HereCare – Jan and Guy’s Story

On March 5th Jan received a call she never could have predicted.

A nurse at Ascension Seton Williamson was calling to tell Jan her husband, Guy, had been in a motorcycle accident and she needed to come to the hospital right away. Before Jan arrived, Guy was taken into emergency surgery by Dr. Bhakta.

While she waited for updates on his surgery, Jan was kept company by a policeman and fireman who’d been on the scene of the accident. They stayed with her until a friend arrived and they felt she’d be taken care of.

During surgery, Guy’s heart stopped but the team was able to resuscitate him and finish getting him stabilized. Guy was taken to the ICU post-surgery, which is where Jan saw him for the first time.

The accident severed Guy’s arm and a good samaritan stopped and applied a tourniquet that likely saved his life. Guy suffered extensive injuries – eight broken ribs, severe damage to his chest and lungs, a broken hip, tibia, and femur, and the loss of his right arm from the elbow down. Jan explained, “The only thing that wasn’t hurt was his head, thanks to his helmet.”

Two days after Guy was initially brought into the emergency department, he had a second surgery to address the remainder of his injuries.

Guy’s condition was touch-and-go for at least two weeks. “Dr. Bhakta and Dr. Lundy were fabulous. They were there every day and they were so kind and professional,” Jan said.

Guy has no recollection of the accident, which took place just a few blocks from their home in Georgetown and was heavily sedated throughout his time at Ascension Seton Williamson. Jan was there daily and observed the exceptional care of the nurses. “The nurses in the ICU were fabulous. They were on top of it and made Guy feel good although he doesn’t remember.”

After being discharged from Ascension Seton Williamson, Guy spent a few months in a long-term acute care facility and was recently able to return home. Guy has been going to physical therapy three times a week since getting home. He’s relearning how to walk and is learning how to use his left hand.

“He has a ways to go, but he’s got a good attitude and is very determined,” said Jan.

Published: October 21st, 2024