Here it is!!
I apologize for not posting yesterday. After the hour long meeting with Mike's doctors, nurses, therapists, case workers, etc., we all really needed time to let the information and suggestions sink in. Rochelle, baby Gracie, Mother and I were there with Nancy patched in on speaker phone from Charleston. After each person spoke, giving us their professional opinion of Mike's progress since entering Kernan, we were given the opportunity to ask questions. We actually had very few questions because everyone did such a thorough job of explaining their areas of expertise, treatment for Mike so far and their professional "probable" prognosis for his recovery. Yes, there was some unexpected and disappointing news but also news of encouragement and hope.
Because of the way Mike landed when the horse fell, all four parts of his brain were injured, and he is suffering from a "serious severe" brain injury. That is why his left arm and right leg are being affected. The neuro system is rated on a scale of cognitive functioning. It is called the Rancho Los Amigos. It has 8 different functions with number 1, No Response and number 8, Purposeful Appropriate. Mike is at number 4, Confused Agitated. It states heightened state of activity; confusion, disorientation, aggressive behavior, unable to do self-care, unaware of present events, agitation appears related to internal confusion. I really believe he is at number 5 some of the time. Number 5 states Confused, Inappropriate, Non-agitated; Appears alert; responds to commands, distractible, does not concentrate on task; agitated responses to external stimuli; verbally appropriate, does not learn new information. They are asking us to let every one know we need to limit visitors also. Too many cause the agitation. We thank every one for coming but this is what the doctors and nurses want at this time.
As a whole, their professional medical opinion is that Mike is expected to be totally disabled for a minimum of a year. Where he goes to continue the numerous stages of care and recovery he will need after he leaves Kernan cannot be determined as yet because it will be directly related to his degree of recovery at the time. We know that he will continue to need 24/7 care for a very long time.
From Nancy, Mike's sister in Charleston: Rochelle made a remark to me after the meeting that really made me stop and think about this tragedy we are all facing. She said she thanked God that each member of the family had a unique background so that as a family working together we were each using our gifts to help meet the challenges we are all experiencing today. Everyone knows that a tragedy can either drive a family apart or bring it closer together. I know I can speak for all of us when I say we all thank God for the blessings we have right now and for each other.
My mother has not left Mikey's side since the accident. Yes, he is 47 years old, but still her only son, our baby brother, a husband and father. Her presence, according to the doctors yesterday, provides Mikey a much needed calming effect and aids in his recovery process. Her presence also gives Rochelle the peace of mind she needs to continue her responsibilities as a mother of four (3 of which can't really understand what is happening), caretaker of the family home and the opportunity to try to keep some semblance of normalcy for the children.
My sister the nurse: well, need I say anything more. She was placed in a position that made it possible for her to be and stay in Baltimore just one week before the accident and it is her experience and knowledge that keeps Mikey's injuries and recovery in prospective for all of us.
My husband: a business man, has been understanding and supportive, helping me with our household duties, helping me with my job and making contacts within his sphere of business professionals I need for direction and advice regarding Mike's future.
And me: another business person. Who worries about the medical bills, the insurance companies, the family's finances, not only of Mikey's and family, but of Mom's and Cathy's as well. Working with case workers and social workers, contacting and pursuing all avenues and means of support available to Mikey to ensure he continues to receive the best care available.
And so... here goes...this is difficult for me, but I have to state the facts and ask for help. Yesterday's news was difficult to hear from many prospectives. Financially, we now know that there will be at least one year of necessary 24/7 continued medical care for Mike. We know that the best health insurance policy Mike could afford is extremely limited and does not cover "rehabilitation" and that its ICU care maxed before Mikey was even moved to Kernan. We know that Social Security Disability, Medicare or Medicaid (confusing to me) will take many months or possibly a year to resolve. And I have learned, as most of you in the horse racing world probably knew all ready, that unless a trainer is "very well off financially" that among others, the State of Maryland and it's worker's compensation laws, makes it nearly impossible for the average trainer to afford worker's compensation insurance on himself much less for his employees. So, no, Mike didn't have worker's comp on himself. Just the health policy mentioned above. We know that continuing to stay close to Mikey in a hotel (even though that hotel is giving them a wonderful discount) will not be an option for Cathy and Mom for the duration. And it goes without saying what Mikey's family's needs will be.
