MILWAUKEE - A Spalding boy who was accidentally run over by a bus nearly two weeks ago is recovering miraculously at a Milwaukee hospital, according to his mother who is keeping family and friends updated on his progress.
Jimmie Potvin, 9, was running when he slipped on ice and slid under a moving church bus on Feb. 3 in Hannahville. He was transported by ambulance to OSF St. Francis Hospital then air-lifted to the Children's Hospital in Milwaukee.
His mother, Amy Potvin, flew with Jimmie to Milwaukee where he has undergone several surgeries and is recovering to the point where he is talking, eating and undergoing physical therapy.
Amy has been updating family and friends about Jimmie on the CaringBridge Web site. With her permission, the Daily Press is publishing some of her journal entries including what she calls "amazing miracles" during "a mother's worst nightmare."
Amy said miracles to date include the people who immediately responded to the accident before the ambulance arrived, the emergency personnel who arrived at the scene, and the doctors and nurses at the local emergency room. Amy praised the medical team that allowed her to fly with Jimmie to the Milwaukee hospital.
"What I want everyone to focus their energy, prayers and gratitude on is what went so right in such a bad situation. I know it could have been
much worse and that leads me to the next miracle - no major internal organs were damaged...I believe in my heart that there are more miracles to come."
Amy's journal entries on the CaringBridge Web site, begin three days after the accident. She writes about Jimmie's initial surgeries.
Feb. 6 - "Today Jimmie had his second 'wash out' surgery and his vitals held steady again." His sisters, Maelynn, 7, and Mariah, 20, a student at Bay College, also visit.
Feb. 7 - Amy writes: "Jimmie had his third wash out surgery today and the doc said things looked 'great'...Jimmie's temp came down last night and he's a little less swollen today - all good signs toward healing. His vitals remain stable."
Feb. 8 - Jimmie is "pretty agitated" from pain, his mother writes. She asks people to pray for him because he was undergoing major surgery the next day. "Thanks for everyone's loving support and concern through all this."
Feb. 9 - "Jimmie is in surgery now. The little miraculous gift I received today was Jimmie opened his eyes just before surgery and when the nurse asked him to wiggle his toes, he did on both feet!"
Feb. 10 - Amy writes that Jimmie's surgery went well, it took less time than the doctor's predicted, and they were able to do more procedures than they planned. "Pray for calmness and peace for Jimmie. It all has to be a little scary and overwhelming for him at this point."
Feb. 11 - "I think today is going to be a very good day," Amy writes. "Jimmie is becoming more and more aware and 'Jimmie-like'... He is more relaxed and less agitated with the new meds for anxiety. He has asked and answered many questions as long as they are more of the 'yes' and 'no' variety. Swelling continues to go down and things are looking more normal...The nurses are really getting a kick out of his little personality already. They are going to let him eat today. He is truly a miracle!"
Feb. 11 - Jimmie undergoes physical therapy. "He did awesome for the physical therapists today. He did everything they asked and had a great attitude about it... Tomorrow we will be transferred to the Acute Care Unit. That means he is getting better... I know that everyone is continuing to pray for all of us and that is why I have this small center of calm in this really big storm."
Feb. 13 - Amy reports more good news. Because swelling has decreased so much, Jimmie's doctor's were able to do more than just washouts and bandages during his latest surgery.
"The doctors are amazed by how well the healing process is going. I just smile knowing full well where that beautiful, positive, healing energy is coming from. I know Jimmie is strong and a fighter, too, but I also know that we help create our own realities by how we think and what we believe. I have refused to even believe in any other reality than full recovery since this all began."
She praises Jimmie's doctors, calling them her "personal heroes" and "miracle workers." Jimmie's sisters are there and the family is settled in long-term living quarters at the Ronald McDonald House.
Feb. 15 - Amy is struggling with some issues regarding Jimmie's care and says "Mama Bear is on the prowl." She writes: "I am praying for open hearts and ears. Thank you my army of angels for loving me through this difficult time. I know I could not do what I'm doing without your support."
Later that morning, Amy says a head nurse is working on all her concerns. Jimmie has wash out surgery on his foot. The doctors discuss a new medicine to help with nerve pain in his foot.
"Once we have all that in place, I believe that Jimmie will really start being able to show them what an amazing kid he is. He already asked about school but it's so hard to concentrate on anything but pain when you are in pain... I'm praying for the doctors with pain expertise to quickly do what needs to be done."
Amy closes Monday's journal entry with "blessings to all who have really gone the distance, and then some, in all this."
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Jenny Lancour, (906) 786-2021, ext. 143, jlancour@dailypress.net
