This morning Jim had his tracheo tube removed from his neck and is finally able to speak again. We heard the news at about 9:30 am when we had a phone call from the hospital. When I answered the phone, a croaky voice on the other end said "It's Jim here". It was wonderful to hear his voice again.
Jim has taken full advantage of his new ability to speak. He asked a lot of questions of us, and has told us a lot of his experiences in hospital, many of which are hallucinations of one sort or another. He has read aloud a lot of the get well cards to him, and is very appreciative. Jim also managed some phone calls to say hello to his sister Flora and some of his friends in Rotoiti. I don't think they were expecting to speak to him.
After a good sleep, Jim is almost indistinguishable from his former self. I asked him in this state if his right leg was OK, and he said "of course it is" and lifted it up, which was a big surprise to me. He now seems to be able to use his right hand as well. In his "up" state Jim is also cheerful and polite. As he gets tired, his confidence disappears, and he becomes confused, irritable and upset, mainly because his short-term memory fails. However we are amazed at how far he has come since December 14, and expect him to recover fully with more rest and rehabilitation.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Two weeks
We saw Jim twice today. He is getting stronger and more animated each time we visit, but along with this animation there are some signs of memory loss and confusion. He also finds our visits tiring. The physiotherapists coaxed Jim into a wheelchair today for about two minutes, but he found it too tiring sitting up and returned to his bed. It is still only two weeks since his accident, and so we are not expecting too much at this stage.
Jim is also getting more frustrated with his inability to speak. We have been told that his tracheo tube is likely to be taken out tomorrow or Thursday. It is also likely that his nasal feeding tube will be taken out and he will start having some hospital meals. These tubes are a major source of irritation for him and it will be big relief to get rid of them. Jim is starting to request his cellphone to contact people, but we will wait a few days before giving him this to avoid him being overloaded.
Jim is also getting more frustrated with his inability to speak. We have been told that his tracheo tube is likely to be taken out tomorrow or Thursday. It is also likely that his nasal feeding tube will be taken out and he will start having some hospital meals. These tubes are a major source of irritation for him and it will be big relief to get rid of them. Jim is starting to request his cellphone to contact people, but we will wait a few days before giving him this to avoid him being overloaded.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Jim calls a lay day
Yesterday evening's excitement has been a lot for Jim to accommodate. We need to be careful of trying to extract too much response from him too quickly, and the enthusiasm of five of us at once is a big load on his stressed brain. He was very tired at lunchtime despite resting well last night.
When we arrived for a second visit this evening he had been asleep for two hours and we left without waking him. The nurses say that it is likely he will lose the tracheo tube in the next day or so. Then he will be able to speak to us.
It is still too early for him to have visitors apart from close family. We hope that this will change in a few days.
When we arrived for a second visit this evening he had been asleep for two hours and we left without waking him. The nurses say that it is likely he will lose the tracheo tube in the next day or so. Then he will be able to speak to us.
It is still too early for him to have visitors apart from close family. We hope that this will change in a few days.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Jim returns
We have just returned from the hospital having witnessed a miraculous transformation in Jim. He was very sleepy this morning when Brigie, Rose and Pearl visited but at 6:15pm, Brigie and I went in to see him with Flora and Pearl waiting outside in case he was awake and was well enough to see them.
Jim appeared very animated from the start. We put his glasses on him and after seeing him mouth some sentences without being understood, Brigie asked him if we wanted a pen and paper. He nodded, and then he started to write with his (natural) left hand. It was hard to write from a prone position on a clipboard, but his handwriting was not much worse than it had been before the accident.
He wrote "It's been my birthday." We assured him that he had not missed this. He was concerned about his iPod, phone and skateboard. We assured him that none of these had been damaged. He then wrote "I hurt myself badly but I've done amazing things thanks to the support/surgery." He wrote "how long ago did I have this accident?" and we told him about what happened.
Pearl and Flora came in and he wrote "what new stuff did you guys get for Xmas?" They told him about the DVDs of all six seasons of Larry David's Curb Your Enthusiasm that had been a family present and he wrote "They only released season 6 this year". He seemed very eager to communicate by writing, but this was making him tired. He also forgot some of the answers and mouthed "what happened to me?" after we had explained it earlier. But this time after I explained, he mouthed "was anyone killed?" and after hearing the answer, he mouthed "thank God", two words that have a deeper meaning than he realizes right now. The last thing he wrote was "Who is this guy?" with an arrow pointing to one of the nurses.