Thank you all for your tremendous moral support which is helping us meet some of the many challenges we face. Thank you all who have donated your time and expertise in the organization of the raffle. (Please check above for a progress report on that.) And thank you all who have been able to donate funds by purchasing a raffle ticket or making a donation to the Mike Rea Recovery Relief Fund. Thank you Kim Young, who has offered to donate two World Class quarter horses for an auction for Mike, and to Sara Renzulli who has offered an original oil painting to auction. I'm pursuing these gracious offers and trying to learn how to make these happen. I ask, with humble honesty and respect for everyone, of all who know and love Mikey and those that have come to know of him, for any assistance in helping us help him. I'm not just asking for monetary assistance, but for your prayers to continue and to share any thoughts, resources or tips to aid us in this long recovery process.
Back to Cathy.
I haven't even posted this yet but I've just learned that three young girls, Jane Motion, cousin Mary Motion and Quinn Anderson, daughter of Fairhill's veterinarian, have set up a lemonade stand at Fairhill today selling Snapple Lemonade, ice tea and water for Mike Rea's Recovery Relief Fund! I also wanted to let you know how touching it was to see what I saw yesterday when Paul visited Mike.
They grabbed each others hands and Paul prayed for Mike. At the end of Paul's prayer, Mike said clear as day, "Oh Lord help me heal my body and thank you Lord for all you have done." Paul and I just looked at each other with tears of joy running down our cheeks. The power of prayer never ceases to amaze me. We heard on the news last evening that Barbaro was doing better. We all continue to pray for him. As for today, Mike has done excellent and has talked to his whole family on the phone. He was so over come with emotion when I showed him a copy of the Flyer and the Poster of the Mustang raffle. Good night for now. Will have more news tomorrow.
Because of the way Mike landed when the horse fell, all four parts of his brain were injured, and he is suffering from a "serious severe" brain injury. That is why his left arm and right leg are being affected. The neuro system is rated on a scale of cognitive functioning. It is called the Rancho Los Amigos. It has 8 different functions with number 1, No Response and number 8, Purposeful Appropriate. Mike is at number 4, Confused Agitated. It states heightened state of activity; confusion, disorientation, aggressive behavior, unable to do self-care, unaware of present events, agitation appears related to internal confusion. I really believe he is at number 5 some of the time. Number 5 states Confused, Inappropriate, Non-agitated; Appears alert; responds to commands, distractible, does not concentrate on task; agitated responses to external stimuli; verbally appropriate, does not learn new information. They are asking us to let every one know we need to limit visitors also. Too many cause the agitation. We thank every one for coming but this is what the doctors and nurses want at this time.
As a whole, their professional medical opinion is that Mike is expected to be totally disabled for a minimum of a year. Where he goes to continue the numerous stages of care and recovery he will need after he leaves Kernan cannot be determined as yet because it will be directly related to his degree of recovery at the time. We know that he will continue to need 24/7 care for a very long time.
From Nancy, Mike's sister in Charleston: Rochelle made a remark to me after the meeting that really made me stop and think about this tragedy we are all facing. She said she thanked God that each member of the family had a unique background so that as a family working together we were each using our gifts to help meet the challenges we are all experiencing today. Everyone knows that a tragedy can either drive a family apart or bring it closer together. I know I can speak for all of us when I say we all thank God for the blessings we have right now and for each other.
My mother has not left Mikey's side since the accident. Yes, he is 47 years old, but still her only son, our baby brother, a husband and father. Her presence, according to the doctors yesterday, provides Mikey a much needed calming effect and aids in his recovery process. Her presence also gives Rochelle the peace of mind she needs to continue her responsibilities as a mother of four (3 of which can't really understand what is happening), caretaker of the family home and the opportunity to try to keep some semblance of normalcy for the children.
