Tuesday, August 5, 2008

10 a.m.

Terry had no setbacks overnight. His status is still the same: critical but stable. He is still very swollen, and it is essential that they monitor his blood pressure and lungs. Terry wakes briefly and is grumpy, but that is a good sign. He is confused and not able to respond to the doctors requests well enough to pass the physiological test that will allow them to remove the neck brace. Terry is unable to move one leg, but neurology tests show that the compartment syndrome surgery is doing its job, and nerves are responding. Vascular tests show that the stent is doing its job, too. Dana is bearing up well. Your support is essential and we enjoy reading all your comments and REALLY appreciate your calls and messages. Keep up the prayers. This morning looks better.
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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.