Owen's Recovery Journey
Whew! This is hard...
Owen was injured in a bad motor vehicle accident en route to his fire assignment at the Munson Creek Fire on Chena Hot Springs Road about 40 miles outside of Fairbanks on the evening of July, 3rd. He was cared for on scene by Fire Medics, Steese Fire Department medics, and coworkers. A Division of Forestry(DOF) helicopter was immediately dispatched from Northern Forestry Dispatch Center in Fairbanks. That helicopter transported Owen to FMH ER where he was assessed, treated and stabilized. Interventions along the way included chest decompression, intubation, ventilator, two chest tubes, IV fluids, pain meds, and sedation.
After the medical team at FMH determined that he was stable enough to be medevaced to Providence Hospital in Anchorage, the Life Med team prepared him for travel. I (Terry, mom) flew in the Lear Jet with Owen. Isaac and Laura and Coco drove down the next morning. AFS flew to Fort Yukon to pick up Owen's Dad, Mardow and flew him to Fairbanks and facilitated getting him on a commercial flight to Anchorage. Monday, DOF arranged for a special driver, Rhonda(Dora's Mom) to drive Dora, Owen's very significant other to Anchorage.
Now on July 12th, Owen has made progress, is breathing on his own for 12-14 hours a day, 2 chest tubes have been removed, cuts and scrapes are healing, but his nervous system will take some time. The Doctors kindly tell us that brain and spinal cord injuries take time and the first 6 months is when the most progress is made, but it can take as long as 2 years. After he graduates from the Intensive Care Unit (by breathing on his own 24 hours a day and being alert enough to protect his own airway) then we will look at an appropriate traumatic brain injury rehabilitation program.
Through all of this, no matter how long it takes, we know it is important for at least one of us to be his advocate, at his side, at all times. Many of you have asked how you can help....in addition to all the assistance that we have already gratefully received from Division of Forestry, Wildland Firefighter Foundation, friends, relatives and neighbors.
Donating to this GoFundMe for Owen's Healing Journey, will assist us with funds to provide for travel, lodging and meals for his immediate family to participate in and assist Owen during his most difficult trials ahead. It will also help pay the bills when Owen is not working and we are by his side.