Feb 10, 2010

When Everything Changes . . . Or Seems Like It Will . . .

By Lynn Parsons

Monday night I got one of "those" telephone calls. The ones every parent dreads. My older daughter's roomate, Sam,  called to tell me she was following the ambulance carrying my daughter, Tami, to the emergency room.

They both attend BYU-Idaho. Tami was sledding with friends. Sam was at home, asleep, when she got the call that Tami had hit her head badly enough to be unconscious and have a seizure. Sam was kind enough to call me. We live in Texas.

As I frantically waited for Sam's second call with more information, I began searching for flights and rental cars. My suitcase was out from a quick weekend trip to Tucson to see my second grandson blessed. I began to throw in sweaters and anything I thought would work in the freezing weather of Idaho.

Sam called back to say she couldn't see Tami or get any information because she wasn't a relative. I called the ER and was told Tami wasn't a patient. I indentified myself and told the receptionist repeatedly that Tami had just arrived via ambulance. After a few threats, I was put through to a nurse.

The nurse told me she had no information, but after questioning, I was able to find out Tami was conscious and able to move her limbs independently. Visions of every child with traumatic brain injury I had every worked with began to leave my mind.

After giving the business office the all-important insurance information, I demanded to speak to her doctor or start reporting employees to the hospital administrator. The doctor said Tami was oriented and had minimal memory loss. They were about to do a CAT scan.

Sam called after the radiologist had read the scan and told us Tami could go home. Sam had instructions to wake her every two hours, which she did faithfully. Tami was told to rest for two days, then return to normal, non-strenuous activities. She told me there was no need for me to come.

Needless to say, sleep was difficult that night. I have been pretty much a zombie at work all day. But I feel blessed. Priesthood holders were with her to give a blessing, and many prayers were answered.

6 comments:

  1. Hope you are feeling better. That is the call every parent dreads the most. Keep us posted.

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  2. That is just a nightmare to get such a call. Thank heaven for priesthood blessings! It is a miracle she was not more seriously injured.

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  3. I can't even imagine what you were going through. I'm so glad she had priesthood with her, we are blessed to have that in our lives. My prayers go out for a speedy recovery.

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  4. Thank goodness everything turned out alright. The phone calls are definitely something every parent dreads. Good for you Lyn for asserting yourself. I, too, am grateful for the blessings of the Priesthood. I hope you sleep well this weekend, my friend. Hugs~

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  5. She's much better. Very sore, a little dizzy, but the headache is gone. Thanks for the wishes & prayers, ladies!

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  6. What a scary time you had. I would have been a basket case. Thank goodness Sam was capable of taking charge at a time like this. I home Tami takes it easy long enough to get well.

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