On February 16, 2009 Ann Marie and Bob Lawton were involved in a roll over accident on I-15 near Pocatello, Idaho. They were traveling to attend the funeral of Ann Marie's first cousin Lynn Loosli. Ann Marie was driving and it is unclear what caused the accident. They were taken to the Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello. Bob sustained some lacerations around his right eye, right side of this head, and both hands which required stitches. He also sustained multiple bruises. He dislocated his right shoulder. The physicians were able to relocate his shoulder without surgery. He will likely be discharge on the 18th.

Ann Marie's injuries were more serious. She was evidently unconscious at the scene. She was intubated (breathing tube was placed) and was taken to Portneuf Medical Center. A head CT showed that she had a subdural hematoma which is bleeding between the skull and brain. Because there is no neurosurgical coverage in Pocatello, Ann Marie was flown by helicopter to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls. This subdural hematoma seems to be stable and she did not require surgical intervention to drain it.

She was found to have multiple other injuries, which include the following:

• She has a stable fracture of her second cervical vertebra (neck) which does not appear to have affected her spinal cord. For this injury she is wearing a neck collar.
• She had multiple fractures to her left arm. Her left ulna (forearm) was fractured twice and the left radius (the other forearm bone) was fractured several time. These two injuries were repaired with metal plates and screws on the 16th. The orthopedic surgeon left the incision partly open so that she would not get a compartment syndrome which can occur with excessive swelling.
• She sustained an open fracture to her left humerus which is the bone between the elbow and shoulder. An open fracture means that the broken bone opened the skin. Because the forearm surgery took a long time and she was somewhat unstable, the orthopedic surgeon stabilized this fracture externally (metal rods on the outside of her arm). He plans to repair this fracture on the 20th in the operating room. During this surgery the other orthopedic surgeon will close the incision he left open during her forearm surgery.
• She has a stable pelvic fracture (where the sacrum or lower back joins the hip bones) which should heal without surgical intervention.
• She broke several ribs. This caused her to bleed into the space between her left lung and chest wall (hemothorax). This bleeding caused her left lung to collapse. This problem is being treated with a chest tube which is evacuating the blood thus allowing the lung to re-expand. This tube is placed between her ribs into this space. In addition she has a pulmonary contusion which is a significant bruise to the left lung.
• She has several other minor injuries including bruising and lacerations (cuts).

During resuscitation, she receive 7 units of red blood cells and 4 units of plasma. The plasma contains proteins which are important for clotting. To provide these blood products and to receive the medications she requires, a central line was placed. Due to her injuries, she had consumed much of her own clotting factors.

She is heavily sedated for pain. As such she cannot communicate with us but can probably hear us when we speak to her.

She will be on a ventilator (breathing machine) for some time.

She is currently in stable but critical condition.

We appreciate every one's thoughts and prayers. Her cousins Carol Jensen, Stuart Loosli (and his wife) and Curtus Loosli (and his wife) have all visited. Curtis and Marina have graciously opened their home to us while Ann Marie remains in Idaho Falls. Carol has also kindly offered us a place to stay.

We will update her condition on this blog as we get new information.

From Ben and Shawn Godfrey