I am currently on break as I write this, but I thought I would write about the patient I am caring for today.  

My patient's name is Ceiridwen Maureen O'Malley.  She is fifty two years old (but doens't look older than 40).  She is in hospital because she was in a car accident that resulted in a broken pelvis, a broken hip, and a shattered leg, and numerous bumps and contusions.  She will be hurting for a a while ...

Ceiridwen came in three days ago (Saturday).  She was waiting for the light to turn green when a drunk driver plowed into her (driver's side).  The wreck snarled traffic for over two hours and it was a miracle that Ceiridwen wasn't killed.  (The other driver was, unfortunately.  It was a young teenager of 16 years.  His alcohol level in his blood stream was twice the legal limit.)

Ceiridwen had surgery after being treated in the Emergency Room.  She was in surgery a good part of the day.  Yesterday she was still pretty much out of it, but her vital signs remained stable (and they continue to do so as I write this down).  She is in remarkably good health considering that she is in her fifties.   No known allergies, parents both still living.  Ceiridwen is the younger of two children; she has a brother named Patrick Cameron, who is 55.

It is unknown at this time whether Ceiridwen will be in the hospital, but one thing is for certain: she faces a very long and painful recovery.  I can only hope that she will be able to walk again or at least get by without too much in the way of disability or pain.  

Patrick has given me as much information as we need regarding his sister's health/medical history.  He has been a very big help.  All were born in Ireland, which probably explains their names and their heavy brogues.  Patrick is a very sweet, kind-hearted man and naturally, he is very concerned for his sister, but we have told him repeatedly that Ceiridwen is doing very, very well, considering the circumstances.  It could have very easily been so much worse ...

Well, I will let you go.  Time to go back and take care of Ceiridwen.  Hopefully she is more alert than she's been since she's come into our department ... I will write in here again with another update, probably in a few days.  Until then, this is Jules Montenegra saying so long!

~Julie "Jules" Montanegra, R.N., Nashville, Tennessee.