer than Kevin don't seem to be making much progress at all. We have a mighty and awesome God who answers the prayers of his children. As I write this paragraph tears come to my eyes because I am so grateful to my heavenly Father who loves and hears our prayers and takes care of His children. Thank you all again for partnering with us in prayer.

Love,
Tami

Monday, October 1, 2007

Dear Friends,

We all (Sarah, Keith and Kim, Everett and I) had a nice weekend in Bakersfield with Kevin. Everett and I went up Friday evening, took him to dinner, the mall and then grocery shopping before we took him back to his apartment. Sarah, and Keith and Kim came up Saturday morning. After running a few errands we all headed off to the Kern County Fair. Got to see how they do it in the small towns. However, it was just about the right size for me. We were all ready to leave after just a couple of hours. After resting a couple hours at the hotel we headed for dinner at BJ's and then called it an evening.

After church Sunday morning we had lunch at John's Pizza. It's a cross between Chuck E. Cheese and Shakey's. They have a salad bar and pizza buffet with some of the most imaginative flavors of pizza, including peanut butter! We then headed to Dewar's, an ice cream parlor/candy store. After small sundaes we filled bags with homemade toffee to take home. At that point Keith and Kim and Everett and I said our goodbyes to Sarah and Kevin and headed home. Sarah is to return home today.

Kevin continues to make improvements. His eyesight still remains a huge concern. Even with new glasses he is having a hard time and he is getting really frustrated with this limitation. He has great difficulty seeing outside in the sunlight. A pair of prescription sunglasses has been ordered for him which he will hopefully get soon. He also seems to have problems seeing under fluorescent lighting for some reason.

Short term memory continues to improve and gaps in his long term memory continue to fill in. He is working hard on building up his strength and endurance. His feet and legs are still swelling but not quite as badly as before.

Sarah, Everett and I will be returning to Bakersfield again this Friday as this will be our next family conference. We are hoping to have some better answers about his eyesight and hope to have a better idea of when he might be expected to come home for good.

We continue to ask your prayers for Kevin's eyesight, his frustration about not being able to come home, for our strength and endurance and for all of us as we continue to trust God for whatever outcome lies ahead.

Love,
Tami

Monday, September 24, 2007

Hello Friends,

None of us, including Sarah, were able to go to Bakersfield this weekend due to prior commitments. This is the first weekend Kevin had to himself since arriving in Bakersfield. However, we are grateful to the men in Kevin's Sunday School class who took the time to go visit him Saturday and take him to lunch. It meant a lot to him and we are so thankful to each one of you.

We are still waiting for a second opinion on his eyes. His case worker is trying to find the best possible neuro-ophthalmologist in the area for him to see.

We continue to marvel how far along God has brought Kevin. We continue to trust Him for even further improvements in the weeks ahead. Thank you for your faithfulness to prayer in this long journey. I am greatly humbled and blessed as I receive forwarded emails or reports from friends whose friends are praying mighty prayers for Kevin and our family.

God bless you all,
Tami

Monday, September 17, 2007

Hello Friends,

I know everyone is wondering how our weekend with Kevin went. It went very well. Keith and Kim had no difficulties picking him up Friday night. They called us as they reached town at dinner time and said Kevin wanted to go to Mike's (his favorite place to eat). So we and Sarah met them there and it was no surprise when Kevin ordered the chicken fingers as was his usual custom. Had a nice visit, then he and Sarah headed home.

Late Saturday morning he and Sarah came by our house and our neighbor came over to visit with them as well. Kevin said being at home was just like Christmas because as he reacquainted himself with his belongings he kept "finding" things he didn't remember he owned. We had lunch together and Kevin and Sarah again headed home. That evening Sarah fixed him first home-cooked dinner in over four months. Sarah said Kevin was able to do a few of the household fix-it jobs for her such as hanging pictures, etc., and I know she was glad to have these things done.

Kevin and Sarah went to their church Sunday morning and Kevin was asked by his Sunday School class to share his experience. I believe that all went well even though Kevin was a bit nervous about doing it.

Everett and I, along with Keith and Kim and Uncle Mack and Aunt Kitty met them for lunch at Red Robin. Had a nice visit but all too soon it became time to leave. We transferred Kevin's stuff to Everett's car and the two of them headed back to Bakersfield with a quick stop to see Grandma Ozzie who couldn't join us for lunch because of a sprained ankle. Once back in Bakersfield Everett took Kevin to do his weekly grocery shopping and then took him back to his apartment.

We continue to be blessed by the amazing progress Kevin is making. I know I still ponder what God's plan for all of this is but I know in the end it will bring glory to His name. As I hear from different family and friends who tell me of their family and friends who read the Blog and how it has blessed them, I feel encouraged and thankful to all the nameless people who are praying for our family.

God's blessings on your day,
Tami

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Hi Friends,

Just a quick update. Kevin was moved to a new apartment on Monday. The apartment complex he is now in is a step up as he has a little more independence there as he now requires less supervision. It is a two-client apartment and it is upstairs. He has his own bedroom, which is a bit smaller, but has his own bathroom. The bathroom is a regular bathroom that is not handicap equipped. One drawback is that he has to go a couple doors down to do laundry as the washer and dryer are not in the apartment as before.

We are looking forward to his coming home for the weekend, and we are hoping it will trigger many more memories.

For those who wish to send cards, there is a change in his apartment number. His address is:

Kevin Hollar
2500 Gosford Road, Apt. 624
Bakersfield, CA 93309

Love,
Tami

Monday, September 10, 2007

Dear Friends,

Just a quick update today. Sarah spent the weekend alone with Kevin and they had a nice time together. They, too, had a difficult time finding something new to do but Sarah said they did find another cute ice cream parlor/candy store.

We are looking forward to next weekend as Kevin will be able to come and spend the weekend at home. Keith and Kim plan to pick him up Friday afternoon and Everett will take him back Sunday afternoon. This will be Kevin's first time home in over four months and we are hoping that familiar surroundings will prompt even more memories.

I spoke to Kevin last evening and he was feeling a bit down and discouraged. I would ask that you pray that God would encourage his heart and that Kevin would not get discouraged with this long road to recovery and the difficulties of being separated from his family and home.

Thank you all,
Tami

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Dear Friends,

We had another good weekend with Kevin even though it was very hot. Saturday we visited the California Living Museum until it got too hot to be outdoors. This museum is of animal and plant life all indigenous to California. To cool off, we had lunch at Rosemary's, an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. The Butterfinger ice cream pie was well worth all the calories.

Friday was our Family Conference. We had a very good report as Kevin is making positive strides. His case manager at the Clinic said Kevin was her most improved client for the month of August. I thought we should have received a bumper sticker that reads "My Son is Client of the Month". Anyway, Kevin is no longer using a cane, has been taken off of blood pressure medication as well as Ritalin which they were using to help keep him focused. We discussed his seeing a neuro-ophthalmologist for a second opinion. They agreed, and we are waiting to see if his insurance will cover it. The Centre suggested that he be sent to the Jules Stein Eye Center at UCLA. Please pray that all of this will work out, and please continue praying with us as we keep praying for a God-given miracle of restored vision. Kevin is still having problems with short and long-term memory but they are continuing to improve as well.

We were excited that the Centre allowed us to take Kevin out for the whole weekend...we didn't have to take him back to the apartment at night. They said that probably in a couple of weeks we could even bring him home for the weekend. We are trying to work out our schedules, as well as getting permission from the Centre, to see if we could bring him home the weekend of Sept. 15. However, Kevin half jokingly said if we brought him home he wouldn't go back to the Centre. We aren't really concerned but it may be a bit difficult to convince him to return.