The writing had really tired Jim out, and it was time to leave him to rest. For the first time since the accident Jim looked at ease when we left, and seemed comfortable with the assurance that we would return in the morning. It was a euphoric drive home.
Jim appeared very animated from the start. We put his glasses on him and after seeing him mouth some sentences without being understood, Brigie asked him if we wanted a pen and paper. He nodded, and then he started to write with his (natural) left hand. It was hard to write from a prone position on a clipboard, but his handwriting was not much worse than it had been before the accident.
He wrote "It's been my birthday." We assured him that he had not missed this. He was concerned about his iPod, phone and skateboard. We assured him that none of these had been damaged. He then wrote "I hurt myself badly but I've done amazing things thanks to the support/surgery." He wrote "how long ago did I have this accident?" and we told him about what happened.
Pearl and Flora came in and he wrote "what new stuff did you guys get for Xmas?" They told him about the DVDs of all six seasons of Larry David's Curb Your Enthusiasm that had been a family present and he wrote "They only released season 6 this year". He seemed very eager to communicate by writing, but this was making him tired. He also forgot some of the answers and mouthed "what happened to me?" after we had explained it earlier. But this time after I explained, he mouthed "was anyone killed?" and after hearing the answer, he mouthed "thank God", two words that have a deeper meaning than he realizes right now. The last thing he wrote was "Who is this guy?" with an arrow pointing to one of the nurses.
The writing had really tired Jim out, and it was time to leave him to rest. For the first time since the accident Jim looked at ease when we left, and seemed comfortable with the assurance that we would return in the morning. It was a euphoric drive home.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Boxing Day
Last night after our Christmas lunch, we spent a long time with Jim. He appeared to be in some pain, and so the "pain team" at Auckland hospital assessed his levels of pain medication. Last night he also had a CT scan to see whether his discomfort was being caused by any new bleeds in the brain.
This morning at midday we met with the neurological registrar who told us that the scans looked good and that the bruising on some of the frontal part of Jim's brain had appeared to go down. There was no sign of further bleeding. The doctors has also decided to monitor his pain levels more closely, and try and calm Jim down with some anti-convulsant medication. The problem with too much pain relief is that it might delay the recovery process, not to mention the risk of morphine addiction. It was a good meeting, and reassured Brigie and me that Jim was in capable hands.
This evening's visit was also reassuring. Jim was asleep when we arrived, but woke after about 15 minutes. He was very agitated at first, but we seemed to establish a connection with him that was absent last night. It was almost as if he had finally found the resources to pull himself together and face the ordeal ahead. Now instead of writhing in discomfort he squeezed a rubber ball, and controlled his limbs. We are very proud of his courage.
Signs of Jim's affectionate personality are also emerging momentarily through these difficult sessions, and they renew our confidence that he will recover.
This morning at midday we met with the neurological registrar who told us that the scans looked good and that the bruising on some of the frontal part of Jim's brain had appeared to go down. There was no sign of further bleeding. The doctors has also decided to monitor his pain levels more closely, and try and calm Jim down with some anti-convulsant medication. The problem with too much pain relief is that it might delay the recovery process, not to mention the risk of morphine addiction. It was a good meeting, and reassured Brigie and me that Jim was in capable hands.
This evening's visit was also reassuring. Jim was asleep when we arrived, but woke after about 15 minutes. He was very agitated at first, but we seemed to establish a connection with him that was absent last night. It was almost as if he had finally found the resources to pull himself together and face the ordeal ahead. Now instead of writhing in discomfort he squeezed a rubber ball, and controlled his limbs. We are very proud of his courage.
Signs of Jim's affectionate personality are also emerging momentarily through these difficult sessions, and they renew our confidence that he will recover.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas Day
We went to see Jim twice today. This morning he was asleep so we did not wake him. In the evening he was agitated and a bit distressed, as he was on Christmas Eve. He rolled a lot in some discomfort on the bed while we were there. He appears to be suffering from some quite bad headaches.
While he was being changed we saw some of his injuries at close quarters. Jim has a long scar from his chest to navel where his spleen was removed, a scar on his shoulder, and a lot of bruises from the accident. These all appear to be healing well. Communication is still very limited, and we look forward to hearing Jim speak again when his tracheo tube is removed.
To outward appearances, his recovery has been slow over the past three days, but he is gaining strength in his limbs, and getting used to moving them.
While he was being changed we saw some of his injuries at close quarters. Jim has a long scar from his chest to navel where his spleen was removed, a scar on his shoulder, and a lot of bruises from the accident. These all appear to be healing well. Communication is still very limited, and we look forward to hearing Jim speak again when his tracheo tube is removed.
