Happy Birthday Paul!!

Paul turns 44 today. Send him a birthday wish, sing him a song, or give him a birthday spanking (in your imagination, of course).

Paul, we are all sending our love and hoping this will be the year of miracles for you. Rest and keep getting stronger this birthday!

(reminder, if you have any photos of the picnic that you'd like to share, please email them to willie@williebaronet.com)

Paul moved to private room

Fyi, Paul has been moved to room 1103 on the 11th floor in the same building he's been in.

In other news, Paul turns 44 tomorrow!! Please send him some happy birthday wishes.

Thanks and blessings to all of you.

Update Saturday June 28

First of all, the picnic was a huge success and we'll be posting more on that and many more pictures once we collect them all. Thanks to ALL of you for sending your love and for the very creative posters! The bridge looked incredible after they were all up. :-) So check back for more details. Thanks to Samantha and Holly for organizing this wonderful event.

Today Paul is in a holding room (still in ICU but in a different area) waiting for a private room on another floor in the hospital. This is because he's been breathing on his own for over 48 hours, which is great. We'll keep you posted on his location. He continues to be stable, and moving his hands and feet at times. Keep sending your love and prayers for him to regain consciousness soon. Your love is helping us all.

Today on the channel 5 news they did a short story on bicycle safety at White Rock Lake, and as part of the story they talked about Paul. They showed a great photo of him, talked about the picnic, and Paul's sister-in-law, Katie, was interviewed and did a great job of sharing the story and expressing that increased bicycle safety might prevent other families from having to go through this.

Again, we can't thank you all enough for all you're doing to support Paul and our families. Blessings to all of you.

Sincerely,
The Jerde and Hatfield families

Update Thursday June 26 and Two Reminders

Today the doctors took Paul completely off the ventilator and he is breathing on his own with only some oxygen support. If he continues to do well, he will probably be moved out of ICU and into a private room in the next 24-48 hours. He still looks good, is active with movement in his hands and feet, and we continue to wait for him to regain consciousness. Please continue to think of Paul and pray for him to wake up.

Reminder 1: Paul's picnic is tomorrow at White Rock Lake at 6:30 pm. Click here for details. Please attend and support Paul and safe cycling!

Reminder 2: Keep leaving comments, it means a lot to Paul and all of us.

Thank you so much!
The Jerde and Hatfield families

Update Wednesday June 25

Today they removed the tube in Paul's head that was measuring his cranial pressure, since it had been stable for the past few days. They had shaved the front of his head to put it in, so now he's got a very groovy haircut (and by groovy we mean embarrassing). Paul is breathing quite a bit on his own now (about 60%), and his grip in his left hand is very strong. Keep praying for him to open his eyes soon! Thanks so much for all your love and support!

Yesterday Paul's sisters Kathy and Beth, and friend Cindy took a field trip to see where the accident took place, and to tour Paul's office at MasonBaronet. While by White Rock lake we stumbled upon this wonderful sign offering some love and encouragement to Paul. Thank you friends of the lake!! :-)

A message from Buzz

Could he be any cuter?

And don't forget to check below for info about Paul's Picnic this Friday, 6:30 pm at White Rock Lake! Hope to see you there. :-)

Paul's Picnic - This Friday!

Friday evening, June 27 beginning at 6:30
White Rock Lake - Mockingbird and Buckner
There is a turn to the right just after the bridge and before Buckner. We will meet there in a park area with a few picnic tables.

There has been a wonderful response of family and friends to Paul's accident. We are planning an impromptu evening to gather and have a picnic to raise awareness and support for Paul, Patty, Buzz and their families. This will be a good time to discuss ideas about how offer help and about future support.

Please bring your own picnic and/or snacks we will eat from 6:30 - 8. 8-8:30 we will VERY CAREFULLY hang posters all along the bridge at the scene of the accident.

We plan to make posters to absolutely cover the bridge where the accident happened. Tell all your friends, bring as many posters as you can make 2, 10, 20...have your kids make posters. You can also make your posters at the picnic if you like, just be sure to bring your own supplies including tape. They can read anything about Paul, cycling, 7 people in 7 days...anything you feel is appropriate but please keep it appropriate - this should be a positive event.

If you are unable to attend you may drop the posters off at Rovillo + Reitmayer and we will take them for you.

If you have any questions please contact Samantha Reitmayer (817-707-6799) or Holly Mason (214-663-8817).

