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Don and Honore’s Story

Site created on January 5, 2023

Don and Honore were in an MVA on I-90 on December 19. They had come to Missoula for Honore’s infusion appointment and grocery shopping for Christmas dinner with their daughter. They dropped her at home and headed to Hall. Shortly into their drive home an uninsured driver in the Westbound lane lost control, did a 360 degree spin and shot through the median directly toward their car. Another car had been trying to pass them, and they had nowhere to go. They both saw a silver truck coming right at them and were hit head on by a midsize truck. They both sustained multiple injuries and first responders took them both by ambulance to St. Pats. Their injuries are extensive and they will have a long journey back to health. This site offers a place to keep all of their friends updated on their journey and a way to organize visits with them as they become stronger. Despite some major setbacks they both continue to amaze us with their determination and strength!

Upon arriving at St. Pats Honore suffered respiratory arrest, was intubated and was successfully resuscitated. She sustained an odontoid fracture, thoracic and lumbar fractures, an open compound tibial fibular fracture and acute blood loss, multiple bilateral rib fractures and pleural effusions, and a radius fracture. She underwent several surgeries and multiple stays in ICU and fought incredibly hard for life. She chose to fight through multiple traumas, ICU delirium, and fractures from head to toe. Her faith and strength remain immeasurable and her progress is incredible.

Don sustained spine fractures and multiple rib fractures. He was doing pretty well despite a lot a trauma and was preparing for discharge to a skilled nursing rehab for his fractures. He then got pretty sick from a small bowel perforation requiring two abdominal surgeries and being intubated and in ICU for several days. He too has worked so hard and is tremendously grateful and full of faith.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Kara Demers — Apr 4, 2023

Hi friends! Big news here, Don and Honore get to finish the last few month of rehab at home!! They have surpassed their goals and get to discharge early, and will be heading home on Thursday.

Their fractures are stable and their bone growth and recovery is awesome. They have both successfully weaned out of their TLSO braces. Honore has weaned from her cervical collar and is tolerating partial weight bearing on her leg. She is walking with a platform walker for longer distances and Don’s abdominal incision is closed. He is walking now with only a walking stick as an aid and has been practicing uneven ground.

We have been so lucky to pick them up for lunches and shopping days around their PT schedules as they become more and more independent and they are incredibly excited to return home to more normalcy.

Their mobility will still be limited as their fractures continue to heal for another few months, but at almost 4 months out things are looking better than we could imagine! Their dedication and compliance has been amazing, they have worked so hard, and they are incredibly excited to be returning home!

Read More of the journal titled "April 4, 2023"

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