Waikoloa physician Theresa Wang, who was severely injured in an automobile accident 8 weeks ago, can talk again. Her husband, David Chen, posted an update on his blog about Theresa. He said doctors at Denver’s Craig Hospital, where Theresa is now a patient, have given Wang a smaller breathing tube and provided respiratory therapy to enable Theresa to say a few words. However, the brain injuries she received in the accident are causing confusion, amnesia, and emotional instability. What she says can range from that of a competent physician to garbled, confused wanderings.
Wang still is on machines to help her breathe and provide her with nutrition. Chen says Theresa’s days are 7 to 8 hours long between testing and therapy sessions. He says his days are longer, as he’s also dealing with paperwork and being trained on how to eventually care for Theresa when she is released from the hospital.
Wang was injured on November 19, 2010 when a car driven by Kailua-Kona resident Shakti Stream crossed the center line of Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway at Makalawena and plowed into Wang’s vehicle. Stream’s boyfriend, Colt Brennan, was a passenger in Steam’s car and was also injured but is now with his family in San Diego and has begun rehabilitation. Chen and Wang have filed a civil lawsuit against Stream. Hawaii Island prosecutors have yet to issue any indictments in the matter.
You can follow Wang’s process at the web site, www.hulaterri.blogspot.com
