I SAVED A LIFE!

Friday July 25th 2014 is a day I will NEVER forget!  Well, I guess Sunday July 27th is another one I will never forget.  Chad, me and the kids decided we wanted to go look at fireworks and maybe get some for a BBQ we were doing with some friends and family the next day, Saturday.  We decided to go to Costco to pick up one of their packs they had the previous day, but we didn't get it because we wanted to wait until payday the next day.  Well, I guess they don't sell them after the 24th because they were gone.  As we were driving back home we noticed a firework stand in the same parking lot as Hobby Lobby, in American Fork.  We stopped and found one we thought about getting, but I wanted to go look elsewhere to see if we could find something for a better deal.  We went to a few different places but didn't find anything we really cared for or wasn't as good as a value as the one we first found.  We started to head back to go get it and we were almost there when there was a car crash a few cars ahead of us.  I heard the crash but I thought it was just brakes and Chad said he actually see the cars wreck.  We pulled in on the street right before Hobby Lobby next to UCCU and I had Chad pull more forward than he was so I could see what was going on.  Without even thinking, I jumped out of the car and ran over to where the one car was pretty bad.  There was an older lady in the car and I was confused because she was soaking wet.  I asked her if she was hurting anywhere and she told me that her neck was hurting.  I could tell that she was in a lot of pain so I immediately placed my hands on her head to keep it still so if there was an injury to it, it wouldn't make it worse by her moving it.  I asked her her name and asked if she was hurting anywhere else.  This entire time I was very calm and letting her know that it was very important that she holds as still has possible.  As I was talking with her, I was looking around and saw glass shattered everywhere!  This was not glass from any windows, but from something with a handle.  Part of the handle was on the dashboard along with a lot more glass.  Her head was bleeding and I asked if anyone had gloves and one of the bystanders had a first aid bag with some in it.  She brought them to me and another lady that was right behind the accident and was in the passenger seat holding the drivers hand helped hold them open so I could put them on. I kept a hold of her head until the paramedics/firefighters arrived.  The lady said she wanted someone to call her husband to me but I told her I wanted the police to be able to do it because I didn't know if it would be ok if I did.I told the lady that was holding her hand that she wanted someone to call her husband and she decided that she would. I made sure to tell her to be very calm when she was talking to him.  When the paramedics/firefighter arrived I told them that she was complaining of neck pain, so they went to go get the neck collar to put around her neck.  When they came back with it, they asked if I could go to the back seat and hold her head until they could get the brace around her neck.  I did as they asked and the paramedic/firefighter asked where at in her neck was hurting and she said the middle.  I had a feeling that she had a broken neck and thought the worse that could happen would be that she would be paralyzed, even though she was moving her one foot a little bit.  When they were done getting her neck stable, I got out of the way.  A police officer was in front of the car taking pictures so I went to ask him if he needed anything else from me because I didn't actually witness the accident.  He said he didn't and thanked me for my help.  I went over to where the other lady was talking to her husband and letting her know that she needed to let him know that she was ok because I didn't want him to rush to her and have an accident.  Chad and the kids were still waiting in the car and they didn't need me anymore so I went to the car and had Chad pull up to Dickey's so I could go inside and wash my hands.  I did have a little blood on me because I held my hands to her head before I was able to get gloves on.  But I was more worried about her neck than blood getting on me.  We then drove off and left.  I was really sad after because with HIPPA rules, you can't just call the hospital and ask if the person that was brought in was ok and what her injuries were.  They just can't give them that information but it's ok because it's for everyone's safety.  It just still sucked.  When I got home I posted on FB:

Well, all my medical and first aid training paid off today. A car (at fault) hit another car with an older lady in it. Her neck was killing her so I held her head so she wouldn't move it. She also has bad pain in her chest and right ankle. It was a pretty bad wreck and both cars are totaled. Hope she will be ok.

I went to my sister Andrea's house a little later to ride to Bunco with her.  I was telling her about being sad I couldn't find out any info on her.  Andrea had also helped someone that was unconscious and to this day, she had no idea if he even made it or not.  I had a hard time sleeping that night thinking of everything that happened that night.

Saturday came and gone, like any other day.  That night I had a hard time sleeping.  I got to bed late and I just couldn't turn my brain off thinking more about the previous night.  Chad got up early to go to his part time job and I slept in.  I woke up to a phone call from Chad and I was confused at what he was saying.  He said "you saved her."  I said "what are you talking about?"  He said that the lady I helped on Friday family was looking for me.  Still confused I asked him "what are you talking about?"  He told me to check my Facebook.  I got on FB and I had 3 new friend requests and a couple of messages.  One was from a friend with an update on the lady's condition.  It read:
Here is the update on the lady you saved!

