Ben's condition

I will have more to come on Ben's story, but the next post is what appeared in today's paper.

Former Taft, BC standout Estill injured in head-on collision - Bakersfield.com

Ben Estill knows all about how life can change in a split second.

The former Taft High and Bakersfield College running back standout calls himself lucky and happy he's alive after he was involved in a head-on automobile accident early Sunday morning.

"I don't remember anything," Estill said Tuesday in a telephone interview from his Kern Medical Center hospital room. "It's amazing how fast it can happen. You go from working to waking up in the hospital."

Estill, 21, said he was driving eastbound on Truxtun Avenue approaching Oak Street around 2:45 a.m. when the accident occurred. His job was delivering newspapers for The Californian.

According to a report by the Bakersfield police, a pickup driven by Fidel Cordero, 19, of Bakersfield crossed over into the westbound lanes and hit Estill's Toyota Previa mini-van head-on.

According to police, the investigation is continuing. But police say alcohol and excessive speed "both appear to be factors in this collision."

Estill's right femur was fractured in three places and he also suffered a broken right hand. He underwent surgery so a titanium rod could be used to connect the factured bones between his right hip and knee.

Estill said he has been told it will take about 18 months for a full recovery.

He said during the season that he planned to go on a church mission in 2010. That is put on hold.

"I just finished up the paperwork the day before it happened," Estill said. "I can't leave until I'm healthy and fit."

He is also enrolled in classes at BC in the spring semester that starts early in 2010. "So I can't put my life on hold too long," he said.

Estill said he's optimistic he'll be discharged from KMC and able to go home by Christmas. He said he's been able to get out of bed with the aid of a walker.

Estill helped BC to a 10-2 season this fall by leading the team with 1,062 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, the 13th player in program history with a 1,000-yard season.

He ranks 12th on BC's all-time career rushing list with 1,521 yards.

As a senior at Taft High in the 2005 season, he had 2,660 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns.

What a year!!!

This has been a pretty tough year on us, as I am sure most people can agree with. Now that it is almost over I am constantly reminded of the blessings that we have been given!! To finish the year off we found out that we are going to be adding another addition to our family. Pollock baby #3 is on its way!! I am 10 weeks (waited 6 weeks to tell people, which is huge for me, I can't keep a secret). I haven't been sick hardly at all which is nice and except for a little weight gain, I don't show at all which is nice too!! The only thing is the exhaustion, I have been falling to sleep with the kids at 7:00, which is nice but it is horrid on my house work. So my house has been pretty much a disaster, but Monday my mom surprised us with a visit and helped me clean...it was so wonderful. I love my mother so much!!


This little one was a surprise for us, I was SO NOT READY to have another baby, but I guess he decided it was time for him to come anyway!! Now that we have gotten use to the idea we are very excited. We were able to hear the heartbeat Thursday and got an ultrasound yesterday. Madelynn is very excited. She asks me all the time if my baby is ready to come out. My due date is July 12th, which is Madelynn's birthday so I keep telling her that she has to wait for her birthday and then the baby will come!! Anyway, wish us luck!

"I Wish You A Merry Christmas!"

"I wish you a Merry Christmas, I wish you a Merry Christmas,
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Working Song!!"

Madelynn's version of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" sung on the way home from Church today!!