My brother was in a bad accident... update - he's home now!

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PTAaron

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Sorry guys - I didn't get a chance to post this information over here when it happened. Here is the basic information (this is from something I posted last weekend somewhere else):

Right now I am staying in the "Hospitality" hotel attached to the hospital he is in, and I managed to steal my parent's laptop computer with a wireless card so I could give an update!
Quick recap on the situation for those who didn't see the original thread: He was out riding his 4-wheeler (quad) last saturday when he was hit by a truck (more on the exact incident later, since we finally figured out everything). He suffered 6 broken ribs on the right, 1 broken rib on the left, broken clavicle on the right, ankle broken in 6 spots on the right, lacerated liver, bruised heart, punctured lung, and numerous cuts/scrapes/bruises all over his body. LUCKILY he was wearing a helmet with full face protection - which is beat all to hell, cracked, and scraped. If he hadn't had that on he would have been dead. He was on a ventilator because he was having trouble breathing due to the severe trauma to his chest and lungs.

This morning was the first time I was able to finally get up here (northern michigan) to see him. This morning was apparently the most alert he had been - he was writing out what he needed on a pad of paper, and he was interacting with everyone in the room nicely. My dad and I went out to Mark's (my brother) cabin to take some pictures for him - since he had just seen it in its current state prior to the accident, and didn't remember what it looked like (partly the trauma, partly the drugs he was being given). When we got back to the hospital they had just taken him off the ventilator!! THANK GOD! He was VERY unhappy having that on, and breathing on his own is a big step toward getting moved out of the ICU. He spent the whole day (from noon onward) off the ventilator and was talking and joking with us all afternoon!
He is finally also off of the "Milk of Amnesia" - the drugs they were giving him that helped with pain, but also caused him to forget the pain and trauma he was going through - so it was like having the "old Mark" back again... aside from the fact that he can't move on his own without severe pain.
They have scheduled his ankle to be repaired on Tuesday - if all goes as planned.

His good friend managed to locate his quad at the impound yard, along with the truck that hit him. Using the remains of those vehicles and after visiting the crash site he was able to put together what probably happened: Mark was flying down the trail he was on with his quad at the exact same time some kid was speeding down a dirt road in a truck. Mark got to the intersection with the road at the exact same time the kid and his truck got to it - Mark's trail DID NOT have a stop sign on it, and there was no indication that there was a road coming up until the very last second (his friend walked the trail and saw this). Mark smashed (probably full speed) into the front drivers side tire of the truck - hard enough that it almost ripped the tire off and bent the suspension - this also caused the right side of his body to smash against the truck. His friend said there was a "body shaped" dent across the a-pillar and windshield of the truck where he apparently flipped up and across/over the front of the truck crushing his ribs in the process. The truck then continued out of control and smashed into some trees.
His friend brought in pictures of the quad - looking at it you can't even tell what it is. Seeing just the pictures you would think there is no way someone could have survived that crash. He is SO lucky he did not come out a second earlier to get hit full force by the truck, or a split second later to smash square into the side of it - either of those would have probably killed him instantly.

He still has a LONG road ahead of him, but he is VERY determined. He will continue to improve as his bones heal.

He expressed sincere thanks and gratitude to all of you that have wished him well and are praying for him without even knowing him. I also would like to thank all of you for the support and the caring. It means more than you could ever imagine.
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In all he ended up with 15 broken bones... they found more... and he now has some severe nerve damage in his right arm as a result of the impact.
He had surgery Sunday (9/16) to repair his right ankle and his left humerus, but he is still unable to do rehab because he can't bear weight through his arms.
He will be coming back home with my parents this coming weekend because he needs 24 hour care still until he is able to be mobile, he will also be getting home care until that time.
 
Yeah he's still in my prayers too Aaron. Let us know if you need anything.
 
im really glad he seems to be making improvements... i hope you and the rest of your family are hanging in there it has to be rough all around
 
PTAaron said:
In all he ended up with 15 broken bones... they found more... and he now has some severe nerve damage in his right arm as a result of the impact.
He had surgery Sunday (9/16) to repair his right ankle and his left humerus, but he is still unable to do rehab because he can't bear weight through his arms.
He will be coming back home with my parents this coming weekend because he needs 24 hour care still until he is able to be mobile, he will also be getting home care until that time.
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Wow that is incredible. My thoughts and prayers go out to him, your family, and of course you, Aaron.
 
Damn that's crazy! I can't imagine the pain and I've had three surgeries in four months.
 
Thanks guys!

Just got more news today... turns out he doesn't have nerve damage in the right arm - he has a torn rotator cuff! Did an MRI today and found that he had ripped the tendon right off the bone!! Nice.

They are going to either repair that tomorrow, or have him get it fixed when he gets home. That will mean he has a surgically fixed left arm, right ankle, and right arm! Have to keep reminding myself that at least he is still alive!

Thanks again everyone for the support!
 
oh man, im so sorry to hear this aaron. i'll keep him in my prayers.
 
OMG, I am so sorry to hear about this, but so glad he is coming along this well, thank God for that. I will keep him and your family in my prayers Aaron
 
Wow, this sounds pretty rough. Glad to hear he's coming along as well as he is. You know we'll be pulling for him...
 
PTAaron said:
Thanks guys!

Just got more news today... turns out he doesn't have nerve damage in the right arm - he has a torn rotator cuff! Did an MRI today and found that he had ripped the tendon right off the bone!! Nice.

They are going to either repair that tomorrow, or have him get it fixed when he gets home. That will mean he has a surgically fixed left arm, right ankle, and right arm! Have to keep reminding myself that at least he is still alive!

Thanks again everyone for the support!
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oooo, you just made me cringe! I'm glad he is doing well, though. Just days after I read your post on MMX, a teenager in a town close to me was killed in the same type of accident - he didn't have a helmut on. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.
 
He's a lucky guy to have such a wonderful close family to help in the situation. Definitely keep us posted on his progress. And yes...TG he is alive, even with all the trauma. My prayers are for him to recover quickly and for the family to stay strong through these trying times.
 
glade to hear he didnt have the nerve damage i will continue to prayer for him and you family!
 
PTAaron said:
Thanks guys!

Just got more news today... turns out he doesn't have nerve damage in the right arm - he has a torn rotator cuff! Did an MRI today and found that he had ripped the tendon right off the bone!! Nice.

They are going to either repair that tomorrow, or have him get it fixed when he gets home. That will mean he has a surgically fixed left arm, right ankle, and right arm! Have to keep reminding myself that at least he is still alive!

Thanks again everyone for the support!
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That's good to hear that your brother is doing well and there is no nerve damage. Hey, you can think of like he's going to the bionic man. :idea: :)
 
PTAaron said:
Thanks guys!

Just got more news today... turns out he doesn't have nerve damage in the right arm - he has a torn rotator cuff! Did an MRI today and found that he had ripped the tendon right off the bone!! Nice.

They are going to either repair that tomorrow, or have him get it fixed when he gets home. That will mean he has a surgically fixed left arm, right ankle, and right arm! Have to keep reminding myself that at least he is still alive!

Thanks again everyone for the support!
Click to expand...

hey, you can help him rehab the shoulder after and reduce his medical bills! nice.
 
OOOO bless his heart, Aaron! I'm sorry that I just got here, but I'm prayin' for a good recovery!
 
New update: He is now at my parents house...
He was discharged from the hospital this morning, and made the 4 hour car ride home. Shoulder surgery will be scheduled later once he has healed up in other areas and is able to get around better.
 
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