Often
in life most lessons we learn are from mistakes or experiences. These lessons
come from our most recent experience when our son was hit by a car while riding
his bike.
Yes,
he had a helmet, reflector vest, thick clothing, and forehead light. Yes, he
clearly was visible. Was he riding with a buddy? No. Was he in or on the bike
path? No. There was not one. He was on the shoulder. He simply was not seen
until it was too late
The
biggest issue for our 15 year old son is the fact that he has something called
(ITP) or Chronic Refractive Thrombocytopenic Purpura and (POTS) or Postural
Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. ITP is a blood disorder that prevents
clotting because he is lacking a healthy amount of platelets within his blood
stream. You and I have 400,000 or more platelets per microliter of blood, he
only has about 20,000. This is 0.05% of the normal healthy amount of platelets
needed for clotting for cuts and bruises. Simply explained, POTS means if he
goes from lying or sitting to standing very quickly, he is very likely to pass
out.
Normally
biking is a safe activity. Bike crashes are not. Bike and car crashes. As I
discovered, this makes this mom have to work very hard to not freak out and
lose her mind.
What
are the biggest lessons learned?
When a
child has grown up with a medical disorder they know about the disorder. When
this same child is involved in an accident, all knowledge and ability to offer
any explanation disappears with the adrenalin and the accident.
What
my son was UNABLE to do:
·
Verbally
give mother’s cell phone (although he could dial it)
·
Give
his address
·
Give
his grandparents names (we live with them)
·
Identify
where his father is deployed
·
Properly
identify and explain his medical disorders
·
Give
the names and doses of medication
·
Describe
clearly what happened
What
was he ABLE to do:
·
State
his name and date of birth
·
Ask
to call mom
·
Follow
directions
·
Remain
laying until the police and EMT’s arrived
·
Follow
the basic on scene neurological exam
Had I
not been able to speak with the EMT’s, an office, or arrive before his
transport left, he would have been taken to the local hospital without a trauma
bay or the ability to assess pediatric trauma cases. Had this situation been
any worse for him, my not being able to enforce the importance of his arrival
in a trauma ASAP could have proved fatal due to his extremely low platelets.
Until
further notice he will now carry a laminated card with him at all times that
will have on one side contact information. The other side will have his
diagnosis and medication/dose list. We are ordering a medic alert bracelet that
will simply read, “See laminated card.”
Why
see laminated card? I have learned that spelling out ITP or POTS will not fit
on a bracelet, and most EMT’s do not learn about either of these conditions
during training. Therefore wasted space.
Instead,
use a generic saying, add the laminated card where we can spell out:
ITP-chronic
blood and clotting disorder, severe low platelets
POTS-syncope/fainting
disorder
Meds
********
********
EMT’s
will understand both of these in just a few words. Then if they need the full
diagnosis they will get that at the hospital when time is available to ask
detailed questions.
