Laine's Medical Update - Thursday, May 1st, 2008 - 12:30pm

It's been five days since Laine's terrible fall and with each new day we've been blessed with signs of progress. One of the emotional elements of healthcare management is to prepare families for both good and bad days. The proverbial emotional roller coaster ride. So, far our set backs have been few and Laine's forward steps have been consistent. One backward step came about last night when Laine's fever suddenly spiked up to nearly 103. It was determined that she had an infection and a case of pneumonia; both being complications that are quite common with a lung injury of this sort. They started her on three seperate antibiotics and her fever has already come down significantly as a result.

The good news is that Laine's lungs continue to gain strength and her doctors have again lowered the level of assistance being contributed by the ventilator. At one point, Laine was drawing almost all her own breaths. It turned out to be a bit premature, so they went back to the previous settings. Laine's jaw surgery is now scheduled for first thing Friday morning. The plan is to plate the lower jaw line and then reset the right upper jawbone and then wiring it all together.

As far as Laine's attitude goes, she is an amazing kid. They've begun to cut back the level of her pain/comfort meds so from time-to-time, she'll drift back into consciousness, opening her eyes and trying to get herself oriented. She's begun to ask the obvious questions, like what happened and where am I? Not a moment after she was asking about her beloved horses, Frodo and Eric. Keep in mind that communication is now done by lip reading and hand gestures because the tracheotomy has rendered her vocal chords temporarily inoperable. There is a certain "fiest" in Laine today and while the communication process is very frustrating, she was tried desperately to communicate in her sedated state. There was one point that Laine was particularly struggling to ask the nurse something that she couldn't make out. Eventually, they were able to determine that she was asking for a mirror. Now, while that's normally a simple request, one has to think about the benefits of providing it in this instance. We did, she looked for a moment and then drifted back into a peaceful rest.

April 30th at 11am in the ICU wait room

Laine continues to progress well. Yesterday was hard on me because the nurses are gradually lowering Laine's sedation so if I went to kiss my daughter's precious forehead or hand she would wake and struggle to get up. It is a horrible situation to watch your own daughter caught between the zones of medication and reality.

Laine goes for surgery on her jaw thank God today. She is third patient in the OR room so time is still up in the air as to when she actually goes. I am ancious to see my girl's face afterwards. Her jaw will be wired shut and they are putting a trachea tube in so ventilating will be more effeicient and easier for her to withstand. Her lungs are doing so much better ....I am so THANKFUL for her combative spirit. That's John Wayne stuff right there. Michael and I will update her surgery later today when she gets wheeled back to her ICU slot. My girlfriend of 30+ years is the designer and "keeper" of Laine's website so she will be sure to post it immediately. I can't even start to thank ALL of you for your e mails, calls, cards, gifts, and mostly PRAYERS for my daughter's recovery.....I love each and every one of you and all your efforts are paying off. There is NOTHING more precious than your own child. NOTHING.

Which brings me to our boy Frodo Baggins. Briefly, our devastation will be felt for YEARS TO COME. Laine's partnership with her boy will never be equalled. He is gone. We have only memories. While I was running this morning I thought of how in shock not only I am in but my family around me that he is even gone. When I drive home to Crow's Ear Farm and see my black beauty is missing from the famous "Jamie field" and stall #2......it will be another whole round of heartache and void that both Laine and I will endure. Laine's partner gave her confidance. So much is now gone for my beloved daughter. I am extremely concerned as to how and if she will even pick up the broken pieces and continue on with her eventing carreer. It will be a choice and decision only she can make. I have deliberately NOT mentioned Frodo on our website because Laine DOES NOT KNOW about his dimise. When she was first flighted into emergency on Saturday Laine's hands were bound but she was able to finger out the letters F_R_O_D_O on her sheets......I protected her from the truth and said Katie her incredible groom was taking care of him. Katie thank God, was the only one with him and said he remained our 'champion' even till the end. So please, until I can find the right moment to grapple the strentgh and tell Laine.....let's keep this "mum's the word". I need your continued support on this. I do believe this task, will be one of the most difficult ones for me to carry out.....and nurse along for the months and years ahead. I THANK ALL OF YOU.

Valerie

FLASH UPDATE:
12 NOON

the OR room is unavailable today due to emergency priorities. Friday will be our targeted date. Laine is having a tracheoscomy as I write to better her ventilating and possible breathing on her own. I will update later tonight or tomorrow regarding her procedure today.

Laine’s Medical Update – Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 – 11AM

This morning we are pleased to see more incremental progress with Laine’s lung injury. While she remains on the ventilator, she is beginning to take some breaths on her own. Her vital signs are also improving. Her fever, while still high, is down to a less critical level. Her blood pressure, which has been running low, is beginning to rise up to a more acceptable level and her blood oxygenation saturation is very good (meaning that her lungs are performing their primary function of distribution oxygen and eliminating carbon dioxide). She still has three chest tubes inserted that allow for the release of pressures and draining of excess blood in her chest cavity. Her right lung, which was the one most badly damaged, has effectively resealed itself and is now leaking only minimally.

