Brayden Truman’s Medical Emergency

On October 3 we received a call that no parent wants to get.  “Are you Brayden’s mother, he has been in an accident.”  We were told that he was being taken by ambulance as a trauma yellow and that he may have lost his right hand.  When we arrived at the trauma center he amputated one finger completely and another one was almost completely amputated.  He damaged a lot of nerves and muscles in over 1/2 of his hand.  He had lost a lot of blood and was in excruciating pain.  The Orthopedic doctor arrived and stated that he did not have the skill set to operate and if there was any chance In saving any part of his hand we needed to go to an academic medical center.  2 hours later he arrived by ambulance to Orlando Health where he endured a three hour surgery.  The doctor reattached both fingers and tried to repair other damage however one finger, if “lived” would be non-functioning and the other 90% of nerves, tendons and ligaments would not fully heal and would have no feeling.  Later he will need an artificial joint if he wants to have any movement.  The doctor states that the full recovery will be 9 months and will need extensive wound care and occupational therapy several times/week.  

Upon calling the insurance company our plan does not cover “out of network” care and this entire recovery period will all be out of network. This money will be used to help pay for medical expenses such as occupational therapy, traveling back and forth to Orlando (3 hours round trip) a few times/week, supplement for not being able to work and planning for his second surgery to have an artificial joint placed.  Brayden is also not able to work or drive at this time.  .  

At the time of the accident Brayden was in the testing process to enter the Police Academy.  His dream of becoming a Police Officer since he was a child may now be just a memory.  Now
he will need to worry about what his next career choice will be plus years of medical expenses.