Gary Hilliard

Gary on the Bike

2007-12-18T22:56:00.000-08:00

Gary continues to make improvements each day. Check out this new minifilm where he tells us about his progress, and shows off his classic 10-speed!

Badwater?

2007-10-24T15:34:00.000-07:00

Gary continues to improve! Check out this new video where he speaks candidly about his recovery, short, and long term goals.

Let's Take a Walk

2007-10-16T20:32:00.001-07:00

Sean has posted another movie, and we're going to keep them coming right here. Gary continues to improve - slowly but surely. Click here to watch.

In His Own Words

2007-10-06T16:28:00.001-07:00

Sean Runnette, a friend of Gary's, has made a movie of Gary telling of the accident, his injuries, and his recovery plan. Click here to watch.

It's A Long Road

2007-10-03T19:31:00.001-07:00

Well, if anyone knows how to do an endurance run, Gary's got some experience in that area... and his recovery from this accident is definitely going to go in the book next to "Badwater", "6-Day Racing", and "Having my Arm Cut Off".
All that to say, Gary is still at home and keeps getting better, but it's a slow process and he definitely appreciates your faithful support!
Update:

Bones still broken: the doc says he has to wear the back brace for at least 6 more weeks, and there's a broken rib floating around somewhere (I'll get a copy of that x-ray up soon if I can).
Kidney and liver: after blood and urine tests today, the doc ordered a CAT scan for tomorrow, so let's hope it's nothing serious.
Nervous system: Gary has had 3 episodes with something like a pinched nerve, causing him to lose balance and feel an "electric shock". Two of these were while in the hospital, but the third happened on Saturday when he was out with Gabor, and so he is going to see a neuro-specialist to have this checked out.

BUT, all things considered, Gary's doing pretty well. The doc says no work until December, but with all the blood tests and CAT scans, he's pretty busy. He still appreciates visits, calls, text messages, and emails, so let's keep him up to date on our lives while he's stuck at home!

Recovering at Home

2007-09-17T07:02:00.001-07:00

We visited Gary at his house in Sierra Madre on Friday, and boy was it nice to see how well he's doing. He's still dealing with a lot of pain and has pretty low energy, but his spirits are high, he's able to walk around the house (we even took a walk up the street!), he's able to eat regular food... lots of improvement!

He had just returned from the doctor when we saw him, and he has the following updates on his health:

The broken bone count stands at 8 with 3 broken ribs, a broken metacarpal in his left hand, and 4 fractured vertebrae. The most serious break is in his #8 vertebrae, and he says they found 3 other minor fractures in some lower vertebrae. He currently has a cast on his hand, and wears a removable back brace to keep his back straight as it heals.
His liver and kidney are healing well - blood tests on Friday showed a 300% improvement in their function.
I guess he had a collapsed lung (first I heard about this), but chest x-rays show is improving well.
The doctor says Gary has a mild case of Horner's Syndrome, a slight paralysis in one side of the face, from the impact to his head. The doc says this will go away as his brain heals.
Speaking of his brain, Gary is able to see and think clearly, but he cannot remember anything from Saturday night (the night before the accident) until Wednesday after the accident (about 4 days).
Gary weighed in at 136 lbs. on Friday, down about 20 from normal. He says that's what happens when you lie in bed without sleeping or eating for 16 days (go figure).
...and finally, the doctor says ABSOLUTELY NO RUNNING without his approval. I think if he hadn't said this, our walk up the street may have become a jog :)

Gary really appreciates all the love and support - the cards in the mail are one of the highlights of his day, so he sends MANY THANKS! Also, he'd love your visit, so feel free to call him up, text message him, or stop by to say hi.

He is outta there.

2007-09-12T08:13:00.001-07:00

... sometimes a picture really is worth a thousand words...

"I am going home"

2007-09-11T13:44:00.000-07:00

He called me at 1:44pm and told me that he is out of the door ready to go home!
Gabor

Getting closer

2007-09-10T08:56:00.000-07:00

Visited Gary over the weekend and talked to him again this morning. He's able to get up out of bed, put on his backbrace and shoes, and go for a walk around the ward; Pam also took him outside in a wheelchair over the weekend to enjoy the sunshine (and the bumps on the sidewalk). He's completely disconnected from all hoses, pipes, wires, hydraulics, scaffolding, whatever. The last of the "drain tubes" was removed so now he can wear normal clothing and sleepwear. Today he received some really good news, it looks like he might be going home WEDNESDAY.

Gary was last spotted jogging around the ward in a hospital gown, slippers, and an AC-100 hat; oh yeah, he was wearing a grin too.

I paced Gary yesterday!!!!

