My daugter was injured in a car accident 4 yr.s ago on July 9, 1998. this is the story starting with us leaveing to run errands that day and the events that unfoled after words. I has been a rough four years.

First the story that leads up to us going to HBO.

Katlyn Bryant and her Dad, Darin, were running errands together the day of July 9, 1998. Katlyn had recived money from the tooth fairy the night before, and she asked to stop by Mc Donalds to celebrate. As Darin and Katlyn were traveling east on I-20, Joshua Dickman crossed over the center median and violenty struck, head on, the vehicle in which Darin and Katlyn were riding. The last word's Darin heard befor the crash were Katlyn's. Katlyn shouted "Look Daddy" and pointed in the direction of the oncoming vehicle.Then everything went Dark. When darin came to, his first thought was Katlyn. He could barely see, as blood was covering his body. Darin states it was if his eyes were "stained red". Darin had massive injuries to his forehead from stricking the dashboard. He reached back to check on Katy short for Katlyn he say's. He felt a light pulse and she was bairly breathing, he could get no response frrom her. Katlyn was covered in blood and completely non-responsive no crying, no whispers, no response. A passerby stopped approached the Bryant's vehicle. He calmly told Darin help was on the way, and Katly must be goten out or she would die. Then he proceded to get Katlyn out.

Things were frantic. People were desperately working to free Darin and Katlyn from the car. Despite Darins plea's no one would tell him the condition of Katlyn. The paremedics worked franticlly to stabilize Darin and Katlyn. Darin was emergently transported to Methodist Central, and several complecations arose as the tried to get him there. Katlyn was transported to Childrens Medical Center of Dallas. In the mayhem, Janie (Darin's wife Katlyn's mother) was contacted, and she was rushed to Methodist Hospital. Once there she was informed that Katlyn had been transpoted to another facilty ( Childrens ) better equiped to handle Katlyn's life threating injuries. Janie left her mother-in-law with Darin and rushed to Children's to find Katlyn.

What Janie discovered was a mother's worst nightmare. Her child. so young, precocious and full of life earlier that day, Lay motionless on the hospital Gurney covered with blood and completely unrecognizable. Dr.s began to tell her the outlook wasn't good Katlyn would proablly die. She had suffered multiple skull fractures, wrist fractures, and fluid on the stomach as well as Katys brain was swelling at an enormous rate. Katy also had a right artery tear and cerebral edma which was causing severe injury to Katy's brain. The emergency personal wheeled Katyand Janie observedthe screw sticking out of Katy's bloodie head---a screw that was placed to monitor the pressure in Katys head. Once Janie identified herself as Katly's mother, the hospital brought the Chaplin to meet with Janie and Pray, and also to prepare her for the worse.

As the events continued to unfold and janie was given bits of information, her worst fears were confirmed. It was uncertain if Katlyns little body could survive the extensive injuries. If Katlyn did survive, the doctors were uncertain wether she would ever come out of a coma. Janie and Darin could not have begun to grasp the life that now laid ahead of them.

Darin had been severly injured himself. When Darin finally awoke several day's later. he was told of multiple skull fractures he received. His knee cap was broken and had several compound fractures. THe bones in his right foot had been shaved and completely crushed. Darin underwent immediate surgery in an effort to repair the damage that had been done. It was uncertain what the outcome of his injures would be long term.

Katlyn's injuries were catastrophic. This child that Darin and Janie "Loved beyond Love' was alive but motionless and non-responsive. Katy was in a coma, and it was uncertain if she would ever leave that state the Dr.s told them there chances were almost none. This was a child before the accident was the "apple" of her parent's eyes. If you could love to much Darin and Janie were guilty. Katy had been there "miracle" child. Darin and Janie had known one another since Kindergarten. These childhood freinds began to see each other all throughout school and after high school fell in love and got married.

Like all young married couples, their dreams offor their family wer boundless. The ultimate goal was for Janie stay at home with children when they were born. However, the Bryant's discovered that because of a medical condition of Janie's they might not be able to conceive a child. However, after two years of repeated test's procedures and ultimately steroid pills to increase ovulation, they were told Janie would need a historectomy. On a trip to the Dr. one day to preapre for the procedure they found they would not be having a historectomy but instead they would be having a child, yes it was true a "miracle" Janie was pregnant.

On November 13, 1992, the Bryant's welcomed their beautiful little "miracle" child into the worlda world full of dreams to build a home filled with joy and laughter of a happy family, and that they did. The Bryant's were not disapponited. As Katlyn grew, she developeda "contagious" personality. She was relentlessly sociable, never met a stranger, and prided herself on her gift of comedy. This child could fill the room witrh laughter and tears in a matter of seconds. She regularly left her parents and grandparents in stitches and provided free entertainment as she danced and sang her way right into their hearts. The bryant's often wondered, "Could we be loving her to much?"

Everything changed on July 9,1998. The horrific crash silenced the world that the Bryants had come to know. There was no more, "Daddy lets go to the store." "Momma hold me." "Daddy, Mommy, I love you." There was just silence. There were no more children song's being sung by Katy, no more poems being recited by Katy. There was no more Laughter by katy something the Bryants cherished. That katy was gone. In her place was left a small, Six year old, scarred, broken, and severely injured child with no communication to the outside world.

