Update 042808

Here’s what we have from Ron & Barb Downing as of this evening: 

• Judy is conscious but heavily medicated.
• Her pelvic surgery went fine.
• She had her left arm operated on today. The break was near the shoulder.
• One lung has re-inflated but the other lung still has a drain and she continues on a respirator.
• More surgeries to come after the doctors fix the lung issue.

 Please, Please, Please do not call Jim Mitton; he is being inundated by phone calls and he cannot cope. No calls to the hospital yet. Cards are fine to the house but no flowers or plants.

 Jim and Judy’s church are providing meals to Jim and we will get a church contact within the next few days.

The Mitton’s have a $28,000 Medivac (helicopter) bill to pay; insurance does not cover this. A fund is being set up at a local bank should you like to donate to help cover this cost. We’ll know more in a few days.

On a personal note, from myself, I thank all of you that have expressed sympathy and a desire to help. Wait just a few more days until we get more information and then we’ll have a direction to go. Kathy

Update 042508

I have news from Michelle Decker and Barb Downing on Judy Mitton’s condition. Barb will keep me informed on her condition and I will forward information in the days and weeks to follow. Please respect Jim’s need to concentrate on Judy right now. Kathy

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Barb writes: Ron and I met Jim Mitton at Harborview where Judy had surgery this morning on the front of the pelvic girdle.  They plated and screwed the girdle together.  She came through the surgery well.  Her surgeon who specialized in pelvic repair was from Texas and had ridden all his life.  The surgical team is trying to get some good x-rays when the swelling is out of her arm.  Then they will do surgery on her left arm.  The ribs (5) are broken but they will not do surgery and will let them heal as usual.  The level of pain will be greatly reduced as a result of the pelvic surgery.
 
Judy will be in ICU at Harborview because of a breathing apparatus until after the arm surgery.  (approx. 2 weeks)  She will then go to the surgery floor where she will begin physical therapy.  The estimate for her total stay at Harbor View is 2 - 3 weeks but Judy is a determined woman who has a strong faith and is an over comer.  We wouldn't be surprised to see God's healing hand linked with Judy's tenacity to cause this stay to be shorter.
 
From Harborview, Judy will go to a skilled nursing facility close to Puyallup - not determined yet.  Her stay here will be approx 3 months with 6-12 months before she can ride again. 

Jim would prefer cards to be sent to their home address which will follow.  He will take them to Judy when she can read them.  Please do not send flowers to the house until notified - Judy loves them but Jim will be focused on other things  - not caring or watering plant & flowers.  Jim will let us know when she can get them on the surgery floor.  Please don't call Jim at home or cell phone as he is very concerned with Judy and it is hard for him to be retelling information; no calls to the hospital for the time being.
 
At this time, we can pray for a speedy recovery and Judy's mental healing about the accident.  Jim needs a lot of prayer support as well.  We are involved with a super caring group with Backcountry Horsemen and your support for Judy & Jim is appreciated greatly.  This support will be a long term need and let's reserve some for the future.  Their church may coordinate food for Jim and we can dovetail with them.  We will let you know. 

Judy's life was saved because she was wearing her helmet.  Jim will loan me the helmet and I will bring to the next meeting to encourage us to get and wear a helmet.
 
THANKS and we will continue to give you updates,   Barb & Ron Downing
 
Judy & Jim Mitton
8921 72nd Ave. E
Puyallup, WA.  98371-6527 

Michelle Decker writes:

For those of you who may not know, Saturday, while on an endurance ride near Ellensburg, Judy and her horse Krickett were in a long rail tunnel with a sweeping curve in the pitch darkness. They became disoriented and Krickett tried to turn around and go back to the light. They were too close to the wall of the tunnel where rail ballast had been pushed up against the walls. Krickett stumbled and fell, apparently landing on Judy. Let me say right now that Judy's helmet saved her from life threatening injury. Krickett got to her feet and stood as if frozen next to Judy; almost as if she was on guard until help arrived. The people Judy was riding with apparently carried her to the end of the tunnel where an ambulance transported her to a landing zone and she was airlifted to Harborview Hospital. Krickett is fine with no leg injury and only a tiny scrape on her right nostril.