Lone Star couple's son in accident

[Roush #1]

Just to bring our Lone Star family up to date, Lynn Perritt's 19 year old son Connor was in a single vehicle rollover accident Saturday and was ejected from the pick up truck. He was airlifted to the hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas and is currently in a medication induced coma with head and neck injuries and pneumonia.

Connor is Wendel's step son and has accompanied Lynn and Wendel to Texas Cobra Club events when they were held in Round Rock.

Lynn and Wendel are posting updates on Connor's condition on Facebook.

Here is the latest from Lynn Fields Perritt at about noon today:
"Update on Connor, still no change. Repeated chest x-ray this morning, worried pneumonia is worse but won't know results for a little while. No change in neuro status, going to repeat CT scan today. Doctor just keeps saying to be prepared for a long road ahead. Keep praying please."

My response to her request.....Done!

[Bad460]

Jody,
Thanks for the up-date. Our prayers are with them.
There seems to be too many bad things happing in the Lone Star family.

Jackie & Paula

[Skuzzy]

Sorry to hear that Jody. Tell them we added a couple more to the prayer list.

Jackie, it is all relative. A few years ago, I lost a 25 year old nephew to a head on collision by a drunk driver. No matter how bad things are, they can always get worse. My other nephew and niece survived the crash. I am thankful for that.

Never happy to see anyone get hurt, but I am always grateful when they pull through it. I know you are too.

By the way, did I mention I have a Lone Star kit now? Sorry, but I cannot say it enough.

[Roush #1]

Congrats on the kit Skuz. Please keep us updated on your progress!
J

[Skuzzy]

Congrats on the kit Skuz. Please keep us updated on your progress!
J

Thanks Jody. It will be slow going, at first. The kit is in storage until the new house is finished. Right now we are in an apartment until that is done. All I can do is go by the storage place and gaze at it and sit in the body (where a seat will be), making vroom-vroom noises while pretending to be driving it around Lemans.

[Copperhead]

Thanks for the update post Jody. I hate to hear about the accident. Today's technology is an incredible thing.
With prayers, expertise, and 'will' on his part, he will be back on his feet sooner than later.

[Bad460]

Skuz,
I know the feeling about losing a family member. I also lost a nephew back in the early 80's to a dumb ass drunk driver. He was only 21 years old.

Glad to hear that you finally got your dream car. Have fun building it and keep us updated on how you are coming along on it. But, what ever you do, DO NOT put a HEATER in it!!!!!!!!!!! Get a good heated seat kit to intstall in your seats. DO NOT RUN HEATER HOSES INSIDE YOUR CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Copperhead, Paula is doing alot better now. She is getting up and walking pretty good. The doctors gave her a real good report. Still got some healing to do around one of her ankles, but every day is better.

Jody, please keep us up dated on Lynn's son.

Everbody take care, and be careful out there.

Jackie & Paula

[Brian]

All of us here at LSC will keep Connor & family in our prayers.

Brian
LSC

[Roush #1]

Update today from Wendell....

[Roush #1]

From Lynn about 6 PM Wednesday:

Lynn Fields Perritt
Just left Connors room, still has the vent but has started taking breaths on his own! Had a few facial movements while I was in there which he has not had. It's only baby steps but I'll take anything at this point. Nurse tried to get him to follow some commands but he didn't at this point. We also had all his reports and records reviewed by a neurosurgeon in Shreveport for a second opinion to make sure he agreed with his treatment so far, and he agreed. So I feel a little better. Was considering having him moved to LSU if he was stable enough but the neurosurgeon agrees with the treatment here. Just a relief to know we are doing the right things.

[Roush #1]

From Lynn about 8:45 PM Wednesday:

Lynn Fields Perritt
In with Connor for the 8:30 visit. Back on the vent, he had spontaneous breathing for about 2 1/2 hours but it wore him out. Oxygen levels were dropping some so hes back on vent till around 6 am and they will try again and hopefully he can work a little longer on his own. The goal is to keep increasing the amount of time off the machine till its all him, all the time, then remove the tubes and start waking him up.

[Skuzzy]

Always great to hear good news.

[Roush #1]

From Lynn today about 7 PM:

Lynn Fields Perritt
Just talked to the Neurosurgeon, says he may have some brain stem injury that we can't see on CT due to the bony structures around the brain stem, but is cautiously optimistic that he will make a full recovery. May have some deficits. If he is not breathing without the vent by middle of next week will discuss a trach and peg tube placement. We are going to start stimulating him with his favorite music playing in his room, familiar smells and such. Lots of talking and touching as long as he tolerates it.

[Roush #1]

From Lynn about noon on Friday, 5/11:

Lynn Fields Perritt
Update on Connor, chest x-ray looks a little worse this morning. Have done another bronchoscope and lung washing. The nurse said he followed a couple of commands this morning. After the sedation wears off they are going to try to go off the vent for a while.

