Hospital Visitors

This is Aaron again. I'd like to personally thank all those you have sent emails, posted comments on the blog or Shannon's facebook, called, left messages, and visited the hospital. You have been an inspiration and a source of strength and comfort, especially to my parents. They feel of the love and concern you have for them and for their sweet daughter. It is amazing to read and realize the impact my dear sister Shannon has had on some many lives. Shannon's friends that we didn't even know about and friends that we haven't seen or heard from for years have contacted us and given us so much strength. Thank you for your prayers, your words of encouragement, your service, your support, and your love and concern. We will forever be grateful and indebted to you.

We have had many visitors at the hospital over the past few days. They have been a great source of comfort and encouragement for my folks. It has given them the chance to be out of the PICU, get their eyes off the monitors and their minds off the endless waiting. For those of you planning on coming to the hospital I'd like to ask for several favors.
--First, the PICU has strict visiting rules and only immediate family members are allowed to see Shannon right now. But more importantly we want to respect Shannon--we are sure that she doesn't want her friends and family to see her in this condition (one reason why we aren't posting pictures on the blog). Certainly this might change once Shannon is awake and able to realize who is visiting and interact with them.
--Second, please contact my folks before coming, either by email (easiest) or by leaving a message on their phones. There are times that they need to be in the room to meet with doctors and there is the potential of multiple people wanting to visit at the same time-feast or famine kind of thing. That way they can also meet you in the lobby or cafeteria at a specific time since their cell phones do not work in most areas of the hospital including the PICU.
--Third, please do not stay too long--30 minutes is a good amount of time. They want to see you and visit with you but after a while they get anxious about being away from Shannon too long and have a hard time saying good-bye. They really have some great friends that they appreciate and love.

Again, thank you for all you are doing for Shannon and my parents. Please do not interpret these requests as asking you not to come because my parents need your continued love and support.