IT WAS CHRISTMAS EVE AND JOAN HAD JUST PASSED THE RAILROAD TRACKS AT 1100 IH35 NORTH, SAN MARCOS, TX ON HER BICYCLE. SHE STOPPED TO CHECK IN WITH HER DAUGHTER. WHILE USING HER PHONE, SHE WAS STRUCK BY A PASSING TRAIN. DECEMBER 25, 2020; FROM JOAN’S DAUGHTER: Thank you to everyone calling, texting and messaging about mom! If I’m being honest, I’m overwhelmed and I’m tired. Instead of answering the same questions and telling the same story I’ll just be using this post for updates. From what I can put together, yesterday in the late afternoon my mom was struck by a train while riding her bike (possibly) home. She was taken to the hospital. She was awake and alert enough to tell the doctor my name and cell phone number when no one could find her phone. He called and the texted me to let me know surgery was required and happening. A few surgeons worked on her for several hours and she was taken to the ICU, where she is currently. The first surgeon met with me in the pre-op waiting area after his round of surgeries to give me the breakdown.(Before ICU) -She had a laceration and skull fracture that they cleaned and closed. Swelling on her brain seems to have gone down. -Her left shoulder had lacerations and damage. It was closed and will have to be in a sling for a while. They hope surgery won’t be needed for it. -Her spleen ruptured a d was removed. -Same for her appendix. -They found a large mass and that too, was removed. -Her upper thigh was also hanging open. They cleaned it out and closed that up. -She has broken ribs and a collapsed lung. She has a tube in her chest for that. I got to see her in the ICU and she saw me too. The nurse said they were going to keep her sedated and comfortable all night. She wasn’t ready to guess how long mom would be in the hospital. While there I was able to find her phone and other belongings that we’d believed to be missing. Looking at how her clothes were cut off of her I had a better idea of what happened. Today my aunt got to see her and was told that she will probably have to have surgery on the hip and will be in the hospital about a week. She was also very likely have to go to rehab after. Again. I’m not going to say she’s “okay” but all things considered she’s still in a great spot. Thank you for all of your kind words, messages of support, prayers, positive vibes, good intentions and healing energy. I’m not good with this stuff and I’m awkward. I’m sorry if I left your message without a response or without being opened. It went from me best friend and I knowing to everyone and I caved in on myself. I’ll try to keep this updated as much as I can. I’m just trying to remain functional and not fall into myself when I have things to be responsible for. y’all. Thank you again.
