Korey Tacchi

Thanks for visiting this page.  I will be keeping everyone updated on Korey's situation.    (This will be updated by Korey's aunt Gina)

Korey was in a car accident on Thursday February 16th around 10:30pm.  He was a passenger in his friends car.   They were driving eastbound on Hwy 44 approaching Lindbergh when they clipped a semi-tractor trailer while changing lanes.  The car spun and flipped over several times sending them off the highway.  Korey was found in the backseat of the upside down vehicle and had to be extricated.  

Maria received a phone call from the fireman/woman on the scene explaining that Korey was in an accident and was being transferred by ambulance to Barnes Hospital.  He was reporting that he couldn't feel anything below the waist and unable to move his legs.    (He was talking and able to give the EMT's Maria's phone number. )  After getting the phone call you pray you never receive, Maria called Jeff who was out of town and then called me to come pick her up and take her to the hospital.  It took everything to keep Maria calm  while rushing to the ER.  While driving we called Kelsey, my parents and Lisa and updated them on what was happening.

When we arrived at the emergency room the nurse told us that the Social Worker would be right with us and will let us know what is happening. They brought us to a small "quiet" room where we waited for the doctor to give us information.  It was the longest wait ever.  Probably 20-30 minutes of torture not knowing the status of Korey.     The ER doctor finally came in and told us that Korey was in an accident, was thrown about in the car and had a dislocated C5-C6 with severe spinal cord injury.   He stated that Korey has no feeling from the nipple line down, can't feel sensations and no movement. Told us that the Ortho and Neuro Surgeons would be in to consult after the CT and he would need surgery.    We were able to see Korey for the first time and he was on the stretcher with a neck brace on.  He was able to communicate to us.  He said he thought he died at the time.  I said you didn't you are here.  That's when Korey told us he was paralyzed and needed surgery.  He was in a lot of pain and couldn't handle being touched at all.  He did seem to find comfort in Maria kissing him on the forehead and holding his left had.   He had limited movement of his arms but the doctor said they don't know if that is going to be long term.  Wouldn't know until after the surgery and pressure released.   The doctor mentioned an experimental drug study that Korey qualified for.  This is a small study and hard to find qualified participants.  Korey was one of 10 that would be in this study.  After talking to the nurses and questioning the side effects and benefits, Maria decided to enroll him in the study.  This would provide him with a medication (if he doesn't receive the placebo) that could potentially help improve his motor function.  It's not a cure but could help.  The medication would be administered by (I believe) some sort of gel wrapped around the spinal cord during surgery.  This is a one time dose and the study would do various test over the next 13 months to determine motor function in comparison to other spinal cord patients who haven't had the drug.

During this time my parents picked up Kelsey and met us at the hospital.  They were able to see Korey for a short time while consent forms were being signed by Maria.   Korey was taken to MRI and then to surgery. Korey has a compression and dislocation of C4-T3 vertebrates with severe damage to the spinal cord.  The orthopedic surgeon was able to stabilize the bones with rods and pins.  The medication was administered and he went to ICU.  A few hours later decided to place a central line to help administer blood pressure medicine to keep his blood pressure regulated.  Korey will have a second surgery in the next day or two, no later than Monday for a cervical fusion to stabilize the area.   

Note:  There was concern that Korey might have an injury to his leg.  There was a laceration to his shin so they did x-ray it.  Good news is there is no other injuries.  

Korey is stable and in the ICU.  He is intubated and sedated.  He will stay intubated until he has his next surgery.  He is able to communicate, knows where he is and why he is there.  He has been calm and overall doing ok.  After surgery he was able to lift his arms up to head which is a great sign.  Still have the mobility in his arms but unfortunately needs to be restrained to keep from pulling at his tubes.  

Right now there is a lot of questions.  We don't know what tomorrow brings but we will take this one day at a time.  One thing I can say is this family is strong and Korey has a great support system.  The waiting room has been filled since last night with family and friends.  Maria, me, Lisa, Kelsey, Meme, Pop, Hannah, Jeff, Lisa, Dana, Shannon, John, Matt, Shari, Gale, Mike M and Mike W.  We are blessed to have so many people checking in and praying for him.  Please continue to do so.    And please pray our family as well as Korey.

I will update this page as often as I can and as we have updates.  Please continue to follow and feel free to add a message.  I will make sure Korey gets each and every one of them.