Look how far she has come!

Finally Home

Ilene was brought home yesterday. She is in good spirits and happy to be home. Somethings are familiar to her and others not. Her family has her all set up, with a hospital bed and plenty of room for her wheelchair to roam. She will be getting adjusted for a few days and then will start going to a new therapy center daily for several hours. She will also have some home care. Ilene is working hard each day and eager to please all her fans. She says it's much better to be home. Most importantly she still likes the curtains she made, she thinks their cute.

Happy Birthday Ilene

Today is Ilene's Birthday.  She celebrated her big day with a big chocolate cake.  She was showered with gifts, friends, and family.  Scott, Jason, Chad, and Jacque helped make her party a success.  Scott had some new pictures of Taylor that everyone enjoyed.  She worked hard on her birthday and was able to do three squats at physical therapy.  Rosie painted her finger nails for her big day.  Her nails are a beautiful bright purple.  They match her spirit, which is bright, cheerful and happy.  Grandpa Oswald showed up with a cooler full of ice cream. Happy Birthday Ilene!!

Ilene's on the Move....

Ilene was moved to a new rehabilitation hospital named Health South.  It is located on Charleston and Valley View.  This is an exciting move for Ilene.  This facility will be working with Ilene to help her regain her strength and work on learning new skills.  They demand a lot of energy and hard work from Ilene.  This is sometimes exhausting and tiring for her.  She is talking more each day.  Ilene is still having her ups and downs, but the progress she has made is amazing.  She has been very well taken care of by her loving husband, dear family members, and kind friends.  She has received a ton of support and her family appreciates it.  Thank You..

Busy week for Ilene

Ilene was very busy this week.  She had her trachea and neck brace removed early in the week.  This is very positive and another step towards recovery.  Ilene was also moved to a new care center.  It is located on Cheyenne and Jones.  Ilene is talking more each day.  Ilene's visitors and helpers are enjoying their conversations.  She  is alert and full of personality.  She is still getting lots of help and enjoying the visits of loved ones.  Thank you for all the love and support.     

Visits with Ilene

One of Ilene's former students named Alissa came to visit Ilene.  Alissa presently lives in California.  Her mother brought her to Las Vegas for Spring Break to visit Ilene.  This touched Ilene's family deeply.  What a special relationship Mrs. Sorenson and Alissa have. 

Thanks to all the families, friends, teachers, students for their love and support.  Ilene's room is full of cards and pictures and notes from people who love her. 

Yesterday I recieved a phone call from Rosie.  She put her cell phone to Ilene so I could hear what was going on.  Ilene was counting fast and correctly.  (12, 13, 14, 15) She was practicing her numbers and letters.  Later in the day we went to visit Ilene and see all the excitement.  She was awake and practicing words with her speech therapist.  She also ate choclate pudding and they got her to sip some apple juice.  It was very exciting.  MacKenna Osborne and Kelsea Smith were standing next to Ilene.  Ilene said, "Rosemary promise me you'll bring Mackenna back!"  This was very exciting and of course made Mackenna's day.  -B. Smith

Talking Ilene

Today was an exciting day for Ilene, her friends, and family.  While a few friends (Lisa Lopez, Carly Perez, Tom & Debi Carli, Palolo, Rosemary Osborne) were visiting Ilene today the Respiratory Therapist put an adapter on Ilene's trachea.  Ilene spoke a few words and names.  She said Scott, Lisa, and said "Why?" Rosemary, Ilene's sister told her that "she was a miracle".  Ilene then said, "I am a miracle!" They were able to reach Scott on the phone and let him share in the excitement of Ilene talking.  Good News

Beautiful Day

A change in scenery for Ilene today.  It was such an amazingly beautiful day today.  Rosie decided to take Ilene outside to see the blooming roses and blue skies.  Together they could smell the different flowers and breathe in some fresh outdoors.  The visit outside was short, but knowing how Ilene loves her front yard and being outside on a gorgeous day, I am sure she enjoyed her field trip. 

Carnival For Ilene

Ilene's school is doing a fundraiser for her family.  It's a carnival on Friday, April 29th from 5:30-8:00.  It will be held at Kitty Ward Elementary (5555 Horse, between Jones and Decatur on Horse Ave).  All proceeds will be given to her family.

Help For Ilene

We're appreciative of all the help and support we have received for Ilene.  Jo Tyra is coordinating visit times to sit with her, when her family can't be there.  If you are interested in helping, please contact her at joanddavid@cox.net.


