Lois Robicheaux works in the Patient Accounts Services Department of Harris Health System, a position she\u2019s held for 25 years. Over the years, she\u2019s become quite familiar with the billing habits of many of the physicians that work at Ben Taub Hospital.<\/p>\n
Imagine her surprise on Feb. 2, 2014, when she became a billing account as a patient in the hospital\u2019s Level 1 trauma center. On that day she and her 17-year-old granddaughter were involved in a horrific car accident that left Robicheaux\u2019s body badly injured, but fortunately spared her granddaughter of any serious injury.<\/p>\n
Now, more than a year removed from the incident, Robicheaux is still recovering. She\u2019s back at work and resuming her life. On May 14, she will join other trauma survivors from greater Houston attending Harris Health System\u2019s annual Trauma Survivors Celebration.<\/p>\n
The event recognizes the remarkable stories of triumph and recovery of patients treated at Ben Taub and Lyndon B. Johnson hospitals, sites of Level 1 and Level 3 trauma centers, respectively. It reunites patients with members of their hospital care team, and in some cases, first responders. The event is held in May to coincide with National Trauma Awareness Month.<\/p>\n
Robicheaux suffered a gash in her head and torn ligaments in her right leg. But her left leg sustained the worst damage; it was broken in eight places. Before the day was over, Lois had surgery to repair her leg and would have another operation eight days later.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey treated me like I was the CEO. I praise God every time I think about it,\u201d she says. \u201cBen Taub\u2019s trauma center is more than you read about in the newspaper.\u201d<\/p>\n
She was in the hospital for two weeks, rehabilitation for another two and in a wheelchair for four months. Her daughter took care of her the whole time. And she can\u2019t say enough about her colleagues. The time in between was difficult.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had to stop my pity party,\u201d she recalls. \u201cI\u2019m a go-getter. I don\u2019t sit around, but all of a sudden, I was dependent on others for everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Plagued by the thought of what could have been a more tragic accident, Robicheaux takes comfort knowing her granddaughter, Ashyla Harper, suffered only with minor cuts and bruises. She was able to graduate last year from Summer Creek High School in Aldine ISD.<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t be there in person because of the accident, but I saw it live on the computer,\u201d she says. \u201cIt was a miracle to see her walk across the stage and receive her diploma, after all we went through.\u201d<\/p>\n
After being cleared to drive, Robicheaux stopped on the way home and bought a new car. She\u2019s been on the go ever since.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis situation taught me that you can be here, and then gone the same day,\u201d she says. \u201cI\u2019ve learned to appreciate life, to be thankful. I\u2019ve even learned patience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lyndon B. Johnson and Ben Taub hospitals are vital parts of the Houston\/Harris County emergency response system. Both facilities treat nearly 182,000 emergency patient visits and trauma cases annually.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Lois Robicheaux works in the Patient Accounts Services Department of Harris Health System, a position she\u2019s held for 25 years. Over the years, she\u2019s become quite familiar with the billing habits of many of the physicians that work at Ben Taub Hospital. Imagine her surprise on Feb. 2, 2014, when she became a billing account […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2984,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[784,468,469,227,193,217],"yoast_head":"\n