Thank You Orange Co. EMS and Duke!

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I'd like to post a thank you to the professionals who helped me after taking a nasty fall from my horse in late June.

It was on a Wednesday afternoon, my husband and I were leaving the next day to pick our daughter up from Surf Camp. I went to the barn (4 miles from where we live) with the sole purpose of feeding our mare. When I got to the barn I decided it would be a good idea to take a short ride, bareback, because I wouldn't be able to ride again in 4 whole days.

We trotted and walked to a nearby pond then turned around and walked back to the barn. I had my mare in another trot and began pulling on the reins to slow her back into a walk, when I lost my balance. I accidentally kicked her in her side. She took off and I came right off her back.

I landed head first on the hard NC clay ground which was covered in small rocks. I tried to get up and didn't have any control over my arms. I also couldn't focus on anything. My world was spinning in a way I had never experienced. I tried to call my horse but gibberish came out. I lay down on the ground and called my husband (I never ride w/o my phone).

On the way to the barn my husband called to make sure I was still awake. I don't have any recollection of the phone call or the 6 minute conversation we had. Upon his arrival I asked him how he got there. Apparently I thought he just materialized. I also asked him about 5 times if my eyes were dilated. I have no recollection of this conversation either. At that point he called the Orange Co. EMS.

The EMS were there in no time. They were so careful with me and very compassionate. Never once did they admonish me for not wearing a helmet. I've been riding for over 20 years and have never worn a helmet. I bought one as soon as I was able to drive again. They talked to me often and made me feel relaxed as we drove to the hospital.

Upon arrival to the hospital, I was taken to a resuss (sp?) room (only b/c it was the only room available). My poor, poor husband was devastated when he got there. A sweet nurse must have noticed his panicked look and reassured him that I had not coded.

The doctors and nurses were extremely thorough in their examinations and helped me understand what had happened to me. There was a lady ER Doctor who was fantastic! For some reason I would just begin crying and she helped me understand what was going on. She held my hand and looked me directly in the eyes when she talked to me. She was very comforting. There was also one nurse who stood out to me. She seemed new because she really didn't have a lot to say, but she was good. After she removed my cath. I had to urinate sooo badly. I was so embarrassed. She joked around with me about having to go right after the cath. was removed. She helped break the tension. All the staff were great. All the way down to the gentleman who wheeled me back and forth to CAT scan.

I suffered a sever concussion and a sprained neck as a result of the fall.

I've made almost a full recovery. I'm going on a big trail ride with my uncle next month. I will be wearing my helmet!

Thanks again to the professionals who helped me out. I was ashamed that I hadn't been more careful and sorry that they had to spend their time on me when I know there are more critical situations out there.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

The ER where I work takes care of a lot of "horse people." :) It helps that a lot of our nurses are "horse people," too -- they understand it's never the horse's fault! :D

Glad you're okay. You should write letters to the ER and the rescue squad, if you haven't already. Being both a prehospital provider and ER RN, I can tell you that I love to get feedback/follow-up like this from patients. :)

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How is this for coincedence. I was talking to the new boarder this past Tuesday, (she had on an EMS shirt) and discovered she was on call the afternoon of my fall. Her best friend was one of the EMS techs who helped me. She also gave me the name of the head EMS guy who helped me.

I asked her to thank them for me. Our EMS is going through a rough time right now and a letter may not make it to this team.

I will write letters to the Duke team! The head ER Doc was also a hb rider. She stopped riding a few years earlier due to the risks. That was one of the conversations that made me cry. I thought she was encouraging me to stop riding. The morphine was doing a number on me! :wink2:

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, Surgical ICU, Medical ICU.

Well I am very glad you had a great experience with EMS and the Duke system! I think our ER usually does an awesome job and please write a letter to let the nurses know how much you appreciate them (include names if you can remember). I'm sure they would really appreciate it and it would give them credit where credit is due. I know its pretty rough to have an injury like that and come out with any kind of positive experience. Happy you are feeling better! :D

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Prehospital.

I still work EMS. If you have the name of the person/s who provided your care I would write a letter of thanks to the head of EMS. Many times they will forward the thanks and/or let the entire EMS staff know you were thanked by a patient via email. It always makes us feel good when a patient or family member takes the time to recognize us in that fashion.

~Soon to be EMT-P/RN in Dec '08!

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I still work EMS. If you have the name of the person/s who provided your care I would write a letter of thanks to the head of EMS. Many times they will forward the thanks and/or let the entire EMS staff know you were thanked by a patient via email. It always makes us feel good when a patient or family member takes the time to recognize us in that fashion.

~Soon to be EMT-P/RN in Dec '08!

I'll be sure to do that now that I know one of my barn mates knows the EMS team who helped me. I still can't get over how small our world is. :loveya:

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Specializes in ccu cardiovascular.

I'm glad you are okay. The ems and duke hospital did an awesome job with your care and I'm glad that your accident did not make you give up riding. I think everyone who rides should always wear a helmet and maybe by recanting your story at your barn will make other boarders ther think twice and wear a helmet.

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