To outward appearances, his recovery has been slow over the past three days, but he is gaining strength in his limbs, and getting used to moving them.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas Eve
We have no real progress to report on Jim's recovery this evening. We visited him twice today and on both occasions he was in a fairly miserable state. He still has a temperature and is experiencing some pain from his injuries and operations. He has had to return to some serious pain medication.
Jim is also very agitated when he is awake, and tries to pull out his feeding tubes and catheters. It is almost as if he cannot control his limbs though he is trying very hard to do so. We have been assuming that all Jim's movements occur by his own volition. But what does this mean in a brain that is hurt and trying to heal itself? Perhaps if he could speak then he would say that all his movements are essentially involuntary, so not to go blaming him.
It has been difficult to see him in such a distressed state, but we are told that this is a stage that brain injury patients go through in the early stages of recovery. We hope that it does not last long.
Jim is also very agitated when he is awake, and tries to pull out his feeding tubes and catheters. It is almost as if he cannot control his limbs though he is trying very hard to do so. We have been assuming that all Jim's movements occur by his own volition. But what does this mean in a brain that is hurt and trying to heal itself? Perhaps if he could speak then he would say that all his movements are essentially involuntary, so not to go blaming him.
It has been difficult to see him in such a distressed state, but we are told that this is a stage that brain injury patients go through in the early stages of recovery. We hope that it does not last long.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Reality
Today was not a good day. In the morning when we visited, Jim was very sleepy and unresponsive. The physiotherapists sat him up on the bed, but he could not remain upright unsupported. He appeared totally exhausted. Our expectations after yesterday have been returned to reality.
Our evening visit was a contrast. Jim was awake but very distressed. He was running a temperature and was on antibiotics for a minor lung infection. His major problem is that he cannot communicate because of the tracheo tube. This makes him very frustrated and bewildered leading to some distress. He gripped our hands, and on one occasion tried to remove the tracheo tube with his right hand that now seems to be stronger. I can imagine a hundred questions he wants to ask that he cannot.
Jim has a strong emotional response to our presence. While this is encouraging from a brain function perspective, it is very hard for us to see as we cannot do anything to alleviate his predicament.
It is clear from today that we have a difficult few months ahead.
Our evening visit was a contrast. Jim was awake but very distressed. He was running a temperature and was on antibiotics for a minor lung infection. His major problem is that he cannot communicate because of the tracheo tube. This makes him very frustrated and bewildered leading to some distress. He gripped our hands, and on one occasion tried to remove the tracheo tube with his right hand that now seems to be stronger. I can imagine a hundred questions he wants to ask that he cannot.
Jim has a strong emotional response to our presence. While this is encouraging from a brain function perspective, it is very hard for us to see as we cannot do anything to alleviate his predicament.
It is clear from today that we have a difficult few months ahead.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Ward 81
Jim is now in his own room in Ward 81. He is still only allowed to see visitors from his immediate family in pairs. We had a brief visit with him this evening, and he was the most alert I have seen him, although he gets very tired and floats in and out of what seems like sleep.
In his alert phases Jim has been quite communicative. Soon after we arrived, he mouthed "what happened?" to me. I explained the accident and aftermath in simple terms, and reassured him that all was well. Though he found my answer distressing, we all found this episode immensely encouraging - that he can formulate and ask a question without prompting is enormous progress in his recovery. Another major step forward was some stirring in his right hand, that he clenched a bit in response to a command. He also gave each of us a smile.
So again it is all good news, and we move into the next phase of his treatment with great optimism.
In his alert phases Jim has been quite communicative. Soon after we arrived, he mouthed "what happened?" to me. I explained the accident and aftermath in simple terms, and reassured him that all was well. Though he found my answer distressing, we all found this episode immensely encouraging - that he can formulate and ask a question without prompting is enormous progress in his recovery. Another major step forward was some stirring in his right hand, that he clenched a bit in response to a command. He also gave each of us a smile.
So again it is all good news, and we move into the next phase of his treatment with great optimism.
Phase 2
We were just told that Jim will be moving out of ICU at 2pm today. He will be moved to the high-dependency unit in ward 81, which is the neurology ward. This means that he is no longer regarded as critical, and will now start the rehabilitation process to try and get the brain functioning again. Jim is still very sleepy and tires easily, so visitors will be restricted to close family for a few more days.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Seven days
By the time I submit this post it will be seven days since Jim's accident. To us it seems more like seven months. Time since last Monday has passed excruciatingly slowly for us, as we wait for the next milestone in Jim's recovery. Despite this feeling, we think that he has done amazingly well since last Monday night when we were told that his chances of survival were not good.
