Update on Brent as of Saturday February 27th

I was so thankful I was able to be at the hospital with Mingie on Friday (2/25) from 11 to 3.m I was only able to see Brent for about 10 minutes but they were 10 super special minutes. It is very difficult to see someone you love in the hospital in his condition but at the same time I am so very grateful that he survive the crash and is here with us today to fight to get his life back.

This is what Ed posted this evening about Brent's progress.

Update on Brent

Hello to ALL of our amazing Family, friends and supporters of our son Brent and our Family. We Love you all!!

Mingie and I are with Brent regularly, as are his Grandparents. The rest of the family visits are more limited due to the risks of h1n1 etc. His brothers and Amanda are remaining strong and have been amazing considering the circumstances. The rest of our family visits regularly when allowed to by the staff.

Brent remains in the PICU at Mission Hospital. The doctors tell us that Brent is coming out of the coma. he now experiences periods of wakefulness and opens his eyes sometimes during these periods. While awake he recieves physical and occupational therapy and LOTS OF LOVE from his family and his wonderful nurses! In the past two days he has shown small yet positive signs of purposeful actions and movements. This progress is a true blessing. However we are reminded that Brents brain injuries are very serious. The doctors say it is uncertain how long and how much brent will recover from these injuries and that we have a very long road ahead. We will remain faithful and are confident that Brent will continue to improve in time. We will of course be here for him every step of the way and we know ALL OF YOU will be through your prayers and Love and support of our Family.

It is our hope that this message finds ALL OF YOU AND YOURS in good health.

All our Love

Ed and Mingie

THEY ALSO POSTED THIS MESSAGE TO ALL OF BRENT'S FRIENDS:

Ed Sirignano started the discussion A special message to Brents friends and fellow students

A lot of you we know, some of you we met recently and some of you we have never met. You are ALL very special people! Brents Mother and I would Like it very much if you will PLEASE make a promise to us, to your own Families and to your friends that you will ALWAYS drive safely and ALWAYS remember that your lives and others, are precious and how important you ALL are to our Family, your own families, to your friends and others! Please learn a lesson from what has happened to your friends Brent and Parker and work together to make good decisions in your own lives. Continue to pray for your friends and in due time you WILL be together again.

All our Love to each and every one of you!!

Brents Mom and Dad

Latest update on Brent

I am so excited that I get to go to the hospital tomorrow and be with my sister and Brent. It's been a very long week not being there. Although we have been texting each day it's not the same as physically being there. Thank you Mom for watching the boys for me so that I can be there. I look forward to blogging my account of tomorrow's visit, but until then here is the latest update that was posted regarding his progress:

UPDATE ***Wednesday Night 2/24*********

Hello everyone,

Brent is stable but remains in PICU and is still in a coma. Brent is still breathing without a respirator and xray of lungs look good and he continues to show small signs of waking up. He had surgery this afternoon to his facial injuries and the surgery went well. He has an MRI scheduled in the AM and the neurosurgeon hopefully will discuss the results following.

Brent is progressing a little each day. Mingie and I visited rehabilitation facilities today, that may be best suited for Brent in his recovery.

Again thank you all very much for your continued Love and support! God Bless

Love Ed and Mingie

Our Patriotic Son

I think I mentioned previously that Jack's preschool class says the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of each day. Well, this is something he has really taken a liking to. He has even taught his brother the words and for some reason thinks he needs to say it each time he sees the flag. Sort of silly but cute at the same time (except on long car rides).

Here is Jack reciting the Pledge of Allegiance - February 5, 2010

Snow Day

Last week Jack's preschool had a "Snow Day". That is when they truck in some ice for the California kids to play on and attempt to make a half way decent snowman. Jack had a blast and was super excited that I stuck around to watch him play and take a few pictures.











Jack thought it was pretty crazy when I explained to him that in other parts of the country a "snow day" meant that it was snowing so hard that the kids didn't go to school.

What an AMAZING show of love and support for Brent today!

