Dr. Deb's Blog
Emergency Practice
FEBRUARY 28TH, 2010In my desire to always combine business with pleasure, I recently took my family with me to Colorado on my way to a Team Northrup Retreat. The plan was to ski for a few days as a family and then I would head to Denver for the retreat.
On the first day, my husband and I dropped off our son, Micah, along with his friend, Sam, at Snowboarding School. My husband and I then decided to have a nice quiet day alone instead of going skiing. But about an hour after dropping off the boys we got a call from the school saying they were bringing our son down the mountain on a stretcher. NOT THE CALL ANY PARENT WISHES TO RECEIVE!
Instantly I knew I had a choice of thought patterns: fear or love. I made the decision to keep myself in a vibration of love as we drove to the base of the mountain by saying out loud all the things I was grateful for: the fact that they reached us immediately, that we had a car, that the roads were clear, that there was an excellent medical team on the spot, etc… Then I began to envision my son in vibrant health and envision the team of paramedics working efficiently.
When we arrived we were greeted by the paramedics as they loaded my son onto the ambulance truck. NOT A SIGHT ANY PARENT WISHES TO SEE!
Once again, I was struck with the choice to have thoughts of fear or love. I began thanking the paramedics and feeling huge waves of gratitude for their kindness and skill. Then, because gratitude allows the higher regions of the brain to function best, I remembered a book I read five years ago entitled “The Worst Is Over: What to Say When Every Moment Counts–Verbal First Aid to Calm, Relieve Pain, Promote Healing, and Save Lives” by Judith Acost and Judith Simon Prager. In it they teach phrases and imagery to use in emergency situations that help calm the patient and accelerate the body’s healing process.
As I rode in the back of the ambulance with my son (whose left ear was pinned to his left shoulder and could not move his neck at all) I began saying things like: “The worst is over. Now your neck is beginning to relax and heal.” And when he got fearful that his neck was broken, I would shift his attention by asking “How does your left knee feel? How about the thumb on your right hand.”
As I spoke to him I also sent out prayers that there would be an Osteopath or Physical Therapist at the hospital who would know the best thing to do for my son. When we arrived, a lovely physician came in to ask Micah questions. I was so relieved to see “D.O.” on her name badge and, when there was a lull in conversation, asked her where she went to Osteopathic Medical School. She looked surprised and asked me, “How did you know I was an Osteopath?” I told her I had seen the “D.O.” on her badge. She then flipped her badge over and over again to show me that it doesn’t say “D.O.” or Osteopath anywhere on her badge. It was at this point that I felt the presence of angels and all the people who love Micah and me in that E.R. bay. The room felt warm and cozy and safe – and I knew all was well.
Our wonderful Osteopath spend hours coaxing Micah’s neck to relax and straighten in order to get X-Rays. During this time I watched as Micah’s oxygen saturation level would go way down and I would coach him to do deep yoga breathing. Each time he shifted from ‘fear breath’ to a deep yoga breath he could bring his O2 levels up from 84% to 92%.
And, serendipitously, although I forgot my coat and gloves in the rush to meet the ambulance, I DID have homeopathic Arnica and Arnica cream in my purse. So I was able to start giving him Arnica right away!
Finally, his neck was straight enough for x-rays:
Thankfully, the x-rays indicated no vertebrae damage. His only injury was whiplash. And by 11:00 a.m. the next day – with the doctor’s blessing – he was skiing with his good friend Sam (with a soft neck collar underneath his bandana!)
I am so grateful to the medical staff at Copper Mountain.
I am so grateful to the ability of a body to heal.
I am so grateful for all the years of mind/body/spirit studies that came into practice this day.
13 Comments to “Emergency Practice”
Posted: Mar 1st, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Deb, thanks so much for sharing this amazing story …what an inspiration to us all to remember we don’t have to react, but can pause, move into flow, trust our source and respond from love. Thanks for this beautiful story …as a mama of a boy, I needed to hear this.
Posted: Mar 1st, 2010 at 8:23 pm
So glad u had your “toolbag” to draw from and the presence of mind to reach in! Glad to hear Micah is doing well!! Love your newsletter!
Posted: Mar 1st, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Wow!
I hope they call YOU if I (or one of my kids) ever gets hurt.
You’re the best!
Posted: Mar 1st, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Hi Debbie,
So glad Micah is doing well. Angels were indeed around all of you. I remember when Micah was just a dot inside you and now he’s a healthy young boy experiencing life. Life is one big challenge and you have survived, yet, another challenge. Hugs to all of you. Jo
Posted: Mar 2nd, 2010 at 9:40 am
Wow….You have done it again Deb. Thaks so much for this inspirational story. As a mother I can only imagine your gratitude for these skills! I really needed to read this! I will keep it mind with all the everyday experiences that go with my childrens growth! Mine too!
Leslie
Posted: Mar 2nd, 2010 at 10:22 am
Thank you, Deb, for this beautiful story. Brought tears to my eyes. Having spent many years breaking the jewish mother tradition I inherited, I’m gifted and confirmed by your story. And so glad for all of you that Micah was fine.
With love,
–Shaina
Posted: Mar 2nd, 2010 at 10:49 am
Dearest Deb:
Thank you for sharing this incredible story. Your presence of mind/body/spirit is inspiring. So is the strength of the human spirit, ours and others.
I know reflection on this story will help me in the future. As the mother of two boys myself, I have no illusion that they will not experience some form of trauma or another during the remainder of their lives. Hmmm … suppose this is true for myself and any of my loved ones.
Sending you tons of love and gratitude …
Posted: Mar 2nd, 2010 at 11:10 am
Thank you ALL for these heart-warming comments. I actually sent this post to the authors of “The Worst is Over’ and they are going to put the story in their upcoming book (to be published in June 2010) called “Verbal FIrst Aid: Help Your Kids Heal from Fear and Pain – and Come Out Strong”.
Doesn’t that sound like a fantastic book?!?!
Love to all, Deb
Posted: Mar 3rd, 2010 at 8:51 am
Hey Deb, Thanks for ‘telling’ the story, you do it so well, and now to have it in a book for all to experience is even more awesome! Love the positive shifting of vibration instantaniously with thought and breath…Continued synchronicities of love and joy coming your way! Your friend in Wisconsin, Jody
Posted: Mar 3rd, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Thank you for sharing this story! You are an inspiration to a mother-to-be! I pray I can be as calming as you one day.
The book title sounds great! Congrats!
xoxo
Danielle
Posted: Mar 4th, 2010 at 12:43 am
Deb-
This is an amazing story. You were so brilliant to go into gratitude from the very beginning. I am so impressed! What an amazing mom and healer you are. I am grateful to you and your angels! Thank you for sharing this inspiring story. Very cool about the book too.
Danielle xoxo
Posted: Mar 4th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
wow Debs! I LOVEd reading how you danced through this challenge. I’m tickled by how many (clear and steady) photos you took, documenting the way! This is a wonderful reminder that inspires me to check in with what choices I make from fear and which from love. I thank God for you and all the angels that surround you
Posted: Mar 5th, 2010 at 8:55 am
Hi Deb, Thanks so much for this amazing story. Your son is so lucky to have a wonderful mom like you. Needless to say, I’m ordering the book right now! XO, One of your Houston Nia Friends, Tina Marie