SWriverstone Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 Hi Everyone... My girlfriend/fiancee, Holly Korzilius, had a terrible hang gliding accident yesterday. The good news is that she's going to be okay...but the bad news is that she is currently in the ICU in Richmond, Virginia, and faces a tough road to recovery, including significant facial reconstructive surgery. Holly was aerotowing (being towed aloft in her hang glider by an ultralight aircraft) at a flight park where we've both been flying for a long time. She was doing something she's done without incident a hundred times...but this time the conditions on launch changed abruptly. She experienced a lockout (sudden and violent increase in the towline pressure when the glider veers off to the side) and crashed head-first into the ground from 50-75 feet. (I was on the scene, and would have flown shortly after her.) Like me, Holly discovered the joys of carving this past winter. She also became a HUGE fan of BOL, and though she rarely posted, not a day passed when she didn't read all your posts, smile, and speak fondly of many of you. (She was reading BOL the morning before her accident.) It might seem strange in a virtual community, but you all are like a family to her---even if you've never seen her. She was more interested in all of you and your adventures and posts than even the hang gliding forum for our regional club. I know she'd get an enormous boost from any expressions of sympathy (or carving humor) and well-wishes you could get to her. It would mean a lot. Feel free to post any thoughts or well-wishes for her here, and I promise I'll read them to her as soon as she's able to hear them (she is currently under heavy sedation, and I haven't even spoken to her yet). Alternately, feel free to email me anything you like at my address: sw@shadepine.com Finally, you're welcome to snail-mail a card or note to her, in care of my parents in Richmond where I'll be for the next few weeks: Holly Korzilius c/o The Wileys 5112 Caledonia Road Richmond, VA 23225 Thanks very much, and I'm sure Holly will be back here reading BOL as soon as she's able. Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dudleydudley Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 Scott, I was so shocked to wake up and read this. It's always horrible to hear about this kind of thing happening to someone you know. Please know that I wish her the best and for a speedy recovery. Her military training will suit her well and I know she is a tough girl. I have no doubt that she will be back on her feet doing the same things and that you two will be flying again in no time. If there is anything I can do for you guys, please let me know. You know how to get a hold of me. Don't forget to take care of yourself, too. Chunae. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 Scott and Holly, Sorry to hear about this. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skatha Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 Yikes!!!! Get well soon Holly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtnpig Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 To involve yourself in a sport of such magnitude is telling of your inner strength that can be used to heal yourself from this set back. Recovery sometimes creates reflection (good or bad) so it's important to keep the passion burning. My thoughts go out to you on this first days journey. Gavin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allee Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 Facial reconstruction sounds like a major. The upside being, you can put in your order for whichever supermodel you'd like to look like! Wishing Holly a speedy recovery and hope to see her back in the air and on the slopes soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boostertwo Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 My thoughts are with you both. Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery. <img src="http://tinypic.com/5jy2p1" alt="US Snowboard Team member Erica Mueller @ A-Basin"> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Brown Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 Get well soon, Holly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FTA2R Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 Scott, Like Chunae, I was shocked to read Holly was involved in such an accident. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. Although I only met Holly once briefly, I know she's a very tough girl- and I'm sure she will get through this. My thoughts are with you both during this trying time. === Barry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack M Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 It's so discouraging when we injur ourselves doing the very things that make us feel alive. But if we didn't do those things, life would be pretty boring! Get well Holly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big mario Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 I concur with Jack, get well, and hopefully we will see you on some hero snow at ses!! mario Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
