Willow had an accident near Topeka. Lori needs local assistance

[Whistler]

Okay just got off the phone with Joe they are transferring Carl to the Olathe Medical Center at 17:00 (5pm) cst. Does not sound like things have gone well and it is believed this is the best for Carl and Lori.  I am sure once he gets settled Lori will let us know where we can send those ecards, etc. Prayers now for a safe non eventful transfer and hopefully some better medical attention ahead.

JDW

[fudgie]

Might be better to find a trauma center near home instead of a local hospital.

[HayHauler]

Still a prayin'.   Hope he gets close to home without incident. 

Hay
Jimmyt

[RainMaker]

That's about an hour's drive at normal speeds.  Since he's been able to sit in a chair and maneuver into the bathroom, Willow will probably be OK for a little drive on super slab. 

Hope the trip is going ok.  Let us know when you get to Olathe.

[T.P.]

From Lori today at 4:43 pm to post

At this time Carl is being transfered to  http://oprmc.com/ room 2123

[Serk]

From Facebook:

Carl is in an ambulance on his way to Overland Park regional medical center. I feel like we are finally moving forward.

[WamegoRob]

At this time Carl is being transfered to  http://oprmc.com/ room 2123

And... here's the link to get him a message:
http://oprmc.com/about/patient-email-service-form.dot

[HayHauler]

There is a note from me waiting on him to get there...     Hope this is the place!

Prayers from Pearland, TX
Hay 
JImmyt

[RainMaker]

Message sent.  Those nurses in Overland Park are in for a workout.

[Pat S.]

Carolyn just talked to Lori and said Carl had the ambulance driver remove the windshield so he could be in the wind.

[stude31]

I told Carl when they had moved him to the bed that goes in the ambulance to keep it under 100!!  He was more Carl today and he was more honest when point blank asking him. 

We talked about his bike and he saw a picture of his face for the first time and he agreed that it wasn't as bad as he had thought.   

I must say that the trauma doctor did him or Lori no favors and the lack of communication really was frustration.  Then we switched doctors and the first trauma doctor came in to apologize and I had to leave cause I was about to blow a gasket for his ridiculous excuses.  Lori did good keeping her cool.

The new doctor reviewed all the xrays and medical notes and shared with Lori more information that they have known but never told her.  Such as he has several bruises on the back of his head and that he has an L2 fracture.  The occupational therapist was getting him up and making him stand and sit in a recliner and the new doctor said he should be laying flat and not moving.  What the HELL!!   I am ashamed to say this happened at the hospital that I have grown up with and was born in many years ago. 

It is with great joy that I share with you that he is going to a hospital that he will be very well cared for.  He will have the doctors he had five years ago and Carl is looking forward to them, as well.  My sister was a critical care nurse at Overland Park and knows most of the staff up there and she has already talked with the ICU department (not that he will be in that department), but the head of ICU will be up there today when he arrives to make sure transition goes smoothly and the progress is moving on the right track.  So that is great news and my sister has three young kids but him being in the same town as her it will be easier for her to go make sure all is going well and he is getting the best care.  She is just like my momma, little firecracker that swings a big punch. 

I talked with T.P on the phone and caught him up on some of the events and then "WTH" happened...  T.P put his better half on the phone and she had me in tears    we both were so thankful that Willow is with us and recovering.  You guys are my extended family and I know all that I was able to do to share with you the progress was only what would be expected of a family member (which he is to me and you).  I am sad that he is no longer five minutes away but I am thankful that he is still just an hour away and is getting much better care.

On a funny note...  Lori told me that five years ago when he was in the hospital for his other motorcycle accident he was showered with many many ecards.  Then he left and he came back because of a staff infection and cards were coming in again and the lady printing the cards said to Lori "I knew he was back because the cards started to flood in again."  He was the winner of the most ecards up there, too.

Please continue to lift Carl up in prayers but I must tell you.  He has an amazing wing woman in his life.  She knows Carl's tendencies and when he needs something even if he doesn't ask.  She is one Heavenly woman, Carl is surely blessed.  She has done an amazing job.

I will start another post about some ideas that I would like for everyone to consider. Please keep a look out for a post...  "How to help Willow and Motomomma"

Thank you... 

Stude31   

[Jess from VA]

Glad the move got done.  I am certain a similar move saved my dad's life a few years back (Back to his long-treating physicians/facility)

[saddlesore]

I'm glad Willow made the move.
Excuse my ignorance but is this a hometown hospital for Willow?  That alone can make a big difference to healing and support.

[stude31]

I'm glad Willow made the move.
Excuse my ignorance but is this a hometown hospital for Willow?  That alone can make a big difference to healing and support.

Yes, It Is Less Than 15 Miles From Home.

[wiggydotcom]

Carolyn just talked to Lori and said Carl had the ambulance driver remove the windshield so he could be in the wind.

That's a good one! I'm sure there is a lot of frustration over the "care"-or lack thereof, but on the bright side, good decisions were made by Lori(and support group) and surgeries weren't rushed into. I know from experience that I couldn't be operated on after my accident for a few days to let the swelling go down. So possibly Willow's wrist might have required the same course of action.

Glad he's back in his home/familiar surroundings.

