Dearest Cole, i see you are making alot of progress, accomplishing alot and moving forward! PROUD OF YOU! keep up the hard work, cole! one step at a time. cole, with each step you take you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident, more and more successful. start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. recovery is a journey not a destination and remember with God anything is possible. praying for you, thinking of you. sending positive vibes and love your way...BIG HUG! btw, i touched your feet while you were in the hospital, haha, just thought i let you know(: (sorry if that sounded alittle weird/awkward, [blame it on chavez], haha.) hope to see you soon, cole! aloha, Ciemone.

7.29.12...Cole, 9 months and 1 day since the accident...Weight 132, (your all time low was 116), Feeding tube out, check (as of Friday), Botox to your right arm to help with the spasticity, check, sense of humor, as well as your sarcasm, in tip top form, mowing down your food, taking all your meds orally, able to tolerate decreasing some of your meds, making and answering phone calls, dialing some numbers by memory, commenting on facebook posts, playing games on your I pad, explaining to Hilary about your new cousin, including her name, (Tory Colette) fixing my I phone, finding a water bottle that neither Hil or I could find, taking steps with a walker (and some assistance) enjoying lunch out with Markie, Hilary and I, chiming in on conversations when I didn't even know you were listing to, some days your pain is better...Shall I go on? You've come such a long way and you are working so hard. You continue to inspire and amaze! Keep paddling...one day this will be over...you life will be yours again! I love you, Bear! ♥ mama ♥

7.8.12...doors being blown down, Bear cub! Walking while holding the parallel bars...15 steps before resting...steps controlled...balance and posture pretty much maintained! Then, 10 or so steps with a walker (and other assistance from PT) but awesome! Yes...once again, you reduced me to tears of happiness and my heart was swollen with pride! Then today...you stood up out of your wheelchair BY YOURSELF!!!! You have had lots of visitor this weekend...Ty, Spencer and his girlfriend Sara, Allan, Poon and Taylor Gee. You really enjoyed spending time with your homies! You also got a visit from sheba gagnon, too! She jumped right up on you!! Oh yeah...haven't used the feeding tube for over a month for food and haven't used it for meds for days now. You are knocking back your meds old school! PADDLE ON Cole! Once again...I love you! ♥ Mama Bear ♥

6.30.12...well son...you are a couple of days over the 9 month mark and "paddling" something fierce! You have been eating like there's no tomorrow and since I'm determined to get that feeding tube out of your body, I started giving you your meds orally as well! Today was the first day, but you had no major issues with it. I crush them up and put them in applesauce. Next step...swallowing pills! I have no doubt you'll get there soon! Your body is still struggling to keep up with your mind, but of this too I'm sure, soon they will be as one just as they once were! Your pain is still a MAJOR problem, but Dr. Patterson has some other med else up his sleeve that we will start next week! Come on depakote!! Jill has given me some articare gel (organic pain reliever) to rub on you pain filled arm and leg...seems to help...a little. Anyway, we are paddling forward with help from Hilary and Julia...bless their hearts! Noho ikaika...stay strong, paddle hard, dig deep! Your strength never ceases to amaze me! Aloha nui loa, pea...I love you very much, bear! ♥ Mama bear ♥

6.30.12...well son...you are a couple of days over the 9 month mark and "paddling" something fierce! You have been eating like there's no tomorrow and since I'm determined to get that feeding tube out of your body, I started giving you your meds orally as well! Today was the first day, but you had no major issues with it. I crush them up and put them in applesauce. Next step...swallowing pills! I have no doubt you'll get there soon! Your body is still struggling to keep up with your mind, but of this too I'm sure, soon they will be as one just as they once were! Your pain is still a MAJOR problem, but Dr. Patterson has some other med else up his sleeve that we will start next week! Come on depakote!! Jill has given me some articare gel (organic pain reliever) to rub on you pain filled arm and leg...seems to help...a little. Anyway, we are paddling forward with help from Hilary and Julia...bless their hearts! Noho ikaika...stay strong, paddle hard, dig deep! Your strength never ceases to amaze me! Aloha nui loa, pea...I love you very much, bear! ♥ Mama bear ♥

6.19.12...Hey, Bear! Doing GREAT! You are definetly moving into a new phase! It makes things a little tricky around here...You are trying to get up and do things yourself! Your brain says yes you can, but the body is not quite there yet! I turned my back for maybe two minutes, (which until recently was okay) when I came back in the room you were out of the living room chair! Knees on the ground, your trunk sprawled over the stool...pretty much stuck, but laughing. I asked you what you were trying to do and you said "I have to go to the bathroom". I'm really glad it was just a warning shot to me and that you didn't get hurt! Thank goodness Markie was here...It was pretty tough getting you up! It is really 24/7 now!! Really great progress, but just hoping your body catches up soon!! Off to therapy tomorrow, sweetie. Lets hope your frustration doesn't get the best of you! My heart is yours, Cole!! I love you... ♥ MB ♥