www.oldsnowboards.com Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 Scott, Please keep us updated. Our thoughts and prayers will be with Holly and her family. Let us know if there is something we can do to help. Concerned, your friend , Bryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWriverstone Posted May 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 Thank you everyone, for all your love and support. I've printed out everyone's well wishes and plan to show or read them to Holly today if she's up for it. I'm sure it'll lift her spirits enormously to hear from so many of you. (And I hope that soon she'll be able to respond herself!) Her recovery is already in process and she's doing well (relatively speaking, of course). Last night was a milestone of sorts. I was by her side all day, and she was either sleeping or barely conscious, sedated and on morphine. Late yesterday they stopped the sedative and brought her off the morphine to remove her breathing tube, which had been in place since the accident. When I came back into her room after they removed the tube last night, I was blown away by the transformation! She was sitting upright (the bed tilted up), the tape and tubes gone from her face, and her eyes were open. She recognized me immediately and took my hand and squeezed it. Even better, there was a suction tube in her lap (for clearing her throat), and she picked it up and started suctioning her own throat. :) This was in stark contrast to the Holly I saw all day. Not surprisingly after such serious trauma, she doesn't remember much, if anything. She silently mouthed the words "What happened?" to me. It was late and I was tired, so I simply said "That's not important now sweetie---just know I love you and you're going to be okay. We'll have plenty of time to talk tomorrow." Today I begin the delicate task of telling her what happened. I'll also have to tell her (if the doctors haven't already) about her upcoming facial reconstructive surgery, scheduled for this Friday. For the first time since the accident, I'm finally able to communicate with her, and a wave of relief has washed over me as last night I actually saw that she'll recover fully and get through this! Still much recovery time ahead, but I'm optimistic. Thanks again for your support, and I'll keep you posted on her progress. Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gendzwill Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 That's great news, Scott. Best wishes to you both and here's to a full recovery! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tex1230 Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 hope you have a speedy recovery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Randy S. Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 Scott & Holly, Your second post is very encouraging. Thank goodness for that. Good luck with recovery and get well soon. Randy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sic t 2 Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 Rest assured that things will proceed a lot faster for someone with the athletic conditioning and drive that Holly has. I see it all the time in my summer sport (for both men and women). Actually, last Sunday one of my dear friend's died 3 feet in front of me (only 45 years old). Heart attack, handlebars of a YZ450 in hand during an expert moto, I saw him fail to power out of a berm and slow almost to a stop, then pass out and slump over to his left. That was the end right there (even with 2 ambulances and 6 EMS personnel not more than 150 feet from him they could not restart his heart. So its been a tough week for me. In the meantime, wishing Holly a strong recovery over the next few months. Ken.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boostertwo Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 Glad to hear you're already on the road to full recovery, Holly. <p></p>I look forward to meeting you both next season at SES (be forewarned: you will seriously consider relocating!)<table border="3" bordercolordark="#000000" bordercolorlight="#808080" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" bgcolor="#0000FF"><tr><td><img src="http://tinypic.com/5kncit" alt="Last call for pond skimming at the Basin (closing for the season this weekend, June 5)."></td><td><img src="http://tinypic.com/5knedk" alt="Local rider Jann is the only guy blasting turns across the Basin's 'Lake Reveal'--could it be the hardboot setup?"></td> </tr></table><p></p>In the meantime, best wishes to you, Scott, and your families during your convalescence.<p></p>Cheers,<br>B-2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest johann Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 get well soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rikytheripster Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 ITs good news that things are looking brighter now, i wish you luck with the explanation of what happened and hope Holly has a speedy recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FTA2R Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 the encouraging news. stay strong you two! === Barry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted June 1, 2005 Report Share Posted June 1, 2005 OMG Scott! We are so sorry to hear about this My wife and myself wish Holly only the very best and a fast and successful recovery!!! We hope all will be good. Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleaman Posted June 1, 2005 Report Share Posted June 1, 2005 I was going to reply a few days ago, but I held back, not knowing what to say. Get well and have a speedy recovery. I am not much for consolation as I usally make jokes to relieve stress caused by hardship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NateW Posted June 1, 2005 Report Share Posted June 1, 2005 Sometimes, fun hurts. But don't you just hate it when that happens... It's great to hear that she's already thinking straight - that's the always scariest issue when someone has a serious head injury. Hugs for both of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWriverstone Posted June 1, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2005 Hi Everyone...below is a copy of the update I just sent to the regional hang gliding club. Thanks much for your continued support! Ken, I'm sorry to hear about your friend. Fin has kindly and generously dropped a BOL t-shirt in the mail. I know Holly will love that! Thanks again, Fin. Scott --- Wednesday, June 1st - 6:45am Hi Everyone... Holly continues to improve, but after yesterday, it's