Kevin loves all the mail he receives and we thank everyone who has sent him cards and notes. I will give his address again for those who may have missed it:

Kevin Hollar
2500 Gosford Road. Apt. 212
Bakersfield, CA 93309

God's Blessing to All of You,
Tami

p.s.
Thought I would report something exciting that happened last evening. As you may recall I had mentioned in an earlier blog that Kevin had no recollection of his previous job as an industrial plumber's apprentice. Last night Kevin called us to report that he had been pretty much bored last night with nothing to do so he was playing with his cell phone which we had returned to him a few weeks ago. He was looking at pictures he had stored on it when he saw a picture of a hole he had dug at the last job site where he was injured. This triggered something and he remembered all about his last job, his supervisor, Moses; and other people he worked with. This is very exciting! We praise God for all of this. He of course does not remember the accident, but this is to be expected. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Tami

Monday, August 27, 2007

Dear Friends,

Not much new to report. Kevin and Sarah had a nice relaxing weekend without the "old folks" around. They talked about a great old-fashioned ice cream parlor they found and said we will have to go with them next time. I'm really looking forward to it after they told me about the Butterfinger ice cream pie.

I did talk to Kevin's case worker last week about getting a second opinion from an ophthalmologist about Kevin's eyes. She completely agreed and is working on getting authorization.

Everett, Sarah and I will be going to Bakersfield this Friday as Kevin's next family conference is then. I'll be able to give a better report on his progress after that.

Love,
Tami

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

"Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." Psalm 55:22

We got the report from Kevin's neuro-optometrist, Dr. Suter, yesterday and it wasn't what we were hoping for. The doctor does not hold out much hope for his right eye as the muscle in the optic nerve has atrophied. There is a possibility that with exercise he may gain some peripheral vision in it. The report on the left eye is more promising. The doctor feels that with exercise he should gain more of his eyesight there. Reading glasses have been prescribed for him as well as glasses to wear when he is outdoors to protect the right eye. Sarah asked about the possibility of him driving and that is still another unknown at the moment. It will depend on how much his left eye recovers and whether he gains peripheral vision in the right.

About a week ago God gave me the verse I wrote above, a verse which I have been going back to many times since. I now believe it was to prepare me for this report. I don't know of any parent who wouldn't be upset when they get this kind of news about their child, and trust me, I have shed more than a few tears. But I do know God keeps His promises. I don't know why He has allowed this to happen in Kevin's life but I have to trust Him to bring about His perfect purpose. I also know if I didn't have my trust in the LORD God Almighty I would, at this moment, be shaken to the very core of my being. And, I also believe in a God of miracles. Will He perform one on Kevin's eyesight? Only time will tell, but in the meantime, my hope and faith is secure in the Lord that whatever the future holds He will never allow us to be shaken.

Please continue to pray for Kevin's healing, and if it is God's will, that He will perform a miracle to completely restore Kevin's sight. We are praising and thanking God for the wonderful progress Kevin has made so far.

Love,
Tami

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Dear Friends,

A quick update to say not a whole lot new to report. Everett and Kevin had a nice father/son weekend. I had found that there was a hotrod and car display going on at the Kern County Museum. They wandered around it Saturday morning until it got too hot to be outdoors. They then went over to Guitar City and Everett bought Kevin an inexpensive acoustical guitar hoping it would spark a cord (sorry for the pun) in him. That evening at the apartment Kevin was able to get it tuned after about 30 minutes and was able to find a couple of cords. Hopefully this will give him something enjoyable to do in the evenings as he tries to remember how to play it. This should also be good cognitive therapy.

They went to church Sunday morning with our friends Wayne and Connie who again graciously had them over for a wonderful lunch. Thanks Wayne and Connie!

Kevin's appointment with the neuro-optometrist is today. We are still praying he will have a favorable report that his eyesight will recover on its own or that there is some kind of treatment to help it.

Please remember Sarah in prayer this weekend as she will be traveling alone to visit Kevin. Pray for her safety and that this will be a special time for her and Kevin.

I also want to thank everyone who sent us suggestions of things to do in Bakersfield. We really appreciate it.

My love and thanks to all,
Tami

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Dear Friends,

We had another good weekend visit with Kevin. However, Bakersfield is a tough town to find something entertaining to do other than wander around the mall. Also, with Kevin's limited eyesight, trying to keep focused on all that is going on around him fatigues his eyesight even more. If anyone knows anything about Bakersfield and has any suggestions for things to do there, please let us know as the mall is getting old real fast.

There is not a whole lot new to report as not much has changed since last week. Kevin is scheduled to have his checkup with the neuro-optometrist next Tuesday, August 21. We are still praying for a favorable report that his eyesight will improve on its own or that there will be something that can be done to help correct it. Kevin has also been experiencing swelling in his feet and legs ever since he became mobile and is having to wear uncomfortable compression stockings. Hopefully this condition will improve soon, too.

Everett will be the only one going to visit Kevin this coming weekend as Sarah and I really need a break. Sarah will be going by herself the weekend of the 25th to give Everett a break. I, along with the input of my doctors, have come to the conclusion that I cannot keep up the pace of weekly visits as it is wreaking havoc on my fibromyalgia and other physical problems. I will try and go approximately every other weekend. We will all go the weekend of the 31st as this will be Kevin's next family conference. Please continue to pray for the health and stamina of Sarah, Keith and Kim, and Everett and myself as we try to keep up with this hectic pace. Working, packing and unpacking every weekend, and trying to do our normal weekend stuff during the week is taking a toll on everyone.

Kevin is having a difficult time wrapping his mind around the idea that he may need to spend several months at the Centre. He wants to come home, which is understandable. He has it in his mind that other than his eyesight, he has no problems so there is no real need for him to be there. This, of course, is the brain injury talking. He feels all the therapy is a stupid and boring waste of time. We have gently tried to tell him the areas he is still having difficulties in but it just doesn't quite register. I dare say, though, that most of us would be having a difficult time adjusting to the life he is having to live. Kevin feels he is a prisoner (and in some respects he is) as he has no freedom to go where he wants to go or do what he wants to do when he wants to do it and he is followed everywhere he goes. Please pray he can adjust to all this. He really enjoys our weekend visits as this is the only time he can spend away from the Centre or the apartments, and he really doesn't care what we do or where we go.

Blessings to all,
Tami

Monday, August 6, 2007

Dear Friends,

We had a nice weekend visit with Kevin. He has made a good deal of progress in the two weeks he has been at CNS. He is now using a cane which is helping a little with his instability. He has had no aggressive tendencies or foul language since the second day he arrived. Praise the Lord!

We had a good family conference Friday afternoon. Kevin's eye problem is still a major issue. He has not yet had an appointment with the Neuro-optometrist, but we are hopeful that will happen this week. We also expect that his stomach tube will be removed this week as he is eating very well. The doctor was wanting signed approval from the family before it was removed as well. I know Kevin will be glad once it's gone as it has become quite a nuisance for him.

As we expected, he is pretty physically weak after eleven weeks in bed. His physical therapist is working with him on strength and endurance as well as balance. Kevin is also working with speech, cognitive, and education rehabilitation. His memory is fair and he is regaining short-term memory. He can no longer remember his last job as an industrial plumbing apprentice which he had begun in February. He can, however, remember his brother's wedding which took place in March, but he thinks it was over a year ago. It's funny how he can remember bits and pieces but can't quite put the pieces together in the proper time frame. We will have our next family conference at the end of the month where we hope to have an even better report.