Once the respiratory function is stabilized, then we can start to deal with the myriad other injuries. Top on that list is resetting Lainey’s broken jaw. That surgery is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, although that is subject to change. Her jaw bone was completely severed near the chin line with a secondary break higher up near her facial plate, just below the right ear. All surgery is risky; and more so in Laine’s case given her fragile state.

At this point we’re not looking too far beyond the jaw surgery. We’ll keep the reports coming as we learn more. In the meantime, we’d like to thank everyone once again for all your heart felt prayers, emails and cards. When Laine does regain full consciousness she’ll enjoy reading them.

On A Personal and Lighter Note: I would additionally like to add that Laine has been particularly uplifted to hear that Karen O’Connor and her coach and ‘big brother’ Buck have called expressing their concern daily and are wishing her a speedy recovery. Karen asked me if there was ANYTHING she could do to help out….I paused…and then asked her if she was going to Jersey Fresh ***. She responded saying “this is about the Eight St. James Trophy isn’t it”? I said yes. She said it is as good as done! So now dear friends this is what we have. Buck and Karen entered in the 3 star. One trophy. A well dusted area in our farm’s trophy cabinet. And the words “bring it on” from Karen to Buck. The rest will be history.

Thank you. From the bottom of my heart for all your countless prayers and expressions of love for my baby daughter. Sincerely.
Valerie

Laine's Medical Update - Monday, April 28th – 1PM

Laine’s condition is improved as of this afternoon although she is still listed as critical. Our first concern is still her damaged lungs and restoring adequate respiratory function to them. We are happy to report improvement on that front; although Laine is still breathing with the assistance of a ventilator. Once her lungs are more fully stabilized, she will be going to the operating room to have her broken jaw reset. Given the degree and complexity of the fracture, it is going to be a difficult operation. So, that is our next big hurdle. Other than that, Laine is resting comfortably and showing slow but consistent signs of improvement. Again, thank you for all of your prayers and well wishes. They seem to be working.

Laine's Medical Update - Sunday, April 27th - 7PM

It’s been one long and enduring day after Laine's terrible fall on Rolex's cross country course and we are encouraged by her progress. For those of you who know Laine, you know her amazing tenacity and drive that will be the saving attributes for her recovery. But, first, the good news! Actually, the very good news is that Laine did not suffer either brain or spinal injury. What she did suffer were multiple broken ribs, a badly broken jaw, broken clavicle and scapula. The most critical being her collapsed lungs. The primary focus of the medical attention is on reviving Laine’s compromised respiratory function. Laine is currently breathing with the assistance of a ventilator. This is necessary because of her fractured ribs and the pain associated with filling her lungs to a healthy capacity.

Laine made good progress today, although we have been forewarned that this recovery cycle can be a roller coaster.

I can not convey enough how precious all your incredible well wishes and prayers have been. I feel we are all in this together which makes my shoulders not buckle so much. I love all of our riding friends who have gone beyond the call of duty to ensure Laine knows how loved and missed she is.

It’s these difficult times that bring all us closer together.

Sincerely,

Valerie Ashker

Lainey's Accident

Laine was severely injured in the cross country course at the Rolex Three-Day event in Lexington, Kentucky yesterday, April 26, 2008. She was riding Frodo Baggins when the fall occurred. Laine was immediately airlifted to the University of Kentucky hospital where she remains in stable but critical condition in ICU. She suffered a broken jaw, a broken collar bone, and multiple fractured ribs.


The family asks that you remember Laine in your prayers. Her blog will be updated daily with her progress so please check back here for news of her condition. You can also read her blog directly (with RSS feed) at LaineAshker.blogspot.com.

