Strings of Strength
from Horseback Riding to Centre Stage
(part 1)
Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-a-black-leather-jacket-horseback-riding-7622236/
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas along with their two lovely children nestled in a small farm house in a countryside some kilometers away from Seattle. It was a small town, with all basic facilities and surrounded by natural beauty. Mr. Thomas had his own land for farming and cattle breeding. Thus, the couple lived a very happy and comfortable life.
Their both children Patricia and Joe were not only handsome, caring, hardworking and were also intelligent. Both brother and sister went to a good standard school in nearby town in their own small car. Patricia from childhood loved and desired to have horseback riding. She could hardly adjust herself on saddle and hold reigns of horse but still forced her father and servants to help her have a horse rider. Thomas loved her daughter too much so despite being afraid, did not have the words to reject her daily desire. He and a home servant walked almost daily in evening along horse tightly holding her from both sides. Keeping in view, her deep passion, Mr. Thomas allowed her to join horse riding club in school.
Unlike her other girlfriends, she after school timings used to spend hours at their small stable trying to develop a close and strong bond with majestic creatures. Her dedication and hard work soon started bringing result. In few weeks, she got herself recognized as a good and talented horse rider in small children’s category. At home also she showed enough control on her favorite white young horse and enjoyed riding alone while her brother Joe enjoyed football. She looked very smart, attractive and inspiring for many while sitting erect, wearing redcap on her long golden hairs and holding reigns off her young white horse like a true professional. People in town irrespective of age could not resist from admiring her and were impressed because of her skills and determination. Day by day her skills improved and her participation in each competition showed astonishing performance. Her school trainer had built high hopes and targets about her. It seemed that she was determined and intended for a remarkable equestrian career.
Life looked perfect and smooth but the fateful day came when life suddenly took a turn. Happy times vanished in fraction of seconds. Hard times and tragic moments followed one after the other.
It was a dark cloudy day with chances of thunderstorm and rain. Patricia as per routine came out of her class room for daily sports session.
She was the only one in girls who had taken membership of horse-riding club. She waived to her fellows as they went for their respective sports. She along John, her boyfriend walked towards the track with ever smiling face and trying to further bind her long hairs. Cold breeze was blowing with light less than normal but this period was her favorite and always wanted to take full advantage of that. The trainer Marshal was absent on that day but his assistant Stephen was waiting under covered shed near five horses. He pinpointed the weather and light condition but Patricia was reluctant to avail the time. John unwillingly decided to give her company.
Photo by Kelian Pfleger: https://www.pexels.com/photo/an-equestrian-riding-her-horse-jumping-an-obstacle-7367730/
They both went towards dress rooms for wearing kits. Patricia brought her favorite horse near Stephen and with his help climbed on horseback. She looked towards sky for few seconds to adjust her vision according to the light present. It was her second round that light drizzling started. Clouds not much high in sky suddenly thundered and she felt a slight jerk in horse body. tightened her grip on reigns of horse and then horse spoke twice geared its speed towards left. Patricia tried to cool the horse but that time was not Her’s. Stephen noticed the mood change of horse and quickly climbed on other horse to reach near her. It was his fault as he should have followed the students during riding session but it was too late to repent. John tried to bring his horse near her but that further annoyed Patricia’s horse and gave different jerks to body and ran like any wild animal towards bricked pavement. Patricia got frightened and despite trying her best lost control. Suddenly the horse lifted his front legs while running and Patricia fell on her left side on tiled floor. The horse turned back in angry mood and hit Patricia who already lay in unconscious condition.
Stephen and John almost simultaneously jumped from their horses and rushed to rescue Patricia. emergency bell rang in school ground and other relevant staff got alert and ran towards incident spot. Patricia head and forehead were bleeding and multiple scars were visible on her face. Stephen started giving first aid with the help of things in his emergency bag. Another staff person sprinkled water on Patricia and tried to put some sips in her mouth. Soon management staff and senior teachers reached there. They immediately decided to shift her to nearby hospital in staff car. In the meantime, Joe came to know about the accident of her sister and he rushed towards ground but Patricia was already being lifted to the parking area. Someone had called for ambulance and so it also reached there when she was about to be laid in car. The paramedical staff of ambulance took hold of situation and senior one shouted “Be quick; Be quick. Patient in critical condition.” Joe and Ohn stood aside helpless. The ambulance within few minutes was rushing towards big hospital in Seattle.
