Date: Thu, 9 Jul 1998 09:18:28 -0400
From: Eric Nelson <>
To:
Subject: Please forward this message to the Birding-aus group
To friends and correspondents of Tom Nelson,
I know many of you have been corresponding with my father Tom Nelson, prior to
his trip to the Lotus Bird Lodge up near Cape York. And it is possible that
some of you you may have been expecting to meet him during his last few days in
Queensland before he returned to the US. Unfortunately, he was in a very bad
auto accident just outside of Julatten late Friday, June 26, and has been in
the intensive care ward, on a ventilator, at Cairns Base Hospital since then.
He will recover, but he had major fractures to both his legs, as well as broken
ribs from the seat belt (which saved his life). The doctors have told my
mother and me that he will recover with full mobility, and there is no other
important damage. Even so, he will be in the ICU here in Cairns for at least 8
weeks until he can breathe on his own. It may take him an additional 6-8
months before he is comfortably walking again.
Right now he is still heavily sedated, and is only occasionally awake enough to
try to communicate, and because of the tracheostomy, he cannot speak. I don't
doubt, though, in the coming weeks he will be getting much better. The doctors
have been quite impressed with how quickly he has been improving. If you would
like to get in contact, or send cards (no flowers please, as they are not
permitted in the ICU), he is at:
ICU
Cairns Base Hospital
The Esplanade
Cairns, QLD
I am sure he would be very happy to hear from you, and if you wish to pay him
a visit when he is less sedated, I am sure he would be happy to see you (though
the conversation may be a bit limited). I know you will wish him a speedy
recovery. And his family thanks you for your concern.
Sincerely,
Eric Nelson
|
