pnorton
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I got a call last night from Steve Ritchie of WolfTrak Farm. Judy has been envolved in an automobile accident envolving a lost load of telephone poles. One came through her windshield and struck her in the face. She will undergo surgery today to do facial reconstruction. The surgery is expected to last 6 hours. Her jaw was also broken and they will wire her mouth shut for it to heal. They expect her to be in intensive care for 4 or 5 days and in the hospital for possibly up to 10 days. Please add Judy to your prayers throughout the day.
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Tannenwald Trakehner
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TANZBRISE by Windfall out of Tariana
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Oh my gosh, Pam, how awful!  I hope everything works out for her OK.
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BLB
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Oh my gosh, I feel so badly for Judy.  The accident she was in sounds absolutely horrible. I'm so glad she is going to be OK. My prayers and thoughts are with you Judy during this challenging time...Pam, please keep us updated on her condition.
Thanks.
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« Last Edit: June 23, 2005, 12:14:50 PM by BLB »
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acottongim
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OMG! How horrible! Can we send anything (cards/flowers etc) to Wolf Track, or somewhere else or not at all???
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pnorton
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I am sure Judy would love to know she is in everyones thoughts and prayers. She is currently in intensive care and would not be able to have flowers until she leaves there. I am sure cards would be appreciated and they could be mailed to the farm address or the hospital. She is in Brackenridge hospital in Austin. I will let Steve know you are all thinking of them when he calls today.
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Alicia
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How awful. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery.
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Lara, Gryphon Farm
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Trakehner Cowgirl
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Prayers here for Judy's quick recovery. If there's anything we can do, please let us know. The hospital is nearby, but ICU doesn't allow visitors. Please let them know we are thinking of her...
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Jennifer
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What horrible news! We're all thinking of Judy and Steve during this time! Hoping for a speedy recovery and that Judy is home soon!
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Eileen
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I am so sorry, please tell Steve he and Judy are in our thoughts and prayers and let us know if there is anything we can do to help.
Pam,
please keep us posted.
eileen
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pnorton
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After a couple of false starts yesterday Judy finally went into surgery around 5 PM. The surgery went well and they were able to do everything they had planned on the two areas they were working on. Her jaw is now wired shut for 6 weeks and she has been told she cannot ride or handle horses for that time. Of course anyone that knows Judy knows she will be in the barn on her return from the hospital. She is, at this time, still expected to be in ICU for 4 days. Then she will go to a regular room for another 6 days or more.
I let Steve know of all your wishes for a quick recovery and he said to thank you all. He has his family and Judy's brother and mom are there as well.
I did get some detail from Steve and his mom on what exactly happened. One of the big trucks that have augers on them was carrying a telephone pole that extended out 25' from the rear of the truck. This is illegal here in TX unless you have a follow vehicle which they did not. The truck turned off of the highway and the pole swung out into the traffic striking into Judy's windshield and crumpling the two supports. Judy was traveling at about 50 mph when this happened and the pole came at her out of nowhere. It is lucky she was in a big van they use to go to dog shows. Had she been in a smaller lighter vehicle things would have been a lot worse.
I will let you all know how things progress as I get additional updates.
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Beckie
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Wow, It has been a tough couple of weeks for the Trakehner community. Please keep us informed of Judy's progress and let her know that she is in our prayers.
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pnorton
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As of last night Judy was doing well. Steve said the doctors would be moving Judy to a regular hospital room today. We will drive over tomorrow to see her. The good news is she is progressing faster than they originally thought.
Steve and Judy did have bad news yesterday when one of the younger wolfhounds, Lady, developed a gastric torson and died within minutes of the occurance. Not something Steve was looking forward to telling Judy last night.
Keep up those positive thoughts they are reallyl working.
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BLB
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Thanks for the update on Judy's condition. She is definitely in our thoughts and prayers and will continue to be so...
Sorry to hear about her wolfhound, Lady. Judy didn't need this additional sad news...that's for sure.
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« Last Edit: June 25, 2005, 07:24:11 PM by BLB »
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pnorton
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Steve just called with an update on Judy. She went through the expected two days of worst pain and has had a better day today. The doctors now are saying she will be in the hospital for another two weeks. They have moved her into a bigger room so that Steve now has a cot. He is staying at the hospital helping Judy. The doctors have now told Steve and Judy that she has hairline fractures on four fingers and her left arm. She had defensive wounds on her arms from blocking her face so that is likely what they are from. She also has a hairline fracture on the base of her skull. None of these fractures are believed to be serious and should heal by themselves. She also has bronchitis. The doctors relayed to Steve that they were watching these things but did not let them know as they were not as serious as her other injuries. Also some of the fractures were hard to recognize with all the brusing and swelling.
For anyone wondering, she does not remember any of the things leading up to or the accident. She does remember the life flight ride to the hospital.
Steve went to see the van today and cannot believe Judy did not loose her life. The airbag never deployed, as he had been told my one police officer. The steering wheel was inbeded in the seat between Judy's legs. The firewall, along with the dashboard was pushed in a foot into the cab. Both roof supports were broken and the roof collapsed.
They are posting all the cards they have gotten on the door so Judy can see them. They do brighten things up. They thank you all.
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Sovereign Farm
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KALUA by Heling
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Sending my wishes for continued improvement. It's scary and amazing, what a freak accident. I'm glad that she is going to make it!
Heather
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pnorton
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For those that would like to send a card or flowers the hospital address and phone follows. If you call her room Judy will not be able to talk of course as her mouth is wired shut but Steve is there most of the time if he is not there then someone else usually will be.
Judy Ritchie, Room 912
C/O Brackenridge Hospital
601 East 15th St.
Austin, TX 78701
512-324-7000
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pnorton
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GOOD NEWS!
The doctors have put in a smaller trache tube and Judy is able to swallow small sips of water. The swelling of the mouth and tongue have decreased enough so that she can speak three words at a time. These are wonderful improvements and show that healing is happening. Steve was in tears when he walked in and Judy said "Hi Steve" to him.
I was at Wolftrak Farm yesterday and picked up Judy's stallion prospect so I can keep him in work until she can get home and the doctors release her to horse duty again. Some other good friends, and also Judy's trainer, have picked up her older TK that she will ride at the convention exhibition so he stays in shape. Another friend will be riding Cosmo a few days a week out at the farm to keep her legged up. Judy had just started showing Cosmo and I am sure is dissappointed she will have to wait to continue. The other horses will remain at the farm as they can get by without work for the next couple of months.
You are welcome for the updates. Keep up the positive thoughts and prayers.
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pnorton
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Greater News. 
After the smaller trache tube on Saturday things went very well. So Sunday mid day the Doctors took the trache tube out. Judy was eating soup and other mushy food last night when I talked with Steve. This morning Steve called while I was out working horses and left the message that the Doctors, all 6 of them, had released Judy from the hospital. No advanced warning... They all felt she was doing so much better than was expected that she could leave. So Steve believes he will have her home by noon.
Thanks everyone for all of your support and prayers. I know it is helping to get Judy back in the saddle.
I am sure Steve and/or Judy will be on here soon to let everyone know how things are going.
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