Update on Hannah Mercer‘s fall

9 facial fractures plated and screwed, 1 sinus/ear infection behind us, 1 feeding tube & uncounted stitches removed from face, bands removed from teeth (good bye, lovely orthodontics).  Needs time for her banged up brain to recuperate. Three weeks we hope never to repeat. We are homesick...

 Today's neurosurgery appointment a clever PA compared current xrays to old films and determined that HB does not have a new fracture, so she doesn't have to wear a neck brace! Life improved immensely: no collar pressing on a broken jaw, she can syringe-feed herself, and a shower is in our future! Had two rough days, but this was our happy moment today.

First smile! Upper lip still numb but in spite of it all, I see a glimpse of my smiley girl. Living on Culvers shakes, Boost, and tube feedings. Fledgling ride to watch the game with Stevie the corgi, Stewie the Westie and their humans, Mary Jo and Jean P. Farnsworth. Good to be outside, but the ride, well...

Turn a hotel suite into a convalescent care unit and learn how to give her own tube feedings? The mantra for self advocacy is, "Nothing about us without us." Extreme example here

Headed to our home away from home (motel) for undetermined amount of time. Thanks for all the cards, well wishes, and most of all, prayers. Hannah's favorite song is "fight song" by Rachel Platten. It certainly applied here...

Leaving hospital for motel suite today. I can do tube feedings in our suite. Will stay for 7-10 days for follow-up appts, PT, OT, and post op care. Don't think she'd tolerate bumping 6 hours round trip on interstate 5 times next week for appointments. Thanks Aunt  Jean P. Farnsworth for the great shirts. New wardrobe courtesy of Gail Lindekugel & Aunt Jean.

"You can't go home again." (Thomas Wolfe). No discharge today. Not eating enough. HB's spirit is flagging, sad & teary. Took her outside to the Healing Garden with Travis Dale Schaffer as he ended a 3-day stay full of comfort and encouragement. Goals for today: a real shower, go outside, enough high calorie liquids to stay alive, call friends.

Mom, I want to blow this pop stand." Told surgeons she needs to get out of here--has things to do.  Maxillofacial team pleased with outcome. Hardware &  fixation doesn't need redone. That's one of the team!Facial numbness subsiding. Ortho team to determine fate of right wrist. Hope to skip another surgery. Trying to syringe liquids through fixated jaws. Can't go home until feeding tube is out. Looks longingly out the window...

Monica Mercer Molly Tibben Gage & Garth. The good news is, Gage's obsession with machines had plenty to check out, and not a single infusion pump/telemetry monitor/ delivery system was broken during the inspection.

First 2 days and nights were gruesome. Stopped vomiting, pain under control, started tube feedings, finally slept 5 hours. Boyfriend Travis showed up and everything improved. Swim coach Tamara Lawter lended encouragement. Shared her National wheelchair games gold medal with a fellow champion. Life is getting better! 

Surgery Day: writing notes of encouragement and still thinking of others. She isn't the least bit worried."They will do their best, not put me in danger, so... You worry way too much. You're not handling this very well, you know." Surgery at noon, 5-6 surgeons x5 hrs minimum. Waiting until all surgeons complete morning cases. Seems that even surgery is a team sport now. HB told a friend, "I got myself into a bit of a pickle here." Understatement. Hannah Mercer is out of surgery! Couple hiccups but the surgeon team is smart. Heading to her room in Lied Tower-- no ICU. Face repaired but jaw not wired yet. Back in a day or two for worrying and arm fix. Feeding tube in place. The prayers a good person is a powerful thing. Thanks for cheering for Team Mercer! First touchdown! These are her sister Mollie‘s kids 24 hr post surgery: 1st night was nasty. Nine fractures repair just plain hurts.  Poor pain control and feeding tube didn't work. Better now! Will comp...

Post fall. Morning drill sergeant getting her ready for surgery at noon tomorrow. We're as ready as we can be! Siblings & nephews on their way to join Team Mercer outside the OR. One surgeon is a farm kid from Iowa who takes vacation during harvest & combines corn with his dad. Dirt in his veins like the Mercers. Down-to-earth comforting...Surgery Day: writing notes of encouragement and still thinking of others. She isn't the least bit worried."They will do their best, not put me in danger, so... You worry way too much. You're not handling this very well, you know."Surgery at noon, 5-6 surgeons x5 hrs minimum. Waiting until all surgeons complete morning cases. Seems that even surgery is a team sport now. HB told a friend, "I got myself into a bit of a pickle here." Understatement.w

post fall: labs back to normal. Still not drinking enough. IVS in her future. Anesthesia & trauma team planning approach to 4+ hr operation. Took a shower with help from long time friend Rachel Buss. Aunt LuAnn Baker left for Iowa and dad Tom Mercer came to lend his support.  talked (listened) to friends on the phone. Hole in lip clotted over and liquid doesn't leak out! Saw face for the first time.

Post fall. Stabilizing in preparation for surgery Friday. Blood sugar too low, electrolytes out of whack and replacing with IV. can't eat, pain control is challenging, still cleaning off blood. Stopped vomiting! Tries to drink and runs out the gash in her chin. That will be repaired during surgery. Walked in hall with special walker. Fell, but got up like the Olympian she is. Your prayers are what keep us going. Don't stop!  Loves the flowers, NSILC. Of the challenged. Who cares if it's 2 weeks late?? Somewhere in the fjords of Alaska. My very own sailor.

in the morning Hannah Mercer  Fell down a flight of stairs and had serious injuries. Broke her right arm, C6 spine, and all her facial bones. We are at UNMC trauma center and receiving the best care. Her brain is concussed not permanently injured! ! She cannot have surgery until she is stable and the swelling subsides. 4-6 hr surgery scheduled for Friday if she is able. Hannah will be hospitalized for some time post surgery. She cannot talk on the phone right now. She is NOT going to to a facility after discharge. We will care for her at home. Her jaws will be wired shut for several weeks and her arm will be in a cast, so she will need a lot of care. We hope you can visit when she's home. When the surgeons remove hardware from her face, we'll have a big party with REAL food she can chew! She wants her friends to know how much your support means. She loves you so much and it will help her get through. You are all tough Special Olympians, right? Prayers most appreciated!