Christopher's Homecoming 9

Christopher’s Homecoming 9

Wednesday, June 2, 2010, 7:30 pm

It was only six shorts weeks ago tonight… that would be 42 days… or 1009 hours, to be exact, that my child fell out of a tree and sustained a severe traumatic brain injury.  We just had a visit from a very special group of men and women.  The first-responders who were on the scene of Christopher’s accident came to our home to visit him and what wonderful people they are.  Chris was surprised to see the ambulance he was transported to the helicopter in, as well as the fire truck that was there that night.  They were all amazed to see him walking, talking and laughing, but most of all… LIVING! 

It was fascinating to hear their story of that night.  They responded to the 911 call within ten minutes, and we know that they were called immediately after Christopher fell by at least two people, Dr. Keith and Alex.  What surprised and concerned them upon arriving was his condition, given the short distance from which he fell from the tree.  Typically, they said, after a relatively short fall like that, the patient is either awake or beginning to awaken within 10 minutes. 

But Christopher was completely unresponsive.  His pupils were dilated and there was no eye movement, nor was he blinking.  He was breathing abnormally, which Megan described as “fits and starts”.  Also, his arms were showing signs of abnormal posturing, which is “an involuntary flexion or extension of the arms and legs, indicating severe brain injury… With Decerebrate posturing, the arms and/or legs are extended and rotated internally… The presence of posturing indicates a severe medical emergency requiring immediate medical attention and is strongly associated with poor outcome.”  This is just how one of the paramedics described Christopher.  Jim showed me what Chris was doing… he held his arms, extended but slightly bent at the elbows and rotated internally.  He said they were moving involuntarily. The presence of abnormal posturing was a really bad sign, one that gave them little hope that he would survive this injury.  They reiterated that they didn’t think he was going to make it.

It was interesting to learn of how they all worked together that night as a team.  They were grateful that Dr. Keith, our neighbor and a trained EMT was on the scene and was able to assist them, because they needed all the help they could get!  One of them was in constant contact with the CALSTAR helicopter pilot who was circling the area trying to find a close and safe location to land.  He said that once he found a large cul-de-sac that would work, he lowered the helicopter, then moved it over about 10 feet horizontally before placing it on the ground.  When he took off, he simply reversed this maneuver. 

They were so humble… I gave them hugs and thanked them for saving Christopher’s life.  They quickly told me that it wasn’t them who saved his life.  I said that there were many people who were part of that story but that they were certainly the beginning, and without their work on him, he wouldn’t be here today.  Still, they insisted on giving the doctors and nurses at Children’s Hospital credit.  These are beautiful men and women…

They were all in awe of Christopher’s recovery and I told them that when we were at Children’s Hospital on Friday visiting his nurses from the ICU, we were reminded again of “just how close” he came to death.  Two of Chris' nurses, Lily and Carol held their fingers about ¼ inch apart… showing us how precarious his situation had been.  They told us, once more time that it is a miracle that Christopher is alive today. 

Standing there in a circle around Chris this evening with all of the paramedics, 6 in total, we were singing the praises of Children’s Hospital… of the wonderful doctors and nurses who have dedicated their lives to saving children.  Jim said that when they refer to Children’s Hospital, they frequently call it “the place where miracles happen.”  There weren’t many dry eyes in that circle as we shook our heads in agreement… looking at Christopher and once again reminded of the miracle we have to be thankful for. 

Love, Laura

P.S. As a side note, Jim told me that after being with me at the scene of the accident, he refers to me as “the Schwartzkopf of mothers”.   I think that’s a compliment, so thanks, Jim!