Skilled Care in Critical Times
by Danita PetekIt happened fast. One moment, 11-year-old Brandon Stalker was talking to his father, Eric, about joining the wrestling team. And the next, they were both fighting for their lives in a mass of twisted metal that had been the family truck.
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Brandon wears an eye patch while his nerve continues to heal and a collar to support his neck. He hopes to get rid of both soon. |
Meanwhile, others worked to extricate Eric from the truck. He, too, was taken to Sacred Heart where he was treated for internal injuries, a broken leg and shattered hip.
Suzanne Stalker was notified at work that her husband and only child were both hospitalized. It appeared Eric’s injuries were the most critical, as doctors worked to stop internal bleeding and to surgically repair a compound fracture in his leg.
When surgeons recommended that he receive additional care at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Suzanne followed him there, leaving Brandon in the capable hands of his grandmother.
Then the news came. Upon further testing, Brandon was diagnosed with occipital-cervical dislocation.
“In short,” explains neurosurgeon David Gruber, MD, “his head separated from his neck when the trauma injured the bone and ligaments. This type of injury is almost always fatal.”|
“This type of injury |
“They told me he would have to undergo surgery and the outcome was very uncertain,” says Suzanne. “Just turning him for the surgery required a special table.”
Doctors estimated the surgery could take 8-10 hours, but in just four hours, Dr. Gruber returned to the family waiting room to talk with Suzanne and about 50 other family members and friends who had gathered.
They were very worried he was back that quickly … until they saw him smile.
Dr. Gruber, with the help of William Bronson, MD, devised an innovative solution to the precarious surgery. They used a halo to immobilize Brandon’s neck and fused the back of his head to the upper part of his neck. The fusion was performed by harvesting pieces of rib to use as strut grafts, and carefully wiring the grafts into position once satisfactory alignment of his neck was secured.
Brandon’s recovery was nothing short of miraculous. Within three days, he was walking with the assistance of staff. He continued to progress quickly, and within two short weeks, Brandon transferred to St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute where Karen Stanek, MD, pediatric physical medicine specialist, and staff helped him recover the strength in his arms and body.
The following week, Eric was also transferred to St. Luke’s, where father and son were given adjoining rooms and Suzanne finally had her family back together.
“Brandon has made an exceptional recovery,” says Dr. Gruber. “He is now walking, talking, eating and is home with his family. His vision is also improving nicely. He is out of the halo and his recovery from the surgery is nearly complete.”
The staff at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital was “unbelievable,” says Suzanne. “The surgeons and intensive care staff really went beyond what they were trained to do in medical school, embracing our entire family. They even helped us stay in contact with Eric in Seattle and explained what was happening with his care.”
She continues, “It’s amazing how one accident can bring out so many great people. From the hospital staff to the people who came to mow our lawn and put a railing on our deck … they were all great. Words are just not enough to thank everyone.” 
What’s in store for Brandon? Right now, he is looking forward to a summer of fly fishing, playing outdoors and enjoying his family. As for the future, he dreams of being a major league pitcher for the Yankees.
Thanks to the quick work of his neurosurgeons, there’s no reason to believe he can’t work toward making that happen.
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