Support Lance Klassen’s Recovery

Continued Update from Family

June 15, 2024

At 12:30 this morning, Lance was moved from U of A Hospital to Grande Prairie Regional Hospital.

His being with us is nothing short of a miracle from our Heavenly Father.

Lance was the passenger in a truck that ran into a cement roller. He was in cardiac arrest, 20 min w/o oxygen. All his ribs were broken, both lungs collapsed internal bleeding that required 7 hr surgery and repair to his small intestine. Multiple fractures in his right shin and calf bones that required 6 screws and a bracket which will remain there. Later, he will undergo rehabilitation for his memory which is remarkably pretty good considering what hea been through. Naturally Lance is moving very slow and still in bed for much of the day resting and recovering

We are so thankful for the goodness of God, the kindness of God manifested through so many who prayed faith filled prayers with us, gave financially and called, emailed, and texted us.

Your thoughtfulness and kindness will never be forgotten. I pray your generosity will be multiplied back to you 100 fold. Thank you!

‭Mark 11:23-24 NLT‬

I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.

When you visit Lance, please Talk slow, not like he’s in Kindergarten...lol but speak simply. His brain is doing lots of work already. Asking too many questions is frustrating for him. So feel free to fill him in on your family activities and let him know you miss him and care for him.

Thank you!

Vanessa Klassen

Lance has been moved to the trauma floor. All aids ( breathing tube, lung drainage tubes etc.) Have been removed. He is still being fed by tube. He sleeps often and when he is awake, he is able to have short conversations. He remembers his family, but doesn't usually remember what year it is or how old he is. He is still his witty and humorous self. The night shift nurse came into the room and said " Hi Lance, I'm Nurse Nancy, im here to check you out." And Lance replies " and im guna check you out." We chuckle and mom chastised him about being respectful to his nurse.

He still speaks quite fluently in movie quotes. If we start a movie quote, he'll finish it and chuckle.

He is quite bored when he wakes up and often plays with the feeding tube taped to his nose. He's already ripped it out thrice. It's uncomfortable but it neess ro remain in as he failed the swallow testbyesterday (june10). He has a few items to keep his hands and mind busy because he's getting quite bored while he's awake.

The nurse was making notes at her standing station, Lance was watching her. Mom states, Lance is bored and restless. The nurse takes more notes and leaves. Lance says " the patient is bored and restless." I chuckled and said yes its a good thing, it means you're making progress, better than...." Lance pipes up "better than heaven." "Ha, yea. I agree! Better than being in heaven" I replied.

We are waiting for an MRI to be done on his brain, he has his to wait his turn like everyone else. Doctors aren't looking for anything in particular just doing a check up as he got his bell rung.

Doctor has also put a bug in our ear about transferring Lance to G.P. hospital. Lots of stuff have to happen before that, but it's a good sign he's progressing.

He takes physical and Occupational therapy on the weekdays.

He's progressed from small movements in bed to sitting up and being transfered to a wheel chair. He was able to sit without assistance in June 10. the Physiotherapist said it was progress from last friday when they had to hold him to transfer him to the wheel chair. On June 10, after Physiotherapy, luke and I (chelsea) took lance on the floor he was staying on. He was quite excited about getting out if his room.

He's making awesome progress and we are believing for a full and fast recovery.

Thank you for your time, encouragement, prayers, and financial assistance. We are so grateful and blessed to you have family and friends like you.

All our love and appreciation,

Chelsea and family

Update- June 10, 2024

From the Klassen Family

We have had the very best teams caring for Lance. His progress has been nothing less than miraculous, we are down to recovery.

He is getting a test today to see if he can start eating liquids. An MRI with state of the art here in the Edmonton University Hospital.

Prayer targets.

- We are believing for nothing less than a 100% complete Brain healing and recovery

- that the feeding tube can be removed

The funds have been so helpful in paying for Lances rent/bills. Finding lodging & food for Lance’s parents as they are by his side. Wade travels back to the Yukon during the week to work and would like to join his family as they all travel to Edmonton each weekend to support Lance and each other. Lance will be in the trauma unit for the next month or so. The funds are so very helpful in helping with all these expenses!

Hi, my name is Denise Ryser. My best friend’s son, Lance, was in a life threatening accident and the family needs our help.

Hello family and friends,

I am reaching out for your help during an incredibly challenging time for our family. Lance Klassen was recently involved in a near-fatal collision on May 28, 2024, that has left him fighting for his life. Over the past 7 days, he has made some progress; however, his recovery will be a long one. He was flown by Stars ambulance to the U of A Hospital in Edmonton, where he underwent 7 hours of surgery to address multiple severe injuries: extensive breaks in his chest cavity, two collapsed lungs, internal bleeding, a small piece of bowel removed due to damage, two broken legs, and other lacerations requiring stitches and care on his face and feet.

