On Friday, August 23rd, Elder Van Bibber was helping chop wood as a service project for a member of the ward he was assigned to in Anchorage. His companion was chopping the wood and Taylor was setting the wood in place and helping to stack it. As a piece of wood set in place began to wobble, Taylor, by natural instinct, reached out to steady the log, but his companion was already in full swing. Ouch - the wood was chopped perfectly in half, but the end of Taylor's right index finger was unfortunately the recipient of that perfectly placed chop too.
Unable to find the end of the finger (not that it would have mattered) they headed off to the ER. Here is the result of the accident. Taylor's companion at the time is a EMT/firefighter and Taylor thought for sure he would not make it to the ER alive because his companion went into EMT mode and was driving like he had sirens and lights - which he did not.
The orthopedic specialist on-call that evening suggested waiting until Monday morning when the orthopedic hand specialist could perform the reconstructive surgery. We are so grateful he was in Anchorage at the time of the accident and had access to a large hospital ER and orthopedic surgeons - blessing number one. Fortunately for Taylor he lost just the tip of the finger and bone, and the surgeon was able to perform the simplest, least complicated recovery surgery - another wonderful blessing.
Taylor was doing fine after the surgery, considering the extreme pain and throbbing of his finger. He slept at the Mission Home for a few nights and had pain killers, but he couldn't work for a few days. Eventually he was able to get back to his companion and apartment and do some missionary work, although he would get extremely tired and worn out.
Things were going along okay until about four weeks later when a visit to the physical therapist showed signs of infection. Back to the hand specialist where x-rays confirmed a bone infection - not good. The following day Taylor was back into surgery to open the finger and remove the infection - but thankfully no more bone loss - another blessing.
Taylor was started immediately on IV antibiotics and had another surgery three days later to check for spread of the infection. Because of the rigorous antibiotic regimen and the pain medications, it was decided by the Mission President and the Missionary Medical Department to send Taylor home to heal and recover - another blessing. Arriving home on Thursday, September 26th, we went straight to a hand specialist here in Ogden and got some great advice and care - another blessing. Taylor was able to get off the narcotics and begin to manage his pain with over the counter drugs and had to have the IV antibiotics for only another 5 days. Being home allowed Taylor to relax and heal. Getting off the antibiotics and narcotics also helped speed his recovery - physically and mentally.
Living it up at the Mission Home
Good-bye President and Sister Beesley - thanks for all your patience, care and love. See you soon!
(The night Taylor left Anchorage to come home)
Arriving home - sometimes a guy just needs his Mom.
Taylor was released from his mission and spent 32 days at home and made a great recovery. The doctor here in Ogden watched his finger weekly and no signs of infection reoccurred and the wound began to heal on its own with no more surgery - another blessing.
While home Taylor was able to log in and listen and watch many mission meetings and trainings, go on splits with the Elders assigned to our stake here in Ogden, attend the temple numerous times, and do some genealogical indexing, attend Institute, teach a missionary prep class and speak in a Stake Priesthood Meeting. Many friends spoiled him with lunch and dinner dates (no, not with single girls) and trips to the temple together. He was able to meet with former Alaskan missionaries and attend the Priesthood Session of General Conference and visit with 2 sister missionaries who had also recently returned home with medical issues.
Oh did I mention that good friends took him to a Utah game?? Keeping the finger warm with hand warmers.
But best of all - he was cleared to go back and serve the remainder of his mission. It is anticipated that he will keep his original release date in early April.
Hey, we kinda miss ya now Taylor. Go forth with faith - and try to keep that finger warm!!
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