Help Hailey Evans with TBI Recovery

As many as you know, Hailey was involved in a very severe car accident on Friday, June 25th, 2021. The accident involved a large pickup truck and trailer. Hailey was unconscious at the scene of the accident and was rushed to St. Mary’s Emergency Department by Ambulance. We learned that Hailey had a (TBI) traumatic brain injury as a result of the accident. Several areas in her brain were bleeding causing her brain to swell resulting in her being in a coma for almost a day. While in the ICU we made the decision to have a ICP monitor placed in her skull to measure the swelling to prevent any unexpected issues. The doctors explained the risk of the procedure however the risk of not using this medical device could have been life threatening. Hailey was highly sedated during this time to ensure if she were to come out of her coma, she would remain safe.

Saturday morning with her parents by her side, the doctors slowly weened Hailey off her sedation medication and she slowly began to wake up. This was a scary and confusing process for her due to having a breathing tube and not being aware of what happened. The doctors would not remove the tube until she would open her eyes on her own. After a few hours we were able to get her to open her eyes! This was a heartwarming moment for us to say the least. A short time later the doctors were able to remove her breathing tube as she was able to breath unassisted and on her own. Almost immediately, Hailey tried to communicate with us. When asked if she knew who Amanda was, she said “Mom, I’ve been waiting for you!” Our hearts exploded at that moment knowing that she knew who her mom was, and she was able to tell her Dad the same thing. Once she was able to speak to us, the doctors began to assess her. We discovered that she had severe damage to her lower teeth and chemical burns on her foot. This was minimal compared to her brain injury.

On Sunday June 27th, 2021 (Hailey’s 19th Birthday) she was moved out of the Neurology ICU to the General Care floor of Neurology. She was still closely monitored and continuously assessed 24 hours a day. On Thursday July 1st, 2021 it was recommended by her doctors that she take part in a 7 to 10 day inpatient PT/OT program. She was moved to the rehab facility located in the Generous Building on the Saint Mary’s campus. These doctors and their teams will do their best to retrain Hailey’s mind and body to have some normal functionality. Her length of stay will depend on how she progresses each day. Once she completes this program, she will be able to come home to be with her family where her recovery will continue. She will continue outpatient PT/OT treatment 3 to 4 days a week for an unknown amount of time until she is deemed healthy again. Hailey has medical insurance but as a young college student her funds a limited and she will face an uphill battle during this recovery.

Prior to Hailey’s accident she moved home for summer break from college and was working full-time as a waitress at the Eagle’s Club of Rochester, MN. She attended 2 years of post-secondary at RCTC prior to graduating in 2020 from Century High School in Rochester, MN. She attended Inver Hills Community College (online due to Covid-19) Fall and Spring Semester of 2020/2021. She had planned to continue her education prior to the accident.

All donations will go to Hailey’s medical expenses and recovery. If you would like to help in other ways, please send a message so we can provide an email or mailing address. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated and will go a long way in assisting in Hailey’s recovery. Thank you to all of you that have shown your support for Hailey and for those that came to visit her in the hospital, you are all appreciated more than you will ever know!

With love and gratitude – Hailey’s Family