Friday evening we took him out to dinner at Johnny Rockets, a '50's style diner, where Kevin really enjoyed his hamburger. After wandering around for awhile we took him back to his apartment and visited with him there.

Saturday morning we picked him up just before lunch time as we had to wait until he had gone grocery shopping and finished his morning chores. We went to a local mall and had lunch at the food court. Kevin was happy to be out and about as he seems to get bored sitting at the apartment every evening. After wandering around the mall a little we went back to our hotel to rest a bit but that didn't last long as Kevin was ready to be out and about. Kevin talked almost non-stop the whole time, repeating himself over and over again as he just doesn't remember what he has already said. It was great to hear him initiate conversation on his own, though. He is frustrated with his memory gaps. He says he will sit at night trying to put everything together in his mind but he still can't get the pieces to fit. He feels like he is in a time warp and not living in a real world.

Kevin said he wished he had a Bible he could read as the one Sarah had brought from home was too small to see. I had put together a folder with quite a few verses I had printed out in large print on the computer which he said he had already read a few times. So, we stopped at a Wal-Mart hoping to find Kevin a large print Bible but one of the clerks said they didn't have any but gave us directions to the local Berean Christian Book Store where we were able to find him a giant print Bible. He was pleased with that. After eating dinner at Red Robin, one of Kevin's favorite places, we took him back to his apartment and visited with him and the family of the other client in his apartment.

Sunday morning we picked him up and headed to the church of some dear friends, Wayne and Connie. Wayne and Connie are the parents of a former pastor of ours. After morning worship service Wayne and Connie graciously invited us to their home for lunch where we enjoyed fried chicken with all the trimmings. After a nice visit we returned Kevin to the apartment and we then headed home.

We will visit Kevin again next weekend and this time Keith and Kim will be able to join us.

I will most likely be updating the blog only once a week unless something of urgency comes to our attention between our visits. I know I have thanked you many times, but thank you once again for your continued prayers. God is wonderfully and graciously answering them.

Love,
Tami

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Dear Friends,

Just a quick note as I have much to do before we leave tomorrow morning for Bakersfield. We have our first family conference at CNS (Centre for Neuro Skills) tomorrow afternoon. We are hoping at that meeting to have a lot of our questions answered after their two week evaluation of Kevin. We hope to better understand his condition, what they can do to help, can his eyesight be corrected, how long we might expect him to have to stay at CNS, etc., etc., etc.

It has been difficult not being able to see Kevin for a week but we have talked to him several times. He seems to be doing pretty well. They took him grocery shopping last Saturday and took him to church on Sunday. [Note to Wayne & Connie: If all goes well we hope to be at church with you all this Sunday.] We talked to Kevin one evening and they were supposed to be going to the movies but he had an upset stomach and I'm not sure if he did go. He still has the feeding tube, which I still hope they will be able to remove soon.

Please keep us in your prayers as we will be spending so much time on the road in the future. Pray for all those who are working with Kevin to have special insight on how to care for him and that we can be a good witness to all those we have contact with. And, of course, keep praying for a great healing for Kevin.

God Bless You All,
Tami

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Dear Friends,

This has been an intense week but has ended on a positive note. It was an extremely difficult Monday morning as we tried to get Kevin ready for his trip to Bakersfield. He had been in a good frame of mind earlier that morning but as we began preparations to get him dressed to go, his frame of mind dramatically changed. I won't go into the gory details, but it took us nearly two hours to get him dressed and out to the van. Sarah and I were a bit dismayed when we discovered it was two young ladies who would be transporting him instead of sturdy men, but they took it all in stride as they had handled this sort of situation many times. The one lady had to literally hold Kevin down for the first hour and a half of the trip to keep him from unbuckling his seat belt as he tried to escape. Poor Sarah sat in front completely helpless as the drama was going on behind her. In her own words, "It was a very traumatic trip".

Kevin was initially taken to the clinic (I'm not really sure what happened there) but shortly thereafter was taken to his apartment. Everett and I arrived shortly after that. Kevin was still in a bad frame of mind and was, understandably, very upset about everything that had transpired and was not about to cooperate with anything. The rest of the evening continued on pretty much the same note.

Tuesday morning we arrived at the clinic at 9:00 am as this was when Kevin was supposed to arrive, but he had had a difficult morning and so was an hour late arriving. We were allowed to follow him around all day as he went to a different therapy each hour. The day was emotionally exhausting. I don't want to go into the details of it but we were very much impressed with how professional and caring the staff was as they worked with Kevin. After six hours of this, which included an hour lunch break, he was taken back to his apartment where his difficult behavior continued.

During our day on Tuesday we were able to meet with Joe, Kevin's counselor. We were delighted to find that Joe is a Christian with beliefs in line with ours. He is not normally able to give Biblical counsel to the clients (Kevin is regarded as a client, not a patient) unless it is okay with the family and/or client. We were, of course, okay with it. We felt Joe was going to be very good for Kevin.

Wednesday morning we arrived at the Centre a little late and found that Kevin was having his first session with Joe. Joe met with Kevin one-on-one the first hour and then we were called in to be with them the second hour. We were completely amazed at the transformation as we came in and saw Kevin calmly sitting there able to communicate reasonably well. Joe held no punches as he explained to Kevin what had happened to him and what was expected of him before he could leave the Centre. We were also given vivid mental pictures that gave us only a little taste of a taste of what Kevin was going to have to deal with. I dare say most of us could not handle what he will have to put up with. He is basically a prisoner having to do exactly what his therapists, aids, and doctors, etc., tell him to do and do it with complete compliance 24 hours a day. Because of his unstable balance, he has to have an aid or therapist within an arm's length at all times and this includes shower time. He has practically no privacy. Hopefully this invasion of his privacy will lessen as his balance improves. Also, he was measured for a cane to aid him which he should receive by Monday. We still believe his imbalance is due to his eyesight. It is more and more clear that he is pretty much blind in the right eye and there is possibly deficiency in the left eye. They will get him to a neuro eye specialist asap to try and determine the cause of the eye damage as to whether it is related to nerve, muscle, or other damage and see if it can be fixed in some way. Please keep this matter in your prayers.

The rest of the day went very smoothly as Kevin complied with all his therapists. He even had us and the therapists laughing as he kept making jokes about what was going on. It was so good to see a bit of the old Kevin popping through. That afternoon and evening his better attitude and demeanor continued at the apartment. His aid fixed his dinner and he thanked her over and over for preparing it for him. He even helped with the trash. We had a nice visit with him that evening.

Thursday continued along very well, too. We stayed with him through lunch and then had to get back on the road. We have talked to him a couple times on the phone since we left and all seems to be going well. He went on an ice cream social with the other clients in his apartment Friday evening and this morning they took him grocery shopping.

Friday he was moved to a different apartment as the other client in his first apartment has some violent tendencies and needs to be by himself. Kevin didn't seem to mind the move and is now in an apartment with two other clients who are in about the same condition as himself. Hopefully this will give him some opportunity to socialize.

We will return the the Centre next Friday and spend the weekend. On Friday we will have our first scheduled family conference where we hope to have more conclusive input on Kevin's condition, what kind of personalized rehabilitation they have planned for him, what kind of prognosis we might expect, and how long he might have to be there.

For those of you who would like to send a card or note of encouragement to Kevin, you can do so by sending it to:

Kevin Hollar
2500 Gosford Road, Apt. 212
Bakersfield, CA 93309

I have gone through the loss of my mother due to brain cancer and Everett has gone through the loss of both parents and a sister but the pain of those losses don't come close to the pain we are going through as we watch our son endure this horrific injury. People often ask us how we are doing but there are just no words to describe the pain in our hearts. We are holding up by the grace of God as well as to the grace of God. Please keep us all in your prayers.

