Upon arriving at the UAB ER we were ushered into a small waiting room where the three occupants were asked to leave.  We were asked to wait.  Ten difficult minutes passed before an ER aid stuck his head in and said “the doctor that worked on your daughter will be in to see you in a few minutes”.  Before we could exclaim “WORKED!” he was gone.  Minutes (an eternity) later we saw him in the hall, jumping up we yelled “worked?” he said, “I meant working”.  We took a deep breath.  Fifteen minutes on, the trauma team leader finally entered.

 

She began with, “your daughter is stable and will be operated on for internal bleeding tonight.  The injuries as you know are extensive and no one can tell you what you want to hear – that she will be OK.”  She detailed the injuries stressing the internal bleeding, the hip and the head.  

 

Stevie was moved to Neuro ICU, into the intense intensive care section – a large open area where nurses hovered like angels, and a monitor for everything.

 

Surgery from 11:30pm to 4:30am with recovery in the NICU.  Her bleeding spleen was removed and a bulge in an artery in her abdomen was repaired. A whole was bored in the scull for a tube that could alternately monitor and relieve pressure in the brain cavity. A pin was inserted in her lower right leg to be used for traction to eleviate pressure on the hip. The small puncture to her right lung and the rib fractures were left to heal on their own. 

 

We saw first signs of consciousness at 1pm Saturday, with her right eye opening slightly as she responded to a loud “Stephanie!” by the nurse. 

 

Stevie spent nine days in neuro ICU and endured two hip surgeries (18th and 22nd) -- and many smaller though difficult trials along the way including a seizure during which her skull pressure went through the roof.  Otherwise, the pressure was elevated but not in the range that the neurologist expressed any concern.  With acquired brain injuries (ABI) post trauma brain pressure often causes as much or more damage than the initial impact.  Hence our relief that her pressure was no higher than it was.

 

On the 19th she had had enough of the breathing tube and pulled it out even though she was well restrained in her bed.  Pulling tubes out is a repeating theme.

 

During her stay in NICU we all had to observe visiting hours which Susan and I did faithfully.  On the Monday after the accident we moved into an efficiency apartment provide by UAB just two blocks from NICU.  These days were emotionally draining but as we were to learn the fact that we had adequate time to eat, rest and sleep was a luxury. 

 

Too many visitors to name them all.  Regulars included Jean and Henry, Spenser and Stacey, Trish and Ken, Roland, Sam, Nina and Sara Beth. 

 

The life threatening injuries were handled well in the first days of her stay but her mind and body are both far from OK.  On day 10, March 23, the neurologists gave their approval to have her moved to the neuro step down unit – a regular hospital room but with the nurses and PCTs (Patient Care Tech – for the old timers LPNs) that have neuro specific training.

 

At the end of her NICU stay, she had little use of her right side including arm and eyes did not move together. She responded to some things verbally and with facial expressions but had no short term memory. 

 

The most asked question is one that no one could answer, what will Stevie be like the rest of her life?