Tommy is coming home today, Monday, January 3, after one month in the hospital.  On December 23, he fell off a ladder and broke his leg very badly. He was transported to the Fredericksburg hospital in Blanco’s new ambulance.  I rode up front and learned all about the wonderful new vehicle. Wow, is it ever nice.

Tommy had surgery on his leg on Christmas Eve. Then, Christmas Day, it all started downhill.  Fredericksburg’s Hill Country Memorial Hospital was great; however, with Tommy being a heart patient (but doing pretty good at time, we thought), he started with heart problems, lungs, kidneys, etc. and, after consultation with doctors on Christmas evening, he was airlifted by Air Evac to Seton Medical Center in Austin. He was admitted to the critical care unit where all the doctors needed are right there, and the tests and care needed are immediately available, and they started working to save his life.

Within a few hours he had six different doctors and excellent care.  He hardly has any memory of this first week.  After 4-5 days in the critical care unit, he was moved to the heart floor where he started a slow recovery.

On New Year’s Eve, the nurse gave Tommy and me a little glass of sparkling grape juice and we toasted the new year.  He finally knew us again and we started a new year on to recovery.  On January 6, he was moved to rehab to learn how to deal with his injury and continue the slow recovery.

A little over two weeks later in therapy, after many great doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and more over this past month, he is going home to the next phase of home health, with therapy at home, and back with his own doctors.

Our own Blanco Texas HealthCare Solutions, Inc. and Blanco Physical Therapy will begin working with him. He is coming home to a newly built ramp and all things made accessible by Carl and our family and friends.  Debbie and I will be going to get him this morning and Karen will be at the house when we arrive home.

We know it will be a long road to recovery but with everyone’s help, it will go faster than he thinks. He is just so excited to be coming home. One of the highlights in rehab was on Saturday, when he got to meet Earl Campbell. He has been a favorite of ours since he was on the old Oilers football team, where he was such a pleasure to watch. Then, we later lived in Tyler and, of course, Campbell is known as The Tyler Rose.  He lives in Austin and ended up down the hall from Tommy.  He wanted one of Tommy’s cards, gave him his, and said he comes to the area sometimes.  He is really nice guy and always has been. 

By the way, be sure and support our Blanco EMS and Blanco Chamber by attending the Harlem Ambassadors game on Thursday night, January 26, right in our own Blanco High School gym.  It is quite an accomplishment to get this group to come to Blanco.  It will be quite an experience just to watch our Blanco team, which includes some EMS, Chamber, Blanco Therapy and other community members, playing against the Harlem Ambassadors. You will be in for a really fun evening and it will help out our community.

Tommy and I will be supporting from our home but will be there in spirit.  EMS needs this support to keep taking care of our community. You never know when you will need them.  Just ask Tommy. I have been saying we started with a Christmas tragedy which became a New Year’s miracle.  Now the miracle continues as he fights the everyday obstacles.  We are all very optimistic and know he will be back to the Tommy we all love.  Just keep up the support in all ways to help him get over these obstacles. –Pat, Tommy, Debbie & Carl, Karen & Jerry, Michael, Holly & Matthew, & all our family, extended family & friends.