[Roush #1]

from Lynn early Saturday morning 5/12:

Walked Connors room for the 4 am visit and his eyes are wide open!! He is opening them frequently on his own without stimulation. Still does not seem be focusing on much, but that will come. Nods his head yes or no to questions. Now just praying he can spend more time off the vent today. What a wonderful mothers day it would be if he were awake, aware and off the vent!! Praise God for the life of my child and the progress he has made so far!! I'm one tired momma, but my faith is keeping strong.



Lynn Fields Perritt
Nurses called the waiting room at 6 am to have me come sit with him. Turned off the vent so he's breathing on his own since 6. Rouses periodically and starts to panic but if I talk softly and talk him thru it he calms back down. So far so good!Lynn Fields Perritt

[Roush #1]

From brother Chris early Sunday morning 5/12:

Christopher Nichols
Update on Connor! I went in this morning at 4:00 and he was still breathing on his own, so that makes 23 hrs. If I was looking right, temp has gone down to 100.5. He is gagging alot this morning, I think he's ready for those hoses to be out of his throat. I'm sure happy to see my little brother doing so good. Still opening eyes to check everything out! Thank you Lord, for everything you have given us!! — with Jay Jennings and 19 others.

[Roush #1]

Update from Lynn late Sunday evening 5/13:

Lynn Fields Perritt
Tonight's update, Connor was quite alert this evening, even got something that looked like a smile out of him, seemed to be a little animated, even though he's just talking with his eyes. Winked at me and again at his aunt. They may try to remove his breathing tube in the morning. Praying he can maintain his airway and not have to be trached.

[Roush #1]

From Lynn about noon on Monday 5/14:

Lynn Fields Perritt
Today's update, Connor is completely off the vent and breathing tubes are gone. He is breathing fine. They will do a swallow test later today, if he can swallow and maintain his airway( not aspirate liquid into his lungs), he will not have to have any more tubes placed. Being kind of lazy this morning and not wanting to stay awake, but he did that yesterday and perked up in the afternoon.

[Roush #1]

Update from Lynn this afternoon 5/14:

Lynn Fields Perritt
Not so much luck with the swallow test today. He can swallow just not able to follow directions. She put applesauce in his mouth and he just didn't know what to do with it. Will try again in the morning.

[Skuzzy]

Jody, just wanted to say "thanks" for these updates.

[Roush #1]

Update from Lynn earlier this evening:

Lynn Fields Perritt
Update on Connor, not much to tell this morning, he wouldn't wake up no matter what we tried. So frustrating!! But his wake up this afternoon, after MUCH encouragement. He smiled several times, raised his arms to the music, and told us to shhhh. Tried to mouth some words but just couldn't make it happen. I know he's sick of hearing my voice, and me constantly asking him to look at me, open his eyes or move something. They will put in a nasogastric feeding tube tonight and see if we can get calories in him that way instead of surgically placing a peg tube in his stomach. If we can just keep him from pulling out the NG tube we will be in good shape.

[Roush #1]

Connor 4.jpg (22.61 KiB) Viewed 2903 times

From Lynn early this afternoon 5/16:

Lynn Fields Perritt
Well, Wendell insisted I come home for a few days. Didn't like leaving but I know Wendell will take good care of Connor. Eleven days of sleeping in the ICU waiting room takes its toll. Wendell will take over the updates for now.

Late this afternoon from Wendell:

[Roush #1]

Updates from me on Connor will slow down a bit starting tomorrow due to the lack of computer/internet availability while Nancy and I are visiting our son (Michael) and grandsons (Connor and Cameron) in Alberta, Canada.
I will post when I can.
Let's keep Connor and the family in our thoughts and prayers. They still have a way to go to get Connor on his feet and functioning again.
J

[Wendell / Lynn]

Well because of a sorry no good Ins. Co.we brought Connor home for the weekend. We go today to inspect a place in Benton, AR & if we feel he will be safe & get the correct rehab for him we will enroll for the 30 day program, with or without the squirrelly insurance co., even after contacting a lawyer, State Rep., & a Senator they are still looking for ways out & letting a 19 year old lay up rather than get the treatment that is suppose to be soooo important ASAP after a severe head trauma. I started a video log the first day of refusal from a lighting brain so called Dr. that must not have a son or The Stuff needed to ever have his own!
Anyway as a update he is making progress & I even took him to meet a friend at the gym ( after putting the girls in the viper with a go have some Girl Time) for a selective work out, that part is good it's the bits & pieces of memory with motor skills & vision that he needs rather than just physical , Cognitive I think is high priority.
Med Ins gets a O, now State Farm came thru with flying colors, never dreamed I would be told NADA is not fair, let me check EBay & other sites & then paid us Extremely Fair taking into consideration all custom parts!
Wendell / Lynn