No one wants to imagine having to relearn how to do everything you once knew but for Colby Kalke, this was his reality. Despite the seemingly insurmountable obstacles he faced, he learned that with an incredible medical team by his side and endless love from family and friends – anything is possible.
In the early morning hours of June 4th, 2021, 18-year-old Colby Kalke’s life took a dramatic turn. Driving his truck on a secluded back road near Salmon Arm, Colby was in a severe accident that catapulted him 30 feet through his windshield. A passerby found him unconscious and urgently called 911. When paramedics arrived they performed a life-saving cricothyroidotomy on the scene to keep him breathing.
As Colby was transported to Royal Inland Hospital, the RCMP informed his mother, Janine, of the horrifying accident. They suggested she contact family in Kamloops to support Colby at the hospital. Janine’s brother rushed to the hospital, while she and her mother raced to Kamloops.
Upon arrival, an emergency physician explained to Janine and her family the gravity of Colby’s condition. His head had taken a severe hit, impacting his brain and fracturing his face. Unconscious, with a collapsed lung and 14 fractured ribs, Colby was in critical condition. As Janine waited in the emergency department, distraught and terrified, a compassionate nurse stood by her side, offering comfort while the trauma team worked tirelessly on her son.
With his brain swelling rapidly, Colby required an urgent craniotomy performed by Neurosurgeon, Dr. Matanaj to survive. With Janine’s consent, Colby was rushed to the operating room. He spent seven and a half months at RIH, with Janine never leaving his side, while Colby’s father Scott and younger sister Rieley visited from Salmon Arm every chance they could. The first three weeks were spent in the intensive care unit (ICU), where his care team monitored him 24/7 as he lay in a coma. The first sign of consciousness came during a video call with his cousin, Katie; hearing her voice, his heart rate elevated, signaling that he was coming back.
By June 29th, Colby was stable enough to move out of the ICU. Janine, who is also a care aide, requested to stay with him as his caregiver. However, the department didn’t allow overnight guests. Understanding Janine’s concerns, an ICU social worker intervened, securing a spot for Colby in the pediatric unit where Janine could stay by his side. This incredible act of kindness remains unforgettable for Janine and her family.
For Colby and Janine, Royal Inland Hospital became a second home, and his medical team became family. They forged unique and special relationships with each staff member. Some staff tried to elicit responses from Colby to encourage him to talk, while others left him heartfelt notes. On his 19th birthday, a nurse brought him an ice cream cake with a picture of a beer to celebrate his coming of age. Every staff member was deeply invested in Colby’s recovery.
When Colby regained consciousness, he had to relearn how to talk, walk, and perform daily tasks. As his discharge approached, the healthcare team ensured he had the necessary support at home. Back in Salmon Arm, Colby’s dad, sister, and grandparents eagerly prepared for his return, with his grandpa equipping the house with ramps and handrails.
On January 20th, 2022, Colby was discharged. Each day, he made progress, defying the odds by taking his first steps at home and eventually regaining full independence. He continues to work with a team of allied health professionals, growing stronger every day that passes. Before the accident, Colby loved going for drives in the country, appreciating the beauty and serenity of the landscapes he calls home. Today, he aims to return to work as a heavy-duty landscaper and reacquire his driver’s license so he can return to the roads he so dearly loves.
Janine expresses profound gratitude to the RIH staff, “You saved Colby’s life and you also saved mine. I can say something different about every single staff member we encountered, in the way each of you impacted our lives. You weren’t just healthcare providers, you became our family.”
Your role in healthcare is essential. Please consider supporting the life-saving care at Royal Inland Hospital with a meaningful donation to the RIH Foundation.