Love,
Tami

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Karin did confirm with Tami that Kevin made it safely to Bakersfield on Monday. Your continued prayers for Kevin & his family are appreciated as he adjusts to his new surroundings there.

Thank you,
Michelle

Friday, July 20, 2007

Dear Friends,

We're off to Bakersfield! Kevin is scheduled to be picked up Monday morning at 11:00 am. Sarah will even be able to ride along with him in the van. Everett and I will follow later as Everett has to work half a day on Monday. We plan to return home on Thursday and then will probably be visiting only on the weekends. After seeing him every day for the past 11 weeks, this will be a difficult adjustment. However, we are very excited but also a bit pensive. We all see this as a very positive step forward for Kevin to get all the help he can possibly get.

You will probably not hear from me in the next couple of days as we have much to do to get ready for the big move and I probably won't be in touch until we return home next week. If something really important comes up I'll call Karin to send an update. So in the meantime please keep Kevin and us in your prayers that all will go well. Please pray Kevin will be calm during the drive to Bakersfield and as we get him readjusted in his new surroundings. Pray for us as we meet with therapists, case workers, etc., as we try to give them a glimpse of the real Kevin. Of course our greatest desire is that God will perform a miracle and bring Kevin back to us completely whole.

Thank you for your prayers,
Tami

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Dear Friends,

As I said yesterday, we have good days and then we have bad days. Today has been a bit difficult. Kevin is having another confused and uncooperative day, but this is to be expected. Another wrinkle is that he has developed a urinary tract infection which could very well delay his transfer to Bakersfield. A rep from the Centre is supposed to come tomorrow morning to reevaluate him but one of their criteria is that he be infection free. So, we will just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings. I'll keep you posted.

Tami

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Dear Friends,

Today is a very good day. Thank God for the very good days that give us a reprieve from the very bad days and once again give us hope as we see that our Kevin is still there.

I arrived at the hospital at 9:30 this morning and found physical and occupational therapy walking Kevin back to his room. They informed me they had just had a very good hour with him. He had been very cooperative as they spent much time working on his balance issues. Kevin's usually very tired after morning therapy and usually falls asleep shortly thereafter. However, this morning this didn't happen. He remained awake and alert. I was able to spend time talking with him and he was receptive to me reading from the Bible as well. This was really a big deal because for the last two weeks he has become very agitated and angry if I tried to read to him. I read the Book of James and both I and II Peter to him stopping along the way to ask him what he thought of certain verses I felt pertained to his predicament. After I read I Peter 1:6,7 which says, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed", I asked him what that meant to him. He replied, "Everything is going to be okay". I continued reading and asking him questions and I could see he was very much trusting God to bring him through.

The speech therapist came in later in the morning and once again talked to him about eating because he has had absolutely no desire to eat. (Yesterday we were able to get him to eat about half a cup of ice cream. He didn't want to eat any but later the physical therapist was able to "trick" him into it. He told Kevin he wanted him to taste something I had brought him and then tell him what it was. Kevin obliged and had a bite and was able to recognize it as mint chocolate chip which is his favorite. After I fed him a few bites I handed the spoon over to him and he fed himself almost the whole dish. This was quite an accomplishment.) But back to this morning...The speech therapist told him they were going to bring him a lunch tray and asked whether he would like a hamburger or patty melt. He finally agreed to try a patty melt and fries. So about noon a tray was brought in with an awful looking patty melt and fries. I pulled it in front of Kevin and after his first bite he said it was terrible. He tried a couple more bites and then tried a couple fries which he didn't like either. The fries looked pretty good so I tried one but had to agree they were terrible. They had also given him a coke, but after a couple swallows said he preferred to have water. I had baked his favorite peanut butter cookies a few days before which I had been unsuccessful in getting him to eat. I handed him half a cookie which he did eat but wouldn't eat any more. So, in the future we will probably be bringing him in meals from the outside as it is true that hospital food is awful, and hopefully we can tempt him into eating again bringing us closer to having the stomach tube removed.

The speech therapist also gave him some other tasks to perform which he did very well. In the past she had been unsuccessful getting him to write. Today he signed his name, was able to print the whole alphabet without prompting, write his address and a few other things. This was great to see he had not lost the ability to write.

We are still waiting to hear from the Centre For Neuro Skills as to when they will be sending someone to reevaluate him. I talked to Peggy, Kevin's case worker, yesterday who contacted the director of the Centre who is supposed to contact Kindred to set this all up. As of this morning Kindred had not heard from him. Both the physical and occupational therapists told me this morning that they believe Kevin is ready to go. We hope that tomorrow at our weekly family conference we will find that all of this has been set in motion.

With regard to Peggy, we still need your prayers. There had been some miscommunication as Peggy thought the insurance carrier was the one keeping her from staying on Kevin's case. It seems it is Peggy's boss that makes that decision. However, Peggy's boss is on vacation until Thursday and Peggy leaves for vacation on Friday. Peggy doesn't think there will be a problem with her boss and is planning to email her about the situation. So please keep praying we can keep Peggy on the case.

We also need prayer with regard to Sarah's work. Sarah's boss broke her ankle over the weekend and will be out all week and possibly more. This is giving Sarah more responsibility and she is unable to take her normal breaks and sometimes her lunch hour as there is no one to cover the office so she is not able to visit Kevin as much as she would like. Then the one student worker they have informed them today that she is quitting. Sarah said they will be hiring a temp but there is no one to train them. This is all happening at a very bad time as we anticipate Kevin moving to Bakersfield very soon and we all plan to go and spend the first several days with him. We know God can work all this out and ask you to join us in prayer about.

I went back to the hospital this afternoon to find Kevin sleeping, but I was informed he had had another good therapy session. Yeah!!!

Much is happening and much is yet to happen. Thank you for hanging in there with us with your love, encouragement and prayers.

Tami

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Dear Friends,

It is hard to believe it has now been almost ten weeks since Kevin's accident. At times it feels like ten months. As I look back at all we have been through, I know it is your constant prayers that are keeping us on our feet and sane; well, almost sane. This has been a week of many emotional ups and downs. Traumatic brain injury is such a terrible and complex thing.

I will try and describe in more detail what we typically go through so that you might get a glimpse of the physical, emotional, and spiritual upheaval we go through and possibly understand why it is so difficult and exhausting for us to talk about this and why we so desperately need your prayers.

Kevin's mood can change in the flash of an eye. At times he is a bit of his normal self, is calm, cooperative, able to recognize us and answer questions. The next moment he can become extremely agitated with screaming, yelling, crying, throwing punches, being uncooperative, cursing (yes, cursing is a normal thing associated with brain injury), and not able to recognize us. At other times deep depression sets in as he catches glimpses of his situation. Any of these episodes can lasts minutes, hours, or days, and Kevin has no control over any of it. However, all of this is a good thing in a way because this is a normal pattern of recovery. All we can do is to over and over again explain to him what has happened as he can hardly remember one moment to the next. We have to constantly remind him what happened to him, where he is, and reassure him that he is making progress and that it will take time for him to heal.

Kevin has made further progress toward being moved to Bakersfield. The last thing that needed to happen was to have his catheter removed and that was accomplished last evening. We will be making a call to his case worker, Peggy, on Monday to see if we can get someone from the Centre for Neuro Skills to come out and reevaluate him and possibly get him moved by the end of next week.

