Talyssa Lynn-Ann Horn
Growing up in a farming community and Indian Reservation in Montana, we thought nothing about riding ATV’s. They are a blessing to farmers and ranchers. We negligently overlook the great dangers they pose to our children. Around 4:00 p.m. the phone at my parent’s house rang. When I looked at the caller ID and I seen my father’s cell phone number show up, I had a strange feeling in my heart. Upon answering, I heard nothing but soft crying on the other end and the caller hung up. My heart dropped. I quickly dialed them back. My father answered, he said that they had run through a fence with the four-wheeler and Talyssa had cut her neck. He said she was still breathing and talking, so he did not think she cut an artery, meet them at the hospital, they were about 5 minutes away. By the sound of my father’s voice, I knew there was more to what he was telling me. Arriving at the hospital, I ran toward my fathers SUV, took my baby from his arms and ran with her into the hospital. As we were running, I was looking into her beautiful eyes and she said “I cut my neck mommy.” That look of love from her will be forever etched into my memory. Upon taking the shirt from her neck, I seen the full extent of her injuries and I felt the air being knocked out of my body. I am not a parent that panics, but this was more than I could handle. I began to cry and my precious baby said to me “mommy, don’t cry.” This broke my heart, but I knew I had to stay strong for her, to be any help and comfort to her; I had to remain strong no matter what was to come. In my mind I was
trying to comprehend what I was possibly facing. I was mentally preparing
for the moment we as mothers hope we never have to face. If my baby did
not survive how was I going to break this news to her sisters, how was
I going to handle that kind of pain? I was a whirlwind of emotions. People
came and went that day in the ER, but all I remember is listening to
my beautiful baby, taking in her scent, memorizing every squeaky word
she said to me, not knowing if it would be her last. I prayed with every
ounce of faith I have that day, begged God, not to take my baby. Upon arrival at the Denver Children’s hospital, many doctors were waiting for Talyssa. She was evaluated and immediately taken into surgery. If I thought the day had been long, the next two and half hours were even longer. When the Trauma Surgeon finally came out of surgery to speak to me, he informed me that Talyssa had a 180 degree tear in her trachea. He said it was a miracle that she survived the injury let alone the time lapse between injury & treatment. The surgeon stated that whoever intubated Talyssa was either very lucky or very good. There was very little room to work with, and the intubation was done perfectly. A little to either side and his words were “the injury would have been devastating, no hospital in Montana is equipped for what could have happened.” I asked the question that we as mother’s hope we never have to ask, will my child survive? The surgeon said the next couple of days would tell. Finally I was able to see my baby. In the PICU ward, I walked into Talyssa’s room and saw her laying there so helpless, tubes coming from her nose, her mouth, everywhere, I broke down with grief. That afternoon and throughout the week, my sisters, a couple of my close friends, my mother, father, my other two children, two of my aunts and Talyssa’s father arrived from Montana. That first couple of days Talyssa was sedated. At night she would wake up in a panic, not knowing where she was or what was happening, unable to talk, to she would kick her legs frantically on the bed. This was heart breaking. I could not eat, could not sleep or leave my baby, except for a quick shower. My family and I kept a vigil at the hospital, praying and hoping for the best. On the second day, Talyssa
developed a fever. The air had once again been knocked out of me. This
was a very terrifying set back. With her type of injury, this could possibly
be fatal. Once again my baby was facing another great challenge. The
doctor’s search for the source
of infection treated her with another antibiotic. At last, her fever
broke. The next day, she was moved out of PICU into her own room. The doctors and I could not believe how well she was healing. If everything continued like it was, she would be released in a couple of days. Unfortunately, the night before she was to be released, my friend and I, who where staying at the hospital with Talyssa, noticed that during the night she was wheezing much more than the day before. She was taken into surgery again that next afternoon. There was more scar tissue that was blocking the airway which had to be removed. Talyssa came out of this surgery well, and was released the next day. Only 10 DAYS after the accident. On June 26, my sister and I traveled to Denver with Talyssa for what was to be her final follow-up surgery to insure that she was healing well and on schedule. Everything looked great. In August, Talyssa developed a cold, and it was becoming harder for her to breathe while playing. I took her to a local Doctor here in Montana, where the Doctor took x-rays of her neck. He noticed a narrowing in her airway that concerned him. Upon notifying Talyssa’s Doctor in Denver, she wanted to see Talyssa immediately. So my mother and I made the 12 hour drive to Denver for another surgery. Talyssa had her 6th surgery in 3 months. Her Doctor noted that everything was healing well; she did still have lesions in her throat which are currently being treated. The Doctor stated that Talyssa’s airway was half the size it is supposed to be for a child her age, but is good for her condition. Today, Talyssa is doing great. She has some trouble with wheezing; she is not able to play as long as a healthy 5 year old without complaining of her throat hurting. Her doctor here in Montana says that eventually she may have to have another surgery to widen her airway. But, we will not know when until problems arise. This is very scary to me as a mother, the not knowing. Sometimes she says she wants her scar taken off, but I tell her that she is very special. God left her with us for a reason, and she should be proud of her scar, it tells what a fighter she is. Watching her play, seeing her talents and abilities and how little she lets her injury hold her back, I know she has bright future. We do not always take into consideration the dangers of ATV’s. Tragedies happen in an instant. If Talyssa’s story stops one parent from allowing their child to ride, her tragedy will not be in vain. I beg of you all reading, to always take the necessary precautions and more when riding ATV’s and allowing children to ride. I am one of the lucky ones, I still have my child with me, but many more parents are not as lucky. My thoughts and prayers are with you all who have lost or had a child seriously injured will riding an ATV.
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© 2007 Concerned Families for ATV Safety. All Rights Reserved |
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The
horrible, fateful May day began like any other. The weather was a little
dreary, with a little sprinkle still falling. That afternoon Talyssa
wanted to go with her 7 year old aunt and grandpa, my father to his ranch
in North Central Montana, I was a little hesitant because it was kind
of cold, but in the end, Talyssa won.