Garett Wittrock’s SCI Injury & Rehab Progress

02/17/2025

Well, we have a had a crazy few days! Garett started antibiotics, over 4 weeks ago, for a UTI. Each week his urine has been checked, he’s still infected, and cultures were done 3x’s. 😫

Garett’s pain soon became overwhelming again, on Thursday, & his autonomic dyreflexia reared its ugly head! We were unable to stabilize his BP (caused from the AD episodes) Within a 5 minute period, we got: 180/130, 132/88, 88/56! So the nitro paste and the nasal spray were not options! After a day of this off/on, we made calls and determined he needed to go in, via ambulance.

This resulted in: 3 days in the hospital on IV antibiotics!! Today, upon discharge, the doctor informed him, that NONE of the 3 antibiotics he’s been prescribed, in the last month, will treat the infection. So today he made it home, started a new antibiotic, and he’s in good spirits! This could have ALL BEEN AVOIDED, if just once they had bothered to reference his culture results and treat appropriately! 🤦‍♀️🙄

We are on the mend, hopefully, but this mama has an even bigger dislike for today’s medical field. As a nurse, I called back many culture results, relayed the change of med to the patient, and pharmacy. I honestly just don’t get it! Couldn’t be more excited about possible changes in medicine and big pharma. If you think you’ve had bad care, I understand, me too. BUT I will tell you, it’s an entirely different ball game, when you become paralyzed or disabled in any way! I knew from patient stories over the years, but goodness! They always say, “You don’t really understand, until you live it”! And that, my friends, is no lie!

Thank you to all who reached out to Garett, or family to check on him, send good vibes, or pray! A special thanks to Zane and Logan for stopping in and making him smile!! We appreciate each of you!!

And Miss Aurora was super excited to see dad!! All smiles! ♥️♥️
Now, let’s all have a fantastic week! 😉♥️

02/06/2025

I am not a huge fan of any ER, but especially during cold and flu season!! Not to mention we are avoiding the waiting room, and we masked up, because we have zero desire to go home with any extra “treats”!

Garett has been in the waiting room for over 2.5 hours with pain, cath issues, not draining, BP all over the place from his AD, and Integris Baptist is too busy drawing labs from walk in patients to see the ones that are sick and in pain!!

When I started nursing, rule on who was next was based on urgency. Excuse me, if I fume over labs being drawn, while I try to keep my son comfortable in the hallway.

And yes, we anticipated a wait, but drawing outpatient labs shouldn’t be placed before those that actually need care. Okay. Rant over! 🤦‍♀️🙄🤣 Happy Thursday!!! Weekend is almost here!! ♥️

12/23/2024

We had a great Christmas yesterday, at our house with the kids and mom & dad! Then we got to stop in and celebrate with Nanie & Papaw, and Nana & Papa Arlo! Good times with amazing family! So thankful that we are still all able to get together! While life is different now for Garett, it’s still a blessing to have him here! 🥹🥰♥️

Overall, it’s been a great week! Garett purchased a van, which makes everyone’s life easier! 🤣 Especially his! Now he can roll in and go, vs having to transfer and load his manual wheelchair! ♥️♥️

While it’s been great, it’s also been the week of illness here! As much as we all tried to keep it away from G, he was exposed and started feeling bad yesterday. Praying he feels better soon, and has no issues!

We would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! And to remind others, that even when things don’t look so bright, there is always a silver lining! Count your blessings!! I know we sure do! 🥰♥️🎄

11/29/2024

Update: Got all of Garett’s new meds picked up! Got him repositioned, increased fluids, and he’s doing much better! BP has stabilized some, and he’s resting comfortably! Thank you for thinking of us! ♥️🥰

Well friends! We started off Thanksgiving with a bang! Got Garett to moms, and then things took a turn.

Garett has a suprapubic catheter, and he apparently developed a mild uti over the last few days. Unfortunately for him, his body has to communicate sickness differently than before. He was having some discomfort in the bladder area, which quickly became serious. In response to the UTI, his pressure elevated to 224/118, with a severe headache, thrush, and his splotchy AD rash appeared!! Then we discovered his foley had quit draining, and he was swelling. So basically he had 2 trips to the ER. His initial for the UTI and foley clog, then he repeated all of the above, this am around 3. His supply company only provides one cath a month, so I couldn’t change it myself, when it started again! So frustrating! We will be talking to the supply company next week!

On the bright side, he’s doing well now. Got some sleep after he got home around 745am, and he’s feeling much better now. He will most likely have issues until the UTI is resolved! Poor kid! This mama was just glad he got to enjoy his Thanksgiving dinner, and visiting with family for a bit, before all this started!

Please keep our boy in your thoughts and prayers! Learning his new normal is proving to be challenging at times!

