On July 10, I crashed my motorcycle riding in Echo Basin. After driving myself 30 miles to the ER, I discovered my left lung had collapsed. I also had five broken ribs (two in two places), a broken scapula, and a broken clavicle. The pneumothorax was of primary concern, so ruling out other injuries became the next priority. After four CT scans and numerous X-rays, thankfully I was cleared of further injuries.
If not for the immediate care I received in the ER and continuous monitoring in ICU, my condition could have worsened significantly over the next 72 hours. The attentive care from nearly two dozen caregivers from the ER, to ICU, and then to Med Surge, including registration (as I phoned ahead), radiology, and all of my nurses was remarkable. I received rapid triage, constant intervention, and round-the-clock healthcare to stabilize and re-inflate my lung, including monitoring a chest tube, which expelled fluid and air trapped in my chest cavity. Despite severe pain from the broken bones, everyone took extra care to ease any suffering.
Ultimately, my lung re-inflated so the chest tube could be removed, and none of the seven broken bones required immediate surgery. Although recovery will be long and painful, I am grateful for the support from the staff, specialists, and doctors at Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez. Dr. Viquez, Dr. Penny, Dr. Bruneau, and Dr. Bagley are among the finest doctors in the state. Their dedication and expertise deserve recognition and respect. Thank you all for your incredible work and for getting me back home safely.
Nick Brown
Cortez
