Status & Recovery

This is Jere Northridge typing, hoping to extend updates on Jesse's status and recovery to all of those friends, family and community that love and care for Jesse through this difficult time. This blog will be an attempt to relay Jesse's status and accept well wishes for Jesse's recovery that we will share with him.

Thursday, March 18, 11:50pm - Jesse was involved in a single-car motor vehicle accident; he was the only one in the vehicle, and the vehicle sustained heavy damage, possibly flipping during the accident. First-responders secured Jesse and cut away the car to allow access, and Jesse was extricated and air-lifted to the Altoona Trauma Center's Surgical Intensive Care Unit.

Upon initial intake, Jesse was diagnosed with a broken first rib, broken sturnum, right lung pulmonary contusion, and a compression fracture of the c5-c7 vertebrae. Jesse was met at the hospital by David Witkovsky, Juniata's Chaplain; by Lauren Seganos and her roommate Sheena, and by his brother Jere. Jesse was placed in the Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit following the intake MRI's, cat scans and xrays.

Friday, March 19, pre-surgery morning - Jesse was evaluated by Trauma P.A. Sheila Burke and further xrays were ordered for his knees, which were very painful and severly cut. Xrays were negative.... PA Burke put Jesse on breathing exercises to combat any potential complications of pneumonia from the Pulmonary Contusion. Jesse was also evaluated by Lori the Speech Patholigist for brain function evaluation following the head trauma and concussion; Jesse's brain was functioning "normally" though he is to be wary of difficulty with concentration and shorter attention spans until the concussion symptoms subside.

Dr. Osgood, the trauma surgeon, evaluated Jesse pre-surgery and advised that Jesse would be placed in a halo brace following surgery to his c5 and c6 vertebrae. The c7 damage was noted to be capable of healing on its own without surgical interference. The surgery also would involve incisions in the front of Jesse's neck, between his collarbones, and that his esophagus and trachea would need to be "moved" to provide access. This effort, combined with the intubation tube, will make Jesse's recovery to the choir and singing an extended effort.

Jesse went in to surgery around 1pm.

Friday, March 19, post-surgery - during surgery the doctors discovered severe bruising along the spinal column. This discovery complicated surgery, and Jesse lost the use of his right arm and leg. The doctors kept the intubation tube in his throat post-surgery and kept Jesse partially sedated to perform a post-op battery of Cat scans, xrays and MRIs. These tests showed the bone graft and titanium plates properly placed and attributed the paralysis to the bruising of the spinal column. Jesse did retain full sensation in his extremities and was placed on high dosages of steroids to combat the bruising/inflamation. Full sensation is an excellent sign for his long-term recovery.

Friday, March 19, 6:30pm - Trauma PA Ginny noted that Jesse was still intubated as the doctors feared a second surgery may be necessary. Jesse was heavily sedated and doctors wanted to remove the tube in order to further evaluate his loss of motor skills. They had to bring Jesse out from sedation enough that he would begin breathing on his own, without the ventilator, a process very frustrating and painful to Jesse. Several evaluations of Jesse's breathing capacity occurred in the following hours, a process difficult to watch as Jesse's pain levels increased with the loss of sedation but had not yet reached a point where his tube could be removed.

During this time, Father Brad (hospital chaplain) assisted our mom with getting a room at the hospitality house, a room at the hospital campus where she could stay while here in Altoona.

At 11:45pm the doctors finally cleared Jesse for his breathing tube removal, but a hang-up with the anesthesiologist on call required Jesse to wait two very painful hours for the offical ok from the anesthesiologist. Jesse's breathing tube was then removed around 1:00 a.m. and he was switched to a mask.

Saturday, March 19, 1:40 a.m. - Jesse was again evaluated by Trauma PA Burke. Burke advised that Jesse would be in Surgical ICU for a few days, likely through Tuesday, before discharge to a rehabilitative facility. Jesse remained very uncomfortable at this time as he could not self-administer pain medications and needed to rely on nursing staff support. Jesse was also advised that his throat was in an unfamiliar position and he should not eat or drink until evaluated by a doctor specializing in swallowing.

