Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Hmph! (03/04/10)
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TITLE: Kneeling on Extremities | Previous Challenge Entry
By Darren Pettis
03/08/10 -
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Yet, a voice roused my awareness.
“Sir, Mr. Murphy … Your wife was involved in a car wreck. Do you understand? She’s in critical condition.”
“Julie … Julie. Nurse where’s Julie?”
“Sir, she’s in the trauma bay. Your wife has lost two liters of blood. She’s unresponsive to verbal commands and physical stimuli. The doctors are assessing her injuries and are ruling out head trauma.”
“She’s going to be okay, isn’t she? Can I see her? Please let me see her.”
“Mr. Murphy, try to relax. A patient rep will be available for you in the waiting room to answer questions and give updates. Meanwhile, we need consent for a line placement in case your wife has blood or fluid around her brain. Her blood …”
“What do you mean blood around her brain? Is she going to live?”
“We’re doing everything possible to save her life. As soon as her blood pressure stabilizes, she will be going to X-ray for a CAT scan of her head. Has your wife been on blood thinner medications?”
“No. The only thing she has been taking is a multivitamin.”
I get the feeling of a sardine packed in this room. It’s dark, smelly, and uncomfortable. Where’s that patient rep? It’s been almost an hour. Lord, please help Julie get through this.
“Hi, Mr. Murphy, I’m Miss Neely, the patient representative. I am sorry about your wife. The doctors and nurses are doing all they can to save her …”
“Save her … she’s dying? Please tell me she’s going to be all right.”
“The report I’m getting from the trauma surgeons is not that good, I’m sorry. Can I do anything for you or call anyone? Do you have a pastor, or would you like to speak to our hospital chaplain?”
“Lord this can’t be happening. We’re about to have our first.”
“Your wife is pregnant?”
“Julie was trying to avoid traffic delays. She was excited to show me an ultrasound picture—it’s a boy.”
“Aww … Oh, here’s the surgeon coming down the hall. Maybe he’ll give you better news. Mr. Murphy, I will see you in a few …”
“Doctor, how’s my wife?”
“Mr. Murphy, Doctor Taylor, I’m the Neuro-Surgeon. The CT images revealed that your wife has a subdural hematoma, which means there is free blood around her brain. I placed an intracranial drain to decrease pressure and swelling. I’m also giving mannitol to help keep the ICP down, but I’m concerned about …”
“And the baby …?”
“Umm … I’m not big on prayers … but I guess anything at this point will help. In my profession of almost thirty years, I have never witnessed a supernatural event that defies medical science.”
“Hmph—I guess you don’t know the power of prayer or the power of God. He can do all things!”
“No, never put much faith in it, although I will do all that I can to save your wife.”
“Miss Neely. Hey, I’m not having the best of luck here. That surgeon … I’m not sure about him.”
“Oh, his faith is definitely lacking, but he’s a good surgeon. I overheard your conversation. Some doctors think they know everything. My grammy was in the Intensive Care Unit for two months, and they said she wouldn’t make it. Honey let me tell you something, we had prayer groups going around the whole neighborhood. She’s at home right now baking cookies for a fundraiser. Well anyway, I’ll pray for Julie.”
While waiting frantically and hesitantly for hours, I fell to the floor on all extremities sobbing uncontrollably. Father, please hear my prayer. Please bring my Julie back to me. You can do all things … Even standing posed a dilemma. How could my legs be sleepy at a time like this?
“Mr. Murphy, I’m Staci, the trauma nurse looking after your wife. She’s hemodynamically stable. The good news—she’s following verbal commands and grimaces to pain. And the obstetrician nurse has told me that your baby is fine. Don’t worry. The pain medication we will be giving your wife will not affect the baby. You can see your wife in the Neuro-ICU as soon as they get her settled in.”
“Thank God. O Lord, thank you. Thank you.”
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