Heidi (Brandt) Burkle

****Please consider donating what you can  to help Heidi and Reid's family members during this stressful time.  There will be many medical bills, lost wages and extra costs associated with driving back and forth to visit them while they fight to recover.****


Info posted 8/7 by Jennifer Vernon on the Caringbridge page:

Yesterday, August 6th, my sister Heidi and her 13 year old son Reid were on their way home from an evening bicycle ride.  They took a ride to Ely and stopped at Dan & Debbie's for some ice cream.  They were on their way home just before 8:00pm, riding along 76th Avenue Drive when they were both struck by a pickup truck overtaking them from behind.  The driver stated that he did not see the bikes due to the sun shining onto his windshield.  The investigation is continuing and he could be charged but this is not his story.

Heidi and Reid were both severely injured in the collision.  While there were no witnesses, due to the severity of her injuries, we believe Heidi was following Reid along the roadway and was therefore hit first from behind.  Reid sustained several lacerations and abrasions and apparently also sustained a significant blow to his head.  The most severe lacerations required staples and stitches to close.  He is covered with additional scrapes and road rash.  Most troubling though, is his inability to remain alert.  He will wake and is responsive for only very short periods before falling back to sleep.  He is confused and somewhat combative too.  We are told this is likely due to a major concussion.  We remain hopeful that he will fully recover.  He remains in intensive care at the University Children's Hospital.

Heidi's injuries are dramatically worse.  She was initially transported to St. Lukes Hospital in Cedar Rapids by Life Guard Air Ambulance but has since been transferred to University of Iowa Hospital.  Her blood pressure was alarmingly low coupled with high heart rate initially, which required fluids and blood transfusions to eventually stabilize.  Broken bones include her pelvis, left leg/ankle, left arm (compound fracture of humerus), right clavicle, 14 ribs, and at least one vertebrae.  She sustained collapsed lungs, and has several points of internal bleeding (brain, abdomen, carotid artery).  The bleeds are all being monitored and may require surgical intervention.  She has two chest tubes inserted to help reinflate her lungs.  She also exhibited symptoms of severe concussion (unequal/dilated pupils) although she was responsive to verbal commands and questions.  This is one of the primary areas of initial concern and is being carefully monitored and treated as necessary.  The pelvic break is another major medical concern.  Repair will be considered as soon as she is stable enough to tolerate the required surgery.  The arm break is very bad but prioritized lower.  She has trauma to many of her internal organs including her kidneys and pancreas.  She has been kept sedated and given pain medications since the accident and therefore is not very lucid at present.  They will soon start reducing the sedatives.  She remains in ICU at University Hospital.

The capable doctors explained her many issues and anticipated treatments today and are optimistic for a good outcome.  It will be a long road.  Visitors are limited to family only while she remains in ICU.

* Heidi's sister, Jennifer Vernon is beneficiary and is updating CaringBridge.