Kirsten's Recovery and Rehab

Kirsten was injured in an accident on Friday, May 30, 2014.  She was ejected from a Jeep and subsequently ran over by the Jeep.  She has extensive damage to her pelvis, hips, and very low spine.  After an hour and a half ambulance ride to Fairbanks from Delta Junction, initial assessment and stabilization, she was flown from Fairbanks, Alaska to a level 1 trauma center in Seattle, Washington for treatment.  Her mom, Cindi, was able to accompany her on the medical evacuation flight.  Her dad, Blaine, followed a fews hours behind on a commercial flight.  She is currently in ICU at the trauma center in Seattle.  She has undergone surgery to get the internal bleeding controlled and her leg was put back into her hip socket.  Her left leg is in traction to help keep it stabilized.  She has had reconstructive surgery on her pelvis as well as her lower back in one very intense procedure with two teams of professionals.  She will likely remain in the ICU for the next week.  Once she is healthy enough, she will move to a new room at the same hospital.  It is anticipated that she will spend up to several months at the hospital in Seattle.  Cindi will remain at her side, but Blaine will have to return to Alaska once she has stabilized.  Hopefully he will be able to get back to see her regularly.  Kirsten has two brothers who are now with her in Seattle for a short visit.  The expenses for her brothers - and eventually her dad - to visit her is up to the family.  They are in Seattle with the clothes on their backs.  Cindi especially will need to buy some clothes, pajamas, and hygiene items to maintain her for the duration of her stay in Seattle with Kirsten.  Kirsten will have a long road to recovery.  Aside from any funds raised for the family's immediate needs, they will have expenses associated with her long term recovery and rehabilitation which is now expected to keep Kirsten in Seattle up to 6 months!! Blaine, Cindi and Kirsten are facing the huge challenge of living through this tragedy far away from their house in Alaska and also far away from friends and family in their home state of Michigan.  Thank you for taking the time to read their story and thank you even more for helping them be able to focus on Kirsten!!