Strings of Strength
from Horseback Riding to Centre Stage
(part 2)
Photo by Ivy Son: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-riding-a-brown-horse-3490257/
Next 72 hours were very tough and tense both for Thomas family and medical staff of hospital. Those hours passed with very slight improvement in Patricia’s medical reports but without any physical change. Various CT scans, MRI Scans along numerous blood tests were conducted to monitor the medical condition of Patricia. Doctors were doing whatever was possible for them. Dr. Michael himself enjoyed a very good reputation but even then, he consulted Patricia’s case with his other senior fellows in different hospitals.
On 3rd day morning, nurses looking after Patricia informed doctor that Saturation was fluctuating. It was closely watched and necessary measures were adopted. At noon the doctor finally called Pulmonologist and it was decided to provide her oxygen as adequate supply was not reaching brain. The oxygen supply in next hours had to be increased.
It was difficult time for Thomas family both at home and at hospital. It was hard for them to sit and take rest at farm house while nothing to do at hospital. Each time they with new hope, called or visited Patricia, the more their hopes shattered. Patricia was a known and popular child in Town because of her strong inclination towards horse riding, so many families called Mrs. Thomas to enquire health. School managerial and horse-riding club staff f were also very much worried. And prayed for her recovery.
On 8th day, around 6pm test reports started showing positive changes. By next morning oxygen supply was switched off and she inhaled on her own. In next few hours, she felt sensations in body and then slight blinking of eyes was observed. At last prayers were heard in skies, Doctor’s efforts brought results and Patricia got conscious. Although family members were not allowed to go near her bed and talk to her but still every one congratulated each other forgetting all painful days and other injuries yet to be addressed.
Those happy moments did not last long. A new emergency emerged in Post operative room. Doctors and paramedical staff were seen taking different instruments in room. Patracia’s family got worried and after some time they came to know that her vision was not normal. Rs. Thomas smelled that things were far bad than being told. She sat down and wept a lot. Mr. Thomas did not have anything to console her.
Photo by Maxim Yaroslavsky: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-riding-on-a-white-horse-jumping-over-a-pole-8037969/
Senior eye Specialist Dr. Phillips had a detailed checkup of patient with latest instruments and finally it was disclosed that Patricia had lost vision. Doctors thought that it was curable and thus arrangements and planning for operation started. It was decided to address leg injuries also along procedure of eye.
Same evening Thomas family got more depressed on getting news that Patricia’s white horse was neither eating nor drinking. The whole environment of their home had changed. Everyone in their farmhouse, fields and shed was grieved and depressed. It looked that all the life in their home was because of Patricia. They did not like doing anything and badly wished and prayed for miracle.
Next day a joint meeting of all the doctors taking care of Patricia was planned before the critical surgery in which both eye and leg fracture problems were to be addressed. Dr. Michael before the meeting suggested to once again get services of Dr. Mary for Anesthesia. So, she was also informed of meeting time. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were specially asked to join. Dr. Michael chaired the meeting and at the start informed about the reasons of that collective meeting.
Dr. Hassan experienced child General Physician gave a detailed briefing of general condition of Patricia supported by latest various Lab Tests. He informed about the antibiotics and pain killers being given through injections and drips.
Dr. Phillip realizing concerns of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas gave a detailed briefing of the causes of vision loss in easy words. He while pointing at a report on screen said, “The head injury had affected her optic nerves, leading to a condition known as traumatic optic neuropathy. This condition occurs when the optic nerves, responsible for transmitting visual information from the eyes to the brain, are damage.” He while getting attention of Dr. Michael said, “In my view we do not have any option except to operate again and try to get nerve addressed. In the CT scan a small portion on left side seems to have been damaged. This has affected vision of right side while left eye vision has been effected only because of swelling. This will be restored as swelling decreases.” He marked the portion of damaged nerve and swelling on screen with help of metallic pointed stick. There was silence in room for some time. He then said, “Honestly at this stage I can’t say that when and how much she would be able to see but one thing I am sure that vision in both eyes will return one day. A lot depends on tomorrow’s procedure”
Dr. Michael then explained in detail the damages addressed in his first procedure. He then used last CT scans reports to understand the latest position. He then said, “Other symptoms are very satisfactory but now the problem of optic nerve has come before us. The child was unfortunately unconscious at the time of first surgery so we remained blind on it.”