Our parents, Wade and Vanessa Klassen, rushed to his side as quickly as a plane could carry them. As Lance remains in critical condition, our family is facing immense emotional and financial strain. Family and friends have expressed a desire to support us financially, and we would graciously accept any contributions. These funds will be used to cover Lance's rent and utilities, ensuring he has a home to return to, and to provide lodging and food for our parents who are staying by his side during this difficult period.

Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference in alleviating the stress on our family and allowing us to focus on his recovery. Please keep Lance and our family in your prayers and thank you for your generosity and support.

All our love,

Cody, Chelsea, and Luke

Below is our family updates from May 29 to June 3, 2024.

Update May 29, 2024

Good evening, family.

Jon and I saw Lance. He is stable and under the very competent and watchful eye of the nurses.

A little extra information we got from the nurse.

He was a passenger in a collision with a cement truck. He was in cardiac arrest when the Stars got to him. This is common with 2 collapsed lungs. The emts got him breathing with a tube, and he came out of cardiac arrest.

In surgery, he was moving all of his limbs. He's got lots of fractures in his legs, but that's all put back together. The internal bleeding was stopped in surgery also.

The nurse is satisfied with his current condition. Stable vitals and in an induced coma. The nurse mentioned that usually, with this level of injury, a care team is flying in and out of the room; but it is a peaceful and restful atmosphere. I filled Lancer in on the plans for his family to see him. And let him know we are all praying for him and love him and that we are with him every step of the way. Any updates I'll post here. There's no need to call the hospital for updates. Dad and myself are listed as contacts and will be called should anything change. If you have questions , I will do my best to answer them.

Update May 30, 2024

We got an update from one of the doctors.

Lance had imaging done today.

No brain Injury/abnormalities showed up.

Any Injuries to brain that didn’t show up should resolve itself over time.

Spine and neck injury is still being suspected unless Lance is awake and can say he has no pain in the neck or back. The neck brace will stay on until then.

Lots of broken bones in his chest wall. As a result, there is a lot of blood/air in chest, which is treated with Pain meds.

A small Piece of small bowel was removed because it was too damaged. He bleed in his stomach was stopped.

He also needs some stitches on his chin.

The goal for today is to remove the breathing tube. If it can’t be removed, he will be fed through a feeding tube and if it is removed, they will have him eat by mouth. At this point, staff are taking cues from Lance as to what measures are taken with him. We wait and proceed with rehabilitation at his speed.

Dr. Andrea concluded that they are seeing stability and its good.

Also, he will be at the hospital for at least, the next month. In ICU for a few days and moved to the ward for a few weeks. Mom and dad are with Lance now. Cody, Shelby, and Luke will be down on Friday night.

Thank you for being patience and thoughts and prayers and words of encouragement.

P.s. if you would like to let other family members know how lance is, feel free to copy /paste the updates!

Update May 31

Good afternoon, family.

Lance has had his breathing tube removed and off most medication other than some painkillers and antibiotics. Mom and dad have been directed to talk to Lance a lot to help him gently wake up. However, there is no rush to wake up yet as his body is still doing lots of healing and recovery while sleeping.

He squeezed mom's hand once and glanced at mom and dad and around a few times. He is quite squiggly and has moans, he can follow commands. He is making progress

Update June 1

The updates are getting shorter because Lance is improving .

He has not woken up yet so he is being fed through a feeding tube. He remains in ICU. Cody, Luke, and Shelby were in seeing Lance last night. Nana And Grampa Klassen are coming into Edmonton today.

Update June 2

Good afternoon , Family.

Lancer is shaping up. He's breathing on his own. He's being fed by tube. He is trying to talk with us (which is mostly mumbles and grunts) and communicate through hand movement and eye contact. He's happy to see us, but he gets really sleepy really fast. He's been moved to a different section for a decreased level of ICU care, but still is watched 24/7.

Update June 3

Good afternoon, Family and friends.

First, thank you all so much for your prayers, love, and support. It means the world to us.

Mom and dada are in with Lance now. He recognizes them and know who they are to him. He also recognized his siblings and his Nana and Grampa Klassen. He is so tired and tries to talk, but its quite hard to hear. He is on 50ml 02 air with no pain meds. And the sweet nurses take time to brush his teeth and comb his wavy locks. He is well loved and cared for.