Say a prayer for Anna Lisa ~1:45 p.m. Dec 19, 2008 ~ What I want FOR CHRISTMAS 2008

[Elaine]

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp21/logresfarm/candle04.gifSay a prayer for Anna Lisa ... 1:45 p.m. Dec 19, 2008 ~
At Athy's suggestion, in post #14 on page 2 of this thread, we thought it might be nice to all pause at the same time today and send a positive thought for Anna Lisa.

Thought we could have a thread… “What I want for Christmas this year.”


I can tell you what I want from Santa this year (in addition to a 4 carat internally flawlesss VVS1 clear, radiant cut little babble :rolleyes: and new smiley icons for this forum:D ) …

1. I want Cera to be well…

2. And I want people to benefit from the experiences of others. Here’s an example. On a horse from we belong to the twenty something daughter of one of the members was in a traffic accident on December 10th. She was unconscious at the scene, and remained so for a few days. More recently she has been awake from time to time, she responded to a few commands, told her mother she loved her, told the doctors to “stop it.” She has spirit, but she is in pain, sedated, on a ventilator, now has pneumonia… and frankly needs a ton of our prayers. Through all of this her mother took the time to exlain the accident in the hope that some of us, or our loved ones, might benefit. As you all know, sometimes the only good that comes out of tragedy is the lesson learned. So here is what happened to Anna Lisa, as her mother Bonnie tells it:


Sunday, another long day. I appreciate Carrie's kindness in keeping you all updated today. I have to admit I've shed some tears but I'm not losing faith. I know Anna Lisa will be as good as new... maybe even better.... when this is over. I can't begin to tell you how comforting it is to know you are praying for her and wishing her well.

I want to tell you what caused the accident. I am telling you this in the hope that this news may prevent another person from the same fate.

Anna Lisa was text messaging when she came to a curve in the road. She looked up too late to correct. We have pieced this together from her phone records. Her phone went dark at 1:32 AM after transmitting a message mid-sentence; she was found at 5:45 AM. The person she was having a text messaging conversation with sent several texts asking where she was and "what happened to you...?" She lay in the dark, broken and unconscious until someone on their way to work phoned the police to report debris on the road. The police went to investigate and found her in a field. She had gone through a fence, skimmed the side of a tree and the car rolled several times before her door popped open and she was ejected. She was found 40 feet from her car.

I know whatever the subject of the text messages, it wasn't worth this terrible price.

Well.... there it is.... a senseless accident..... a smart girl doing a dumb thing. A hard lesson learned. I hope this story helps someone you love to understand why we tell them not to use their cell phone while driving.

Meanwhile, Anna Lisa was resting comfortaby when I left the hospital an hour ago. I can see I will have to be content with baby steps for now. I'll post more on her progress tomorrow. Please keep praying for her full recovery.

Love,

Bonnie

PS: On a horse related note, here are some outside-the-ring pictures from the Hampton Classic. She left home with two horses and one dog... returned with two horses and two dogs!

[Athy]

I hope this story helps someone you love to understand why we tell them not to use their cell phone while driving.

Elaine thank you for posting this message. I will be sure that my 15 year old stepdaughter reads this. She is getting her learners permit very soon and I have talked to her over and again about the dangers of using her cell phone, whether texting or talking, while driving. If my yammering doesn't get through to her, maybe Anna Lisa's story will.

Prayers going up for Anna Lisa for Anna Lisa to heal and for strength for her mother.

Athy

[OldDrumDobes]

It's so sad and amazing how life can change so quickly, doing something so simple that most do each day. Reminds me to be thankful for every day I have with my loved ones. Thanks for the story. God Bless her family during this time.
Ali Doughty
Old Drum Dobermans

[Rauschund]

1. I wish for health and happiness to all my family and friends.
2. I wish for my first AKC owner handled champion:)
3. That lovely little square chocolate diamond I saw at the jewelrs on Friday...never gonna happen....but I can wish:)

[Niko]

Elaine, I will pray for this young woman and her family. I am sad for them.

I will again remind my 19 and 16 year old about the responsibility of driving.

Your story has hit close to home. I have never gotten over this......

http://www.13wham.com/content/news/fairporttragedy/story/5-Fairport-07-Grads-Killed-in-Head-On-Collision/H2QCYLhaJEqNS5SQdbSwwA.cspx

This was national news. The driver was said to be texting moments before the crash. We will never know the truth.

Ok- I need to lighten up.

For Christmas this year I would like a Volvo, and a Coach purse.

[Betty]

First, let me thank you Elaine for being so very supportive of Cera and me the past few months. You have been there for us day and night and you will never know how appreciative I am. With God's help, Cera will continue to improve and we will learn more of what caused all this... and that will be a new thread!

Regarding Anna Lisa, what a sad, sad story about such a beautiful young girl. We can imagine how Bonnie's heart must ache, yet she had the strength to write about Anna Lisa's accident hoping to prevent another tragedy. I will be keeping Anna Lisa and Bonnie in my prayers this Christmas season.

