Medical Update from Marty Taliak

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Martin Taliak <mtaliak@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, Dec 31, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Subject: Wednesday
To: Kyla Elderton <kylaelderton@gmail.com>

Wednesday 31 December 2008   Today Kerry was responsive to talking to her with simple questions and answers with eye blinking (tough to talk with an endotracheal tube in ) Confused but we are trying to orient her. Reduced pain medications but she is in a great deal of discomfort form the fractures and I'm sure from lying on her back the whole time. A bit of rolling her over was very uncomfortable. Vital signs are stable with no temperature today. They have begun gastric feeding which she is tolerating well and  a bit of Reglan for her bowels.   Those of you who have looked up "flail chest" were a bit horrified by the description and indeed it can be but hers will not be the worst case scenario.  If it is the longer it goes with the endotracheal tube and the positive pressure ventilation the more the chest wall tightens up and the better it will be when the tube is removed.I saw lots of these in Vietnam from explosions and blunt trauma and never lost anyone. It's more important to recognize first and then treat it.It's not that common.    All in all my gut feeling is very positive at this point. Progressing well at this as can be expected   Marty

Medical Update per Marty Taliak via Kyla

It's New Year's eve - and I really don't care.

Tonight my thoughts are entirely with my parents, Kerry and John - be well, and may 2009 be better.

I have spoken with parents a few times today.... and this is what I have learned. Kerry responded with eye and hand movement to her nurse today. Her nurse (whom my parnets say is fabulous and very caring towards kerry) asked Kerry if she knew where she was...Kerry slowly shook her head no...the nurse asked if her pain was greater than 5 on a scale on 1-5 (she was asked to raise her thumb)...and Kerry raised her thumb. The RN spoke to her about her situation and then gave her enough medicine to help her be comfortable.

Kerry is holding good sats (O2 levels) on the respirator but is yet unable to breathe on her own. Her orthopod wants to repair her MANY broken bones soon, bur her pulmonologist (lung Dr) says no way - her respiratory system is way too unstable to take her to the OR yet...maybe next week. Recall then that Kerry is laying there with MANY broken ribs, a terribly broken arm, broken foot, broken shoulder.......

Her belly is finally taking NG (nasogastric) nutrition as it was rejecting it earlier - this is a tube in her nose to her belly for "food" - me thinks this does not include Starbucks and red wine...URGH!!!!!

My dad says she looks a wee bit better and that I should stop losing so much sleep - he is keeping a close watch on her care and she is in great hands.

The police report is still unfinished - there is so much legal work yet to be completed as this is a very complicated accident.

We are all very sad tonight, very sad.

Please keep Kerry and John (an my parents) in your thoughts as you raise your toasts tonight - I am off to bed before midnight tonight as I am so tired.

Thank you everyone - I (we) honestly appreciate your concern and good will. Happy...
Love, Kyla Elderton

Kerry, John, Lynn, Marty and family,
Thank you for including me in the blog. My thoughts are with you all. I was so glad to see Kerry and all of you a couple of weeks ago. She is a strong, brave woman. Let me know if there is anything I can do.

love,
sally

Kerry:

This year more than ever I will be thinking of you as we bring in the new year. It is with sadness that we close 2008 thinking about all you have been through, but it is with optimism that i welcome 2009 knowing that you will be back to yourself at some point in this new year! We all will have a very hard time being joyful and celebratory this evening, but for you and for John we will for sure raise a toast for you at midnight. :-)

Love,
Hayden

Bill and I are keeping all of you in our thoughts. Kerry seems to be fighting hard to improve.During yoga yesterday, we sent all of our good energy to Kerry.Any help you need, don't hesitate to call. Barbara

Goist Girls

Kerry,
All the Goist girls are praying for a quick and painless recovery--you can do it girl! We look forward to seeing you walking around Middle Bass in the Summer of 2009. God bless!

 
We were so sorry to hear about Kerry's accident!  Please give your family our wishes for Kerry's complete recovery . . . however long it will take.
Our prayers are with her and your family.
 
Marsha Visage and the whole Nagelbush Family
 
P.S.  I tried to leave a message in the blog, but it wouldn't let me.  I'll keep checking in for Marty's updates.

My thoughts are always with Kerry, John & all of you.  Give my love to your mom & dad for me as well.  I check the blog repeatedly and expect my boss to inquire why I'm online so much as work.  Without it you'd be on the phone all hours with so many family & friends to keep everyone up to date in times such as this.  
 
