From Adam Drucker (doseone)...
To all those who are concerned,
On Thursday February 24th at approximately 1 a.m. in Atlantic, Iowa, our van
hit "black ice" and overturned off of the highway 80. There were seven of us
aboard, we were doing 40 miles per hour and slowing down. Patrick Scott was
driving the vehicle when it hit the stretch of "black ice", which caused us
to skid out of control. Patrick temporarily regained control of the vehicle
only to be pulled off the highway by the weight of the equipment trailer we
were towing. Fortunately for us, the weight of the trailer then saved all
our lives by stopping the vehicle from rolling over multiple times.
The crash was 10 seconds long. All of us were wearing our seat belts except
for Alex who was lying down in the back seat. We all hit against the roof of
the van upon impact. Six of us sustained minor cuts and bruises. Dax,
however, broke his neck upon impact. His head was then pinned beneath the
front row of passenger seats. Upon dislodging his foot from what looked to
be
an unnatural position, Dax's air passage way was cleared and he began to
breath and communicate with us. He told us immediately that he could not
feel his lower body. We were met quickly by another motorist, the local
sheriff, and an EMT team. The EMT's and firefighters carefullyremoved
Daxfrom the overturned vehicle. He was then taken to Cas County hospital in
Atlantic, Iowa. One hour later he was emergency air lifted by helicopter to
Creighton University Hospital in Omaha Nebraska for X-rays and treatment.
(In a 15-minute window three trailer trucks and another passenger van all
overturned on the same 10-mile stretch of highway and black ice.)
Dax is currently recovering at Creighton University Hospital in the
intensive care unit where he will remain for the next three weeks at least.
Fortunately Dax is completely covered by his health insurance provided by
Amoeba Music in Berkeley California. So all of his care is being paid for
and will continue to be covered through out his healing process. Both Dax's
mother and father (Myrna Anderson and Herman Pierson) were contacted as soon
as possible and arrived at the hospital in Omaha within 24 hours.
Dax shattered his c5 vertebrae, which is located at the base of the neck.
When his vertebrae shattered it bruised his spinal chord and caused severe
swelling around the c5 and adjacent vertebrae. His broken vertebrae were his
only injury. Dax is currently experiencing paralysis from his nipple line
down. His paralysis is very severe the muscles used to breathe and operate
the lungs are located below the nipple line. As a result he is on a
ventilator to help him breath. The ventilator is a tube that runs through
Dax's mouth and into his lungs to facilitate respiration. It? s presence
coupled with Dax's inability to use his hands makes communication for Dax
very difficult at the present time. Dax has remained conscious and cognizant
throughout the entire process.
While broken bones can be mended, the spinal cord does NOT regenerate
itself. There is new research into ways this might be achieved -specifically
stem cell research - and a good many of these avenues of research are very
promising. For now, however, we can pray for a miracle - and miracles DO
happen - while at the same time learning to deal with the reality of Dax's
new situation
On the 25th at 10 am Dax was taken in for surgery. His 4th and 6th vertebrae
were fused in order to create a functional neck for Dax. All broken
bonedebris was removed and the spinal chord where his c5 broke was encased
in a cage of sorts that will protect it and allowed the 4th and 6th
vertebrae to be fused on either end of it. The operation was successful and
there were no complications. Since then the swelling around the injury has
decreased.
Dax's injury is now contained and the healing process has begun. The first
major hurdle is to have Dax heal enough to be taken off of the ventilator.
If this happens he will be given a tracheotomy. The tracheotomy will enable
Dax to move his lips and communicate with those caring for him.
This step will be huge for his mental and physical comfort and will take all
the strength and love he and those who cherish him can provide in the coming
weeks. The end of Dax's stay in intensive care will hopefully coincide with
him being weaned off of the ventilator and being given the tracheotomy. Due
to the "open" or intensive nature of the surgery Dax underwent to have his
vertebrae fused, that wound must heal completely and be free of infection
before they can open a new wound when giving him a tracheotomy.
After his stay in intensive care Dax will be moved to a rehabilitation
center for the rest of his recovery. It will most likely be in Texas as to
be close to his mother who will be caring for him through this most
difficult leg of his recovery. The rehabilitation process could range
anywhere from 2 to 24 months. The process will be long and challenging for
Dax, his strength, and the strength of those around him, both near and far.
In case it is unclear...Dax's mind is completely healthy and everything
above his nipple line is in perfect working condition, so he can shrug his
shoulders and move his arms slightly, it is only the presence of the
ventilator tube in his mouth that prevents him from communicating verbally.
His eyes are wide and his heart is strong.
To all of you who are sending him love and prayer, keep doing so it is
working, and all of our concern and love remains utterly necessary. The
physical healing process for this type of injury takes serious time patience
and courage.
We are now organizing/preparing for Dax's immediate future care and
rehabilitation as well as fund raising benefits. We appreciate everyone's
patience as we prepare for the long road ahead of Dax. It will be important
for all who love him to be present and offer aid not only while the tragedy
is before us but when recovery is before us as well.
And recovery may be some time from now. As a result we will be establishing
a web site for Dax that will allow everyone to enter his or her contact
information for future contact and aid. This site will also provide health
update information as it becomes available to us. As you can imagine Dax's
care, healing, treatment, and return to his "normal" life will be very
expensive. We will do our best to keep all those concerned updated on both
his health and how they canhelp, in the form of both monetary donation and
sheer love.
There is a crowd of beautiful people gathering behind Dax... The
overwhelming outpouring of love and concern for him has already begun to
work its magic on his mental and physical strength...soplease keep it
coming...and thank you all.
This just in:
march 2nd: dax was taken off of the ventilator...he is now talking and
smiling.
All flowers cards and positive thoughts can be addressed to:
Dax Pierson
c/o Creighton University Hospital
601 N. 30th St.
Omaha, NE 68131
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