Prayers for Co-Workers

[czzzaar]

We had an accident in our show last night that sent a good friend to the ICU. Nonalee got speared in the sternum by another divers tank valve and first stage regulator. Thankfully she did not lose conscious underwater or things could have turned out much worse. As it was three other divers were able to get her out of the water quickly.

Poor Nona was in so much pain she could not speak and went into shock. The health services staff and paramedics did a great job.

The whole dive team ended up at the ICU until 2am waiting to find out how bad her injuries are, and thankfully, there are no broken bones and no water entered her lungs. When we left last night she was intubated and sedated, but her prognosis is good.

Please pray for Nona's quick recovery and that she'll be able to return to the job soon. It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt but that definitely comes with the territory and we are expected to be able to respond to these situations.

A prayer for Derrick would be appreciated too. He was holding it together pretty good last night but blames himself for the accident (it was just one of those things, not his fault). Knowing that you almost killed a friend is about the worst feeling imaginable. I think that if I had been in his flippers I would have completely lost it, Derrick is a war vet and hero in my books. He survived an IED in Iraq.

[rhet 2]

LORD, have mercy and restore both Nona and Derrick to full, happy and productive life in this world, physical and mental health and well-being alike.

And keep you and the rest of the team safely tugged inside a bubble of His own provision for your well-being, not just physical, but in heart and mind above all else.

My prayers you all most surely have. :hug:

[czzzaar]

Just got word that Nona is out of ICU and all the tubes have been pulled, however, she's still in a lot of pain and they are going to hold her for at least 24 more hours.

Good news for the team.

Continued prayers are appreciated.

As always, Rhet, thanks for the kind words, thoughts, and prayers.

[johnrocks]

Sorry to read this, best of luck to your friends, hope things get better soon.

[czzzaar]

UPDATE:

Nona is out of the hospital and doing well!

A few details came to light when she came out of sedation. After she got rammed she double over and was struck in the forehead by the rising center lift. She did inhale water after all and also suffered some barotrauma from not clearing her ears as the donut ring descended.

Overshadowed by all this was the fact that another diver was injured by decompression sickness on the previous show and was also taken to the hospital by ambulance. He took a ride in a decompression chamber yesterday and is feeling fine today.

That was one crazy night. During the first show my pressure gauge hose sprang a leak and I watched a fast stream of bubbles spewing forth. I kept my eye on the gauge and was still able to make all my cues until my rest break came up. The deck watch had already been alerted to my problem by an observant Dive Com and had a replacement regulator system waiting when I surfaced.

Right before the second show another divers 1st stage blew a seal and he had to go to a back-up as well.

Last night a bunch of us went out and had a few beers (our Friday night). We couldn't have taken another day.

[jwil59]

UPDATE:

Nona is out of the hospital and doing well!

A few details came to light when she came out of sedation. After she got rammed she double over and was struck in the forehead by the rising center lift. She did inhale water after all and also suffered some barotrauma from not clearing her ears as the donut ring descended.

Overshadowed by all this was the fact that another diver was injured by decompression sickness on the previous show and was also taken to the hospital by ambulance. He took a ride in a decompression chamber yesterday and is feeling fine today.

That was one crazy night. During the first show my pressure gauge hose sprang a leak and I watched a fast stream of bubbles spewing forth. I kept my eye on the gauge and was still able to make all my cues until my rest break came up. The deck watch had already been alerted to my problem by an observant Dive Com and had a replacement regulator system waiting when I surfaced.

Right before the second show another divers 1st stage blew a seal and he had to go to a back-up as well.

Last night a bunch of us went out and had a few beers (our Friday night). We couldn't have taken another day.

I am still in prayer for Nona and Derrick. Great to hear she is home.

What type show do you guys do. Obviously it's underwater but what is it?

[czzzaar]

I am still in prayer for Nona and Derrick. Great to hear she is home.

What type show do you guys do. Obviously it's underwater but what is it?

Thank you for the prayers, Jeff. You continue to be an inspiration.