Betty

[Elaine]

WE HAVE EYE CONTACT!!! At 6:35 this morning Anna Lisa opened her eyes and looked at me. I asked for a thumbs up and she gave me one!!! Now, if we can just keep this up for the rest of the morning, she can go into surgery and get her leg set this afternoon.

The nurses are changing shifts; I'm in the waiting room as I write this. I've got an hour to run some errands but wanted you to know this news now. You have all been such a source of strength and encouragement to me, I wanted you to know right away that our prayers are being answered! This is a baby step but it seems like a very big baby!

Please keep praying for Anna Lisa's full recovery.

More news later....

Love,

Bonnie

[Athy]

That is a super update!!!! Anna Lisa will be in my thoughts and prayers all day today!!!

[Betty]

That's great!!! Anna Lisa will certainly be in my prayers today!

[Elaine]

2:00 a.m.

You are all so good to hang in there with me during this difficult time. Anna Lisa had her orthopedic surgery early this afternoon. She is resting as comfortably as possible with both legs in casts. She dislocated her left foot and broke both tibia and fibula, close to the ankle, on her right leg.

She hasn't come out of the fog since her surgery. She is very sensitive to anesthesia. This is her first time under sedation, so all is new. I'm hoping we can pick up our progress where we left off before they took her into surgery. I don't want my expectations to get me in a twist, but she seemed to be ready to wake up. Baby steps..... baby steps .....baby steps... my new watchword.

After the disappointment of having to replace her breathing tube yesterday, the doctors were planning to do a trachectomy during the surgery today. They really want that breathing tube out of there but were so encouraged by her progress this morning that they decided to cancel the trachectomy and just remove the tubes again in a couple of days. They'll have a team there ready to do a trachectomy if one is needed.

The bacteria causing her pneumonia has been identified and is being treated with antibiotics. Meanwhile, we have to wear gloves and gowns when we're in her room and be sure not to take any of the germs out of the room when we leave. I don't know how long this will go on, but I hope it's short lived.

I broke my leg earlier this year, both bones and in about the lame location on my right leg as Anna Lisa's break. I had never broken a bone before and had no idea it was such a painful experience. I can imagine when you add in the head trauma, Anna Lisa must be in considerable pain. I'm glad she is able to sleep tonight. Tomorrow we'll see if she opens her eyes again and gives us a thumbs up.

Please keep praying for her. I've been told her recovery might be a long slow process.

More tomorrow...

Love,

Bonnie

[doberdogsfd]

I apologize for not responding before this, life belongs to my dogs, job and the occassional nap right now.
We have your lovely girl in our thoughts. Please keep us updated.

Cheryl and Bob

[Sheila]

May thoughts and prayers are with Anna Lisa and her family. May she continue to make great progress.

Sheila

[Elaine]

Just got home from the hospital and another long day. Anna Lisa is still not responding. She has a high fever and the pneumonia is really bad... but she tries to cough over the ventilator... which is a good thing.

Our neurologist is one of the best in the country and a family friend for 30 years... he was there when Anna Lisa was born (she caused more than her share of commotion then too...weighing in at 3 pounds and 3 ounces.) He tells us she is going to come out of this. We are in for a long haul... several months of rehab but he thinks she is going to be fine eventually. He did another MRI tonight and found the bruising to her brain was a bit more extensive than we first thought... this explains why she is so slow to come awake.

I appreciate so much your prayers and well wishes. You can't imagine how much it helps to know so many people are sending positive thoughts and energy her way. It keeps me strong.

More tomorrow...

Bonnie

[Athy]

Elaine, tell Bonnie Anna Lisa is young and from her pics she appears to be in good shape and healthy. She looks like a strong girl, she can do this. She's had the most severe trauma and it will take time.

I wonder if we shouldn't schedule a timed prayer push this afternoon some time? I propose at 1:45 EST time this afternoon, we all stop what we're doing and send one big strong positive energy prayer to Anna Lisa and toward whatever higher authority you respect.

Tell Bonnie to keep her own strength up - be sure she's eating and sleeping too. Both these strong women are in my thoughts.

AJC

[Elaine]

I'm with you... 1:45 EST December 19, 2008... works for me... I'll make a note in the title of this thread.

[Athy]

I'm setting up an appointment notice for myself right now -

1:45 EST Friday 12/19/09 - PRAYER PUSH FOR ANNA LISA!!!

[Betty]

Sorry I missed the timed prayer... but Anna Lisa and Bonnie are in my thoughts. 'Will continue to pray for a complete recovery.

[Elaine]

Bonnie wrote this at about 3:00a.m.

ANSWERED PRAYERS!!!!!!!!!

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

ANNA LISA IS AWAKE!!!!! I just weep when I read your posts... I know it is the power of prayer, the good thoughts... this vigil you have kept with me that has done it. She has been semi-comatose for ten days. It is a miracle...really. God is good!!! No one expected her to find her way back this soon.

She woke up tonight at 8:30 and could communicate with me through nods and squeezing my hand. She wriggled her toes. She cried. She looked confused and afraid. She is all there... I am so grateful. She stayed awake for about 20 minutes.

ETA: We still have a long way to go but this is a monumental step for her.

It's a wonderful day!!!