Ilene's School is doing a couple of fundraisers for her medical costs. If anyone else would like to make donations an account has been made for her at Nevada State Bank, acct #0338035363.   Her family greatly appreciates all the support they are receiving.

Ilene is continuing to heal.  They are getting Ilene up into a chair daily.  She opens her eyes frequently and keeps them open for longer periods of time.  They have changed the bandages on her right arm.  They now have it wrapped up and in a sling.  Her left hand and arm are getting stronger and more active.  She uses the left hand and can play with the blue ball.  The day they changed her bandages on her right arm she was grabbing the new sling.  When the Nurses were in changing her over to her bed from her chair they told her to let go of one of her tubes.  She let go, the nurses were impressed that she heard them and responded, and let go.  There are hopes for next week for her neck brace to be removed and her trachea changed to a smaller one.......Thank you for your time, prayers and love..........

Thank you's and please post....

Thank you for the all the loving visits, daily prayers, and tender care for Ilene.  Ilene's family greatly appreciates all the visits and the attention spent to make sure Ilene is getting the best care.  Many friends and family members have been sitting by the bedside of Ilene paying attention to details that are very important.  The family thanks you and appreciates you.  This week has had a lot of ups and and a few downs and Ilene has received so much support.  Thank you to her family, friends, co -workers, ward members and childhood friends.  Heavenly Father has blessed Ilene and surrounded her with people who love her and are helping her recover.

If you have any memories or stories you would like to share or have told to Ilene, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. They will be given to Ilene and read to her as loved ones sit by her side.

My Sister.......

Rosie said........
My sister Ilene is a teacher.She is really, really good at it. There are cards all over her hospital wall from students who love her. The cards come from the class she was currently teaching at Kitty Ward Elementary. They also come from the children she taught last year and beyond. Most of these cards mention that those children all learned from Ilene that it is important to wear a helmet. By Example is always one of the best ways to teach. Ilene was a safety girl and always followed the rules when she rode her bike. There are visits daily from her co-workers at Kitty Ward Elementary. Even though some haven't gotten in to see her, their love and support has been incredible. All those who know Ilene know how dedicated she is to her profession. She gave it her all. This year she really enjoyed Tristan and all the funny comments he would say to make her smile.
My sister Ilene is a teacher.There is a banner hanging on her wall from Young women in her ward. Like Michelle Beckwith said, she struggled at first when she got that call in her ward. Though Ilene has always been partial to her nieces she never raised a girl. Those Young women seemed a little snotty in the beginning. Ilene hung in there and they all grew to love each other. She was excited to be their camp director.
My sister Ilene is a teacher. She does not have much music ability but has managed to be called as primary chorister twice. She taught the songs of truth so well with her incredible creativity and enthusiasm. She taught a song recently on the moment in primary. The words of a new primary song that Ilene loves are If I listen with my heart I hear my Savior's voice. Ilene loves hearts.
My sister Ilene is a teacher. She has taught me and mothered me all my life. She is one of my dearest closest friends, she is my sister, she is my second Mom. A friend (Ilene and I end up Sharing most our friends) said that Ilene is more of a Mom to her than a friend. That is because Ilene always wants to take care of everyone. Right now we get to take care of her. Even while she sleeps, she is still teaching us so so very much.....

One small hurdle

Ilene is recovering from her procedure.  Yesterday was a very big day for her.  They transported her to Mountain View Hospital in an ambulance to have her blood clot ports put in.  She was then taken back to her room at Health South.  She was resting peacefully late last night.  The swelling in her legs has gone down noticeably.

Reports for today:  They removed some stitches in her neck by her trachea.  They are hoping to put a smaller trachea in for her soon that will be more comfortable.  She's using her left hand and holding and moving the little blue ball almost constantly.  She opened her eyes several times.  She pleasantly surprised her visitors and family today with her small steps of progress.      

Wednesday March 30, 2011

Scott Sorenson writes.....Ilene has developed some clots in her legs from not moving. She is scheduled to go to Mountain View Hospital tomorrow at 11:00am to have some filters put in.  Otherwise she is still continuing to progress slowly but surely.  Hopefully this is just a small speed bump in the road to recovery...