It's a Cirque du Soleil type water show with dancers, acrobats, aerialists, gymnasts, and synchronized swimmers (we have several olympic medalists in our pool). It the coolest, most enjoyable job I have ever had. A gift from God, really. But, it is not without stress. Our worst fears are that one of these talent young people will be injured. There is no room for complacency at all, and that is probably the major challenge.

I am the second oldest diver in the show, and it is quite a job for me to keep up with the kids, but I've lost about 12 pounds, and working is a near zero gravity environment is a big plus for and old fellow like me.

It has really cut into my internet time as well. ;)

You, Mitch and the rest of your family are on my prayer list, Jeff, and will stay there for as long as you need me.

You can do a search for Le Reve on YOUTUBE if you are interested in seeing what the show is like. Also, tonight two of our dancers are competing on Dancing With The Stars for a permanent job.

[Dreamy]

Prayers for Nona and Derrick. May they heal completely. She of body and he of his mind.

[USMCmom]

Czzzar...am praying for Nona and Derrick. Thank the Lord that she is going to be ok...

[blazer]

Praying!

[czzzaar]

I learned yesterday that my friend Nona suffered a brain injury during the dive accident. I guess she is just now comfortable enough to share some of what she is going through. I do not know the full extent of the injury but apparently her doctors are only predicting an 80% recovery. She is having to relearn a lot of simple tasks we all take for granted and it is doubtful that she will be able to return to the job. I'm going to try and go see her tomorrow.

Please pray for Nona's recovery

[rhet 2]

I learned yesterday that my friend Nona suffered a brain injury during the dive accident. I guess she is just now comfortable enough to share some of what she is going through. I do not know the full extent of the injury but apparently her doctors are only predicting an 80% recovery. She is having to relearn a lot of simple tasks we all take for granted and it is doubtful that she will be able to return to the job. I'm going to try and go see her tomorrow.

Please pray for Nona's recovery

Oh, man, that really makes me sad.

Most surely, I do pray -- and now also for your own safety.

I know it's important that you follow through with the desires of your heart, for that is where the LORD has given you talent and skills, but PLEASE be careful. "Subdue the earth and have dominion over it" must include the waters of the world, too, I suppose, but subdue with meticulous attention to details when it comes to protecting your not-tortoise self.

And Nona has all my prayers for fullest recovery so she may also return to tasks she loves.

[czzzaar]

Oh, man, that really makes me sad.

Most surely, I do pray -- and now also for your own safety.

I know it's important that you follow through with the desires of your heart, for that is where the LORD has given you talent and skills, but PLEASE be careful. "Subdue the earth and have dominion over it" must include the waters of the world, too, I suppose, but subdue with meticulous attention to details when it comes to protecting your not-tortoise self.

And Nona has all my prayers for fullest recovery so she may also return to tasks she loves.

I have to admit that on the night following the accident I was more than a little bit on edge. I was doing a net catch, but was on the wrong side of the performer when he entered the water and he started to freak a little during the 2 or 3 seconds it took me to get around to the other side of the net. I was flustered for the rest of the show and had to keep referring to my cue card to know where to be.

Simply dealing with the fact that there was an accident AND a DCS injury on the same night has affected us all.

The economic downturn here in Vegas has had a big impact on the Aquatics Department. We are all diving more for less money and there have been a lot of health problems as a result. We've gone from making 10 to 12 dives a week to making 12 to 15 dives a week on average. Nona may not come back, and Manny is out for a least two more weeks. We have one diver that has an inner ear infection and another with chronic sinus infection, so the rest of us are sucking it up and giving up our deck tracks for them. We're all making slower accents when possible, and looking out for each other as much as possible.

Still, it's a great job and we are all hoping that the tourist come back soon. Obama's big fat mouth has cost the state an estimated 200 million dollars.

[jwil59]

I learned yesterday that my friend Nona suffered a brain injury during the dive accident. I guess she is just now comfortable enough to share some of what she is going through. I do not know the full extent of the injury but apparently her doctors are only predicting an 80% recovery. She is having to relearn a lot of simple tasks we all take for granted and it is doubtful that she will be able to return to the job. I'm going to try and go see her tomorrow.

