| Author | Message | ||
     Zane |
My son James went down hard on his Suzuki last night. He had spent the day on the bike and was up near Wickenburg, About 40 miles or so northwest of Phoenix. He was air lifted to a hospital in Phoenix and is now in the ICU. The good: No broken limbs No sign of internal bleeding No apparent major head trauma. Huge knot covering most of his forehead. No he was not wearing a helmet despite telling me he would. He can move his arms, hands, legs and feet. The Bad news: Both arms and torso has heavy road rash. I think his back has a lot too but he's on his back and needs to stay that way so don't know how bad it is there. His legs appear to have almost no RR. MRI shows some minor bruising to the frontal lobe and bruising to the left side of the brain. Bruised lung. He's on a ventilator at least until tomorrow. Major trauma to the vertebra in his back. Almost all the vertebra from the middle of his neck to the belt line has some damage. Worse is the L1. They are going to operate later today to insert some support rods and screws. It is an attempt to take any weight off of the L1 by attaching support rod to vertebra above and below the L1 to keep weight off of it while it heals. He will be in a body support for 3 to 4 months at a minimum, possibly longer. No details on what happened. Don't know what shape the bike is in but expect it is totaled in a major way. (Message edited by Zane on May 04, 2014) | ||
| Drm1125r |
Sorry to hear. Prayers sent for a fast recovery. (Message edited by drm1125r on May 04, 2014) | ||
| Brumbear |
+1 on the prayers!!! | ||
| Skntpig |
Prayers out to you. | ||
| Strokizator |
Real sorry to hear that. Let's us know once you guys have settled your nerves. Prayers sent your way. Be strong. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Best wishes for a fast recovery. Having been there, it's a good thing he got fast help. Be a STRONG supporter. I live with frontal lobe injury every day and let me tell you...it's an adventure. This is a comprehensive starting point for you: http://voices.yahoo.com/frontal-lobes-brain-functi ons-they-361802.html I can tell you from personal experience, depending on the severity of his injury to that area, that he may seem different. His emotions will seem out of proportion. Mine was swelling and bleeding and bruising and I still, nearly six years since my accident, find out new and exciting things about myself. BE SUPPORTIVE. Do not discount any changes he says he is feeling. Work with him, do not berate him, and believe everything he says about how he's feeling and why. Do your best to understand what he's feeling, and ask him to explain things you aren't clear on. I do not want to be a "downer", but head injuries are (for obvious reasons) very touchy to me. I made many mistakes during my recovery, and so did my (now ex-)wife. If I can do anything to help another get through similar injuries while learning from my mistakes and not repeating them...I'm more than happy to help. If I can do anything, please feel free to PM me. Again - this all depends on the severity of the injury, but forewarned is forearmed. These changes can be subtle, but that doesn't make them any less real. And once more - my best heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery. | ||
| Kenm123t |
He is on the prayer list ! Hope he heals fast! | ||
| Bartimus |
Sorry to here this. Sounds like he was on Yarnell pass? Praying for a quick recovery B | ||
| Rocket_in_uk |
Sounds like he's lucky. I'm glad my kids don't ride. Selfish I know. Thoughts for you all. Especially your boy. Rocket in England | ||
| Rick_a |
Hope he recovers well. | ||
| Etennuly |
Sorry to hear about this. Best wishes for a quick and complete recovery. I am forwarding this to my 37 year old HD riding son so that he may read this. He likes light HD leather sleeveless vests with a stupid useless half helmet and cutoff jeans. His GF will ride with him in a sleeveless top to get some sun.  I know it would hurt me more than him if he were in your son's position, I got him started riding. Most of us can deal with our own physical pain better than watching a loved one go through it. My best to you and your family. | ||
| Zane |
James went into surgery about 30 minutes ago. The biggest issue is his L1 vertebra. They are putting some support rods in his back to attached to the vertebra above and below the L1 to take some of the weight off of it. Should take around 3 hours. Talking to the nurse I found out that yes he was wearing his helmet and still had that much damage to his head and face. I can't image what would have happened if he hadn't. I hope to let the dogs out, get something to eat and plan to be back at the hospital before he gets out of surgery. Thanks for the prayer and good wishes. I'll keep everyone updated. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Wearing the helmet likely saved his life. I had on a full-face modular and I'm convinced its the reason I'm walking and talking today. I hope my first post wasn't a downer - it wasn't meant to be. I do hope he comes through clean, happy, and healthy. But going through what I've been through...I err on the side of caution. Errors in judgement from multiple sides, caused more damage than the physical injuries did for me. Love your son, and be there for him. He is in my thoughts, just as you are. I wish you both the best! | ||
| Zane |