Hundreds turn out for fundraiser for critically injured teen

By ERIKA I. RITCHIE

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

The Orange County Register

updated 10:15 p.m. PT, Sat., Feb. 20, 2010

LAKE FOREST - Almost 200 motorists turned out Saturday at a fundraiser to support a local teen still in a coma following a car crash on Feb. 6.

The car wash and bake sale was held in support of Brent Sirignano, an El Toro High senior, whose recovery has united the 2,200 students at the Lake Forest school.

More than 50 students and some parents washed a seemingly unending line-up of cars that poured into the parking lot at El Toro High well past the planned end time of noon. Students also sold baked goods, some of which were donated by Bagels & Brew and Albertsons. Students wore white T-shirts with "Support Bren" on them.

Since Sirignano's accident, students have held daily prayer vigils, made posters and T-shirts and posted messages on a Sirignano family-sponsored blog.

Sirignano, 17, was injured after Parker Kalmen, 17, also from Lake Forest, lost control of his 2006 Scion on a wet road. Sirignano was in the passenger seat. The car spun into a tree, impacting the passenger side. Sirignano and Kalmen had to be extricated from the car. Kalmen was uninjured in the crash.

In a message posted at 8 p.m. Saturday, Bobbi Scott wrote :"Ed and Mingie report that Brent is still in his coma. His breathing is much better today as it takes a little adjustment being off the respirator. He has responded well to all the great care from the nurses. He is actually snoring while the oxygen mask is off."

"They say Brent looks good. They were so thankful to all the El Toro students who washed cars today at the fundraiser. They have heard some of the stories about the day and it has really touched them. THANK YOU to everyone and please keep praying for Brent."

The "Brent Sirignano Fund" has been set up for donations that go directly to Brent's medical care.

Checks should be made out to "Brent Sirignano". Mail to : Wells Fargo Bank Attention: Nghi X. Luu, 24251 Rockfield Blvd., Lake Forest, CA 92630.

Contact the writer: 949-454-7307 oreritchie@ocregister.com

Amanda with Keith & Eddie, Brent's brothers and our other two wonderful nephews

We would like to express a huge THANK YOU to everyone that came out today to support Brent and the family. Your love and support means so much to my sister and Ed.

Update on Brent from Friday night

Here is the update that was posted late last night (Friday night) about Brent. Because it hadn't been shared publicly, I waited to mention the great news in my previous post. Seeing Brent breathe on his own yesterday was so WONDERFUL! We know that this is only one hurdle amongst the many that he will face in the coming months but it was a biggy and we couldn't have been happier. We just need to keep praying that his body will continue to wake up. I am just counting the minutes until I see his beautiful eyes sparkle again.

****UPDATE******FRIDAY NIGHT*****MORE GOOD NEWS

Mingie and Ed called tonight with some more good news tonight. They reported that Brent is now breathing on his own and the ventilator has been removed. YES! He is resting comfortably however he is still in a coma. The medication that they had Brent on to keep him in the coma has been stopped. Brent has still not opened his eyes. The family is at his bedside and are happy for another moment of good news. Brent still has so much more to overcome.

Ed and Mingie are sorry but they will not be at the Car Wash/Bake Sale tomorrow because they will be with Brent but want you to know how very THANKFUL they are for everyones support!! Please keep praying!

************************************************************************

Today was a gift

I know no other way to explain it.
I am so grateful for today. I am thankful for the time I had with my sister and I am filled with emotions about the time I spent with my precious God Son, Brent.

I was able to spend 4 hours at the hospital today. It has been very difficult not being able to be there during these past 2 weeks - yes two weeks! It will be two week tomorrow (Saturday afternoon) from when Brent was involved in his horrible car accident. I have only been able to go to the hospital two other times prior to today. I have felt very helpless and filled with fear and sadness for Brent. I didn't feel like that today.

Brent was not awake but I am confident that he knew I was there. I am confident that he felt my presence and my love. I was able to hold his hand and touch his arm. My time with him was short, but special. I would have liked to have stayed longer but when you are in the ICU that's just not always possible.