Update Monday June 23

Paul remains unconscious yet stable in ICU. This morning, the doctors removed the chest tube, which shows improvement in Paul's lung. They also performed a tracheotomy in order to remove the respirator tube from his mouth to protect his vocal chords. The doctors feel this will be more comfortable for Paul and decrease the chance of infection. He was sedated during the procedure so we don't expect much movement today. Thank you again for all of your support and well wishes.

Love, Patty

Update Saturday June 21

Paul's condition is about the same. He's still unconscious but signs are stable and he looks good. His mom, brother and 2 of his sisters are in town now, and his other sister is coming in tomorrow. His niece and nephew are here too. We so appreciate all your love and support for Paul. Keep praying and sending good thoughts his way.

Sincerely,

The Jerde and Hatfield families

Picnic for Paul Friday June 27

Save the date! On June 27 at 6:30ish pm we'll be having a picnic at White Rock Lake to honor Paul and to heighten awareness for bicycle safety. Details are still being worked out but save the date and check back for more information.

Thanks for all your support!
Holly Mason and Samantha Reitmayer

A message from Patty, June 20

I had a chance to read more of the messages on the blog last night and I'm completely overwhelmed. I don't know how to express how much your words, thoughts and support have helped me and my family this week. It is a gift to be able to read your memories and stories of Paul and what he has meant to so many of you and to hear from people from all stages of Paul's life and our life together. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we travel through this journey.

Love,
Patty

How you can help

1. Donate through the Dream Fund

Click HERE for more information.

2. Other donations

Some of you have already made financial contributions to help the Jerde family. Thank you so much again! Holly Mason has set up an account to handle this. If you are wanting to contribute you can make out checks to:
Paul Jerde c/o MasonBaronet

They can be mailed to:
MasonBaronet
1801 N. Lamar, Ste. 250
Dallas, Texas 75202

We can also accept credit/debit cards. You can email the credit card info to: gaby@masonbaronet.com or call 214.954.0316 (extension 225) with the information. Records will be kept of all donations and given to the family. And Patty will have full access to this account.

3. Comments and photos

Please continue to leave comments for Paul on this blog, as we periodically read them to him. :-)

If you have a photo of Paul you'd like to share, please email it to willie@williebaronet.com

Again, thank you all so much for all you do. The main thing is that you love Paul and are keeping him in your thoughts and prayers.

Update Thursday June 19

First of all, thank you for all your prayers and good wishes. It helps a great deal. We met with doctors yesterday and they confirmed that the injuries to Paul's brain are very serious, and the most important thing is that he wake up as soon as possible. They have removed the neck brace and given him a shave, so he's looking good. And his vital signs are all stable as well. Thanks so much for all your love and support and keep the comments coming. We have printed them out and read them to him periodically, which is great. The doctors have asked for visitation to be very limited and quiet today, as he has been through some tests and is in deep rest.

Thank you all SO much.

With love and gratitude,
The Jerde and Hatfield families

Prayer for Paul - Thursday, June 19, at noon

Tomorrow (June 19) at NOON (Central Standard Time), we are asking everyone to please say a prayer for Paul, specifically for healing the trauma to his brain and for him to wake up. We are hoping for power in numbers, so please send this message to anyone who knows Paul or his family or who might like to help. We feel strongly that your prayers are helping and we appreciate all of your support and help.

Thank you,
The Jerde and Hatfield families

Wed June 18 - Requesting no visitors today

To all the wonderful friends and colleagues of Paul, today is a day of important doctor visits and the family is going to be in with Paul most if not all of today. Please continue to send your love and support and we'll keep you posted on Paul's status. Thanks so much for all you've done and for all the love you've shown for Paul.

Sincerely,
The Jerde and Hatfield families

Petition in Support of Bicycling in North Texas

From BikeDFW - http://www.bikedfw.org/

7 cyclists in the past 7 days have been hit by cars in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. 2 were killed, 1 is in critical condition in the ICU (Paul) at last report.

It's all just too much. Recently a city council person said "Well there are not many people in my district who want to ride bikes anyway" Let's prove him and a whole host of others like him wrong.

This isn't just for the roadies or the mountain bikers - although we want you to sign it! It is for your neighbors whose kids ride to school, it is for the older couple on the corner who ride around the block. It is for anyone who in any way at all wants to see bikes on the streets without fear in North Texas. It is for those who would rather ride off the street, it is for those who will ride anywhere - and mostly - for those who won't ride at all given current conditions.