We would like your prayers with regards to Peggy. The insurance carrier has told Peggy that once Kevin is moved to Bakersfield they will be assigning another case worker to Kevin. Peggy was as surprised as we were to hear this as it is customary for a case worker to follow the patient all the way through rehab. None of us want another case worker nor can we imagine anyone better than Peggy. She doesn't see Kevin as just a job she has to do. She sees and treats Kevin and all of us with genuine compassion, dignity, and respect and keeps Kevin's needs at the forefront. We trust her and very much need this one constant in all the chaos.

Kevin's eye problems are becoming more and more apparent and are extremely disconcerting to him. To the best we can tell, it seems he has almost no vision in his right eye. One of the fractures was at his right eye. We are still hoping and praying that as the brain heals his vision will improve. The Centre for Neuro Skills will be able to assess and treat this problem more effectively.

As we continue our journey through this difficult dessert, we are still trusting God to perform a miracle and restore Kevin to us completely. But whatever happens, God will hold us and sustain us in His mighty arms and help us with whatever lies ahead. As I have told Kevin over and over again, "He will never leave you or forsake you".

To God Be The Glory,
Tami

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Dear Friends,

The past several days have been quite challenging. As we were told in the early stages of Kevin's recovery he would have good days, bad days, and very bad days. How true this is. The past several days have been some of those very bad days, but today is a good day. It is very difficult to describe the very bad days, mostly because it is just too personal for the family to report to you the turmoil, stress and exhaustion we go through with the challenges of Kevin's recovery.

Today Kevin was in a good frame of mind when I came to the hospital this morning. He had been having a good conversation with Sarah who had taken the day off. Physical therapy came in just after my arrival and began their procedure of getting him dressed and ready to participate. Kevin was able to assist getting himself dressed as this was the first day they dressed him fully (no hospital gown). He was calm all the way through the hour of his "workout". This was a first as he usually becomes extremely agitated during his therapy sessions.

We knew from the beginning that Kevin may have some visual impairments which have become more and more apparent to us as we observe him. Last evening and this morning was really the first time Kevin verbalized that he was having trouble seeing and that everything was blurry. We believe this may be part of the problem causing him trouble getting and keeping his balance. He was checked by a rehab doctor this morning who believes that as the brain heals his eye sight will normalize. We ask your prayers that he will have no permanent eye impairments.

This morning we had our weekly conference with the staff at Kindred. All in all, Kevin is making good progress. He has no infections going on and the fluid around his lung is beginning to resolve on its own. They are slowly trying to get him to eat. He has managed applesauce, ice cream, milk and crackers. He still has trouble swallowing which can cause him to choke or aspirate so they have to proceed very cautiously. We are hoping and praying that will Kevin keep clear of infection and keep making forward strides so that by this time next week he could possibly be moved to Centre for Neuro Skills in Bakersfield.

We have posted a photo of Kevin and Sarah that was taken March 2, 2007, at the wedding rehearsal of his brother, Keith. We thought you would enjoy putting a face to your prayers.

Love,
Tami

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Dear Friends,

Sarah, Everett and I were much impressed as we visited the Centre for Neuro Skills in Bakersfield yesterday. It is a very intense program. The Centre owns several apartment complexes which are about 10 miles from the Centre itself. The apartments are where Kevin will be living with possibly one or two other patients. The program simulates regular life preparing him to return home and hopefully back to work. Each morning Kevin will have to arise at a regular time, bathe and prepare his own breakfast. During the week he will have to help clean the apartmentand do his own laundry. At the present time, of course, he will need assistance with each of these tasks until he can do them on his own.

Kevin will have a therapist or aid with him 24/7. A van will pick him up each morning to take him to the Centre where he will then spend several hours in therapy of every sort. Unlike Kindred, they will make him participate whether he wants to or not. However, they will use tactics that will make it seem like it is Kevin's idea. They have therapies that will address physical, cognitive, sight, speech, behavioral, and a host of other issues.

At the end of the day the van will drive him home where he will have to prepare his dinner and finish the day's assigned homework. An aid will also take him to church each Sunday. On weekends, when we are most likely to visit, we can take him out to dinner, a movie, or whatever. We can have an aid accompany us to help if we need it.

To relearn budgeting, each week Kevin will be given an allowance to spend as he sees fit. We noticed a Home Depot across the street from the Centre and figure a lot of his money will go there. He can choose from fast food restaurants, movies, etc. Kevin will have to plan his own meals and each week he will also be given a set amount of money to purchase his groceries and once a week he will be taken to the grocery store. Kevin will have his own mailing address and each day will have to check it. He will receive fake bills for utilities, etc., which he will have to pay.

We expect Kevin to be ready to be transferred within the next two weeks. He has to be free of any infection or other medical problem as well as be able to handle a minimum of three hours of therapy per day. We ask that you pray he can reach these goals quickly.

Love,
Tami

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Dear Friends,

Please forgive me as I know it has been several days since I have made an update, but after spending hours each day at the hospital and trying to do the bare minimum at home, I don't have much energy to sit at the computer. As today is the fourth of July, I plan to take a little break from the hospital and let Everett take over. And, Sarah is also off for the next several days so she will be able to spend more time there as well. I will go over sometime this afternoon.

We are thankful that the culture from the fluid drained from Kevin's lung on Friday came back normal.

Physical, occupational, and speech therapy is coming along. I arrived yesterday morning to find Kevin fully engaged in all three therapies. They had him sitting in a wheelchair, pedaling bike pedals while seated in the wheelchair. He did arm and leg exercises and they had him standing and walking using a very tall walker. He was shown flash cards of familiar items which he was about 90% accurate in identifying. Speech therapy was also able to get him to eat a cup of applesauce. This is to try and get him ready to eat solid food again and get him off of the feeding tube. It is necessary to make sure he is fully capable of swallowing. They are hopeful that by the end of the week he will be able to eat a full meal. Yesterday's therapy was the longest session yet. He was up for almost three hours.

All of this may seem very mundane and easy to accomplish. But, it is extremely difficult when you have a patient who cannot fully comprehend what has happened to him and why people are making him do things he doesn't want to do or understand. After eight weeks of lying in bed, Kevin is very weak, has probably lost around 25 pounds and has lost almost all muscle tone making exercise quite exhausting and painful. He cries in pain and frustration at a situation he cannot understand, and as a mother it breaks my heart to watch. I just want to just kiss the "Boo Boo" and make it go away, but I, too, can only watch in pain and frustration.

Kevin has had a few visitors but only relatives and very close friends. Uncle Mack, Aunt Kitty, and Grandma Ozzie enjoyed time with him. Ken Wood, who performed Kevin and Sarah's wedding ceremony, and his wife, Michelle, visited Sunday. Kevin's good buddy, Kevin Dalafu has visited several times. It is encouraging to see him recognize each one. He has also had visits from Kevin and Sarah's pastor as well as our pastor. We know many others would like to visit, but we ask that you contact Sarah, Everett or I before you do. At this time, we really believe visitors should only be those Kevin would readily recognize. We thank you for your understanding in this matter.

This past Sunday before going to our own church services, Sarah, Everett and I visited Kevin and had our own worship service with him. We prayed, read Psalms to him and sang some worship songs. What was so thrilling was to see Kevin, who doesn't sing, actually remember the words to the songs and join me in singing them. That afternoon when Ken and Michelle were visiting, Ken asked him who Jesus was and he replied, "my Savior". For me, this is the greatest blessing that Kevin has not forgotten who Jesus is and that he is still trusting him.

We want to thank everyone who has sent him cards. We read each one to him and they help to jog his memory. He is still overwhelmed that so many people care about him. I should add we have even had him read some himself. Yes, thankfully, he can still remember how to read.

