tina accident update (nklr)

[tebklr@aol.com]

Greetings fellow KLRers: Sounds like Moab is fun this year; sorry to hear of all the tip-overs. Hope everyone is all right. Short update on my wife, Tina's condition. She was given the boot from ICU mid-day Monday, a good thing indicating she is stable enough to be out on the "floor". Tuesday she started to string some very primitive thoughts together, and Wednesday, she was recognizing people about 25-50% of the time. Thursday was left leg day; plates, screws, and pins to repair the broken tibia and fibula. Friday was right knee day; reattachment of the lateral colateral ligament to the femur, repairs to ACL, and investigation of nerve that enables one to pull the foot upward (toes toward shin). It's stretched and MAY heal, but the sports ortho was not particularly optimistic. She said nerves grow at the rate of 1mm per day, so it could be a year or so before we know for sure. No prob; I'll wait with her, and help her. The concussion is still in full swing. Some days are just OK, some days are way loopey; especially after a general and the pain killers for the surgery. She "invents" new words I've never heard, then uses them in sentences that make absolutely no sense! Then, she smiles impishly, as if to know that she's way out there in some other universe. The neuro Drs tell me she will recover because of her helmet, but it could be as long as 4 weeks before she even STARTS to be semi-normal. Brain injury is a really strange thing. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE everybody, wear your protective gear. That's about it for now. My heartfelt thanks to the many who have offered good thoughts, prayers, and encouragement. It really does help, you know. Thank you so very much. Ride safe out there. Tom