Katy was in a coma. Doctor's spoke to the family about Katy's future, and made no promises. They told them What you see is about it. This is all we think she'll ever be. There was just to much damage.

The hospital staff worked to introduce the Bryants to there "new normal".Multiple medications for Katlyn, every hour on hte hour, the complications of diabetes insifudus caused by the accident and how it would affect Katlyn, what to look for and how to manage it. The would have to learn how to deal with the reflux, stress ulcers, and the presuure points (hot spots) that katy received as a result of a cast that was placed because of her broken foot. They would have to learn how to keep her body moving to prevent her arms and legs from drwing up, they would have to learn to take care of the feeding tube that was placed in Katy's stomach to feed her, for Katy could no longer have anything by mouth.

The Bryants were informed they would have to make arrangements for 24 hour monitoring of Katys condition, as she was at grave risk for multiple complications from her comatose condition.

The Bryants have been forced into learning new words like propulsid,zantac,baclofen,desmopression,retlin,colace, alebuterol, pulmicort.and many others all medications that they would need to mix on a daily basis so they could be given in the g-tube for Katy. They learned some would be liquid and some they would have to crush mix with water so they could be adminastered.

In addition, the Bryants would be schooled on how to give "range of motion"exercises to Katys body.This would have to be performed several times a day to prevent Katys body form returning to a fetal position.

As the Bryants changed there six year old Katys diapers, they would have to learn to monitor Katy's urine output to insure she maintained the proper levels of sodium. If the sodium dropped to low the child ws in risk of sezuire or stroke. They would have to learn the warning signs of distress so tthat they could appropriately respond to the situation as it arised.

They would have to make arrangements with there eletric company to insure that Katy's life-susstaining machies would allways have nessasary power to keep Katy's body fuctioning.

The Bryants were informed that hte serious injuries that had left Katy in a coma had caused the spinal fluid in Katys brain to spiral out of control. A shunt was placed in Katys skull and the Bryants were told they would have to pump the shnt 100 times a every six hours to relieve the pressure untill further notice.

Katy has suffered a severe head injury with mulitple skull fractures and extensive brain damage. She develpoedpost-traumatic hydrcephalus and a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed. Although she stabilized and survied the injury, she has never regained conseciousness. From a neurosurgical standpoint, her ventricales reamained large. She was recently admitted to Childrens of Dallas for a external ventriular drainagein an etempt to reduce the size of the venticles. This however was unsuccessful and she continues to have a ventriculoperitoneal shunt in place, which is fuctional. Due to this problem and Katlyn current clinical exam, I think she has suffered a severe brain injury and it is questionable to wether or not she will ever be able to interact meaningfully with her inviroment. Obviously with this type of diagnosis she will require constant specilized care.

To go along with the "physical toll' this tragedy has taken upon them, the Bryants have had to withstand the roller-coaster of emotion that has enveloped them.

The family came together to celebrate Katlyn's sixth Birthday on November 13. Darin spent the day fighting back tears throughout what should have been a joyous day with Katlyn's freinds playing games and eating birthday cake. When he was asked to explain the tears, Darin said that is simply a "daily" grieving that takes place when your child is in a coma. He explains by saying you are grieving as though for a death,because your child as you know her is no longer there. You grieve for what you know thatloved one is missing and you grieve for what you know lies before you.

It has now been three and a half years of constant Dr.s visits infections with no hope in site. I (Darin) Katys father and her mother Janie. were starting to get really worried Katy was going downhill fast. She was now requireing 24 hour suctioning,nebulizer treatment every 4 hours along with Cpt. She was just about antibiotic resistant to every antibiotic there was. Katy had no response to either of us. She was running tempatues all the time and was requireing the use of a cooling Blanket. The dr. told us he was going to have to start her on IBBP treatments for her lungs. She has been in and out of the hospital for Pnemonia several times. The Dr.s had told us they just didn't no how much more she would be able to take. We were scared what would we do. Late one evening My Aunt Mary called and asked us to turn on the T.V. to channel 4 there was a story on about a little boy who had received treatments at Hyperbaric. So we tried for the longest to get her in somewhere with no luck. Till one day my wife and the same aunt (Mary) was in a ace hardware and saw a collection can for a Kid trying to go to HBO so we got the information and called. It was as if Angel aswered the phone she began to tell us how the tratment worked and that there was hope for Katlyn. She spent alot of time working out the deatails and making sure we were comfortable.

It was done the apointment made and we were on our way. Scared to death a loaded to the gill we had a van a 5x 10 uhaul loaded with all of Katys medical equipment we were on our way to florida. We arived and it was as if we walked into the gates of heaven. The staff took a hold of us like we were their own. They started the treatments and the results were amazeing.

