Alone in the silence, Lacey began to sense that something terrible had just happened. Regaining consciousness, she heard a high pitched sound, like the emergency broadcast system on the television. Noticing all of the blood, her training kicked into overdrive, making her aware of an altered state of consciousness and shock. She tried to focus, to remain alert and oriented.
"Waylan, help me! I've got to get home to the kids. They can't lose both of us!"
"I'm here, Baby. I'm always watching over you. Now, be still. The emergency crew is going to cut you free in just a moment."
She heard the voices of her paramedic partners, Boyd and Steven, while the firefighters fired up the jaws of life. Features, damaged beyond recognition, she heard Steven and Boyd planning their operation as if she was just anyone in an MVA.
"Steve, I'm not sure if we can save this one. I can't even make out what kind of car this was. He, or she is really a mess. I can't tell from here, if there are respirations."
"I know, Boyd. We'll proceed as we always do, by following the ABCs. Airway, Breathing, Circulation, and pray this one wants to live. Just look in the backseat. There's an infant car seat."
Upon hearing these words, Lacey tried harder to focus. "Hey boys, it's me! Get me outta here. Please get me out!"
"Oh God, It's Lacey!" Boyd yelled.
Steven ordered, "Ya'll hurry up and get her out! She's one of us. Lacey, we're gonna get you out. Just hold on, Honey."
"Okay. I'm not going anywhere", Lacey replied. She listened intently to the groaning and crunching, as the jaws ate through the metal of the car. She watched a shower of sparks raining down, as they worked to free her from the death trap she was, at the moment, entombed in.
Steven glanced at Boyd. "Hand me my trauma kit as soon as I'm in position. I'm going in."
"Okay, Steve."
One of the firemen, Blake Walker, yelled, "Hey hold up, Steve. We'll have her free in a moment."
"Sorry, I'm not leaving her in there by herself, when I can crawl through the back. I'm almost there, Lace."
"Crazy Paragods!" Blake quipped.
"Waylan, please don't leave me, again."
"I can't stay here, and you can't cross over yet, But, I will always be with you."
"But I don't want to go on without you. I know I have to stay for our kids, but I need you."
"Remember what I told you. When you need me, just close your eyes, whisper my name in your heart, and I will be there."
"Boyd, give me that kit. She's delirious. Hand me the KED, so I can strap her on it. Once they have the door open, we'll ease her out. Then, I'm going to start an IV of Normal Saline and draw a rainbow. I'm sure the ER Doc is going to order the full spectrum of labs."
"Got it, Steve. I've called for the chopper, but they can't fly in this weather."
"Yeah, yeah. The 'fair-weather ambulance service', is what they're called. Has anyone located the kids?"
"No, Steve. We haven't been able to reach her mother, yet. We've got rescue searchers and Lacey's live rescue dog team out looking for the kids, in case they were thrown from the car."
"I think I left them with Mama. Call Mama, Boyd." Lacey plead.
"I'll call her, myself, Lacey. They'll be alright. You'll see. Just keep talking to us, okay?"
There was a loud pop when the sawing finally ended. With the door finally opened, Lacey was strapped securely to the backboard and lifted into the ambulance on the stretcher. Boyd and Steve both rode with her, while Buck, a fireman drove the unit priority A to the ER.
The lonely wail of the sirens is all Lacey could hear after a moment. Then, darkness once again. Looking around in the void, she whispered in her heart, "Waylan." And then, she saw the radiance of the shining sun, bursting out in golden rays, surrounding her, as if enveloping her within its warmth. She felt like snuggling down to sleep. Knowing the cocoon of Waylan's love would never desert her dreams, she surrendered to the comforting shelter of sweet slumber. With Waylan by her side, she reached for Dallas and Justin's hands. She loved the smiles on their wee faces, as they greeted her.
"No pulse, no respirations. Flatline on the monitor. We're losing her, Steve!"
"Lacey! Lacey, don't you do this. You can't give up. Your kids need you. We need you! Boyd, start CPR. Buck, step on it!"
They worked on Lacey, as if all their lives depended on it. It's one thing to work each day, saving the lives of others, but when it's one of your own; a family member, or someone you work with closely, it is different.
Beep...bump...bump bump bump..."Boys, remember, I'm allergic to nearly everything. It's okay. Forget it's me, and follow protocol. I know I'm in the best hands. I wouldn't feel safe with anyone else."
Relieved, both boys finally caught a breath. "Lacey!" They both laughed.
Then...Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!
"Dammit! Lacey!? No! Start CPR again, while I get the paddles charged. We're not losing her!"
"One, two, three, four, five, breathe! One, two three, four, five, breathe!" Boyd worked relentlessly.
"Clear!" Steven ordered.
"Nothing."
They charged the paddles, again.
"Clear!!"
They fought all the way to the hospital trying to bring her back, but Lacey was with her beloved Waylan. The ER doctor ordered drugs on board, to restart Lacey's heart, and ordered LifeFlight to transport her to University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. He knew she stood a better chance of survival there than she would at Memorial, which was at best a Band-Aid facility.
The rescue workers were still on scene looking for Lacey's children, and the ER staff were calling every possible number trying to reach any of Lacey's family. One of the nurses finally reached her mother. "Mrs. Worden, we have your daughter at the ER. She was involved in a traffic accident, and is asking about her children. Do you have them? Great! That is good news. The rescue workers are still on scene, looking for them. I'll get word to them they can call off the search. Drive safely, and I'll see you soon."
Back at the scene of the accident, the Texas State Trooper in charge of the scene received a call. His radio crackled to life instructing him to call off the search for the children, as Pastor Bradley Stuart arrived on scene asking him who was injured. The officer handed the pastor a large leather book, which reminded him of a cherished scrapbook. It was covered in blood.
KED=Kendrick Extrication Device used to safely extricate a patient from a car, when there is a possibility of spinal fractures.
MVA= Motor Vehicular Accident
MVA= Motor Vehicular Accident
If you enjoyed this chapter, please read Chapter Three: The Promise by following the link below. Thank you for reading. :D
http://writing.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981486633
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Comments: 10
Thanks for sharing with SatWE.
~Lisa
~Lisa
~Lisa