Support4 Duston Hudgins, Wife & Son #GivingTuesday

 Duston is progressing well physically. He has been working hard w all the therapist and Drs to get himself on the road to home. Once home he will be in extensive out patient therapies etc to help him fully recover. Like with all traumatic brain injuries, This is gonna take lots of outpatient therapy, work and Time. But he will get there and we are very lucky that he has the option to put the work in to get his life back. Anyone that knows Duston knows.. when he puts his mind to something there is No stopping him. I have full faith that he will get thru this completely now and be even better than before. Thank you all for your love, support and prayers. We are humbled by the outpouring of love and support during this chapter.

 Duston is progressing well physically. He has been working hard w all the therapist and Drs to get himself on the road to home. Once home he will be in extensive out patient therapies etc to help him fully recover. Like with all traumatic brain injuries, This is gonna take lots of outpatient therapy, work and Time. But he will get there and we are very lucky that he has the option to put the work in to get his life back. Anyone that knows Duston knows.. when he puts his mind to something there is No stopping him. I have full faith that he will get thru this completely now and be even better than before. Thank you all for your love, support and prayers. We are humbled by the outpouring of love and support during this journey.

tonight I just want to pray for peace, calm and patience for my brother as he gets thru this portion of this nightmare. I also pray for that same stuff for all that love him. This part of the journey is already pulling our heartstrings and breaking all of our hearts just in a different way now. Anyone that has been thru this knows. I won’t go into it. This part is too personal. Overall.. Duston is physically doing well and broken bones and fractures are healing wonderfully in my opinion. Thank you for all the continued prayers as they are still needed as he tries to heal neurologically. THANK YOU ALL for your generosity and financial support as it is helping Haley supplement Dustons missing income during this nightmare to keep the household bills paid while he recovers. Anything left will go to medical bills. Love and light to all. God Bless you and your families<3

My sweet brother is at Shirley Ryan in Chicago. The days are so good and so hard. But a different kind of hard than before. These days we are Blessed that he was given a second chance to live. That he was accepted to the #1 neuro and ability lab in the United States to recover. 

He is awake.. he is aware. He is emotional, heartbroken and confused. He is grateful, loving and aware. He is missing being home w his family and seeing his friends. He is thankful becuz he knows how blessed he has been. He knows. 

Knowing you want to go home and that you miss your family and friends so badly and your life from before. But knowing that you have a lot of work to do to heal and get back to yourself is a double edged sword too. 

Lately, I have been left speechless. Speechless in the overwhelming trauma that has occurred. Speechless in the miracle we have witnessed already. with him finally waking up, finally take breaths on his own and finally following commands. His progress and rapid healing of his body on the outside physically I am left in awe. I am speechless. 

I know that he still has a rough road ahead of him to regain all that was lost in that moment. I am speechless that he has been given the gift to be able to do so despite it all. 

Why was he spared? Why was he spared in a world full of heartbreak all around us? A friend answered it perfectly for me.. because “He still has more to do on this earth. His purpose is here. His purpose isn’t fulfilled”. He has a son.. could that be his purpose? Maybe.. but maybe his purpose is even more than that? He was given a gift. The gift to continue living. The gift to be able to appreciate what that really means and not take it for granted. 

What will you do with that gift when it’s time brother?

Make it count. 

Thank you all for the continued prayers and support. As it is still all needed and appreciated as he navigates this portion of his neuro and physical journey.

Update from Haley- Today is the day Duston is being moved to the Shirley Ryan Center in Chicago. To begin working on healing his brain, brain function and physical functions. This is such a miracle! We are so thankful that he is at this point in his recovery. He will have his phone with him so that he can communicate with me, Konnor and the rest of his family. If his phone becomes a distraction or disruption they will take it from him. I would appreciate if friends would respect his healing process and not be calling during this time. He will place calls as he can. He is still very confused and unclear and gets worked up over small things that he can not yet process. His main focus needs to be himself and getting better so that he can be home with us.