Katlyns case summary and Improvements

2/11/02
Case Summary: Katelyn Bryant
DOB: 1/13/92

July 9, 1998, this beautiful little five year old girl was in a serious MVA. She was in intensive care for fourteen days and on a ventilator. Because of a rise in intracranial pressure to the upper 20's, she was given large doses of Mantidol. On July 23rd, she was out of ICU. A scan showed an impending hydrocephalus and a VP shunt was placed. August 3rd, patient was then moved to a rehabilitation center and by August 23rd, she had showed basically no improvement. She was then sent home with her parents to do the best they could. They were told to keep her comfortable and the outlook was dim. On September 9th, patient was re-evaluated and the family was told to expect no more. November 6th, she was taken back to Children's Medical Center for a revision of the shunt. This apparently resulted in somewhat of a reduction size of the ventricles. She then returned home. By December 10th, the parents were told that there would never be any further progress and that she would live in an apolic or vegetative state for the rest of her life. They were told that the patient would worsen at times, be subject to infections, and probably die from this.

After a few years of constant infections, illnesses, and many hospitalizations, the family discovered the Ocean Hyperbaric Neurologic Center and the little one was brought to this facility for treatment.

At the time she was seen, she was noted to have post-traumatic hydrocephalus with a working VB shunt in place. Diabetes insipidus had ensued and a G-tube was placed following fundoplication. She was on intrathecal Baclofen pump. With all conservative, very expensive medications, she was becoming worse. She was treated for pulmonary care, hospitalized for pneumonia and then developed seizure disorder. She was on three types of seizure medication.

Irrespective of the seizure medication, she had five to ten seizures per day even up to Grand Mal. The pulmonary doctor told the parents that there was no option and that they were to start IPPP to help keep the airway clear. Patient had no swallowing or gag reflex and she was completely dependent on the G-tube for nutrition and medication. There was poor central control of the temperature and at times would rise to 104 / 105 for no known reason. A cooling blanket was used. Surface oxygen was given at home when her O2 Sat would fall.

Katelyn arrived at the Ocean Hyperbaric Neurologic Center, September 20th, 2001 for treatments with hyperbaric oxygenation. Initially, a functional single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) scan was performed. The results of this and sequential SPECT scans accompany this report. There was no promise that hyperbaric oxygenation would help and the parents were told to keep an open mind. After 75 hyperbaric oxygenation treatments, Katelyn was much better. Her SPECT scan showed considerable improvement and all seizure medications were discontinued as her seizure activity had disappeared. Pulmonary toilet was stopped and she required no suctioning. She began her swallowing and gag reflexes. She was able to eat by mouth for the first time in three years. Certain foods would require thickening. Katelyn still has the G-tube in place although much nutrition is given by mouth. It is hoped that in the very near future, the G-tube will be removed. Temperature control now has resulted in discontinuing the cooling blankets. Patient no longer takes antibiotics and no longer has the risk of aspiration. She is much more aware of her surroundings and is able to interact more meaningful with her parents. The reduction of medication was a slow tapering off from September 21st to November 17th. The medications were Topamax, Depakene, Astelin, Rhinocort, Pulmicort, Albuterol, Robinol, Clorazepate, Prilosec, Zyrtec, Restoril, prn oxygen, Diastat. This represents a minimum of $9,000 per month reduction in cost to the insurance company.

The most recent physical exam on - February 7th, 2002 showed: BP: 100/60, P: 94, R: 16. Patient has good skin color. Her state of hydration is excellent. The patient is semi-apolic but seems to follow some simple commands. She smiles and responds to pain and tactile stimuli. Corneal reflex is intact and she attempts to follow objects. Patient's hearing seems good. The throat and ears are clear. Heart - PMI 6th inner space mid-clavicular line regular rhythm. Lungs clear to percussion and auscultation. The abdomen shows the placement of a G-tube without inflammation at the insertion. Peristalsis sounds are heard. The extremities show no edema. The spasticity is minimal and there is no evidence of any decubiti ulcers. There seems to be movement in all four extremities. The reflexes are somewhat hypoactive.

Diagnosis: Traumatic brain injury with improvement in the Glasgow Coma Scale from three to eight.

Recently, Katelyn's parents have applied for insurance coverage for hyperbaric oxygenation which has been denied. It is essential for her continuing health and well-being, that she continue the hyperbaric oxygenation treatment. Not only should the patient be helped significantly, but the tremendous financial liability to the insurance company would be reduced by approximately 90 percent. Enclosed please find a video, re-prints, and Clinical Pearls from a very significant international symposium on the use of hyperbaric oxygenation for cerebral palsy and the brain injured child which drew speakers from seventeen countries from around the world. These results are uniform and reproducible. Life planners have estimated that care for children like this with G-tubes, tracheostomies, hospitalizations, nursing attendants, physical and occupational therapy, vans, modifications to the home, along with the fact that with modern medical miracles these little ones may well live into their sixties, the costs are in the multi-million dollar figures. Hyperbaric oxygenation as exemplified in this case, may reduce these costs by ninety percent.

Katelyn has now had a total of 105 hyperbaric oxygenation treatments and is scheduled to return again in the spring for another series of forty treatments. All physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and nutritional counseling must be continued on a frequent basis for preservation of well-being.

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