Date of Accident: April 18, 1999
Place: Wisconsin Rapids Moto Cross Track
Factors: Mike crashed while racing, suffering a life threatening head injury, and was air lifted to St Joseph Hospital in Marshfield. Mike had emergency brain surgery leaving him in a coma. One week later a second brain surgery was performed due to further bleeding. His brain had pulled away from his scull, ripping apart blood vessels supporting his brain. Due to the CAT scan results following the second surgery, the doctor said, "It is no longer a good brain, even after the swelling goes down, it is just too late."
We prayed, and asked everyone we knew to pray, locally and all over the country. People were praying that hadn't prayed in years. Slowly he began responding. He was in the Critical Care Unit for two weeks, then to the Head Injury Floor, where the doctor stated, "In four or five weeks we may possible try him in rehab.
Two weeks later he was allowed to be transferred to the St Vincent Rehab Center. There it all began. He had lost 25 pounds, had a trach, a feeding tube, Foley catheter, could not sit, stand, or turn independently. He was discharged from rehab in one month. He learned to walk, talk, eat, think, reason, gained back his weight. Mike says, "Mom had to raise me twice!
He then attended N.E.W. Curative Rehab for outpatient therapy for three months. During that time he returned to Marshfield for surgery to have the bone flap reinserted into his scull. It was left out due to swelling of the brain. Until that time he wore a plastic helmet for protection. The doctors were surprised and pleased. They said, "It is nothing short of miraculous that you are doing what you are doing." Mike shook the surgeon's hand and said, "Thank you doctor, for saving my life."
September 1999, Mike returned to work at Town & Country Electric Co.
June 2005, Mike completed his 5 year Electrical Apprenticeship. Due to an initial right sides stroke, he has some left hand dexterity weakness, however has devised tools to compensate for this. Mike also has slight short term memory and location direction problems, but his great problem solving skills also compensate for this.
Yeah Mike! What a joy you are!