Friday, August 22, 2008

Almost, but not quite done: 9pm

Surgery went well. Amputation site is completely closed, and in ace bandages. Healing now so that a prosthetic leg can be fitted when the time comes. The right leg is healthy...no further infection or muscle/tissue loss. One faciotomy was closed and sutured, and the other was cleaned and remains open with a suction drain. That one needs a skin graft to close, and the doctors felt that the area was not yet ready to support the graft; another week or two, maybe. But the leg is healthy! Terry is ready to start PT so that he can become mobile in a wheelchair until the right leg is ready to support his weight (4 months est.). Doctors are still watching his lungs, as the lower lobe is still 'flapped over', but so far he is not having any problems. The prayers have worked..he has surpassed the doctors expectations so far. He is down to his "fighting weight" now, and if he keeps using his trapeze bar, he will have 6 pack abs in no time! If you have time to visit, he loves having company.
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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear that things are going well for you all. Michael and Amber are a blast to have over to play with Kris. You are in our thoughts!

John, Mary, and Kristopher

August 22, 2008 at 9:59 PM
Anonymous said...

Terry Its good to hear your doin well, Al did some work at that house in oxford where you put up the pvc trim boards they are happy they gave me a check for you i will bring it up to the hospital next week. hang tough!! Mike Barber

August 22, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Anonymous said...

We are so happy that our prayers are working. What 2 weeks can bring. Glad to hear that your doing great. Keep it up! :)
Scott, Heather, and Sutton Powers

August 23, 2008 at 12:31 PM
AZmommy23 said...

Awesome news!

August 24, 2008 at 1:00 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.