As stated in an earlier blog, Sarah, Everett and I are going to visit the Centre for Neuro Skills in Bakersfield on Friday. We really need yours prayers that we will feel confident having him somewhere so far from home. Sarah and I are already feeling separation anxiety as we anticipate the next step. We know God can give us full peace about it.

Blessings to all,
Tami

---------------------------------

It's 12:30 pm. I just received a call from Everett. The respiratory doctor was in to see them and said the fluid around Kevin's lung has returned. He does not want to have to put in a chest drainage tube as this will immobilize Kevin too much. He plans to watch it for the next couple of days as Kevin will then be off of antibiotics. If the fluid does not go away by itself (which it could as Kevin is up moving around more) in the next few days they may have to put in the chest tube and take another culture it to see if there is infection. We would of course like your prayers that the fluid will go away on its own and that there is no infection.
Tami

Saturday, June 30, 2007

Yesterday was a bit of a rough day. As I reported earlier, the doctors thought Kevin had pneumonia. However, it turns out he had fluid around his right lung. Last evening they drained more than two pints of liquid from that lung and they are sending a sample out for a culture to see if there is infection going on. It was a tough procedure because Kevin was awake for it and had to sit up long enough and be still for it to be done. Sarah, Everett, and I held him and talked him through it.

Kevin is still in a very confused state. He still can't quite grasp what is going on, why he's in the hospital, why doctors and nurses are making him do things he doesn't want to do or understand, etc. We just keep encouraging him and explaining everything is for his benefit.

Next Friday, Sarah, Everett and I plan to take a field trip out to Centre for Neuro Skills in Bakersfield and check it out more closely as we believe Kevin will be ready to be transferred in the next couple of weeks. This is still very unsettling for us as he will be so far from home and we will probably only be able to visit him on the weekends.

So please keep us all in your prayers: Kevin for healing, and the rest of us as we make decisions about his future care and for our continued endurance.

Love,
Tami

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Kevin is really starting to wake up. He is even having little conversations with the family now! It would be a real encouragement if you would send him cards. Tami has been naming names to him and he is overwhelmed at how many people are praying for him. Let him know that you are praying! Please, still hold off on visits. We'll let you know when he is ready.

Joyfully Yours,
Karin

(See below for address)

-------------------------

Dear friends,

This morning was even more encouraging as Kevin was able to actually communicate in more sentences and not just single words. He was also able to sit in a chair for about an hour. I talked to him quite awhile. He is still very confused and upset about what has happened to him and doesn't understand fully what is going on. I told him how people all across the country were praying for him and he couldn't understand why so many people cared about him. I told him he had lots of friends and we all love him and want him better.

Many times when I have visited Kevin I sit and read the Bible to him and have never been sure if he heard me. Today I asked him if he would like me to read the Bible to him, to which he replied, "It gives me comfort". It almost brought tears to my eyes.

I thought some of you my like to send him a note or card to cheer him up. You can write to him at:

Kevin Hollar
c/o Kindred Hospital
Room 613
14900 E. Imperial Highway
La Mirada, CA 90638

I returned to the hospital just after lunch to find Sarah leaving to return to work. She was so excited because Kevin actually carried on a conversation with her. With tomorrow being their fourth wedding anniversary, I know she couldn't have received a better gift.

I know I have thanked you all many times, but I must express it again: THANK YOU for your prayers. God is doing a mighty work and we are confident he will return Kevin to us whole.

Tami

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Dear Friends,

After our meeting with the staff at Kindred this morning we are feeling a lot better about Kevin's care and will be leaving him there, hopefully until he is strong enough to be moved to Bakersfield. Kindred is in a great location for Sarah as it is right next door to where she works. She is able to see him before work, during breaks, at lunch time, and before she goes home. Sarah returned to part-time work last week; I don't know when she plans to return to full-time. Kindred is less than five minutes from our home, so it works great for us as well.

Kevin made a huge turnaround today. This morning physical therapy had him up (assisted) on his feet and he was able to take a couple steps, recognizing his left from right foot. He was able to follow simple commands and was able to repeat numbers and the alphabet back to the occupational therapist. It took him awhile to figure out who Sarah was. He was finally able to say "wife" and after a few tries was able to come up with her name. It also took him awhile to figure out I wasn't "wife" and finally said "mom". We think some of the improvement may be do to a change in medication. To calm his agitation they were using a sedative which was counterproductive to his waking up. They are now using something that will calm him without sedating him. I wasn't there this afternoon when the therapists were working with him again, but Sarah said they were showing him flashcards of different objects which he was 100% accurate in identifying. Sarah said he also said "Kindred" and the nurse's name. She believes he was reading her badge.

This is all very exciting to say the least. I believe tomorrow they plan to take him out of ICU and put him in a private room. Kevin still needs your prayers as he has a long way to go. He has pneumonia again which they are treating with antibiotics. They will soon try to get him to eat again so he isn't dependent upon the feeding tube.

I will update you all again as soon as I can.
-Tami

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

It has been a week since Kevin was moved to Kindred Hospital in La Mirada. Although it has been great having him so close to home we have not felt he has been receiving the kind of treatment he really needs at this time. It seems as though Kindred has been in more of a custodial mode than in rehabilitation. Sarah and I met yesterday with Peggy, Kevin's case manager, and she agrees with our assessment. Peggy spoke to several of Kevin's doctors, nurses, and therapists yesterday to see what could be done about it. We feel that Kindred may have misrepresented themselves or did not fully understand the severity of Kevin's injury. In any case, we are trying to remedy this problem or have Kevin moved to another facility such as St. Jude where he will get the rehabilitation he needs. Each Wednesday there is a family conference at Kindred with his caregivers and Sarah, Peggy and I will all be there tomorrow and will push hard to get Kevin the rehab he needs. He needs to be much stronger and able to participate more before he can be moved to a more aggressive rehabilitation facility such as Centre for Neuro Skills in Bakersfield.

Kevin is waking up more and responding just a little more. He only seems to speak when in a highly agitated state. When awake, he is often very upset, and it is extremely difficult to helplessly watch. All we can do is try to gently talk to him and reassure him. It is troubling to think what thoughts may be going through his mind. I constantly pray that God will be gently speaking to him and give him pleasant and comforting thoughts and that Kevin's mind will be focused on God trusting him to bring him through. We would appreciate your prayers to this end as well.

Love,
Tami

Friday, June 22, 2007

Kevin has been able to remain off of the trach. He could do damage to his esophagus by continuing to pull it out. Therefore, the goal is to be able to keep him off of it. Because it has been removed sooner than they like, he is more at risk for developing infections like bronchitis. Please pray that he remains infection free. He had an EEG, and the results were good. His brain is continuing to heal. He still wants to sleep a lot and when he is awake he doesn't always respond as well as they would like. Please continue to pray for peace for Kevin as he becomes more aware of his surroundings.

Thanks,
Karin

Thursday, June 21, 2007

With the hospital being so close, Tami was able to drop by the church office where I work and give me a verbal update on Kevin.

Kevin has been moved to the ICU of Kindred Hospital, not because he has taken a turn for the worse healthwise, but because he pulled out his trach and they are going to watch him more closely to see if he can go without it. There are about 8 stages of recovery that people go through who have suffered brain injuries. Kevin is in about stage 3 where he has become very aggitated. This is normal. A test was done to see how he swallows. Unfortunately, he isn't ready to eat by mouth yet. He'll continue to be fed through a tube.

Please pray that he can remain off of the trach. He is being monitored to see if he is getting enough oxygen on his own.

