Saturday April 5, 2014 Thanks to everyone for your continued caring concern about Drew and his recovery. He has been with us for a month now and has shown great progress. After the car accident and his many torso surgeries it's his right leg and foot that have been the main focus of attention. They have gone from totally numb to feeling sore with a burning sensation and sharp needle piercings on the bottom of his foot. Of course this means the nerves have come alive but it has been really uncomfortable for him. The pain medicine has helped . In the last week or so he has been able to take less of the medicine so that's a good sign. He enjoys seeing friends and family- several people have brought over food to share and stayed to visit. Others have had him over or taken him out to dinner and a movie - he even went to First Thursday with a friend visiting from Maui! Drew is getting around well on his crutches and it's been good for him to get out. His medicine has restricted him from having cocktails but he still has been enjoying other people's company at parties and gatherings. He went to a PJ party with friends and we've had a March Birthday potluck party honoring both Kimmy and Drew and two extended family dinners. For a change of scenery we drove to the Beach a couple of weeks ago and stayed over night in Manzanita. Drew said going to the beach made him sad because he remembers fondly his fun times there with Kimmy. He misses talking to her. I said that he could still speak to her and share his feelings and that it might make him feel closer to her. I'd like to think she could hear him in some way. Kathy, Kimmy's Mom, and Drew have been working on plans for a "Celebration of Life" ceremony for Kimmy. They are planning on having it on Memorial weekend, Sunday, May 25th , 2-4 at Mt.Tabor Park in SE Portland.They have rented the covered area by the volcano. I think they would like to make the wooden structure look like a Tiki hut. A Hawaiian theme seems appropriate for Kimmy with her love of everything Hawaiian. Drew has gone to several doctor follow up appointments and they all say he is healing well. One doctor said it looks like he is ready now to start physical therapy a couple times a week . He has scheduled his first session next week. We know it will take some time but we are looking forward to the time Drew will be walking again . Love to you all, Marian

3/4/2014 Today was Kimmy's Birthday... ( Drew's first full day at home since leaving the hospital) Her Mom , Kathy, and daughter, Amanda, brought over fancy cupcakes so that Drew, Matt, Clint and I could join them in celebrating Kimmy's life. It was a special time of remembrance of Kimmy's short but very special life. Drew was lucky to have shared part of it with her. He misses her but will forever carry her in his heart. It would be best to contact us or Drew so we can spread out visits- he is going to need his rest- Marian's email: sandozevensen@yahoo.com Drew's email: drew3e@gmail.com

2/24/14- 3/3/14 Drew is home from the hospital !!!!!!! It's been a week since the last post on Drew's progress- MRI's, X-rays and Ultra Sounds were given to check internal issues and all of the concerns have been resolved. Being able to take sit down showers, continue to practice walking with a walker and crutches and have a better appetite all helped him get closer to coming home on Monday afternoon, March 3rd. He will be staying with us for awhile to make a smoother transition before going back to his place. He will be taking blood thinners for several months and pain medicine plus has several follow up doctor appointments so it's important that we are here for him. Thanks to all of you who were able to come visit Drew in the hospital- it's amazing how it lifted his spirits. He had over fifty visitors during the last two weeks - he is certainly loved by his family and friends. Maybe he can schedule a few visitors while he's here too. We'll try to plan a few gatherings.

2/23/14 The monitoring of vital signs, IVs and connecting tubes are all gone. Yahooooooooo! Drew is feeling more comfortable with less pain. He is tired of being in the hospital and wants to be self sufficient - which is a good sign . The right leg and foot are now his focus. He needs time to exercise , time to practice walking ( using a walker and crutches ) and time to rest. We are so happy that he is getting closer each day to being the Drew we all know and love. The beautiful e-mails and facebook comments about Kimmy help him know she was loved by others as he loved her. He enjoys hearing from and seeing friends and family . Visitors lift his spirits. ( best times are after 3:00 ) Still not sure of how long they will have him stay in the hospital. This might be the time, once again, to say THANK YOU to everyone for their prayers of healing. There really is strength in numbers- I believe your prayers and good vibrations helped make a difference in Drew's amazing recovery! Thanks also to all who are sharing their love and caring thoughts for Kimmy and her family. The calls, e-mails, cards, flowers, gifts and meals plus donations to the link gofundme.com to help Drew and Amanda ( Kimmy's daughter) are so thoughtful and are greatly appreciated. I hope these posts have made you feel closer to Drew and what he has been going through. Writing them has helped me realize how important it is to stay close to both family and friends - take the time to hug all your loved ones and let them know they are special. With Drew's continued improvement, my next post will be to share the date Drew is able to go home. This maybe sooner than later- til then . Marian Evensen

2/22/14

Drew's dad and I arrived at the TRACU Saturday to see him walking with crutches!  The therapist walked beside Drew holding up his "break away" p j pants at the back and carried his lung liquid draining machine with cords but it was Drew who did all the work of balancing and moving forward with the crutches. It was good to see his determination.  

More staples from rib surgery were taken out and the last of the lung draining tubes were removed. His nurse showed us his multiple x-rays and what the doctors did to put him back together after the car accident. He has been in the hospital for two weeks now. The doctors and nurses are amazed that he is doing so well. He may be coming home in less than two weeks!

2/21/14 Friday started with a pelvic x-ray , more blood thinners and pain medicine. Laying completely flat on his back in bed seems to help Drew stretch out his body with less stress to his torso injuries. Found Drew a fleece cap to soothe his head and brought a breakfast sandwich of egg and ham plus a mango smoothie for a menu change of pace. Small comforts make a difference in his well being. He is using a computer and checking his e-mails - send him a message at: drew3e@gmail.com Before we left his physical therapist encouraged him to try walking with the crutches again. He used his arm strength and body balance to successfully walk out of his room, into the hall a ways and back again. Small steps now - bigger ones to come.

2/20/14 Drew was in good spirits when I arrived today- eyes were focused and body relaxed. He is now using Kimmy's cell phone and a friend's computer . He has started looking at everyone's kind words and the tributes to Kimmy. If you want to connect this might be the time to write him encouraging words on his facebook page or e-mail. The physical therapy session went well this morning but Drew mentioned his right leg was feeling numb and part of his foot was tingly. The nurses did an X-ray and found a small blood clot. He was given a blood thinner. Doctors plan to check on this later tonight. This afternoon a therapist wanted Drew to try using crutches but he found it was just too painful on his whole body. I could see the disappointment on his face. The walker may be a better option for now. Hope the arrival of friends to visit cheered him up.