I am posting a summary of all the updates I've provided on social media regarding what I am now calling The Gunshot Wound Chronicles. These updates will be listed in ascending order.
August 16, 2024 | 2:53 PM
As many of you may already know, Beau was involved in an accident today. I don't care to share details yet - all I ask for is your prayers, love, good vibes - whatever you've got, I'll take it. He was life-flighted to Memorial Hermann in Houston. He's out of surgery now and in recovery. I was able to talk to him before he got on the helicopter. He was coherent and cognitive. I haven't had a chance to talk to him since he got out of surgery yet. Hopefully within the next few hours as they wake him up. From what I know, he's okay. We'll get through this and onto the road to recovery. We're up for the challenge. Mr. Harbison, your boys, your wife, and the rest of your family are waiting in the waiting room for you. I'd say patiently but anxiously is probably more accurate. I love you more than words can convey, and I will talk to you soon.
August 17, 2024 | 10:10 AM
Here's what happened: Beau was getting out of his Corvette yesterday and the handgun he carries for personal protection discharged into his leg. The wound was through and through; it thankfully didn't hit bone or his femoral artery. It did destroy his femoral vein but the doctors have said his body can learn to live without that. He was in a massive amount of pain last night. It seems today pain management has been significantly more effective. The next few days will be telling. He's gained a little more feeling in his foot than he had last night (a trend I hope continues). He's currently in the ICU so no real opportunity to rest. He just force-fed himself some eggs and bacon. He'll be in the hospital for a little while, then he'll head home to recuperate and start physical therapy I'm sure. Right now it's just one day, one hour, one problem at a time. He's holding strong and dealing with this much better than I would were I in his shoes. I'm at the hospital now with my mother-in-law and her partner, and the boys are at home with their GiGi and Pop-Pop, mostly oblivious to what's happening, as they should be. I'm really at a loss for words when I stop to think. I'm just grateful for family and for life today.
August 17, 2024 | 10:18 PM
Pictures from our waiting room adventures yesterday. Here's the latest update. So many of you are following this story and praying for our family and I am literally overwhelmed and humbled by the support. Today, Beau was able to see his wounds. He has at least a 10 inch incision from the top of his hip to above his knee; his mom counted 33 staples. His exit wound is open. It will heal from the inside out. The medical staff were very pleased at how it's looking. He has slightly increased feeling in his foot; no feeling on the bottom as of now. The swelling is minimal considering the trauma. His pain is now tolerable, in his words. He was able to get some rest this afternoon. He is graduating from the ICU at midnight. The boys had a good day with their godparents. I was at the hospital with my MIL and her partner from 8 to 4 this afternoon, then we came home so we could see the boys. I'll head back up to the hospital in the morning. Beau is calm and in good spirits. He's not jazzed about his current situation, but who would be? The surgeon said he'll be in the hospital for a few more days and after that, he'll go home on crutches and start physical therapy. He's desperate to be home and we're desperate to have him here, and we hope he'll be ready to be discharged late next week. We are all exhausted in every sense a person can be. I am overwhelmed at the love and support we've received. I truly believe the power of prayer and the acts of the pedestrians on the scene have saved my husband's life. The emergency response team, the surgical staff, recovery staff, ICU staff, cafeteria delivery staff, lab technicians, and so many more - these are angels walking on earth. They have given my boys the opportunity to have their father, and me my husband, for decades to come. If I think about it too much, I fear I might crumble, and I can't afford that right now. Our family who came in to support us and help with the boys have changed the shape of my heart forever. My capacity for love has grown immeasurably over these last 37 hours. A very positive update tonight. Thank you to everyone who has kept my husband here and with me. He may not be whole just yet, but he will heal, and we will too.
