Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/73202
Road to recovery On Father's Day last year on her way home from Marshfield, Molli Holmes lost control of her motorcycle on a curve on Highway 125. "My husband, an experienced rider, was in front of me and had no trouble. I still don't know what happened," says Molli, who was wearing a helmet. She was taken by ambulance to the Emergency and Trauma Center at Cox South. A computed tomography (CT) scan of her brain was completed to diagnose her injury. Dr. Charles Mace was the neurosurgeon on call. "She had a blood clot on the surface of her brain called acute subdural hematoma. This type of clot is common with a serious head injury and causes bleeding in the brain," explains Dr. Mace. He removed the blood clot in an emergency surgery. Molli also had many bruises, internal bleeding, six broken ribs and a broken breast bone. Dr. Charles Mace "Molli was able to get to Cox South quickly which was crucial in her situation," says Dr. Mace. "I do not remember the 13 days I was at Cox South. My first memory is when I was transported to Meyer Orthopedic Hospital," she says. Molli went through speech, physical and occupational therapies at Meyer Orthopedic Hospital. After returning home, she continued rehabilitation at Ozark Neuro Rehab. "Molli's rehab included strength and balance exercises. I also worked with her on community reintegration, since one of her goals was to go back to work. This is where we go out in the community and practice skills," explains Amy Sanders, a physical therapist at Ozark Neuro Rehab. Rehna Logan, a speech therapist, worked with Molli on memory, reasoning and problem solving skills. Gregg Mhire, occupational therapist, encouraged Molli to continue her therapy exercises and activities at home to improve her skills and abilities even more. "I am not 100 percent yet, but I am looking forward to that day," she says. Molli still tires easily and has memory lapses, both common with brain injury patients. Recently she started attending the Cranial Support Group at Springfield Neurological and Spine Institute. "I have learned a lot from the others in the support group during my recovery," she says. And the support from family, co-workers and her medical team has helped her tremendously. "I wouldn't be where I am without them," she says. Molli is back to work full-time as an administrative assistant at Springfield Neurological and Spine Institute. Outside of work, she is looking forward to camping trips with her family this summer. 8