Wang, 47, transferred from ICU
by Chelsea Jensen
West Hawaii Today
cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com
Friday, December 17, 2010 9:14 AM HST
A 47-year-old Waikoloa woman is making strides toward recovering from life-threatening injuries suffered in a Nov. 19 two-car crash in North Kona.
While Theresa Wang remains hospitalized at The Queen's Medical Center on Oahu, she was transferred from the hospital's intensive care unit to a respiratory step-down unit on Wednesday, said David Chen, Wang's husband of 16 years.
"We've seen big improvements: She has regained consciousness (and) is now moving both legs and her right arm. She's opening her eyes a little bit and responding by nodding," he said Thursday. "She recognizes me, and when I kissed her, she kissed me back."
In the step-down unit, Wang will be weaned from her ventilator and begin physical, occupational, speech and cognitive therapy, he said.
Police are awaiting toxicology results and an accident reconstruction study before charges, if any, are to be filed in connection with the crash, Area II Maj. Randy Apele said. The department should have those results by the end of the month.
Wang was the driver of a southbound sedan that was apparently struck head-on by a northbound sports utility vehicle driven by Kailua-Kona resident Shakti Stream, 27. Stream's boyfriend, former University of Hawaii and NFL quarterback Colt Brennan, 27, was a front-seat passenger in the SUV, according to police.
Brennan and Wang were flown to Oahu for treatment while Stream was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where she was treated and within a week's time released. Brennan was released on Nov. 27.
Wang, a longtime family physician in the Midwest, moved to the Big Island with Chen in 2006. In April 2008, she accepted a full-time position with the West Hawaii Community Health Center.
However, on Christmas Day 2008 she suffered a brain aneurysm.
At the time of the crash, Wang was preparing for a trial run working at the health clinic, shadowing other doctors to see if she would be able to work again, Chen said.
While Wang's insurance will cover the medical expenses associated with the crash, Chen said travel and living costs are piling up. The couple will likely also have to cover a portion of the medical flight and rehabilitation, he said.
Donations may be made to the Friends of Theresa Wang at any First Hawaiian Bank branch, Chen said. A PayPal link has also available at hulaterri.blogspot.com, a website providing regular updates on Wang's condition.
http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2010/12/17/local/local04.txt
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