Friend hit a tree on her driver side on the highway

On May 10th my 25 yr old healthy friend hit a tree on her drivers side while driving on the interstate. She has a small fracture on her skull, 9 broken postterial ribs, and can't open her right eye. She responds to some commands only sometimes. Appears to be looking thru me at times and a few times appeared to be looking at me, but quickly shut her eyes. She is moving around a little but more of in  an agitated way.The MRI today said that her brain bleed may have caused the brain stem to shift 3mm to the left. Also something about the damage to the brain stem being more on the side that controls motor development. She was on a ventilator andnow on a trach tube and is being moved from the neuro critical care unit to a rehab center to help with the vent weaning.I dont know what any of this means. And i just googled brain injury and freaked myself out.The drs seem that she is going to be ok, but i need to know the facts of what all this means.  

[caregiver222]

The injuries you describe are severe, and I don't want you to be overly optimistic.

Physicians are very reluctant to discuss precise details of an injury with anyone other than a person holding a medical proxy.

That being said, the life-force is a magical entity, and there is always a chance for significant recovery. Only time will tell. Give things at least ninety days. Do some praying.

The rehab people generally know what they are doing.

You can help by visiting as much as you can, and insuring physical contact with every visit. Don't stand by the bed. Hold her wrist or hand or out your hand on her shoulder. Encourage her loved ones to follow this procedure.

If you can afford to, arrange for someone to visit with her every day, even for short periods, if family members and friends are not available.

She will need visual and aural stimulation.

Music will be VERY helpful.

Get a small device that holds soothing music and an earphone, and permit her to hear music when nobody is around. Classical seems to be the most helpful.

Bring in enlarged photographs and videos.

Bring in small quanties of her favorite foods, if she can swallow, and several flavors of her favorite drinks.

The fact they are weaning her off the vent is a very positive development.

Above all, don't give up hope.