Support Rachel Rak's Road to Recovery

2/2/25 Update: (Becca)

A few Rachel updates! Medical professional friends, don’t come at me for my very very basic understanding of all of this.

I’m a person who needs context, so I thought this may help:

If you’re stable with a Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI) but in a coma like Rachel, one of the ways they measure how deep you’re in the coma is with the Glasgow Coma Score (GCS).

The highest possible GCS score is 15, and the lowest is 3. A score of 15 means you’re fully awake, responsive and have no problems with thinking ability or memory. Between 13-15 would be a mild concussion. 9-12 is a moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI). Generally, having a score of 8 or fewer means a severe TBI and you’re in a coma. The lower the score, the deeper the coma is. A 3 would indicate imminent brain death. Rachel’s GCS is a 6.

Once your GCS reaches 8 or lower, the chances of waking up with DAI plummet to almost 10%. That being said, KC spoke with the ICU nurse (Godsends, honestly) and they do think Rachel will wake up. But it may take weeks or months. At this severity on the scale, she may lose a significant amount of cognitive function. But because of her age, the medical team remains hopeful about the likelihood of her regaining consciousness, but at what capacity is still to be seen. Obviously, the sooner she wakes up, the better.

Rachel can breathe on her own, but they switch her on/off the ventilators to give her body a rest and time to heal, but still using her lungs and other muscles regularly. And because her body isn’t fighting enough already, she also has bacterial pneumonia.

Right now we’re waiting to hear back from Ortho concerning her neck. If her neck is stable enough, they are going to remove the C collar. She goes into surgery tomorrow for the tracheotomy and feeding tube to reduce chances of damaging her vocal cords. Between those things, she should be significantly more comfortable. Still waiting to see what is next for her left arm, and the imminent knee replacement. We think they are still waiting for the swelling to go down.

Rachel will likely be in the ICU for ar least a few weeks longer. We’re evaluating options for the long term, but everything changes so quickly that likely it will be a decision made some time from now.

I want to thank everyone for being so supportive and kind. I know Rachel and I didn’t have the typical sibling relationship, let alone that of twin sisters. Most of the people in my life have never even met her, and yet you all came running when our family needed support. Truly, thank you. It means so much more than you know!

2/1/25 Update:

I am afraid this isn't great news, but there is still hope. Rachel has a severe brain injury called Diffuse Axonal Brain Injury. If you look it up...you can better understand her score of GCS score 6( Glasgow Coma Scale). Hopefully, she will wake up from this. If she does, she will be MOST likely to be very confused and in addition to all her physical issues she will need help cognitively as well. Please continue to pray for her. We will most likely put a tracheotomy in her so that she will breathe more comfortably and have less chance of permanent vocal cord issues. Some very hard days. We need all the support we can get. Thank you to everyone who has donated to her Go Fund Me or has helped in any other way. It is much appreciated and will go to whatever she may need in her recovery. - Glenna (mom)

1/29/25 Update:

Rachel is still currently in the Intensive Care Unit at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene, ID, though she is making progress! As of right now she has had surgeries on her hand and both legs—we’re waiting to hear from Orthopedic surgeons about any other surgeries necessary. So far we are hopeful that she will have use of everything, as she wiggles her toes and fingers on command just a little bit. She has been taken off of the sedatives, but is on some pretty strong pain meds. It’s hard to tell when she will regain consciousness, but the doctors and nurses assure us that she is in there, and can hear all of our messages.

Our immediate concern is if she can protect her airway. Her lungs are working great, so once they’re certain she’ll be able to hold her head up and after the surgeries, she can be taken off the ventilator and start breathing on her own. Her road to recovery will likely be measured in months and years. We’re so incredibly thankful that she is alive, our mom is with her, and that her son Liam was not in the car with her, but with his Dad and their family. Thank you everyone who has shared, donated, sent messages, or even just have Rachel in your thoughts. - Rebecca

My sister, Rachel Rak was in a car accident early this morning. She was life flighted to the hospital and is still currently unconscious. When she wakes up, she will learn that she has a fractured spine, broken left arm, multiple broken ribs and both legs are broken.

Obviously, with these injuries, she will be in the hospital for some time. And then not able to work. She has a son and two cats depending on her. Rachel is currently living in Idaho, with no family to help. My Mom is flying there today to hopefully be there when she wakes up.

Anything will help!