www.todddube.com - The First Week

The First Week
(Sunday 2-03-02 thru Sunday 2-10-02)

Sunday, February 3, 2002 - The timeline of events.

Midnight to 12:15a.m. - The accident; friends and neighbors call 911.

12:30 - Emergency personnel arrive at accident scene, we believe they used the jaws of life to remove occupants of vehicle and transport both individuals to the hospital.

1:15 - Friend contacts Todd's mom who arrives at hospital within 15 minutes. When told of the extent of Todd's injuries, she collapses.

2:00 - Friend contacts Todd's father and stepmother who arrive at hospital within 30 minutes. Todd's mom calls within minutes of first call to describe extent of injuries.

2:30 - Todd undergoes a CAT scan to assess extent of injuries. Neurosurgeon is called in to evaluate and recommend course of action.

3:00 - Mom's friend Marc is called to hospital to lend support. Sent home Todd's friends who are waiting in the emergency room.

4:00 - Neurosurgeon informs family of broken vertebra and need for surgery to remove bone fragments that are obstructing 25% of space in spinal canal. Surgery will not 'fix' the problem, but it will optimize the space needed by the spinal cord for healing. Tracheotomy is also recommended as a preventative measure to assist breathing and treat pneumonia.

5:30 - Called Todd's friends to describe the extent of Todd's condition, including broken neck and paralysis.

5:30 to 8:30 - Surgery.

7:30 - Neurosurgeon informs family that surgery was successful. Bone fragments have been removed. One fragment has caused a small tear in the covering of the spinal cord so infection is possible and will need to be treated. Prognosis of ever regaining mobility is less than 1%.

11:00 - Todd regains consciousness in ICU room 4224 where he will spend the rest of his stay in the hospital.

Throughout the rest of the day, numerous friends and family members visit Todd. The day becomes overwhelming and the number of visitors needs to be limited and monitored. Todd's mom asks friends and family to sign a book to let Todd know they were there.

Monday, February 4, 2002

Feeding tube is put in Todd's nose.

Todd is set up in rotating bed with vertical pads which outline his body. Bed swings 45 degrees in both directions. It's purpose is to ensure proper blood flow and prevent bed sores.

Todd's grandmother, Jean, arrives at Lisa's house from California.

Tuesday, February 5, 2002

Jean comes to the hospital to visit today.

MRI taken to ensure no other injuries to soft tissue. Results are clear.

Wednesday, February 6, 2002

Bad Day!

Feeding tube is removed from nose and inserted directly into stomach.

Permanent blood clot filter is inserted through incision in leg.

Bed changed to one that uses air to move Todd's body and ensure proper blood flow.

Todd diagnosed with pneumonia. He is running a temp.

Todd's mom is contacted by 2 families that have sent their children to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta Georgia for similar injuries. One accident was caused by diving; the other caused while playing hockey.

Thursday, February 7, 2002

Todd has another CAT scan to ensure there are no uncertainties with other areas of spine. Results are clear.

Neck brace is removed temporarily and Todd receives his first shave in almost a week.

Settings on respirator are changed to allow Todd to breathe on his own for 2 hours, without his knowledge.

Bob and Cindy each visit at different times during the day to share their very positive experience with Shepherd Center for their son, Jake.

Sharon, Jim and Ryan visit and describe their very positive experience at the Gaylord Rehabilitation Center in Wallingford CT. In April, 2001, Ryan fell 4 stories and sustained multiple injuries including a broken neck.

Friday, February 8, 2002

Pretty Good Day!

Mom and Marc, Carol and Dad visit Boston area rehab centers. We visited two rehab centers one in Woburn and one in Boston. They both can provide rehabilitation for people with this kind of injury.

Memere Claire and Jean spend the day watching over Todd with the help of Mark A.

Saturday, February 9, 2002

Fair Day!

Earlier in the week someone had suggested reading to Todd. Lisa started to read Harry Potter to him and he found it very interesting. When Lisa was disturbed and stopped reading, Todd would get irritated and ask her to keep going.

Sunday, February10, 2002

Very Bad Day!

The day started good and then got worse.

Todd got water in his lungs from drinking too much through a straw. He apparently drank a whole cup of water. He is very thirsty and keeps asking for ice and water. The water apparently ran down his Tracheal tube and into his lungs. He aspirated several times and needed to be suctioned a lot. (Suction is needed when he feels like coughing. The nurse runs a small hose down the Tracheal tube and into his lungs to remove fluids and mucus.)

Mom, Marc, Dad and Carol visit Gaylord Rehab Center in Wallingford CT. Gaylord is a real nice facility and looks like a possibility for Todd's rehab.

What a long week !