Monday, March 28, 2011

Cindy Mortenson writes:  This afternoon I went to see Ilene arriving a little before 1 PM.  Karmalee Yardley and Ilene’s father were with her.  Ilene had a rubber ball in her left hand and was working it with her fingers.  She would roll the ball around in her palm as well as hold it in her finger tips.  Her eyes would open periodically also.  Sometimes they were wide open and sometimes just partially open. 
            An EEG was ordered and the whole process of getting that test set up was quite lengthy.  During that whole time Ilene was moving her left arm and working her fingers around the ball.  Her arm was almost never relaxed or by her side.  The tech had to keep telling Ilene to relax and rest. 
            Right after the EEG an apparatus was attached to Ilene’s trach to exercise her vocal cords.  That involved more energy as she was coughing a lot as she got used to air moving around the trach.  During that time her eyebrows were furrowed and she seemed spent by the time they removed it. 
            It seemed that the whole time I was with Ilene she was playing with the ball or undergoing tests or procedures.  I noticed that if someone was on her right side talking she would try to glance that way out of the corner of her eyes.  My prayer is that this is just the beginning of many advances and progress for Ilene.

Doctor Update

Ilene's doctor came in and said everything is moving in the right direction.  Her brain will wake up when it's ready and there is just no way to predict the outcome until it does.  Every thing she is doing are all good signs.  She opened her eyes three times yesterday. Three times the day before and twice already this morning.  She is more active with her arm and leg movements and with her facial twitching and expressions.  All good things...

Another side note...Many have been requesting Elder Taylor Sorenson's address:
                                             Elder Taylor Sorenson
                                             Tennessee Nashville Mission
                                             105 W. Park Drive  Suite#190
                                              Brentwood,   TN  37027-5010

                                             

                                            

Ilene Moved

Ilene was moved to Health South -Tenaya.  She has a private room there.  She is still recovering and her family is witnessing many miracles.  Thank you for the continuous love and support.  

Thanks for the Prayers

Ilene continues to progress and seemed particularly active on Sunday.  Ilene has been removed from the ventilator and is breathing all on her own.  She seems more and more responsive and opened her eyes for the second time on Sunday.  Taylor’s mission President just spoke to Scott and the entire mission was on their knees praying for Ilene at 3pm local time.  This is the time Ilene opened her eyes.  Scott said “Coincidence?  I don’t think so.”  She has developed quite a grip and seems responsive to some voice commands.  Chad is diligent in helping keep joints active and has regular “work-outs” with his Mom.  The faith and prayers are working and a great thanks to all who participated in the special fast.  Ilene may be relocated to a rehabilitation facility a little closer to home in the next day or two.

Saturday PM Update

The family is very grateful for your faith and prayers and invite you to join in a special fast tomorrow 3/20/2011.  Also grateful for limiting visits at this time.

Surgery for Ilene today

Ilene has been in UMC Trauma center since the accident.  Her family members and dear friends have been by her side.  There have been reports of all different interactions with Ilene.  Personally I have visited with Ilene twice. I had a strong impression that Ilene could hear me and she squeezed my hand while I spoke to her.  While I was with her they gave her a couple shots in which she gave a little movement, the nurse said that was good because it showed she could feel it. 

Ilene is supposed to have a traecha put in today.  She is also having her feeding tubed moved today.  I understand this will help with her breathing and comfort. 

Many are wondering about Elder Taylor Sorenson.  I was told he called and spoke with his dad (Scott) and is in good hands with his mission president.

From the Beginning:

I found this article online. I hope it is accurate.....

A 27-year-old man from China died Tuesday morning after crashing an SUV into a wall and colliding with a bicyclist in the northwest valley, Metro Police said.

The bicyclist, Ilene Sorenson, 53, of Las Vegas, was takem to University Medical Center with critical injuries.

At 4:44 a.m, the driver of the SUV was traveling north on Cimarron Road and struck the east curb near Sapphire Beach Lane, police said. The vehicle traveled back into the travel lanes and collided with the west curb at Soaring Gulls Drive, then drove up on the sidewalk.

The vehicle then collided with the concrete block wall and into a street light pole, investigators said. The vehicle re-entered the roadway and collided with Sorenson, who was traveling south on Cimarron Road. She was thrown from the bike into the windshield of the SUV, police said.

A passerby notified police about the accident and the driver of the SUV was pronounced dead at the scene.

For Friends and Family

I was asked to make a blog for family and friends of Ilene.  I am happy to do this.  I will try and keep everyone updated with Ilene's progress.  Hopefully it will answer some questions.  Also feel free to share any experiences or information that you have here.