Brooke's Story
An improper left turn, impulsively made by her boyfriend, presented Brooke for a dead center hit by a truck. It took the rescue teams 45 minutes to cut Brooke out of the small car and intubation was delayed due to large amounts blood in the mouth and throat. She was flown by Bayflight helicopter to Bayfront Medical Center's trauma unit. It was determined that Brooke suffered collapsed lungs, ruptured spleen, fractured liver, crushed pelvis, broken collar bone and twice broken jaw. But worst of all was the severe traumatic brain injury. Brooke was deeply comatose with virtually no chance to survive.
After 7-hours of surgery, requiring 31 pints of blood products, Brooke was too unstable for surgery on her hip or jaw . Within two weeks, at high risk, Brooke's jaw had to be surgically realigned and wired shut to prevent permanent disfigurement. Brooke remained in the expert and loving care of Bayfront's Neuro Intensive Care Unit.for 2-1/2 months.
