Newsworthy...

http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/03/30/2077380/hurst-man-81-dies-in-north-richland.html#storylink=omni_popular

The above link is to an article from our local Fort Worth paper. Yesterday, we had a patient come to us who was a restrained driver involved in a MVA (motor vehicle accident). We were contacted by another local hospital who had received her husband, the passenger in the car. They called to tell us the husband had not survived. Thankfully we have wonderful chaplains in our department who are trained and ready to work with patients and their families during times of crisis like this. The patient/wife handled the news rather well, although I'm sure she was in shock and was also dealing with her own injuries (as she had some pretty significant fractures). It was definitely my first experience like this. Hopefully it doesnt happen often.

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local-beat/Stabbing-Victim-Left-Paralyzed-Begins-Rehabilitation-Today.html

This link is to a story about a young girl only 3 years younger than me. About 2 1/2weeks ago, our Careflite helicopter called in and informed us they were bringing in a stabbing victim from a park in a small town about an hour from Fort Worth. She had been innocently watching her 2 kids play in the park on a nice Sunday afternoon, when, all of the sudden a stranger came up and stabbed her in the back! About halfway to us, she told the Careflite crew she couldnt feel anything below her chest. We were all devastated to get the update. When she finally arrived, we all took part in getting her situated and helping the doctors get started. She was a young pretty mom involved in a random act of violence...it could have been any of us! The staff really seemed affected by the ordeal. As you'll read, she is paralyzed but getting the best rehab in the area at Baylor Dallas. She is very impressive and inspiring with her determination to improve and live life fully.

http://www.the33tv.com/news/kdaf-runner-collapses-during-marathon-story,0,577723.story

This final link was not my patient but my friend. On the same day we received the stabbing victim at my hospital, a friend of mine was running his first half-marathon in Dallas with his brother. Just after crossing the finish line and high-fiving his brother, he collapsed. Emergency crews on scene rushed to revive him but he died at a Dallas hospital soon thereafter. Autopsy results are still pending. He leaves behind a wife and 2 beautiful young daughters. Mark played baseball at Texas Tech. We were more "mutual friends" with other people but I just saw him last summer and caught up with him then. He was always a classy, good guy - and judging by the masses of people who attended his funeral service, everybody else thought the same thing. The world is short one good guy but Heaven has a new angel!

So, as you can see, it's been a rough several weeks for me. I love love love my job but it's been a soul-searching time for me. I am definitely very aware of the brevity of life and that life can change instantly. It's a constant reminder almost every time I clock in to do my job. Please keep all these people and their families in your prayers. (oh, and since these are public articles that can be accessed by anybody I am confident that i am not jeopardizing the privacy of any of them)...gotta love patient privacy rules! ;)

Have a Blessed Easter weekend, everyone!