A 4-year-old patient experienced a traumatic event with life-threatening injuries after he was struck by the mower deck of the family tractor, injuring his leg and extracting 90% of his small bowel. This patient was to be life flighted to McLane Children’s, however, during landing, the helicopter struck the power lines and was not able to take off again. The EMS team proactively decided to transport by ground and started communicating with McLane's emergency department (ED) and the Pedi Surgical Providers prior to arrival relaying the criticality of the patient and the devastating injuries.

The child arrived at the ED in serious condition and was taken immediately to the operating room (OR), bypassing the ED. The ED and House Supervisor however exemplified “we are in it together” and “we never settle” and traveled with the patient to the OR to assist with Massive Transfusions, gathering equipment and assisting as needed to help stabilize the patient during the surgery.

The first week this patient spent in the PICU, he was in a coma and it was touch and go much of the time. All were amazed that he was able to withstand the massive blood loss and infection due to the elements he was exposed to at the scene. Over the next several weeks there was coordination between the PICU and OR to schedule multiple returns to surgery to clean out his abdomen and repair his leg.

Finally, he woke up and became responsive, which was a relief to all. Over the next month, the team worked diligently to return this patient back to his prior state of being a fun-loving, energetic, very active boy. The Nurses would play with him every time he entered the room. He loved the outdoors, so as soon as he was stable enough they would take him to the healing garden so he could look up at the sky and feel the sunshine on his face. They allowed him to shoot them with nerf guns every time they came in because it raised his spirit. However, he was missing the normalcy of his life and was sinking into depression.

After having a conversation with his parents asking if he had a dog that they could bring up to visit him and cheer him up, it was uncovered that he did not have a dog, but a 1,000-pound Miniature Herford named M. Over the next several days the Nurses worked to arrange a special visit from his pet cow, M, here at the hospital.

After that day it was like a light came on in his eyes. He smiled more, he laughed more, and you could see his inner child coming back to the surface. It took time for him to heal, but it was the nurses that kept his spirits high by using play to help motivate him to stand and then take his first step. Casey, one of the PICU nurses, made his walker into a steer so that he would use it to help him stand. He lovingly named his walker “Casey the Bull”. The MSU team had to arrange for Minnie to make a second appearance before he was sent to Rehab about 2 ½ hours away because he would not see her for a month. The parents have told me on many occasions that they owe us his life.

Without the dedication and innovation of the teams here at McLane Children’s, this child would not have made a full recovery. This patient is alive today because of the immediate response of all the departments at McLane Children’s. The nursing staff/providers, surgical team, anesthesia, lab, blood bank, therapy, child life, and other support staff never settled and continually collaborated to ensure this child had exceptional care and was given every opportunity for a favorable outcome. To date, McLane’s continues to provide follow-up care to this child and the family on an outpatient basis. This child was recently seen running and laughing down the hallway during a follow-up visit. Thanks to the clinical expertise, the team’s dedication to faith, and the staff's compassion, this incredible recovery is truly a miracle.