78 | www.Ups tatePhys i c i ansSC . com | www.Hea l thL i nksUps tate. com A Unique Case: TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY: ‘PLEASE PRAY’ African author Igwe Daniel Kelechi once said, “Life is a journey, and the road we travel has twists and turns which sometimes lead us to unexpected places and unexpected people, but, in turn it, always leads us to our destination.” Ten years ago, life was about to take one of those unexpected turns for Beverly and Donnie Waters of Inman, South Carolina, their 22-year-old son, Andrew, and their 17-year-old twin daughters, Kimberly and Katherine. It had been another typical family Christmas, replete with the usual overabundance of food, friends and celebrations, and 2012 was almost in the books. For Andrew, who was living in Boiling Springs, South Carolina, the new year would mean going back to work at BMW and monthly Reserve duty. As for the girls, starting their last semester as seniors at Chapman High School in Inman was exciting proof that graduation celebrations were just around the corner. What could possibly go wrong? On Dec. 28, 2012, Andrew and his friend went clubbing to celebrate the friend’s birthday. Drinking was involved. On the way home from the club, the driver lost control of the car and swerved, causing the vehicle to flip. While the driver experienced only minor injuries, Andrew had not been wearing his seatbelt and was tossed like a rag doll into the back seat. Most of the bones in his face were broken, but there were no serious injuries to any other part of his body – except his brain. Beverly Waters remembers the 4 a.m. phone call – the one no parent ever wants to receive – that found her and Donnie three hours away from home in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Andrew had been in a car wreck and was at the hospital in critical condition. Every mile of the seemingly endless drive back to Inman was filled with questions, fears and prayers, some spoken and some whispered into the darkness. After contacting Andrew’s aunt and two family friends and asking them to go to the hospital, Beverly simply posted on Facebook, “Please pray!” Donnie called a highway patrolman friend seeking more information and was assured Andrew was still alive. As they approached Inman, it was time to call thegirls, break the news and summon them to the hospital as well. The neurosurgeon who met them there had good news and bad news. Andrew could move his arms and legs but needed major facial reconstruction, and he was in a coma. The next 72 hours would be critical. After three days at Spartanburg Regional Hospital, doctors recommended airlifting the comatose young man to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston for reconstructive facial surgery and special attention to the complex brain damage. There they met the trauma intensive care unit doctor and nurse who would be handling Andrew’s care. The examination found not one but two brain bleeds and a brain shear, THE ANDREW WATERS STORY By Janet E. Perrigo Andrew in the hospital. Andrew in the hospital with a therapy dog.
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