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Monday, April 21, 2008

Some Good News

Good news! Miss Ann's raffle has raised almost $5,000 -- enough money to send Lisa and her family to Disney World, plus a little extra for her to use however she wishes. Honestly, it is just awesome that so many people came together to help a friend realize her dream before she starts chemo treatments.

Lisa plans to attend TequilaCon '08, too since she lives in the area. I'll actually get to meet her after reading and commenting for a year! There will be much squeeee-ing, hugging, and kissing going on at the Lounge 'n Lanes in Philly that night. Especially, when we'll have the likes of Dustin wearing the very special outfit his mom sent him. ROFLMAO!

The other good news is that our niece, Alex, and her boyfriend, Adam, are out of the hospital. Adam was fortunate in that his injuries were not too extensive because his seatbelt did not break. He had two broken ribs and the right side of his body was bruised.

Alex was not so fortunate. She was driving. Probably too fast, but do you know any 19-year old who doesn't? It was raining, and she hit a bad pothole that she couldn't see. I'm fairly certain that she was driving her dad's big Chevy truck and the seat-belt broke. The truck flipped numerous times (I think 5), she was ejected, the truck rolled over her left shoulder and her arm was completely severed. She also sustained a broken eye-socket, broken jaw, a laceration on her face, and significant blood-loss (there could be more, but this is all I can recall).

A passerby helped them, found her arm, and called for help. They were transported to Methodist Hospital, the trauma center in Indianapolis. However, none of the surgeons there wanted to attempt to reattach her arm because her shoulder was so damaged. I think it was her big brother, Matt, who made the decision to find another doctor willing to attempt the surgery. Her parents were in Florida at the time of the accident (they're moving there), so a lot of the decision-making was on his shoulders. He just turned 24 April 13, but has served two times in Iraq. He told his mom and dad, "This was the hardest thing I've had to do in my life." I guess you do what you've got to do, and he did a fine job!

The doctor willing to attempt to reattach Alex's arm was at St. Vincent's Hospital. She underwent numerous surgeries to remove dead tissue and bone, transfusions, as well as litres and litres of fluids. By the end of the weekend her little body weighed 50 pounds more than when she was admitted.

The doctors decided to allow her eye-socket to heal without surgery, but they repaired her jaw with a titanium plate rather than wiring it shut because of nutritional concerns. We actually got to speak with her last Sunday on the phone. She'd only had the tube removed from her throat hours before, and her voice was remarkably strong.

So far, she's stable and healing well. She was released from the hospital Saturday, and even posted a short note on Facebook saying that she won't be on the computer much for a while. She's got a long row to hoe, but I know she can do it!

Thank you all so much for your good thoughts and kind words for both Lisa and Alex. They mean a lot to all of us.

10 comments:

Karl said...

Wow, Diana, that's something else. First I've heard of the accident. My prayers are with them both.

Can't wait to meet you in Philadelphia in a couple of weeks.

Kyra said...

I am SO glad that some good news is to be had. I'm so sorry they're going through this. :(

Avitable said...

That is amazing. Good for her brother!

Anonymous said...

Lots of love and happy prayers sent their way!

I am so stoked that you will be in Philly soon and we can try to con Dustin out of his little costume ;).

The Ferryman said...

It's great the way her brother stepped up like that. I remember what I was like at that age...

Anonymous said...

So glad you posted an update. I've been checking back since I read your April 5 post hoping for some good news. Do the doctors think Alex will have full use of her arm? What a great brother she has to have pursued a doctor who would go the extra mile. Keep us updated. We're thinking and praying.

Lisa said...

OMG, I am so sorry to hear about such a tragic accident. It makes me feel like I just have a cold. God, I hope she pulls through ok.

On a happier note...congrats on your prize! I can't wait to see you in Philadelphia in two weeks!

Geeky Tai-Tai said...

Karl... Thank you very much for your prayers. It is wonderful to know that there are so many caring people in the world, and I'll get to meet a lot of them in Philly!

Kyra... I know what you mean, we have to try to focus on the positives that are there, but it's tough sometimes.

Avi... Indeed, Matt is a very special young man.

Hilly... Thank you, love and happy prayers will help them get through this.

We're going to have a blast with Hilly in Philly ;D

Mr. Fab... It is great that even though he was under terrible duress with his sister's life in the balance, he handled matters like a pro. We're all very proud of him.

As for what you were like at that age... I cannot even fathom! LOL

Pam... Yes, I'm very sorry it took me so long to write this post. We were moving from one place to another, and time got the best of me.

A lot of bone and muscle had to be removed from her shoulder and upper arm, but her arm below the elbow was still ok. If the surgeon hadn't reattached her arm, she would not have been able to have a prosthesis because there would be nothing left to attach it. The doctors are hopeful that the nerves in her arm will regenerate and "untangle" themselves so that she will have some use of her hand. The doctor said that nerves can grow up to an inch a month.

Thank you for your good thoughts and prayers.

Curiosity Killer said...

That's so great, Tai-tai. You almost move me to tears.

Have fun in Philly!!

BlondeBlogger said...

GTT, I was supposed to go this weekend, but totally didn't realize it's the same day as Natalie's First Communion. I was so excited when I saw you were going before and now I'm very bummed. I hope you have a good time.

I'm so sorry about your niece and her boyfriend. I will be praying for them. They look so young, innocent, adorable and happy in their picture.