Thanks,
Karin

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Kevin is settled in at Kindred Hospital in La Mirada. Right now he is in a room with just one other patient. He may be moved to a room which has 3 others. Kevin has a tendency to pull out his IVs. Although this room will have more patients in it, he will have more nursing supervision so he will less likely be able to remove tubes. Tomorrow the family will meet with the doctors and therapists to discuss what the game plan will be for Kevin's rehabilitation at this point in his recovery stage.

Keep praying!
Karin

Monday, June 18, 2007

I spoke with Tami just before noon. Kevin will be moved to Kindred Hospital in La Mirada this afternoon. Tami asks once again that we respectfully honor Sarah's request of no visitors as he will need time to adjust to his new surroundings. Sarah will let us know when Kevin is ready to receive visitors.

At this point in Kevin's recovery process, we may only need to send out updates every other day to every few days, so do not be alarmed if a day or two goes by between updates.

Thanks, Karin

Saturday, June 16, 2007

A note from Tami:

I returned home this afternoon and will finally remain after six weeks of being stationed in Riverside. Everett will return tomorrow and Sarah will return Monday if all goes well with Kevin. I just spoke to Everett who said Kevin was running a bit of a fever. We ask for prayer that they can get it under control and that he will not develop any infection or other problem as they will not transport him on Monday if he has any infection. The plan is to get him to Kindred Care in La Mirada where they are equipped to wean him off the trache and start more rigorous physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Once he is off the trache and a bit stronger, then he will be moved to the Center for Neuro Skills in Bakersfield. We understand this to be the Number One neurological rehab facility in the country. This will give Kevin the best opportunity to be Kevin again.

Kevin has been showing more signs of waking up. It seems at times, which are not often enough, that I can see the real Kevin looking at me. He has begun to get more agitated, especially with the respiratory therapist. He receives a breathing treatment approximately every two hours and he does not like them at all! This morning the therapist told us that when he had given him his treatment two hours earlier that Kevin actually shouted "Stop it!" His nurse came running to see him because this was the first time he had spoken, except for the day before yesterday when Sarah and Keith both thought they saw him mouth "Sarah" when the respiratory therapist was working on him. This is all very encouraging.

Thank you all for your continued prayers on our behalf. We have thanked the Lord for every one of you many, many times.
Tami

Friday, June 15, 2007

Unfortunately, Kevin is still too dependent on the trach to even go to St. Jude's in Fullerton. He can go to a Kindred Hospital, however. As mentioned before, there is a very nice one in La Mirada. So, please pray that there will be a spot available for him in La Mirada as it's so close to all of the Hollar family residences and right next door to where Sarah works! Brea, which is about a 15 minute drive depending on traffic, is their next choice. Tami and Everett will come home to stay tomorrow and Sarah will stay out in Riverside until Kevin is moved to an acute care hospital.

Keep praying everyone! Karin

p.s. Once Kevin is able, he can still go to the wonderful rehab facility in Bakersfield.


5 pm I just received a phone call from Tami. Today there is a room for Kevin at Kindred Hospital in La Mirada, but he cannot go until Monday because of all the paperwork. Please pray that the spot for Kevin will remain available for him until Monday.

The family requests at this time that once Kevin is in La Mirada that you hold off on visiting. He is still very medically unstable. They would like him to get settled in and adjusted before he has any visitors other than immediate family. Kevin has suffered a severe brain injury and he needs to be able to get adjusted to new surroundings. The family will let you know when he is ready for visitors. Please kindly respect their request at this time. Thanks, Karin

Thursday, June 14, 2007

After yesterday’s evaluation with the representative from the Center for Neurological Skills in Bakersfield, the Hollars were informed that Kevin is not ready for this facility. He is still on a trach and he needs to be independent of that before he can go to this facility. Also, patients at this facility need to be able to participate in 6 to 8 hours a day of intense physical therapy. For now, he needs to go to an acute care hospital. St. Jude’s Hospital in Fullerton (10 minutes from Sarah) provides this type of care. Lord willing, Kevin will be there by the weekend and Sarah, Everett and Tami will be able to stay at home.

Please continue to pray for strength and peace for Sarah, Everett, Tami, Keith, and Kim. Thanks, Karin

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

12:45pm Sarah, Everett and Tami will be meeting at 2 o'clock with a representative from The Center for Neurological Skills, the rehabilitation facility which is in Bakersfield. After the meeting they will make their decision as to where to place Kevin for rehabilitation. Please pray for wisdom. Thanks, Karin

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

2pm Kevin has been moved to an overflow room. He is basically still in ICU, but has to share a room with 6 other people.

Tami shared with me they are strongly being encouraged to place Kevin at the rehab facility in Bakersfield (which is 100 miles away – a two hour drive one way when there is no traffic). Apparently, this is an excellent facility -the “Mercedes” of rehabilitation facilities. It is very expensive to stay there and the fact that workman’s comp will pay for it is an unbelievable gift. These were the words of the social worker. Once again, the unknown of Kevin’s future was mentioned because of the severity of his injury.

Tomorrow, a representative from Bakersfield will come and do an evaluation. They are still waiting for a representative to come from Casa Colina in Pomona.

Tami asks that you pray for wisdom for them. They want to make the right decision for Kevin; the one that will help him most in the long run. Karin

Monday, June 11, 2007

1:40pm (I have actually seen Tami once today and talked to her a number of times on the phone. I was with my daughter at the chiropractor and in walked Tami! She fell up some stairs and messed her back up good. Poor thing. We were able to chat a little.)

Kevin is responding very well with yes and no's and the nurse even found him out of bed once! He wants outta that bed! His doctors say he is more than ready for rehab. Kindred Hospital in La Mirada is a very nice facility and it would be so convenient for Sarah, Kevin's wife, and everyone else in the family, but they do not provide acute rehab care. So, they really would like Kevin to be able to go to Casa Colina in Pomona. A nurse needs to come from Casa Colina and evaluate Kevin, which could take up to 48 hours to happen. Please pray that this happens quickly and that there is a spot for Kevin at Casa Colina. Kevin could be moved within the next 24 to 48 hours. Karin

p.s. I should clarify that Kevin did not get out of bed by walking. The nurse found him on the floor next to his bed. He is a determined young man. This is a good thing!

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Dear Family and Friends,

I came home again on Saturday to take a break and will return to Riverside Monday morning. Everett and Sarah are in Riverside and Keith and Kim visited yesterday. I have talked to Everett a couple times today and things are looking good. After four days of basically no response, he has responded with yes and no shakes of his head to questions Sarah has asked. He even managed to pull out an IV . The nurses and doctors say all this is good because his movements are purposeful. The doctor also told Everett and Sarah today that she doesn't believe Kevin should have any character or behavioral changes and that he is most definitely ready to be moved to a rehab facility. We have been trying to contact both his social worker and case worker since yesterday but have not heard back from them. We would like to get him moved asap. The whole family is in one accord that we do not wish for him to be sent to Bakersfield even though they have the Number One rated neurological rehab facility in California. It is just too far away! We understand that Casa Colina in Pomona is also excellent and are praying God will provide an opening for him there. The doctor says it is very important for the family to have as much interaction with him as possible to help facilitate his recovery.

If you will indulge me, I thought I might share part of my personal journey through this difficult time. Perhaps it will be cathartic for me and perhaps encourage some of you.

I was unable to sleep the third night of Kevin's accident and my heart was breaking as I didn't know whether my son was going to make it through another night. My mind wandered back to many moments of Kevin as he was growing up. The one word that kept popping up was "indestructible". My Kevin is indestructible. He was hardly afraid of anything. When he was about two years old he loved for me to tuck a diaper in the back of his shirt as a cape and he would fly around the room. One day I turned to find him at the top of the stairway landing at my mother's house flying hands first down the stairs. As I screamed running toward him I cried, "Kevin, what are you doing! Don't ever do that again!", he looked up at me unharmed and protested, "but mom, Spidey (Spiderman) do it." My Kevin is undestructible.