Praying for Darren, Missy, and Jen and John

They say time flies when you’re having fun. For the most part, that saying couldn’t be more true when it comes to the space between all of these Rolex installments. When I last wrote, Frodo was preparing to show at Rocking Horse in the Intermediate division. He started off the show well, winning the dressage with a solid score of 27.0 and finished with the lowest score to win the division. As expected, another perilous storm swept through Altoona, Florida over Rocking Horse weekend, causing torrential down pours and disastrous winds for show jumping day. As I was trying to make out what Buck was saying to me before I entered the ring, along with just trying to see my practice fence, I came to the conclusion that if Frodo could jump clear in these conditions, he sure could jump clear in the beautifully manicured Rolex ring. And jump clear he did!
Because Frodo’s performance was so sensational at Rocking Horse, I was overly excited for the arrival of the next Winter Training Session and my favorite event (aside from Rolex), Red Hills. What made the Winter Training session so interesting is that every one of us had the opportunity to meet with the USOC staff. Because I am a believer in sports psychology, my first appointment was with Suzie, the US Sports Psychologist. We discussed different aspects of the events, what types of scenarios made me nervous, what types made me calm and what exercises to do to create that tranquility. The next session I had was more physical. I met with Zach, the USOC fitness instructor. As event riders, we tend to only ride horses and think that is enough to keep us fit and trim. Oh contraire! With Zach, we discussed my problem areas and went over different fitness moves to help tone and build muscle which certainly made me break a sweat. Lastly, but certainly not least I met with Karen, the USOC nutritionist. I cannot tell you how much meeting with her was beneficial to me! Because I usually have multiple horses at events, I find it hard to stop and take time to eat, especially on cross country day! With Karen, we pondered ways of providing my body with the nutrition and energy it needs, without making me feel full. Along with two amazing dressage lessons from Mark, and having it all filmed by the USOC crew, meeting with Suzie, Zach, and Karen was extremely informative and helpful to Frodo’s and my path down winding road to the Olympic Games.
Next up was Red Hills. After meeting with my coach Buck Davidson, we both decided it was best to move Frodo into the CIC*** World Cup class so that he could compete with the “big boys” so to speak. I also had three other horses competing at Red Hills: My young up and coming horse, Anthony Patch was doing his first CIC*** and my other upper-level horse, Mazetto, owned by Christine Brennan and Carousel Farm was in the Advanced class. I was also excited to have my homebred six year old, Seajack compete in the extremely competitive preliminary class.
Before Bronwyn and I left for Red Hills, we were pleasantly surprised to find goodies in the mail from some of my generous sponsors. My newest sponsor, Heritage Gloves, sent me many types and colors of gloves to use both inside and out of the competition ring. You can go to their website to check out their wide array of gloves at www.heritagegloves.com. Also, I was happy to receive more sheepskin comfort half pads from my first and most munificent sponsors at Thinline (www.thinlinepads.com ). Additionally, Jim Chiapetta from Flair Strips (www.flairstrips.com) sent me more equine nasal flairs to use on cross country and show jumping which is extremely beneficial to each of my horses’ performances.
After receiving all of these helpful items, Bronwyn and I were more than eager to make the three hour trip to Tallahassee in anticipation of the exciting horse trials at Red Hills. We had to arrive early because of Frodo’s demanding schedule of the Winter Training Sessions. After a few days of dressage with Mark, Frodo and I were poised to cause a stir in the dressage standings. However, this was not so. Perhaps it was because it was my horse’s first show away from home, but for some reason all of them, especially my most seasoned mount, Frodo Baggins, seemed to have an unlimited amount of energy and nerves. These two ingredients never mix well in the dressage ring so needless to say I was quite disappointed with Frodo’s test. However, I knew that I would need that excess energy for the demanding cross country course that was to come next. Every year Red Hills proves to be a Championship course at all levels, and this year, Captain Mark Phillips made sure this was no exception. However, my horses proved to be more than ready for the questions the course presented. Frodo, as always, was a rock star and galloped around the course like the seasoned champion he is. I was so thrilled to ride him once again across country, because he one of the most maneuverable and fast horses I have ever had the chance to sit on. I was also elated with his fitness level in the heat, which means that once again, Buck’s fitness regimen is spot on. My other mounts went phenomenally as well. Anthony Patch (Alex) went around his first three star course very positively only to find out that we were eliminated because of my misunderstanding of an option at the end of the course. Nevertheless, we completed the course, ears pricked and all. My young horse, Seajack, galloped around the prelim course with ease. My final ride of the day, Mazetto showed his vast experience as he cantered around the Advanced course making it seem rudimentary. Needless to say, all of my horses were stars. The final show jumping day went equally as well, with Frodo finishing 6th in the CIC*** World Cup class, Mazetto 3rd in the Advanced division, and Seajack 8th in the prelim. Although I would have liked to take home the Mercedes Benz, I was happy to see my fellow Winter Training Session comrade, Clark Montgomery and his mount, Up Spirit take home the prize.
However, a dark cloud loomed over Red Hills weekend with the loss of two amazing horses, Direct Merger and Leprechaun’s Rowdy Boy in addition to a horrific accident involving Olympian and well respected rider, Darren Chiacchia. As a fellow competitor, my heart goes out to Missy and John and Jen for their losses as it is such a heart break to lose something so close to you. As for Darren and his family, both will constantly be in my thoughts, hopes, and prayers for a speedy recovery. Darren is not only an remarkable athlete, but has been a great friend and mentor to me, and was exceedingly supportive when I lost my long time equine partner, Eight Saint James Place. I truly believe that Darren’s strength and courage will carry him through and bring him back to the sport he loves the most.
I will be in touch next month. In the meantime, I am headed home to teach a clinic in Virginia, headed to Poplar Place and the Fork, and keeping my horses and myself fit and healthy for their upcoming event schedule. Until next time, chin up, sit back, and kick on!

Lainey Ashker