Earlier today Jim gave us a thumbs up. He was not quite as animated this evening when we visited. Jim did open his eyes and recognized his visitors, but seemed to be quite tired. His ability to interact with us seems to fade in and out, but is more obvious with each passing day.
This evening we also happened to meet one of the ambulance officers, Mike, who attended the accident. The ambulance came from New Lynn and was at the accident scene very quickly. Mike said that Jim was struggling with all his arms and legs when he was in the ambulance, and this had decreased when the ambulance arrived at the hospital. We hope that this movement indicates that the use of the right side of his body is not permanently impaired, and will be restored with physical therapy. This will happen after he leaves the neuro ward (to which he will be transferred in a few days). We are so grateful for the speed at which first aid was given to Jim by Mike and his colleagues as well as passers by. This first 30 minutes and the expert care thereafter have given Jim the best chance he could have of a full recovery.
The Philpotts are glad to be at the end of what has been the worst week in our lives. It has also been a week of wonderful support from Jim's friends and relations, who have kept him in their thoughts and prayers, and provided his family with emails, cards, flowers, cakes, meals and lots of good karma. We are grateful more than we can say.
Earlier today Jim gave us a thumbs up. He was not quite as animated this evening when we visited. Jim did open his eyes and recognized his visitors, but seemed to be quite tired. His ability to interact with us seems to fade in and out, but is more obvious with each passing day.
This evening we also happened to meet one of the ambulance officers, Mike, who attended the accident. The ambulance came from New Lynn and was at the accident scene very quickly. Mike said that Jim was struggling with all his arms and legs when he was in the ambulance, and this had decreased when the ambulance arrived at the hospital. We hope that this movement indicates that the use of the right side of his body is not permanently impaired, and will be restored with physical therapy. This will happen after he leaves the neuro ward (to which he will be transferred in a few days). We are so grateful for the speed at which first aid was given to Jim by Mike and his colleagues as well as passers by. This first 30 minutes and the expert care thereafter have given Jim the best chance he could have of a full recovery.
The Philpotts are glad to be at the end of what has been the worst week in our lives. It has also been a week of wonderful support from Jim's friends and relations, who have kept him in their thoughts and prayers, and provided his family with emails, cards, flowers, cakes, meals and lots of good karma. We are grateful more than we can say.
Monday lunchtime
Our visit to Jim today was briefer than yesterday. Brigie and I spent an hour and a half with him. He has been sedated again because of becoming agitated and pulling at some of the feeding tubes and dressings he has. The nurses gave him some new dressings on his shoulder and tracheo tube while we were there. Jim did not like this attention and winced in discomfort on a couple of occasions. But all the operation incisions look clean and healthy. He is also breathing on his own without help from the ventilator. Jim's right arm and right leg are still without movement, but he is strong on the left side.
Jim continues to show signs of improvement in his brain function. He finds it frustrating to be unable to speak but makes a big effort to communicate by other means. Today he opened his eyes when he heard Brigie's voice, and smiled at her. Jim also gave us a thumbs up sign with his left hand when asked. It was a definite thumbs up sign, not just a clenching of his fist. These small events are bright rays of hope in our lives.
We have been told that Jim will stay in ICU for at least two days more, until he is more stable. His move to the neuro ward is the Christmas present that the Philpotts are all looking forward to.
Jim continues to show signs of improvement in his brain function. He finds it frustrating to be unable to speak but makes a big effort to communicate by other means. Today he opened his eyes when he heard Brigie's voice, and smiled at her. Jim also gave us a thumbs up sign with his left hand when asked. It was a definite thumbs up sign, not just a clenching of his fist. These small events are bright rays of hope in our lives.
We have been told that Jim will stay in ICU for at least two days more, until he is more stable. His move to the neuro ward is the Christmas present that the Philpotts are all looking forward to.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Sunday evening update
We have just returned from visiting Jim in Auckland hospital intensive care unit. Jim was less sedated than this afternoon, and is now beginning to respond well to commands. Visits to ICU patients are in pairs, and so our family does it in three sets. But today Brigie stayed the whole time, and Rose, Flora, Pearl and I went in one by one.
