Trauma Survivors Celebrate Life

Being in the wrong place at the wrong time left Amanda Arredondo critically shot and clinging to life. But Ben Taub General Hospital was there at the right time, giving her another chance.

Today, the 23-year-old mother is enjoying life with her son.

Stories of overcoming the odds and surviving took center stage at the Harris County Hospital District’s third annual Trauma Survivors Day Nov. 27 at Ben Taub.

Arredondo joined other survivors at the Thanksgiving-Eve luncheon to celebrate their heroic stories and give them a chance meet staff who cared for them as patients.

“This is a special event for a one-of-a-kind health system and the survivors of our community’s most notable tragedies-turned-miracles,” said John A. Guest, president and CEO of the Harris County Hospital District. “I’m certain Houston’s trauma survivors are thankful we were here to help them, and we thank the community for supporting our efforts to be a first-class health care system. Seeing our former patients return healthy is our greatest reward.”

Arredondo’s case made headlines Aug. 29 when robbery suspects fleeing a southeast Houston pawnshop shot her as she used her cell phone in the parking lot. The suspects were eventually caught.

Hospital district administration also used the occasion to encourage residents to donate blood to help others. At Ben Taub alone, about 1,700 units of blood a month are used to care for critically injured patients. Because of the devastating nature of trauma, blood supplies must be in stock to handle any demand for patients involved in motor vehicle accidents, violent crime, accidents and falls.

Other trauma survivors honored were:

Heather Mayfield Johnson, who was in a coma for two weeks after being run over by a 3-ton pickup truck, required 46 units of blood. Grateful for her care by hospital staff, Johnson is now taking nursing classes and someday wants to return to work at Ben Taub.

Santiago Trujillo, who survived a serious car accident, sustained a ruptured spleen, three fractured ribs and a fractured arm. It took emergency medical service crews several hours to remove him from the wreckage. Trujillo spent 10 days in Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital’s intensive care unit before moving to a lower-care unit. Today, the 64-year-old enjoys time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Michael Fuller, who had severe internal injuries after an odd school bus accident, required eight units of blood at Ben Taub. After exiting the bus, he was struck as he returned for something he forgot. Today, Fuller’s recovery has come full circle, culminating with making the high school’s varsity basketball squad.

Daniel Meza, who had severe head trauma after falling from his bicycle, surprised LBJ medical staff with his quick recovery. Less than a day after undergoing emergency surgery, the 5-year-old regained consciousness and was awake and alert. Today Meza is doing well in school and continues to ride his bike.

Floyd Parrot, who knew his injuries were serious when a 3,000-pound tree fell on him, told paramedics, “Take me to Ben Taub.” His injuries included a broken pelvis and a severed urethra. He’s now able to walk and spends quality time with his family.

Christopher Solomon, who walked to school one morning, saw a chance to run through a slow-moving train in his way. The train’s wheel caught one of his legs, severing it just above the ankle. He was taken to Ben Taub, where staff stopped the bleeding and repaired his wound. Today, the youngster uses a prosthetic leg and does not miss a step.

Derek Lam, who slipped in and out of consciousness following a motorcycle accident, can’t remember much of what happened. The single-bike mishap tore off his left arm and leg. Ben Taub staff used 40 units of blood caring for him. Today he credits hospital district staff for saving his life, and looks forward to using his prosthetics to continue his active life.

The Harris County Hospital District treats more than 180,000 emergency patients each year at Ben Taub’s Level I trauma center and LBJ’s Level III trauma center, making it one of the busiest emergency care systems in the state. Each year, staffs at both hospitals treat about 3,600 trauma patients with life-threatening injuries.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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