Thank you all again.. for continued prayers, love and support as prayers have been heard<3

Update from Haley- Today is the day Duston is being moved to the Shirley Ryan Center in Chicago. To begin working on healing his brain and function and physical functions. This is such a miracle! We are so thankful that he is at this point in his recovery. He will have his phone with him so that he can communicate with me, Konnor and the rest of his family. If his phone becomes a distraction or disruption they will take it from him. I would appreciate if friends would respect his healing process and not be calling during this time. He will place calls as he can. He is still very confused and unclear and gets worked up over small things that he can not yet process. His main focus needs to be himself and getting better so that he can be home with us.

Thank you all again.. for continued prayers, love and support as prayers have been heard<3

Good news came through today. Duston was approved and accepted for a transfer tomorrow to The Shirley Ryan Neuro Rehab Center in Chicago. He will get the intensive neurological and physical rehab that he needs to try get back on his feet and back to life. 

I don’t know why he was so lucky to be spared and given a second chance in a world full of heartbreak all around us. But I thank God that he was and I pray that he fully understands this immense gift at the end of all of this and does things and lives life in the very best way possible with this second chance at life. I think he will.

Thank you all for the continued prayers and support. He still has a rough long road in front of him.. but at least it’s a road. We are blessed and thank God everyday and for all of you. 

Love from the family of Duston Hudgins 

I apologize for this long overdue update. It has been a lot for all of us. With trying to be there for Duston, lives, kids, school, work. Haley and I have now gotten sick too. We’ll be fine. Just seasonal. 

Dustons progress physically has been nothing short of amazing in my eyes. He still has a trach but is now able to eat food. He is speaking some. Words and very short sentences. Still very confused but trying to get it. He has been up with Physical Therapy working on mobility. We are waiting for an approval for a transfer to Shirley Ryan in Chicago for rehab on mobility and neurologically. 

We are beyond thankful for all of the prayers and support during this nightmare and absolutely giving thanks to God for being with him and all of us. We realize how blessed our family has been by letting him remain on this earth with us. I’m praying for a full recovery for him so he can get back to his family and life as it was but moving forward better after this gift of a second chance. 

He still have a long road ahead of him.. but again.. we are so thankful for that road<3

Miracles are happening<3 God is good! The prayers are working<3 I will get into more detail tonight. I am at work. Hugs, love and prayers to all<3 And Gooo Duston<333

And my heart is heavy.. as I just got off FaceTime w my brother.. my cousin Andrea was there to visit and she dialed me. 

Duston was wide eyed and extremely confused. They moved him from ICU to a MedSurg floor. We still are really unsure as to why Haley is about 40 minutes away right now. How confusing this must be to my poor brother, who has a severe brain injury, and is struggling to figure the world and things out again.  To be moved to another room that he doesn’t know all kinds of strange faces that he doesn’t recognize once again.  He has a feeding tube, but he said they didn’t feed him:( They said they did before the love,  I just don’t understand why they would do that  with somebody that has severe brain, trauma and injuries like he does:( This has to be so confusing and scary to him. He just had tears rolling down his face while he looked all around completely wide eyed:( 💔 

My heart is heavy because our Mom got her call from Chicago about her biopsy. It is cancer. More cancer. 💔

Again we can’t breathe. 

Punch after punch our family keeps taking. But we will keep getting back up. We will keep standing. 

Thank you all for the continued prayers. Hugs

Friday morning: Physical therapy is in working with Duston.. they have had him sitting on the side of the bed and standing w assistance<3 I’m cracking up seeing the way he is laying in the bed. That has to be uncomfortable. Brain injury is a strange strange thing. Anyways.. sooo happy to see and share this progress<3 Haley will be staying w him this weekend.. I’m sure that will really be a comfort and helpful visit as well<3

This will be a “long hard road”. But it feels like he has already came so far from 2 weeks ago when this all happened. He still has his trach.. broken bones are healing. He’s awake a lot. Of course wanting to go home and asking for Haley and his boy. 