[Spurs]

Prayers for Willow & Lori from Canton, OH

Spurs & Susan

[RoadKill]

I have "people" at OPRMC, Willow WILL have Angels looking over him 

[HayHauler]

So glad he is near the house.  It will be better for him AND Lori.  
Many, many thanks to you Joe for the constant updates.  Those of us that are many miles away sure do appreciate it!
And you're right, we're family.  

Hay
Jimmyt

[HayHauler]

Good deal!!! Mr. Roadkill. 

Hay
Jimmyt

[RainMaker]

Very happy to hear the ride was uneventful and without the windshield, too!

Scary reading the reports about the trauma doctors in Topeka.  No one on the same page.  That might be a place to avoid in the future.

OK, folks.  Time to start the flood of emails to Overland Park.

[thedon]

We just sent Willow an email through the hospital. Glad to hear he is finally getting the care he and Lori deserve. Prayers are sent from Watertown, WI

[stude31]

ecard sent,  Lori and Carl we lift you up in our prayers...  May God's grace be sufficient in this time of healing.

Much love to the both of you,

Joe and Teryl


http://oprmc.com/about/patient-email-service-form.dot

Carl Holmes   Room 2123

[bg]

so glad to hear he has been transferred and in the care of competent doctors and staff.
continued thoughts and prayers for Lori and Carl.
all i can say is those of you that make up the vrcc are awesome.
i'm overwhelmed at the concern for one of our own.
we truly are a family and when someone in our family hurts, we all hurt.
not only in this situation but i have seen the same care and concerns for many others
in the past.
you guys and gals are incredible.

[flsix]

Thanks for the updates. New ecard sent.

[Hoser]

Saint Francis Hospital in Topeka cured my cancer with Robotic Surgery, as well as rebuilt my arm and wrist after a long ago motorcycle crash.  Just sayin...   That is the hospital of choice in Topeka for me. Get well, Willow! Hoser   

[RainMaker]

Feeling good about this move.  Message sent.

[Serk]

Another Facebook update, this one from overnight last night:

I just got a call from the hospital and evidently Carl got out of bed and fell before they had a chance to get in to the room to stop him. Although his room is next to the nurses station, and his bed alarm did go off, the nurse told me that he was faster than they were and was on the floor before they were able to get to him. He busted the road rash on his knees open, along with his lip, but he is now settled back in to bed, and hopefully this won't happen again. He had told them he was in a hotel in Washington, so he was confused, but that is due to the head injury. She said they will restrain him if need be in order to keep him safe. Please continue the prayers, as I know they definitely help!

[HayHauler]

Damn Carl!!!  Hope they don't have to go to the constraints....

Prayers from Pearland, TX.
Hay
Jimmyt

[Jess from VA]

I understand completely. 

Who likes using a bedpan????

Trying to pee accurately into a bowl while laying on your back takes more skill than a motorcycle.

But if they catheterize him, he'll like the bed pan better.

[Hoser]

I dunno, they had to empty it,  I had no problem staying in bed.  Had to empty it myself for two weeks at home though! Glad to see it go after that. Stay in bed, Carl. Hoser

[RainMaker]

Wow.  I wonder if someone is going to have to stay overnight with him to make sure he doesn't get up unsupervised.    Really hate to see the restraints on such a man as Willow but better than getting hurt.

Keeping the prayers going.

[HayHauler]

Continued prayers from Pearland, TX.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[old2soon]

Prayers still being administered from here in the Ozarks.  I can relate with that wanting to get up and go.  O-K Carl I KNOW how difficult this is-ya gots ta listen. 

[fudgie]

Sedate instead of restraints. 

[saddlesore]

When I was in the hospital I was told NEVER get out of bed alone.  It's not so much that they worried about me but they would have to fill out all kinds of paper work.

Willow, save the exercise for the physical therapy. 
Can they get a set of handle bars with all the controls for therapy?  Great incentive!

   

[Serk]

Tonight's Willow update from Lori on Facebook:

Each day seems to get a little bit easier and a little bit better! I was able to see and speak with all of Carl's doctors today. That in itself made me feel alot better!

He will have surgery in the morning on his wrist and hand, so I need to be up there bright and early in order to be there before it happens. Sometime tomorrow, they are also wanting to repeat the CT scan to check on the bleeding in his brain. They did repeat his swallow study today, and although he is improving there, he is still restricted as to what he can eat and drink. But that is ok...as we are making progress!!!

At this point I am confident that we made the right decision when we had him moved and I feel so much better about his care!! The doctors and nurses have been very attentive and have taken the time to explain each and every thing to us!

His fall this morning did cause a couple of small issues, but nothing that can't be overcome. I don't think he will be trying to get out of bed again.

And again...thank you all for your continued support and prayers!

[R J]

Tell Lori, no care who wrote the update, at least it was a update and sounded like it was a good one.

[pitbull]

Hope Willows surgery went OK.

And it's great to hear he's slowly getting better.

Pitbull

[HayHauler]

Yea, hope the surgery went well.  Prayers from Edna, TX.   

Hay
Jimmyt

[R J]

Has anyone heard how the surgery went yesterday?

If so, how about an update, and also include what bones were broken.
I've looked through all 9 pages of this post but never saw the bones that were broken.

Thanks in advance.    I know Lori feels better about the move and also now she gets to sleep in her own bed.      I'd also like to thank Stude for putting her up in his Motel for free.   thanks again Stude, you a good man.