chaseborders910.com Blog

Alan, Donna, and Shane Cox (#41)

Tom B.

He asked me to post that Chase is now in very critical condition–and he needs all the prayers he can get.

The doctors told Johnny a short while ago that Chase’s lungs are in very bad shape and are not responding to any kind of treatment.

Please send every prayer you have their way–they are desparately needed.

Tom B.

I am writing to ask everyone’s help controlling a number of rumors concerning Chase.

In the past fews days a number of rumors have been circulating both the Alabama and Georgia MX communities. I would like to offer what I know as fact to squelch some that just aern’t true and ask that other rumors based on speculation be stopped as both the misinformation and the unfounded speculation are causing uneccessary pain to a community already seriously hurting from Chase’s devastating injuries.

Rumor 1: Chase has had movement in his lower extremeties since the accident. Not true. Chase has not had any movement from the mid-chest area down since his accident. Johnny told me that for a brief period at the track–before Chase was transported that he could feel Johnny touching his leg. After the swelling set in, Chase has not had any movement or any sensation below his chest.

Rumor 2: Chase can use his hands. Not true. He has on a couple occasions while in the hospital moved his arms above his head–although it is not clear that he did so intentionally.

Rumor 3: I got a call yesterday asking me to confirm whether or not Chase had passed away. Chase has definitely not passed away. The person asking was quoting another person that was quoting another person who had Chase confused with someone else.

Rumor 4: Chase’s spinal cord was severed. Not true. Doctors told Johnny early on when they completed an MRI and then confirmed later after the surgery to repair the C-5 that the spinal cord and the sack that surrounds it where not damaged.

Rumor 5: Johnny does not want visitors at the hospital. Not true. Johnny has been welcoming with open arms any and all visitors and was graciously even giving up some of his very limited time in the room with Chase so others could visit. For a brief period Johnny stopped visits to Chase’s room due to Chase’s very weak condition and fears that an infection could seriously jeopardize Chase’s health. Johnny appreciates and is drawing a tremendous amount of strength from his many friends that have and continue to visit.

Rumor 6: Chase’s engine failed due to faulty maintenance causing his injuries. Some witnesses at the track said Chase’s engine locked up on the jump and that the engine failure threw Chase over the bars causing him to get hurt. Even if that is true (which it may well be) it is very wreckless and entirely innappropriate for anyone to speculate that any person or persons did anything wrong in building that motor. Johnny told me personally that he did not know, nor did he want to know what went wrong. He was, and is, entirely focused on Chase’s needs. If the facts are ever known, it is up to Johnny Borders to discover and share them with everyone or no one at all. Until that happens, I think it is very insensitive for anyone to speculate publicly who or what is reponsible for Chase’s accident.

All of us that participate (or in my case participated) in the sport understand the risks. No one understood them more than Chase and Johnny. We all sign waivers on a weekly basis saying that we understand and accept that motorcross is an ultra-hazardous activity that can result in serious injury or death. I ask for the sake of the family and those close to the family that we respect their pain and suffering and not add to it by starting or spreading speculation and rumors about the nature of Chase’s inuries or what caused them.

I also ask that reports on Chase’s condition be based on first-hand knowledge gained from Johnny. It had to be heart breaking for Johnny and Chase’s many friends to read that his spinal cord was severed when in fact it was not.

Some may take exception to my plea that the rumors be controlled. I hope everyone will respect my comments for what they are–an effort to set the record straight, to limit confusion, and reduce the negative effects of misinformation.

Sincerely,

Tom Brinkman

Yesterday was a rough day for Chase. His heart rate dropped to 55 and his respirator had to be turned back up to 90%. It also appears that his feeding tube and drain tube were causing him problems.

He is doing better now–but yesterday was definitely a set back.

Johnny is really frustrated by the ups and downs Chase has been experiencing. Two steps forward and one step back has been the norm for over a week. It may very well be that way for a while.

When we left the hospital last night, Chase was still in the medically induced coma and was resting comfortably. The new bed they have him in is helping the medical staff manage the fluid in his lungs, but it’s still going to be a long process getting him healthy enough to start rehab.

No firm date as to when they will try to take him off the respirator or do the leg surgery–it’s literally a day-to-day call.

Johnny asked me to tell everyone that his is now comfortable allowing visitors in Chase’s room–as long as he is not touched or crowded. He is obviously still very concerned about a potential infection endangering Chase while he is such a vulnerable state.

I would encourage anyone close enough to drive to Birmingham to visit with Johnny. He enjoys and draws a lot of strength from the visits.

I also want to thank the many folks who have sent cards and letters to Chase’s PO Box (P.O. Box 210656, Mont, Al 36121-0656 hint hint). Those cards are really uplifting.

Johnny told me that many of the cards start with “You don’t know me, but…” He feels blessed with the support they are getting from all over the country.

If you haven’t seen it, here’s the link to the Montgomery Advertiser article that ran today on the cover of the Tri-County Section.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060609/NEWS01/606090319/1007

I will post again as soon as I hear something new.

Tom

You are in our prayers.

The Walsh Family
Hamilton, Ohio

The doctors and nurses were all amazed at Chase’s progress over the last 24 hours–for him to be keeping his oxygen levels well above 90% with the respirator turned down to 60% is a huge improvement. Johnny was very happy.

The Stinsons brought Chase’s mp3 player and they have had him listening to his own music (as opposed to all the machines) ever since. That too seems to be helping him relax.

Let’s all pray that Chase continues to go in the right direction!

Johnny again thanked everyone for their love and support!

Tom B.

That’s a good idea, I will talk to Johnny to see if he is interested in getting connected while at the waiting room.

Latest update: Talked to Johnny this morning. He said the doctors are very proud of the progress Chase made in the last two days. His oxygen levels are staying in the mid-to-high 90s on the monitors and his blood gases are good as well. While the pneumonia is always a concern, Johnny said his temperature is now good and he looks comfortable and rested for the first time.

Chase is finally relaxed enough to let the respirator do most of the work–which will allow him to start healing. They still have him heavily sedated to make sure he rests.

Doctors say it will probably be a two-week process of healing his lungs enough to be able to do the surgery on the broken femur.

Johnny sounded pleased that Chase is finally resting.

Got several more cards in Chase’s PO Box today. We’ll get those up to him tonight or tomorrow.

I will post again tomorrow–hopefully after visiting the hospital tomorrow night.

God Bless.

Tom B.

I bet Johhny could use the laptop at the waiting room and log in through the hospital,wireless network or maybe a hard wire connection nearby. Just a thought as it would help him pass the time there while waiting.