We have been warned with brain injuries that he could say some things he doesn’t mean and or be mean. So far.. crossing fingers.. he is his sweet self. Even when he is frustrated with the nurses.. he will say “I’m sorry.. but you’re doing too much”. He wants out of the bed and to go home. He doesn’t yet realize his true injuries or state.

There are many everyday functions that I didn’t even realize some of us take for granted that he doesn’t know how to do or remember how to do at this time. His eyes are wide alot like a baby.. he’s wide eyed looking with curiosity and wonderment at everything while he’s trying to figure it all out again and HE WILL. ❤

He still has his sense of humor.. or so we think as he is calling out.. “Hey Siri” in the room wanting his phone that has never been there. He told the nurses when they accidentally hurt him.. “Now look what you’ve done.. how do I file a claim”. He tells my Dad matter of factly.. “Dad.. I’m done.. grab my hoodie.. let’s go.. I’m done”. Again.. he’s never had a hoodie there. He looked me straight in the eyes and said “I need you”.. and i knew as his sister what those eyes meant.. what that look meant. “I need you”.. Come get me sis.. I need you to save me.. come get me outta here.😞 Then the funny quips don’t seem so funny anymore:(

What I do hold in my heart is how far he has already come. Two weeks ago.. I wasn’t sure.. I wasn’t sure:( I know he’s gonna make it through this now. I know because I have seen first hand what the power or prayer, love and support can do. 

In the past two weeks, my baby brother was seriously injured. His entire body and brain. He went thru a medflighted, craniotomy, blood on his brain, fractured skull, bones, broken clavicle, collapsed lungs, broken ribs, fractured pelvis and broken hip. Among other injuries. 

In the past two weeks, we have seen Gods work. We have seen healing. Staples removed from his head today. Stapes removed from his clavicle. We watched terrified when they shut the vent off to allow him to breathe on his own with a trach and only oxygen support. We have gotten to see his big beautiful blue eyes and hear his voice again. We have gotten to laugh at his humor whether intentional or not. Lol. 

So.. what Ive learned from this past two weeks is this. He may have “a long rough road” ahead of him. But I also know that will prayer, love, support from family and friends, strength and WILL TO LIVE anything is possible!! 

Please continue to pray he continues on this road to recovery and that he gets a spot at the Chicago Traumatic Brain Surgery place the trauma dr recommended for him. Thank you all.. without all of you.. your prayers, love and support.. I don’t know.. I just don’t know. 

With love, 

The family of Duston Hudgins

The past two days have been a lot. Duston has been very awake. He wants out of the hospital bed. There is so much confusion and so much he and we all don’t know. It is clear that this is going to be a long hard road as they keep reminding us. But these good days.. have us riding on such a high that we forget the next day can be completely opposite. The good thing is.. he/we have been given the gift of each day to get thru this with him. We love you Bubby.. we continue to pray for you. I know one day you’ll be reading all of this and see all you overcame with prayers, support and the love of your family and friends by your side. Also, Wishing Haley a Happy Birthday also during this difficult time. Love you all

Monday Oct 9th- I apologize for the lack of a Sunday update. Things have been changing rapidly and its been hard to keep up with everything. Per my Saturday update. Duston is still in ICU, he is off the vent and was moved to a trach w oxygen support.

As of Sunday & still today.. Monday, he has been wide eyed and wanting OUT of the hospital bed and has seemed to mouth words as he hasn't been able to speak and is VERY agitated. They did confirm he now  has pneumonia which is from the vent/trach.

Today, (Monday) they put a cap on his trach to see if he could speak and and they asked him his name. He said "Duston Hudgins". All words are very quiet and faint as it takes alot of air and effort. Then he said "my wife', "Haley" and "Konnor" wanting them. Dad immediately let us all know. Haley ran out of work.. picked Konnor up from school and is in Fort Wayne at the hospital ICU both of them now by his side along with Dad who is staying with him this week. He is fighting to get back to his family. He doesn't want to be broken and in that bed and away from his wife and son. 