School management informed Mr. Thomas about tragic mishap and arranged car to take Joe and parents to hospital. Health insurance team was informed as the accident had occurred within school’s premises.
On reaching hospital, Patricia’s stretcher was rushed inside emergency department for immediate attention. Patricia’s family members soon reached there but were asked to sit in waiting room. They from there were able to watch badly injured patient being attended through closed circuit cameras. They after sometime were consoled to some extent on being joined by John’s parents.
The medical team struggled hard to stop bleeding from head and forehead. All the blood tests, CT scans and MRI were conducted on urgent basis under guidance and supervision of Neuro Surgeon, Neuro Physician and General Physician. Orthopedic surgeon had visited, examined in detail the leg injuries and advised X Rys and CT scans from different angles. The injuries and fractures of left leg were no doubt of serious condition but not fatal. The top priority was to have complete picture of brain injuries to decide type and nature of brain operation.
Senior Neuro Surgeon Dr. Michael along other doctors had a short meeting to study and share opinion on the medical tests and reports received. They agreed that her unconsciousness state was result of a severe head injury. It had caused a traumatic brain injury (TBI) on left side of skull at two different points. The impact of the fall had caused her brain to collide with the inside of her skull, leading to swelling and bruising. The injury on forehead on top of right eye was also very deep. It was suspected that the angry horse had hit there after she had fallen on ground. Immediate instructions were passed to shift patient to operation Theatre. At the same time special request was sent to other hospital for services of Dr. Mary senior child Anesthetist. Michael was taking extra care as he himself was not sure of the length of operation.
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas had a short glance of Patricia at the time of shifting to operation theatre. Her whole head and face were bandaged with just eyes and nose visible. The bandage had multiple fresh blood spots which showed that bleeding had yet not stopped. Her rest of body was covered with white sheet so they did not have any idea of other injuries They simply stood silent with nothing to share but many questions in mind and eyes. Rs. Thomas with wet eyes quietly took some steps towards operation Theatre and then stopped in midway. A few minutes later, Mr. Thomas realized that she was standing alone and so went near her. She on seeing him could not have further control on herself and bitterly cried putting her face on chest of her husband. Mr. Thomas own eyes were full of tears. the same time he saw Joe weeping while facing wall. He found himself helpless that how to console his wife and son. In the meantime, a hospital staff member came close to them and said, “Dr. Michael the Neuro Surgeon wants to meet you.” He guided them to an office inside pre-operative room.
In the room Dr. Michael, Dr. Mary and three other doctors sat discussing the reports of Patricia. They all stood up on seeing family entering in. Dr. Michael warmly met them and offered them chairs. Dr. Mary remained there while other doctors left to get ready for operation. Dr. Michael on seeing family’s wet eyes got sad and after few moments said, “I feel sorry on severe accident. She is badly injured.” He stopped as Mrs. Thomas interrupted him and asked, “Will life of my daughter be saved?” Dr. Michael at once said, “. I can feel your feelings and questions in your mind. At present she is unconscious because of multiple injuries in skull and on forehead. You know brain is most important part of our body.” He took a sip of water and then said “She has also got multiple fractures on left leg but that will be dealt at next stage. At present, we do not have any option except to have neuro surgery in emergency.” He while getting up said, “I would have liked to share details with you but time is too short. You now pls sit in waiting room and pray to God. We will try whatever would be possible. This difficult time will be over soon.”
He while shaking hand with them, diverted their attention towards a middle-aged lady doctor and said, “Dr. Mary has specially joined our team because this operation is going to be extra lengthy.” He then stepped towards door and on way called his wife to inform about the emergency in hospital and he regrated for not in position to join daughter’s birthday party. Dr. Mary stayed there for some minutes and briefed about upcoming procedure and its possible time span. She while talking wiped eyes of Mrs. Thomas and patted Joe. A nurse guided them to waiting room on same floor. John and his parents accompanied them who waited for them in corridor.
