September 23, 2007
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I promised I would pick up right where I left off last night with you as I kept nodding while writing. (OK, so maybe I do have a little compulsion problem now and then, but don’t we all in some ways?) I really will pick up where I left off last night, but probably not until later this evening. For now, I want to put “pen to paper” about God’s blessings and the many miracles we are seeing and living every day here in the Trauma Unit at Vanderbilt.
I am always moved and humbled by the video my family posted this morning. Somehow missing the opportunity to praise God and the gifts He has provided to the caregivers, administrators, case managers, social worker, “enforcers”, spiritual counselors, and yes, infrastructure of Vanderbilt Medical Center’s, 10 North—Trauma Unit would be a shame. It’s so important we share with you what we see and are living here everyday because thankfully, most of you (we pray all of you) will never experience these special people and this amazing place.
I work for the National Home Office of the American Cancer Society and ironically, we have just launched a major campaign regarding the importance of health insurance to every individual to ensure quality health care. As an organization, we are advocating the importance of health insurance, both for employers to improve their health care offerings to their employees; but also for those people like Hillary who have ways and means to purchase insurance, but chose not to thinking “for now” they will be alright without it. “Nothing is ever going to happen to them”…at least not before they get around to purchasing insurance. The Society’s media campaign is also designed to empower the public to take charge of reviewing what their health insurance policy covers. If insured, is it really a policy that guarantees complete coverage given a long term health crisis? As you know, Hillary had no health insurance and was one of those “text book” people we are trying to reach. And those of you who know us so well know how many times her family stressed the importance of coverage and how many times she smiled at us and said, “I know, I know…I will, I will.” In fact we thought she had coverage again until a couple of days before her accident.
Having said all that, it has occurred to us the Trauma Center at Vanderbilt turns no one away…insured or not. And when the LifeFlight helicopter
is summoned to Paducah, KY or an accident near by or wherever they are called to save a life, often the hospital has no idea who they are bringing in to that unit full of miracle workers. Hillary’s name was “Radio Stat” as she entered Vanderbilt Trauma Unit that night on September 1st. It was some time before any discussions regarding business matters took place. The only discussions the angels of 10 North Trauma discussed with us were “Radio’s” physical state and the status of impending medical procedures or results of them. We all know without that unit and the LifeFlight team, our “Radio”, (now Hillary to them), would be dead. And all that matters even now to the angels of the Trauma Center at Vanderbilt is Hillary’s condition and progress and we feel that every minute of every day.
God has blessed that floor…those people…and our daughter and our family will never be the same. If you have trouble believing God is alive and awake, you won’t for very long once you arrive here.
Thank you for every prayer for our Hillary…her son… and the Trauma Unit team at 10 North, Vanderbilt University Medical Center. We are eternally grateful. Please don’t stop.
XOXOXO
–Shawn
http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/surgery/trauma/index.html