My sister the nurse: well, need I say anything more. She was placed in a position that made it possible for her to be and stay in Baltimore just one week before the accident and it is her experience and knowledge that keeps Mikey's injuries and recovery in prospective for all of us.
My husband: a business man, has been understanding and supportive, helping me with our household duties, helping me with my job and making contacts within his sphere of business professionals I need for direction and advice regarding Mike's future.
And me: another business person. Who worries about the medical bills, the insurance companies, the family's finances, not only of Mikey's and family, but of Mom's and Cathy's as well. Working with case workers and social workers, contacting and pursuing all avenues and means of support available to Mikey to ensure he continues to receive the best care available.
And so... here goes...this is difficult for me, but I have to state the facts and ask for help. Yesterday's news was difficult to hear from many prospectives. Financially, we now know that there will be at least one year of necessary 24/7 continued medical care for Mike. We know that the best health insurance policy Mike could afford is extremely limited and does not cover "rehabilitation" and that its ICU care maxed before Mikey was even moved to Kernan. We know that Social Security Disability, Medicare or Medicaid (confusing to me) will take many months or possibly a year to resolve. And I have learned, as most of you in the horse racing world probably knew all ready, that unless a trainer is "very well off financially" that among others, the State of Maryland and it's worker's compensation laws, makes it nearly impossible for the average trainer to afford worker's compensation insurance on himself much less for his employees. So, no, Mike didn't have worker's comp on himself. Just the health policy mentioned above. We know that continuing to stay close to Mikey in a hotel (even though that hotel is giving them a wonderful discount) will not be an option for Cathy and Mom for the duration. And it goes without saying what Mikey's family's needs will be.
Thank you all for your tremendous moral support which is helping us meet some of the many challenges we face. Thank you all who have donated your time and expertise in the organization of the raffle. (Please check above for a progress report on that.) And thank you all who have been able to donate funds by purchasing a raffle ticket or making a donation to the Mike Rea Recovery Relief Fund. Thank you Kim Young, who has offered to donate two World Class quarter horses for an auction for Mike, and to Sara Renzulli who has offered an original oil painting to auction. I'm pursuing these gracious offers and trying to learn how to make these happen. I ask, with humble honesty and respect for everyone, of all who know and love Mikey and those that have come to know of him, for any assistance in helping us help him. I'm not just asking for monetary assistance, but for your prayers to continue and to share any thoughts, resources or tips to aid us in this long recovery process.
Back to Cathy.
I haven't even posted this yet but I've just learned that three young girls, Jane Motion, cousin Mary Motion and Quinn Anderson, daughter of Fairhill's veterinarian, have set up a lemonade stand at Fairhill today selling Snapple Lemonade, ice tea and water for Mike Rea's Recovery Relief Fund! I also wanted to let you know how touching it was to see what I saw yesterday when Paul visited Mike.
They grabbed each others hands and Paul prayed for Mike. At the end of Paul's prayer, Mike said clear as day, "Oh Lord help me heal my body and thank you Lord for all you have done." Paul and I just looked at each other with tears of joy running down our cheeks. The power of prayer never ceases to amaze me. We heard on the news last evening that Barbaro was doing better. We all continue to pray for him. As for today, Mike has done excellent and has talked to his whole family on the phone. He was so over come with emotion when I showed him a copy of the Flyer and the Poster of the Mustang raffle. Good night for now. Will have more news tomorrow.
posted by Mike's Family | 9:45 PM
1 Comments:
DO NOT GIVE UP ON MIKE. MY HUSBAND HAD THE SAME THING .ICU,REHAB AND 6MONTHS THERAPY. HE CAN'T EVER GET ON ANOTHER HORSE BUT HE GOES TO THE TRACK ALL THE TIME. HE HAS BAD DAYS HAS A SHORT FUSE WHEN HE GETS MAD.FORGETS . VERY EASY DON'T KNOW WHAT DAY IT IS.NO CONCEPT OF TIME BUT HE IS ALIVE THANK GOD.
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