I'm sure you're busy taking care of so many people right now don't forget to take care of yourself too! 

You are all in my thoughts, especially Kerry & John.  There isn't much I can do to help from Phoenix but if there is anything just let me know.  I'm 2 hours behind you so if you find yourself awake in the middle of the night & need to talk (or anytime) I'm here...480.229.9277. 
 
With love,
Melanie Goth 

Medical Update from Marty Taliak 12/30/08

10:00 PM 30 December 2008   Kerry's overall status is stable with her now on a conventional respirator requiring less sedation. Has a low grade fever probably pulmonary in origin. With all the contused lung by x-ray it is hard to tell if this is ateletasis but probably is.The pulmonary people are paying a great deal of attention and are doing a great job with the crushed chest.and it's implications. Otherwise she is more reactive  to stimulation but not really responsive. She moved one leg for the first time today.Vital signs are stable and BP elevating drugs are almost discontinued.   With the splenic rupture and orthopedic surgery in the offing anticoagulants are contraindicated so a vena cava filter to block the possibility of pulmonary emboli form the lower extremities may well be done. In the old days (1990's) this was a laborious procedure but now is quite simple from the groin. It hasn't been mentioned yet but should be anticipated.   All in all she is slowly improving on a day to day basis.She is recieving good care but not out of danger yet!   Marty

Kyla, Please know that my Love, thoughts and prayers are going out to your sister and all of your family. Having just gone through a similar crisis here I know how much family means, and you are part of mine which means your sister must be also. Since I can not be with you right now to give you a hug myself, wrap yourself in the love that I sent and have the girls or Jeff give you a hug for me. Better still, have them all do it! At once!

 

Miss you and all my Love! Glenn Harrison (Jeff's good friend)
 

We just got home from a trip. Marilyn and I are so sorry. We haven't read all the emails yet. I hope things are ok and getting better. Jesus! I'm really sorry. Marilyn will write when she gets herself collected. In the meantime send regards etc to your folks and take special care of yourselves and one another. I am sending thoughts and energy-whatever that is. Vern Morris

Get well, Kerry; Be Strong, John

Special thanks to Kyla for keeping us up to date on Kerry's condition, without having to stress out my brother John with hundreds of phone calls. I'm happy that Dr. Taliak is there to help John make any decisions & to translate all the medical stuff. It's good that Kerry & John have such large families & a big group of friends to send good thoughts & prayers their way. Thanks to all who are thinking of Kerry & John.
Mary Henze Mura

Dear Kyla,

I am so sorry to hear about your sister. Having worked in the ER for many years, I know this is absolutely horrible for everyone, especially for Kerry and John. Please know that Kerry and all of your family are in my prayers and hope with all my heart that she will recover with the best possible outcome. I thank you for all the updates and  will probably need your assistance to access the blog as it is new to me too. Love and best wishes to you, to Kerry and John. 

Mariana Latham (Jeff Elderton's aunt in California)

Thinking of You

Thanks for all of the updates on Kerry's condition. It is sure reassuring to have Uncle Marty there as her advocate and incredibly helpful for all of us to hear about her recovery. The Aughenbaugh/Moore/Zuckerman family is thinking of Kerry and John and wish for good news. Much Love, Kate

Good Morning Kyla,
Just a short note to say thank you so very much for the very inclusive update...I  will keep all of you in my thoughts as the days move on the road of healing...I was an ICU nurse for many years and still work with PACU....the process of being on the other end is such a change for those of us involved with trauma everyday...may you find the strength to help your mom during this very stressful time in her life.  Thinking of you.  Lee Elston

Medical up dates seem to indicate that Kerry is improving steadily. Thank goodness for that. What a horrible experience. I expect the driver of the second car must be hating life, and the driver of the first car must be incredibly saddened.

I am a little confused about the "accident" (negligence, I would think). Your first email indicated Kerry was on her "motorscooter" Later messages, and the photo, mention a motorcycle. Other indications are "Kerry & John updates". Was John on the motorcycle as well, and if so, was he injured?

We continue to pull for her recovery and think about her regularly.

Much love,

Papa Ron & Mama Deb Elderton

 

---

Dear Kyla,



Thank you for keeping us informed. Ron and I are very concerned and will keep Kerry in our thoughts and I will keep her in my prayers. She sounds like she is a strong women and with the love and support of family and friends she will do fine and will get stronger everyday. I believe in positive energy and the most positive is all the love she has from those around her.



