Update on Lucia Wade’s recovery : It’s been several days since my last report, since there have been few changes to report. She recovered normally, with some pain, from her dental surgery re-setting her two front teeth.
The MRI image for her left knee showed two torn ligaments, both the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and the PCL (posterior cruciate). The latter is hidden in the back of the knee, is very strong, and injuries to it are relatively rare. It is unusual to have an injury resulting in both being impacted at the same time. If it turns out that knee surgery is needed, it might be an important next step, as restoration of mobility in a patient accustomed to an active athletic life is crucial. We are seeking further confirmation as to whether surgery is required, and if so, where and by whom.
Lucia has been able to take several evening walks with Monica or Sarah, accompanied by Cody. A pair of hiking sticks help with stability—slow-going, but great for morale.
Meanwhile, the double vision and dizziness continue to be the most serious concerns.
I think we are all realizing what a long, slow and intensely personal path this is to full recovery. She and the rest of us who love her wish to extend, once more, our deep gratitude to all—strangers, old friends, colleagues—for your continuing prayers, “white light”, and tangible acts of kindness. (submitted by dad, Alan Wade, 11/23/09)
Lucia Wade continues her rather arduous and quite exhausting road to recovery. Its been five weeks to date since her on-duty accident. She had an MRI on Friday on her left knee, which has been bothering her with pain and attendant instability, and is expecting a report tomorrow. In addition, feeling since the accident that her front teeth were “not quite right”, she asked for a dental examination. One of her front teeth is fractured, and both were moved to the extent that dental surgery is required. She is scheduled for that on Tuesday of this week. She is in good spirits, but still needs round the clock attention and care.
Most troubling are her continued double vision and vertigo. Her only recreational outlets are occasional trips to the dog park with Cody and Monica, but Cody is so strong that Lucia cannot take her for walks alone. Lucia says she has a long wish list of things she wants to do again, including being able to take her 7 month old and growing “puppy” for walks!
Lucia has busy days during this recovery period. Various doctors appointments, tests, and therapy make a full and exhausting day for both Monica and Lucia. No major changes to report, just hard work in progress. Thanks to all of you who came out for the fundraiser and who continue to drop cards with encouragement for Lucia. – Lisa B.
Date: Thursday, November 12, 2009
Time: 6:00pm – 11:55pm
Location: Santa Rosa Veteran’s Memorial Building
See www.santarosapoa.com for more details. Please click on the link below to be connected to Eventbrite.
www.eventbrite.com/event/472824230
This is part of an email sent to Monica – Lucia’s family was so touched by it they wanted to share…the author is a Santa Rosa Police officer and friend of Lucia’s. Thank you to everyone who has shown their concern!
….Everyone expresses their well wishes to you, Lucia and her family…I mean EVERYONE! Of course the Deputies, Probation, Parole, Firefighters etc…all ask about her on a daily basis. The clerks at the Fulton Arco station never talked to me before…now they all ask for daily updates. The mechanics and other city employees all ask about her daily. Citizens run after me, frantically wave me down and ask about Lucia. I contacted three gang members at a park and they asked about her and said “that’s real F-d up…ya know?” — gang members wishing a cop well…if anyone could make that happen, it would have to be Lucia. After citing people for random things…cell phone violations, running stop signs and such, all have asked about Lucia and her recovery….citizens not disgruntled over a ticket and more concerned about a cop…once again, that’s Lucia’s doing.
Drunks at Finley Park…all asking about our girl Lucia–random?!
I can’t keep track of all the people that have been concerned and send their best wishes and love to you and Lucia…as I’m sure you know, the support has been overwhelming. I don’t want to sound like a Hallmark card but It’s really refreshing and a reminder that there really are good people in this world that care.
I’m so proud of Lucia and her fight for recovery. I’m also so very proud of you and your strength throughout this ordeal. I know it’s not easy, but know that you have a lot of friends and the cop family here to back you up 100% and help you along the way.
Please allow me to attempt to express my gratitude to everyone who has showered me with support. This rather horrendous experience has left me utterly grateful for the love and support that I have received from friends, co-workers, family members, former schoolmates, former co-workers, and utter strangers. I still have zero recollection of the approximately ten minutes prior to the accident through the first three days following the accident. Money is the last thing that I would have asked for or expected to receive, but it will indeed come in incredibly handy. Having never spent an over night at a hospital before, I was not prepared for all of the unexpected expenses, or for Monica Nascimento, my beloved partner of over 14 years, to have to take extended time off from work to care for me. The money that you have all donated will help to ease some of the financial stress, and it means so much that it comes from folks who are cheering me on and who hope to see me recover completely.
I am struggling to find the words that are appropriate to communicate my feelings of gratitude to each one of you. I hope that you will accept this note as a stand-in for my deep gratitude and overwhelm at all that you have done to help me and see me through this challenging time in my life.
Very sincerely yours
Lucia Wade.
WOW! The turnout at Mary’s Pizza was awesome to say the least. Brad Conners, representing the Santa Rosa Police Officers Association, reports huge attendance and great support from the community today for this fundraiser. Thank you to everyone who came out for great food and great company.
***
The most important part of this update is from Lucia’s Dad, Alan Wade:
Lucia reports that things are pretty much status quo on the recovery front. She seems to have made a big jump ahead on Monday, but now seems to have had a couple of more or less “flat” days. She reported to me by email, but has trouble composing because of double vision that still plagues her. Her main concern now is feeling “totally overwhelmed” by all the gifts, cards, and calls that she has received from so many of you. She is an extremely modest, unassuming person, who finds public attention of any kind abhorrent. She is not sure how she can thank everyone, but, true to herself, is working on it. We remain confident that progress will be slow but steady.
Don’t forget to print your flyer from www.santarosapoa.com and join us for some great food and great company at Mary’s Pizza Shack!.
Founded in 1999, this non profit group helps officers and their families who are injured or killed in the line of duty. Today at the Women Leaders in Law Enforcement Conference, they offered to match donation to Lucia up to $2,000. If you prefer to donate directly to BALEAF, write Lucia Wade in the memo field and they will earmark it for Lucia. -Lisa B.
**Bay Area Law Enforcement Assistance Fund (Baleaf.org)
P. O. Box 31764
San Francisco, CA 94131-0764
If you send a check to them, and mark it “Lucia Wade Fund” in the memo section, they will match it up to $2,000 and send it directly to Lucia’s fund. BALEAF is a 501(c)3 organization.
Lucia phoned me tonight with an upbeat message. She talked with her physiatrist today, and had both speech and physical therapy sessions. She was almost elated in reporting that the doctor told her how much she had improved since last week’s visit. She talked with the neurosurgeon about the accident stating that although she remembers nothing, she “guesses” she was actually quite lucky over-all. He said “you have no idea how lucky you really are.” Her spirits were also lifted by the physical therapist’s prescription for a five minute stationary bike ride twice a week–”don’t overdo it.” She is also hopeful that at some point she will be able to go back to her patrol assignment. The tasks ahead call for patience on hers, and everyone’s, part. (Alan Wade, Lucia’s father)