At this stage Dr. Phillip spoke, “Another rather very important factor in revival of vision would be the level of stress which patient takes in next days.” He then looking at Thomas family said, “I being father myself fully understand that it is a difficult time but we need patience.”
Then Dr. Peter the famous child orthopedic surgeon took some time to arrange, analyze and at glance study of different X Rays, CT scans and MRI reports. Mr. Thomas anxiously swat number of reports and waited to listen from him with dried throat. Mrs. Thomas worries and concerns were quite apparent on her face. Dr. Peter had very serious expressions on face while hanging of a report on screen cautiously said, “Patient along other injuries has suffered multiple fractures in her left leg. The impact of fall has been extra ordinary These fractures are more specific in Tibia and Fibula and are very complex. The only solution or remedy available is surgery but under slow process and caution.” He took a deep breath and said, “By slow procedure, I mean the procedure would be in different stages because the bones are of a child girl and are still delicate. To ensure proper alignment and to stabilize, we would be using metallic plates, rods or screws.” He focused on another report and then said, the fractures are so complexed that we would have to perform 3 surgeries with a gap of 10days each. This is necessary because of delicacy, multiple small fractures and healing time. If the healing is not so quick then we will surely have to extend the gap between two procedures.” He further said, “I do hope that all these precautions will help in fixing small bones in right position and maximize chances of recovery. It is hoped that ruptured muscles will get cured by the time whole process is completed and will not need plastic surgery.”
Dr. Mary who had been quiet so far and listening to others straightened herself and said, “The two procedures of brain and leg under one anesthesia would only be possible on how much time 1st procedure takes.” This was a very valid point on which all kept silent for some time and then all started mutual discussions on how to tackle, possible complications and the medical support to be given in next days. Thomas family could hardly understand the medical language. Mrs. Thomas started thinking of the pain to be tolerated by her daughter in the days to come and then suddenly she could not control herself and tears burst out from her tears. Doctors stopped on hearing low voice of crying. Mrs. Thomas had covered her face with both hands to hide her tears. Dr. Mary got up to console her.
Dr. Michael concluded the meeting with the remarks, “We all stand with you in this difficult time. It is just hard to understand that how a child got so badly injured from falling from horse.” He called Administration officer to send medical reports to school management and ask them to get the particular horse medically checked to avoid any further accident. Dr. Hassan suggested that patient be shifted to room after surgery to be near her mother. All others agreed.
Next day, Patricia went through another lengthy surgical procedure. Medical team was happy on completing two procedures at one time. Dr. Michael met Mr. Thomas and was quite hopeful on outcome of surgery. In next two days Patricia was shifted to room and Mrs. Thomas was allowed to remain with her. Thomas family was a bit relieved on having their daughter within them but at the same time got further upset on seeing her in painful condition. Patricia remained most of time in drowsy state because of heavy pain killers and antibiotics. Doctors of respective field regularly visited her. In next week Patricia got some active on bed and complained of blurred vision. Dr. Phillip on having a detailed checkup of both eyes showed satisfaction on the way things were moving. He was hopeful of getting low vision in both eyes in few weeks.
By the time second leg surgery date approached, Thomas family noticed that Patricia had recollected all old memory and had come to know that why she had reached hospital bed? The parents tried to hide truth but she was intelligent with strong memory. She either kept quiet thinking about past or talked about the accident and the way she used to ride daily. She had a passion for horseback riding. She was realizing that her dream of becoming a good horse rider was getting shattered but was not mentally ready to accept that. Her brain always remained in working condition. She on her own searched answers to different questions. Why horse spoke before giving her first light jerk? What the horse spoke? Did horse get afraid of weather? Where was Stephen? Was horse not feeling well on that day? Did Stephen not properly settle saddle properly on horseback? Why did horse started running? What should I have done? She while thinking tried to gather different ways to handle such situation. She constantly talked about her past days, young white horse, accident day or cried to take her to horse riding track. Joe and John also tried to divert and shift her attention to other topics but they failed. She even in her life before the accident had no interests like her age fellows and was quite different from them. The more her mother tried to make her understand about the world, the more she got angry.
The constant thinking, talking and brain in working condition made her tired. These factors became cause of her sadness, frustration, depression and anxiety. Her mental condition was going from bad to worse on daily basis.
