Help Peter Recover

Meet Peter Greenman.

 

Many of you may know Peter personally, or have seen his face at AA meetings around the Twin Cities, behind the steering wheel of a racecar in Elko, or delivering your mail in New Prague. Maybe you remember his face from his directing days at ShopHQ or bopping around his hometown of Austin, MN. Regardless, if you’ve found yourself on this page, you are familiar with Peter or someone who loves him!

 

As you may already know, Peter was recently involved in a motorcycle accident while on a biking trip with fellow members of AA. On Friday, December 10th, while on his way back to the United States from Mazatlán, Mexico, Peter lost control of his bike and was forced to lay it down. The result was 11 fractured ribs, both lungs punctured, complex fractures of his right scapula and left humerus, multiple torn ligaments, and a sub arachnoid hemorrhage. Emergency surgery was performed to place right and left chest tubes for management of the punctured lungs. It took approximately 10 days to straighten out the logistics and legalities of surgery and then on Sunday, December 19th, Peter underwent an 8-hour surgery to place multiple plates and screws in both shoulders, as well as a plate between the ribs and lungs. Peter spent the next 24 hours in ICU, but emerged in good spirits. On Thursday, December 23rd, Peter was able to be medically evacuated home to Minneapolis, MN and transferred to North Memorial for further care.

 

Now that Peter is back in MN, he has a lengthy road of recovery ahead. His body is quite weak from being confined to a bed for many weeks, as well as his inability to use his upper extremities for the time being. He is on constant oxygen while his lungs continue to heal and will have to continue to be monitored closely. Upon arriving in MN, he was admitted to the hospital and thus begins the process of intake, followed by decisions regarding moving to either a TCU facility (transitional care) or Acute Rehab within the hospital – all of this made more complicated by the current global pandemic, and a lack of resources and beds available to any non-Covid related needs. The goal will be for Peter to regain enough strength to care for himself and eventually discharge home. Upon returning to his home, he will still have a considerable amount of out-patient rehab to continue, and will be unable to return to work for some time.

 

Peter has insurance to cover his medical needs, and while that is wonderful, he will not be able to work for a period of time, or collect short-term or long-term disability due to the temporary status of his USPS job. This is where I am going to ask all of you who know and love him to step in! There will be a need for support in many ways over the course of the next several months. This can come in different forms – rides, meals, house cleaning, laundry, friendly company, financial funds, verbal affirmation, etc. If you feel that you can fulfill a need, I implore you to explore that opportunity and do what you feel moved to offer.

 

Thank you all for being invested in Peter’s recovery, and reaching out with love and support. The community that surrounds Peter is an incredible one, and he has found himself to be a very blessed man.

None of this all would’ve been possible without God moving mountains on Peter’s behalf. Peter’s brother, Andy, and his girlfriend, Mallory were able to drive down to Saltillo and be present for the surgery and several days surrounding. His brother, Jacob, was able to offer financial support to allow for surgical intervention, prior to being able to bill insurance. His parents, Steve and Cheryl, collaborated with many medical professionals to advocate for his care, as well as arrange for the MedEvac transportation. Family and friends, alike, have been praying and sending warm wishes on Peter’s behalf, keeping his spirits high. There has been competent and compassionate staff surrounding him at Christus Muguerza in Saltillo, Mexico for the last two weeks, as well. The nurses, doctors, billing office, translators, insurance companies, and hospital staff here in MN have been helpful, patient, and understanding as we’ve all navigated an unprecedented situation. It has truly been a beautiful lesson in patience and grace for all of us involved.