Weller's Law: Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself.



Love Deb & Ron (Dad)

Newspaper picture...

Just thought I would send this on - found this picture on the computer today.  This is a photo from the front page of Kerry and John's local paper - this is Kerry's motorcycle.  Click on the link below. - Kyla


http://www.sunonline.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=U0NWLzIwMDgvMTIvMjcjUGMwMDEwNw==&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom

For AOL users: <a href="http://www.sunonline.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=U0NWLzIwMDgvMTIvMjcjUGMwMDEwNw==&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom">http://wwwsunonline.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=U0NWLzIwMDgvMTIvMjcjUGMwMDEwNw==&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom</a>

Re: Newspaper picture...

I know right where this spot is because we had visited Kerry and John two winters ago........we will continue to hold Kerry and of course John and the entire family in our prayers.
Auntie Mary A.

I called Kim (Kerry's old friend and manicurist in Berea, Ohio) yesterday and with her usual charitable heart, I love that she has offered to even fly down to give Kerry a pedicure.  She is such a good person, I know she would really do this.

The response from people if so gratifying.....

Love,
Ro



 

---

It's the same Hotmail®. If by "same" you mean up to 70% faster. Get your account now.

Pretty toes for Kerry

 Please send our love and prayers to Kerry, John, and Lynn. Kerry is such a fighter we know this is just another fight that she will WIN! Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help out. Hell, I will even fly down there to do a FABOLOUS pedicure on her so she can have great toes!!!

We have your family in our thoughts, wishing for a speedy recovery.

 Love, Jeff, Kim, Cade, and Ty Zielinski
 

I just want you to know how much Pete and I appreciate the updates on Kerry. We are so concerned for her and for John. Thank you & thank Lynn & Marty. Pat Henze

 

 

Kerry

Thank you for the update. I am praying for Kerry and your whole family during this tragic time. I know a lot of people upstairs so I am calling in my markers.  Keep me informed.
Barb Goist

Kerry's family

Thank you, Kyla, for keeping me informed.  I go to bed thinking about Kerry and the family and wake up thinking about all of you.  I know that when my sister suffered hardships in her life, it was very upsetting to me as well.  Being far away just makes it harder.   I logged onto the "blog" but that's as far as I was able to figure out.  I've never "blogged" before so I'm not sure exactly what to expect.   A friend of mine  did "Carepages" to communicate her husband's health news and the readers were able to respond -- I would imagine the blog that you will be entering will be something like that . . . 

 

Enough -- I'm sure you don't know what to do next and you don't need to read an epistle from me.  Know that I care and even though your family doesn't necessarily believe in prayer, I do so, I'm going to pray for you anyway . . . can't hurt.

Cheryl (YaYa's friend)

Thinking of you all...

Wow... I just opened up your email/blog and I am so sad to hear of Kerry's accident. Please let her and John know that we are holding them close to our hearts and sending warm healing light. If there is absolutely anything we can do please do not hesitate to let us know. 

Much love to all,

Sarah & Teddy

Medical Update from Marty Taliak

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Martin Taliak <mtaliak@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, Dec 29, 2008 at 10:49 PM

