And then, along came the “miracle story” to restore my soul, my faith, my wonderment in medicine...in powers beyond “mere” medicine.  Stories like this recharge me...make me believe in the impossible...give me hope in the midst of adversity.  Allow me to share this story with you~

My boss got a phone call from a patient at 10 PM several weeks ago.  His wife, L., a veterinarian, had been driving with her daughter down to the University of Pennsylvania to take a horse to the veterinary clinic there.  She and her husband are veterinarians...OUR veterinarians, as a matter of fact, and patients in our practice.  She had surgically-repaired transposition of the great vessels as a child.  Despite a momentary situation of heart block years ago, and recommendation of a cardiologist for a permanent pacemaker, she did not have this done.  She was healthy, exercised daily, and never had symptoms.

In this case, that night while driving, she suddenly became unresponsive and drove off the road.  Her eight-year old daughter had the presence of mind to dial 9-1-1.  However, there was a documented 20-minute “down-time” between the time of the call and the time of EMS response.  She was found in V-fib and shocked.  Her underlying rhythm after shocking was 3rd degree heart block.

Subsequently, she was taken to our local trauma hospital and placed on the Arctic Sun hypothermic protocol.  Her body temperature was lowered, while she was paralyzed and sedated for several days.  After this time, her core temperature was raised, and she was brought out of sedation.  For two days, she had NO sedation and NO response to any stimuli.  A 24-hour EEG was ordered, showing diffuse, severe cognitive slowing and “extremely poor prognosis for survival, along with focal seizure activity.”

I read her progress reports via the hospital computer with a sinking heart.  Here was a woman who was about my age, with two children, and apparently no hope.  Her children were 8 years and 6 years old...similar to to my own.  What would it be like if my husband had to deal with this situation, I wondered.  How would we cope?

I remembered one time that I spoke with L. on the phone.  My golden retriever, at age 4 months, had a few hours of non-stop vomiting, I had taken her to an “emergicenter” vet, then to my usual vet’s office.  After several hours, they decided to do surgery...and found a blockage due to her eating a pair of full-length nylon stockings.  I remember L. saying to me, “You should get a lottery ticket...she (my dog) is a VERY lucky girl.” She was very comforting to me and explained everything in the post-surgical process.

So, I logged onto the hospital computer daily, tracking L.’s progress and wondering what the future held.  From the progress reports, it did not sound promising.

And then…

My front-staff person is a member of L.’s church, and on their prayer chain.  She had been receiving email updates as the weeks went on.  After a few weeks, a notice came from their minister, stating that “there was a big turn-around...she is doing better.”

This was the same day that I read the 24-hour EEG report...remember, severe cognitive slowing, extremely poor prognosis for survival.  I remember reading the pastor’s email and thinking, “what the heck?!  Are you kidding me?!”

All of a sudden, things turned around.  She was extubated.  Started eating full liquids.  She was able to have conversations with others.

Her short-term memory was shot, for sure.  She did not recall the car accident, nor the hypothermia protocol.  She did not “lay down new memories,” according to the rehabilitation expert who evaluated her.  However, he felt she was an excellent candidate for in-patient rehabilitation.

WHAT?  This is the same person who wasn’t supposed to survive?  Wow...just...WOW.  This past week, she was discharged from the hospital.

I needed to have a patient like this.  Someone who defied “medical expectations.” I have no idea what the future holds for L.  However, I know that her future HAD been limited, had it not been for amazing health care and protocols set by others.  I will keep her story in mind, for the times that I am frustrated...and overwhelmed.

If or when you come across amazing stories like this, please...cherish every moment.  It makes all of those frustrating moments worthwhile.


Kim Spering is a family nurse practitioner who currently works at Brndjar Medical Associates, P.C., a family practice in Emmaus, PA.  Her past experience includes the fields of medical/surgical ICU, open heart/trauma ICU, labor and delivery, nursing education, nursing supervision, and as a nurse practitioner in both family practice and OB/GYN settings.  She currently serves as a NP preceptor for her graduate school alma mater, DeSales University, as well as for local baccalaureate programs.  She is passionate about patient education and helping patients understand that they are ultimately responsible for their own health.  She also firmly believes that the public needs to be educated on the value of NPs and PAs in meeting the health care needs of the next decade and beyond. In her free time, Kim enjoys family vacations with her optometrist husband, Mark, and her two sons, Matthew and Connor.


The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.
 
 

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