When Kevin was about four years old he about scared his dear Aunt Kitty to death one afternoon. She was babysitting both boys and she and Kevin were waiting outside the house of Keith's piano teacher when she turned to find Kevin atop a fence just walking casually along it. She screamed running toward him hoping to catch him before he fell. He just couldn't understandwhat all the fuss was about. That's my indestructible boy.

When Kevin was young and would find his way out of our sight we always said to look up first because we were sure we would find him on top of something. Yes, our son is undestructible.

Kevin was always an avid lover of airplanes. The floor was always covered in Leggo or paper airplanes. As he grew so did the airplanes, from paper to plastic model kits to radio control airplanes, some of which he designed and built himself. He always dreamed of being up in the sky flying a real airplane. When he was fifteen he was graciously given the opportunity to take flying instructions. I never saw him so excited as I did the moment he found out he was really going to fly. Needless to say, mom was a bit apprehensive. But there he was, my fifteen-year-old son, up in the sky. I remember vividly the day he was to solo with "touch and go" takeoffs and landings. My stomach was in my throat as I watched him in this tiny plane up there all alone. But, my Kevin is indestructible.

As tears rolled down my checks many other special moments came to mind, especially something I always told the boys when they were old enough to go somewhere out of mom's sight or supervision. As they would head out the door I would point up to the sky and say, "Just remember whose son you are." That night as I cried out to God about the pain I was going through watching my son suffer so, God gently spoke to me and said He understood exactly what I felt as He too had watched His son suffer horribly, and that no matter what happened He would be right there to hold me up. As I cried even more, I realized once again that Kevin was not my son, but that he was a son of God, and if God chose to take him home everything would be alright because Kevin is indestructible and would be forever with the Lord he loves.

I love to ride roller coasters but these five weeks is one roller coaster ride I would like to get off of. I have never been one to really ask God why things happen but "why" has peaked through my thoughts a time or two. As I was discussing this with a dear friend she simply told me, "becauseGod loves you". Now that may seem a strange thing to some, but I understand perfectly as my God does everything perfectly. Does that mean everything will turn out the way I would like it to? Of course not. But I am confident of the love my LORD has for me and that He will never leave me or forsake me. Hebrews 4:14-16 says, "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unableto sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw nearto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." I know God never does anything haphazardly and He has a purpose in all of this. A purpose that will bring Him the glory. Of that I am sure. What that will be I do not know.

As I was reminded in today's message at church, I Peter 4:12 and 13 says, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." I can't wait to see His glory revealed in this trial.

My love to all of you. You have blessed us all beyond measure.
Tami Hollar

Saturday, June 9, 2007

9:53am The Hollars were able to talk to Kevin's trauma doctor about where to place Kevin for rehabilitation. Dr. Skinner says Kevin is ready for rehab. The hospital that Kevin is currently in does not have step-down care from ICU so he will stay in Riverside until early next week in ICU. Dr. Skinner said it would be really good for Kevin to be able to have family near him as much as possible. They will not have him go to the facility in Bakersfield. They would like you to pray that there would be a spot available in Casa Colina, a facility in Pomona which is only 20 miles away. (The family is 100% in accord with Kevin going to this facility.)

It has been over 24 hours since Kevin has responded to them. Once again, please pray for strength for everyone as there will be these discouraging days. I also want to reiterate that although the neurosurgeon feels that Kevin will do well in the long run, the ultimate outcome is still unknown.

Please continue to keep Kevin and his family in your prayers. Thanks, Karin

Friday, June 8, 2007

10:15am Things are about the same with Kevin. He is very, very fidgety. This is typical at this stage of the game. They cannot allow him up without the help of the physical therapist and the PT sees him once a day. He will be taken out of ICU very soon, but will still need to be in the hospital. This is called step-down. If he is only going to be in the hospital for less than a week before going to rehab, he will stay in Riverside where he is now. If he needs to remain in the hospital longer than a week they would like to move Kevin to St. Jude's in Fullerton. The Hollar family is very familiar with St. Jude's and they know he would get excellent care there.

The Hollars would like you to pray for wisdom as to where to have Kevin go for his rehabilitation. They are being told that a facility in Bakersfield is the best place for Kevin, but Bakersfield is two hours away. They would like to be able to be with Kevin as much as possible during his rehabilitation. They will be asking if it would be better for Kevin in the long run, to be at a facility that might not be as "good" as the one in Bakersfield, but is closer so the family can be there as much as possible. Please specifically pray that the Lord will give them clear direction and make it very obvious to them as to where Kevin should go for rehabilitation as it will be extensive. Karin

Thursday, June 7, 2007

10:50am Tami called with some wonderful news! She was in Kevin's room this morning. He was really starting to fidget and then he was really, really starting to fidget and tried to get up! Tami called for help. With the help of the physical therapist, Kevin was sitting up on the side of his bed today!!! He was pretty wobbly while sitting up, but he was sitting up nonetheless. He was able to follow most of the PT's commands.

Another bit of good news is when he is transferred to a closer hospital (a Kindred Care facility) within the next few days, he may end up right around the corner from Biola in LaMirada! For those of you who are out of state, this is right around the corner from where Sarah, Kevin's wife, works and only 5 minutes from Everett and Tami's house. There is one [facility] in LaMirada and there is one in Brea, which is about 20 minutes away. Eitherway, the distance is much better than where Kevin is now. Kevin is over an hours drive away in Riverside right now. If he goes to Kindred Care in La Mirada or Brea, Kevin will still need to go to a rehab facility. Unfortunately, the very best place is in Bakersfield. The doctors are highly recommending having Kevin go to this facility. The Hollars will have to decide what they are going to do. Please pray for them as they have to make these decisions. Joyfully yours, Karin

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

11:00am Kevin is off the ventilator after being put back on it last weekend. He is breathing on his own again, but is still getting help from the trach. His digestive system is doing much better. His brain has healed enough that he is now being given a blood thinner for the blood clots.

Tami was able to talk to the trauma doctor yesterday. This doctor has given the okay for Kevin to be moved closer to home. Hopefully, by the end of this weekend, Kevin will be at St. Jude’s in Cityplace Fullerton. Tami asks that you pray to this end.

Yesterday, Tami had the opportunity to talk to the neuro-surgeon as well. She was relieved to find out that even though it’s been a week since Kevin has responded to anyone, this is “typical” for his type of brain injury. Kevin is not in crisis any longer, but in recovery. The surgeon asked Tami, “Do you believe in God?” Tami responded, “Yes. He is my Lord and Savior!” Then the doctor said to Tami (more than once), “God does not disappoint.” Kevin’s neuro-surgeon is expecting God not to disappoint us in the outcome of Kevin’s recovery. The neuron-surgeon reiterated to Tami that Kevin has a long road of recovery ahead of him. Kevin will require extensive rehabilitation, but since we know the God who does not disappoint, Kevin could be driving in 6 months.

So, I challenge all of us to commit to rallying around the Hollar family with our prayers and support, in whatever fashion that may be, and remember, God does not disappoint! Karin

2:48pm I just spoke with Tami about 10 minutes ago. Kevin opened his eyes in response to something Tami said. Then Tami asked him to squeeze her hand if he wanted his headphones back on to listen to his music. He squeezed her hand! He was responding to Sarah in the same way! They feel like they are connecting with him again. Joyfully yours, Karin