in praise of University Medical Center in Tucson (and "government")

[Kali]

Naturally, being one of Gaby Gifford's constituents and a "local" I have been following things closely here on DU ever since I got an e-mail about the shooting yesterday. But during the press conference this morning it really hit home how lucky we are to have that facility.

I hadn't thought about it until the doctors were discussing how well the response went due to the constant practice and work the staff does.

About 7 years ago my youngest son sustained a skull fracture. At first I just thought he had a bump and tore the skin - scalp injuries bleed a LOT so I had him rinse the blood off in the shower and then lie down on the bed with a towel on his forehead. I had to run back down to the corral because I had been working on an animal in a squeeze chute and I had left her standing to rush up to the house when the boy's brother came running down in a huge panic to tell me he was hurt. The injured one had a convulsion while I was doing that and that set everybody off on a real panic that time.

We loaded him into a vehicle and got him to the local hospital, where they stabilized him and sent him to UMC in the helicopter. We had to drive so arrived an hour later. They were prepping him for surgery and the neurosurgeon showed me his ct scan. His skull was dented in about a centimeter and pressing on the frontal lobe. Everything went well, and he has never had another seizure or any other problem that we have seen, although he has a titanium plate and several $1000+ screws in there. ;) It was a most frightening event, not only for the injury but because I had misjudged the seriousness of it. I still get a little breathless and shaky when I think about how wrong I was on that one.

Anyway I just want to highlight what somebody else pointed out:

Surgeon trained in the military, State University Research Hospital, Level 1 Trauma center (funded federally) likely saved the life of a pretty damn good and popular public servant. Government has its good points. It is not the evil portrayed by these ignorant teabagging fools - it is not taking all their money, it is not taking their guns, it is not taking their fucking religion.

[avaistheone1]

1. Excellent example

and not uncommon throughout the U.S. either.

:kick:


k&r

[Suji to Seoul]

2. That's my alma mater: The University of Arizona!

Wildcat Red and Blue!

[Suji to Seoul]

3. dupe

[LiberalEsto]

4. Thank you

And let's not forget, providing decent health care to our fellow citizens also has its good paoints. Many good points.

I sure hope all those injured yesterday have good coverage.

[riderinthestorm]

5. Yup, that was on a thread I started. Horse with No Name

pointed out that trauma centers get federal funds.

And Kali, he also pointed out that they only get the funds to stabilize people. If a person doesn't have health insurance, and if a non-profit or charity can't be found to help that person, they are released sometimes with catastrophic results.


ETA link to the other thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x151078

[Kali]

10. I sort of replied in your thread.

thanks for the link, it was hectic this morning and I didn't bookmark anything but it got me thinking.

[riderinthestorm]

13. I know. The levels of irony,and tragedy, and introspection, for this are manifold. K and R.

I'm glad your son is okay.... :hug:

[Patiod]

6. And all the emergency preparedness drills they do

all federally mandated - they really paid off! Evidently, the evacuation and treatment of the victims went pretty well.

[DCKit]

7. Just one more point in this whole episode that will drive the right wingers NUTS. nt

[Crystal Clarity]

8. So true. Very good point

Government more often then not gets it right, but we usually only hear about the mistakes.

That event must have been terrifying for you as a mother. I'm so glad your son is ok. I hope Congresswoman Giffords will be too.

K&R

[Kali]

11. this kid

it wasn't his first trip to UMC in a helicopter either!
rattlesnake bite at 18 months. :rofl:

[Ptah]

9. Yes, University of Arizona Medical Center is topnotch.

:kick:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. That's a GREAT story, my dear Kali...

Thank you for telling us...

And reminding us just how damned important all that government really is.

Recommended.

[Maru Kitteh]

14. Thanks for this lovely post. K & R.