Odysseys of George

It was December 2005, I was on call that very day. I received a call from both the Emergency doctor and my Surgical medical officer to see a case in the Resus bay of the Emergency Department. As I approached the cubicle, I get the feel that all is not to good for the patient. There was a rush, blood spills probably the patient were forming tracks on the floor. I could hear the wailing of the patient’s loved ones from far. There lying motionless was a young girl who was involved in a motor vehicle accident. She was intubated and ventilated, she was bleeding from her ears and nose. Her upper arm was deformed and had multiple facial bone fractures. A CT scan of her brain revealed that she had some bleeding in the brain which were not for any surgical intervention. She was pale and a FAST(focused abdominal sonography in trauma) scan of the abdomen revealed blood in the abdomen. Her abdomen was distended and hard. After a quick resuscitation, we rushed her to the OR(operating theatre). Her spleen was macerated and thus it was removed. She was nursed in ICU with cerebral protection. The repeat CTscan of the brain was getting more oedematous but the neurosurgical team continued to treat conservatively. A week or two later, as all sedations and respiratory support was weaned off, we realised that the injury to her brain has caused her a diability. She was unable to move one side of her body. She was transferred to my ward and her mother dedicated herself to taking care of her daughter. She survived a couple episodes of sepsis. She was discharged with active physiotheraphy as she was still unable to move her limbs. Thereafter, she was lost to our follow-up and the months passed by without any news.

I saw her today. She walked to my room with a smile. She had scars but she has completely recovered physically and the way she spoke told me she is doing well mentally too. Her presence made my day. Above all, I admire her mothers dedication and her will to survive.

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