important that I paint a more sobering picture. Her improvement---though definite---is relative to the severe trauma she endured. She suffered a small amount of bleeding in her brain. Though not life-threatening, it causes her to fatigue far faster and more easily than were the bleeding not present. As a result, she slept more-or-less continuously throughout the day. She can't chew anything as her upper jaw is loose, and even swallowing is difficult. She's being kept alive purely by fluids delivered intravenously. This probably won't change until after her surgery. Dialog with Holly is extremely limited (as she's rarely awake), and consist only of direct questions to which Holly can nod "yes" or "no." She did form a few words yesterday, but her voice was deep, scratchy, and hoarse. One of the things she whispered to me---for the second time---was: "What happened to me?" Though I had already told her she was in an accident, I elaborated slightly: "You were flying a hang glider on tow and lost control. I don't know why you lost control, but you did. You impacted the ground hard, and were very lucky to survive. Your body is in excellent shape---no worries there. But your face is pretty banged-up. You have some broken facial bones, and your upper jaw is loose. That's what they will fix in the surgery you need to have." I didn't go any further than that...and she seemed a bit surprised by it, but didn't ask any more. During a more wakeful moment early yesterday, I asked her a few gentle questions to get a better handle on her memory loss. First, I asked if she remembers even being at Blue Sky at all---no (the flight park where the accident happened). I asked if she remembers Steve Wendt (her hang gliding instructor)---no. I then asked if she knows who Kate is (my daughter) and she nodded yes. I asked if she knows her two cats---another yes. So with the puzzling exception of Steve Wendt, whom she's known for years, her memory loss certainly extends backwards through the days prior to the accident. (Don't worry Steve---I'm sure she hasn't forgotten you forever!) I know this is normal, and appreciate the comments and stories you have shared with me regarding this. (It's still a little scary though!) One of the ICU nurses gave me a copy of Holly's latest CT scan analysis. She said "I shouldn't be doing this, but here." (Probably referring to HIPA, etc.) Nothing new there, mainly indication of the facial fractures we already knew about. I clung to the two positive statements: "In comparison to the previous study there has been a significant decrease in the amount of extracoronal and subcutaneous emphysema." (Which I believe means her facial swelling has subsided significantly.) And also..."Evaluation of the intracranial contents demonstrates no acute process." (Which I hope means nothing bad going on in her brain!) As I'm sure is often the case in situations like this, yesterday was a bit of an emotional roller-coaster for me. Just when I was comfortable all was stable and improving with Holly and she was scheduled for surgery soon, the Marine Corps stepped in. It appears they want to transfer her to Bethesda Naval Medical Center. I don't doubt the quality of care she'd receive at Bethesda...but MCV is equal to Bethesda, and I worry that a transfer (given how bureaucracies function) would create more delays before Holly's surgery. The reconstructive surgery is a BIG milestone fast approaching. And I wish it would happen sooner, rather than later. I can't stand the idea of Holly existing in this hellish limbo with a smashed face any longer than absolutely necessary. Currently, the surgery at MCV could happen as soon as this Thursday or Friday. But if the transfer to Bethesda happens, it might well be delayed 'til next week. So I'll be anxiously awaiting whatever decisions are reached today. On a happier note, Holly was transferred out of the ICU late last night and into a quiet room of her own. I helped with the transfer, and was glad I could as the new nursing staff weren't fully aware of all the small things that help Holly's comfort (no pillow, needs a mouth suction tube, she'll use it herself, can't drink through her mouth yet, take her temperature in her armpit, not her mouth, etc.). I left at 11:30pm after 14 hours in the hospital. Holly was sleeping, and I didn't want to wake her, so gave her a kiss on the forehead, squeezed her hand, and slipped out. Some say life and time are linear...but right now, our lives feel conical, as if we are at the bottom, narrow end of a cone, looking upward while our lives gradually widen around us. I still cry sometimes, but I haven't lost sight of how incredibly lucky we are that things weren't any worse. Thank you all for your continued support and love. Many of you have asked about visitation, flowers, cards, etc. I'm sorry, but it's really too early still for any visitors. Holly's parents arrive today to visit with her for the first time. I suspect the best time for visitors will be post-surgery, which might be several more days. And sadly, I can't even tell you where to send flowers. Though Holly is in a room today, it's very possible she won't be there tonight or tomorrow. Only time will tell. So please be patient. Meanwhile, I continue printing out all your notes and messages and well wishes. I told Holly yesterday that everyone sends their love, and that I had lots of well wishes to read her---would she like to hear them now? No, she nodded. I understood completely---she's focused on her pain and comfort, that's about it. If anyone planned to send anything to Holly in my parents' care down here, you might hold off a day or so until we know where she will be. I'll let everyone know ASAP. With endless appreciation for all your care and friendship, Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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