Don't stress over it Joe. The doctor and the ICU nurse seem to feel that everything is setup for a positive outcome. We've got a long couple of months ahead of us I'm choosing to believe that good outcome scenario will prevail. | ||
| Oldog |
Prayers, Best wishes, and get well soon | ||
| Ratbuell |
Excellent! That's better news than my ex got - "he's just going to be like this (violent) from here on out", is what she was told as I was strapped to a gurney due to violent outbursts on a regular basis. Those were some helpful staff members. Sounds like his injuries are far less severe than mine. That...is VERY good news  | ||
| Ourdee |
Prayers +1 Don't neglect your resting. You will be more help rested. After I crashed face first and returned to work, I found out that when I'd write down a certain number I actually wrote another one without knowing I was doing it. Keep an eye on him. Listen to him without filling in the blanks for him. Glad he had a lid on. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Hate to hear this. Best wishes and hope for a speedy recovery | ||
| Two_seasons |
Prayer sent Zane | ||
| Zane |
James was taken into surgery just before 6:00pm and came out about 10:15pm so call it 4 hours. The news is all good. They had to put 2 rods and 8 screws in his back. Instead of using the one above and one below the damaged vertebra the doctor went 2 above and 2 below. He did this because James is such a big guy. The screws are set in well and there should be no problem with them supporting his weight. The fracture in his neck they left alone, believing it will heal on it's on with just a neck brace for support. He's been measured for a body brace and should have that on tomorrow or Tuesday at the latest. They hope to take the breathing tube out tomorrow afternoon. At that point they'll be able to do a better assessment but he has already been moving his arms and legs since he came out of surgery. He is now heavily sedated again, both for the pain and to keep him from moving around too much. The doctor said that he's expecting James to have "very good" movement after he heals. It seems the rods and screws are low enough down that there is not much twisting normally so the rod/screws won't interfere with his movements. They still have to look at his left hand. It's not broken but there was a sore with a lot of puss. It will need to be drained and they'll want to understand why it has the puss in it. Originally I was told he was not wearing a helmet but that was corrected to say that yes he was. Although there are a lot of road rash type marks on his face, I think he must have been wearing it. His nose isn't broken and he still has all his teeth. With an impact like the one he took, there's no doubt he's had broken his nose at the very least. Thanks for all the support. I'm going to bed and will deal with everything tomorrow. I'm happy, the news is about as good as we can expect. | ||
| Pwnzor |
I am very happy to hear the positive outcome of the surgery. May you always have the strength to bear the trials ahead. Isaiah 41:10, fear not! | ||
| Slaughter |
Ourdee is right - a caregiver CANNOT neglect his own health and wellbeing. Take care of yourself AND your son. All the best! | ||
| Sifo |
Great news all considering. Hope things continue on this path for him. I really hate reading about these things. Keep in mind that recovery from these sorts of things is seen from week to week at best. Day to day can seem like improvement isn't happening, leading serious depression. He will need to stay focused on the long term goals. Therapy can really suck. | ||
| Fast1075 |
Best wishes Zane. | ||
| Aesquire |
You all have a long hard road to follow but the results will be worth it. Just hang in there and remember family. My prayers are with you. | ||
| Zane |
More good news this morning. The breathing tube has been removed and he's breathing on his own now. He is still heavily sedated but breathing on his own. I've elected to go into work today. In Feburary, we moved back to Phoenix so I've only been at the job since Feburary 17th. I don't have much vacation/sick leave to burn so want to save it for when he comes home. I do hear what you guys are saying about taking care of the care giver. I've been in this position before with ex wife and both my parents before they passsed. You can't give out of an empty bucket... | ||
| Swampy |
Take care Zane, I'm hoping your son heals back to normal with nothing but a couple of cool scars. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Zane- glad to hear the good report. Hang in there- prayers sent. | ||
| Aaron_thomas |
REALLY sorry to hear about your son Zane. Glad to hear prognosis is positive. Prayers for him. prayers for you also, I am not sure how I would do if my son were in the same place | ||
| Zane |
Just got home from the hospital. He was sitting up in bed and was able to talk with me for a while. He's in a lot of pain and has a skin full of drugs but he's hanging tough. Tomorrow they are going to operate on his hand. He had a pretty good chunk ripped of and tore the ligaments in his left index finger. He doesn't remember much at all about the accident. It was dark and he thinks he blew a right hand curve and went off pavement going about 50mph. He thinks they had to cut the helmet off of him but his memory isn't clear on that either. No memory of the helicopter ride back to Phoenix. He isn't sure if they found the motorcycle or not. I can't image they wouldn't find it. It's late so I'm gonna crash. |
