Published: March 09, 2009 09:41 pm      

Hope for Recovery

Web site provides updates on car accident victim Brian Carroll

By Ida Brown — While Meridian native Brian Carroll undergoes treatment at a Jackson hospital following a serious car accident, friends at home are receiving updates on his condition from a Web site.

"Our being here in Jackson, we've received a phone call probably every two minutes from people wanting constant updates on Brian," said Keyes Kennard, a close friend of Carroll.

"It got to the point to where we couldn't keep up with calling and text messaging people the same information," said Kennard.

On the morning of Feb. 28, Carroll's jeep hit head on into a building. The 29-year-old suffered severe head trauma, and after two hours at Riley Hospital was airlifted to University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.

Carroll underwent emergency surgery to remove blood clots from his brain, and a drain was inserted to continue to relieve pressure. He is currently in the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (NSICU) in the Critical Care Hospital at the UMMC.

Family and friends are allowed to visit with Carroll three to four times daily. Updates are posted as information on his condition is provided.

The site's first entry details events following Carroll's emergency surgery.

"Brian's surgery went as well as possible. The surgeons felt they did the best they could of removing the blood clots. Due to impact, his brain shifted 1 cm. The doctor said that this should slowly correct itself. Now we are just waiting for the swelling to reduce. He is being kept paralyzed so he will not fight the breathing tube and other efforts. He is on two antibiotics and high doses of Morphine and Ativan to keep him sedated."

Monday's entry is more hopeful.

"1:00 PM: Brian had a CT scan and chest x-ray this morning. They are going to keep the drain in because there is still some fluid. The CT scan showed improvement. There is still some swelling but it has gone down a lot from what it was. The chest x-ray shows that his pneumonia looks much better. The antibiotics he is on now are working well. The allergic reaction has stopped and his white blood cell count is down. His sedation medication has been completely cut off. He is really trying to breathe on his own. They expect for him to wake in a few days."

Kennard said although the latest news has been positive, doctors have some concerns.

"They're really worried that when wakes up he's going to have several months of rehabilitation ... They're still not promising that when he wakes up that he will 'fully be there,'" he said.

Carroll is the son of Linda Carroll of Meridian and Kenneth Carroll of Washington State. Before the accident, he was a cell phone repair technician – one of the first in the state – for AT&T Mobile Solutions, which is owned by Kennard.

In just 10 days, Carroll has incurred a vast amount of hospital bills.

"He was at Riley's two hours and his bill there is $20,000," Kennard said. "And he's having constant CAT scans everyday and then there's the brain surgery."

Two funds have been set up on the Web site: one toward Carroll's recovery and one to help support his family.

The recovery fund will help with extensive treatments that may be required. Although Carroll has insurance, there are many procedures and expenses not covered under the policy, Kennard said.

The family fund will help pay for the family's extended stay expenses in Jackson.

"We're asking people to continue to pray for Brian's recovery and to pray for his family; this is the absolute best thing we can do for Brian right now," Kennard said. "We also hope that people will donate money to help defray some of the expenses that will be acquired during this time."







Want to help?



Two funds have been established for Brian Carroll as he recovers from injuries sustained in a car accident on Feb. 28: Brian's Recovery Fund and Donation to Help Support Family.

A $25 donation is requested for each fund, however more may be given. To contribute, go to the Web site brianecarroll.com You can use a credit card, debit card of PayPal account.

Donations also may be made mailing checks to: AT&T Mobile Solutions, 2303 Highway 39 North, Meridian, MS 39301.

Cards may be mailed to: The University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State St., Jackson, MS 39216 Attn: Brian E. Carroll