Dorothy DeBruler’s Blog

We all get lots of email, so here’s a simple update via blog. A number of people have called or emailed, and I wanted to get this info to those who wanted it. Here’s an update on Dorothy’s condition:

After conducting an MRI Thursday afternoon, it appears the spinal fractures pose no immediate threat to her spinal cord. The neck and skull fractures are another matter. She’ll be in a neck collar for a few months. We plan to start some physical rehab today. Her leg is repaired and healing nicely, but needs a little “road testing”.

Another Rehab Team expects to begin assessing the extent of any brain damage today. The trauma has caused Dorothy some confusing days, but she’s got family and close friends at her side, and plenty of prayers from around the country making their way to God’s immediate view.

For those of you who’ve called or come by the hospital, we genuinely appreciate your thoughts and concern.

Dorothy was moved out of ICU into a standard room late yesterday afternoon. Her quick downgrades from critical on Tuesday to fair a few minutes ago are a testimony to the prayers of many friends and family. You may have noticed she’s a little “determined” when she has something to accomplish, and she demonstrated that several times during the night as she insisted she needed to get out of bed. I’ve got fingernail marks in my hand, and several nursing staffers who will vouch that she is being true to form - and that’s a good thing.

She may be a little late, but she’ll probably insist on being at work on Monday, too. Just kidding…

Dorothy is currently on a ventilator to ensure she’s getting enough oxygen.

Surgery to repair her left leg earlier today was very successful. She is still in critical condition in the ICU with multiple fractures to her spine, neck and skull.

She is surrounded by family, and is blessed to have many people interceding on her behalf before a God she dearly loves.

At 6:45 am on Tuesday, March 25th, Dorothy was riding her bicycle to work when she was struck from behind by a commercial delivery truck. The incident occurred less than three miles from her home in Fayetteville, NC.

She was unconscious and unresponsive at the scene, and was transported immediately by helicopter to the Trauma Unit at UNC Chapel Hill.