Harlow Warneke grateful to community after accident
Staff reporter
Even though he looks a little different than he did a month ago, it's the same Harlow Warneke with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face.
Sitting on patio chairs in their enclosed back porch, Harlow and Edith Warneke related the past three weeks of their lives and their gratitude to the Marion community.
A well-known Marion resident, Harlow is recovering at home following a fall May 27 which resulted in breaking his neck.
What started as a day of fishing, ended in near tragedy when Harlow decided to go fishing.
"I found myself a spot and checked it out," Harlow recalled. "On my second trip, with all of my gear, I tripped over some vines and fell down an embankment."
Harlow fell head first down an eight-foot dirt embankment.
"Something told me I had to get up and get out of there," Harlow said. "So, I picked up my rod and reel and can of bait and headed up the hill."
Harlow made it to his vehicle, and began his drive home.
"I realized I could not turn my head either direction," Harlow said. He also noted his head seemed "wobbly" on his neck.
In the mishap, Harlow broke and lost his glasses.
"I couldn't see anything," Harlow recalled, "so I drove really slowly."
When Harlow reached the highway, he listened for vehicles. When he couldn't hear any approaching vehicles, he quickly drove across the highway.
With blood running down his face from the contusions of the fall, Harlow made it home and walked in the back door.
Edith asked what had happened and Harlow told her he couldn't move his neck.
She said she carefully helped him in the vehicle and drove him to St. Luke Hospital.
"He told me to go slow and not hit any bumps," Edith said, "but how do you drive slowly when you're taking someone to the hospital?"
Upon arrival, hospital personnel immediately put a neck collar on him.
X-rays and a CAT scan revealed four breaks in the top vertebrae.
"I guess I broke my neck," Harlow said.
Doctors said Harlow was in shock which enabled him to complete the tasks of walking to the truck and driving himself home, Edith said.
Harlow was transported by ambulance to Via Christi Regional Medical Center - St. Francis Campus in Wichita.
Once examined, it was determined the only option for recovery would be a metal neck brace and halo, a round metal support with four screws attached to the skull to immobilize the neck and allowing the bone to heal.
Surgery was not an option since it was the first vertebrae and close to the brain.
The brace could not be immediately attached, however, due to swelling in Harlow's face, throat, and neck.
Harlow's uvula had doubled in size and the inside of his mouth was swollen which made it difficult to swallow.
(The uvula is the small piece of flesh that hangs on the end of the palate where it meets the throat in the back of the mouth.)
Once the swelling disappeared, the neck brace and halo were attached to his skull.
"Harlow has a halo now," he said with a smile.
He then had a week of rehabilitation at Lady of the Lourdes Rehabilitation Center in Wichita.
"Harlow did very well in rehab," said Edith. "They tested his speech and memory by asking various questions. Some of those questions I couldn't even answer but he breezed right through it."
Harlow never had paralysis or other head injuries due to the fall.
"The doctors said it was a miracle he came out the way he did," Edith said. "I guess God wasn't needing a carpenter yet."
"I can wiggle my legs, my arms, and even my ears," Harlow said with a laugh.
Harlow said he has a new understanding for those who are in car accidents.
"I can now understand what people feel when their faces hit a windshield," Harlow said.
The only discomfort Harlow has experienced since being home has been due to the halo and brace.
Four screws, two in front and two in back, were attached to his skull to immobilize his neck and head while the vertebrae heals.
During the week Harlow has been home, the Warnekes have made several trips to Wichita to have adjustments made to the apparatus.
During the last visit, the doctor tightened the screws which made the brace more bearable, said Harlow.
Harlow is able to sleep in his regular bed with a large, foam pillow supporting the back of his neck.
He has no diet restrictions and can walk unassisted. The only restriction he has is he can't drive.
The only pain medication he is taking is over-the-counter pain relievers, said Harlow.
Harlow goes for an x-ray and checkup in August but the halo itself will stay in place a total of three months.
Harlow retired 18 years ago as a U.S. postal carrier. Prior to that, he was a mechanic and parts man for John Deere and owned several businesses over the years.
An avid golfer, most recently Harlow has a golf cart repair business. He is a skilled carpenter and is known for his woodworking talents.
This is a summer of two milestones for the Warnekes.
Harlow will turn 80 years old July 1 and the Warnekes' will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in August.
"I'm just glad I'll be around to celebrate," Harlow said.
The Warnekes have three daughters — Connie Warneke of Topeka, Gerry Lundy of McPherson, and Pat Elling of Lebanon, Tenn.
The outpouring of care and support from the community has deeply touched the Warnekes. They are grateful to the community for its support.
Cards fill a kitchen table from well-wishers.
"Harlow's received probably 100 cards," said Edith. Balloons, flowers, candy, and food also have been received and appreciated.
"It's been astounding the number of calls, and the amount of food and cards," Harlow echoed.
"Marion people are really outstanding," Harlow said.
Harlow said he would go fishing again but only if it's flat land and easy to get to. Edith isn't so sure she's going to let Harlow out of her sight any time soon.