Please pray for Nona's recovery

I will certainly be praying for Nona. She can come back with the right therpay.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

You can do a search for Le Reve on YOUTUBE if you are interested in seeing what the show is like. Also, tonight two of our dancers are competing on Dancing With The Stars for a permanent job.

Wow. That is amazing and so beautiful. Thanks!

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

I learned yesterday that my friend Nona suffered a brain injury during the dive accident. I guess she is just now comfortable enough to share some of what she is going through. I do not know the full extent of the injury but apparently her doctors are only predicting an 80% recovery. She is having to relearn a lot of simple tasks we all take for granted and it is doubtful that she will be able to return to the job. I'm going to try and go see her tomorrow.

Please pray for Nona's recovery

I will. And you stay safe too.

[czzzaar]

I will certainly be praying for Nona. She can come back with the right therpay.

Thanks, Jeff. As always, you and Mitchell remain in my prayers.

[czzzaar]

I will. And you stay safe too.

Thanks, EG.

[rhet 2]

I have to admit that on the night following the accident I was more than a little bit on edge. I was doing a net catch, but was on the wrong side of the performer when he entered the water and he started to freak a little during the 2 or 3 seconds it took me to get around to the other side of the net. I was flustered for the rest of the show and had to keep referring to my cue card to know where to be.

Simply dealing with the fact that there was an accident AND a DCS injury on the same night has affected us all.

The economic downturn here in Vegas has had a big impact on the Aquatics Department. We are all diving more for less money and there have been a lot of health problems as a result. We've gone from making 10 to 12 dives a week to making 12 to 15 dives a week on average. Nona may not come back, and Manny is out for a least two more weeks. We have one diver that has an inner ear infection and another with chronic sinus infection, so the rest of us are sucking it up and giving up our deck tracks for them. We're all making slower accents when possible, and looking out for each other as much as possible.

Still, it's a great job and we are all hoping that the tourist come back soon. Obama's big fat mouth has cost the state an estimated 200 million dollars.

Yeah.

Fat mouth has cost the entire nation big time.

I know you love the job == and a man has to follow his dreams.

But I'm redoubling my prayers for your entire team.

[czzzaar]

Yeah.

Fat mouth has cost the entire nation big time.

I know you love the job == and a man has to follow his dreams.

But I'm redoubling my prayers for your entire team.

Thank you, Rhet. You're the best. OOOXXX

[jwil59]

Thanks, Jeff. As always, you and Mitchell remain in my prayers.

Thanks buddy, I appreciate that.

I am facinated by this show you are doing man, that must be very exciting work, but it sounds very tedious.

Our friend Rea needs our prayers tonight

[czzzaar]

Thanks buddy, I appreciate that.

I am facinated by this show you are doing man, that must be very exciting work, but it sounds very tedious.

Our friend Rea needs our prayers tonight

It hasn't become tedious yet at all. I just past the 6 months mark and in that time I have learn 5 cue tracks. This week I'll learn another, so it's different every night, although, I have to admit that sometimes the second show of the night can be a bit tiring.

I'm the second oldest diver in the show, and I have been pleasantly surprised that I have kept up. The first couple of weeks I wasn't so sure I had made a good move, but it has worked out. A year ago I was around 183 lbs and today I weighed myself at 164. It feels good to be getting back into shape at 47.

Six months and I haven't missed a day yet. I look forward to going to work!

Rea is in my prayers, as are all of you.

"God bless us everyone."

[jwil59]

It hasn't become tedious yet at all. I just past the 6 months mark and in that time I have learn 5 cue tracks. This week I'll learn another, so it's different every night, although, I have to admit that sometimes the second show of the night can be a bit tiring.

I'm the second oldest diver in the show, and I have been pleasantly surprised that I have kept up. The first couple of weeks I wasn't so sure I had made a good move, but it has worked out. A year ago I was around 183 lbs and today I weighed myself at 164. It feels good to be getting back into shape at 47.

Six months and I haven't missed a day yet. I look forward to going to work!

Rea is in my prayers, as are all of you.

"God bless us everyone."

Sounds like a very fun job buddy. Anything new on Nona?

Do you know if she has a carepage or careingbridge site?