Terry is back in surgery. He has experienced something called "compartment syndrome". Compartment syndrome involves the compression of nerves and blood vessels within an enclosed space. This leads to impaired blood flow and muscle and nerve damage. Since they cannot give Terry any diuretics to help release the fluids (due to damaged kidney and not wanting to stress that organ anymore, I guess), they are operating to open each leg and forearm and put 'sponges' at these sites. these sites will be closed by skin graft at a later date. Hopefully this procedure will help Terry mentally also. Right now he is scared that he is paralyzed since he has no feeling in his legs and arms. The doctors are reassuring him that that is NOT the case. Terry is still unfocused and very confused, but then again, at times, he is lucid. This I am told is due to the heavy medications and extensive trauma he is undergoing. Dana his wife is also very scared, but family is here to help us. thanks for your support and continued prayers.
Kati/mom
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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.
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.
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2 comments:
We are so very sorry to hear about Terry. Be assured we are keeping the entire family in our prayers. Thank goodness for this timely information we have...we will be checking in frequently. Give our love and thoughts to everyone in the family.....Love, Janis & Steve Freel
Terry,
I know that you are in the best of care. You are strong. We are all rooting for you.
Aunt Mary
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