2007-09-06T10:58:00.000-07:00

I visited Gary yesterday late afternoon He is improving really fast. Make the visit and this entry short, we went for a walk. Put his brace on and we are ready to go. I was his pacer for the trip. Started from his room, passing the elevetor lobby, around the nurse's station and back. All of it with NO help. After that he got his medication and my visit was over. He is allowed to walk 2 to 3 times a day.

More improvements

2007-09-06T07:12:00.000-07:00

Gary's recovery continues on a good "pace." He's been take off all IVs and no longer requires constant oxygen, so he can now move around a lot better. He's able to take walks around the ward and his doctor has suggested he go outside and take in a little sunshine. The latest x-ray showed a fractured bone in his left hand, he now has a "soft cast" and elastic bandage around it. While he might be moved to another floor, he'll be kept at USC University Hospital for at least another week; this is to continue monitoring the condition or operation of his liver, spleen and kidney. Again, please feel free to go see him during visiting hours.

Visits

2007-09-04T06:49:00.000-07:00

Anyone wishing to visit Gary at USC University Hospital is welcome to do so pretty much whenever you want. The best time to go would be between the hours of 8 am and 7 pm, this way you can avoid the "shift change" of the staff.

Real Food!

2007-09-02T17:43:00.000-07:00

Emili, Oliver, and I went to visit Gary yesterday. While we were there one of the medical staff brought good news: Gary has been cleared for a "low fat" diet. Gary listened politely while she read off every conceivable meat option: steak, grilled chicken, ham, salmon,...even scallops. When she finished he replied: "Well, I'm a vegetarian, so none of those options are going to work for me." He chose macaroni and cheese. In addition, he had the option of many side dishes and selected squash, a dinner roll, ginger ale, and vanilla pudding for desert. He also ordered breakfast: raisin bran, apple juice, a banana, and black coffee! He wasn't sure how much he would actually eat, but "when you've lived on liquids for 2 weeks, real food definitely sounds good." Pam is still hoping they will be able to return home in a week or so. She has been spending nights at home and is getting better rest than on the benches of the ICU.

Oh boy, JELLO!

2007-08-30T16:21:00.000-07:00

Talked to Gary today, he took a turn for the better. He was able to eat some Jello, and more importantly, it stayed in his stomach this time. The other good news is he went for another walk, a longer one this time, he did a "lap" of the ward and walked back to his room. "None of this 3" baby steps stuff, I MOVED." He thinks he'll be there another 10 days or so and then head home.

He's also been moved to a new room, same floor but it's a private room. Depending on how he's feeling on any particular day he'd like to have visitors now. If you'd like to pay him a visit please contact Hal Chiasson or myself by email or phone. We're trying to coordinate and space out the visitors so he isn't overwhelmed at any one time or day.

Hal's contact info:
Work Phone: 626-446-4434
Email: HalWChiasson@cs.com

Fausto's contact info:
Home: 714-670-8569
Work: 626-458-4178 (Mon-Thur)
Email: indyfan31@sbcglobal.net

This week's news

2007-08-29T13:37:00.000-07:00

Just a few changes since we last saw Gary: some good, some not-so-good, and some surprising. Doctors removed the "drain" tubes that were in his lung and kidney, unfortunately they inserted two new ones for the liver and gallbladder. He was also just informed that he has two broken ribs, that would explain the pain when he tries to move. Otherwise he still can't eat, still a little nauseous, and still tired.
On the bright side, he started physical therapy this week: he WALKED to the nurses station, but he said it's difficult to do with all the "attachments" in tow so he wants to have the rest of them removed before he tries it again.
He appreciates the cards and letters, so please send them to his house and Pam will take them to the hospital. He should be in there for at least another week, not sure after that.

Update

2007-08-27T06:54:00.000-07:00

No big news to report. Gary's been moved to USC University Hospital just a few blocks from where he was at County General. His stomach is still unsettled (I'm blaming the GU) so he can't really eat or drink anything substantial, but otherwise he continues to heal.
If you'd like to send Gary cards or letters, please address them to Gary or Pam Hilliard, 337 Sycamore Place, Sierra Madre, CA, 91024, and Pam will take them to the hospital.

A so-so day

2007-08-24T16:05:00.000-07:00

Gary is still at County/USC awaiting transfer to Huntington Hospital. In the meantime he has developed some stomach problems and is having trouble with food, not eating it, just keeping it.
He's been scheduled for x-rays to look for problems. Because of this, Gary is very tired and Pam is asking once again that we not attempt to visit him; also all volunteers are on hold until Hal lets you know otherwise. Thanks everyone.

A little more progress

2007-08-23T12:43:00.001-07:00

Gary has recovered enough to be moved out of the ICU to a regular room. Even better, Pam is working to have him transferred to Huntington Hospital in Pasadena within the next day or two.

