Read some "Thank You e-mails" we've received

3/24/05
Hello!
I'd like to thank everyone that helped me on Sunday when I got hit by the East Quad chairlift.  I would also like Kris to know that my leg was broken in 3 places (he kept telling me that it was highly unlikely that it was broken at all).  The ER in Rochester was impressed with the box splint but also very glad that you had immobilized it.  Frank had guessed that my fibula might be broken and he was right but my tibia was also broken in 2 places.  There was no displacement so no surgery (just no weight bearing for 12 weeks).
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!
LS

Kathy,
I wanted to take a moment and THANK YOU for the awesome, wonderful, fantastic, exceptional care you took in seeing Rodney Emery Saturday.   He was very scared, and felt comforted by you and your talking with him.   He did see the more urgent injuries as they came in, and felt very fortunate he was not leaving in an ambulance. 
Thank you so very much for being an awesome "proxy" mom - when his real mom was not available.  I understand how he felt, and I also understand how YOU felt.  As a mother, I believe it is our instinct to help any child who is in need.   I work in Pediatrics here at Mayo, and I empathize with so many mothers who call with a concern.  I feel helpless, yet I try to comfort the mother as best I can so she calms down.
I brought my brother with me that night because Rodney's dad is way up north ice fishing, and my oldest daughter was visiting a friend at Region's who was in a car accident late Friday night.   I just instinctively called my trusty brother, who is a fireman and EMT for Cannon Falls.   I knew he would be cool, calm, and collective to information you would give us.   I am a wreck when any of my kids get hurt.  It's the "lioness" in me......
We did go to the Cannon Falls Hospital and he was examined and had regular x-rays and then a CT. I've gotten not only second but third and fourth opinions on his x-rays.   I've heard everything from it's fractured to it's broke to it's fine.  On x-ray, his spine is straight - but right at the sacrum (tailbone) it curves and goes off to his right side.   Some speculate he was born that way, some say the cannot tell due to growth plates......so we are not sure at this point what is going on.  Either way, there is not much one can do with a tailbone other than time, rest, ice, and lots of Advil for his pain. He stayed home Monday with me, as I was on a mission to find out answers.  He then went off to school yesterday.  He did admit he was in pain, but it was "tolerable".  I do feel sorry for him today, as he gets his braces on his teeth!!!  Pain from one end to the other!  He's tough, I know he can handle it.   That's why God made them "bouncing babies" because he knew they could bounce right back after an injury!!
Sorry this turned into a novel, but I just really appreciated your being there for him and sympathizing for his injury.  When I came in the building and saw his face, I could tell immediately he was both relieved and yet looked like he wanted to cry at the same time.  I know he held that in, but when we got in the truck, he let loose.  It broke my heart.   He did keep saying how wonderful you were, and if he ever crashes again, he'd want you to be there!   (Maybe next year/season!!)  His chiropractor said NO sports or activities for at least 8 weeks.   We are going to abide by that decision.
In closing, I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I know it was your job, but I feel you went above and beyond by playing the role of "mother" and sympathizing for him.  Your taking time and drying his socks was an exceptional act on your part, too.  He loved that.   We did not realize until we got back home how wet he was.   (Right down to the boxers!!)
Bless your heart.  You are an amazing woman - and we appreciate who you are.  God Bless you!

A Mom

On Friday, Jan 21, at about 8pm, my 8 year old son, Nicholas, fell and broke his leg while skiing at Welch.  I wanted to extend a very warm and sincere thank-you to the Ski Patrol members who assisted Nicholas and my family. Nicholas was in a tremendous amount of pain. 
I think he was also traumatized and scared and he screamed every time someone tried to move him, examine him or help him. 
The Ski Patrol staff had just the right mix of being firm but with a gentle touch to calm Nicholas down and to stabilize him so that we could get him in the car and off to the emergency room. Thanks for your help.

PJV