29  December 2008  10:00PM   Sat down with Dr Epstein, the head trauma surgeon at Bay Front Hospital who is in charge of Kerry's care and went over all her CT Scans, chest x-rays and lab work.. Will try to summarize what's happening as succinctly as possible   Lungs: Dramatic improvement in oxygenation in the last 24 hours indicating that lung function is better but she's not out of the woods yet. She has bilateral broken ribs with 7 on the right side and several on the left which punctured and collapsed both lungs but the pleural covering has sealed both sides so the 3 chest tubes are no longer draining air or blood from either side. Her CT and x-rays show a RLL ( right lower lobe ) contusion but less than expected from having been run over by 2 tires. Cannot tell if she has a flail chest yet since the lungs are kept inflated thru the endotracheal tube. Unfortunately she will have to have a tracheotomy later in the week since the endotracheal tube can't be in for longer than a week without vocal cord damage. Not to worry because they close up quickly when removed and permit her to swallow while in and permit easier care of the lungs.   Brain: Repeat CT Scan shows no swelling making damage unlikely. She is medically sedated to prevent fighting the respirator so has very little response to stimulation but does react with eye blinking to voices but with no movement.   Extremity fractures: The humeral head on the right is completely broken off , the left ulna has a communuted fracture not too badly displaced and several fractures of one foot. The orthopod is eager to fixate them but nothing to be done until her pulmonary status stabilizes. No problem because you have 10-14 days to set them.   Back: Apparently some of the paraspinous muscle attachments are torn but shouldn't be a problem.   Spleen: No further bleeding but could still be a problem although the longer it doesn't the less likely it will happen.   Bruised and battered and markedly swollen but all this will resolve.   All in all it is unlikely that this will be fatal but lots of chances for complications but the doctors and nursing staff and various consultants seem to be on top of the case. We all know that you have to be involved intimately in your own care in this day and age. She is a tough cookie but the recovery will be difficult and lengthy.   You all know he story of the old war horse put out to pasture who hears the sound of a trumpet and begins to snort and prance and get ready for another battle and so it is with an old surgeon who hasn't been in an ICU surrounded by complicated cases for 13 years. Odd pleasant feeling but it would not be so appealing at 3:00 AM after a full days work, believe me!!   Marty

--
Regards,

Kyla Elderton
94 Fox Trace Lane
Hudson, Ohio 44236
h) 330.656.0956
c) 330.414.7008

Kerry is in our thoughts here in Blacksburg... it is all very sobering and our prayers go south as the doctors do their work. Thank you fo the updates Kyla and we wish Kerry and all of the loved ones around her strength as she moves forward...

Much love... John and Becca

We are grateful for any and all news you send concerning Kerry. We have been thinking of Kerry during the past few days and sent along many prayers. With your recent news of slight improvement the prayers of so many of us seem to be helping. She has quite a struggle ahead of her but with the support of John and her many family members and friends she will not be alone in her fight.
Janie and Jim

Thank you so much

We so appreciate the ability to stay updated on your progress. Thank you for keeping us posted. Kerry, we are praying for a remarkable and miraculous recovery. While you are recovering we also pray for a peace that surpasses all understanding in the hearts of those who love you.

Dear Kyla,

Thank you for including us in this blog. We have been thinking about Kerry, John and all your immediate family. I just read the latest update aloud to Jim. It sounds like there is some good news to keep everyone optimistic. We know she has a long road ahead of her, but Kerry is one strong lady and we know she will fight her way through this. Our thoughts and prayers are with her & John. Please pass our thoughts and love on to your mom and Marty. You all will not be far from our thoughts over the coming days and weeks. Much love - Paige & Jimmy

Kerry

Honey,

Thanks for the update and the blog. It's amazing what the human body can withstand, but let's REALLY be thankful for that helmet. We'll be watching for further updates. Our best to all concerned.

Papa Ron & Mama Deb

Thanks!

Kyla: Thanks so much for keeping us all updated. It's really comforting to know I can take a minute to check online and see how Kerry and John are doing. I'm sending lots of positive and healing thoughts to both of them. What a wonderful sister & rest of the family! Love-Beth (Henze niece)

Kerry's Updates

Dear Kyla,

     Thank you very much for your and Jeff's efforts to keep us all informed as to Kerry's progress.  It is  nearly impossible to imagine how much healing,  medical intervention, and therapy will be required to return her to total wellness.  It is overwhelming to even contemplate it. 

      She is a real trooper, and she already has lived through many adversities  in her life.  We shall keep her in our prayers, BIG TIME !

      With love,

                            Aunt Alice and Uncle Don

12/29 Medical Update

Family and friends,

 

Because we will all be new at this 'blog' thing, I am sending this email to everyone as well as to the 'blog'.  I have NEVER 'blogged', in fact, I have trouble saying the word 'blog' - just feels funny in my mouth!  But, because I am new at this and so may be many of you, I am sending tonight's medical update via email as well as blog.  Please do not be afraid to check the blog site - it is ad-free and I promise no one will try to sell you anything via the blog.  It is simply an easy way for all of us to keep Kerry and John in our thoughts, and to share our well wishes with them.  Kerry may not be able to read these words today, or even hear them if John reads them to her now - but she will soon enough.  And, how good it will feel for her to see all of our well wishes to the both of them!

 

Mom and dad met with the head trauma doctor today and he reviewed Kerry's entire situation with them.  The following is what my dad shared with me.  My dad may also email all of you when time allows.