6.12.12...Hey sweetheart! You are moving right along! Cognatively you are blossoming. And physically,well...have to really keep an eye on you as you are trying to get out of the living room chair by yourself. The other day when we returned home from therapy, I was getting your wheelchair out of the back of the car, by the time I got to your door, you had the seatbelt off,door open and legs were almost out the door! You are taking some steps while holding on to parallel bars, sitting up like it's no big deal, taking steps back to the chair/bed when being transferred, leaning forward and standing without to much help from me, holding your own weight and controlling it while lowering yourself down to a chair, getting shirt and shorts (almost completely) on, getting your socks on (with a little assistance), we played solataire, and blink (card games), your are eating TV eggs, enchiladas, burgers, a little doughnut, not big amounts, but Rome wasn't built in a day, right? You see the pain management Doc on Thursday. Lets pray he finds some way to relieve your constant pain in your arms, legs and head. So frustrating and heartbreaking not to be able to help you! Your strength and courage continue to inspire me daily and I couldn't be prouder to call you my son! Paddle on Bear, paddle hard! I love you... ♥ mama bear ♥

Forbear
Life changes without any care
Leaving us nothing to spare
But from new beginnings we’ll share
Outside of your customary lair
Be Aware
There’s a world spinning out there
For Bear
As you fight for your life to be well
Emerging from some kind of hell
As if breaking a spell
Be Well
There’s a world spinning out there
 For Bear
The loves in your life are about
Demanding removal of doubt
On the path where you’re reaching out
Like a cub you’ll be dancing about
Be Stout
There’s a world spinning out there
For Bear
The strength of your parent’s resolve
Will ensure that these trouble s dissolve
That your hold on life will strongly evolve
A remedy is destined to solve
Be Sure
There’s a world spinning out there
For Bear
The riddle that life has provided
That otherwise fate has decided
Will be solved by the love that’s resided
In the hearts of those undivided
Be Praised
There’s a world spinning out there
For Bear

 By Peter Watts

May 31, 2012

Well today was a big day. We were up early and off to Long beach Memorial for the Baclofen pump trial. The trial will show if you are a good candidate for the pump. (Muscle relaxer delivered to the spinal cord by way of a "pump" inserted in just under your skin) I was really looking forward to this being successful because it should ease your chronic pain and also reduce your spasticity and allow you to get more out of therapy. Well that being said, your spasticity didn't seem to be reduced too much, your BP dropped very low, broke into cold sweats and since we arrived home you have vomited (not to mention other gastrointestional issues). All in all, not that neat of a day! Haven't gotten the official word that this was not successful, but I have a funny feeling...One good thing, even if this pump cannot be used, Dr Gurskis will press on to find something to help ease your pain! I know I ask alot, and I appreciate ALL the progress and good fortune God has bestowed on us, but this CONSTANT pain must be relieved! You are so strong and are enduring so much...Noho ikaika...stay strong, sweetheart! I love every inch of you, inside and out! ♥ Mama bear ♥

You're Invited! Cole's Welcome Home Party

Aloha to Cole's friends and family

We have been back in Manhattan Beach for a couple of weeks now, after being away for nearly 7 months, and are getting settled back into life at home.   Cole has begun his new outpatient therapy at Long Beach Memorial Hospital, and continues to progress on his long road to recovery. We look forward to seeing all of you at his Welcome Home Party being given by  the "10th Street Girls" on June 24.  Please see below for details.  Thank you all again for your outpouring of love and support for Cole, and we hope to see you on the 24th.

Nancy and Mark

Click the image to view and print the flyer:

We also have some very good news to share with you....THE COLE'S ARMY T-SHIRTS HAVE ARRIVED! The price is $25 per shirt. The proceeds will be used to start a general fund to help with Cole's needs as we move forward in his rehabilitation. Please allow about 3 weeks for delivery.

We thank you for all your overwhelming support of Cole on his journey to recovery, and remind you to keep praying. It really does work!

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May 24, 2012

Cole, you are truly an inspiration! You are working sooooo hard, through soooo much pain and frustration! Not ever very happy about it, but you get it done, son! Today you took four steps with only the help of parallel bars (a little help from the Pt) for support! Like I said, painful and frustrating...I'm sure your wondering..."why is this so F*#@&ing hard?" "I should be able to do this!!!!" Your frustration came out verbally when you were asked to straighten your right arm...you yelled, "why can't I do this...why is this happening?!" My heart just wither up inside me...I'm so sorry, Bear, but everyday just means you are one day closer to the end of the nightmare! Keep paddling, my sweetheart! My love for you grows daily ... ♥ Mama Bear ♥

May 23, 2012

Big day today, Cole! We went to see Dr. Gerskis to see about the Baclofen pump being put just under the skin of your abdomen to deliver the meds directly to your spine to control your spasms and pain. This would also allow you to get off of some of the 15 plus meds your on now. I really liked him. spent 1 hr plus tell us just how it all works starting with the trial that must be done first by giving you a lumbar puncture. Your spasticity would be measured before, during and after to see if you would be a good candidate. If so, the pump would be surgically inserted while under general anesthesia. Really happy to find this Dr.!! The one we saw in Chino spent about 30 seconds (no kidding) with us and never even examined you! Glad that it worked out this way even if it took forever to get to where we are today! There's a reason for everything in life! Back to LB for a couple of hrs. of therapy tomorrow! You doing awesome, Bear...keep paddling! love, love, love you! ♥ mama bear ♥