Love to you all,

Bonnie

[pretty dobe]

What a great way to start the day... Great news....

Judie

[Athy]

Bonnie, that is an excellent update! Wonderful news!!!

Athy

[Sonquest]

PRAISE GOD!!! WHAT AWESOME NEWS!!! WE (the dog and horse community) HAVE HAD OUR OWN CHRISTMAS MIRACLE THIS YEAR!!!! AND BETTER YET.....THROUGH OUR PRAYERS......WE HAVE BEEN PRIVILEDGED TO BE A PART OF THIS MIRACLE!!!

THANKS SOOO MUCH ELAINE FOR POSTING THIS STORY AND KEEPING US UPDATED!!!

LOVE AND MERRY CHRISTMAS AND BLESSINGS TO ALL!!!!!

TINA

[doberdogsfd]

Great news!!!!! We will continue to keep her in our thoughts.

Cheryl and Bob

[Betty]

Halleluiah!!!!!

[Elaine]

There is nothing much to report. Anna Lisa has not been responding to commands and still has a fever. She as been off sedation since 11:00 yesterday morning. Bonnie asks that we continue to pray for her full recovery. This will take time.

As an aside to all of this, Anna Lisa’s father Bruton Smith is rather well known in this area. According to news reports, he is the owner and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, which operates racing facilities in several states, including Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord. According to the media, dragracingonline.com supposedly says that Anna Lisa Smith planned to drive for a NHRA Top Fuel team with veteran Roy Hill. The media reports say that the Huntersville police charged Smith with DWI and Driving with a Revoked License a week after the wreck. According to news reports, at the time of the wreck she was "pending trial on September charges of speeding and driving while her license was revoked."

Not sure how accurate any of the media reports are, but as most of us had surmised, there is probably a bit more to the story than we know at this point. Nothing about the accident’s circumstances changes my support for Bonnie and Anna Lisa. As a cautionary tale… well, the hard truth here is that it seems a combination of bad choices will have a profound impact on this young woman’s life. But this touches our lives too, in part because we care for Bonnie and Anna Lisa. I think we can all learn some lessons from this accident. There are consequences to the decisions we make. We are all human, we all make mistakes. If we approach life’s challenges honestly and accept responsibility for our decisions, we can make something positive out of even the worst situations. A vehicle is a lethal weapon… ours and others on the road with us. We should act accordingly and always be aware that other drivers on the road may be distracted or imparied.

[Elaine]

Here is the most recent update on Anna Lisa

...
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008 12:52 AM, EST

Hello friends! Hope that you had a wonderful Christmas with your families.

Today we received the best Christmas gift ever.....Anna Lisa woke up!!! She was awake for roughly 5 or 6 hours straight! Marcus was there and she hugged him and mouthed "I love you". She cannot speak because of her trach. She recognized all the the family members that were there and was very loving. I am going tomorrow and can't wait to give her a big hug!

I am so amazed at God's love for us. On this day.....His son was born, And I believe today will be a "re-birth" for Anna Lisa. I mean.....He gave us this gift today. She woke up. She smiled. She hugged and kissed her family. Could we ask for anything more?

I know she has a long road ahead. She will need at least a year of rehabilitation.....both physical and cognitive. But Anna Lisa is very determined. I pray that she will come to understand God's grace and mercy.....that on that rainy Tuesday night she lay in a field for 4 hours after a terrible accident.....and that there were angels surrounding her and protecting her from further harm. I pray that one day she will have the most powerful testimony that she can share with others to help change lives.

There is a song that I love Called "I love the Lord' by Whitney Houston. It's on the soundtrack from the movie "The Preacher's Wife". If you get a chance.....go to itunes and download it and listen the the lyrics. It's what my heart wants to say.

Thank you again for all of your prayers and encouragement. Our family cannot thank you enough.

We serve a mighty God and he has answered our prayers in His perfect time. Thank you Jesus!

In Christ, Our Risen Lord and Savior
...

[Athy]

This is a wonderful gift!

Athy

[Elaine2]

E1, how is Anna Lisa doing? Any updates?
E2

[Elaine]

Sorry for not updating this. Anna Lisa was moved to a re-hab facility. She is doing well, but does not have complete use of her left side. She has the very best care that money can buy… she has loving family to support her... in many ways she is blessed. Here is a link to updates http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/annalisasmith

While I greatly admire Anna Lisa’s mother, there are some other facts to consider. Anna comes from privilege, her father owns some NASCAR tracks in NC and possibly in other states as well. You can Google Bruton Smith. According to published reports, Anna Lisa is 26 years old, she was driving with a REVOKED license the night of her accident. And, she was cited at the scene for DWI. This may seem harsh, but it appears she got behind the wheel of a vehicle (impaired and with a revoked license) and then recklessly was texting people. She is the victim of some very poor choices and very bad judgment, mostly her own. I can not help but think of what would have happened if Anna had hit someone else that night. Would her family be spending their time and money to see that Anna’s victim had the best care possible and all the advantages Anna has had? OR would they be looking for a top attorney to “protect” Anna and avoid responsibility. I do not know the answer…