1.  Her 3rd CT of the head was clear - a good thing!
2. She has 8 fractured ribs on the right side and 1 on the left - it is questionable as to whether she has a flail chest (a bad thing) - we do know that her lungs are VERY badly bruised.  However, she has LESS fluid and air  coming from them into the chest tubes as of today - this is MUCH better than yesterday!  They hope to take out her chest tubes in 2-3 days.  Please know that chest tubes are HORRIBLY painful!  John has had a few d/t his Rheumatoid arthritis that have led to fluid in his lungs.  I never wish a chest tube on my worst enemy!
3. She remains intubated (breathing tube in her mouth helping her breathe) - this tube can not stay there too much longer as it leads to laryngeal damage and strictures (very bad).  So, she will be given a tracheotomy later this week - ick!  It is the tube they place through a hole they cut into her neck and it helps with her breathing.  Her O2 sats are better today - a good thing!  She is on 35% O2 and maintaining sats of 96% - way to go Kerry!
4. Her belly remains ok - spleen is not bleeding any worse - will keep an eye on this.
5. Her fractures are numerous and it pains me to even type these words.  Fractured bones are another pain of great proportion.  I have had a very bad fracture of one arm once many years, and when  there is a low pressure system and rain, my arm still aches terribly.  My arm aches for Kerry.  She has a all those broken ribs, a complete fracture of the humerus (upper arm) just below the humeral head (the part that goes into your shoulder socket) - she has had this dislocated in the past and has endured months of rehab for that shoulder already...here she goes again.    Her left ulna (one of the bones in the lower arm) in fractured in 2 places and will need to have plates or rods put into place to repair this.  She has a significant laceration to the right knee, but xrays show no bone damage - a good thing!   She has a significant fracture and ligament damage to the right foot - all of these fractures require surgery soon - they just have to wait until she is stable enough to take her to surgery.  OUCH!!!!
6. She remains completely out - thanks to many very powerful drugs.  The hope is that she feels none of this horror.  Her breathing remains assisted - she is not able to do this on her own yet d/t the extensive damage to her chest.  If you do not already know, her chest was completely run over by the tires of the car.

Mom says she hates that Kerry looks so terrible.  Her skin was sooo cold to the touch today - mom asked to have a warmer blanket for Kerry...this made her skin feel better, and mom too.  John is very sad, rightly so.  Please hold him in your thoughts too.  My heart and mind aches for them.  But, all of your kind words make a WORLD of a difference.  Thank you so very much for all of your calls, emails and blog posts - it really makes a difference!

 

Place the blog access on your desktop so that it is easily accessible.   I will be sending the remaining medical updates to the blog alone.  If anyone has any problems with access to this, let me know and I (or Jeff ) will walk you through it.  I have to use this blog as emailing to everyone is not as streamlined - thank you for understanding.  Please feel free to call me or email me if you wish - I am more than happy to talk...!

 

With love, Kyla (Kerry's sister)

 

Spoke with Jeff yesterday and he updated me with Kerry's condition. My best wishes and love are with her.

This is a totally new experience for us to Blog, but I felt it was so important that everyone know that there are soooooo many hearts beating for Kerry and John with well wishes.

Send Your Thoughts

ALL KIDS!!!! Please draw pictures and/or write notes for Aunt Kerry and Uncle John. I'm sure they will appreciate that. Make sure to send them to their house.

Love, Berit

This is a great way for us all to be kept up-to-date - and thanks for the detailed info on Kerry's condition today. She and John have been close in our thoughts - Love, Linda & Geof

Thank you

Kyla,
Thank you very much for setting up this blog. I appreciate you keeping us well informed! It sounds like Kerry is getting a little more stable. Kerry is constantly in my thoughts and prayers.

