I know we have all heard that wrestling builds character, strength and a personality. This week it has come up more than once how thankful our family is for wresting. Wednesday night our family got the call that all parents hate to hear. Thankfull the Gothenburg fire and rescue was dilligent and got my daughter Erin to the hospital where she could be treated. She has C2, C5, C6 T6 and T7 fractures. How she survived this accident without dieing is amazing, how she survived without being paralyzed is nothing short of miraculous. There is no other answer. It wasn't her time and someone something somewhere has plans for her.
Yesterday as a family we found ourselves sitting through a 9 hour surgery. Thank god for our wrestling family. Her former coaches wife and another wrestlers parent was here and waited with us. Thank you. When the nurses and doctors found out she used to wrestle they said she would rehab well. I have no doubt. Conditioning and training starts tomorrow- not for another sports season. She gets to get out of bed and start pivot transferring. You can follow her progress if you wish under www.carepages.com under ErinSmith- all one word.
Thank you wrestlers who helped give us the memories of Erin wrestling. It was a blast. However thank you even more for helping give her the tenacity that it will take to make it through the months ahead. Thank you for being a family and helping support us through this. God bless you.

Best of luck to Erin on her journey ahead. Keep us posted as to progress.

You are in our thoughts...... Pass along an update when it is appropriate.

I have been following Erin's progress on CarePages and it appears she is doing very well. She has been moved to a regular room and is having therapy daily. Walking and as of today all the tubes are out. A remarkable young lady. They are looking ahead to see about the possibility of getting to 1/2 day of school in the not too distant future. I think Erin's mom is correct, the wrestler's spirit is alive and well in her and serving her well.

Great news!

She continues to do well except is having what I hope are just issues with medication. She was supposed to be released from the hospital today and that is probably not going to happen just yet as she has a few things (as I said hopefully medication) to clear up yet. Please continue to pray for this family as on Monday her older sister had her baby by c-section 5 weeks early. He was 4 lbs. 15 oz. and is doing great, but still extra stress and worry for all to hope that everybody all around is doing fine. Of course the sisters are in two different hospitals - Bless you heart Lori - you are really showing the super mom in you now. Thanks to all for prayers for them.

Please continue those prayers - it was not the medication. Erin is having surgery tonight and will be in ICU following. She evidently has fluid and swelling on the brain. They are putting in a drain tube and hoping that will take care of it. Prayers to the whole family for the strength to continue this fight. Hang in there! We know wrestling families are among the strongest.

Erin still has fight. I guess when she got to ICU tonight even though being sedated she squeezed the nurses hand. The nurse commented "no wonder I thought she was going to take me down." She will be in ICU in Kearney for about a week minimum and then either to another floor or onto surgery. Will try to update as possible. I just can hardly wait to see her cheering for wrestling this year. They asked me upon admit to ICU if she had any problems talking- I said "Only if you count too much."
Thank you for your prayers. I appreciate it very much- She will come through this and will make it to college next year. I love you E-Marge/Blondie- go for the win!

Well it has been a long almost 2 weeks but we finally got out of ICU today. It was one that was only to have taken a week and we should have been looking close to discharging from the hospital but set-backs happen even with the young. Anyhow- in true wrestling style she walked out of the ICU! As we were walking out and down the hallway I commented to the therapist who was walking with her (he played basketball- and it has been a little bit of a joke between us) that you wouldn't see a basketball player doing that. It was something we used to try to help motivate her. He asked Erin if she heard what I had said and when she admitted she hadn't he told her what I said. She commented "well- its the truth."

Honestly any person with determination could have done that but I still credit wrestling with helping give her the gumption to do what she has had to do and has to do in the future. She has come a long ways but has a long ways left to travel.

At one point in time I commented to her about "needing to go to Gibbon." Her best shiner was from M. Kiefer of Gibbon at the A/C meet a couple years ago. She remembered that and said she didn't want to see Kiefer right now.

Thanks again for all the prayers and all the wellwishes. It is appreciated.

So good to hear about her walking out of the hospital!

Shes not quite out yet. Sometime next week.

She was discharged on Thursday. Starting the conditioning program which isn't the same as wrestling conditioning... but comparably as hard considering her muscle and weight loss. Erin wrestled 119 her sophomore year and had gained weight up to 130 lost down to 120 mid August. She looked healthy at 120 however she weighed probably 105 coming out of the hospital. I'll put it this way her body fat content was such we would have had to get a doctors note if. Very emaciated... she is starting to gain the weight/fat back fortunately as mommas cooking is much better than hospital food. PT/OT 2-3 times a week and 2-3 times of walking per day depending on what other activities happened either the day before or the same day. Should go back to school within the next week or very early the next if she can tackle the spinal headaches that are a side effect of a shunt that was placed.

She walked out of the hospital-per her demand. She is tough but a lot of that has to deal with the mentality that you guys helped instill in her. Thank you once again! If you hadn't made her struggle on the mat she wouldn't know how to fight now and this fight is the fight of her life. I can't thank you all enough! Thank you Coach O, Coach Gallant, Kel, and especially former opponents, teammates, and referees- you were the ones who didn't go easy on her...thanks again!

Glad to see things got straightened up! Good luck with the continued therapy and upcoming graduation!