The neuro and trauma Drs are hoping to get a spot in the Chicago Traumatic Brain Injury Neuro Hospital. As they feel that will be the best place and chance for Duston to get the very best help and care for the best recovery from his severe brain injuries. 

No amount of words of thanks will ever cover all of the prayers, love and support that has already been sent and shown during this living nightmare. As we continue our prayers for a full recovery for Duston.. we also continue our prayers and thanks for all of you who have rallied by his side, our sides and lifted him and all of us in prayer. Please continue as you can.. as the Neuro and Trauma teams have confirmed this will be a "long hard road".

What I take from that last sentence is the word "Road" and from that I feel so much. So thankful and blessed that we even have the option of that "hard road" in front of him to even travel down. Not all are so lucky. I don't know how he/we have been so blessed that he was spared. But thank you God, for giving him another chance. Thank you for letting his son Konnor, continue to have a father. Haley her husband.. a brother, a son, family and friend. Thank you God for giving us a road in front of him to travel down at all, even if it is a "hard road", he is not alone, we will all travel down that road with him. 

A special thank you to all that have helped donate in any capacity. I have made the first withdrawal request to help Haley pay the household bills this month as Duston's loss of income has already seriously impacted their household. Each month until Duston is able to get home and back to work.. I will make a withdrawal that will b a supplement of Duston's income to help keep the roof over their heads as Haley cant do it alone. At least one of her worries that can be eased during this very hard uncertain time while the fund money lasts. If anything is left after that.. it will go to the tremendous amount of medical bills that will be incurred from all of this. All thanks to all of you. Thank you and God Bless you all!

And prayer warriors.. if you could please add our Mom (Dona) in your prayers.. her Biopsy in Chicago is tomorrow (Tuesday) on the newest spot on her lungs. Please pray that spot is benign.  

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! With love and our deepest gratitude, The family of Duston Hudgins

Saturday update: Duston has been wide eyed for the better part of the day. He initiated breathes on his own all day on the breathing trial so they have turned the vent off and he is breathing on his own thru the trach w oxygen support! His fever is 101.4 at this time.. the nurse believes it is part of the neuro storming. Please keep praying he continues this and for all other brain and body healing<3

Duston had a good day and a Great night. Today Phil and Jill (in-laws) and Dad were w Duston. They said he was moving around all day etc. I came up around five. Haley and Konnor got up here around six. Dustons eyes opened a bit and once Haley started talking to him, he open them wide, was looking right at her looking right at her and Konnor, he squeezed their hands when they asked him to Haley even asked for a kiss, and Duston puckered up his lips as much as he could for her<3  A few different times he was moving his lips like he wanted to speak. He was looking all around definitely staring at Haley and Konnor.<3 Our hearts needed this!! Konnor and Haley’s hearts needed this<3 Duston needed this<3 He is now sleeping soundly, hopefully getting more rest and more healing in. 

There is power in prayer. Please keep them coming. Words cannot begin to express our gratitude for each and everyone and all of you.

Mom, Dad and Crystal have been with Duston while Haley and I try to work and Konnor tries to get through his school day. He is struggling badly. Can you all please say a prayer of comfort and strength for my nine year old nephew who wants to see his Daddy awake and being goofy with him.\

The Neurologist ordered another MRI to get a clear picture of the brain now that its been one week. Wow! I cant believe is already been 1 week since this nightmare happened. The neurologist expects to see the whole brain affected. But she needs this fresh scan to know exactly what she's dealing with. She ordered Ultrasounds of arms and legs to check blood flow and they found blood clots in both arms and legs. The Dr is concerned the clots could move from his legs to his lungs and Duston is at High risk for more clots. The plan is to to put in arterial traps which would work like an umbrella to catch clots if they are traveling. They cannot give blood thinner due to the brain injury.