Thanks again,
Becca Patton
(John's niece)

Love and Prayers

Kyla , please let your Mom know that Kerry is in our prayers. Of course if there is anything I can do please let me know. Keep us in the loop

Love
Mark+RB

marwur@comcast.net
rlbarker_9@msn.com

Kerry & John Update completed

My appologies - I hit something that sent this email before I was done, I have added on in this email at Medical Update #9

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kyla Elderton <kylaelderton@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Dec 29, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Subject: Kerry & John Update
To: "Aquilla, Jared" <jaquilla@nls.net>, "Aquilla, Tracy" <taquilla@wowway.com>, "Aughenbaugh, Kate" <klaugie@yahoo.com>, "Aughenbaugh, Sarah" <sarah.aughenbaugh@gmail.com>, "Aughenbaugh, Will" <waugie@hotmail.com>, "Aunghenbaugh, Mary" <mdaugie@charter.net>, "Barr, gordon" <gbarr@newkor.com>, "Bilski, Kate" <kbilski@psas.org>, "Dorr, Jamie" <calioh@sbcglobal.net>, "Draves, barbara" <bdraves@unitedsurgical.com>, "Elderton, Carole" <elderton@sbcglobal.net>, "Elderton, Debbie" <deborah@calicolabs.com>, "Elderton, Jeff" <jeffelderton@tabsgroup.com>, "Elderton, Kyla" <kylaelderton@gmail.com>, "Elderton, Ron" <ron@calicolabs.com>, "Elderton, Traci" <traci@calicolabs.com>, "Elston, Kim" <klelston@charter.net>, "Eyre, Sue" <coniflora@aol.com>, "Fischer, Cookie" <cookfish2@aol.com>, "Garverick, Kristy" <kgarverick@kc.rr.com>, "Goth, Alex" <agoth@oh.rr.com>, "Goth, Alexander T." <AGoth@ssd.com>, "Goth, Linda" <lgoth@cox.net>, "Goth, Tina" <tgoth@oh.rr.com>, "Henze, Bill" <wghenze@yahoo.com>, "Henze, John" <venicejohn@gmail.com>, "Henze, Kerry" <venicekerry@verizon.net>, "Imbur, Don" <donandally@gmail.com>, "Imbur, John" <john_imbur@hotmail.com>, Jim Lowder <jimlowder@comcast.net>, "Larter, Joan" <joanl44017@yahoo.com>, "Latham, Marianna" <mlcatrouble@earthlink.net>, "Lawson, Jim" <jim@lawsongroup.com>, "Lowder, James" <jlowderbillyjumbo@yahoo.com>, "Macosco, Sarah" <sbmyers@ameritech.net>, "Macosko, Ted" <freewing@ameritech.net>, "Moore, Steve" <moore5029@yahoo.com>, "Morace, Carla" <cjt3morace@sbcglobal.net>, "Palmero, Chris" <wiz_kid_7@sbcglobal.net>, "Palmero, Nick" <ba_bosox_fan_9@yahoo.com>, "Palmero, Traci" <tnpalmero@aol.com>, "Papes, Rae" <rspapes@alltel.net>, "Powel, Tom" <mrtomtom999@hotmail.com>, "Powell, Sue" <sue.powell1@virgin.net>, "Renners, Mary" <marenners@gmx.de>, Rob Shurell <robshurell@gmail.com>, "Sanderson, Jen" <sandersonfamily210@oh.rr.com>, "Sayler, Laura" <saylerjleec@sbcglobal.net>, "Stafford, Hayden" <hay43@hotmail.com>, "Stafford, Rachael" <rachstafford@yahoo.com>, "Taliak, Jane" <jtaliak@att.net>, "Taliak, Lynn" <ltaliak@yahoo.com>, "Taliak, Martin" <mtaliak@yahoo.com>, "taliak, Paige" <ptaliak@att.net>, "Taliak, Suzy" <suzytaliak@hotmail.com>, "Taliak(home), Jimmy" <jtaliak@adelphia.net>, "Wurz, Ro" <roe8@hotmail.com>, kylaelderton.5minutemoment@blogger.com

Good morning,

 

Lynn & Marty are in Tampa now and saw Kerry last night.  Marty shared with us a good deal of the medical details so we are forwarding them to each of you (please know that when Marty and I communicate about John and Kerry, I take detailed notes so that I convey the information back to you as precisely as possible) as Marty has meetings this morning with John and the insurance people and the police to compile details and may not have time to update everyone directly.  Marty - please add to this if anything is missing or incorrect. 

 

 I know that you will want the medical update directly from Marty, the horse's mouth, but because he is very busy I will do my best to also keep you informed.  I will write an update daily and send it to the blog referrenced below (we have set up this  site as a way to 'strem line' the  volume of calls that we are all trying to keep up with )- this site is open to anyone to view and add comments to.   If there is any sudden change in Kerry's status for the better or worse, I will of course immediately call everyone in our direct family as well as post to the blog.  Mom and dad will call me daily with updates, I will pass it on to you, and then Marty will do his best to add to my information as needed.  This is  the best way we see possible to keep everyone informed.  I commit to writing daily to this site - for John and Kerry's sake.

