July 19 - Injury background

This report is not being written by a medical professional. My best summarization:  Both Rich and Jeannette suffered serious abdominal injuries which required surgery to repair, primarily from the high kinetic injury involved in their mishap, and the lap portion of the seat belt that held them in place.

The seat belt resulted in traumatic injuries to the lower abdominal areas which included arterial bleeding, intestinal involvement, and fractures. Two different trauma teams in two hospitals worked very hard to keep them alive. There was significant loss of blood and extensive blood transfusions were required.

Rich's injuries were repaired with a single surgery; Jeannette’s were more serious and will require multiple operations. The first one stabilized her, and the second, accomplished today, went well and she appears to have tolerated it well.

Besides the life threatening internal injuries, Rich suffered a broken left ulna and radius. He also has a severe concussion but has no bleeding or swelling of his brain. Jeannette has open fractures to femurs, right wrist and thumb. She also has a broken left knee, tibia and right heel. She has multiple broken ribs, sacrum and sternum.   Richard suffered no injuries to his spine.

Jeannette’s first cervical vertebra is broken but she has motion in all limbs. She will have an MRI Sunday to determine treatment for the vertebrae.