He's a fighter and he is fighting. I am so proud of you Brent - keep fighting! I will see you soon.

Latest update on Brent

This is the latest update on Brent's Recovery Website. It's so exciting to finally get some good news. We love you Brent - keep fighting to come back to us.

**UPDATE**TUESDAY 4:00PM**GOOD NEWS!**

Mingie and Ed called with some good news today! They have been slowly decreasing the medication that has kept Brent in the coma and they have seen positive signs.....Brent is slowly waking up! They have been working with a Physical Therapist for the past 2 days and Brent has responded to verbal commands. He was asked to move his toes ......and he did! He has also moved other parts of his body. As you can imagine the family is VERY happy Brent is making progress. Brent still faces many challenges ahead. They are still very concerned about the effects of the brain injury. But for now, Ed and Mingie are going to enjoy this moment of good news. Please keep praying for Brent!

Brent Sirignano

Brent -

We love you and we miss you deeply. You are consuming our every thought.
I can't even put into words how heart broken we are by what has happened to you.
We are praying to the good Lord above to please heal your body and bring you back to us.
You are not just our nephew, you are our God Son. You are so special to us and when you hurt, we hurt.
Seeing you last night was so difficult. In some ways you looked better than I had expected, but at the same time it was so VERY difficult to see you that way.
When I looked at you so many moments went through my mind, starting with the day you were born.
We spent so much time together when you were little and Uncle Branden and I have always been so proud of you.
You mean so much to our children and they want to see you. They want their cousin back. They want you to play with them and read them a book.
We know you are fighting hard and we know that you are strong so please just keep fighting and know that we are all here to help you.
It's been difficult being here in Long Beach and you being in Lake Forest. I wish I could be there more for you and your parents.
Please know that not one minutes goes by that you are not on our minds and in our hearts.

WE LOVE YOU!!

http://www.ocregister.com/news/toro-234226-dad-sirignano.html

Video about Brent

http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2010/02/12/video-el-toro-plays-with-heavy-heart/90079/

We love you so much Brent and can't wait for you to wake up. The boys miss you and ask every day when they can see their cousin Brenty. We are praying non stop for your full recovery.

Vigil at tonight's game for Brent

Vigil at tonight's game for student in coma



A group of kids who gathered to pray for Brent at school

Update on Brent

Thank you all very much for your love and prayers for my nephew Brent. A website has been created to help with information sharing. Here is the link:

http://www.myfamily.com/group/98536978

As of right now Brent is still very critical but is making small improvements. The procedures they have done so far have all gone well and seem to be pushing him in the right direction. He is still in the medically induced coma and needs lots of prayers. We have been advised to pray and focus our efforts on his survival at this point.

I am in the hospital right now with my own child who will be going into surgery in the next few hours. Because it's so difficult to be away from my family right now I have had my computer scrolling our pictures for me to look at. It helps a bit with the loneliness and fear for my child and our beloved God child who are both hurting right now. I was able to get a bit of sleep early this morning and when I woke up this was the first picture I saw - my sweet Brenty. This pictures was from August 2007. I love it because it shows his beautiful smile.



WE LOVE YOU BRENT!!

Our God Son needs your prayers

On Saturday afternoon our nephew and God Son, Brent sirignano was involved in serious car accident and currently is in ICU. He is 17 years old and a Sr. at EL Toro high school.

He has serious head trauma, collapsed lungs and multiple facial fractures. We are asking that everyone please pray for his recovery. He has under went several procedures already, the most recent was to remove a large portion of his skull to help relieve the pressure. He is in serious condition and we are just devastated by this horrible accident.

Brent with his brother Eddie

Brent with his brothers Eddie and Keith and soon to be sister-in-law Amanda

Eddie, Branden & Brent at Christmas

Brent with his Mom (my sister) and baby Annabelle

We love you Brent - you are a strong young man and we are confident that the Lord will lay his healing hands on you. We are praying day and night for your full recovery.