Monday, August 4, 2008

1 p.m.

Terry is out of surgery and in stable, but guarded condition. Doctors are optimistic that they have relieved the pressure caused by the Compartment Syndrome and that Terry has no tissue or nerve damage. He remains on a ventilator due to blood in his lungs. The doctors now estimate he will remain in the ICU for two weeks. Visitation is still limited due an increased risk of infection. if all goes well, Terry will undergo another surgery on Friday to repair his separated pelvis.

Results came back on the CT scans and no brain or spinal cord injuries were detected. Doctor's caution that these injuries can take up to 6 days to develop. Therefore, he will undergo more tests in the coming week.

No comments:

What Happened?

On Saturday, August 2, at approximately 11:30 a.m. Terry McDowell was involved in a head-on collision on Ormond Road in White Lake Township, MI.

An unknown young-adult fell asleep at the wheel, crossed over into the opposite lane, and struck Terry's van head-on. Police are still investigating.

Paramedics rushed Terry via helicopter to Beaumont Medical Center's Trauma Unit. He is in stable, but critical, condition and is currently in the Intensive Care Unit.

From what we know, there is no damage to the spinal cord or brain. He will undergo more X-rays and scans today to determine if there are further injuries. His injuries, as of Sunday, Aug 3 at 10:00 a.m. include:
> Broken right femur
> A compound fracture in his left femur
> A broken tibia
> A shattered ankle
> Slight cut to his liver
> Dissected aorta
> Fractured pelvis
> Unknown back injury
> Three broken ribs

Terry underwent 11 hours of surgery on Saturday evening. The first surgery was cardiac surgery to repair the damage to his torn, or dissected, aorta. They performed non-invasive heart surgery and used a stent to repair the aorta. The surgery was completed without complications.

The second surgery was orthopedic surgery to repair his broken bones. He came out of surgery strong, but remains in critical condition due to the complications that could arise from heart surgery and a compound fracture of the Femur.

He is expected to remain in the ICU for at least 48 hours.