Friday, September 26, 2008

Closer to home than ever!

Terry has continued to amaze the PT staff with his rehab exercises. I think he is bound and determined to prove that his 4 day cardiac detour didn't hamper his progress. There is even a rumor that he may attend the last leg of the FTMS series at the FactoryTracks raceway next weekend in Highland!! Lets hope the facility is wheelchair friendly...or at least equipped with some stong men to carry him into the racing area! Just knowing that his possible discharge date is so close has made him a "new man". It is good to see him so excited again. He wants to go home to his family and also race again with his buddies! I haven't heard him beg yet, but he is close to it! He still has a few maneuvers to master, but he is doing well and getting stronger every day. Even if he doesn't get a discharge by next weekend, he may be able to get a one day LOA (leave of absence). Sure sounds like the military, doesn't it??
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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Go Terry Go!!

Can't wait to see you out of that place!!!!!

Kooz

:)

September 27, 2008 at 6:27 PM
Anonymous said...

Fabulous news. Come back from playing at his place and I read this (well I did hear rumors today). WooHoo!

I’m a little past my strong guy days, but I would be honored to help get Terry back to being with the gang in any way I can. Plus I have an eager more youthful volunteer with me too. Pretty sure it will be a long line that we’ll be in offering to help…

Just make sure Terry is working that trigger finger back into shape!

September 27, 2008 at 8:37 PM
Anonymous said...

so good to hear. like dave, i was out at the RUNN today. its not the same without terry there. cant wait to see him at FTR

thanks again for the updates

-RYAN

September 28, 2008 at 12:25 AM
ken said...

sounds great terry and sis for all the updates thanks for letting us all have fun all summer in your backyard buddy.....hope to see you saturday at the ftms race...as long it wont take too much out of you ....we all understand and will see you soon....keep up the hard work ....ken

September 29, 2008 at 5:23 PM

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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.