For the first time in six days, all of us saw his eyes open completely and appear to contain some recognition of his family. Brigie told him where he was, and that he had been injured in an accident. He seemed to try and speak to us, but this is impossible with a tracheostomy, and led to an irritated then distressed expression. Jim nodded his head almost imperceptibly when I asked if he understood. Seeing such small signs of cognition are like miracles to us. Jim also gripped each of our hands, and squeezed them hard in response to questions. I think he was reassured to see all of us.
It was a long visit this evening, and very hard to leave him behind at the ICU at 8 pm. But it was very tiring and emotionally draining for all of us, especially Jim. He will rest tonight and we are all looking forward to seeing him again tomorrow. We are hopeful that he will move out of ICU by the middle of the week.
Our family is so grateful for all the positive messages and prayers of Jim's friends and relations. He has a lot of thank yous to deliver, and it is looking increasingly likely that he will be able to do this in person. We continue to be positive that this will happen.
For the first time in six days, all of us saw his eyes open completely and appear to contain some recognition of his family. Brigie told him where he was, and that he had been injured in an accident. He seemed to try and speak to us, but this is impossible with a tracheostomy, and led to an irritated then distressed expression. Jim nodded his head almost imperceptibly when I asked if he understood. Seeing such small signs of cognition are like miracles to us. Jim also gripped each of our hands, and squeezed them hard in response to questions. I think he was reassured to see all of us.
It was a long visit this evening, and very hard to leave him behind at the ICU at 8 pm. But it was very tiring and emotionally draining for all of us, especially Jim. He will rest tonight and we are all looking forward to seeing him again tomorrow. We are hopeful that he will move out of ICU by the middle of the week.
Our family is so grateful for all the positive messages and prayers of Jim's friends and relations. He has a lot of thank yous to deliver, and it is looking increasingly likely that he will be able to do this in person. We continue to be positive that this will happen.
Sunday lunchtime
At 10:30 this morning Jim had his tracheostomy. We all went in to see him at 2pm, but he was still heavily sedated while coming out of the general anaesthetic. He will remain on a ventilator till this evening, after which the nurses expect him to breath naturally through the tracheo tube. Jim looked much more comfortable without the ventilator tube coming out of his mouth.
We are very proud of Jim getting through four major operations without serious complications. We are hoping that (apart from removing the tracheo tube later on) this is the last of them. He will now need to garner all his resources for the next phases of his treatment.
We are very proud of Jim getting through four major operations without serious complications. We are hoping that (apart from removing the tracheo tube later on) this is the last of them. He will now need to garner all his resources for the next phases of his treatment.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Saturday evening
We have just seen Jim after the operation on his humerus. This appeared to be successful but we did not speak to the surgeon. Jim had his right arm in a sling. He was back on the ventilator, and still under the general anaesthetic, so there was no signs of cognition from him, but he looked reasonably comfortable. Another step taken towards a rebuilt Jim. We will report again tomorrow.
Saturday midday update
We have just returned from the intensive care unit at Auckland Hospital. Jim appeared to be more aware of his surroundings today. He responded to voice commands to grip with his left hand but still has no response from his right side.
He will go into surgery again this afternoon to set the humerus break near his right shoulder. The decision about the tracheostomy will be made tomorrow depending on his ability to swallow. He is in some discomfort with a ventilator tube down his windpipe that the tracheostomy will relieve. The next step, if he is stable, will be a move to the neuro ward. Moving out of intensive care will be a major achievement for Jim, given his state last Monday night. We are hopeful we can all celebrate this later this week.
He will go into surgery again this afternoon to set the humerus break near his right shoulder. The decision about the tracheostomy will be made tomorrow depending on his ability to swallow. He is in some discomfort with a ventilator tube down his windpipe that the tracheostomy will relieve. The next step, if he is stable, will be a move to the neuro ward. Moving out of intensive care will be a major achievement for Jim, given his state last Monday night. We are hopeful we can all celebrate this later this week.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Friday night latest news
We have just got back from an evening visit to see Jim. He is now breathing through a tube essentially unaided by a ventilator, but does not have enough functionality to cough and so he may need assistance with a temporary tracheostomy, which involves an opening being created below the larynx.
Jim appeared to recognize Brigie's voice when she first spoke, and his eyelid flickered open momentarily. He also squeezed her hand with his left hand. He seemed to respond when she mentioned the concerns of his friends. This is the first such response from him that we have seen with our own eyes. His level of brain activity has increased since yesterday as evidenced by slightly increased cranial pressure, which is a good thing as long as it does not get too high. He had been earlier cooled down to reduce this pressure. It is all a delicate balancing act that is being orchestrated expertly by the ICU doctors.