Mickey never saw the other car and doesn't have any recollection of the accident and wasn't able to tell us what happened at all. All she remembers is driving, hearing a big crash and then the intense pain. She was transported by ambulance as you probably know to the AF hospital but shortly after was transported down to Utah Valley hospital. She has very serious injuries but there have been many miracles and she is so lucky that it wasn't worse. She will be in the hospital for about a week and then will have in home care for about 4 months.

the other lady at the scene thought you might want to read it

On my wall, this same friend, Tori posted on my wall this:

Thought this post would make your day'. This lady is looking for you! You are a hero!! 
Stacy Porter
15 hrs
Need help finding someone! Yesterday my mother in law was in a car accident in American Fork in front of Hobby Lobby. She was driving a silver Scion XB when she was hit on the driver side. She broke her neck and back. A bystander held her neck in place until the paramedics arrived. This kind act most likely saved her life as her break was right next to the main artery to the brain. Our family would love to thank this person for their kindness and for saving her life.

After a few messages back and forth with the one lady that was at the scene with me, I was able to get the husbands phone number.  I called and I said "Hi, my name is Stacey Harward"  before I could say anything else, he said "I know who you are"  I got a quick update on his wife and I asked if it was ok if I came to the hospital to see her and then I can tell them my side of the story.  She said it was fine, so I headed right down.  The meeting was so wonderful!  I am so glad that I was able to meet her again.  They told me that the Dr's told her that she didn't realize really how lucky she was to be alive.  I saw the pictures of her neck and they weren't good.  She broke her C2, which is called a 'hangmans fracture'  This particular break is right next to the main artery to the brain.  The way that vein is, it kind of "loops" around that C2 and when that part of your spine breaks, it severe's that main artery and kills them.  Think of someone being hung by a rope.  This is why the die and so quickly.

With her neck brace she will probably heal about 75% or more (hopefully)  She still has a long road to recovery.  She will be in the brace for probably 6 months and there is still a chance that if it doesn't completely heal, she will need to have screws put in her neck.  Also she has the chance of having to "upgrade" to a halo, where they put screws in your head to keep your head even more still.  This would be very unpleasant so I hope she can heal enough that that won't happen and she follows the Dr's orders.  I understand she has a hard time "holding still."

I have been in contact with her since.  Last time I talked to her the pain was so bad that it was making her throw up, which I can't imagine that it could be good for her condition.  I'm hoping to contact them tomorrow again to get another update and am hoping to see them again soon.

Since them.  Someone called in to KSL.com's tip line and they contacted me about the story.  I gave them an interview over the phone and sent her the picture of our reunion.  I also gave them their number because she wanted to see if they could get her statement.  Because they are having to do a lawsuit from the accident they weren't able to comment.  KSL did do the story though they couldn't resond:

KSL Article

I feel honored that they wanted to do a story on me.  I do want to give credit to Natalie as well.  The lady that help her hand.  She said she felt so comforted by that gesture.  I also want to thank the family for finding me and allowing me to find out how she was.  I'm grateful for new friends from this one simple act and I hope we can be friends for a long time to come.

I really don't consider myself a "hero" as some have said.  Or even an "angel." but I am so glad that I was in the right spot at the right time and I knew exactly what to do.  Unlike what KSL reported.  I was not 'overwhelmed' with the situation but calm the entire time.  I am not a nursing student (yet) but a Medical student.  And they got my last name wrong, most of the time.

I did never think in a million years that I would ever save someones life but it is the most awesome feeling to know that because of what you did, that person is alive today.  I don't know how I could live if the circumstances were different.  I have been on a week long "high" and I am now addicted to that high.  Nobody could really understand unless you have been one of those people that have saved someone.  I just want to go out and save even more.

During school I was worried that I wouldn't make a good nurse or something, I can't explain it.  Even though I got straight A's and was always on the Dean's list, I think there is always that fear in the back of your head.  After this I KNOW that this is the field I am supposed to be in and now I may want to even go further to get that RN status or even become an EMT.  I finish this year and I guess I have a couple months to decide if I continue or not.  But until then I am SO GLAD that I am where I am and only wish it didn't take me so long to get here.

To the family:  Love is a very strong word but I want you to know how much I care and love your mother as if she was my own. There is not a day that I don't think of her and pray that her pain will subside.  I hope she makes a full recovery and that we can be friends for the rest of our lifetime.  She is an amazing lady, and I am proud to call her and all of you my friends.  I hope one day we can all meet, but until then I will think of you all and continue to pray for her.  Thank you for finding me.  I can't explain in words how much it means to me. Thank You, Thank You!