 

Please note that each of you has been added to a blog site which can be accessed at http://5minutemoment.blogspot.com .  You have received an email invitation from Jeff Elderton to join the blog... Please follow the link in the invitation email, accept the invitation, and then you will be able to see the blog and add your own notes if you wish.  This blog site is a compilation of updates on Kerry and John and should be the first place visited before calling Florida...  Obviously we have a big family and the number of calls, while well intended, can get in the way of important progress.  

 

Medical Update  (as of 10:30pm 12/28)

1. Blood oxygenation was terrible two days ago at 100% O2, meaning her lungs were not functioning well.  She remains intubated as she is not able to breathe on her own yet. She is presently receiving oscillating O2 at 240 puffs/min and this has her blood oxygenation (her 'sats') at a wonderful 98% now!  This is very much better than 2 days ago!  The Drs. hope to start weening her off the intubation This week, and if she remains unable to breathe well enough on her own, she will need a tracheotomy.
2. She ramain ina drug induced coma to keep her comfortable.
3. She has 3 chest tubes that were draining copious amounts of fluid earlier, as of this update, she is draining much less, this is good!
4. She is swollen immensely and black and blue all over as one would expect - they are pumping her with fluids to keep her BP up.  Her BP was 60-70 systolic on 12/27 (the top number) - this is very bad, today her BP is at 140/70 and holding - good! 
5. She had 4 blood transfusions on 12/28 alone, none on 12/29 - this is good
6. She has a small tear in her spleen - this is being watched and they will not remove it unless it gets worse
7. She has MANY broken bones, none compound.  None are able to be managed in surgery as she is not stable enough for the operating room
8. NO HEAD TRAUMA!!!!!  this is very good.  This is because SHE WAS WEARING A HELMET!
9. CT cans of the chest today show no cardiac silhouette - meaning heart looks good!
10. Her eyes opened when mom and dad were in the room, but they are fixed  - not sure that she is aware of anything. 

Sadly, she looks incredibly beat up.  Her legs and arms are all splinted, bound and elevated - her face is terribly swollen.  She has a tube in her mouth, many in her lungs, a central line into her heart for IV and blood access.....she just does not look herself. 

 

I just hung up with mom - they will be having a meeting with the main trauma doctor at 2pm today and he will completely review her case.  After this meeting I will write to you all again.

 

Please keep Kerry and John in your thoughts.  Lets be thankful that she was wearing her helmet.  Another young women (32ish) is in the next ICU bed - she was in a motorcycle accident 2 weeks ago - no  helmet.  Her husband whom she was riding with died, she is brain dead.  Helmets make a difference.

 

Please let me know if I left anyone off the mailing list and I will promply add them.  Please send all well wishes to John and Kerry at their home as Kerry can not receive anything in the ICU.  Their address is 307 Roseling Cir, Venice Florida 34293

 

 

With love, Kyla

 

 

 

 

 

CORRECTION

CORRECTION - John just let me know that the hospital cannot accept cards, so please send them to John & Kerry's house!

Thank you

To Jeff and Kyla for setting this up. Well done. We are keeping Kerry in our thoughts as I type. I am not sure what to do with myself right now....

Kerry's Condition

As many of you by now are aware, Kerry was hit from behind while riding her motorcycle with John yesterday. She and John were each on their bikes stopped at an intersection waiting to turn left when a driver failed to see them and struck Kerry from the rear.

She has suffered very severe injuries and is currently in the St. Petersburg ICU undergoing treatment. It is too early to know all of the details, but we do know the injuries required blood transfusions and involve broken legs, arms, and ribs. Fortunatley, John was not hit.

John will be keeping us all in the loop, but rather than subject him to multiple versions of the same update calls, we thought this might be an easier way to keep everyone updated. Of course you can call John whenever you wish, but we will post all updates on this blog site as soon as we receive them, so if you are looking for an update, it might be helpful to John if we all check here first. Clearly he has plenty to do given the circumstances.

The address for the hospital is below. I know Kerry would appreciate any pictures or notes from the kids.

Bayfront Medical Center
Intensive Care Unit, Room 238
701 6th Street
St. Petersburg, FL 33701