Sedation and pain medicines have been off turned off so they could check for reaction/ response. After one hour he opened one eye then immediately shut it. That one thing is the only response today. The Drs used painful stimulation and Duston just laid there with no addition response:(

The Dr says this is nothing to be concerned about at this time. When the neuro storms start again they will start sedation again. He is still on a vent of course thru it all. As that is what is breathing for him. 

This wasnt a good day. It wasnt a good day at all. All of our hearts are hurting soo much. We are trying our best to carry on in this moment of uncertainty. But man oh man. 

Please keep those prayers coming for Duston to continue healing and for a full recovery. Please say a prayer for his little boy that is his best little buddy in the world, his wife and for all of our hearts. As the elephant is sitting on our chests and hearts again. 

Today was not a good day. But tomorrow could be. Evidently with traumatic brain injury you just never know moment to moment or day to day.. especially in the beginning. 

Our Mom will also be having a biopsy in Chicago on Tuesday for a new spot they found on her lung. Please pray that this spot is benign or environmental.

I promise to create a fb page for the updates this weekend.

Love, Prayers and Gratitude.. The family of Duston Hudgins

This morning Duston had surgery to have a trach placed to remove all the tubes strapped to his face and in his throat. They also put a feeding tube in his stomach. Everything went smoothly with all that. All of this will be better and more comfortable for Duston. It is still a struggle keeping his blood pressure and heart rate steady today.. and he has been fevered and sweating. They are trying a different blood pressure med.

Now on to the good stuff. When Crystal came back in the hospital room.. the Nurses told Duston.. your sister Crystal is here. Crystal started talking to him. She said to him "Its your sister Crystal can you open your eyes? and HE DID!!! Crystal also tried to hold his right hand and he kept pulling it away.. Which is comical. Obviously not intentional.. he loves his big but still funny! lol. Duston and I always have the ridiculous humor.  You either love it or hate it. lol. The huge thing is he is moving his hand! Even the small things are HUGE to us. We all needed this<3 Youve got this Bubby!! Keep fighting and get back to you beautiful wife, handsome son and all that love and care for you! You have more to do still..<3 Thank you for the continued prayers and thank you all for the financial support as well. They are gonna need it. Much love and blessings to you all<3

Morning of Tuesday Oct 3rd- Shut sedation off for 10 mins Duston's eyes open & closed, no focusing, no pupil reaction. Lots of movement on Rt side, none on the left. He may get more movement on Lt side as the pressure decreases on Lt side of brain. He did not follow any commands at this time. All vitals did start to go up due to anxiety & minimal coughing, but wasn't fighting as much. Nurse Alex did start sedation again low does because of raised vitals. This is called a Neuro Storm. Since I have been here 3:30am.. heart rate has been high but nurse was not concerned because he does get medication for that in the morning. Temp has been running 99.6. BP has been 1460 or slightly lower. Vent has been keeping him breathing stable. Xray results can back showing slight pneumonia already:( Anytime the nurses or Doctors do anything Duston move his leg or tries to move his arm or head but only on the right right. 

Evening Update: Occupational & Physical therapy were here got him up on the side of the bed to sit up for at least 10 mins. While holding him up of course. He did great. He didn't follow commands really but he didn't really fight them either. Still no movement on the left side, did not raise his head up, but had his eyes open, he would move his head towards my voice. Therapy will be at least 3 times a week , when family is here they need to start on Duston's Rt side & move slow to bottom of bed talking to him moving to his Lt side. Trying to keep him aware he has a Lt side. He also needs something under right side of head to keep head midline so his neck doesn't stiffen up. Also the art line is not working so if BP stays stable & they can get him off the BP IV med they will not put it back in , if not they will have to put it back in. Dr is going to be taking him to surgery tomorrow to to a tracheostomy to put the vent in the neck. Also he will be putting in a feeding tube in his stomach. Both will be a better for option for now

At 8am the Neuro surgeon Dr Phuogh came in and said the brain is recovering as he had expected at this point. The right side of the brain just looks bruised now. The left side is where the very serious trauma is. It doesn't appear to be getting worse. It needs time to heal itself. (Thank you God). It will be a few weeks before the staples are removed.