May 22, 2012

Well, Cole...we are off to Long Beach for your first official day of out pt therapy! Last week at the evaluation one of the therapists said she wanted to get you in the pool soon! I hope you like it as much as I think you will! On our way today , we will swing by and see grandma at her new home...Sunnyside. She really wants to see you. :( Poor G-ma...not happy about leaving the trailer, but last least we know she's safe. love you bear! ♥ MB ♥

May 16, 2012

Cole Bear...arrived home in Manhattan Beach last thusrday, the 10th of May...WOW! May already! Seems like Oct 28 was a million years ago, but also seems like yesterday. You have adjusted pretty well, (but gotta say, this 24/7 things...WOW...and I'll leave it at that) you don't recognize the house, but you do recognize the things inside! Tyler comes by almost daily and Pat has been in and out also! Chavez came in for the weekend, but went back to AZ on Monday. You started out-pt rehab at Long Beach memorial. New faces, new gym, long car ride, multiple car transfers, more adjustment, but you held up well today in spite of it all. I just wish your pain could be controlled. All I can seem to do is to take the edge off...never able to get you completely comfortable! Makes MB sad...frustrated! Hate to see you in pain..hate to see your brain struggling to remember what happened minutes before...hate to see you have to fight your own body, to see you want to eat ,but at the same time not be interested, to have every part of your control taken away...just breaks my heart, Bear! But, God is right next to the three of us through it all...keep paddling...one day, my kid, it will all be over! I love you, Cole! ♥ Mama Bear ♥

Welcome Home Cole

Welcome Home Cole

In an odd way the weeks ahead will be the most exciting time our family has ever spent. On June 1 we will be moving back to our hometown of Manhattan Beach. While we have only been away for 6 months, a lot has happened in our lives since we moved, and it seems like an eternity. Manhattan Beach is really the only home we have ever known, as Nancy’s family has lived there for over 50 years, and the Cameron family has roots in the city that date back to 1937….over 75 years. During our time away, we have come to better appreciate what a special community it is, and how much we miss the South Bay friends we left behind. So while we await our homecoming, we will have a chance to reflect on the events that led to our return.

Our story really begins a year ago when, after planning the move for over a decade, we had finally decided to make Hawaii our permanent home. Our 19-yr old son Cole had been accepted to attend the University of Hawaii, which he began in August.

Living in the dormitories, Cole quickly adapted to being away from home and college life. His grades were good, he made a lot of new friends, and was busy swimming, scuba diving, and paddling to prepare for the Winter surf season. Fortunately, we were able to find a new place to live in a small town on the North Shore of Maui. Things were good, and we were looking forward to joining Cole and starting this new chapter in our life right after Christmas. And then we got THE CALL. Little did we know how much our life had changed, and would never again be the same.

It was October 29, and we got the word that Cole had been involved in a terrible traffic accident and had suffered a very serious Traumatic Brain Injury. He was unconscious at the scene of the accident, and spent the next 2 weeks deep in a coma at Queens Medical Center in Honolulu. Sadly the driver, Cole’s 19-yr old friend Tayler, was killed in the accident, and his friend Justin, like Cole, suffered a TBI and lapsed into a coma. Fortunately, his friend Chavez, the 4th person in the car, was able to avoid serious physical injury.

The first few weeks were a life and death struggle, and keeping the pressure inside of his brain at an acceptable level was a constant challenge for the medical staff. While fighting for his life, Cole, among other things, battled 2 bouts with pneumonia and a major C-Diff infection. After he awoke from his coma, the neurologists in the ICU spent the next month assessing the extent of Cole’s brain injury, and getting him medically well enough to be flown back to the Mainland to begin his lengthy therapy and rehabilitation at Casa Colina Hospital in Pomona, California.

Cole’s first 6 weeks were spent in acute care at the facility, and once the staff was satisfied that his progress was medically sufficient, he was transferred to the Transitional Living Center, where he remains today. Each day is filled with extensive rehabilitation, including speech, physical, and occupational therapy. Recovery from the type of brain injury he suffered is such a long, slow, and arduous process, and the work is exhausting. Although there have been many setbacks along the way, and the future is far from certain, Cole continues to show progress.

While we are heartbroken about his injury, and are very concerned about the financial impact this is having on our family, we take great comfort knowing that things do happen for a reason in life, and that God does have a plan for Cole. The Hawaiian people have a phrase that best describes Cole ….” Ho’o Ikaika” which, roughly translated means strength of body, mind, and spirit. Or, said differently, persevere, and you will push through. He is fighting the fight of his life, and we are very proud to call him our son.

Mark