Ethan's Road to Recovery - Calgary
Donation protected
Thursday March 17th, 2016 Ethan was walking home from piano when he was struck by a truck crossing Cranford Drive. He was rushed to the south health campus where he was stabilized for air transport to Alberta Children's Hospital (ACH). He had a CT scan done shortly after we arrived, and it confirmed that we are dealing with a severe brain injury, and that the prognosis was not good.
He was brought to the PICU where he has been treated since. Ethan is a fighter, strong, so stubborn, and loved immensely. The priority in his treatment has been his traumatic brain injury, but he has also sustained multiple fractures. He pelvis is fractured in 6 places - BUT it is stable and will heal fully with minimal intervention. He has a broken bone in his ear - BUT it will heal fully on it's own. He has a broken bones around his eye that may require surgery at a later date. His internal organs (besides his brain) are all functioning and do not show signs of trauma!
Thus far treatment has included keeping him stable. We are most concerned with his inter cranial pressure (ICP) which is expected to peak at about 72 hours. Keeping this pressure low in critical to minimizing the effects of his brain injury. While we have had ups and downs (include spikes in ICP, unstable blood pressure, inappropriate response to ADH and collapsed lungs) he has been able to pull through relatively stable.
The plan is to allow Ethan to start waking up on Monday. This will be a very difficult time, and is where we start to see the extent of the damage.
At this point expenses that we may be dealing with include potential cost of the STARS transfer, ambulance rides for Ethan and Riley, and the unknown rehab costs once he continues his recovery. Also there is time off work for Melanie and Jordan.
Having expenses covered so Melanie and Jordan can focus on Ethan's recovery while still maintaining stabilty and quality of life for Ethan's siblings Skyler and Ryley would be a immense relief.
Thank you for all of the support,
The Nielsen Family
He was brought to the PICU where he has been treated since. Ethan is a fighter, strong, so stubborn, and loved immensely. The priority in his treatment has been his traumatic brain injury, but he has also sustained multiple fractures. He pelvis is fractured in 6 places - BUT it is stable and will heal fully with minimal intervention. He has a broken bone in his ear - BUT it will heal fully on it's own. He has a broken bones around his eye that may require surgery at a later date. His internal organs (besides his brain) are all functioning and do not show signs of trauma!
Thus far treatment has included keeping him stable. We are most concerned with his inter cranial pressure (ICP) which is expected to peak at about 72 hours. Keeping this pressure low in critical to minimizing the effects of his brain injury. While we have had ups and downs (include spikes in ICP, unstable blood pressure, inappropriate response to ADH and collapsed lungs) he has been able to pull through relatively stable.
The plan is to allow Ethan to start waking up on Monday. This will be a very difficult time, and is where we start to see the extent of the damage.
At this point expenses that we may be dealing with include potential cost of the STARS transfer, ambulance rides for Ethan and Riley, and the unknown rehab costs once he continues his recovery. Also there is time off work for Melanie and Jordan.
Having expenses covered so Melanie and Jordan can focus on Ethan's recovery while still maintaining stabilty and quality of life for Ethan's siblings Skyler and Ryley would be a immense relief.
Thank you for all of the support,
The Nielsen Family
Organizer
Jacqueline Bill
Organizer
Calgary, AB