Friday, September 19, 2008

Done with surgeries and homeward bound!!

Terry underwent his final surgery today where the doctors closed his faschiotomy with a skin graft from his thigh. The remaining wound drain will be removed on Monday, and Terry will be completely free of all wires, tubes and IVs! Discharge from the rehab is anticipated at 10 to 14 days. At this time, he will be discharged to his house where he will be wheelchair bound until his leg is ready to bear weight and he can be fitted with a prosthetic for his left leg (est. time is 3-4 months until he can walk). While home, he will continue PT exercises to gain back the muscle and weight lost these last 2 months. His home is being equipped to handle wheelchair acces: A ramp is being installed at his house for access in and out, and a lift will be installed on his stairs so he can get to the different levels (of his tri-level home). His master bath will be renovated to accommodate a wheelchair accessible shower stall. Thank goodness his days are now full of PT exercises, because he is really chomping at the bit to come home. He is not quite ready...still needs more practice in moving to/from bed , chair, commode, and into a car. These 2 weeks will be filled with the muscle building practice on these 'maneuvers'. As soon as he is able to do these things, he will be discharged HOME!!
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5 comments:

Unknown said...

Havent been in to post in a while but you have still been on my mind and in my family's prayers.

Good to hear of the continued progress and wish you GOD'S Speed in getting home.

We will continue t pray for you and your family

Take Care,

Tony (ADE)

September 19, 2008 at 11:48 PM
Anonymous said...

How absolutely WONDERFUL is that. As this new normal sets in and life changes we will continue to lift you all up in prayer.

Many, many blessings to you and your family!

The Cherioli's

September 20, 2008 at 5:34 PM
Anonymous said...

this is awesome news. cant wait to see terry out racing again.

he, and the family shall remain in my prayers

September 20, 2008 at 8:29 PM
Anonymous said...

great news!!!

The phends

September 22, 2008 at 4:21 PM
Anonymous said...

keep up the good fight we will see you this winter! your friends at stateline r/c

September 22, 2008 at 5:02 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.