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JENNIFER DUGINSKI OF COLBY
As soon as Jennifer arrived at the Hospital, the trauma services team went to work. After being sedated and intubated, several tests were performed that confirmed Jennifer had a severe skull fracture that was depressing into her brain causing a severe brain injury. After evaluations from the trauma team, it was decided that Jennifer would be admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for close observation. Over the next few days, several tests and procedures were performed. On July 6, Jennifer was diagnosed with pneumonia from being on the ventilator - the first of many complications. Sunday, July 8 was Jennifer’s 15th birthday, although it would prove not to be a day to celebrate. After a CT scan, it was decided that the best option was to perform surgery to alleviate the pressure on Jennifer’s brain. After days of ups and downs and the possibility of an induced coma (a treatment often considered as a last resort), it was finally up to Jennifer to get better. On July 13 Jennifer began to wake up and was responding well. The doctors were able to lower the medications and eventually take her off the ventilator. Three days later Jennifer was moved to the Pediatric Unit. The next step of Jennifer’s journey was physical, occupational and speech therapy. This is often times the hardest part of the journey for the patient. From there, Jennifer was admitted to the Rehabilitation Center at the Hospital. And finally, on July 25 Jennifer was able to go home. Although she had to continue therapy on an outpatient basis, she was glad to go home. In December 2001 she was cleared from any further physician visits. Now Jennifer is anxiously awaiting the summer so she can resume her sports activities. "Don’t take your life for granted," shares Jennifer. "You never know when something awful will happen. It could be today or maybe tomorrow. Do everything you can to enjoy your life right now. A miracle is something that you can’t explain, but are very grateful for."
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