Head to Toe with Lindsay Jo

I haven't done one of these in awhile and I feel like I am kind of missing some of the smaller updates since I am not with her all of the time so I'm going to just do a run down here so we have it for the record. (Anything in blue or purple depending on your computer screen is a link to explain that term. If you click on it, it will take you there.)

Head - She has a large bruise/scab on the back of her head from where she hit when she fell to the ground after the semi released her. She says it doesn't hurt all that badly and it seems to be healing well but is most likely still the cause of her double vision.

Eyes - She still suffers from mild double vision. The neurologist said that in trauma accidents the most common injury/complaint is double vision and left eye palsy. She appears to have had both. Her left eye is now tracking appropriately so at least that part has healed but she still has a bit of double vision. The part of her head that is injured is by the visual cortex of her brain so it is possible this is also causing some of the double vision. The neurologist was not concerned about it and seemed confident that it would eventually repair it's self.


Left Arm - Her arm was broken in three places. The Humerus just above the elbow and the Ulna & Radius just below the elbow. They fixed the bones with plates and screws so she has not needed a cast and just recently go the staples out from where they did the surgery. Her radial nerve was also damaged and this is the part that the orthopedic doctors are telling her will take the longest to heal. Yesterday occupational therapy came in and gave her some exorcises to start and also a brace (much like a carpal tunnel brace) to stabilize her wrist until she gets some of the movement back in it. The doctors seemed very confident that she would recover use of her arm but that it would just take time.


Diaphragm - Her diaphragm was ruptured in the accident. They sewed up the tear in it and she has not really had any problems to speak of. It was given a chance to sort of rest when she was on the ventilator and seems to be working appropriately as she is no longer requiring oxygen to breath.

Ribs - Several of the ribs on her left side were broken and several of the ribs on her right side were cracked. There is no surgery that they can do for this so it is just a matter of time for them to heal. A lot of the reason that she needed the chest tubes for so long was that there was bleeding and drainage from the ribs being damaged that they were trying to drain out of her chest cavity.

Lungs - Both lungs were bruised but seem to be recovering nicely

Stomach - Her stomach basically exploded and had to be sewn back up. This has caused her some problems with trying to eat enough. She didn't eat for several days and then when she started she has been having some stomach pains so she has to eat little bites at a time. She is slowly getting there but they are still somewhat worried about her calorie intake so they are monitoring her closely.

Kidney - Her left Kidney was pulled away from the attaching blood vessels and was essentially dead when the surgeons opened her up. It was removed but her right kidney seems to have picked up the slack and is functioning nicely.

Spleen - Her spleen had been transected (excuse me if that's not the right term) and had to be removed. From what I understand a person can live a normal life with out a spleen but her risk for infection and illness is somewhat higher so she will just have to be a bit more careful not to get sick and will have to take care of herself when she is sick.

Pancreas - Her Pancreas was also transected but was able to be saved. For awhile it appeared as if she might have trouble maintaining her blood sugar levels and they were giving her insulin shots. However, her pancreas has finally stepped up to the plate and appears to be doing it's job effectively as they stopped monitoring her blood sugar and she has not had to have another insulin shot.

Bowels - Her bowels were bruised and some of the blood vessels were torn away. There was some concern when all of this started that perhaps she might have to have some of them removed but all seems to be working in that area of her stomach so that is a good thing.

Vertebrae - 10 of her Vertebrae had the transverse Processes broken off and there may or may not be a hairline fracture between L6 & L7 (I believe that's right... I know it was lower back). So right now Lindsay wears a turtle shell brace anytime she is not in bed. It is not the most comfortable but it keeps her straight until her back can heal a bit.

Pelvis & Legs - Her pelvis and Legs seem to have been untouched by the accident. When she first got up and was walking she had some pain in one of her knees but that seems to have subsided and could just have been from being in bed for 10 days.

Listing it all out like that really makes it hit home just how lucky she is to be alive and not only alive but doing as well as she is doing. Keep the prayers coming that Lindsay will continue to do well and will eventually make a full recovery!!