Paula Gruenberg by Central Warriors

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03-JUN-2007

Paula Gruenberg

Last week, Paula Gruenberg McGlamery (CHS '62) was struck by an automobile while she was walking in her Macon, GA, neighborhood. Below is an update on her condition.

This accident happened Wed. A.M. Nov. 28th, about 8:15 A.M. as Paula was walking about 4 blocks from her home. The lady that hit her was driving a Ford Expedition and was blinded by the sunlight and never saw Paula. She hit her from the left side from behind and then somehow rolled over her Right foot. I don't know if there were witnesses. Paula was alert enough to tell the E.R. workers that Wiley was her husband and to call him, which they did. That day she was in surgery 9-10 hours and they had to stop as Paula was losing too much blood.

Paula and Jane Nash at 2007 reunion

Date: Saturday, 1 Dec 2007

Paula had a good night last night (Fri) with no new bleeding. Elise, Paula's
daughter is a little concerned about the swelling Paula has but considering the
huge amounts of blood products and fluids she has, that is to be expected at
this point. Her blood pressure is normal now. The neurologist has checked off on
her which is good. There is no significant neuro damage (i.e. brain, head).
Paula will have right foot and leg surgery tomorrow to clean out the wound.
Elise will let me know how it goes and I will let you know. Thankfully Greer
Richardson, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot problems is going to be a
consultant. What a blessing!

If you want to send a card to Paula send it % Elise Peed, 580 Rogers Drive,
Macon, Georgia 31204. Of course Paula is still heavily sedated and on a
ventilator and can't respond much but Elise will save the cards and good wishes
for when She can respond. I know Paula will appreciate all the thoughts and
prayers we can give her. From what Elise says it does look like she is coming
out of the very worst part, but has a long way to go.

Pray for Elise and her family; her husband Matt, and children Anna Kate 7 y.o.,
Helen 5 y.o. and Thomas 18 months I believe. Elise is doing such a wonderful job
with all of this. I know Paula would be so proud of her.

I'll keep you informed,

Mimi Moss Boyd CHS 62

Date: Monday, 3 Dec 2007

I received an email from Elise and she said Paula's surgery went well. The
purpose was to do a cleaning out and assess damage. Elise said the family would
like for Paula to be in on the decision concerning her leg but that is not very
likely at this point as Paula is still on the ventilator and has quite a bit of
swelling and not likely to be very coherent now.The doctors found that part of
the tibia (large bone in the right leg below the knee) is dead. The right foot
has multiple breaks and missing bones. The doctor says it is possible to salvage
the leg and repair the foot as much as possible but that would require 7+
surgeries and leg hardware for 18 months. This in addition to the damaged left
hip and the surgeries and rehab needed to make that functional again.

The family, husband, Wylie, and children Elise, Mat and Meg are sorting thru all
of this to come to some reasonable conclusion. They are thinking about the pain
(acute and chronic) the rehab time, the psychological impact, and long term
living aspects of the decision. They don't want to make "sentimental decisions".

It is a tough decision but they all seem to be in one accord with what they have
discussed so far. The doctors appear to be very forthright in their opinion of
what is realistic. Elise is handling this so well as are the others.

I thank Joyce Upchurch for mentioning that we pray for the lady that hit Paula.
I know we should but I confess I was angry with her for hurting our friend and
hadn't thought of her in a very kind way. Anyway, this is what I know for now. I
will keep you updated as I learn more.

Mimi

Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007

Hello: I have just spoken with Wylie, Paula's husband, and he has just consented for the surgeons to amputate Paula's right leg below the knee. They will try to salvage as much as possible. This decision has been excruciatingly painful for Wylie, as we all can imagine. He is physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. He really needs our prayers and anything else we can do to help him through this.

The surgery will be Wednesday. At the same time, if scheduling allows, the surgeons will repair some damage in the pelvic area. Hopefully not much more blood will be lost.

