Support Cooper's Road to Recovery

*Updates will be added to the bottom*

My brother, Cooper, was in a motorcycle accident on I-75 on April 27. He received numerous injuries including a fractured C7, a fractured femur, a dislocated shoulder, a fractured ring finger, and an amputated pinky finger. He's had multiple surgeries and has been told by doctors he has a long road to recovery. He will need extensive PT/OT and will be out of work for months. With all of this being said, we are BEYOND grateful that he is alive and that he was wearing a helmet for protection. We have been asked by many friends and family if there is a way they can help or donate money so we have started this GoFundMe. All donations will be used for Cooper's medical and personal expenses as he will be out of work. Thank y'all and please send good thoughts for a speedy recovery!

UPDATE 4/29/24:

Cooper was transferred out of the ICU yesterday and went to the Trauma Step-down unit. His mentation worsened and he was transferred back into the ICU. A CT scan of his brain revealed a small bleed, which previous scans did not show. He is getting an MRI today of his head and spine and then we should know more.

A feeding tube was inserted for nutrition because he is not responsive enough to eat/drink at this time.

UPDATE:

MRI of the brain shows a DAI (a type of traumatic brain injury) mild to moderate.

Another fracture was discovered today of Cooper's left hand. We are waiting to hear if he will need surgery or not.

He also has a blood infection that is being treated.

UPDATE 5/1/24:

Cooper is verbally unresponsive at this time. He opens his eyes slightly from time to time. His brain injury could heal but only time will tell. We are told that the majority of his brain healing will happen within the first three months but can continue for up to a year. He is experiencing neurostorming which is basically having spells of being in fight-or-flight mode. These spells manifest in an increased heart rate, increased respiratory rate, decreased oxygen saturation, grimacing, and tensing up his arms. He is breathing on his own but is on high-flow oxygen.

He will need surgery on his left hand once the doctor feels he's stable enough for surgery.

Treatment right now consists of monitoring neurological status, maintaining adequate oxygenation and nutrition, continue IV antibiotics for his infection, and having PT/OT work with him as much as possible.

UPDATE 5/2/24:

Great news! Cooper is alert today, following simple commands, and spoke/spelled out his name!

Speech therapy will work with him on talking and evaluating his ability to swallow so hopefully his feeding tube can come out soon.

He's confused and still having neurostorms.

It's going to be a bumpy road but we are moving forward. We are so thankful to see signs of his brain healing!

UPDATE 5/4/24:

Cooper was transferred to the trauma step-down unit yesterday. He is off of the oxygen and is eating a little bit. He still has the feeding tube but they may remove that soon.

He speaks one or two words here and there.

He's not able to participate much with PT/OT yet but he will continue to work with them as much as possible.

One day at a time!

UPDATE 5/7/24:

The feeding tube was taken out on Sunday and Cooper is eating (as long as it's something he likes!)

Working with PT/OT is pretty painful and he is exhausted afterwards but he is making great improvement. He hasn't stood out of bed yet but they are hoping to try this tomorrow.

He is also having surgery on his broken left index and ring fingers tomorrow.

The trauma team is hopeful that Cooper will be able to go to rehab by the end of this week as long as all goes well. Cooper is very ready to go home!

UPDATE 5/10/24:

Cooper was transferred to the Inpatient Rehab unit today :)

UPDATE 5/15/24:

Rehab has a weekly team conference and during that today it was mentioned that Cooper will likely be there until June 10th. This is a tentative discharge date so it could change according to how he is progressing with PT/OT/ST. After rehab he will be getting home health visits for a while and then switch to outpatient therapies.

UPDATE 5/20/24:

Cooper has been experiencing pain in his right shoulder, right elbow, and left knee. MRIs were done for all. His shoulder showed a fracture which we were aware of but it also showed a massive rotator cuff tear. He's having surgery on the shoulder this Wednesday and unfortunately has to return to the hospital and stay overnight for this.

He also has fractures near the right elbow and left knee. Ortho-trauma has been consulted and will decide if he needs surgery on his knee or not.

UPDATE 5/21/24:

Cooper will be having surgery on his knee this Thursday. Unfortunately he will not be able to bear any weight on that left leg for 8-12 weeks which complicates his recovery further.

The plan at this point is to return to the rehab unit this weekend so they can work on obtaining all of the medical equipment he will require at home and they will educate the family on how to safely use everything. He will then go home (with home healthcare) until he is able to participate in rehab again.

UPDATE 5/29/24:

Cooper has been back in the rehab unit for a few days. The plan is for him to go home at the end of next week! He will have specialty medical equipment and will be seen by home healthcare.

UPDATE 6/6/24:

Cooper is officially home! He will be working with home health PT, OT, ST, and nursing on continuing his recovery.