These are all small steps that are beginning a long journey, but they are so far all in the right direction, so we are grateful.
Jim appeared to recognize Brigie's voice when she first spoke, and his eyelid flickered open momentarily. He also squeezed her hand with his left hand. He seemed to respond when she mentioned the concerns of his friends. This is the first such response from him that we have seen with our own eyes. His level of brain activity has increased since yesterday as evidenced by slightly increased cranial pressure, which is a good thing as long as it does not get too high. He had been earlier cooled down to reduce this pressure. It is all a delicate balancing act that is being orchestrated expertly by the ICU doctors.
These are all small steps that are beginning a long journey, but they are so far all in the right direction, so we are grateful.
Friday update
We have just returned from Auckland hospital. Jim is still emerging from his induced coma. He is no longer under heavy sedation, but remains on morphine for his injuries (shoulder and neck).
Bringing him round is a very slow process and will take a few days. The doctors told us that he has opened his eyes a couple of times and has responded to commands to clench his left hand. He seems to have expected response to stimuli on the left side. There appears to be no response on his right side at the moment. It is too early to say what this means in the long term, but every day gives a small improvement in his condition, as well as more information that reveals more about what lies ahead. It is painfully slow and quite distressing for everyone involved. Jim will not be able to see visitors other than family for some weeks.
Thanks for all your best wishes and prayers.
Bringing him round is a very slow process and will take a few days. The doctors told us that he has opened his eyes a couple of times and has responded to commands to clench his left hand. He seems to have expected response to stimuli on the left side. There appears to be no response on his right side at the moment. It is too early to say what this means in the long term, but every day gives a small improvement in his condition, as well as more information that reveals more about what lies ahead. It is painfully slow and quite distressing for everyone involved. Jim will not be able to see visitors other than family for some weeks.
Thanks for all your best wishes and prayers.
About Jim Philpott
Hi everyone,
This is the first post on our blog About Jim. If you are reading this you will know that Jim had a bad accident on Monday night, December 14. At 9:52 pm he was hit by a 4WD on a pedestrian crossing at the corner of St Lukes Road and Asquith Avenue. It was dark, raining heavily, Jim was wearing black, listening to his iPod, and on his skateboard as he crossed the road. He was hit on the south-western side of St Lukes Road and sustained a serious head injury. His skull was fractured, he broke his humerus just below the shoulder, and a neck vertebra. He also ruptured his spleen, and tore a small piece of his liver.
We have been told that the driver of the 4WD and a nurse who witnessed the accident called an ambulance and administered first aid. Jim was taken to Auckland hospital and is in intensive care. The skill and courage of the emergency doctors and neurosurgeons saved his life on Monday night by removing his spleen to decrease the blood loss. On Tuesday morning, Jim was given a brain operation to remove a clot and relieve pressure on his skull. He is now stable and starting to emerge from the induced coma that he has been in since Monday night. He cannot see any visitors in hospital at the moment.
We are grateful for the many thoughts and prayers of Jim's friends and relations. We will update this blog so that you can find out how he is doing with his recovery and rehabilitation. We have been told that this will be a long and arduous ordeal for Jim and for us, but we are positive that we can bring him back to the Jim that we all love.
This is the first post on our blog About Jim. If you are reading this you will know that Jim had a bad accident on Monday night, December 14. At 9:52 pm he was hit by a 4WD on a pedestrian crossing at the corner of St Lukes Road and Asquith Avenue. It was dark, raining heavily, Jim was wearing black, listening to his iPod, and on his skateboard as he crossed the road. He was hit on the south-western side of St Lukes Road and sustained a serious head injury. His skull was fractured, he broke his humerus just below the shoulder, and a neck vertebra. He also ruptured his spleen, and tore a small piece of his liver.
We have been told that the driver of the 4WD and a nurse who witnessed the accident called an ambulance and administered first aid. Jim was taken to Auckland hospital and is in intensive care. The skill and courage of the emergency doctors and neurosurgeons saved his life on Monday night by removing his spleen to decrease the blood loss. On Tuesday morning, Jim was given a brain operation to remove a clot and relieve pressure on his skull. He is now stable and starting to emerge from the induced coma that he has been in since Monday night. He cannot see any visitors in hospital at the moment.
We are grateful for the many thoughts and prayers of Jim's friends and relations. We will update this blog so that you can find out how he is doing with his recovery and rehabilitation. We have been told that this will be a long and arduous ordeal for Jim and for us, but we are positive that we can bring him back to the Jim that we all love.
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