The Power of the Priesthood

I am quite late in writing about this.  Mostly because I was debating whether I really wanted to or not.  Ultimately I have decided on writing about it for a few reasons.  For one reason it happened, we can't ignore it.  Another reason there is a neat spiritual experience involved in this as well.

On Thursday January 2nd Benjamin attended a birthday party for his best friend Hunter.  We had just finished dropping him off and the girls were sobbing sad because they were not invited to a boy birthday party.  So being the great mom that I am I said lets go to McDonald's (puke!), get some nuggets and you can play at the play place fore a while.  This seemed to be a sufficient substitute for the party at the fun center where I know Benjamin was having a blast.

We got our food, the girls were playing, it wasn't very busy (that is always nice), and we saw a friend there so I had someone to chat with while our kiddos played. Things were going along nicely until I heard Hannah crying.  I noticed a red mark on her forehead and thought she bonked her head, give a little love she will be fine.  But as I was giving her love, the bump went from little and red to large (think golf ball size hanging off your forehead) and purple.  Then she started vomiting.

So apparently this was a bigger deal than I originally thought.

My friend hurriedly helped me clean up the vomit from my purse while cleaned up Hannah and I, then she helped pack up our stuff, grabbed Andrew for me and we headed to the van. On the way home to get cleaned up I called Marc (who was working in Logan ), said a silent prayer, then looked at Hannah and watched as her eyes rolled back into her head and she passed out.

More silent freaking out ensued (I had to stay calm for the other kids) until I had a very direct, very strong thought come to my mind to go to the "B"'s (name has been left out on purpose) - a sweet, awesome, totally-look-up-to-them family in our ward.  I whipped the van around, pulled in their driveway, ran up the steps and rang the door bell. I asked if her husband could give Hannah a blessing right now. Without hesitation he said yes then ran a few houses down to another friends home to get him and his wife.  She works as a pediatric nurse and Primary Childrens.  I got Hannah woken up, and the rest of my kiddos in their home, she looked over Hannah and said she has a concussion and that I should take her into the ER for a CT scan to make sure there was no bleeding or fractures.

Then the men gave Hannah a powerful blessing.  They blessed her that when she went to the ER that the doctors would not find anything wrong. That she would be fine. That she would heal quickly and that through the faith of her mother (my faith) all of these blessings would come to pass.

The "B"'s said they would keep Rachel, and Benjamin would be ok to be brought to their home after the party.  The men also felt prompted to drive me, Hannah and Andrew the the ER.  At first I thought this was silly, I admit I even thought it a few times while we were in the ER. But looking back I am so grateful that they listened to that prompting. Hannah passed out a second time on the way there. If I had been driving I would't have been able to wake her up again.  Also the ER was especially busy that night with police officers, and security men looking for a man who escaped  from the ER.  I know having those 2 extra set of hands to help, as well as 2 men there to be with me that we were safe.

While we were in the waiting room Hannah's bump had already decreased in size and she was remembering more.  She continued to improve the entire time we were there.  The doctors and nurses were impressed at how well she was doing after knowing she had passed out 2 times, vomited and had memory loss.

I know it was because of the blessing.

Marc met us at the ER and was able to walk her down to have the CT done. The lady doing the CT commented on how well Hannah did during it.  She didn't move a muscle, she wasn't scared and according to the scans....there was no major damage from her hitting her head.

Just like the blessing said.

We were discharged with directions to just let her rest and take pain medication as needed.  Amazingly enough - she never asked for any pain medicine.  She has recovered almost 100%. I say almost because since hitting her head she has one symptom that shows up when she gets tired.  Blinking, a lot of blinking. Something that started almost immediately after she hit her head.  Blinking is a 'normal' PCS (Post Concussion Symptom) that can last for a  few months afterward.  So for now we just monitor it.

And today 12 days post accident the bruising and black eyes are almost gone.

But I will never forget the prompting I had to go to our friends to ask for a blessing.  I will never forget the power of the priesthood.  I will always be grateful for those who are ready, willing and worthy to give a blessing whenever needed. And I will always cherish this sweet face.