To the Trauma Team and ICU at St. Luke's Hospital, Bethlehem, PA

November 3, 2014

Trauma Team, Radiology, ICU

Dear ____________________,

I don’t know your name and I can’t picture your face.  I’ve scoured my medical records trying to piece together the list of people working in the Trauma Center at St. Luke’s Bethlehem on November 3, 2012, but the notes are a bit sketchy for my purposes.

You didn’t know my name at first, and what you saw was not my normal face.  I had been in a car accident and sustained damage to my liver, kidney, spleen, lungs and heart.  My femur was broken, my pelvis was broken, my ankle was broken, my arm was broken; vertebrae, sternum and ribs were broken and I had burns and lacerations on my body.  I am not wealthy or influential or important, but that didn’t matter.  You saw broken and damaged places and you applied yourself to saving my life.  If I understand all the transcripts correctly, it was days before you knew your efforts would be sufficient -- but you exercised your gifts and your skill and persistent, hard work.  After three weeks I was well enough to be transferred to a hospital closer to my home, although I still wasn’t coherent enough through the drugs and the pain to remember much about those days in Bethlehem.  

I cannot imagine what it is to see your side of things in a trauma unit.  But I know how deeply I dig for a word that is beyond “grateful” to give you some kind of glimpse into my side of it.  I walk every morning for an hour on two strong legs, filling my lungs with fresh air as my heart pumps.  I have full use of my eyes, brain and hands for my daily tasks.  I can’t believe the gift to my husband and our four children that you kept me alive -- that they don’t have to go through life with that shadow of sorrow.  

I am THANKFUL every day for the wonder of being here and being whole!  And almost every day I am conscious of your efforts on my behalf.  You should know I do my best to be a good return on your investment into my life and to multiply outward the gifts given to me.  My prayer is that you are blessed beyond measure for the work you do.  

May God continue to give you clear vision, steady hands and a courageous heart as you face broken people and push the limits to bring healing.

Most sincerely yours,

Stephanie