The waiting room was very comfortable but it was hard for the family to sit there and pass the time. Next hours were very long and difficult for them. On many requests of John’s parents, they went to cafeteria for some refreshments. They most of time sat in silence or trying to console each other. Mrs. Thomas called church staff in Town and requested for prayers. Joe and John went many times to relevant counter to enquire about the proceedings in operation theatre but each time they were told that it was still going on. It was after midnight and after a long wait of more than 10hours that they were intimated that patient had been transferred to postoperative room. They were a bit relieved but then worried to know that how much it had been successful. A few minutes later Dr. Michael along two other doctors entered room to brief them. They were still wearing operation theatre kit and looked tired. Joe and John left chairs and stood in one corner because of less seating capacity in room.
Dr. Michael sat on comfortable chair in a bit resting position with back support. He was middle aged and very experienced doctor but at that time fatigue and pain reflected on his face. He took a deep breath looking at anxious faces of family and then with a light smile said, “First of all I thank you and appreciate the support and strength shown and given to us at this difficult time. Asper our reading of reports and expectations Patricia’s surgery was complicated and challenging because of multiple injuries sustained during the tragic accident. I cannot understand that how such a big and torrid damage occurred because of falling from horse. We have tried our best to address those injuries.” He stopped for a while to collect his thoughts. The doctor sitting to his left whispered some words near his ear and then he continued, “During the surgery, we focused on addressing the multiple injuries to her skull. The bandage you saw on her head was to control the bleeding, which took longer than anticipated. It was a delicate procedure, and we had to be careful to ensure we stopped the bleeding and repaired the damage."
He again pauses for some moments and then his voice and facial expressions gave more serious look while saying, “You all seem to be educated and so can understand well. at this stage, we must be honest with you. Brain surgery, especially of this magnitude, carries inherent risks. Patricia's brain was under significant trauma, and there is a possibility of complications that may arise during her recovery. I repeat the words ‘may occur ‘. There are chances of complications as they often come during medications which have to be faced and addressed accordingly.”
He further said in a way of explaining, “The immediate concern is her unconsciousness, which is a result of the injuries to her skull and brain. It will take time for her to regain consciousness. At this time, we are not in a position to give some time frame but next 72 hours are sensitive and crucial. there may be challenges ahead such as infection of any sort, swelling of the brain, or neurological complications.”
He again paused and this time the doctor sitting on his right side spoke in a very soft and convincing voice, “We To have a close eye on the symptoms and her test reports, we for time being will keep her in post operative room. We have a very professional and dedicated team capable enough to address any issue that God forbid arises. Another point is that we would be needing a very peaceful, disturbing and cheerful environment around her. It is very important rather essential for her recovery. For that we would be needing your cooperation.”
Thomas family and John’s parents listened quietly with patience and looked satisfied the way; they were being briefed. There were many questions in their mind at the start of sitting but at that time they concentrated on what was being told.
Dr. Michael trying to close briefing said, “Patient in addition to head injuries, has some fractures and muscle raptures in left leg. Dr. Peter our senior orthopedic surgeon has taken all the tests. He specially visited operation theatre to have a physical checkup. He will soon be having a detailed sitting with you to brief about injuries. For that part of treatment, he will have to wait for some stability in Patricia’s health.”
Michael while standing concluded with a heartfelt message, “I fully understand depth of your concerns and worries. We realize how difficult time is this. Please have faith in our team, and know that we are doing everything in our power to ensure Patricia's recovery. I will advise and encourage you to find strength in each other and rely on the support of your loved ones during this challenging time.” Mr. and Mrs. Thomas thanked doctors for a detailed briefing and wished for early good results of their efforts .
After their departure, both families sat for some time with mixed feelings of relief and concerns. Mr. Thomas thanked John’s parents for their support and then they all decided to go home for some rest.
(To be continued)
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