Sunday, August 31, 2008

Day 29: better

Terry is resting today, still very lethargic, but most likely due to the heavy bloodpressure and pain meds. He is eating a little today, but still swollen from fluids. They are giving him some more meds to help reduce it a little quicker. But his kidneys are doing the job well without any assistance! I have a friend coming in today to cut his hair, so he will be much happier after the shampoo and cut. I will never understand why he hates that long gorgeous hair. But alas, even though he is captive here, I must let him have his way and cut it short. The CCU has okeyed having his kids come for a short visit tomorrow, so that will really improve his and the kids outlook for sure. Dare I say that today is a good day?? One day at a time..and today is good.
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3 comments:

ken said...

sounds better than yesterday that means hes still the tough old bird keep up the good work terry .....god bless the mcdonld family

August 31, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Anonymous said...

hey terry..was cool hearing from ya today on the speakers again...i will be by to see ya again soon....track aint the same without ya...al try's real hard to maintain it but no one can fill your shoes when it comes to track repairs...

August 31, 2008 at 8:09 PM
Shawn Bowen said...

It's good to see the improvements you keep making Terry. It was also good to hear your voice on the speakers yesterday, hang in there buddy.

September 1, 2008 at 9:15 AM

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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.