Please forward this to everyone and anyone - it will not be used for commercial purposes, it will be used to answer comments such as the one above with "Well sir, actually there are 1217 people in your district who WANT to cycle!" and be able to prove it.

Sign the petition -
http://www.bikepetition.eventbrite.com/

Posted courtesy of Holly and Jay Mason

Paul inspires huge victory

Paul is a key player on our YMCA league basketball team, the Ball Hogs. He designed the ultra-cool logo for our team you see here on my sweaty t-shirt. Last night we played the team that beat us last season in the finals. We were playing without Paul and a couple other of our key players. Even with no subs, we were inspired by Paul's mojo. To give you an example, in last season's semifinals Paul sustained a head injury which later required 7 stitches. He wrapped a towel around his head and came back in saying "I'm ready to go!" So you can imagine how much we missed him last night, and with him in mind we beat the other team by 7 points! Jerde! Jerde! Jerde!

Love you Paul, get better soon!

Willie

Update Tuesday June 17

Just wanted to let you all know, Paul is still stable, though not much has changed. He's still unconscious and not responding yet, but the doctors tell us this can take some time. Thank you so much for your support and messages and visits. Please keep praying for Paul to open his eyes soon. Thanks for loving him so much. It means a lot to all of us.

Patty and Buzz

Tuesday morning, June 17

I will try to update this as often as possible, this is kind of new to us.

Last night I stayed with Patty. She has not left the hospital since we came in on Saturday so she is understandably exhausted but holding up as well as can be expected. The first two night they slept in the lobby of the ICU but last night we were able to get an "in house" hotel room and so she got a little sleep.

Paul's brother, Jim, and his wife, Laurie got in from Kansas last night and I know Patty was relieved to see them and have them here with her. His mother, Kay, and sister, Mary are flying in from Cedar Rapids this afternoon to be with her too.

We are lucky to have a wonderful trauma doctor, Dr. Paul Gray and have been told his is one of the best. His neurosurgeon is Dr. Kyle Doughty who has been consulting with Dr. Gray. The CAT scans show a little blood on the brain from the trauma and they are monitoring his brain for any swelling or pressure. He has a tube that can drain any fluids when this becomes a concern. This morning the pressure was ok.

Paul has not woken up yet. He has shown movement in his left hand and foot and right foot. We truly feel he has responded to Patty's voice. This morning she was talking to him and asked him to move his finger and we saw him lift his left pointer finger. They are looking for him to have more of these requested reactions. The doctors don't know when he will wake up and we just need to be patient and wait.

Paul is so lucky to have so many friends. There have been so many of you coming up to visit and offer comfort to Patty. She is so appreciative of all you have done.

Thank you so much,

Katie Lange (Patty's sister)

Buzz makes a wish

Buzz is staying with his aunt Mary and Uncle Dave and their 3 kids. Mary took the kids out for ice cream after a long day of chasing Buzz. They walked out in front of the store and there was a fountain. The kids asked for pennies to throw in and make a wish. After they had thrown in their pennies Buzz's cousin Katie turned to him and said "I bet I know what you wished, Buzz, for your daddy to get better?" Buzz paused, looked at her and said "Actually I wished for more ice cream. Aunt Mary, can I have another penny?" :-)

Paul looks good

Paul still has color in his face and is looking strong. Pray for him to open his eyes soon.

Amy - Patty's sister

You can leave a comment for Paul (and other readers) :-)

To leave a comment, click on the word "comments" under any post. Or scroll to the bottom of the comments to where it says "post a comment". :-)

Where to visit

Currently Paul is in the ICU at Baylor in the Roberts building (the tallest one in the complex) and is on the 4th floor. Visiting hours are usually open except for 6-8:30 am and pm (during shift changes). Only 2 people are allowed in to visit at one time. Baylor is located at Gaston and Washington just east of downtown Dallas.

What happened

Saturday, June 14th, at approximately 12:00 noon Paul was riding his bike home going east along Mockingbird Lane in the right-hand toward Buckner when he was hit from behind by a light-weight pick-up truck. He was taken by ambulance to Baylor Medical Center in downtown Dallas. He suffered a severe head injury, three fractured ribs and a punctured right lung. He as been in the ICU and has not yet regained consciousness.