August 18, 2024 | 3:08PM
First steps are a beautiful thing, whether they're the first in your life or the first after your life has been forever altered. Beau has walked a bit today. He's met with PT and orthopedics. HIs foot is not as responsive as he'd like but I just keep reminding him he'll get there. Where we are today isn't where we'll be in a week, a month, a year. He's spent some time sitting up in a chair. He's eaten two meals. He's spoken to some friends. The doctor told us a few hours ago they are going to try to discharge him today, but the actual timeline on that is TBD. This news was entirely unexpected but very welcomed. I'm at the hospital now, having gotten here this morning. The boys are at home with their CiCi and Pawpaw. I'm hoping to find out more on a specific timeline soon so we can start to make some plans on how to get him home safely while making sure someone is able to be with the boys. I'm considering having another coffee. I presume that's what I'll be fueled on for the next few weeks as we navigate this next chapter of this part of our story. Beau posted a short snippet of his experience yesterday; it's on his Facebook if you'd like to read it. We're focused on one step at a time. We agreed earlier we'll wait to commiserate until he's home. Still feeling all the love and support. I've talked to so many people in the past 48 hours that I couldn't even begin to list them all. Hopefully the next post you see from me is that Beau is home and our family is reunited.
August 18, 2024 | 10:12PM
We are home and we are figuring this whole thing out as a family. I'm so grateful it's unreal.
August 19, 2024 | 9:58PM
Another day, another update. Beau finally got to see the boys this evening. He slept through the night (mostly) last night. He was still pretty groggy this morning and needed to keep resting, so I encouraged (forced?) him to stay in bed while I got the boys up and out. I told RB when I picked him up that Daddy was at home. We talked on the drive that Daddy has a boo-boo and we need to be gentle. "Daddy boo-boo?" is a new and bittersweet phrase from RB. "Daddy has a bad boo-boo, but he's back home, baby." And thank God he is. He's still in pain, struggling but persevering when it comes to getting around. There's no comfortable position for him to lay, sit, or just exist in general. He's staying hydrated and eating well. Beau's wounds are looking really great and he's getting different feelings in his calf and foot. It's only been a few days and yet the progress is incredible. I keep waiting for the moment that is the rock that will break the wave that is my strength. No matter how close it feels, it's yet to come. Someone we've never met brought us dinner tonight. She hugged me when she dropped it off. This morning, I went to see the good Samaritans that responded on the scene. We are trauma bonded friends for life now. One of them said God isn't done with Beau yet, and I firmly agree.
August 20, 2024 | 10:17PM
Day 4 in the Gunshot Wound Chronicles. Neuropathy pain has really begun to set in. Beau is feeling consistent discomfort with surges of pain in his foot. It's not a new feeling, per say, but the consistency is exhausting him. I did steal RB's nugget pillows today to make Beau more comfortable and it was a success - I think, even if momentary, he was more comfortable today than he has been during this ordeal. He is understandably becoming increasingly frustrated with his limited mobility, but he is getting around better; today was better than yesterday, and yesterday was better than the day before. We just looked through pictures of his wounds from day one, this morning, and tonight. They are bruised (gnarly, as Beau put it) but they are healing beautifully: no redness, no sign of infection, no swelling around the incision or exit site. He had a rough night last night, and I am hoping tonight will be better to him. RB was so excited to see Beau this morning and this evening. He really wanted to wrestle and this mom had to be the bad cop and firmly but politely ask both RB and Daddy to be gentle. LJ gave Daddy his biggest smile. Finley and Happy would prefer to be more hands-on nurses but are respecting Beau's request for space. His follow up appointment with the surgeon is set for Monday. We expect to learn more about PT then. For now, we are exercising patience and grace with ourselves and each other. This is no easy road to travel, but we'll travel it together. The support of those that know us and those that don't continues to make my heart swell. I keep thinking, how much more can my heart handle? And yet it grows with each interaction. Another person previously unknown to us provided us dinner tonight. It was soul food in every sense. We've both heard from people we haven't in years in this outpouring of love and understanding. Every one of you has changed my life, changed our lives. Here's to another successful day of healing, and to the successful days to follow.
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