Saturday, March 19, start of daylight shift- Jesse was shifted off of a breathing mask and to a nasal canula, and later off of a nasal canula to his own breathing. Further xrays of his chest, knees and right hip to diagnose continued pain were negative. The nurse at the start of the morning shift noted Jesse had improved upper right arm motor skills, which was an excellent sign. Jesse was coherent and talking and beginning to realize his own post-op situation: the halo brace was screwed through his skin and into the skull itself, and causing a great deal of pain. The halo brace itself is made from lightweight carbon fiber materials and is actually not metallic, so it can be worn into an MRI.

Jesse received a swallowing evaluation from Amanda consisting of sipping water, eating applesauce and swallowing a cracker; having successfully passed these tests, Jesse was cleared to eat or drink anything he pleased. Amanda also continued with the cognitive assessment tests and determined that Jesse had the same cognitive abilities pre- and post-op.

Amanda stressed that adequate sleep and proper nutrition will be MANDATORY for Jesse's transition and that his ability to concentrate and a limited attention span may be byproducts of the concussion suffered in the accident.

Saturday, March 19th, 9 a.m. - Two thoughts: first, Jesse was able to flex and move his right quadricep muscles, and yes, this was a very good sign.

Second, there is no pain imaginable that can compare to having the screws in your skull tightened. Jesse's ability to tolerate his current pain levels are amazing.

Saturday, March 19th, mid-day through evening - Jesse continued to receive evluations throughout the day. He breathes 10 breaths into a small plastic machine each hour to reduce the possibility of pneumonia and to assist the recovery from his pulmonary contusion. Jesse also is required to sit up for short periods, a process that shifts the weight of his head onto the bone graft and titanium plates drilled into his surgically repaired vertebrae. Yes, this is also very painful for him. For pain Jesse has been switched to percocetts.

Saturday, March 19th, evening - Jesse was evaluated by Trauma PA Scott, and the primary concerns now include blood clot prevention.... Jesse's pain appeared a bit more tolerable, and we reviewed some emails and facebooks to occupy our time. Your warm wishes and prayers are greatfully appreciated.

Sunday, March 20th, early morning hours - PA Scott is mandating Jesse eat more; Jesse doesn't like dry, crappy hospital food. Nurses noticed better right elbow strength and range of motion, Jesse was able to slightly flex his calf, and Jesse was able to - once- wiggle his toes. Wiggling his toes was an awesome sign, but Jesse has struggled to replicate the feat since.

Sunday, March 20th, daylight hours - falling into a rhythm here with eating, trying to sit up, trying to manage the difficult pain while sitting up.... Jesse was sitting up in an Ortho chair today and noted how the chair had remarkably less pain than sitting up in bed. As the doctors continue to urge him to sit up, we will continue to urge him to use the Ortho chair to limit the pain vs. sitting up in bed.

Jesse continues to be concerned with his options related to school; what is his class status, what does he need to do school-wise over the next week or two; Chaplain Witkovsky, who is also Jesse's class advisor, will spear-head addressing these questions with the professors.

Jesse also needs to be moved this week to a rehabilitative hospital. At this time, we do not know (a) when he will be moved, (b) where he will be moved to, or (c) how long his recovery will be in the next place.

Visiting hours - Jesse is currently in ICU, so there is a 2-person per room visit limit. Visiting hours basically now coincide with Jesse's ability to tolerate the pain and be cognizant, but nursing staff will not allow visitors between 7-8:30 a.m., 3-4:30 p.m., and 7-8:30 p.m. Jesse is in room 837 now, but may soon be switched to the Orthopedic floor (11th floor), and visitation there will be different. Please call ahead to the hospital if you are traveling long distances.

Prayer requests - for Jesse and for his pain and recovery; for the doctors evaluating and treating him here; for a smooth transition to rehab and his continued recovery.... for my mom, torn between two children at home and one here, and for her transition as it requires Family Medical Leave with the school.... for Joey and Jonathan as they adjust - again - to a changing family dynamic.... for me (Jere) as I attempt to balance work with being here with Jesse.... And for the entire community of support that we have! Thank you, all, for your continued prayers.

What we need - Positive visitors.... Humor.... Anything funny to break up the monotony of poking, prodding, stretching and pain. The more gooberish your joke, the better!

I will attempt to further update the blog and encourage Jesse to post his progress over the coming days, weeks and months. Each small step is a good step, and slow-and-steady wins the race.