Paula is still on the ventilator but remains stable. The thinking is to get the right leg problem taken care of so they can get on with the issue of healing the hip and pelvic area and get Paula back ambulatory as soon as possible.

I will keep you informed as soon as I know anything else.

Mimi

Thursday, December 06

Paula had surgery Weds to remove a portion of her leg that was too badly damaged to save. She will have more surgery soon on her leg and hip area. From all indications, the surgery went well.

Mouse

- Thursday, December 13

Hello: I have just spoken with Wylie and Paula did very well in the surgery yesterday. She was in surgery 4-5 hours. The good news is that no more surgery in the foreseeable future on the left hip. She may need surgery on her bladder in about a year. The accident caused the bladder to be misplaced (as the doctor said) and may need surgery. Paula also has a broken right clavicle and scapula which the doctor say will heal on their own. Those are bones near the right shoulder area.

Early this morning Wylie told Paula about her amputation and the doctor was there. She appeared to accept it as well as can be expected. Paula was conscious in the E.R. after the accident and knew how badly the right leg and foot were injured. Wylie feels she has subconsciously known about it since this happened. He is greatly relieved to have that out of the way.

Wylie expects Paula to be out of ICU in a few days. She is off the ventilator and has no feeding tube. The doctors anticipate she will be in a wheelchair for 3 months and then rehab. The staff in ICU are decreasing her pain meds and sedatives so she will be more coherent soon. Anyway that is all I know for now. I will keep you informed as I know it. Mimi

December 19, 2007

Good news: Paula may go home as early as Friday, that is if all the equipment needed gets to the house as ordered. It is in the process now. Elise says Paula is smiling more every day and becoming more normal!

I spoke with Paula and Wylie this evening by phone and Paula sounded so good but weak. She says the therapy is really hard. Wylie says she gets pain meds for the therapy. I know they really work you out in physical therapy so as to build up her strength. Wylie says Paula is still in denial and now entering into the anger phase of grief. All of this in less than a month's time. I don't know how anyone can comprehend it all. Greer Richardson said she is wounded in body, mind and spirit. So true. A lot of healing has to take place and with time I am sure it will.

Elise is encouraged to see her Mom improving daily. She says she is a support/encourager for Wylie. I suggested Wylie read Elizabeth Kubler-Ross's book on death and dying. It is a classic and says the same things the counselor at the hospital has been telling Wylie. Wylie is such a gentle person; this is really tough for him.Paula's home address is 565 Taylor Court; Macon, Georgia 31204. I believe she will be home this weekend. We keep praying for her continued recovery and for Wylie and Elise. Her other children Matt and Meg are there in Macon also.

I'll write more as I know it.

Mimi

February 19, 2008

I spoke with Paula today and she is stronger by the week. I had not contacted her for a little while as I didn't want to interrupt her home therapies. Now she has a therapist in only one or two times a week. In the meanwhile she does strengthening exercises to get ready to begin weight bearing in about 3 or 4 weeks.

She went to the doctor about a week ago and he said no more surgery for now. Paula was extremely relieved to hear that. That had been weighing on her mind for a long time. He did say maybe in about a year she may have to have surgery. I didn't ask what kind and she didn't volunteer to tell me. She did say that she may 'mysteriously disappear' about that time. Of course, she doesn't want to go through surgery again.

She is still pretty emotionally fragile but better each week. She says she feels stronger.

She is overcome with gratitude for all the cards, etc. that have been sent to her. Now she can get into the computer room to email some. She has a different wheelchair that will go through the doorways.

As you can imagine, it is a long process. She did say that maybe by the end of the summer she could be up and about. So she is very realistic about the length of time it will take.

Being the outgoing person she is, she is thinking about having people over for lunch. Wylie, being the very practical person he is, says not until she gets her strength up and 'does her exercises'.

That's all I know for now. I'll write more later as I know it.

Mimi

Editor: You can see photos of some of the 1962 class here :

Canon EOS 350D
1/60s f/4.0 at 30.0mm iso400 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto

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