On Sunday, September 5, 2010 Debbie had a severe head trauma. We’re not 100% sure what happened, but here is what we’ve pieced together.
Lindsey and Bo were home for Labor Day weekend, and since September 5 is David’s birthday, Lindsey and Debbie had decided to get up early to fix him breakfast. We know that Debbie got up and took a shower because the fan was on in the bathroom and there was a wet towel. We know that Debbie put on a load of wash in the washing machine, and we know she made it to the kitchen because the flour to make biscuits was out on the counter. David usually gets up after Debbie and immediately walks the dogs, and so on Sunday he did this as usual, then walked into the kitchen to look for Debbie.
She was laying on the sofa and appeared to be asleep, though her arms were crossed strangely across her chest. He went to wake her up, and no matter what he did, he couldn’t rouse her. While he was trying to wake her up he heard the washing machine buzz as it ended its cycle, so we believe that 30-40 minutes prior Debbie had put on the wash.
Lindsey woke up when she heard David trying to wake up Debbie and Lindsey went into the living room to try and wake her as well. Lindsey thought it was odd that Debbie’s flip flops were laying on the sofa – Debbie ALWAYS wears shoes in the house, but when she lays on the sofa she always sets the shoes next to the sofa. On this day Debbie wore her shoes on the sofa, which let Lindsey and David to believe that she was very disoriented when she got to the sofa. The family’s doctor is also a neighbor, so David called him. He told David to call 911, and that he’d be right over.
When the doctor arrived, he could tell that Debbie had an irregular pulse, but he couldn’t figure out what the problem was. The paramedics arrived very quickly, and they immediately worked on getting her to the stretcher. Before they moved her, they gave her a shot which woke her up. The lead paramedic made eye contact, then asked Debbie to squeeze his fingers with her left hand. She did, and he asked her to squeeze with her right hand. She didn’t. Lindsey was standing over her by the back of the sofa, and she said “Mama, squeeze his hand.” Debbie turned her head and made eye contact with Lindsey. The paramedic said “Debbie, look at me,” and she turned her head back. He asked her to squeeze his hand, and she finally did. This was the last time she was conscious.
The paramedics realized in the ambulance that Debbie had a wound on the back of her head, indicating a fall of some sort. David was riding in the ambulance, but Lindsey and Bo had stayed behind to straighten the living room back up. As they did this, they noticed a thumb-sized splotch of blood on the pillow where Debbie’s head had been. When Lindsey and Bo arrived at the emergency room, the neurosurgeon came to speak to the family and let them know that Debbie had a hemorrhage in her brain and needed emergency neurosurgery to relieve the pressure and remove the blood.
The surgery went well. The blood was removed, as well as a small piece of bruised brain matter that the surgeon said Debbie would never notice was missing. Debbie was moved to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) in stable condition.
What we believe happened is that Debbie had some sort of atrial fibrillation (a fib) event that caused her to faint. The faint made her fall, dead weight, onto the hard tile floor, injuring the back of her head. She somehow regained enough consciousness to move to the sofa before she lost consciousness again. David, Lindsey, and Bo have looked all over the house and cannot find any evidence of Debbie’s fall, so we may never know exactly what happened. The doctors are hoping Debbie will remember once she wakes up.
Updates on Debbie Hardegree 
oh Honey. This sounds so awful. I’m very sorry your family is having to go through this. You have all the love and prayers I can send.
Thanks Dana – we really appreciate it!
Your Mom is very much in our thoughts. The Perdikis Family
Dear David, Bo and Lindsey,
Please know that I’m praying for Debbie’s recovery. She is such a beautiful woman with a lovely heart and soul. I’ve been her manicurist over the years and I came to love her very much. My husband and I will continue to pray for Debbie’s healing. May God give you strength and comfort while she is recovering.
With love,
Brenda
Brenda, you know that Mama loves you too! It’s good to hear from you – once Mama’s better, she and I will have to come in and see you!
We’re keeping all of you in our prayers and glad to hear of some progress.
I will keep Debbie in my prayers.
Ferguson is praying for her every day.
She is such a special lady.
Vicky Bennett (Christ Church member and admirer of Deb) has her and her family in my prayers.
Dear Debbie,David, Lindsey, and Bo
Know that you are all in our prayers. May you have a speedy 100% recovery and begin to enjoy life. A friend told me several weeks ago that we should live each day as though it was our last and to do all the things that we want to do. May God bless each one of you in a very special way. We love you.
Betty, Derrell and Family
Lyndsey, Cindy just told me about your wonderful website, and your mom will be so proud of what you are doing for her. I believe your mom can hear you, David, and Bo so keep telling her you love her, read her faith-filled scriptures, play Christian music, and pray for her out loud. Your mom’s spirit will respond to this…….I just know it. I have been praying for angels beside all of you. I love your mom so much and am praying for her at the top of every hour.
Thank you so much for your prayers Linda – she’s getting stronger every day!
You are all in my prayers and sending you big hugs. I pray you all feel God’s love and faithfulness and that you are comforted by His presence. Debbie is so special and loved to all who know her and I look forward to telling her soon how much she means to me.
Just sending thoughts and prayers. Thank you for keeping people updated on your mother’s recovery. I hope it continues to go well.
Matt
Thanks Matt – she’s doing a little better each day, so hopefully we’ll see that continue!
my prayers and thoughts are with your family during this difficult time. blessings, trc
our company works with your father and we think so highly of him. We were so shocked to hear about your Mom today. All of are thinking of you and your family and praying for a full and quick recovery. Give our best to your Dad and tell him to let us know if we can do anything to help.
Retha Roberts
Tommy Williams
Dick Williams
And all the Plateau gang.
Crossville, TN
Hank and I have you in our thoughts and prayers. Debbie, I know how hard you fought your cancer and I know you will continue to fight now.
Much love, Beth Decker
My eyes swelled with tears of joy & relief as I read the most recent postings. You all are such a strong family & your love is the most wonderful medicine during this time. Please let Debbie know that I am thinking so much of her & the rest of the family. I look forward to many more encouraging posts.
With love,
Sharon, Scotty, & Ashley Kolbuss