Mom: Update

First, very very sincere apologies to those who've been faithfully checking this page for updates on Mom. If you're reading this, there's a very good chance that I owe you an email reply. I'm really sorry, but recent weeks have chugged by at a breakneck pace and keeping everyone informed has been far too low on the priority scale.

There's a lot of information to cover, so instead of going into nose-bleed detail, here's the basic skinny, quick-hit style. Again, apologies:

• As of now, all five of Mom's surgeries were a success. She's received grafts on her legs, arms, hands, torso and head. It's very difficult, not to mention horribly painful, to graft large areas and, since Mom has no identical twin, all of the skin donor sites had to come from unburned sections of her own body. Fortunately, the percentage of grafts that have "taken" is in the high 90s, which is outrageously good.
   
  
  
• She's home. On Tuesday, after exactly one month, she was released from the hospital and is currently staying with my sister, Erin. It's where she'll be for the forseable future.
   
  
  
• For obvious reasons, she's losing the "Slabaugh" and going back to her maiden name, Spellman.
   
  
  
• Bill has been officially indicted on charges of kidnapping, felonious assault and domestic violence. As of this writing he's been unable to raise the required 50% of his $2 million bail, so it's looking as if he's probably going to remain in jail throughout the trial process.
   
  
  
• Several folks have inquired about Mom's Benevolent Fund. It's through First Merit Bank and it's called the Becky Slabaugh Benevlolence Fund. Anyone wishing to contribute need only contact First Merit and name the fund and that's it. If you're considering making a contribution, thanks in advance.
   
  
  
• A national news program is interested in Mom's story. At the moment, Mom remains undecided, but she's weighing her options. Any inquiries should be directed to our attorney, Dennis O'Toole.
   
  
  
• Some time next week, Mom will make a trip down to Germantown, Ohio to have her face scanned for a burn mask by a company called Total Contact. It's a custom-manufactured mask made to fit her face to control scarring. She'll be wearing the mask approx. 23 hours a day for about a year.
   
  
  
• Though I've pleaded with her to take it slow, Mom looks forward to begin working part-time from home (doing admissions and other administrative duties at the Heather Knoll retirement community) in the near future. She promises not to push herself too hard and it may be some time before she's able to get back in the swing full-time and on-site.
   
  
  
• Not sure when the trials will be, but it's definite that the criminal trial will be first, followed by the civil trial.
   
  
  
• Mom has deeply appreciated the unprecedented avalanche of cards, flowers, letters, visits, donations, prayers and encouragement she's received over the course of the past month. Each has been important and precious to her and has significantly aided her recovery and lifted her spirits. Thanks seems inadequate, but thanks.
   
  
  
• While she does appreciate visits, our family would like to humbly request you call before popping in. Our main concern is that Mom gets the rest and care she needs right now, so if it isn't a good time, please don't be offended.
   
  
  
• For the record, no one has gone above and beyond the call of duty more than my sisters, Erin and Lauren, and their spouses. I could list off so many people that have been instrumental in recent days in helping out my mother (and I might try eventually), but my sibs are tops. From spending long hours and late nights in the hospital, to making phone calls, paying bills, appearing at hearings and pre-trials, putting Mom's house up for sale and taking care of every little ridiculous thing that no one else could ever hope to remember... these incredible women have left me astonished.

In general, I won't lie, it's a difficult road ahead and much of Mom's progress is two-steps-forward, one-step-back. Not every day is better than the one before it, but, man, it's really inspiring to behold my mother's resolve and determination. And, somehow, she's managed to hang onto her sense of humor throughout.

Well, whatever, I've neglected to mention an awful lot and I'm going to try to be a bit more faithful with updates and replies. Thanks for your patience.

posted by Jeremy Bear 8:56 AM

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