The Dr tried to get Duston to respond to commands by reducing sedation by ALOT but he didn't respond. (Our hearts, please lord wrap your arms around him and heal him and send him home to us). The Dr looked at his eyes today they weren't rolled all the way back like they have been. Crystal said she could see them. (Those beautiful Duston blues.. again.. Thank you God). His vitals are good. He has had a 100 temp for a few days. He is starting to do little coughs here and there on his own they say that could be him coming out. 

Very good news is the neck is not broken or fractured so they were able to remove the neck brace. One less thing. He said it is going to be a long haul on the recovery of his brain. (Heart breaks). He said it could it could be months and month or a year. (heart breaks, tears falls). The key word we want to hold on to is a family is he used the word RECOVERY. Recovery is the word will we hold onto.

All of the previously explained in previous updates remains the same at this time for Duston. He is still on a vent.. still heavily sedated with a brain that needs to heal, broken body that needs repaired and to heal and collapsed lung.. that needs whatever collapsed lungs need. (Please God restore him complete here on earth. Amen).

The neuro Surgeon did clear the Orthopedic Surgeon to go in to surgery today to repair the serious clavicle break. Duston got through that surgery ok. Clavicle is repaired thanks to an amazing ortho surgeon Dr Ford and plates and screws. (One less thing on the list). 

Not alot happening right now.. we are still in the "hurry up and wait" period. The resting, healing and waiting stage. (God is good and he is with us). We know tomorrow will be a better day.

Thank you all soo much for the out pouring of love, prayers and support in this horrible and uncertain time. Haley still has to work and maintain insurance to help with all of this.. a household.. herself and a little buy that is already struggling badly. Although he is a tough guy like his Dad so he saves it most for Haley. Please keep them in your daily prayers. Please continue to pray for my baby brother to be restored fully and for all that love him. 

I have been asked to start another page for updates. At this time.. Its taking all I can to write, share, update the three spots I am. Please come here of to one of the facebook post for updates at this time as we are all flooded with emotion and a lack of words right now. Our body's might not be broken but our hearts definitely are. 

God is good.. he will get Duston through this. He will get us all though this. 

It has been a long several days. Duston remains in ICU on a vent heavily sedated. He did have an emergency craniotomy after med-flight got him to Ft Wayne Lutheran Trauma Center ER. He suffered skull fractures, bleeding on the brain, broken clavicle, broken ribs, collapsed lung, broken hip and fractured pelvis. 

He will remain on the vent and heavily sedated this week with little to no stimulation hoping to give time for the brain to heal. Then they will try to see how Duston does with lowering the sedation and vent. As of now, the vent is breathing for Duston, however his nurse stated when he turned it down for a check.. Duston did breath through it. So that is great news. 

Previous days and as of this morning, when sedation has been lowered to allow for the commands test.. so far he has not followed any commands. However, the Trauma Doctors and Neuro Surgeons are not surprised by that result with the severe brain injuries he has suffered. 

We continue to ask for prayers for Duston, his wife Haley, son Konnor and family.

How is everyone doing? We are all just trying to pray and breathe through this. Trying to stay strong and fight through this, the same way that we are praying Duston continues too. 

Thank you all for the love, prayers and support. Thank you to those who have offered love and help in the ways they can. Thank you to the gentleman that said he will help with their yard, the people helping with the animals they have while she is by his side, the people watching and staying at the house, the offerings of meals, gas cards, gift cards, prayers of comfort, monetary support as Lord knows Duston, Haley and Konnor's household is gonna need it.

I will update as things happen with Duston. Thank you all. Words do not and will never cover it. 

With love, God bless you all and your families, 

The family of Duston Hudgins