#teamEllersick

I never imagined having to do this. But then again, I never imagined our lives would forever be changed on November 3rd, 2018 (which also was my 41st birthday). We were driving as a family to our 5 year-old daughter's ballet class. A young female (not intoxicated), decided to run a red light and t-boned our car.  My husband Chris, was taken to one hospital, having suffered a traumatic brain injury, both lungs collapsed, and the left side of his rib cage was destroyed. Our daughter Kate, and I went to another hospital. It was ultimately discovered that I had a lacerated spleen, broken sacrum, and severe bruising from the seat belt. Not to undermine our injuries, but the injuries our daughter sustained were the most traumatic and long term. She suffered a spinal cord injury at T4 and T5, leaving her a paraplegic. She has no feeling from her breast bone down. Luckily, she has full use of her arms and no other major complications. She did break her left femur, which required surgery. The neurologist decided to put her in a halo to allow her as spine time to heal.  This meant a large, metal contraption would be screwed in to her skull for at least 3 months.  I spent 4 days in the ICU, needed 4 units of blood and had an embolization procedure to stop the spleen bleed.  Chris was in the ICU for 27 days. He was on a ventilator for the majority of that time, only improving after having a tracheotomy. While in ICU, he had surgery to repair his ribs. He now has 7 (!!!!) plates on his left rib cage. The surgery allowed his lungs the space they needed to recover. Following the ICU, Chris spent three weeks at in-patient rehab, learning to speak, walk, and be independent.   Kate spent two weeks in the ICU, two weeks at in-patient rehab, followed by 3 weeks at a transition hospital where I was trained on her needs and care. She is now confined to a wheelchair, having yet to regain any feeling below her chest. At that time, her rehab was limited due to the halo.  Since returning home from the hospitals, we have managed to get by. Chris's employer has been so gracious and kind. Our families and friends have helped so much. We thought we could make it thru this mess on our own. However, over the last couple of months the medical bills have been adding up. They are now to the point of being overwhelming. We didn't want to be the family that needed help, but we are. I know some people may think its too late for us to be asking for help.  We are aware that might be the case, but how can you ever predict when you may need help? So I am posting this now out of pure necessity, while swallowing my pride. Any help is more appreciated than you will ever know. Thank you so very much, Laura Ellersick