On a brighter note, little Miss Aurora learned to crawl this week! 🥰 Life just got even more fun, with this sweet angel! ♥️♥️

11/19/2024

Things have gone pretty well since Garett made it home! Gigi and PopPop have gotten in some good quality time with G, Dejanna, and sweet Aurora! (Who learned to make a new face! 🤣)

Equipment is still arriving, Garett absolutely loves his big shower, and the porch is amazing!! His Papaw is rocking and bricking it up now!! Looks fantastic!!

On a serious note, Logan and I go over several times a day to help transfer, give meds, assist with meals, showers, and do his stretches! If we don’t stretch everyday, the spasms get pretty uncomfortable for G! 🥹 He takes handfuls of meds, but without the ability to regulate blood pressure, body temp, and more, the meds are necessary right now! Garett has been able to assist in his transfers, and he is getting stronger each day! So proud of his spirit, hard work, and humor!! Definitely blessed to be his Mama! 🥰♥️

A few pics, #2 is our new funny face!!😍🤣

11/01/2024

Garett is coming home!!! Woohoo! Discharged from outpatient is today! His dad and Noah flew out, to fly back with him!! Can’t wait to see him! Dejanna and Aurora made it in last night!! Thankful for safe travels for her, praying for safe travels for the guys!! ♥️♥️

10/24/2024

Big things happening this week to Garett’s house!! Steps have been removed and Clint Rother has started the porch and ramp!! Can’t wait to see it finished!! And just in time, our boy comes home on the 1st!!! 🎉🥳🎊

And yes, Coco had to sneak in the pics!!🤣♥️

10/20/2024

Things seem to be going great in Denver! Got a few screenshots and a few pics of them recently! Thought I’d share!

Improvements have started on Garett’s house!! Tub and shower have been removed to build his walk in shower! Porch has been started as well, so Garett will come home to a beautiful concrete porch and sidewalk, which will be awesome for his electric wheelchair!

They also had a field trip to the airport, going through the process, to hopefully make his trip home uneventful! He wasn’t thrilled! 🤣 Garett also called to say they have gun adaptive equipment, and he got to shoot a 22. Again, not thrilled with it being a 22, but it’s a start!

Overall, Garett has kept that amazing smile, and unwavering spirit. We are more than proud! ♥️

10/05/2024

Garett has graduated Craig!!! 10/4/24 he was relocated to the outpatient program! We are so very proud of everything he has accomplished, he fighting spirit, his humor, and so much more!! Garett arrived, able to do nothing, and will be leaving with tons of life skills and hacks as a quad!

Unfortunately, Logan and I have had to head home! After 3 months we are tired, and ready to give G some space! He, Dejanna, and Aurora have moved to an outpatient apartment, to prepare for life at home! We will be helping in areas we can, to prepare his home over the next 30 days!

On a sweet note: Aurora turned 6 months old! We celebrated with cake and pics in the park! ♥️♥️

09/15/2024

Guess who got to go see Tom Segura at Ball Arena last night?? Yep! Garett did!!! And he had fantastic seats!!

Logan and I did some calling and secured the transportation, and shopped for a new outfit for the night! Jason flew in on Friday, and they attended the show together!

Garett had a fantastic time, and it was a great opportunity for an independent outing! So glad he got the opportunity! We cannot thank the staff at Craig, his doctors, and therapists for preparing him, getting meds ready, and making sure everyone had the proper education and passes for him to attend! And a special thank you to Ball Arena for being so handicap accessible!

09/12/2024

As most of you know, our son Garett, on June 23rd, broke his C5/6 vertebrae in his neck! His therapy is very detail oriented with huge family and caregiver training as well! We are learning ways to make life a bit easier for Garett, as he navigates his path as a quadriplegic! We are so thankful that he can use his arms, and we found out yesterday that his R tricep is firing!! Big news because this will make his manual wheelchair and transfers much easier! And he can hold his sweet daughter!!

While Garett has had big improvements, a lot of his therapy is centered around ways to do things now. Everything is modified, for him, and he is adapting well. So proud that Garett fights through his frustration!! Since everything will have to be modified, including his home, inside and out, doorways, railings, shower, etc.. the expenses are quickly adding up! Garett has also made the decision to stay at Craig for his outpatient rehab, where he will be staying with Dejanna, Aurora, Logan and I. This extends our stay by another 6 weeks, so we are asking if anyone feels it in their hearts to donate, we would be so very grateful. Logan is working, but expenses in both states is crazy!! I guess it pays to be rich! 🤣

Anyhow, we are sharing this in the hopes that it reaches more of our people! We found out yesterday, several still haven’t heard about Garett, thanks to having to jump through hoops as a page or group on FB!

Thank you again, to all who have donated to us or Garetts fund! You are the reason we can be here with our boy! And as always, we have been overwhelmed by the gifts, donations, and outpouring of support up to this point! Thank you!!! We could NOT do this without each of you!

Our son, Garett Wittrock, had a diving accident on 6/23/24. He has a c5/6 spi… Sonya Toepfer needs your support for Help Garett Wittrock's Family During Rehab