The Accident

Last Sunday morning (8/06/2006), Rachel, Caleb and I were on our way to church when a drunk driver crossed the median of a four-lane, non-divided highway I saw him coming and tried to avoid him, but he was coming too quickly. I was looking right at the driver as he hit the driver's door of our car - a 2006 Hyundai Sonata (5-star safety rating). The Chevy pickup skidded on down the highway while we did a slow360 plus and came to a stop in our own lane(s). More about him later.

We were all conscious. Rachel was moaning, complaining of intense chest pain, Caleb had nothing but the surprise of a sudden stop and I thought I was OK except for a few minor glass cuts. I had a slight dull ache in my abdomen.

Witness popped up like gophers on the prairie and came running to see if we were alive. They began offering descriptions of the accident, help and phone calls to 911. Rachel and Caleb got out of the car and walked to a shady spot at the side of the road where they sat on a log. I couldn't get out because my door was jammed. I waited patiently thinking it was just a matter of time before I'd get out, we'd get a quick check up at the Emergency Room, get an insurance-supplied rental car and be about our business.

Next thing I knew, police and ems were on site (within 3 to 5 minutes) and they were asking me all kinds of questions (I thought Rachel was the one who was hurt) and then I had to tell them I was beginning to black out. They put a neck brace on me and wouldn't let me move. Pulled me out by my feet onto a board, rolled me into an ambulance and cut my shirt off to apply a myriad of wires and sensors, tied my head down and put on the Oxygen mask. Next thing I knew, I heard a helicopter coming - I thought it was for Rachel. Wrong again. I was rolled out of the ambulance and over to the life-flyte as quickly as they could and I was air-lifted to Parkland Hospital - one of the premier trauma centers in the country. There I was met by a team of interns, nurses, residents, surgeons, ..... they cut off all my clothes - so much for dignity - covered me with a little sheet (somewhat) and began to examine my neck and back which I could have told them was fine. They concluded the same and finally I was at least released from my neck brace.

While in the ER, they slid cold hard pads under my back and pelvis for X-Rays, then injected me with dye so they could do a CT Scan - head to pelvis. There they found that I had a lacerated spleen.

After a great deal of deliberation by the medical team which includes specialists from Southwestern Medical Center, it was determined that it was best to go in to determine extent of damage and attempt to stop bleeding. At about 4:30 pm, I was prepared for an angiogram - a not entirely pleasant experience, but I'm sure worse exist. Five hours later I was returned to my ICU quarters for rest observation. They attempted to stop the bleeding in several places with coils, but were not entirely successful. However, the bleeding had stopped in spite of their efforts so several days of observations began. I was subjected to six contributions of blood per day for the next four days while they watched to see if the count was stable. It was!

After much discussion and since my work is in no way physical, I was allowed to go home to "putter around the house" for a few weeks. Thursday afternoon I was released from Parkland.

The problems is that this kind of injury can suddenly and unexpectedly reappear with little notice, so I have to be particular sensitive to what's going on down there. I return in two weeks for another CT scan at which time they will assess the damage and the next steps if any.

Rachel... While Rachel's injuries were not life-threatening, they were more painful. She has crocked ribs at the sternum and a broken tibula. It remained in place and has no cast - just a wrap for the next couple of weeks. She has crutches to use at will. The leg is sensitive, but the ribs are very painful and little that can be done to improve it other than pain medicine. She has no remaining sick leave and will have to work some of her hours at the hospital.