Despite various changes in medicines by Dr. Hassan, Patricia’s mental condition instead of improving or at least stabilizing entered in deteriorating phase. Dr. Hassan was very much worried about it. He tried various muscle relaxants, sleeping pills and even anti-depressants but her brain was getting stuck in the past day by day. Each time she woke up, her brain started working from where it had discontinued. The memory of accident and picture of horse haunted her.
Test reports of leg were also not satisfactory. Healing was not up to the mark. So, second surgery had to be delayed by another week. Dr. Michael also got worried on knowing that brain swelling was not decreasing as desired. He knew that how badly it could affect other wounds and then vision problem would also aggravate. It was then mutually decided to have opinion of Psychologist. Dr. Hassan selected Monica from the few Psychologists on hospital panel. Dr. Hassan had a detailed meeting with Monica briefing her about Patricia’s case. Monica was a young child Psychologist and had given good results in her short professional line. She was energetic and always liked to be very near to patients. After getting initial knowhow of her new patient, she sat in front of computer for many hours studying in detail medical file of Patricia. In evening she called Mr. and Mrs. Thomas separately in her cabin and took notes of Patricia’s habits, daily routines, likings and disliking’s. It all helped her to understand her new patient before a one-to-one meeting. A sketch of Patricia was before her. One point was very clear to Monica that the child patient liked an active life, wanting to do some new in life.
Next day Monica visited Patricia’s room around lunch. She had chosen that time to have patient fresh and free from other doctors. Patricia closely watched a young smart smiling person trying to be friendly with her. Patricia did not give her any response rather just kept quiet. In next three days Patricia started talking with her but on her favorite subject of horse riding. Each time Monica tried to change topic, she started staring roof and went in deep thoughts. The strong medicines kept her drowsy but did not stop her brain from working. It was a big challenge for Monica and she loved to handle complicated cases.
Monica tried hard to explore Patricia’s emotions, fears and inspirations. On 5th day she decided to take help of music. She had never before used that tool to cure any patient but in that case, it looked to her that it would work. Her objective was to divert her attention and bring her brain in calm phase. She gave this idea a final shape and contacted hospital administration block to provide her some player with quality sound on urgent basis. Now the question before her was what type of music and in which volume?
She visited a friend of her who loved music and asked for her help in collecting variety of good music. It was all done in next few hours and she in very next session talked with Patricia about music. Mrs. Thomas listened quietly the conversation but was not much hopeful of positive results as her daughter had never been fond of music. It was all together a new field for Patricia so she had nothing to share except to keep quiet. Then Monica started playing music in room in low volume. She had ensured to have collection of soft music irrespective of region. She while leaving asked Mrs. Thomas to keep it running even when Patricia was sleeping. She gave same instructions in writing to nursing counter. By second night, Mrs. Thomas noticed that Patricia had started taking some interest in listening music and was talking less about her tragic accident.
In next few days all the medical staff visiting Patricia’s room felt a pleasant change in her temperament. she had started taking life in different way. She liked to close her eyes in relaxing mood and enjoyed different melodies. Stiffness in body decreased day by day and smile on face returned despite severe pain and continuous laying on bed. Monica’s plans, guidance and musical therapy became a crucial part of Patricia’s medication. and. Her long sittings with child patient brought fruitful results. The patient now waited for Psychologist. Mr. & Mrs. Thomas were happy and always welcomed Monica in room with thankful eyes. She in a very short time had developed close friendly relations with Thomas family. In next days, Monica suggested Dr. Hassan to taper anti-depressant and muscle relaxants. Dr. Peter and Dr. Michael were satisfied with healing process although vision problem remained there.
In the next weeks some more surgical procedures were performed for leg injury but left leg did not get ready to lift body weight. Multiple small fractures and muscles rapture were of severe nature and were complexed. Dr. Peter and his team faced many complications in union of bones and healing of muscles. Despite many therapies and Rehabilitations, her full mobility could not be achieved. She was not able to take steps independently and was advised to use wheel chair.
(To be Continued)
Keywords:
Patricia
Medical staff
Hospital
CT scans
MRI scans
Oxygen supply
Vision loss
Leg injuries
Surgery
Rehabilitation
Psychological intervention
Music therapy
Thomas family
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