A short (sneaky) visit

2007-08-22T15:31:00.000-07:00

Gabor and I snuck into the ICU to see Gary and give Pam time to get some lunch and run to her car. We talked to him for a bit, Gabor helped him eat his lunch: grape juice, broth, and a packet of chocolate GU; my job was to push the morphine button on command. He's quite coherent, but his memory is still a bit shaky and he gets tired easily.
He got a bit embarrassed when I told him about the blog and how many people were worried about him.

Some highlights of the conversation:
Gary: "I'm cold, I need another blanket."
Pam: "You're not allowed to have another blanket."
Gary: "I don't give a rat's ass, gimme another blanket."

Earlier in the visit:
Me: "I'm going to see what's happening with your lunch."
Gary: "Hey, don't make these people mad .... I gotta live with 'em."

Damn it's good to have him back.

The latest from Theresa

2007-08-22T09:04:00.000-07:00

Gary is now able to sit up and drink water. He's on morphine for the pain and is aware of what happened to him but cannot remember the accident itself. He may be transferred out of the ICU by tomorrow, and when it's possible, eventually transferred to Huntington Memorial in Pasadena.

Reportedly he is getting to be "Gary" again ... in other words, a P.I.T.A.
We couldn't be happier.

Good News!!!

2007-08-21T11:25:00.000-07:00

We just received a call from Theresa (the Hilliard's friend and neighbor) that Gary has been taken off the ventilator and is breathing on his own. Even better, he has regained consciousness and recognized both Pam and Theresa! He was also able to move his extremities when the doctors were talking to him.

While his condition is still very serious, he appears to be on his way back.

A request from Pam

2007-08-21T10:34:00.000-07:00

Gabor spoke with Pam recently and she asked that he pass on a message to everyone.

Pam appreciates the well-wishes and prayers from all of Gary's friends but asks that we not try to visit him until he is out of the ICU as it may subject him to unnecessary stress at this critical time in his recovery.

Update from Gabor

2007-08-20T16:55:00.000-07:00

The news we're getting back from the hospital continues to be good. Gabor reports that they have been monitoring his kidney funciton, which is showing good signs, but it is still adjusting to carrying twice the load (compensating for the removed kidney). He may need temporary dialisys, but this is still uncertain. His liver is damaged, but the doctors expect it to fully repair itself.

Gary has a fractured vertebrae, which the doctors say should take 3-6 months to heal, but they report no spinal cord damage, and he will likely be on his feet with a brace as his back heals.

Brain scans are showing some minor bleeding, but it is not growing, which is a good sign. They will do neurological tests once they take him out of the deep sedation. They have already started to step down his medication, but they are doing this very gradually.

The doctors have stepped back the respirator, and they are allowing him to breathe on his own, only supplementing his breating as needed (This is a huge improvement).

Pam sends her many thanks for all your prayers and best wishes. She is staying by his side in the ICU, where they expect Gary to remain for 4-5 more days. Once he is out of the ICU, Gary will certainly appreciate your visits. For the time being, check with Gabor for the best time to visit - you can email him at: scorpions69@yahoo.com.

Update from Karen Johnson

2007-08-20T14:41:00.001-07:00

It is still unknown the details of how the accident happened but he was brought into County USC Medical Center at 9:14 AM Sunday by LA County Sheriffs helicopter. Gary's condition has improved from acute to chronic in ICU. He had a lot of internal bleeding which they got under control. He lost one kidney and while there was some damage to the other one, it is functioning OK. The Spleen had to be blocked off and will not be functional. Also there was some liver damage, but livers are good at repairing themselves. His CT scan showed no problems with his brain. All his extremities are moving OK but there might be a slight fracture to one of his vertebrae. He is still sedated and on a ventilator.

Update from Gabor

2007-08-20T13:16:00.001-07:00

I was just there visiting him. The doctor talked to us about his condition, and told us "he is clearly not out of the woods yet." The internal bleeding stopped, but the liver and kidney functions are their focus now. -Gabor Kozinc

Critical Condition

2007-08-20T11:39:00.000-07:00

Gary Hilliard, Ultramarathoner & LA County Department of Public Works employee, was involved in a motorcycle accident Sunday, August 19th, and is now in intensive care at County-USC Hospital.

The accident happened on Angeles Crest Highway, near Red Box. He suffered internal injuries, had a kidney removed, and required 11 units of blood. The good news is that he knew who/where he was, could move his fingers and toes, and that his bleeding has stabilized for the time being. He is under heavy sedation, and the doctors are closely monitoring his vitals to track his kidney and liver function.

His condition is still critical, so please keep Gary and his wife Pam in your prayers during this time.
At this time, it's probably best if visits are limited to family and close friends. Please check back for updates.